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MLB Betting News and Trends For Tuesday 5/15/18

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Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Tuesday 5/15/18 .

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 8:11 am
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Preview: Rockies at Padres
Gracenote
May 15, 2018

Colorado Rockies rookie Noel Cuevas belted his first career home run on Monday, hours after learning that he would be starting at second base for injured starter DJ LeMahieu. Cuevas figures to be in the lineup again Tuesday as the Rockies conclude their brief two-game set against the host San Diego Padres.

The 26-year-old Cuevas batted second in Monday’s 6-4 victory while filling in for LeMahieu, who was hitting .279 with five home runs and 13 RBIs before landing on the disabled list with a sprained left thumb that could require surgery. “We're concerned about it,'” manager Bud Black told reporters. “We’re trying to be optimistic on this one, but we will have to wait and see.” The Rockies opened their nine-game road trip with three home runs among their 11 hits against San Diego, which lost for the fifth time in its last eight games despite a strong showing from shortstop Freddy Galvis, who went 3-for-4 and came within a homer of hitting for the cycle. The Padres purchased the contract of outfielder Franmil Reyes from Triple-A El Paso prior to the game and promptly inserted him into the starting lineup, where he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts from the sixth spot in the order.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (2-4, 5.35 ERA) vs. Padres RH Jordan Lyles (0-1, 3.28)

Marquez lost for the third time in his last four starts last Thursday against Milwaukee, allowing five runs on 12 hits across 4 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old has recorded a 10.34 ERA in four home starts compared to a 1.96 ERA in four outings away from Coors Field. Marquez is 2-1 with a 5.48 ERA in six career games (four starts) against San Diego, including 1-1 with an 8.03 ERA in three career games (two starts) at Petco Park.

Lyles moved into the rotation last Thursday in place of struggling Bryan Mitchell and earned another start after limiting St. Louis to two runs (one earned) over five frames. The 27-year-old, who played for Colorado from 2014-17 before being released last August, began the season by holding opponents scoreless in 10 of his 13 relief appearances. Carlos Gonzalez is 7-for-13 with two home runs against Lyles, who owns an 0-3 record and 6.07 ERA in 10 career games (four starts) against his former team.

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres 3B Christian Villanueva snapped an 0-for-37 slump with a fourth-inning single on Monday.

2. The Rockies recalled INF Pat Valaika from Triple-A Albuquerque to take LeMahieu’s place on the roster.

3. San Diego optioned 2B Carlos Asuaje to Triple-A El Paso.

PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Padres 3

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:09 am
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Preview: White Sox at Pirates
Gracenote
May 14, 2018

The Chicago White Sox have dropped 27 of their first 37 games with much more losing expected on the horizon during a rebuilding season, but there are some lights at the end of the tunnel with Matt Davidson perhaps the brightest. The 27-year-old designated hitter tries to homer in his third straight contest when Chicago begins a two-game series Tuesday against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

"It's fun when you see everyone on the team contributing and playing how we think we can play,'' Davidson told reporters after belting his team-leading 11th home run in Sunday's 5-3 victory over the Cubs - the White Sox's second win in their last 13 games. "It's pretty cool. Obviously, we come here to win every day, and after the last couple of losses we had, it's a good win." The Pirates are coming off a 5-0 loss to San Francisco on Sunday, snapping a five-game winning streak that included a pair of victories over the White Sox. Pittsburgh (23-17) is also supposed to be in rebuilding mode but finds itself in a four-team scrimmage with Milwaukee, St. Louis and the Cubs for the National League Central lead. The Pirates' Trevor Williams opposes Reynaldo Lopez in a rematch from Wednesday, when neither earned a decision as the Pirates scored four times in the ninth to win 6-5 and cap a sweep of the two-game set in Chicago.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (0-2, 2.44 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Trevor Williams (4-2, 3.13)

Lopez pitched a career-high 7 1/3 innings Wednesday, allowing two runs (solo homers to Jordy Mercer and Gregory Polanco), three hits and two walks with six strikeouts. The 24-year-old Dominican has yielded more than two earned runs only once in seven starts with a 1.13 WHIP and .198 batting average against this season. Lopez is 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA in two games (one start) versus Pittsburgh.

