MLB Betting News and Trends For Sunday 7/15/18

National League
Brewers (55-39) @ Pirates (44-49)
Chacin is 2-0, 3.57 in his last three starts; his last four went over. Team in his starts: 14-6
5-inning record: 10-6-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-20

Musgrove is 1-3, 5.76 in his last four starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 3-5.
5-inning record: 3-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-8

Brewers lost eight of their last nine road games; over is 8-3 in their last 11 road games. Pittsburgh won seven of its last eight games; under is 6-2-1 in their last nine games.

Nationals (47-48) @ Mets (38-54)
Hellickson is 1-1, 7.90 in his last three starts (under 9-3). Team in his starts: 8-4
5-inning record: 6-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-12

Oswalt is 0-2, 7.82 in his last three starts (over 1-1-1). Team in his starts: 1-2.
5-inning record: 1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Washington is 5-16 in its last 21 road games; under is 7-3-1 in its last 11 road games. Mets won three of their last four games; under is 8-5-1 in their last 14 games.

Phillies (53-41) @ Marlins (40-57)
De Los Santos allowed three runs in 6.1 IP (94 PT) in his MLB debut Tuesday. Team in his starts: 1-0.
5-inning record: 1-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Urena is 1-1, 2.59 in his last four starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 4-14.
5-inning record: 6-9-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-18

Phillies are 10-4 in their last 14 games; under is 7-1-1 in their last nine games. Miami won four of its last six games; under is 7-3 in their last ten games.

Diamondbacks (53-43) @ Braves (51-42)
Corbin is 0-0, 1.54 in his last four starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 10-9.
5-inning record: 8-5-6. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-19

Teheran is 1-1, 3.06 in his last three starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 10-8.
5-inning record: 6-9-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-18

Arizona is 6-2 in its last eight road games; under is 9-2-1 in their last 12 road games. Braves lost eight of their last ten games; they’re 14-13 vs lefty starters- over is 6-4 in their last ten home games.

Reds (43-52) @ Cardinals (47-46)
DeSclafani is 4-0, 4.29 in his last six starts (over 6-0-1). Team in his starts: 4-3.
5-inning record: 6-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-7

Mikolas is 3-1, 2.52 in his last four starts; under is 5-3 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 12-6.
5-inning record: 10-7-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-18

Reds are 9-4 in their last 13 games; their last seven games went over. St Louis is 4-10 in its last 14 games; over is 5-2 in their last seven home games. Cardinals fired their manager and their two hitting coaches last night.

Cubs (53-38) @ Padres (40-57)
Lester is 7-0, 2.92 in his last seven starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 15-3.
5-inning record: 10-4-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-18

Lauer is 2-0, 1.32 in his last two starts; under is 5-1-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 5-10.
5-inning record: 7-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-15

Cubs are 4-9 in last 13 road games; they’re 16-6 vs lefty starters- over is 11-5 in their last 16 games. San Diego lost nine of last 11 home games; they’re 10-19 vs lefty starters- under is 6-4-1 in their last 11 games.

American League
Rangers (41-55) @ Orioles (27-69)
Minor is 2-1, 2.59 in his last four starts; under is 6-0-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 8-9
5-inning record: 5-9-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-17

Yacabonis is 0-0, 5.00 in two starts (9 IP). Team in his starts: 1-1, under 2-0).
5-inning record: 0-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Rangers lost six of their last eight games; under is 7-2-1 in their last ten road games. Baltimore is 4-17 in its last 21 games; they’re 11-21 vs lefty starters- under is 9-4-1 in their last 14 home games.

New York (62-32) @ Cleveland (51-43)
Tanaka is 1-0, 4.91 in his last three starts; over is 9-3 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 10-3
5-inning record: 9-3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-14

Bieber is 5-1, 3.35 in his last six starts (over 4-3). Team in his starts: 5-2.
5-inning record: 5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7

New York won eight of its last 12 games; under is 18-6 in their last 24 road games. Indians lost six of their last eight games; over is 10-3 in their last 13 home games.

Blue Jays (43-50) @ Red Sox (66-30)
Stroman is 2-1, 3.42 in his last four starts; under is 5-0-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 5-6
5-inning record: 3-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-11

Johnson is 1-0, 2.45 in three starts (over 2-1). Team in his starts: 3-0.
5-inning record: 2-0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Blue Jays lost five of last seven games; they’re 11-23 vs lefty starters- over is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Boston won 11 of its last 12 games; over is 9-5 in their last 14 games.

Rays (49-46) @ Twins (43-50)
Bullpen game for the Rays. Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Romero is 1-1, 5.14 in his last four starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 5-5.
5-inning record: 4-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-10

Tampa Bay is 15-6 in its last 21 games; under is 11-6 in their last 17 games. Minnesota won nine of last 11 home games; six of their last eight games went over.

