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Monday's Free Selection: Oakland Athletics + 160
Monday's Free Selection: Oakland Athletics + 160
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Sharp Bettor
SharpBettor FREE Play for Monday, May 20, 2019
5/20 05:05 PM MLB (953) PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (J ARRIETA - R) VS (954) CHICAGO CUBS (Y DARVISH - R)
Take : CubsComment
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Easy Money Sports
Lee's Free Monday Selection Is
Seattle w/Leake +133Comment
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Arthur Ralph
FREE play MON: Oak A's w/Anderson + 156Comment
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The Last Call
Monday's Free Play: Washington Nationals - 155Comment
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Teyas Sports
FREE PICK 5/20 TEXAS -143Comment
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Hollywood Anthony
Your Free Play from Hollywood Anthony is on the Boston Red SoxComment
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New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 05-20-2019 in MLB
The New York Yankees emerged from the weekend in first place in the American League East after taking two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees will try to pad their lead when they visit the team at the bottom of the standings - the Baltimore Orioles - for the opener of a four-game series on Monday.
New York and Tampa Bay battled down to the wire in one-run games on Friday and Saturday but the Yankees managed to take the drama out of it a little earlier on Sunday, when they drew five walks during a seven-run rally in the sixth and cruised to a 13-5 triumph. Brett Gardner had two hits in the rally and homered earlier in the game, but the most encouraging at-bats came from center fielder Aaron Hicks, who hit his first homer of the season and drew two walks in his best game since coming off the injured list on Wednesday. The Orioles (15-31) are heading home after a 1-5 road trip which began with a doubleheader loss at Yankee stadium on Thursday and ended with a 10-0 shutout at Cleveland on Sunday in which they managed five hits and totaled 15 strikeouts. Baltimore will try to bounce back on Monday behind right-hander Andrew Cashner while the Yankees counter with lefty J.A. Happ.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, YES (New York), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH J.A. Happ (3-3, 4.44 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (4-2, 4.10)
Happ failed to complete six innings in any of his last three outings but earned the win in the last two, including a victory over Baltimore on Wednesday. The 36-year-old got the start in the first game of the doubleheader and surrendered three runs on five hits - two homers - in 5 1/3 innings before four relievers combined to lock down the victory. Happ is already making his fourth start of the season against the Orioles and went 1-1 with a 5.93 ERA in the first three chances.
Cashner got the start in the second game of the doubleheader on Wednesday and scattered two runs and four hits across six innings but came away with the loss in a game Baltimore went on to lose 3-1. The veteran Texan surrendered three or fewer earned runs in seven of his nine starts, including the last two turns. Cashner's worst start of 2019 came on opening day at New York, when he was ripped for six runs on as many hits in four frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees LHP James Paxton (knee) threw his third bullpen session on Sunday and is scheduled for one more on Tuesday.
2. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis and LF Dwight Smith Jr. combined to go 0-for-8 with eight strikeouts on Sunday.
3. New York 3B Gio Urshela (knee) left Sunday's game and is day-to-day.
Prediction: Yankees 7, Orioles 3Comment
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Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 05-20-2019 in MLB
After losing two of three in Washington last week, the New York Mets were hoping to take out their frustrations on a struggling Miami Marlins team over the weekend. Those plans went completely awry, and the Mets now look to rebound as they begin a four-game series against the visiting Nationals on Monday.
New York was swept by a Miami club that entered the series with a major league-low 10 victories, getting outscored 13-6 as it was shut out in each of the final two games. Sunday's 3-0 setback was the fifth in a row for the Mets, who likely will pull the plug on Mickey Callaway's tenure as manager if their fortunes don't turn in a hurry. The Nationals fell eight games under .500 and 1 1/2 behind New York for third place in the National League East with Sunday's 6-5 home loss to the Chicago Cubs. Anthony Rendon homered to extend his hitting streak to six games, Howie Kendrick is riding a five-game streak after also going deep and Gerardo Parra registered his second three-hit performance in three contests for Washington, which has gone 3-7 on the road this month.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Washington), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Patrick Corbin (4-1, 2.91 ERA) vs. Mets RH Drew Gagnon (1-0, 4.09)
Corbin will be facing a familiar foe as he makes his second straight start and fourth this season against the Mets. The 29-year-old New Yorker went 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in the first three outings, posting the victory on Wednesday after allowing one run and four hits with a season high-tying 11 strikeouts over eight innings. The triumph improved Corbin to 2-4 with a 4.39 ERA in 11 starts and one relief appearance versus the Mets in his career.