Williams permitted four runs, seven hits and two walks while striking out three in five innings Wednesday, marking the second straight outing and third time in eight starts this season he didn't reach the sixth frame. The 26-year-old Californian, who was facing Chicago for the first time, allowed two-run homers to Tim Anderson and rookie Daniel Palka. Williams, whose ERA went up .50 after his last start, boasts a 1.17 WHIP and .213 batting average against.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates LF Corey Dickerson (club bests of .319 average among qualified batters, 27 RBIs) went 0-for-4 on Wednesday, kicking off a 2-for-12 stretch after going 7-for-10 with four RBIs in his previous two games.

2. Chicago owned the second-worst ERA in baseball at 5.35 through Sunday's games, including a major-league worst 5.78 among starters.

3. Pittsburgh's Francisco Cervelli (.305, six home runs, 24 RBIs) batted leadoff Sunday, becoming the first catcher in franchise history since Jason Kendall to hit first since Oct. 3, 2004.

PREDICTION: Pirates 3, White Sox 2

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:09 am
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Preview: Yankees at Nationals
Gracenote
May 14, 2018

The Washington Nationals have emerged from their early-season doldrums in a big way and will put their hot streak to the test when they host the powerful New York Yankees in an intriguing two-game interleague matchup beginning Tuesday in the nation's capital. A four-game sweep at the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks gave the Nationals 13 victories in their last 15 games after they opened the year 11-16.

The Yankees have been just as hot, winning 19 of 22, including a 6-2 triumph Sunday afternoon behind Giancarlo Stanton, who went 4-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. "Up and down the lineup, we can hurt you a lot of different ways," center fielder Brett Gardner told reporters. "It seems like a different guy every day. Today it was big G coming through." The Nationals have relied a bit more on their outstanding pitching, although Mark Reynolds shined in his season debut with a pair of homers in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks. Gio Gonzalez has been a stalwart in the rotation for Washington but carries a 1-5 record and a 6.65 ERA in eight career starts against the Yankees into the series opener opposite New York's Masahiro Tanaka.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, YES (New York), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (4-2, 4.66 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (4-2, 2.22)

Tanaka gave up four runs and a season-high eight hits in 5 1/3 innings against Boston his last time out, also tying a season low with three strikeouts. The 29-year-old has yet to get through seven innings after doing so 13 times in 2017. Tanaka won his only prior start against Washington with seven innings of one-run ball at Yankee Stadium in 2015.

Gonzalez has allowed one run or fewer in five of his eight starts, including three straight - the latest of which saw him strike out a season high-tying eight batters in six innings. The 32-year-old has surrendered one home run in 44 2/3 innings on the season. Stanton is 6-for-31 with no home runs and nine strikeouts against Gonzalez, who is 10-13 with a 4.50 ERA in interleague action.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York is beginning a stretch in which it plays 19 of 25 on the road.

2. Washington RF Bryce Harper was 5-for-18 with a home run and two doubles in the sweep of Arizona after going 0-for-16 with five strikeouts over his previous four contests.

3. The Yankees have a 15-13 lead in the all-time series but the Nationals won three of four when they last played in 2015.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Yankees 4

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:10 am
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Preview: Phillies at Orioles
Gracenote
May 14, 2018

The Philadelphia Phillies have shown they can step to the plate at Citizens Bank Park, with their recent 5-1 homestand improving their mark to 16-6 in the City of Brotherly Love. The Phillies have dropped six of their last nine outside the city limits, however, as they head down I-95 to begin a six-game road trip on Tuesday with the opener of an abbreviated two-game series versus the Baltimore Orioles.