Royals (27-67) @ White Sox (32-62)
Smith allowed four runs in 3.1 IP (71 PT) in his first ’18 start. Team in his starts: 0-1
5-inning record: 0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Giolito is 1-1, 4.91 in his last four starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight home starts. Team in his starts: 7-11.
5-inning record: 4-12-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-18

Royals lost 12 of last 14 games; over is 8-3 in their last 11 games. Chicago lost seven of its last nine games; under is 4-2 in their last six home games.

Tigers (40-57) @ Astros (64-34)
Liriano is 0-4, 8.10 in his last five starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 4-10
5-inning record: 5-5-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Verlander is 0-2, 3.45 in his last five starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 12-8.
5-inning record: 13-3-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-20

Tigers lost six of last seven road games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 road games. Houston is 9-3 in its last 12 home games; they’re 21-14 vs lefty starters- over is 8-5 in their last 13 home games.

Interleague
Mariners (58-38) @ Rockies (50-45)
Leake is 0-2, 7.80 in his last three starts; over is 5-1-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 13-6
5-inning record: 8-6-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-19

Anderson is 2-0, 0.41 in his last three starts; his last four starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 9-10.
5-inning record: 10-4-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-19

Mariners lost six of their last eight games; they’re 16-14 vs lefty starters- over is 4-2 in their last six games. Colorado is 11-3 in its last 14 games; under is 9-4 in their last 13 games.

Angels (49-47) @ Dodgers (52-43)
McGuire is 0-1, 6.75 in two starts (under 1-0-1). Team in his starts: 0-2
5-inning record: 0-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Kershaw is 2-0, 1.59 in his last three starts; his last four starts went over. Team in his starts: 5-7.
5-inning record: 7-7-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-18

Angels won five of their last eight games, are 9-17 vs lefty starters. Under is 6-3 in their last nine games. Dodgers are 9-4 in their last 13 games; five of their last six home games went over.

A’s (54-42) @ Giants (50-47)
Manaea is 3-0, 3.30 in his last five starts; over is 7-4 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 11-8
5-inning record: 7-9-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-19

Suarez is 1-1, 1.46 in his last four starts; his last three stayed under. Team in his starts: 6-9.
5-inning record: 4-5-6. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-15

A’s are 13-4 in their last 17 games; they’re 14-17 vs lefty starters- four of their last five games went over. San Francisco won four of its last six games; they’re 18-19 vs lefty starters. Under is 13-6 in their last 19 games.

Umpires
Mil-Pitt: Five of last six Lentz games stayed under.
Az-Atl: Under is 3-1-1 in last five Cuzzi games.
Cin-StL: Underdogs won six of last eight Livensparger games.
Phil-Mia: Over is 7-3-1 in last 11 Tichenor games.
Wsh-NY: Eight of last nine Hudson games stayed under.
Chi-SD: Five of last six Blakney games went over.

Tor-Bos: Over is 6-1-1 in last eight Johnson games.
TB-Min: Over is 3-1-1 in last five Additon games.
KC-Chi: Under is 10-2-1 in last 13 Whitson games.
Det-Hst: Under is 5-3 in last eight Woodring games.
Tex-Balt: Seven of last eight Blaser games stayed under.
NY-Clev: Under is 10-3-1 in last 14 Meals games.

LA-LA: Six of last seven Mahrley games stayed under.
Sea-Colo: Under is 9-6-2 in Diaz games this season.
A’s-SF: Home teams are 0-11 in May games this year.

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Preview: Rangers at Orioles
Gracenote
Jul 15, 2018

After battling injuries and ineffectiveness for the first three-plus months of the season, Jonathan Schoop this month is looking more like the young player who appeared in his first All-Star Game last season. The Baltimore Orioles' second baseman attempts to get his team a rare series victory on Sunday, when it hosts the Texas Rangers for the rubber match of their three-game set.

Schoop wasn't overly effective early in the season before an oblique injury cost him 20 games from mid-April to early May, and his batting average dipped to as low as .197 by the end of June after hitting .144 for the month. The 26-year-old has yet to find his power stroke - he has hit only 10 home runs in 2018 after belting a career-high 32 a season ago - but he singled and drove in the game's only run in Saturday's victory, albeit lowering his July average to .377. While Baltimore used Schoop's bat and a combined four-hitter to win for only the fourth time in 21 contests, Texas suffered its fifth shutout loss of the campaign to fall to 3-9 this month. Shin-Soo Choo has been largely unaffected by the Rangers' recent struggles, however, as he walked twice and singled on Saturday to extend his club-record on-base streak for a single season to 50 games.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Mike Minor (6-5, 4.56 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Chris Tillman (1-5, 10.46)

After carrying a 5.76 ERA into June, Minor is 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA over his last six starts while allowing three earned runs or fewer each time. The 30-year-old Vanderbilt product's lone loss over that time came Monday in Boston when he yielded two runs in 5 1/3 frames - failing to last six innings for the first time since his resurgence. Minor will make his first career start versus Baltimore but has worked 3 1/3 scoreless frames across three career relief appearances.

