Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Friday 5/18/18
Friday’s games
National League
Dodgers (17-26) @ Nationals (24-18)
Stripling is 0-1, 4.05 in three starts this year (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 0-3.
5-inning record: 1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3
Scherzer is 6-0, 1.70 in his last seven starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 8-1
5-inning record: 7-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-9
Dodgers lost nine of their last 11 games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Washington won 13 of its last 15 games; under is 5-1 in their last six.
Padres (17-28) @ Pirates (26-17)
Ross is 0-2, 4.50 in his last four starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 4-4.
5-inning record: 4-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-8
Nova is 0-2, 12.41 in his last three starts; over is 6-3 in his starts. Team in his starts: 5-4
5-inning record: 5-1-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-9
Padres won three of their last five games; under is 6-3 in their last nine games. Pittsburgh won eight of its last nine games; three of their last four games stayed under.
Diamondbacks (25-18) @ Mets (20-19)
Godley is 0-1, 4.50 in his last three starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 6-2.
5-inning record: 4-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-8
deGrom is 1-0, 0.00 in his last four starts (20.1 IP); he left his start after one IP (no runs, 3 walks, 45 PT, with 20 foul balls). Team in his starts: 4-4
5-inning record: 4-1-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-8
Arizona lost seven of its last eight games; over is 11-2 in their last 13 road games. Mets lost nine of their last 11 home games; over is 5-2 in their last seven.
Cubs (22-18) @ Reds (26-16)
Lester is 2-1, 2.43 in his last five starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 6-2
5-inning record: 5-0-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-8
Bailey is 1-2, 9.00 in his last three starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 1-8
5-inning record: 1-7-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-9
Cubs won six of their last nine games; under is 5-1 in their last six road games. Cincinnati won seven of its last nine games; under is 5-2-2 in those games.
Marlins (16-27) @ Braves (26-16)
Straily is 1-0, 6.23 in three starts, all Miami wins; they scored 22 runs in those three games (over 3-0). Team in his starts: 3-0.
5-inning record: 3-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3
Newcomb is 3-0, 0.00 in his last three starts (20 IP); under is 2-0-1 in those games. Team in his starts: 5-3
5-inning record: 4-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-8
Marlins lost eight of their last 11 games; they’re 0-6 in road series openers. Under is 3-1 in their last four games. Atlanta won seven of its last nine games; their last three games stayed under.
Phillies (25-16) @ Cardinals (23-18)
Arrieta is 2-1, 2.90 in his last five starts; over is 5-2 in his starts. Team in his starts: 3-4.
5-inning record: 3-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-7
Wacha is 2-0, 2.17 in his last five starts, four of which stayed under. Team in his starts: 6-2
5-inning record: 3-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-8
Phillies won seven of their last eight games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven games. St Louis lost six of its last nine games; under is 7-2-1 in their last ten games.
Rockies (24-20) @ Giants (22-23)
Freeland is 3-1, 1.65 in his last four starts; under is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 4-4
5-inning record: 3-2-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-8
Holland is 2-1, 3.31 in his last three starts; under is 5-3 in his starts. Team in his starts: 3-5
5-inning record: 2-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-8
Rockies lost five of their last eight games; under is 7-3-1 in their last 11 games. San Francisco lost eight of its last 11 games; over is 9-3-3 in their last 15 games.
American League
A’s (22-22) @ Blue Jays (22-22)
Anderson is 0-2, 9.42 in his last three starts (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 0-3
5-inning record: 0-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-3
Estrada is 0-2, 5.32 in his last four starts (over 4-4). Team in his starts: 5-3
5-inning record: 3-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-8
Oakland won three of its last four games; over is 9-4 in their last 13 road games. Toronto lost nine of its last 13 games; over is 3-0 in their last three games.
Orioles (13-30) @ Red Sox (30-14)
Cobb is 0-5, 8.59 in six starts (over 4-2). Team in his starts: 0-6
5-inning record: 0-5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-6
Pomeranz is 1-1, 5.47 in five starts (under 4-1). Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 2-2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-5
Baltimore won five of its last eight games; under is 3-0 in their last three road games. Boston won four of its last six games; over is 10-6-2 in their last 18 home games.
Indians (21-21) @ Astros (28-17)
Clevinger is 2-0, 2.70 in his last five starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 4-4
5-inning record: 2-3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-8
Morton is 3-0, 2.64 in his last five starts, last three of which stayed under. Team in his starts: 5-3
5-inning record: 6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-8
Indians are 4-7 in their last 11 games; under is 10-5 in their last 15 road games. Tribe is 5-10 in series openers. Houston won seven of its last nine games; their last six home games stayed under.