After initially providing pennies on the dollar, Carlos Santana has started paying significant dividends on the three-year, $60 million contract he signed in the offseason. The 32-year-old Dominican went deep in Philadelphia's 4-2 triumph over the New York Mets on Sunday, marking his fifth homer in nine outings while improving to 12-for-37 with 16 RBIs and eight runs scored in that stretch. Baltimore has discovered its offense while taking three of four from Tampa Bay, as the club belted four of its dozen homers in the series in Sunday's emphatic 17-1 romp over the Rays. "There's really no explanation for why April went the way it did," said Danny Valencia, who homered to highlight a career high-tying four-hit performance.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (2-2, 4.15 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (1-4, 4.84)

Pivetta answered a brutal outing with one of his best of the season on Wednesday, scattering four hits and striking out seven over five scoreless innings in an 11-3 romp over San Francisco. The 25-year-old British Columbia native, who emerged victorious for the first time since April 5, had been blitzed for six runs - including two homers - in one inning in his previous start. Pivetta and the rest of the Phillies starters have stepped up their game this month, with the group posting a 1.99 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 11 games while holding opponents to a .209 batting average.

Cashner received his second straight no-decision and saw his winless stretch extend to six outings (0-3) on Wednesday despite allowing three runs on six hits in six innings versus Kansas City. The 31-year-old was taken deep for the fifth straight outing against the Royals, raising his home run total to 10 in 44 2/3 innings after surrendering just 15 in 166 2/3 frames in 2017. Cesar Hernandez (5-for-11, four walks) and Odubel Herrera (6-for-14, two homers) have taken Cashner to task, but the right-hander sports a 4-1 career mark versus the Phillies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Herrera has reached base in 41 consecutive games, which is tied with Pete Rose (1982) and Don Hurst (1929) for the fifth-longest streak in Phillies' franchise history.

2. Orioles 3B Manny Machado is 9-for-24 with four homers, 11 RBIs and eight runs scored in his last six games.

3. Philadelphia 3B Maikel Franco has answered a seven-game hitting streak with a 1-for-11 rut with three strikeouts in his last three contests.

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Orioles 2

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:10 am
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Preview: Athletics at Red Sox
Gracenote
May 15, 2018

The Boston Red Sox have dipped back into second place in the American League East for just the second time since the beginning of April. They will try to bounce back from a homestand-opening loss to the Oakland Athletics when the teams continue a three-game series at Fenway Park on Tuesday.

The Athletics utilized three solo homers and 11 hits overall to take the series opener 6-5 on Monday, dropping the Red Sox to 11-11 since their 17-2 start and a half-game behind the idle New York Yankees in the division. J.D. Martinez homered among two hits for Boston and the slugger has gone deep in six of his last 12 games while pushing his average to .346. He will take aim at Oakland right-hander Daniel Mengden, who owns a 2.95 ERA over his past 13 starts dating to last season. The Red Sox turn to Eduardo Rodriguez in the middle game of the set as they look to snap a three-game losing streak against the Athletics.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Daniel Mengden (2-4, 4.06 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (3-0, 4.58)

Mengden allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts, including a hard-luck loss against Houston on Wednesday in which he let up two runs over 6 2/3 innings. The Texas A&M product has issued five walks in 44 1/3 innings and got through 6 1/3 frames of one-run ball against Boston last month without issuing a free pass. Jackie Bradley Jr. is 3-for-5 against Mengden, who will be making his first career appearance at Fenway Park.

Rodriguez has 24 strikeouts in 15 innings over his last three starts after fanning eight in five scoreless at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. The Venezuela native also has 21 strikeouts in 13 2/3 frames at home but his ERA at Fenway Park sits at an unsightly 5.93. Oakland slugger Khris Davis is 0-for-10 with five strikeouts against Rodriguez, who is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in three career starts against the Athletics.