With Andrew Cashner injured and his replacement, Jimmy Yacabonis, suffering from an illness, Baltimore is reportedly leaning towards starting Chris Tillman, who was placed on the disabled list in May with a lower back strain. The former All-Star has struggled in each of his four stops during his rehab stint, going 0-3 with a 7.59 ERA in five outings. Tillman made it through 6 1/3 innings in his most recent minor-league start for Single-A Frederick on Tuesday, taking the loss after yielding six runs (four earned).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Orioles announced Saturday that 81-year-old Hall-of-Famer Brooks Robinson will serve as a special adviser to the team.

2. Choo is the seventh player since 2001 to have an on-base streak of at least 50 games and first since Kevin Millar in 2007.

3. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre singled in four at-bats Saturday and is one hit shy of tying Alex Rodriguez (3,115) for 19th place on the all-time list.

PREDICTION: Rangers 8, Orioles 3
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Preview: Blue Jays at Red Sox
Gracenote
Jul 15, 2018

The Boston Red Sox were a few outs away from following a 10-game winning streak with back-to-back losses, but the major's best team decided that was unacceptable. The Red Sox will try to go into the All-Star break with their 12th win in 13 games and a series victory when they host the Toronto Blue Jays in the finale of a four-game set on Sunday.

The Blue Jays scored two runs in the seventh inning on Saturday to take the lead, but Boston scratched out the tying run in the ninth on Jackie Bradley Jr.'s RBI double before Xander Bogaerts belted a walk-off grand slam in the 10th. "Just continue to grind," Bradley told reporters. "We might have been down a run, but we've been a team that's been very relentless. We felt like we could push across at least one run, and we were able to get that in the ninth and kind of continue playing and got even more." Toronto squandered a chance to earn its first series win since sweeping the Washington Nationals from June 15-17 and fell to 4-8 in July. The Blue Jays will try to earn the split behind right-hander Marcus Stroman while the Red Sox turn to left-hander Brian Johnson in the first-half finale.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), TVA Sports (Toronto), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (2-6, 5.90 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (1-2, 4.23)

Stroman bounced back from a loss to the New York Mets on July 4 by dominating the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday with seven solid innings. The Duke product allowed one run and six hits while inducing 17 groundballs and striking out five. Stroman, who is seeing Boston for the first time this season, went 0-1 with a 3.63 ERA in three starts against the Red Sox last season.

Johnson was strong in two starts as a rotation fill-in on June 28 and July 3 and will come off the disabled list to try and make it three in a row. The Florida native, who was out with a hip injury, limited the Los Angeles Angels and Washington Nationals to a total of three runs in 8 2/3 innings in those two outings. Two of Johnson's worst appearances this season came in relief against Toronto and, in both instances, he was charged with two runs without recording an out.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox LHP Eduardo Rodriguez left his start in the sixth inning on Saturday after suffering a sprained right ankle in a collision.

2. Toronto CF Kevin Pillar suffered a sternoclavicular (SC) joint injury while making a diving catch on Saturday and his status is unknown.

3. Boston RF Mookie Betts is 24-for-50 during a 12-game hitting streak and leads the majors with a .362 batting average.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 4
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Preview: Yankees at Indians
Gracenote
Jul 15, 2018

If the Cleveland Indians' goal entering the weekend was to prove they are a team different from the one that got swept by the New York Yankees earlier in the season, they appear to be falling short. The Indians attempt to end the first half on a high note and earn a split of their four-game series when they host the Yankees on Sunday.

Cleveland lost all three of its games at Yankee Stadium in early May but still was hanging on to a slim division lead until a six-game winning streak at the end of the month, while two more surges in late June and early July helped the club build as much as an 11 1/2-game advantage in the American League Central. The Indians already have lost four games off that lead over the last week and fell for the sixth time in eight tries Saturday when they committed two errors on a seventh-inning double by Austin Romine, allowing him to score the eventual game-winning run. The Yankees remained 3 1/2 games behind AL East-leading Boston with Saturday's 5-4 victory, improving to 13-3 against the Central in the process. Didi Gregorius belted a three-run homer in the win for his second blast in this series after hitting only one shot over his previous 25 games.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, TBS, YES (New York), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (7-2, 4.68 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (8-6, 2.23)

Tanaka returned from a month-plus stint on the disabled list to take the loss Tuesday in Baltimore, giving up at least one homer for the seventh straight outing while permitting three runs over 4 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old Japanese import has surrendered 12 of his 17 home runs and posted a 4.91 ERA in nine road turns this year, but he has won all five of his decisions. Edwin Encarnacion is 10-for-22 with a homer versus Tanaka, who is 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA in four career starts against Cleveland.