Gagnon is expected to be called upon to make his first start of the season and the second of his brief career. The 28-year-old Californian's first turn came in his major-league debut on July 10, when he suffered the loss against Philadelphia after yielding six runs and seven hits over 4 2/3 innings. Gagnon recorded a victory versus Washington last season after tossing two scoreless frames of relief and scattered three hits over 2 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen against the Nationals on Wednesday.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mets recorded a total of three hits in the back-to-back shutout losses after pounding out 12 in their series-opening loss to the Marlins.
2. Washington is expected to activate LHP Tony Sipp (oblique) from the injured list on Monday.
3. New York LHP Jason Vargas (hamstring) was sent to Double-A Binghamton for a rehab assignment.
PREDICTION: Nationals 7, Mets 2Comment
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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 05-20-2019 in MLB
The Philadelphia Phillies rebounded from a three-game losing streak with three straight wins and their highest-paid player is on the upswing as they visit the Chicago Cubs on Monday for the opener of a four-game series between division leaders. Bryce Harper went 5-for-12 to push his batting average to .235, recording two two doubles, two homers and six RBIs as the Phillies swept a three-game set from Colorado over the weekend.
"He has the ability to transcend the game," Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler told reporters of Harper, who signed a 13-year, $330 million contract in the offseason. "When he's on, he's just so captivating and so charismatic. The work that he does to get back where he got today is notable. It doesn't happen by accident. He puts a lot of work into it." Jake Arrieta takes a 30-14 record and 2.31 ERA in 59 games at Wrigley Field into his first matchup with his former team, while the Cubs counter with the struggling Yu Darvish. Chicago improved to 10-1-1 in its last 12 series with a 6-5 victory at Washington on Sunday as Anthony Rizzo belted a solo homer while Kris Bryant knocked in his sixth run in three contests. Willson Contreras is 7-for-15 with four RBIs over his last four games for the Cubs while Albert Almora Jr. is 7-for-16 with a pair of homers and six runs scored in his last five contests.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Philadelphia, NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (4-4, 4.02 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Yu Darvish (2-3, 5.14)
Arrieta looks to end his three-game winless streak after giving up nine runs - eight earned - over 11 innings in his last two outings - both losses. The 33-year-old TCU product, who won the National League Cy Young Award with the Cubs in 2015, served up a season-high three homers at Kansas City on May 10 before keeping the ball in the park against Milwaukee on Wednesday, when he permitted five runs over six frames. Jason Heyward is 6-for-18 with a homer versus Arrieta.
Darvish struck out a season-high 11 batters while allowing two runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against Cincinnati on Wednesday. The 32-year-old native of Japan, who is 0-1 with a 6.38 ERA at home this season, did not issue a walk in his last outing after handing out 22 free passes over his previous five turns. Odubel Herrera is 3-for-6 with a double against Darvish, who is 1-0 with a 0.73 ERA in two career games versus the Phillies.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago SS Javier Baez (.319, 11 homers, 31 RBIs) left Sunday's game with a heel contusion.
2. Philadelphia SS Jean Segura has hit safely in 10 straight contests, going 15-for-41 during that stretch.
3. Heyward recorded two hits and scored twice on Sunday after going 2-for-35 over his previous eight games.
PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Cubs 2Comment
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Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 05-20-2019 in MLB
The Seattle Mariners are having a hard time washing off the odor that has followed them after losing 24 of 34 contests on the heels of a 13-2 start to the season. The Mariners could go a long way in doing so when they begin the first of six straight series versus American League West foes, starting with Monday's opener of a three-game set against the host Texas Rangers.
Seattle answered an 18-4 drubbing on Saturday by belting three homers to snap a three-game skid with a 7-4 victory over Minnesota the following day. Edwin Encarnacion launched a three-run shot on Sunday to highlight his second straight three-hit performance, and the 36-year-old also had a three-run blast in a 5-4 win over Texas on April 26. The Rangers have answered a five-game skid with four wins in their last five outings, including Sunday's 5-4 victory in 10 innings against St. Louis. Nomar Mazara, whose sacrifice fly capped a two-run rally in the 10th inning of that contest, is 5-for-13 with a homer in his career against Monday starter Mike Leake.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Mike Leake (3-4, 4.00 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Mike Minor (4-3, 2.61)
Leake looks to redeem himself after a dismal performance in his last outing versus Texas, against which he allowed nine runs (five earned) on 10 hits in a 15-1 shellacking on April 27. The 31-year-old has pitched significantly better in his last three starts, including picking up his first win since April 6 after allowing three runs over 6 2/3 innings of a 4-3 victory versus Oakland on Tuesday. Leake owns a 1-2 mark with a 3.64 ERA in seven career starts against the Rangers, although Hunter Pence (15-for-39), Asdrubal Cabrera (5-for-14) and Shin-Soo Choo (7-for-23, two homers) have all fared well versus the hurler.