WALK-OFFS

1. Davis homered in Monday's win and has eight long balls in 21 road games.

2. Boston RF Mookie Betts had two hits in the loss to raise his major league-leading average to .362.

3. Oakland is 7-2 in one-run games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Athletics 4

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:11 am
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Preview: Dodgers at Marlins
Gracenote
May 14, 2018

The Dodgers are off to their worst 40-game start since beginning the 1958 season - their first in Los Angeles - with a 15-25 mark as they open a six-game road trip Tuesday against the Miami Marlins. The Dodgers (16-24) are coming off a four-game sweep at the hands of Cincinnati, the worst team in the National League, and have lost seven of their last eight, but help is on the way for the defending National League champions.

"This might be more difficult to turn the page after losing four to the Reds at home," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts told reporters. "I just want to clear this from my mind." The mood is sure to improve when third baseman Justin Turner (.303 in four years with the Dodgers) and second baseman Logan Forsythe (shoulder) return from the disabled list Tuesday, marking the season debut for Turner (fractured wrist). Miami (14-26) has lost six of its last seven games, including three of four against Atlanta to start its seven-game homestand, and - as expected - sits last in the NL East. Los Angeles' Alex Wood makes his ninth start in search of his first victory of the season and opposes Wei-Yin Chen, who gave up a career-high nine runs in his last outing.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (0-3, 3.60 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Wei-Yin Chen (1-2, 10.22)

Wood earned his fifth no-decision of the young season after allowing one run, five hits and three walks while striking out four in five innings of Los Angeles' 6-3 victory over Arizona on Wednesday, improving the Dodgers to 4-4 in his outings. The 27-year-old North Carolina native has recorded only three quality starts this season but yielded more than three runs only twice. Starlin Castro is 5-for-7 versus Wood, who is 6-3 with a 2.73 ERA in 13 games (10 starts) against Miami.

Chen also allowed seven hits and two walks in three innings of a 13-4 loss to the Cubs in Chicago on Wednesday, prompting manager Don Mattingly to tell reporters: "He didn't miss any bats." The 32-year-old native of Taiwan was making his third start of the season after recovering from a strained left elbow. Forsythe is batting .393 with three homers, two doubles, a triple and six RBIs in 28 at-bats versus Chen, who is 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA in two starts versus the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. C Yasmani Grandal leads Los Angeles in home runs (six) and RBIs (24) after belting a solo shot Sunday.

2. Marlins 3B Brian Anderson (finger) and SS Miguel Rojas (wrist) are day-to-day after leaving Sunday's 4-3 loss to Atlanta in the eighth inning.

3. The teams have split their last 14 meetings since 2016 with Miami winning the series 6-1 that season and the Dodgers returning the favor in 2017.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Marlins 2

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:11 am
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Preview: Indians at Tigers
Gracenote
May 15, 2018

The Detroit Tigers finally ended a long losing streak in the series against their American League Central rivals and can creep within one game of first place when they host the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night. The Tigers had dropped 11 in a row against the Indians, including four by a combined score of 18-5 this year, before rookie Niko Goodrum belted a pair of homers and knocked in five for a 6-3 win Monday.

Detroit is without two-time MVP Miguel Cabrera (hamstring), while promising third baseman Jeimer Candelario (wrist) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday; outfielder Nicholas Castellanos (finger) has also missed the last two games, but he could return during the series. The Tigers have still won three of four and hope to improve on that with left-hander Francisco Liriano on the mound Tuesday against Cleveland right-hander Josh Tomlin, whose only solid start this season was against Detroit on April 10 when he permitted four hits in five scoreless innings. The Indians (20-20) dropped back to .500 after leaving eight on base in the series opener and not building on a Jose Ramirez solo homer in the top of the first inning. Cleveland’s All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor extended his career-long hitting streak to 15 games with a ninth-inning run-scoring single Monday and boasts eight homers and 16 RBIs during his run.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Josh Tomlin (0-4, 8.06 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (3-1, 3.35)

Tomlin pitched a season-high seven innings in last time out against the New York Yankees on May 4, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks in a no-decision. The 33-year-old Texan has given up at least five runs in four of his five starts in 2018, yielding 13 homers over 25 2/3 innings overall. Castellanos is 10-for-31 with a homer versus Tomlin, who is 7-6 with a 4.87 ERA in 17 games (13 starts) against the Tigers.