Bauer struck out at least 10 batters for the eighth time this season and allowed only three singles over eight scoreless innings Tuesday against Cincinnati, but he was stuck with a no-decision after his bullpen was unable to hold the four-run lead in the ninth. The first-time All-Star has been brilliant in his last 11 outings, going 6-3 with a 1.84 ERA while fanning 111 in 78 1/3 frames. Bauer yielded only two hits but took the loss against the Yankees on May 5 after permitting four runs - two earned - in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians All-Star 3B Jose Ramirez belted his 29th homer to match Mickey Mantle's record for the most by a switch-hitter before the All-Star break.

2. New York 1B Greg Bird extended his hitting streak to a career high-tying eight games on Saturday with a sixth-inning solo blast.

3. Cleveland C Yan Gomes was named to the All-Star Game as an injury replacement for Tampa Bay's Wilson Ramos on Saturday, becoming the first Brazilian-born player to receive the honor.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Yankees 3
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Preview: Phillies at Marlins
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Philadelphia Phillies lost Saturday's contest at the Miami Marlins and also won't have their scheduled starter for the finale of a three-game series Sunday afternoon. Zach Eflin was set to start the Phillies' final game before the All-Star break but was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a blister.

Enyel De Los Santos, a highly-touted prospect who was solid in his debut Tuesday at New York, will get the start instead. Philadelphia was 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base in Saturday's 2-0 defeat, falling to 6-4 on its 11-game road trip leading into the break. The Marlins received early RBIs from Starlin Castro and Martin Prado and four pitchers combined to scatter eight hits as they won for the seventh time in their last 11 home games. Jose Urena seeks his first victory at Marlins Park this year when he gets the start Sunday for the hosts.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Enyel De Los Santos (1-0, 4.26 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Urena (2-9, 4.13)

De Los Santos gave up three runs and five hits with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings to earn the win against the Mets in his debut. He walked three and did not allow a home run in a 94-pitch effort. The 22-year-old missed the Triple-A All-Star Game because of the outing and will now be replaced on the World Roster for the Futures Game - scheduled for Sunday in Washington - due to his need to fill Eflin's spot.

Urena allowed two runs over 10 2/3 innings in his first two starts since coming off the disabled list earlier this month. Both of those outings came at home, where Urena is 0-7 despite a respectable 3.82 ERA in 11 starts. The Dominican Republic native stymied the Phillies in seven innings of a hard-luck loss earlier in the year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins All-Star C J.T. Realmuto is 0-for-6 in two games since coming off the paternity list.

2. Phillies LF Rhys Hoskins is homerless in 13 games this month after slugging eight in 20 games during June.

3. Philadelphia is 18-20 against National League East opponents and 35-21 against all other teams.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Marlins 4
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Preview: Nationals at Mets
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Washington Nationals are hoping to make a run after the All-Star break, but they're limping into the intermission and could use a win in the final game before the midsummer classic Sunday at the New York Mets. The Nationals have lost two of the first three in the four-game set, including a 7-4 decision Saturday that dropped them below .500 (47-48).

Michael Conforto's three-run homer was the big blow for the Mets, who are seeking their first series win in nearly two months. Washington's first five hitters in the lineup combined to go 7-for-18 with a home run but the bottom of the order produced next to nothing in Saturday's defeat. The Nationals have lost five of seven since a three-game winning streak and they are 14-26 since May 30. They will give the ball to right-hander Jeremy Hellickson in the finale opposite Mets rookie Corey Oswalt.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), WPIX (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jeremy Hellickson (3-1, 3.47 ERA) vs. Mets RH Corey Oswalt (0-2, 6.75)

Hellickson had his best start in over two months with five scoreless innings - two hits allowed - in a win at Pittsburgh on Tuesday. He preceded that outing with a rough one at home against Miami, which got to the veteran for a season-high nine runs (eight earned) over four innings in a game the Nationals would win 14-12. The 31-year-old has a 7.40 ERA in nine career starts against the Mets and will be careful if facing Jose Bautista or Asdrubal Cabrera, who are a combined 23-for-61 with four homers against Hellickson.

