Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Saturday 6/23/18
Saturday’s games
National League
Diamondbacks (42-33) @ Pirates (36-39)
Greinke is 3-1, 4.63 in his last four starts (over 4-0). Team in his starts: 8-7
5-inning record: 8-4-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-15
Musgrove is 0-2, 7.63 in his last three starts (over 2-2-1). Team in his starts: 2-3.
5-inning record: 2-2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5
Arizona won three of its last four games; over is 6-3-1 in their last ten road games. Pittsburgh lost four of its last five games; under is 5-2 in their last seven games.
Phillies (40-33) @ Nationals (40-34)
Nola is 2-0, 2.93 in his last five starts; under is 7-2 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 10-5.
5-inning record: 5-5-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-15
Fedde is 0-2, 5.63 in his three starts (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 1-2.
5-inning record: 0-2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-3
Phillies won five of their last six games; over is 10-3 in their last 13 games. Nationals are 7-12 in their last 19 games; under is 4-2 in their last six games.
Cubs (42-31) @ Reds (30-45)
Looks like a bullpen game. Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0
DeSclafani is 2-1, 5.17 in three starts this year (over 2-0-1). Team in his starts: 2-1
5-inning record: 2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3
Cubs lost five of last seven road games; under is 5-0-1 in Chicago’s last six games. Reds won their last five games; over is 6-2-2 in their last ten home games.
Dodgers (39-35) @ Mets (31-42)
Kershaw is 0-2, 3.91 in his last four starts (under 5-3). Team in his starts: 2-6
5-inning record: 3-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-8
deGrom is 1.59 in his last seven starts; under is 9-2 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 6-9
5-inning record: 9-2-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-15
Dodgers lost three of last five games; under is 8-0 in their last eight games. Mets are 7-23 in their last 30 games; under is 7-0 in their last seven home games.
Cardinals (38-36) @ Brewers (45-30)
Mikolas is 1-2, 3.75 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 2-14.
5-inning record: 9-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-14
Anderson is 1-3, 5.24 in his last four starts (under 7-5-2). Team in his starts: 8-6
5-inning record: 7-4-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-14
Cardinals lost eight of their last ten games; over is 7-4-1 in their last 12 road games. Brewers won five of last seven home games; under is 6-3 in their last nine games.
Marlins (29-47) @ Rockies (38-38)
Richards is 1-2, 6.28 in his last three starts (over 4-4). Team in his starts: 3-5
5-inning record: 2-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-8
Anderson is 1-1, 2.79 in his last three starts; his last seven starts went over. Team in his starts: 7-8
5-inning record: 8-4-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-15
Marlins lost four of their last five games; over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games. Colorado won its last four games; over is 18-2 in their last 20 games.
Padres (35-43) @ Giants (38-39)
Lyles is 2-1, 2.91 in his last four starts; his last three stayed under. Team in his starts: 3-8.
5-inning record: 4-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11
Suarez is 0-0, 4.60 in his last three starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 3-8.
5-inning record: 3-5-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-11
San Diego lost five of its last six games; under is 10-3 in their last 13 road games. Giants won four of their last six games; over is 6-2 in their last eight home games.
American League
New York (50-23) @ Tampa Bay (35-40)
Gray is 2-0, 2.63 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 7-7.
5-inning record: 6-5-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-14
Bullpen games all weekend for the Rays. Team in bullpen games: 10-12. (under 12-9-1)
5-inning record: 10-8-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-22
New York won seven of its last ten games; under is 9-0 in their last nine road games. Tampa Bay lost five of its last eight games; under is 9-1 in their last ten games.
Mariners (46-30) @ Red Sox (51-26)
Leake is 3-1, 2.83 in his last five starts; his last three went over. Team in his starts: 11-4
5-inning record: 7-4-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-15
Rodriguez is 6-0, 2.34 in his last six starts; under is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 13-1
5-inning record: 10-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-14
Seattle lost its last five games; over is 7-2-1 in their last ten road games. Red Sox lost four of their last seven games; under is 11-6 in their last 17 games.
Tigers (36-40) @ Indians (41-33)
Liriano is 0-1, 4.45 in his last five starts (under 6-4). Team in his starts: 4-6
5-inning record: 5-2-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-10
Bauer is 2-1, 1.59 in his last three starts; his last four starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 8-7.
5-inning record: 7-4-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-15
Tigers won five of their last eight games; under is 10-3 in their last 13 road games. Cleveland won its last five games; under is 6-4-1 in their last 11 games.