Liriano owns four quality starts in seven outings this season, including six innings of two-run ball in a loss at Cleveland on April 9. The 34-year-old Dominican gave up three runs on four hits and four walks over four innings of a no-decision at Texas on Wednesday - his second straight after going 2-0 in the previous three outings. Rajai Davis is 12-for-36 with a homer against Liriano, who is 5-7 with a 4.11 ERA in 21 appearances (16 starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland LF Michael Brantley is 8-for-22 with 10 RBIs during a four-game hitting streak.

2. The Tigers recalled INF Dawel Lugo from Triple-A Toledo to take Candelario’s place on the roster.

3. Indians OF Greg Allen is 5-for-9 over the last two games after going 0-for-12 with six strikeouts in his first five contests of 2018.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Tigers 5

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:12 am
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Preview: Blue Jays at Mets
Gracenote
May 14, 2018

The New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays have followed their rapid ascents in the standings with pronounced declines, relegating both to just one win over .500. The Mets have answered an 11-1 start with losses in 17 of 25 contests heading into Tuesday's opener of an abbreviated two-game interleague series against the visiting Blue Jays, who have dropped seven of their last 10.

Asdrubal Cabrera has five two-hit performances in his last eight outings, including in both contests of New York's two-game split in Philadelphia. Yoenis Cespedes highlighted his two-hit showing with a solo homer in Sunday's 4-2 setback versus the Phillies, but he is just 1-for-8 with three strikeouts versus Tuesday starter Jaime Garcia. Toronto may be happy to cross the border after dropping eight of its last 11 home games following Sunday's 5-3 setback against Boston. Russell Martin, who collected three hits in that contest to match his sum total over his previous seven games, will face Tuesday starter Noah Syndergaard for the first time in his career.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet One (Toronto), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Jaime Garcia (2-2, 5.40 ERA) vs. Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (2-1, 3.09)

Garcia kept the ball in the park for the first time this season on Wednesday, but five walks drove up his pitch count and left him with a no-decision versus Seattle. The 31-year-old allowed just two runs on a season-low three hits in that contest, which marked his best showing since his 2018 debut in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox. Garcia hasn't received the best results versus New York, however, as he owns a 2-5 mark despite posting a respectable 3.18 ERA while limiting the Mets to a .258 batting average.

Syndergaard has delivered four consecutive quality starts and takes the mound on Tuesday on eight day's rest. The 25-year-old yielded two runs on six hits in as many innings versus Colorado on May 6, but four walks drove up his pitch count. Syndergaard has limited the current roster of the Blue Jays to a .176 batting average with seven strikeouts in 17 at-bats, although his lone encounter with Toronto came in 2015.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto CF Kevin Pillar, who leads the team with a .308 batting average, is 6-for-14 in his career versus New York.

2. The Mets' seven home wins are the second fewest in the National League (Cincinnati, six).

3. Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson is 7-for-21 with three doubles in his last five games.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 3, Mets 2

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:12 am
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Preview: Cubs at Braves
Gracenote
May 15, 2018

There’s a bit of a playoff feeling brewing between the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs this week, and not just because of the shifting locales. Two National League contenders square off for the second straight day - but in a different city - when the Braves host the Cubs to open a three-game series Tuesday.

In an odd twist, the teams met in Chicago on Monday to make up a game that was postponed due to inclement weather last month. Atlanta pounded three homers en route to a 6-5 win, including what proved to be a game-winning three-run blast from Jose Bautista. The Braves have won three straight and six of their last seven to move 10 games above .500 for the first time since July 28, 2014, giving them the best record in the NL. Kris Bryant homered Monday for his sixth in his last 11 games for the Cubs, who have lost two straight following a five-game winning streak.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago Plus, FS Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Yu Darvish (0-3, 6.00 ERA) vs. Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (3-2, 3.21)

Darvish is set to come off the disabled list and make his first start since May 2 after having his last outing scrapped due to flu-like symptoms. The 31-year-old is off to a disappointing start with only two quality starts in his first six outings. Darvish faced the Braves for the first time on April 13 in Chicago and allowed four runs on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings in a 4-0 loss.