Rangers (17-28) @ White Sox (11-29)
Moore is 0-2, 10.70 in his last four starts (over 6-2). Team in his starts: 2-6
5-inning record: 1-6-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-8
Fulmer is 0-2, 16.89 in his last two starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 3-4
5-inning record: 4-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7
Texas lost eight of its last 12 games; six of Rangers’ last seven games stayed under. White Sox lost nine of their last 11 games; over is 7-5 in their last 12 games.
New York (28-12) @ Kansas City (13-30)
Sabathia is 2-0, 2.35 in his last four starts (under 3-3-1). Team in his starts: 4-3
5-inning record: 4-2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-7
Junis is 1-2, 5.18 in his last four starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 5-3
5-inning record: 5-1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-8
New York won 19 of its last 22 games; under is 5-2 in their last seven road games. Royals lost seven of their last eight games; under is 5-1 in their last six home games.
Rays (20-22) @ Angels (25-19)
Snell is 4-2, 2.42 in his last seven starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 4-5
5-inning record: 5-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-9
Tropeano is 0-0, 2.19 in his last two starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 1-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5
Rays lost six of their last nine games; over is 4-2-1 in their last seven games. Angels lost five of their last seven games; under is 3-1-1 in their last five games.
Tigers (20-23) @ Mariners (24-19)
Fulmer is 0-1, 4.66 in his last five starts (under 5-3). Team in his starts: 3-5.
5-inning record: 3-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-8
Hernandez is 3-1, 6.35 in his last four starts; his last three starts went over. Team in his starts: 6-3
5-inning record: 5-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-9
Detroit won four of its last five games; under is 5-2 in their last seven road games. Seattle is 4-8 in its last 12 home games; over is 3-2 in their last five home games.
Interleague
Brewers (26-18) @ Twins (18-21)
Suter is 0-2, 6.30 in his last four starts; over is 3-3-1 in his starts. Team in his starts: 2-5
5-inning record: 2-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7
Gibson is 0-0, 2.66 in his last four starts, three of which stayed under. Team in his starts: 5-3
5-inning record: 5-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-9
Brewers won five of its last seven games; they’re 6-2 in road series openers. Over is 6-4 in their last ten road games. Minnesota lost three of its last four games; under is 4-1 in their last five. Twins are 2-8 in their last ten series openers.
Preview: Dodgers at Nationals
Gracenote
May 17, 2018
The Washington Nationals are hoping to complete a contest for the first time since the beginning of the week when they open a three-game series versus the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. The Nationals (24-18) had won 13 of 15 before Mother Nature cooled them down by effectively suspending one contest, its subsequent make-up game and a regularly scheduled outing heading into their series opener against the Dodgers (17-26).
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, who was slated to pitch against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, will take the mound on Friday as Washington bids for its eighth victory in its last nine home contests. Bryce Harper answered an 0-for-16 effort by going 5-for-18 with a homer and two doubles in four outings before the suspended contest for the Nationals, who embark on a stretch of playing 12 consecutive games against teams with losing records (Dodgers, San Diego, Miami and Baltimore). Los Angeles hadn't been faring well against last-place teams, as it had lost six in a row to such clubs before Justin Turner matched a career high with five RBIs in Thursday afternoon's 7-0 romp over the Marlins. "We had felt like we were close to breaking out and having a good day. Hopefully this can stick, and we can put together a run," said Turner, who finished 6-for-13 in the series.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA, MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (0-1, 2.20 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (7-1, 1.69)
Stripling remains in search of his first win this season despite allowing just two runs and striking out seven without walking a batter in 5 1/3 innings of Saturday's no-decision against Cincinnati. The 28-year-old got a brief taste of facing the Nationals in September, as he permitted one run in one-third of an inning of relief on Sept. 16 before serving up a three-run homer to Ryan Zimmerman the following day. Zimmerman aside, the rest of the current crop of Nationals are 2-for-14 with four strikeouts against Stripling.
Scherzer has won six straight decisions after defeating Arizona with seven innings of one-run ball last Friday on the road. The 33-year-old struck out 11 batters in the outing to record his sixth double-digit effort in that category this season. Scherzer fanned nine in six innings of a 5-2 win against the Dodgers on April 20, improving to 4-4 with a 2.79 ERA in 12 career appearances versus the club.
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles OF Yasiel Puig has hit all three of his homers this season in the last four games.
2. Washington's Pedro Severino is expected to see consistent playing time after fellow C Matt Wieters underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a left hamstring strain that landed him on the disabled list last week.