Royals (23-52) @ Astros (50-27)
Kennedy is 0-3, 5.02 in his last six starts (under 5-1). Team in his starts: 3-12.
5-inning record: 4-8-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-15
McCullers is 2-0, 4.32 in his last four starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 10-4.
5-inning record: 6-4-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-14
Royals lost nine of their last ten games; under is 11-4 in their last 15 games. Houston is 13-2 in its last 15 games; over is 6-3 in their last nine home games.
A’s (39-37) @ White Sox (25-50)
Mengden is 0-2, 10.05 in his last three starts (over 8-6-1). Team in his starts: 9-6.
5-inning record: 8-5-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-15
Covey is 3-1, 3.13 in his last four starts (under 4-0). Team in his starts: 4-3.
5-inning record: 2-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-7
A’s won five of their last six games; nine of last ten Oakland games went over the total. White Sox lost eight of their last nine games; under is 15-4-2 in their last 21 games.
Rangers (33-44) @ Twins (33-39)
Gallardo allowed five runs in five IP (98 PT) in his first ’18 start. Team in his starts: 1-0 Over 1-0
5-inning record: 0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-1
Odorizzi is 0-2, 5.40 in his last three starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 6-9.
5-inning record: 6-6-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-15
Rangers won their last six games; under is 8-1-1 in their last ten road games. Minnesota won four of its last seven games; under is 6-3-2 in their last 11 home games.
Blue Jays (34-41) @ Angels (41-35)
Stroman comes off DL here; he is 0-5, 8.20 in seven starts (over 4-3), last of which was May 8. Team in his starts: 2-5
5-inning record: 0-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7
Barria is 0-2, 9.00 in his last two starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 5-4
5-inning record: 6-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-9
Toronto lost 10 of its last 11 road games; over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Angels lost seven of their last 11 games; over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games.
Interleague
Orioles (22-52) @ Braves (43-31)
Bundy is 2-0, 1.71 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 6-9
5-inning record: 5-6-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-15
Teheran is 1-3, 3.52 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 9-5
5-inning record: 6-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-14
Baltimore lost 11 of its last 14 games; under is 9-4 in their last 13 road games. Braves won six of their last nine games; under is 9-3 in their last 12 home games.
Umpires
Mia-Col: Over is 9-4 in last 13 Torres games.
Phil-Wsh: Over is 7-2 in last nine Vanover games.
Az-Pitt: Over is 3-0-1 in last four Cederstrom games.
SD-SF: Under is 4-2 in last six Hoberg games.
StL-Mil: Over is 7-3 in last ten Drake games.
Chi-Cin: Under is 8-5 in last 13 Gibson games.
LA-NY: Six of last seven Hickox games stayed under.
Tex-Min: Three of last four TGibson games went over.
A’s-Chi: Last three Blakney games went over total.
NY-TB: Under is 7-0-1 in last eight Bellino games.
Det-Clev: Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Wolcott games.
KC-Hst: Favorites won last nine Welke games.
Sea-Bos: Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Marquez games.
Tor-LAA: Last three Fletcher games went over the total.
Balt-Atl: Four of last five Barksdale games stayed under.
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Preview: Athletics at White Sox
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
The Chicago White Sox have halted a season-worst eight-game losing streak and look to beat the visiting Oakland Athletics again on Saturday in the third contest of a four-game set. The victory in the second game of the doubleheader on Friday came after Chicago was outscored 35-7 over its previous four games.
Oakland rolled to an 11-2 victory in the first game of the twin bill as Franklin Barreto hit two three-run homers and drove in a career-best six runs. The victory in the opener marked a season-best fifth in a row for the Athletics, who lost the second game despite two RBIs apiece from Khris Davis and Matt Olson, with the latter belting a solo shot. White Sox slugger Jose Abreu was hitless in eight at-bats in the doubleheader and has gone deep just twice in June. Omar Narvaez had three hits and two RBIs in the Game 2 win for Chicago, and Tim Anderson scored three runs while going 2-for-4 with a homer.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS California (Oakland), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Daniel Mengden (6-6, 4.06 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Dylan Covey (3-2, 2.90)
Mengden has served up eight homers over this last three starts while going 0-2 with an atrocious 10.05 ERA. The rough stretch follows a span in which he won four consecutive outings while compiling a stellar 1.20 ERA. The 25-year-old gave up one run and six hits over eight innings on April 16 while beating the White Sox in his lone career matchup.