Foltynewicz has allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his eight starts with one rough outing against San Francisco mixed in May 4. The 26-year-old bounced back with a strong performance last time out, holding Miami to one unearned run and three hits over five innings. Foltynewicz is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in two starts against the Cubs, but he allowed only two runs over 6 1/3 innings in a hard-luck loss last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. After scoring 15 runs in Darvish’s first two starts, the Cubs have totaled only seven in his last four outings.

2. The Braves have homered in a season-high seven straight games.

3. Atlanta RF Nick Markakis is 11-for-27 with five multi-hit games during a six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Cubs 4

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:13 am
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Preview: Cardinals at Twins
Gracenote
May 15, 2018

A St. Louis Cardinals' offense that was just good enough during their season-high five-game winning streak at the beginning of the month slowed to a crawl last week against the Minnesota Twins and has yet to pick things up for the most part. The Cardinals try to break out of a 2-4 stretch and find a spark for their bats Tuesday when they visit the Twins in the opener of a two-game set.

After averaging 4.2 runs in sweeps of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs from May 1-6, St. Louis mustered only six hits while getting outscored 13-1 by Minnesota to conclude its seven-game homestand. The Cardinals followed that with a trip to San Diego, but it was more of the same outside of one nine-run outburst, as St. Louis scored a total of six runs in the other three games while splitting a four-game set with the National League West-worst Padres. The Twins' offense has also hit a bit of a dry spell of late, totaling one run in their last two games after stringing together 12 consecutive outings with at least four. Minnesota left nine runners on base in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at the Los Angeles Angels and tallied only four hits en route to a 1-0 setback versus Seattle on Monday.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jack Flaherty (0-1, 3.60 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (3-4, 4.50)

Flaherty will draw his third start of the season and first since an April 28 loss at Pittsburgh in which he gave three runs on four hits and four walks across five innings. The 2014 first-round selection is coming off a dominant outing at Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits while fanning 13 in 6 2/3 frames. Flaherty, who yielded one run and struck out nine over five innings against Milwaukee on April 3, is 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA in five minor-league starts this season.

Berrios was handed a loss for the third time in four trips to the mound Thursday in Anaheim, surrendering five runs - including a pair of homers - on seven hits in 5 1/3 frames versus the Los Angeles Angels. Since going 2-1 with a 1.63 ERA over his first four turns, the 23-year-old Puerto Rican has posted an 8.84 ERA during his slump, giving up at least four runs in every outing. Berrios is 3-4 with a 3.08 ERA in seven interleague starts entering his first-ever showdown with the Cardinals.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cardinals have played in a major-league high eight extra-inning games (4-4), including three of their last eight contests.

2. Minnesota OF Eddie Rosario is batting .357 with seven doubles, seven home runs and 17 RBIs over his last 17 games.

3. St. Louis SS Paul DeJong has four RBIs over his last 16 games, all of which came in Friday's 9-5 win over San Diego.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 3, Twins 2

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:13 am
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Preview: Rays at Royals
Gracenote
May 15, 2018

The Tampa Bay Rays responded to an embarrassing performance with a strong one and can clinch a rare series win at Kauffman Stadium when they visit the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night for the middle contest of the three-game set. The Rays were winless in eight straight series (0-7-1) at Kansas City before taking two of three at Kauffman last August and edged the Royals 2-1 on Monday after giving up 17 runs one day earlier.

Tampa Bay’s C.J. Cron scored the first run Monday to help even the all-time series with Kansas City at 77-77 while extending his career-high on-base streak to 20 games and hitting safely in his seventh straight contest (11-for-29). Anthony Banda gets the start Tuesday for the Rays after being recalled and the Royals will counter with veteran Ian Kennedy, who has pitched in bad luck much of the season before getting pounded last time out. Kansas City lost for the fifth time in six games Monday and has allowed 44 runs during that stretch. Whit Merrifield had a homer and two singles in the series opener to extend his hitting streak to eight games (14-for-30), while Jon Jay was stranded after a triple in the ninth inning Monday and has hit safely in seven straight (12-for-33).