3. Dodgers CF Chris Taylor went 5-for-11 with three runs scored in his last three games.
PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Dodgers 1
Preview: Padres at Pirates
Gracenote
May 18, 2018
The Pittsburgh Pirates are proving to be incredibly difficult to beat at home, and it has been the club's ability to win the close ones that has it nursing a slim lead atop the National League Central. The Pirates set their sights on a ninth victory in their last 10 outings Friday when they host the second of four games against the San Diego Padres.
Pittsburgh moved to 15-6 at home following Thursday's 5-4 series-opening triumph over San Diego, notching its second straight one-run victory while improving to 9-3 in such contests in 2018. The Pirates are 6-0 in those same games at PNC Park, posting exactly half of the wins while going 5-1 two-thirds of the way through their nine-game homestand. The Padres are in last place in the NL West, but they entered this series having won three of four and have stabilized themselves after recording a 10-20 combined record over March and April by going 7-8 in May. Eric Hosmer had three RBIs on Thursday and has been a big part of the recent resurgence, driving in six runs over the last three games.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tyson Ross (2-3, 3.40 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Ivan Nova (2-3, 5.01)
Ross remained winless over his last five outings despite yielding only one run on three hits and two walks while fanning seven over six innings in a no-decision Saturday against St. Louis. The California native, who has struck out 39 in 29 2/3 frames and held the opposition to one run three times over that span, has logged at least six frames in all but one of his eight turns. Corey Dickerson is 5-for-16 with two homers against Ross, who is 1-2 with a 3.29 ERA in five starts versus Pittsburgh.
Nova hasn't been the same since a sterling eight-inning effort on April 26, as he lost for the second time in three outings after getting roughed up for four runs across 5 2/3 frames by San Francisco on Sunday. The 31-year-old Dominican has surrendered a total of 17 runs (14 earned) and 25 hits over his last 12 1/3 innings after opening the campaign with five quality starts in six tries. Nova went 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA in two turns against San Diego last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. With CF Starling Marte (strained right oblique) expected to miss a third straight game Friday, the Pirates are expected to recall top prospect OF Austin Meadows from Triple-A Indianapolis.
2. Hosmer is hitting .370 on the road as opposed to .216 at home.
3. Pittsburgh is batting .293 as a team during its 8-1 surge.
PREDICTION: Padres 5, Pirates 3
Preview: Athletics at Blue Jays
Gracenote
May 18, 2018
Slugger Khris Davis hopes to continue a power surge when his Oakland Athletics visit the Toronto Blue Jays for the second of a four-game set Friday night after taking the series opener. Davis went 4-for-4 with his fourth homer in seven games Thursday for a 10-5 victory as the Athletics improved to 9-4 against American League East opponents with a third win in four contests overall.
Davis, who belted 85 homers over the past two seasons combined, has registered 15 RBIs in his last 13 games and is 7-for-15 in the past four contests while Matt Olson and Matt Chapman also went deep Thursday for Oakland. Brett Anderson, who went 2-2 in seven starts with Toronto last season, gets the start for the Athletics on Friday and the Blue Jays will counter with veteran right-hander Marco Estrada. Toronto has lost four of its last five - giving up 32 runs in the four setbacks - while dropping to the .500 mark (22-22) and is just 11-12 at home in the early going. Justin Smoak is 6-for-18 with seven RBIs during a five-game hitting streak for the Blue Jays and teammate Kevin Pillar is 4-for-9 with a pair of runs batted in in the past two contests.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), Sportsnet (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Brett Anderson (0-2, 8.16 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (2-3, 5.32)
Anderson registered a quality start in his season debut on May 2, holding Seattle to two runs over six innings, but has struggled in his last two outings. The 30-year-old Texan gave up 13 runs (11 earned) on 18 hits and five walks with four strikeouts over eight innings in his last two trips to the mound. Curtis Granderson is 5-for-12 with a homer versus Anderson, who took the loss while yielding two runs across six innings in his only appearance against Toronto.
Estrada has allowed at least four runs in five of his last six outings after starting the season with two straight quality starts and a victory. The 34-year-old Mexico native, who gave up four runs across six innings against Boston last time out, has permitted 10 homers and a .281 batting average over 44 innings. Jed Lowrie is 3-for-6 and Marcus Semien owns a homer against Estrada, who is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three career starts versus the Athletics.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto OF Teoscar Hernandez, who boasts a five-game hitting streak (7-for-20), sat out Thursday due to a sore back.