Covey gave up five runs (four earned) and six hits over five innings in a loss against Cleveland on Monday, when he also issued a career-high five walks. The 26-year-old had won his previous three decisions and allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his previous five outings. Covey has never faced Oakland, the team that drafted him in the fourth round in 2013 and later saw the White Sox scoop him away in the 2016 Rule 5 draft.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Athletics have scored 45 runs while going 4-1 versus the White Sox this season.
2. Chicago activated OFs Avisail Garcia (hamstring) and Leury Garcia (knee) from the disabled list, optioned INF Jose Rondon to Triple-A Charlotte and designated OF Trayce Thompson for assignment.
3. Oakland activated Matt Joyce (back) from the DL and optioned fellow OF Jake Smolinski to Triple-A Nashville.
PREDICTION: Athletics 9, White Sox 3
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Preview: Rangers at Twins
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
Pitching has rarely been a strong suit for the Texas Rangers, but it has been a catalyst for the majors' hottest team and its long winning streak of the season. The red-hot Rangers eye a seventh straight victory Saturday when they continue a three-game set in Minnesota against the Twins.
Mike Minor worked six strong innings and combined with two relievers to toss a three-hitter in Friday's 8-1 series-opening victory over Minnesota, marking the fourth straight time the opposition scored three runs or fewer and the fifth time during Texas' six-game surge it has kept its foe at or below that benchmark. The Rangers still rank 13th in the American League in ERA (4.74) for the season, although they have posted a 3.33 ERA during their winning streak despite surrendering 12 runs Sunday against Colorado. The Twins appeared to be on the verge of building some momentum after taking two of three in Cleveland and two of three at home against Boston, but they have been outscored 17-3 while dropping each of their last two contests. As a result of the recent slide, Minnesota finds itself a season-high seven games behind the Indians in the AL Central.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Southwest (Texas), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (0-0, 15.95 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (3-4, 4.38)
Gallardo was mostly erratic in a no-decision Sunday against Colorado, throwing only 55 of his 98 pitches for strikes while giving up five runs on six hits and three walks over five innings in his season debut with Texas. The 32-year-old earned his promotion after posting a 2-1 record and 3.81 ERA in 10 turns with Triple-A Round Rock. Brian Dozier (9-for-18, one homer, five RBIs) and Joe Mauer (9-for-22) have both fared well against Gallardo, who is 4-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 11 starts versus Minnesota.
Odorizzi also struggled with his command in Sunday's loss at Cleveland, throwing only 57 of his 106 pitches for strikes while surrendering four runs on six hits and four walks in five frames. The Illinois native has issued four free passes across five innings in each of his last two outings and is one of three Minnesota starting pitchers who rank inside the top 20 in the majors in walks (35). Odorizzi has been mostly dominant in six career starts against Texas, however, going 4-0 with a 2.02 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Texas OF Shin-Soo Choo finished 2-for-4 Friday to extend his on-base streak to 35 games, one shy of the longest by a Ranger since Mark Teixeira in 2006.
2. Minnesota OF Eddie Rosario went 0-for-4 in the opener after missing a game with shoulder soreness. Despite the hitless effort, he is batting .356 with 13 homers and 34 RBIs since May 1.
3. Texas has drawn 85 walks in June - most in the majors - and leads the AL with 281 for the season.
PREDICTION: Rangers 6, Twins 5
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Preview: Marlins at Rockies
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
The Colorado Rockies opened the month by losing eight of their first 10 games but have climbed back to .500 with four straight wins. Nolan Arenado has homered in each contest during the winning streak for the resurgent Rockies, who continue their three-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins on Saturday afternoon.
Arenado went 3-for-4 with a two-run blast in Friday’s 11-3 win and is batting .455 with five homers and 16 RBIs in his last eight games. Tom Murphy continued to provide an offensive boost at the catcher position with three hits and two RBIs while Ian Desmond reached base safely three times for the third straight game. The Marlins fell to 3-4 on their nine-game road trip despite three hits from leadoff batter Derek Dietrich, who has posted a .386 average over his last 20 contests. Miami continues to exercise patience with Lewis Brinson, who has recorded four multi-hit performances in his last 10 games but is hitting .179 after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Friday.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Trevor Richards (1-4, 5.45 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (4-2, 4.52)
Richards was unphased after allowing six runs and nine hits over 3 1/3 innings in a 10-4 loss to Baltimore on Sunday. “You've just got to roll with the punches,” he told reporters. “No matter how the outing goes, good or bad, tomorrow you start over. You do the same routine and get ready for the next one.” The 25-year-old rookie has struggled with control issues in his first eight starts, issuing 18 walks over 38 innings.