While Leake struggled mightily in last month's meeting, Minor faced no such issues as he recorded 13 strikeouts while scattering three hits over seven innings to subdue Seattle. The 31-year-old improved to 1-2 with a 5.33 ERA in five starts versus the Mariners in his two seasons with Texas. Minor has allowed just five runs in his last four outings, with one coming on eight hits across five innings of a 6-1 win at Kansas City on Wednesday.
WALK-OFFS
1. Texas OF-DH Joey Gallo is 8-for-16 with one homer, two RBIs and five runs scored during his four-game hitting streak.
2. Mariners RF Mitch Haniger, who homered on Sunday, went 1-for-11 with four strikeouts in the previous series with the Rangers.
3. Texas 2B Rougned Odor went 2-for-15 with eight strikeouts in the previous series with Seattle.
PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Rangers 3Comment
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Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 05-20-2019 in MLB
The Houston Astros tasted defeat for the first time in nearly two weeks Sunday afternoon and now will press on -- for at least one game -- without another injured star. Outfielder George Springer, the American League leader in home runs and RBIs entering Sunday, will sit out Monday's opener of a four-game series with the visiting Chicago White Sox due to a stiff back.
The early MVP front-runner went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in the 4-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Sunday before exiting in the fifth and he hopes to avoid landing on an injured list that already contains star second baseman Jose Altuve. "He never really got loose today and it got progressively worse," manager A.J. Hinch told reporters of Springer. "His swings got a little more timid as the day went on. I probably should have taken him out a little earlier, too." The defeat at Fenway Park snapped Houston's winning streak at 10 games but it still has a string of five straight wins at home entering the series opener with the White Sox. Chicago begins a seven-game road trip after splitting a four-game set with Toronto at home, capped by Sunday's 5-2 loss.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Chicago Plus, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: TBD vs. Astros RH Brad Peacock (4-2, 4.01 ERA)
This start was originally slated for left-hander Manny Banuelos, but he was added to the injured list Friday due to a shoulder strain. The team is expected to announce a starter once it is in Houston and it could go with an "opener" for an inning or two, although manager Rick Renteria is not entirely sure he wants to try that method yet. "If it wants to be considered an opener, in terms of the term, yeah, it could be an opener," he told reporters this weekend. "We just haven't determined exactly where we're at yet."
After giving up seven runs in 3 2/3 innings in a loss at Minnesota on May 2, Peacock has allowed a total of one run in 12 frames while winning back-to-back starts. He has 15 strikeouts with six hits -- no home runs -- allowed in that span. The 31-year-old is 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA in five career meetings (three starts) with the White Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox OF Eloy Jimenez (ankle) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list Monday.
2. Astros SS Carlos Correa has eight RBIs over his last eight games.
3. Houston won all seven meetings last season by a combined margin of 56-16.
PREDICTION: Astros 8, White Sox 3Comment
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Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 05-20-2019 in MLB
Mike Soroka looks to continue two impressive streaks and the Atlanta Braves hope to continue their strong play of late as a seven-game road trip beings Monday at the San Francisco Giants. Soroka starts the opener after allowing one earned run or fewer in all six starts this season and nine times in 11 career starts, and has not surrendered a homer in 57 innings - the longest current streak in the majors that dates back to his big-league debut last May.
The Braves fell Sunday at home to Milwaukee 3-2 in 10 innings to end a four-game winning streak, but have won four of the past five series and seven of their last nine games overall. San Francisco won 3-2 in 10 innings Sunday and has also played better of late - winning four of its past six after prevailing twice at Arizona over the weekend, getting a pinch-hit homer from Pablo Sandoval for the game winner Sunday. Sandoval brings a seven-game hitting streak into the four-game series, hitting 9-for-20 in that span, and over his past 12 contests has five homers, 10 RBIs, seven runs scored and two doubles. Will Smith struck out the side in the 10th to improve to 12-for-12 in save opportunities for the Giants, and has converted 26 of his past 29 save attempts.
TV: 9:45 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Soroka (4-1, 0.98 ERA) vs. Giants LH Andrew Suarez (2018: 7-13, 4.49)
Soroka has given up just four earned runs over 36 2/3 innings this season, and in his 11 career starts is 6-2 with a 2.02 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. The 21-year-old held St. Louis to three hits with three walks and three strikeouts across seven shutout innings Wednesday, and on the season has thrown 64 percent of his pitches for strikes. Soroka faced San Francisco in his second major-league start on May 6, 2018, giving up four runs on seven hits over four innings to take the loss.
Suarez failed to make the Giants out of spring training one season after starting 29 games in the majors, then missed time at Triple-A Sacramento with a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old has allowed seven earned runs on 14 hits over 8 2/3 innings in two starts since returning from the injured list, giving up five runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings Monday. Suarez went 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA in two starts against Atlanta in 2018.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman homered for the fourth consecutive game Sunday, belting his 200th career longball in the seventh inning.