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Anthony Banda (2017: 2-3, 5.96) vs. Royals RH Ian Kennedy (1-4, 4.61)

Banda makes his first appearance for Tampa Bay after being acquired from Arizona in the deal that sent outfielder Steven Souza to the Diamondbacks. The 24-year-old Texas native made eight appearances (four starts) with Arizona last season, yielding just one home run in 25 2/3 innings with 25 strikeouts, and went 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA on the road in three games. Banda is 4-2 with a 3.50 ERA in seven outings for Triple-A Durham with 44 strikeouts in 36 innings.

Kennedy turned in his worst start of the season Thursday when he permitted nine runs on eight hits (three homers) across four innings versus Baltimore. The 33-year-old USC product, who is six strikeouts from 1,500 in his career, had yielded two or fewer runs in five of seven starts in 2018 - including six scoreless innings against Detroit on May 4. Brad Miller is 3-for-6 with a homer versus Kennedy, who is 1-5 with a 5.76 ERA in nine career games against Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay 3B Matt Duffy knocked in a pair of runs Monday and is 10-for-20 with five RBIs during a five-game hitting streak

2. Kansas City placed 1B/DH Lucas Duda (foot) on the 10-day disabled list Monday and recalled INF/OF Hunter Dozier from Triple-A Omaha.

3. The Rays are 7-3 against American League Central opponents while the Royals are 2-8 versus the AL East.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Royals 3

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:14 am
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Preview: Brewers at Diamondbacks
Gracenote
May 15, 2018

The Milwaukee Brewers are 4-1 at the midway point of a 10-game road trip and look to tack on another victory when they visit the slumping Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday in the second contest of a three-game set. The Brewers opened the series with a 7-2 win on Monday when Tyler Saladino hit the 28th inside-the-park homer in franchise history.

Jonathan Villar went 3-for-4 with a homer and scored three runs in Monday's victory as Milwaukee tallied at least seven runs for the third time in the past four games. Veteran Ryan Braun was scratched from the lineup due to back tightness as he suffers through a 3-for-29 funk as well as not having gone deep since April 20. Arizona is experiencing all kinds of problems with six consecutive losses to follow up a strong 24-11 start. Slugger Paul Goldschmidt is mired in a 26-game homerless drought and has just two RBIs during the unproductive stretch along with a woeful season batting average of .211.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (3-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (3-2, 3.70)

Chacin is 3-0 over his last five starts and unbeaten over his last seven turns. The 30-year-old defeated the Colorado Rockies in his last outing when he gave up two runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings. Chacin is 6-4 with a 3.48 ERA in 17 career appearances (16 starts) against the Diamondbacks and has struggled with Ketel Marte (4-for-10) and A.J. Pollock (4-for-11, one homer).

Greinke received back-to-back no-decisions despite allowing just two runs and nine hits over 12 2/3 innings during the stretch. The 34-year-old has won five straight home starts dating back to last season and 15 of his past 16. Greinke is 1-3 with a 4.20 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) versus the Brewers and has experienced issues with Chacin (4-for-11) while shutting down Braun (1-for-10).

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers LHP Josh Hader fired two scoreless innings in the opener and has struck out 50 in 25 innings while allowing just seven hits.

2. Pollock (left thumb) departed in the ninth inning after he made an unsuccessful diving attempt to snare Saladino's liner, which allowed the Milwaukee pinch hitter to circle the bases.

3. Milwaukee OF Christian Yelich had two hits for his fifth multi-hit game in May despite not entering Monday's game until the seventh inning.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Brewers 5

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:14 am
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Preview: Astros at Angels
Gracenote
May 15, 2018

Houston right-hander Gerrit Cole is off to a sensational start with his lone loss of the season coming against the Los Angeles Angels on April 23. Cole will try to avenge that setback when the Astros visit the Angels on Tuesday in the middle contest of a three-game set.