Anderson was victimized by the long ball again on Monday, allowing three runs on three hits - two homers - over 5 1/3 innings in a 12-2 loss to the New York Mets. The 28-year-old native of Las Vegas has served up a total of eight home runs over 33 1/3 frames in his six starts at Coors Field this season. Anderson is 1-1 with a sterling 1.29 ERA in three career starts versus Miami, including an outing in which he tossed seven scoreless innings at Marlins Park on Sept. 26, 2017.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rockies are averaging 7.8 runs over their last five games.
2. Miami activated Nick Wittgren and placed fellow RHP Jose Urena on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder impingement.
3. Colorado OF Carlos Gonzalez is 9-for-25 during his six-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Rockies 9, Marlins 5
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Preview: Diamondbacks at Pirates
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
The Arizona Diamondbacks can secure their second series victory against the host Pittsburgh Pirates in the past two weeks when the teams continue a four-game set Saturday afternoon. Ketel Marte's RBI single in the top of the 13th inning was the difference in the Diamondbacks' 2-1 win Friday night.
The decision gave Arizona a 4-1 record against Pittsburgh in 2018 and six wins in the last seven meetings dating to last season. Zack Greinke was the Diamondbacks' starter in the one loss to the Pirates during that stretch and he will try to get a measure of revenge in Saturday's matchup. Joe Musgrove goes for Pittsburgh, which managed just four hits - all singles - and left nine runners on base in the 13-inning loss. Josh Harrison was 0-for-5 in the opener and is hitless in 12 at-bats over his last three games for the Pirates.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (6-5, 3.90 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Joe Musgrove (2-2, 3.68)
Greinke had his worst start of the season against the Pirates two turns ago, giving up a season high-tying five runs in a season-low 4 2/3 innings. He rebounded to defeat the Los Angeles Angels with 6 1/3 solid innings, improving to 3-4 with a 5.66 ERA on the road. Both Harrison and Starling Marte are 1-for-12 against the 34-year-old, who has a 4.91 ERA in 12 career starts against Pittsburgh - his highest mark against a National League team.
After going 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two May starts, Musgrove is 0-2 with a 6.46 mark in three June outings. The one solid start in this month's stretch came at Arizona on June 11, when the former first-round pick limited the Diamondbacks to two earned runs in six innings. He is 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA in four home starts this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pirates C Francisco Cervelli was placed on the seven-day concussion list and C Jacob Stallings was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.
2. Marte boasts 12 RBIs over his last 12 games.
3. Diamondbacks closer RHP Brad Boxberger has allowed five runs on four hits and four walks in 1 2/3 innings over his last two outings.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Pirates 4
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Preview: Phillies at Nationals
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
With red-hot Odubel Herrera setting a torrid pace with a homer binge, the Philadelphia Phillies' offense is on a roll entering the middle contest of a three-game set at the Washington Nationals on Saturday afternoon. Herrera collected four hits and became the sixth Phillie to homer in five consecutive games in a 12-2 romp in the series opener.
Herrera is 13-for-22 with five homers, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored during a five-game hitting streak for Philadelphia, which has scored 42 times during its current 5-1 stretch. Carlos Santana homered and drove in four runs while Nick Williams collected two hits and three RBIs as the Phillies moved a half-game ahead of Washington into second place in the National League East. Michael Taylor had an RBI double to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games for the Nationals, who have dropped eight of 11. Rookie Juan Soto has hit safely in six straight games for Washington, which sends Erick Fedde to the mound to oppose Aaron Nola in a matchup of 2014 first-round draft picks.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (8-2, 2.55 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Erick Fedde (0-2, 5.63)
Nola is coming off his worst start of the year, lasting a season-low 4 1/3 innings and giving up four runs on seven hits in a no-decision at Milwaukee. That ended a stretch of superb pitching by the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 draft, who allowed one run or fewer in six of his previous eight turns. Bryce Harper is 8-for-17 with two homers off Nola, who is 1-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 starts versus Washington.