2. Semien is 11-for-34 with six RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak after recording a single in five at-bats Thursday.
3. Toronto 3B Josh Donaldson is 5-for-24 with 11 strikeouts over the last six contests, dropping his average to .233.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Athletics 5
Preview: Diamondbacks at Mets
Gracenote
May 17, 2018
The Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets each got off to sizzling starts but have been coming back to the pack since. The Diamondbacks are still atop the National League West but have lost seven of their last eight as they prepare to open a nine-game road trip with the first of three against the Mets on Friday night at Citi Field.
Arizona, which bolted to a 11-3 start and was 21-8 before dropping 10 of its next 14, has been limited to two runs or fewer in six of its last seven games. "Obviously a frustrating homestand but we've got to put it behind us," manager Torey Lovullo said. "Things are not moving in the direction we want them to every single moment, and we've just got to keep plowing away." The Mets will be hoping to get a boost from right-hander Jacob deGrom, who is making his second start since suffering a hyperextended elbow. New York is 3-10 in May following a franchise-best 11-1 start and is without slugger Yoenis Cespedes, who went on the disabled list Wednesday due to a right hip straight.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Arizona, SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (4-2, 4.08 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (3-0, 1.83)
Godley has struggled in his last two starts, giving up four runs in each, but manage to escape with no-decisions against Washington and the Dodgers despite allowing four runs. He went 4-1 over his first five starts and opened the season with two wins by allowing only one run and eight hits while going seven innings each time. Godley has made four career appearances against the Mets, going 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA.
DeGrom labored in his first start since hurting his elbow and was pulled after throwing 45 pitches versus Philadelphia, although he enters Friday's game riding a scoreless streak of 19 1/3 innings. He was 3-0 over his first six starts of the season, a stretch in which he settled for two no-decisions despite striking out 22. DeGrom won his only career start against Arizona, striking out 10 over seven innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets SS Asdrubal Cabrera is batting .320 but is only 8-for-48 lifetime against Arizona.
2. Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt went 3-for-26 with no extra-base hits on the homestand.
3. Mets RF Jay Bruce is mired in a 1-for-13 rut.
PREDICTION: Mets 4, Diamondbacks 2
Preview: Orioles at Red Sox
Gracenote
May 18, 2018
The host Boston Red Sox will try to extend their winning streak against the Baltimore Orioles to eight games when the American League East rivals continue a four-game series at Fenway Park on Friday. Home runs by J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts backed David Price's first complete game since 2016 in a 6-2 win in the series opener as the Red Sox took their seventh straight over the Orioles dating to 2017.
Mookie Betts added three hits to boost his AL-leading average to .364 and Martinez went deep for the eighth time in his last 15 games before leaving early due to a stomach ailment. The Orioles won five of six while scoring at least five runs in each victory before being held to a total of three runs and nine hits in back-to-back losses. Manny Machado broke up Price's shutout bid with a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth for his fifth home run in a seven-game span. He and his teammates will take aim at Boston southpaw Drew Pomeranz, who opposes Alex Cobb for Baltimore in Friday's tilt.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Alex Cobb (0-5, 7.06 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Drew Pomeranz (1-1, 5.47)
Cobb remains in search of his first win of 2018, although he has recovered from a dismal April to produce a 3.06 ERA in three May starts. The Boston native allowed three earned runs over 5 2/3 innings in a loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday while getting through a start without issuing a walk for the first time this year. The 30-year-old was pounded for eight runs (seven earned) in 3 2/3 innings at Fenway Park in his season debut but is 5-2 in eight career starts at Boston.
Pomeranz produced a pair of quality starts to begin the month before lasting just four innings while giving up three runs on five hits and five walks at Toronto on Sunday. The big lefty has allowed 28 hits and 13 walks in 24 2/3 innings overall to register an early WHIP of 1.66, which would be his highest mark since 2013. Pomeranz owns a 3.34 ERA in eight career matchups (five starts) against the Orioles and Baltimore's 2-6 hitters in Thursday's contest - Adam Jones, Machado, Jonathan Schoop, Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo - are a combined 14-for-68 with just one home run and 20 strikeouts versus the 29-year-old.
WALK-OFFS
1. Davis was hitless in three at-bats Thursday and is 1-for-15 with six strikeouts over a four-game span.
2. Bogaerts has a three-run homer in each of his last two games.
3. The Red Sox are hitting .331 in four meetings with the Orioles this year.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Orioles 4
Preview: Cubs at Reds
Gracenote
May 18, 2018
Cincinnati has been a pleasant place to play for the Chicago Cubs in recent years, and the Cubs hope to continue that trend when they open a four-game road series against the Reds on Friday. The Cubs are 20-9 at Great American Ball Park since the start of the 2015 season.