Oswalt is making his fourth straight start since returning from the minors and he's coming off the first quality start of his young career. He allowed three runs on just one hit and three walks with seven strikeouts in a loss to Philadelphia on Monday. That marked the first career home start for the 24-year-old, who has never faced the Nationals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets INF Wilmer Flores is 11-for-31 over a nine-game span after recording two hits and scoring twice Saturday.

2. Nationals 1B Matt Adams homered in each of the last two games after going without a home run over his previous 14 contests.

3. New York has not won a series since sweeping three from Arizona at home May 18-20.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Mets 4
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Preview: Diamondbacks at Braves
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

Strong play away from home has led the Arizona Diamondbacks into contention in the National League West, and they aim to win a franchise-record 54th contest before the All-Star break while capping a road sweep of the Atlanta Braves on Sunday in the finale of a three-game series. Arizona stifled the Braves offense for the second consecutive game in Saturday’s 3-0 victory, winning for the 14th time in its past 18 road contests.

Second baseman Ketel Marte snapped a 0-for-11 skid with a sixth-inning homer, and Zack Greinke fired 7 2/3 scoreless innings as Diamondbacks pitchers in the series have allowed just one run on 11 hits with 23 strikeouts. The Braves are limping into the All-Star break, losing Saturday for the eighth time in their past 10 games and off the field placed closer Arodys Vizcaino back on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. Atlanta is hitting .241 as a team in that span with 33 runs scored and 100 strikeouts, finishing Saturday with only five hits while striking out 11 times. Shortstop Dansby Swanson collected two hits, but the Braves left six runners on base and have stranded 76 in their past 10 contests.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (6-3, 3.09 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (6-6, 4.26)

Corbin has not received a decision in his past four starts, despite allowing just four runs with seven walks and 29 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old surrendered five runs in consecutive starts in mid-June before his current hot streak, in which he has posted a 1.54 ERA and features a 12-strikeout performance in seven scoreless innings June 22 at Pittsburgh. Corbin, who is holding right-handed hitters to a .192 average, is 4-0 with a 0.98 ERA lifetime against Atlanta.

Teheran looks to put together two back-to-back good starts after holding Toronto to one run on three hits across 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision Tuesday. The 27-year-old has battled consistency since the start of June, giving up four runs, zero runs, seven runs, zero runs and five runs in his five starts preceding his outing against Toronto. Teheran is 3-1 in seven career starts against the Diamondbacks with a 3.15 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Braves come into Sunday hitting .275 against left-handed pitching this season, led by 1B Freddie Freeman’s .350 mark against lefties.

2. Arizona LF David Peralta finished 1-for-4 Saturday and has reached base in 15 of his past 16 road games.

3. Atlanta begins a five-game road trip Friday at Washington, while Arizona opens a three-game home series with Colorado before starting a seven-game road swing.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Braves 2
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Preview: Brewers at Pirates
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

A week ago the Pittsburgh Pirates were fighting to stay out of the National League Central cellar, but now they’re trying to finish off a rare five-game sweep of a Milwaukee Brewers team they just knocked out of the division lead. The Pirates have won seven of their last eight to pull within two games of .500, and they’ll try to go into the All-Star break with another win over the visiting Brewers on Sunday.

Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco hit back-to-back homers in both games of Pittsburgh’s doubleheader sweep on Saturday - the third duo in major league history to do so in both games of a twinbill, according to STATS. Milwaukee has dropped five straight to fall out of first place in the NL Central. The Brewers continued to struggle to deliver clutch hits, going 4-for-21 with runners in scoring position during the doubleheader as they scored only three runs despite 18 hits in the two games. Pittsburgh has won seven of nine meetings this season.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), ATT SportsNet Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (8-3, 3.78 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Joe Musgrove (3-4, 3.77)

Chacin has won his last two starts, but he didn’t have his best stuff last time out. The 30-year-old Venezuelan allowed four runs over 5 2/3 innings in a win at Miami, and he has just one quality start in his last four outings. Chacin is 2-4 with a 4.30 ERA in eight starts against the Pirates, but he has allowed only two runs over 12 1/3 innings across two meetings this season.

Musgrove returned from the disabled list to record a career-high nine strikeouts over five innings in a loss to Washington last time out. The 25-year-old allowed two runs and five hits but needed 96 pitches to get through five frames. Musgrove, who has never faced the Brewers, is 2-4 with a 4.73 ERA in six home starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates C Francisco Cervelli went back on the 7-day disabled list before Saturday’s doubleheader with post-concussive symptoms.

2. Milwaukee placed RF Eric Thames (right hamstring tightness) and RHP Junior Guerra (right forearm tightness) on the 10-day disabled list Saturday.