Fedde was selected 11 slots behind Nola in 2014 but he is still searching for his first major-league win as he prepares to make his seventh career start and fourth this season. He made his second straight start against the New York Yankees on Monday, taking the loss after giving up three runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. Fedde has allowed eight homers in 31 1/3 career innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Phillies 2B Cesar Hernandez is 11-for-30 with five RBIs and eight runs scored during a seven-game hitting streak.
2. Nationals RHP Jeremy Hellickson will make a rehab start Sunday for Class A Potomac.
3. Philadelphia LF Rhys Hoskins has hit safely in six straight games, going 10-for-25.
PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Nationals 3
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Preview: Padres at Giants
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
After putting an end to their slide last time out, the San Diego Padres attempt to begin a winning streak when they visit the San Francisco Giants on Saturday afternoon as the National League West rivals continue their four-game series. San Diego halted its five-game skid on Friday with a 6-2 triumph, pounding out 12 hits as it fell one run shy of matching its total output during the losing streak.
Eric Hosmer and Manuel Margot each recorded two hits and two RBIs, with the latter posting his third consecutive two-hit performance. San Francisco managed only five hits in Friday's setback as its three-game winning streak came to an end. Gorkys Hernandez is 6-for-14 over his last four contests after delivering a pair of doubles in the loss, while Buster Posey was hitless in four at-bats after going 4-for-11 over his previous three contests. Joe Panik has gone 4-for-7 over his last three games for the Giants, who are 3-2 on their 10-game homestand.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jordan Lyles (2-4, 4.46 ERA) vs. Giants LH Andrew Suarez (2-4, 4.70)
Lyles has lost all three of his starts this month, including a setback at Atlanta last Saturday in which he allowed just one run and five hits over seven innings. It was a strong bounceback effort from the 27-year-old native of South Carolina, who was battered for 12 runs and 22 hits over 10 1/3 frames in his two previous turns. Lyles is 3-3 with a 6.11 ERA in 17 career games (seven starts) against San Francisco, including three relief appearances earlier this season.
Suarez is unbeaten in his last five starts, although he has recorded just one victory in that span. The 25-year-old Floridian rookie settled for a no-decision against Miami on Monday after giving up two runs and five hits with a career high-tying seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. Suarez made his only appearance against San Diego on May 1, when he allowed two runs and four hits over seven frames but did not factor in the decision in his second major-league start.
WALK-OFFS
1. The teams went 5-for-17 with runners in scoring position on Friday after going 1-for-14 in such situations in the series opener.
2. San Diego hit .177 during its losing streak, with Hosmer going 3-for-21.
3. San Francisco RHP Johnny Cueto (elbow) is slated to make the first of what is expected to be three rehab starts for Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.
PREDICTION: Padres 5, Giants 3
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Preview: Orioles at Braves
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
Manny Machado, who will be a prized target on the free-agent market this offseason, has snapped out of a recent slump and hopes to continue hitting when the Baltimore Orioles visit the Atlanta Braves on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game interleague series. Machado finished 2-for-5 on Friday, belting his first homer since June 2 in the 15th inning to help lift the Orioles to a 10-7 victory after they scored six times in the ninth before yielding four runs in the bottom half to send the game to extra frames.
Machado entered the series opener hitting just .200 in his previous 13 games, but he and Chris Davis – who homered and drove in two runs in his first game since June 11 – provided the power for the Orioles to win for just the third time in 14 games. The Braves, who lead the National League East by 2 ½ games over Philadelphia and three over Washington, were 36-1 when leading after eight innings before their bullpen melted down and allowed six hits in the ninth. Charlie Culberson, who gave Atlanta a 3-1 lead in the eighth with a two-run double, is hitting .314 with 14 RBIs in his last 21 games. Nick Markakis finished the series opener with two hits, driving home the game-tying run in the ninth.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FS South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (5-7, 3.81 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (5-4, 3.97)
Bundy has experienced a series of highs (a 14-strikeout performance on May 14) and lows (giving up seven runs without retiring a batter on May 8) this season. The 25-year-old began the month with 15 scoreless innings and only six hits allowed in a win against the Mets and a no-decision versus Boston. Bundy allowed four runs and five hits in six frames on Sunday, beating Miami for his third win in four decisions.
Teheran was outstanding in his last start on Sunday against San Diego, firing six hitless innings with a season-high 11 strikeouts to snap a three-start losing streak. The 27-year-old gave up nine earned runs over his first two starts of the season but has posted a 3.26 ERA with 62 strikeouts over 69 innings in his last 12 outings. Teheran lost his only career appearance against Baltimore in 2015.