The Reds won six straight before dropping two of three at San Francisco earlier this week. They’ve gotten excellent pitching of late, allowing three or fewer runs in seven of their last nine contests. Both teams’ bullpens should be well-rested after days off Thursday, thanks to the Cubs’ being rained out in their series finale at Atlanta. Chicago has been streaky, with two five-game winning streaks sandwiched around a five-game skid before dropping three of its last four.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (3-1, 2.66 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (1-5, 5.59)
Lester has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his eight starts, but he’s had difficulty getting through the sixth inning. The 34-year-old has walked at least three batters in five of his outings. Lester is 5-1 with a 4.27 ERA in 13 starts against the Reds, including a 2-1 mark and 3.66 ERA in six outings at Great American Ball Park.
Bailey is coming off his first win of the season despite allowing a season-high 10 hits over five innings Saturday at the Dodgers. The 32-year-old posted quality starts in three of his first four outings to start the season but hasn’t had one in five starts since. Bailey is 8-3 with a 4.53 ERA in 18 starts against the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago has drawn 47 walks over the past 10 games after earning only 18 free passes in its previous 11 contests.
2. Reds 2B Jose Peraza (9-for-20, four RBIs) and OF Billy Hamilton (7-for-19, two homers) have enjoyed success against Lester.
3. The Cubs on Thursday optioned INF David Bote to Triple-A Iowa and recalled 24-year-old LH Randy Rosario, who has a 0.52 ERA in 11 appearances at Iowa, to bolster the bullpen.
PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Reds 4
Preview: Marlins at Braves
Gracenote
May 17, 2018
The Atlanta Braves arrive at the third weekend in May as perhaps the biggest surprise in baseball, opening a home series Friday against the Miami Marlins owning the best record in the National League and leading the NL East through roughly one-quarter of the season. Atlanta’s series finale against Chicago on Thursday was rained out, sending the Braves into the weekend at 26-16 – their best record since being 10 games over .500 in July 2014.
Sparked by youngsters Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr. at the top of the batting order, Atlanta has won 14 of its past 20 games, the franchise’s best 20-game stretch since 2013 – the last time the Braves made the playoffs. The Marlins, who lost three of four at home to Atlanta last weekend, beat the Dodgers in consecutive home games before losing 7-0 in Thursday’s series finale. Miami had averaged 10.2 hits in winning three of its previous five games, but finished with just four hits to fall 11 games under .500 at 16-27. The Marlins – who open a stretch of playing 16 of their next 19 games on the road – continue to struggle on the mound, posting a 6.94 ERA in their past 11 games while allowing 10.5 hits per game in that span.
TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), FS South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Dan Straily (1-0, 5.54 ERA) vs. Braves TBD
Straily makes his fourth start of the season and his second consecutive outing against Atlanta, seven days after picking up his first victory of the season by holding the Braves to two earned runs on three hits in five innings in the only Miami win of the four-game series. The 29-year-old, who missed the first four weeks of the season with right forearm inflammation, has struggled with his control in walking 11 in 13 innings. Straily, who struck out five Braves last week, is 3-2 in seven career starts against Atlanta with a 5.24 ERA.
Atlanta did not immediately announce its starter for the series opener following Friday’s rainout, but could skip Max Fried’s spot start in favor of left-hander Sean Newcomb (4-1, 2.51) on regular rest. Newcomb is in the midst of the best stretch of his young career in his second season, entering Friday having not allowed a run in 19 innings across his first three May starts. Fried (0-2, 6.00) has made four relief appearances in the majors this season, after going 1-1 with a 3.81 ERA in nine games (four starts) as a rookie last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Miami RHP Junichi Tazawa, who allowed three runs Thursday to raise his ERA to 9.00, was designated for assignment after the game.
2. Well before the rainout, Atlanta scratched 20-year-old RHP Mike Soroka from Thursday’s start and placed him on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain.
3. Braves SS Dansby Swanson, on the disabled list with left wrist inflammation, went 2-for-4 in his first rehab game Thursday with Class-A Rome, and could be activated this weekend.
PREDICTION: Braves 5, Marlins 2
Preview: Indians at Astros
Gracenote
May 17, 2018
The defending World Series champion Houston Astros boast an eye-popping ERA of 2.44 that is nearly a run better than anyone else as it prepares to host the Cleveland Indians for a three-game series beginning Friday. Houston, which has allowed 13 runs while going 7-2 in its last nine games, owns the three lowest ERAs in the American League in Justin Verlander (1.05), Gerrit Cole (1.75) and Charlie Morton (2.03), who will start Friday.