3. Marte is 18-for-43 with four homers and nine RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Brewers 5, Pirates 4
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Preview: Tigers at Astros
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

Justin Verlander made a major impact when he was traded to the world champion Houston Astros last July and faces his only former team for the first time Sunday when the Detroit Tigers visit for the finale of the three-game set. Verlander went 183-114 in 13 seasons with the Tigers before posting a 9-1 record, including the postseason, with Houston last year and has carried that performance level over to 2018.

Verlander owns 17 quality starts in his 20 outings this season and hopes his teammates can match the offensive production from Saturday’s 9-1 victory as Yuli Gurriel and Jose Altuve each extended their hitting streaks to 11 games. Verlander goes for his 198th career victory Sunday against veteran left-hander Francisco Liriano, who owned a 1.67 ERA in 20 regular-season relief appearances for Houston last season and gave up one total run in five playoff games (2 1/3 innings). The Tigers have managed one run in the first two contests of the series and recorded only five in the last four of their six-game losing streak. Nicholas Castellanos had two of Detroit’s three hits in Saturday’s setback to extend his hitting streak to six games, in which he is 9-for-22.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (3-5, 4.74 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (9-4, 2.05)

Liriano was pounded for seven runs on eight hits over 2 1/3 innings while avoiding a decision at Tampa Bay on Monday after posting two straight quality starts. The 34-year-old Dominican is winless in his last nine outings, but limited opponents to three runs or fewer in six of those appearances. Alex Bregman is 5-for-6 with three doubles versus Liriano, who is 2-1 with a 4.58 ERA in three career games against the Astros.

Verlander boasts two quality starts in July without a decision, permitting two runs on seven hits with 16 strikeouts over 13 innings combined. The 35-year-old Virginia native, who owns 160 strikeouts over 131 2/3 innings in 2018, had a 1.11 ERA through May before going 2-2 with a 4.34 mark in June. Victor Martinez is 13-for-46 with four homers against Verlander, who has limited opponents to a .180 batting average overall this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit C James McCann doubled in Castellanos with the only run Saturday and is 6-for-17 during a five-game hitting streak.

2. Houston DH Evan Gattis snapped out of an 0-for-19 slump with a solo homer Saturday after striking out his first two at-bats.

3. The Astros are tied for the American League lead with nine shutouts and the Tigers have been blanked a major league-high 12 times.

PREDICTION: Astros 7, Tigers 1
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Preview: Reds at Cardinals
Gracenote
Jul 15, 2018

The Cincinnati Reds' offense is feasting on the St. Louis Cardinals' bullpen this weekend. The Reds will try to pound their way to a series sweep and take some momentum into the break when they visit the Cardinals for the finale of the three-game set on Sunday.

Cincinnati bashed the St. Louis bullpen for six runs in Friday's 9-1 triumph - after which manager Mike Matheny, hitting coach John Mabry and assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller were fired - and took advantage after a lengthy rain delay forced the Cardinals to go to the bullpen again on Saturday. Rookie right-hander Jack Flaherty breezed through five scoreless innings while scattering two hits for St. Louis and went into the delay with a 2-0 lead before Mike Mayers, Jordan Hicks, Greg Holland and Bud Norris combined to allow eight runs over the final four frames. Reds second baseman Jose Peraza is doing the most damage and went 5-for-6 on Saturday to improve to 8-for-11 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the series. The Cardinals will try to avoid going to the bullpen with All-Star Miles Mikolas on the mound Sunday opposite fellow right-hander Anthony DeSclafani.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (4-1, 4.43 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (10-3, 2.65)

DeSclafani has allowed two or fewer earned runs in four of his last six starts and is coming off his best outing of that span after holding Cleveland to one run and five hits in a season-high seven innings on Monday. The 28-year-old did surrender a home run in that outing and served up nine blasts in 30 2/3 innings over his last five outings. DeSclafani did not yield a homer at home against St. Louis on June 10 and earned a win despite allowing a season-high 10 hits in five innings.

Mikolas will take one more turn in the Cardinals' rotation before heading to Washington for the All-Star Game on Tuesday and is cruising into the break on a stretch of four straight outings allowing two or fewer runs. The 29-year-old got plenty of support from his offense in Tuesday's 14-2 win at the Chicago White Sox and breezed through six innings while striking out six and scattering two runs on three hits. Mikolas faced Cincinnati twice in April and earned a pair of wins while surrendering a combined two earned runs in 14 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett is 6-for-13 with a pair of home runs in the last three games and leads the NL with a .328 batting average.

2. St. Louis, which named bench coach Mike Shildt as the interim manager after parting ways with Matheny, has totaled three runs in dropping its last three games.