WALK-OFFS
1. Braves CF Ender Inciarte, who moved back to the leadoff spot Friday and went 2-for-5, and is hitting .364 over his past nine games.
2. Baltimore RHP Miguel Castro pitched three scoreless innings in the series opener, his 12th stint of two-plus frames this season.
3. Atlanta placed RHP Mike Soroka (shoulder) on the disabled list Friday and expects to start RHP Brandon McCarthy in Sunday’s series finale.
PREDICTION: Braves 4, Orioles 3
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Preview: Cubs at Reds
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are at opposite ends of the National League hierarchy, but you wouldn't know it based on their head-to-head record. The surging Reds will try for a third straight win over the visiting Cubs as they look to continue playing spoiler on Saturday.
After claiming the first two contests of the four-game series, the Reds are 4-3 against the Cubs this season, making them one of only three teams with a winning record versus Chicago. Cincinnati has won five straight overall – one shy of its longest streak of the year – and is hitting .322 with nine homers and 34 runs scored during the stretch. The Reds will try to keep up the hot hitting against Luke Farrell, whose spot start further depletes a bullpen that already is missing Carl Edwards Jr. and closer Brandon Morrow. The Cubs have dropped four of their last six contests to fall two games behind first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ABC 7 (Chicago), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Luke Farrell (2-2, 3.63 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (2-1, 4.60)
Farrell will make his first start of the season and the second of his career. The 27-year-old has made 12 relief appearances this year, including one against the New York Mets on June 2 in which he worked five scoreless frames in a 14-inning victory. Farrell, who pitched out of the bullpen nine times for the Reds last season, never has faced his former team.
DeSclafani is making his fourth start as he works his way back from a left oblique strain that cost him the first two months of the season. The 28-year-old put together his best outing Sunday at Pittsburgh, allowing two runs and three hits over 5 2/3 innings to record the win. DeSclafani is 2-2 with a 3.70 ERA in seven career starts against the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez is 15-for-44 with five homers and 12 RBIs during his career-best 12-game hitting streak.
2. Suarez has averaged a home run every 13.56 at-bats, while Cubs LF Kyle Schwarber has gone deep once every 14.2 at-bats – two of the three best ratios in the NL behind Washington’s Bryce Harper.
3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo’s 24 home runs against the Reds are fourth-most among active players, trailing Albert Pujols (47), Ryan Braun (41) and Andrew McCutchen (29).
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Reds 4
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Preview: Yankees at Rays
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
The Tampa Bay Rays have turned their fortunes around against the New York Yankees and look to win their third straight between the divisional foes when they continue a three-game series in Florida on Saturday. Six pitchers combined on a five-hitter to help the Rays to a 2-1 win in Friday's series opener.
Tampa Bay was outscored 31-10 in losing the first five meetings between the teams before winning the last two while holding the high-powered Yankees to one run in both games. The Rays' committee approach on the mound paid dividends in both wins and they'll hope for another solid group effort with Wilmer Font getting the start Saturday. Sonny Gray will try to continue his personal turnaround for the Yankees, who had won four straight and seven of eight before being stifled by Tampa Bay on Friday. Brett Gardner was the one New York player with more than one hit as he put forth a solid return after missing five straight games due to a knee injury.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Sonny Gray (5-4, 4.89 ERA) vs. Rays RH Wilmer Font (0-3, 7.56)
Gray held Washington to two runs over five innings while fanning seven to get the win his last time out, improving to 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in four June starts. He also owns a 2.93 mark on the road, limiting opponents to a .228 average and recording more than a strikeout per frame in those seven outings. The one-time All-Star is 3-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 11 career starts versus Tampa Bay, but owns a 2.19 ERA in four starts at Tropicana Field.
Font has been with three teams in 2018 and owns a 2.20 ERA in seven appearances with the Rays. He has allowed three runs over 10 1/3 innings spread over three starts with Tampa Bay, lasting a season-high 4 2/3 innings and striking out five in a 3-1 win at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. The 28-year-old is 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in two starts at Tropicana Field.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rays activated INF Daniel Robertson (hamstring) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned RHP Austin Pruitt to Triple-A Durham.
2. Yankees RHP Masahiro Tanaka (hamstring) is expected to have a bullpen session Sunday and may start a simulated game next week.