2. Giants relievers combined to strike out seven with one walk and one hit allowed in 5 1/3 innings Sunday.
3. San Francisco designated OF Aaron Altherr for assignment before Sunday's game, and will need to make another move Monday to open a spot for Suarez.
PREDICTION: Braves 4, Giants 2Comment
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Minnesota Twins vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 05-20-2019 in MLB
The Los Angeles Angels were successful in ending Jake Odorizzi's run of scoreless innings at 22 in last week's encounter, however the right-hander was able to pick up his sixth straight win following a wild 8-7 victory. The Angels aim to get the better of Odorizzi on Monday when they open a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins.
Mike Trout had a pair of hits in Los Angeles' 5-1 loss to Kansas City on Sunday to improve to 10-for-24 with two homers, three RBIs and six runs scored in his last seven games. The two-time American League Most Valuable Player, who is 5-for-10 in his career versus Odorizzi, went 4-for-13 as the Angels lost two of three to the Twins last week. Minnesota saw its bid for a four-game sweep of Seattle go by the boards on Sunday, despite a four-hit performance by Jorge Polanco. The 25-year-old has scored six times during his seven-game hitting streak, with five hits and three runs scored coming against Los Angeles.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (6-2, 2.63 ERA) vs. Angels RH Taylor Cole (0-0, 4.91)
Odorizzi overcame Tommy La Stella's solo homer and Jonathan Lucroy's two-run blast in the meeting with Los Angeles on Wednesday, although the nine hits he allowed were more than the sum of his previous three starts (seven). The 29-year-old has split four decisions on the road with a 4.76 ERA, as opposed to a 4-0 mark with a 1.45 ERA at home. Albert Pujols is 0-for-10 with three strikeouts against Odorizzi, who sports a 1-3 record with a 5.87 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in six career starts against the Angels.
Cole is expected to serve as the "opener" and make his second appearance versus Minnesota, against which he struck out four and tossed two scoreless innings in a no-decision last Tuesday. The 29-year-old is expected to give way to Felix Pena (2-1, 3.49 ERA), who reportedly has grown comfortable in this role and collected 37 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings this season. Pena allowed three runs on five hits over five innings against the Twins on Tuesday.
WALK-OFFS
1. Minnesota LF Eddie Rosario had four hits and two RBIs in the previous series with Los Angeles.
2. Angels C Kevan Smith, who reached base three times on Sunday, is riding a five-game hitting streak.
3. Minnesota CF Byron Buxton is just 2-for-11 in his last three contests following his six-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Angels 5, Twins 3Comment
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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 05-20-2019 in MLB
The San Diego Padres turn to emerging ace Chris Paddack to help get them untracked on Monday, when they begin a three-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. San Diego raised expectations with a promising 11-5 start but has lost three contests in a row and seven of its last nine.
Hunter Renfroe belted a three-run homer in Sunday's 6-4 loss to Pittsburgh, but that was one of the few bright spots for a Padres team that is 7-12 without rookie star Fernando Tatis Jr. "You run through these times," San Diego outfielder Wil Myers told reporters. "We have a really good team that's going to come back and respond again." Arizona lost two of three to San Francisco over the weekend and was held to three hits in Sunday's 10-inning, 3-2 setback. The Diamondbacks are beginning a 10-game road trip after watching three hitters at the top of the order - Adam Jones, Ketel Marte and Eduardo Escobar - finish a combined 0-for-15 with three strikeouts in Sunday's loss.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Luke Weaver (3-2, 3.16 ERA) vs. Padres RH Chris Paddack (3-2, 1.99)
Weaver has recorded three straight quality starts, going 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 20 innings. The 25-year-old Floridian has gone 3-0 with a 0.98 ERA over 18 1/3 frames in his last three turns on the road. Manny Machado is 3-for-6 with two homers against Weaver, who is 2-2 with a 2.28 ERA in four career starts versus San Diego.
Paddack posted a 1.55 ERA over his first seven major-league starts before running into trouble against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, when he gave up six runs - three earned - in 4 2/3 innings. "He wasn't nearly as sharp as he has been," Padres manager Andy Green told reporters. "It happens. He wasn't going to get through the year unscathed." The 23-year-old rookie owns a stellar 49-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 45 1/3 frames in his first eight starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Diamondbacks OF David Peralta has gone 13-for-26 in seven games against the Padres this season.
2. San Diego activated Trey Wingenter (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list and recalled fellow RHP Cal Quantrill from Triple-A El Paso while optioning RHP Gerardo Reyes to the Chihuahuas and LHP Nick Margevicius to Double-A Amarillo.
3. Arizona INF Wilmer Flores left Sunday's game with a right foot contusion and is listed as day-to-day.
PREDICTION: Padres 7, Diamondbacks 3Comment
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