3. Cincinnati RF Scott Schebler (shoulder) left Saturday's game after slamming into the wall while making a catch.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Reds 3
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Preview: Royals at White Sox
Gracenote
Jul 15, 2018

The Kansas City Royals are guaranteed to head into the All-Star break with the worst record in the American League Central but have a chance to finish out the first half with rare back-to-back wins. The Royals will try to secure consecutive victories for the first time since May 29-30 when they visit the Chicago White Sox for the finale of a three-game series on Sunday.

Kansas City ensured that it would not drop below the Baltimore Orioles (27-69) in the race to avoid the worst record in baseball by winning for the second time in 14 games with a 5-0 triumph on Saturday. The Royals (26-67) are searching for positives in their disappointing first half and may have found one in right fielder Jorge Bonifacio, who belted a home run and added a triple Saturday to give himself six extra-base hits during a seven-game hitting streak. The White Sox, who took the series opener 9-6 on Friday, fell for the seventh time in the last nine games with Saturday's setback and head west for seven games against Seattle and the Los Angeles Angels after the break. Chicago will send Lucas Giolito to the mound on Sunday while Kansas City counters with fellow right-hander Burch Smith.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Burch Smith (0-0, 5.83 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (5-8, 6.59)

Smith will start but be limited to 50 to 60 pitches as Kansas City uses a bullpen day to cover for a rotation that is currently missing Ian Kennedy (oblique) and Jakob Junis (back). The native Texan last pitched at Minnesota on Wednesday and was knocked around for four runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings. That effort snapped a string of five straight scoreless appearances for the 28-year-old, who surrendered a combined two runs in 2 2/3 innings during two previous appearances against Chicago.

Giolito is ready to put an inconsistent first half behind him by going into the break with back-to-back solid outings. The 23-year-old posted quality starts in two of his last three turns, including a 7 1/3-inning effort at Houston last Sunday in which he held the defending champions to two runs on three hits and three walks. Giolito made two starts against Kansas City in the first month of the season and surrendered a combined five runs on 10 hits and six walks in 11 2/3 innings while going 1-0.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox 2B Yoan Moncada (knee) left Saturday's game and is day-to-day.

2. Royals 2B Whit Merrifield reached base safely in each of his last 15 contests.

3. Chicago DH Matt Davidson is 2-for-24 over his last seven games.

PREDICTION: White Sox 10, Royals 5
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Preview: Rays at Twins
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Tampa Bay Rays hope to build off a historic offensive outburst when they visit the Minnesota Twins on Sunday afternoon to complete a four-game set before heading into the All-Star break. The Rays matched a franchise record with 19 runs and pounded out a season-high 20 hits, including three homers, in a come-from-behind victory Saturday that clinched the season series for the ninth time in the last 12 years (9-1-2).

Rookie Jake Bauers homered for the second straight day and is 7-for-14 in the series for Tampa Bay, which will be without All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos after he left Saturday’s 19-6 rout with a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out of the Midsummer Classic. Hard-throwing right-hander Ryne Stanek will open the game Sunday for the Rays and the Twins counter with rookie Fernando Romero, who will be recalled to make his first major league start since June 22. Minnesota let a 6-4 lead get away Saturday and lost for just the second time in 10 games after giving up five runs in each of the last three innings. Brian Dozier (eight contests), Jake Cave (eight) and Joe Mauer (seven) saw their hitting streaks come to an end Saturday, but Robbie Grossman is 6-for-11 with three RBIs during a four-game hitting streak for the Twins.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Ryne Stanek (1-2, 1.93 ERA) vs. Twins RH Fernando Romero (3-3, 4.38)

Stanek has prospered in the role as a one or two-inning starter, allowing two runs on seven hits over 16 2/3 innings with 21 strikeouts while opening on the mound 11 times. The 26-year-old Kansas native, who was a first-round pick in 2013, has given up two runs over 7 1/3 innings overall this month after tossing 15 2/3 scoreless frames in June. Dozier and Mauer are 1-for-1 against Stanek, who struck out two in a scoreless inning Thursday in the series opener.

Romero got sent to the minors in June when he posted just one victory in his last eight starts, but will be summoned after registering a 2.04 ERA in seven appearances with Triple-A Rochester. The 23-year-old Dominican Republic native did not give up a run over 11 2/3 innings to win his first two major league starts in early May, but went 1-3 with a 5.67 ERA in the next eight. Romero faces Tampa Bay for the first time and is 2-1 with a 3.58 ERA in five home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota RHP Aaron Slegers (shoulder inflammation) will be placed on the 10-day disabled list to make room for Romero.

2. Tampa Bay OF Carlos Gomez homered Saturday and is 9-for-18 in his last six games to raise his batting average to .216.