3. Tampa Bay CF Kevin Kiermaier is 0-for-13 with four strikeouts since coming off the DL.
PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Rays 4
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Preview: Cardinals at Brewers
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
Jesus Aguilar is swinging a powerful bat and looks to follow up a magical performance when the Milwaukee Brewers host the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday in the third contest of a four-game set. Aguilar hit a game-tying homer in the seventh inning and the decisive walk-off blast in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Cardinals and has matched his career high of 16 homers.
Aguilar has been on a roll over his past six games by slamming five homers and driving in 12 runs as he solidifies his hold as the team's first baseman. His first homer on Friday halted 6 1/3 no-hit innings by St. Louis rookie Jack Flaherty and his second was an opposite-field blast deep into the right-center field bleachers as first-place Milwaukee won its third straight contest to take a two-game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. The painstaking defeat was the third straight and eighth in the past 10 games for the Cardinals, who are 6 1/2 games behind the Brewers. St. Louis right fielder Dexter Fowler was hitless in three at-bats on Friday and is a meager 4-for-42 in June.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (7-2, 2.69 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Chase Anderson (5-6, 4.54)
Mikolas has just one victory over his last five starts after opening the season by winning his six first decisions. The 29-year-old has displayed impeccable control with just 10 free passes in 90 1/3 innings and walked more than one batter just twice in 14 starts. Mikolas' first two starts of the season came against the Brewers and he went 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA, giving up four runs on each occasion.
Anderson was roughed up for six runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings by Philadelphia on Sunday to suffer his third loss in his past four outings. The 30-year-old is 3-3 in eight home outings but owns a porous 5.70 ERA and has allowed 13 homers compared to just two in six road turns. Anderson received a no-decision against the Cardinals on April 3 when he gave up four runs and eight hits over four innings and is 2-2 with a 3.19 ERA in 10 career starts against St. Louis.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals 1B Jose Martinez is hitless in seven at-bats in the series and just 3-for-27 over his past seven games.
2. Milwaukee LF Ryan Braun (right thumb) sat out his second straight after undergoing a cryotherapy injection to relieve nerve pain on Wednesday but is available to play if needed.
3. St. Louis SS Paul DeJong took batting practice Friday for the first time since breaking his left hand on May 17.
PREDICTION: Brewers 7, Cardinals 3
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Preview: Tigers at Indians
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
The Cleveland Indians are on the upswing again with a dominant five-game winning streak and look to continue building their lead in the American League Central Saturday when they host the Detroit Tigers. The Indians have outscored all division opponents 38-6 during their streak after posting a second straight shutout while scoring in double digits in each contest.
Yonder Alonso belted a grand slam for one of Cleveland’s three homers in Friday’s 10-0 triumph and is a robust 6-for-12 with six RBIs over the last three games while Edwin Encarnacion and Francisco Lindor also went deep in the win. Trevor Bauer looks to knock off the Tigers for the fourth time in 2018 when he takes the mound Saturday for the Indians against veteran left-hander Francisco Liriano (hamstring), who comes off the disabled list for his first appearance in four weeks. Second-place Detroit has dropped three in a row after winning its previous five to fall six games behind Cleveland in the division. The Tigers managed just one double and four singles in Friday’s setback, but shortstop Jose Iglesias extended his hitting streak to five games in which he is 8-for-19.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (3-2, 3.90 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (6-5, 2.50)
Liriano is winless in his last five starts after allowing five runs on six hits (three homers) and three walks over five innings of an 8-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox on May 26 in his last outing. The 34-year-old Dominican Republic native has already faced the Indians twice this year, going 0-1 with a 6.10 ERA, and owns a 2.59 ERA on the road as opposed to 5.47 at home. Rajai Davis is 14-for-39 with a homer versus Liriano, who is 5-7 with a 4.39 ERA in 22 career games (17 starts) against the Indians.
Bauer has alternated wins over the last four starts, including eight innings of one-run ball at Detroit on June 8 for the last of his three wins over the Tigers in 2018. The 27-year-old UCLA product has struck out at least 10 in five of his last seven starts, totaling 74 of his 129 on the season (100 2/3 innings), and boasts a .206 batting average against. Leonys Martin is 7-for-11 with a pair of doubles against Bauer, who is 7-5 with a 5.95 ERA in 15 career appearances (14 starts) versus the Tigers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Detroit OF JaCoby Jones had a double Friday and has hit safely in each of the last eight games in which he had an official at-bat.
2. Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez saw his three-game hitting streak end Friday, but has reached base in a career-high 29 straight contests.
3. The Tigers are 3-8 against the Indians this season and have dropped 35 of 48 meetings with their division rivals since the start of 2016.