Cole leads the majors with 86 strikeouts in just 56 2/3 innings and his 1.43 ERA is second behind teammate Justin Verlander (1.21). He gave up just two runs and four hits in his loss to the Angels but the Houston hitters were blanked by Tyler Skaggs and two relievers. Justin Upton delivered the tiebreaking single in the sixth inning in Monday's opener as the Angels posted a 2-1 victory to move into a virtual tie for first place with the Astros in the American League West. Albert Pujols was hitless in three at-bats in the opener and is mired in a nine-game homerless drought.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (4-1, 1.43 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jaime Barria (3-1, 2.45)

Cole has allowed just 30 hits and 12 walks while recording an 0.74 WHIP and holding opposing batters to a .155 average. The 27-year-old defeated the Oakland Athletics in his last outing when he gave up one run and four hits and struck out nine in six innings. Cole is 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA in three career starts against the Angels and has shut down Ian Kinsler (2-for-20) and Zack Cozart (1-for-16).

Barria defeated the Colorado Rockies in his last turn when he gave up five hits and struck out seven in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. The 21-year-old has allowed just three total runs in his three victories and is limiting opposing batters to a .217 average. Barria has struck out 13 and walked seven in 18 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels RF Kole Calhoun was hitless in three at-bats on Monday and is 2-for-22 over his last seven appearances.

2. Houston 2B Jose Altuve had a single in the opener, his lone hit in 17 at-bats over the past four games.

3. Los Angeles RHP Keynan Middleton (elbow) was found to have ulnar collateral ligament damage during Monday's MRI exam and will get a second opinion.

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Angels 2

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:15 am
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Preview: Rangers at Mariners
Gracenote
May 15, 2018

Robinson Cano and Adrian Beltre have combined for 12 All-Star Game appearances and figure to be remembered as two of the most successful Dominican players in major-league history, but neither one is likely to help their respective clubs anytime soon. A pair of American League West rivals missing key run producers renew acquaintances Tuesday when the Seattle Mariners host the Texas Rangers in the opener of a three-game series.

Cano was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday with a fractured fifth metacarpal on his right hand, one day after he was hit by a pitch in Detroit. Seattle continued its month-long pattern of alternating wins and losses in its first game without him on Monday, as Dee Gordon scored on a throwing error in the eighth inning for the game's only run against Minnesota. Beltre is likely headed back to the DL after he aggravated the same hamstring injury he returned from less than a week ago after missing 12 games. While the Rangers have been significantly better on the road (9-10) than at home (7-16), they hope they can find some offense without their cleanup hitter after scoring exactly one run in every game while dropping two of three in Houston over the weekend.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Mike Minor (3-2, 4.72 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Mike Leake (4-3, 5.72)

Minor watched his five-game unbeaten streak come to an end last Tuesday against Detroit via the long ball, giving up three homers among the five runs and seven hits he surrendered in a season-high seven frames. The home run total matched the number he allowed in his first six turns combined, and the Vanderbilt product has produced only two quality starts. Minor enjoyed one of his best outings of the season April 20 against Seattle, yielding one run and fanning six over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision.

Leake won for the second time in three trips to the mound Thursday in Toronto, permitting two runs on six hits while striking out six across seven innings. The outing was the 30-year-old's first quality start since April 13 and only his third in eight turns this season. Leake, who is allowing opponents to hit .328 the first time through the order, is 1-1 with a 1.99 ERA in five career starts against the Rangers - including 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA in two September outings last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners SS Jean Segura is batting .375 with five doubles, one triple, one homer and 24 RBIs with runners in scoring position.

2. Texas is one of two teams (New York Yankees) to avoid a shutout in 2018.

3. Seattle INF Gordon Beckham was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma to replace Cano on Monday and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in his season debut.

PREDICTION: Mariners 3, Rangers 2

 
Posted : May 15, 2018 10:16 am
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