Morton has won seven straight decisions dating to 2017 - eight in a row during the regular season - and opposes Mike Clevinger, who is also undefeated in 2018 with quality starts in his last three outings. "I try not to get too far ahead of myself and I try not to let outings dictate how I feel about myself because I think that's a way to get in trouble,'' Morton told reporters. "If you let a bad outing get to you too much or you let a good outing get to you too much it's not a good thing. ..." The marquee series pits teams that will likely be involved in the postseason as Cleveland, despite spinning its wheels at 21-21, leads a weak AL Central Division while the Astros (28-17) sit atop the West. The Indians split their last six games against Central rivals Kansas City and Detroit since top reliever Andrew Miller returned from the disabled list, but he has allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings during that span to help Cleveland's MLB-worst bullpen ERA balloon to 5.68.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Mike Clevinger (3-0, 2.70 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (5-0, 2.03)
Clevinger, who has thrown 231 pitches in his last two starts, allowed two runs and eight hits while striking out five over 7 2/3 innings of a 6-2 victory over Kansas City on Saturday. The 27-year-old Floridian, who is 10-5 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 appearances (19 starts) on the road, set career highs with 10 strikeouts and 116 pitches in his previous start - a no-decision when he yielded two runs, one hit and four walks across 7 1/3 innings of Cleveland's 7-4 loss against the Yankees in New York. No Houston player has more than four at-bats versus Clevinger, who is 1-1 with a 1.04 ERA in two starts versus the Astros.
Morton struck out a career-high 14 - the third time he's fanned 10 or more this season - while permitting one run and four hits in seven innings of a 6-1 victory over Texas on Saturday. The 34-year-old New Jersey native, who was a personal-best 14-7 last season, has allowed two or fewer runs in six of his eight starts this season. Jason Kipnis and Edwin Encarnacion have gone deep in a combined nine at-bats versus Morton, who is 0-2 with a 5.56 ERA in two starts versus Cleveland.
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians LF Michael Brantley (.338) is 12-for-31 with three of his six home runs and 11 of his 28 RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.
2. Houston SS Carlos Correa (.281) is hitting .180 in May after entering the month batting .315.
3. Cleveland has won 24 of the 34 meetings since the Astros joined the AL in 2013, including five of six last season.
PREDICTION: Astros 3, Indians 2
Preview: Brewers at Twins
Gracenote
May 17, 2018
The Milwaukee Brewers sustained a significant loss even on a day off on Thursday as Ryan Braun was shuffled to the 10-day disabled list with mid-back tightness. The 2011 National League MVP sat out all three contests in the previous series for Milwaukee (26-18), which vies for its sixth win in eight outings on Friday when it begins the last leg of its 10-game road trip at the Minnesota Twins (18-21).
"It's always tough when you have an active member of your roster who's unavailable, because then you're playing down a player," Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said. Travis Shaw went deep for the club-leading 10th time in Wednesday's 8-2 romp over the Diamondbacks, giving him four homers in nine games while pushing his RBI total to 10 in that span - although he is 0-for-5 in his career against Friday starter Kyle Gibson. Minnesota has answered a 7-1 stretch by dropping three of its last four, with Wednesday's 7-5 setback against St. Louis sending the Twins to 1-2 on their 10-game homestand. Joe Mauer, who is 0-for-2 in a small sample size versus Friday starter Brent Suter, has nine hits in his last seven games to move past Harmon Killebrew into sixth place on the Twins/Washington Senators franchise list with 2,025.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Brent Suter (2-3, 5.14) vs. Twins RH Kyle Gibson (1-1, 3.43 ERA)
Suter tasted defeat for the first time in nearly one month on Saturday after being taken deep on two occasions for the second time in as many starts and third in five outings. The long balls did their damage as the 28-year-old allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings of a 4-0 setback in Colorado. Suter has limited the current crop of Twins to just a .200 batting average, although he walked away with a no-decision in his lone career meeting with Minnesota despite yielding three runs in four innings.
Gibson saw his winless stretch extend to seven outings on Saturday despite permitting two runs on three hits in six innings of a no-decision at the Los Angeles Angels. The 30-year-old didn't do himself any favors by walking four batters, a total he has reached on three occasions in 2018. Gibson has baffled Lorenzo Cain (6-for-32, seven strikeouts) over the years, but he sports just a 1-1 mark with a 5.03 ERA in three career encounters with Milwaukee.