PREDICTION: Indians 7, Tigers 2
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Preview: Dodgers at Mets
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
Clayton Kershaw will come off the disabled list for the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday and couldn't ask for a better opponent to face than the New York Mets - if not for the pitcher opposing him. Kershaw has never lost to the Mets in 12 career starts but will match up against New York right-hander Jacob deGrom, owner of a major league-leading 1.51 ERA.
Kershaw was initially scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, but the forecast of rain in Omaha, Neb., prompted the Dodgers to accelerate the left-hander's return to the majors. Sidelined since June 1 with a back injury, Kershaw carries an 8-0 record and 1.84 record in 12 starts versus New York into the second of the three-game series. Conversely, deGrom never has beaten in the Dodgers, going 0-3 with a 3.26 ERA in six starts, but he has permitted a combined seven earned runs over his last 11 outings. Cody Bellinger's grand slam was the big blow in Los Angeles' 5-2 victory on Friday night - the Dodgers' 10th consecutive win in the series and the Mets' 11th loss in their last 12 games at Citi Field.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (1-4, 2.76 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (5-2, 1.51)
Kershaw missed nearly the entire month of May due to biceps tendinitis before limiting Philadelphia to one run on four hits over five innings in a no-decision on May 31. He went on the disabled list the following day and returns to make his fourth start on the road, where he is 0-1 despite a 2.37 ERA and .219 batting average against. Kershaw had made five starts at Citi Field, posting a 3-0 mark and 1.31 ERA.
DeGrom ended a five-start winless drought at Colorado on Monday by holding the Rockies to two runs (one earned) and five hits over a season high-tying eight innings. He was 0-2 over his previous five turns despite permitting five earned runs and striking out 44 batters over 36 innings. Justin Turner is hitless in 13 at-bats against deGrom, who allowed two homers in a 6-0 home loss to the Dodgers last August.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers have scored 104 runs in June and 51 have come via the home run ball.
2. Mets OF-3B Jose Bautista hit a two-run homer Friday, his first blast in 28 games with the team.
3. Dodgers SS Chris Taylor missed the series opener due to tightness in his left hamstring.
PREDICTION: Mets 3, Dodgers 2
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Preview: Mariners at Red Sox
Gracenote
Jun 23, 2018
The Boston Red Sox hope to continue their offensive surge when they host the slumping Seattle Mariners on Saturday night for the middle contest of a three-game set between two teams in playoff position in the American League. The Red Sox rallied from a five-run deficit Friday for a 14-10 victory in the series opener and have scored 23 times in their last two games - 32 in their past three victories.
J.D. Martinez homered among four hits and knocked in five Friday while Mitch Moreland registered three hits to improve to 9-for-19 during a five-game hitting streak for Boston, which has won three of five against the Mariners in 2018. Eduardo Rodriguez goes for his seventh straight win when he takes the mound for the Red Sox on Saturday and he will face veteran Mike Leake, who struggled against Boston last week. Seattle has dropped five consecutive contests, allowing 41 runs in the process, to fall 3 1/2 games behind first-place Houston in the AL West. Nelson Cruz has been red hot through the slide for the Mariners, belting nine homers over his last 13 games after going deep twice in Friday’s setback while knocking in seven runs.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Mike Leake (7-4, 4.47 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (9-1, 3.59)
Leake saw his seven-game unbeaten streak come to an end last Sunday when he yielded five runs on eight hits across six innings against the Red Sox. The 30-year-old Arizona State product had allowed two or fewer runs in his previous five outings and has walked one better or fewer in seven of his past eight starts. Rafael Devers is 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs versus Leake, who is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in five career games against Boston.
Rodriquez has permitted nine total runs during his six-game winning streak, but the pitch count has risen to 100 in each while reaching six innings just twice. The 25-year-old Venezuela native held Seattle to two runs on six hits and one walk with nine strikeouts over six innings last Sunday. Dee Gordon is 4-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs against Rodriguez, who is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA in four career contests versus the Mariners.
WALK-OFFS
1. Gordon has hit safely in 10 straight contests, going 17-for-43 in that stretch to raise his batting average to .294 overall.
2. Martinez is 38-for-113 with six homers and 18 RBIs in 30 career games against the Mariners.
3. Mariners SS Jean Segura (forearm infection), who leads the majors with 32 multi-hit games, is day-to-day after missing the last two games.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Mariners 3
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