3. Mauer needs one double to break the tie with Hall-of-Famer Kirby Puckett (414) for the franchise record.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Twins 4
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Preview: Mariners at Rockies
Gracenote
Jul 15, 2018

The All-Star break can’t come soon enough for the Seattle Mariners, who own the fourth-best record in the major leagues but have dropped seven of their last 10 games. The Mariners opened their three-game interleague series against the host Colorado Rockies with back-to-back losses and look to avoid a sweep on Sunday.

Jon Gray pitched into the eighth inning and Carlos Gonzalez belted a two-run homer in Saturday’s 4-1 victory as the Rockies won for the ninth time in 11 games. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu was scratched from the starting lineup due to lower back tightness and could miss a second contest on Sunday but is expected to avoid the disabled list. Seattle is 1-4 against Colorado this season despite the play of Jean Segura, who has reached base in all 23 career games played at Coors Field and is 35-for-94 over that span. The heart of Seattle's batting order – Mitch Haniger, Kyle Seager and Denard Span – went a combined 0-for-12 with three strikeouts in Saturday’s loss.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Mike Leake (8-6, 4.36 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (6-3, 3.76)

Leake lost his second straight start on Tuesday, allowing seven runs - five earned - on 11 hits and two walks while striking out one over four innings against the Los Angeles Angels. “He’s not locating," manager Scott Servais told reporters. “That’s his game. He’s a big part of what we're doing in the first half and we just have to get him back on track.” Gerardo Parra is 8-for-22 with a home run against Leake, who is 2-2 with a 5.60 ERA in five career starts versus Colorado.

Anderson settled for a no-decision on Tuesday after yielding one run on three hits and four walks while striking out eight over six innings against Arizona. The 28-year-old native of Las Vegas has worked 47 1/3 frames over his last seven turns, going 3-2 with a 2.09 ERA. Segura is 5-for-8 lifetime against Anderson, who will be making his second career start versus Seattle after giving up six runs and 11 hits over five frames in a 10-4 loss at Coors Field on May 30, 2017.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rockies have recorded five consecutive series wins over teams with .500 records or better for the first time in franchise history.

2. The Mariners recalled Matt Festa from Double-A Arkansas and optioned fellow RHP Christian Bergman to Triple-A Tacoma.

3. Colorado CF Charlie Blackmon is 18-for-47 with five home runs and 10 RBIs over his last 11 games.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Rockies 5
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Preview: Athletics at Giants
Gracenote
Jul 15, 2018

The Oakland Athletics attempt to go into the All-Star break with six consecutive series victories when they visit the San Francisco Giants on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game interleague set. Oakland avoided its first series loss since enduring a three-game sweep by Houston from June 12-14 by edging the Giants 4-3 on Saturday.

Pinch-hitter Mark Canha kept the Athletics' hopes of extending their streak alive with a two-run homer in the seventh inning that erased a 3-2 deficit. Stephen Piscotty recorded two doubles over four at-bats in the victory to improve to 11-for-34 during his eight-game hitting streak for Oakland, which is 7-0-1 in its last eight series. San Francisco fell to 5-4 on its 10-game homestand as it scored twice in the fourth inning to grab the lead, only to relinquish it three frames later. Giants rookie Steven Duggar has impressed during his first stint in the major leagues, hitting safely in each of his first five career contests while going 4-for-8 with three RBIs and five runs scored in the first two games of the Bay Bridge Series.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Sean Manaea (8-6, 3.44 ERA) vs. Giants LH Andrew Suarez (3-5, 3.75)

Manaea lasted only four innings in a no-decision at Houston on Tuesday, yielding three runs and seven hits while throwing 83 pitches. Despite the brief outing, the 26-year-old native of Indiana extended his unbeaten streak to seven starts, but he didn't factor in the decision in four of those turns. Manaea has made two career starts against the Giants, recording a win and a loss while surrendering six runs - two earned - and 15 hits in 8 2/3 innings.

Suarez has given up one run in each of his last four outings and a pair in both of his previous two turns but has posted just a 1-1 record in that stretch. The 25-year-old Floridian rookie is coming off a no-decision against Chicago on Monday as he limited the Cubs to one run on three hits and four walks in six innings. Suarez, who has posted a 2.91 ERA at home as opposed to a 4.65 mark on the road, was tagged for five runs over four frames in a loss at Houston on May 22 in his only interleague start.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics 2B Jed Lowrie (leg) was kept out of Saturday's starting lineup a day after being injured in a collision with Piscotty but struck out as a pinch-hitter.

2. San Francisco C Buster Posey is swinging a hot bat, going 7-for-15 with three RBIs over his last three contests.

3. Oakland activated Daniel Mengden (foot) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville along with Ryan Dull and designated fellow RHP Santiago Casilla for assignment while recalling 2B Franklin Barreto and purchasing the contract of RHP J.B. Wendelken from the Sounds.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Athletics 2
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