WALK-OFFS
1. Minnesota LF Eddie Rosario, who leads the team in homers (nine), RBIs (27) and batting average (.296), has 11 multi-hit performances in his last 19 outings.
2. Milwaukee's 16 road wins are tied for the most in the majors with Houston and Colorado entering play on Thursday.
3. Twins 1B Logan Morrison, who homered in Wednesday's tilt, has hit safely in seven of his last nine outings.
PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Twins 2
Preview: Rangers at White Sox
Gracenote
May 18, 2018
The Chicago White Sox have won exactly one game on each of their first three homestands of the season, which helps to explain why they own the worst home mark in baseball as well as the worst record in the majors. In the midst of their fourth extended stay in Chicago, the White Sox hope a late comeback in their series-opening victory over the Texas Rangers can spark more success when the two teams meet for the second of four games Friday.
The White Sox (11- 29) lost five of six in each of their first three homestands, but the American League Central cellar-dwellers scored all of their runs courtesy of the mistake-prone Rangers in the eighth inning in Thursday's 4-2 comeback victory after getting shut down by Doug Fister over the first seven frames. The final one of Yoan Moncada's three hits - a ground-rule double - sparked the rally, while Welington Castillo capped the outburst with a two-out, two-run single to break the tie. Texas contributed to its demise with a passed ball, a throwing error and a bases-loaded walk, setting the stage for Castillo's big hit. The AL West-worst Rangers have struggled for offense while going 2-4 two-thirds of the way into their nine-game road trip, scoring two runs or fewer four times.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), NBCS Chicago Plus
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Matt Moore (1-5, 7.82 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Carson Fulmer (2-3, 6.23)
Moore has struggled as much as any pitcher in the majors this month, going 0-2 with a 12.79 ERA, 2.61 WHIP and .413 batting average against in three trips to the mound. The 28-year-old Floridian was removed after three innings and 72 pitches in Sunday's loss at Houston, surrendering three runs on six hits and three walks. Moore has been borderline dominant when facing the White Sox, however, winning each of his last five outings against them while going 5-1 with a 1.67 ERA overall in six career starts.
Fulmer has been roughed up in consecutive turns after earning his first two victories of the season, including a loss to the Chicago Cubs last Friday, when he was tagged for five runs in only 1 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old wasn't much more effective one week earlier, giving up five runs (four earned) across 3 2/3 frames in another defeat versus Minnesota. Fulmer will try to regain the form he flashed in April (2-1, 4.32 ERA) as he faces Texas for the first time in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rangers are 7-for-46 with runners in scoring position during their road trip.
2. The White Sox swiped two bags on Thursday to give themselves an AL-best 34 steals for the season.
3. Of Texas' 51 homers this season, a majors-high 40 have been solo shots.
PREDICTION: Rangers 7, White Sox 2
Preview: Phillies at Cardinals
Gracenote
May 18, 2018
The Philadelphia Phillies seemingly have the National League Central’s number. The Phillies are 8-0 against the division and have outscored NL Central foes 40-16, which they’ll try to continue in the second contest of a four-game road series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.
The Phillies have won three straight and seven of their last eight after a 6-2 win in Thursday’s series opener. Carlos Santana stayed red-hot with his fifth home run in his past eight games, and Odubel Herrera recorded his sixth multi-hit game in the past nine contests. The Cardinals have dropped three straight home games for the first time this season and six of nine overall. St. Louis’ bullpen faltered late in the series opener, allowing five runs in the eighth and ninth innings after giving up only 19 runs all season in those frames entering the game.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (3-1, 2.59 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (4-1, 3.09)
Arrieta is winless in his last three outings, but the bullpen is to blame for the past two. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winners has allowed one run in 13 1/3 innings across his last two starts and has five quality starts in seven outings this season. Arrieta is 8-4 with a 2.27 ERA in 17 starts against the Cardinals, but he’s just 2-3 with a 4.21 ERA in seven outings at Busch Stadium.
Wacha has allowed two runs or fewer in five straight starts, and he hasn’t lost since his season debut against the New York Mets on March 31. The 26-year-old hasn’t factored in the decision in his last three outings despite allowing only four earned runs over 16 1/3 innings. Wacha is 2-2 with a 4.40 ERA in five starts against the Phillies.
WALK-OFFS
1. Herrera has reached base in 43 consecutive games dating to last season - 13 shy of Mike Schmidt’s club record - and is 15-for-34 during an eight-game hitting streak against the Cardinals.
2. The Phillies have homered in 12 straight games, tied for the longest active streak in the majors, and have drawn at least one walk in 56 consecutive games dating to last season.
3. The Cardinals on Thursday transferred RH Adam Wainwright to the 60-day disabled list so they could recall C Steven Baron from Triple-A Memphis after C Carson Kelly landed on the 10-day DL with a strained hamstring.
PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Cardinals 2
Preview: Yankees at Royals
Gracenote
May 17, 2018
Pretty much everything has gone right for the New York Yankees over the past four weeks -- with the exception of some weather issues this week. After having the first two contests of their eight-game road trip wiped out by rain in the nation's capital, the Yankees head to Kansas City to open a three-game set against the Royals on Friday night.
Red-hot New York owns the best record in the majors at 28-12, ripping off 19 wins in its last 22 games after sitting at the .500 mark (9-9) on April 20. CC Sabathia, unbeaten in his last 15 regular-season starts, gets the nod in the series opener for the Yankees, who have played the fewest road games (15) of any team in baseball but have won six of their last seven away from home. The skidding Royals, losers of five straight and seven of eight, are coming off a three-game sweep by visiting Tampa Bay, falling into a three-run hole in the first inning in each of their past two. “Just give (our offense) a chance. We put their heads under water every single day and it’s tough to battle back every single game out," veteran right-hander Jason Hammel said after Wednesday's 5-3 setback.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (2-0, 2.23 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jakob Junis (4-3, 3.53)
Sabathia is coming off his worst start of the season but managed to escape with a no-decision against Boston after getting knocked around for four runs and nine hits over four innings. He had allowed a combined four runs (one earned) in his previous four runs and has not lost since Aug. 8. Sabathia has 21 wins against the Royals -- tied for his most against any opponent -- and is 13-5 at Kauffman Stadium.
Junis has leveled off after his sensational start to the season in which he won his first two outings by permitting a combined four hits over 14 scoreless innings. The 25-year-old is struggling to keep the ball in the park, surrendering 11 homers over his last six starts -- nine of which have come at home. Junis lost his lone career start against the Yankees last season, giving up six runs over 5 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees RF Aaron Judge has 17 RBIs in his last 11 games.
2. Royals OF Jon Jay has hit safely in nine consecutive games.
3. Yankees SS Didi Gregorius is 1-for-38 over the past nine games.
PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Royals 2
Preview: Rays at Angels
Gracenote
May 18, 2018
C.J. Cron served notice to his former employers in the series opener and looks to inflict more damage when the Tampa Bay Rays visit the Los Angeles Angels on Friday in the second contest of a four-game set. Cron went 2-for-5 and homered for the game's first run on Thursday as the Rays rolled to a 7-1 win for their fourth straight triumph.
Cron, who has homered in three straight games, was dealt to the Rays in the offseason after four seasons with the Angels and his homer was his 11th of the campaign, just five off his career high. "They gave me the opportunity to play in the big leagues," Cron told reporters prior to Thursday's game. "This is a special place, and I played four years here. I don't regret any of it." Cron has seven two-hit outings during a 10-game hitting streak and he is 17-for-43 with four homers during the stretch. The Angels have scored just four runs during a three-game skid with center fielder Mike Trout mired in a career-worst 0-for-19 funk and the club facing the possibility of being without left fielder Justin Upton (left hand) on Friday after he was hit by a pitch in the opener.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Blake Snell (4-3, 3.12 ERA) vs. Angels RH Nick Tropeano (1-2, 3.64)
Snell has dropped back-to-back starts after going 4-0 over his previous five decisions. The 25-year-old served up three homers in the second inning in his last turn and gave up five runs and six hits over 3 1/3 innings as the Rays were routed 17-1 by the Baltimore Orioles. Snell has made one career start against the Angels and suffered the loss as he gave up two runs and four hits over six innings on July 7, 2016.
Tropeano is 0-2 over his last four starts after beating the Kansas City Royals in his season debut on April 12. The 27-year-old gave up three runs and five hits in six innings against the Minnesota Twins in a no-decision in his last outing. Tropeano is 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA in two career starts against the Rays and has experienced mixed results against Brad Miller (3-for-9 with two homers and five strikeouts).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rays have won eight of their last nine games at Angel Stadium.
2. Los Angeles RHP Keynan Middleton (elbow) received recommendations that he needs Tommy John surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament, the team announced.
3. Tampa Bay SS Adeiny Hechavarria (hamstring) departed Thursday's game and he will be re-evaluated on Friday.
PREDICTION: Rays 5, Angels 3