MLB Betting News and Trends For Thursday 8/9/18

National League
Braves (62-49) @ Nationals (58-56)
Sanchez is 2-2, 3.19 in his last five starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 9-5, 6-2 away
5-inning record: 7-6-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-14

Gonzalez is 0-3, 5.64 in his last four starts; his last six stayed under. Team in his starts: 10-12, 6-3 home
5-inning record: 8-8-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-22

Braves won eight of their last ten games; they’re 18-16 vs lefty starters- under is 8-4 in their last 12 games. Washington won six of its last nine games; five of their last eight games stayed under.

Padres (45-71) @ Brewers (66-51)
Erlin is 1-2, 9.75 in his three starts (over 2-1). Team in his starts: 1-2, 1-1 away.
5-inning record: 0-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Guerra is 0-2, 7.36 in his last four starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 12-9, 9-4 home (won last 5 home starts).
5-inning record: 7-11-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-21

Padres lost 10 of their last 13 games; over is 8-4 in their last 12 road games. Milwaukee lost four of its last seven games (over 6-1).

Dodgers (63-52) @ Rockies (60-54)
Stripling is 1-1, 5.52 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 10-6, 5-4 away.
5-inning record: 9-5-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-16

Anderson is 0-1, 4.75 in his last five starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 10-13, 3-8 home.
5-inning record: 11-6-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 12-23

Dodgers are 4-6 in their last ten games, 10-1 in last 11 road series openers. 22-17 vs lefty starters. LA’s last five road games stayed under. Colorado is 3-7 in its last ten games; nine of Rockies’ last ten home games stayed under. Rockies are 5-2 in their last seven home series openers.

Pirates (59-56) @ Giants (57-58)
Nova is 1-0, 5.12 in his last four starts; over is 4-1-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 12-9, 7-4 away
5-inning record: 11-5-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-21

Suarez is 1-2, 7.89 in his last four starts; under is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 8-11, 3-5 home.
5-inning record: 5-7-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-19

Pirates won seven of their last nine road games; they’re 8-9 in road series openers, 13-17 vs lefty starters. Under is 3-1 in their last four games. San Francisco lost four of its last five games; they are 11-7 in home series openers. Giants’ last three games stayed under the total.

American League
Red Sox (81-34) @ Blue Jays (51-62)
Porcello is 3-0, 2.18 in his last three starts; over is 8-4 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 16-7, 8-4 away
5-inning record: 16-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-23

Borucki is 1-1, 2.25 in his last three starts (under 5-2). Team in his starts: 3-4, 0-3 home.
5-inning record: 2-3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7

Red Sox won ten of their last 11 games; over is 10-5 in their last 15 road games. Toronto lost its last five road games; over is 11-2 in their last 13 games.

Orioles (35-79) @ Rays (57-57)
Hess is 0-4, 12.00 in his last five starts (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 2-8, 1-5 away
5-inning record: 2-6-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-10

Bullpen game for the Rays. Team in his starts: 0-0 home.
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Orioles are 3-15 in their last 18 road games; over is 8-2-1 in their last 11 games. Tampa Bay lost four of its last five games; under is 4-2 in their last six games.

Twins (53-60) @ Indians (63-50)
Berrios is 3-1, 3.41 in his last five starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 13-10, 3-7 away
5-inning record: 8-10-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-23

Kluber is 2-0, 0.55 in his last two starts; over is 15-3-1 in his last 19 starts. Team in his starts: 14-9, 9-5 home.
5-inning record: 15-5-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-23

Twins won four of their last six games; four of Minnesota’s last six games went over. Cleveland won six of its last eight games; seven of their last nine games stayed under.

Rangers (51-65) @ New York (71-42)
Jurado is 2-1, 4.02 in his three starts (over 2-1). Team in his starts: 2-1, 1-1 away
5-inning record: 2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Happ is 1-0, 1.64 in his last two starts; over is 5-0-2 in his last seven. NY in his starts: 1-0, 1-0 home.
5-inning record: 11-6-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-21

Texas won nine of its last 12 games; they’re 14-18 vs lefty starters, 6-1 in last seven road series openers— over is 5-2 in their last seven games. New York won its last three games; they’re 12-6 in home series openers. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six games.

Mariners (65-50) @ Astros (73-42)
Paxton is 1-3, 4.15 in his last four starts; under is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 13-9, 7-4 away
5-inning record: 8-8-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-22

Verlander is 2-1, 1.45 in his last three starts; over is 4-1 in his last five home starts. Team in his starts: 14-10, 5-8 home.
5-inning record: 15-5-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-24

Mariners lost seven of last nine games, are 10-9 in road series openers. Over is 4-1 in their last five road games. Houston won six of its last seven games; they’re 9-9 in home series openers. 25-18 vs lefty starters. Under is 7-2 in their last nine games.

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Teams’ records in first five innings:
Team (road-home-total)- thru 8/8
Ariz 29-20-6……30-21-9……..59-41
Atl 27-26-7…..24-19-8………51-45
Cubs 21-24-13……27-22-8…….48-46
Reds 18-36-4……20-29-6….…38-65
Colo 30-18-14……30-19-5……59-38
LA 28-21-7…….27-22-12……56-43
Miami 21-28-7…..26-24-11…….47-52
Milw 23-26-9…..30-23-6…….53-49
Mets 22-27-3……23-25-13…..45-50
Philly 23-22-13…..30-17-8……53-39
Pitt 25-22-6……28-22-12……..53-44
StL 28-24-8……23-27-5………51-51
SD 20-33-9……17-29-7…….37-612
SF 26-25-10…..21-21-12………47-46
Wash 24-23-10..…26-24-7………50-47

Orioles 16-33-11…….18-29-9……34-62
Boston 30-19-10……35-15-6……..65-34
W Sox 16-36-6…..…17-32-8…..…33-68
Indians 23-21-10……36-15-9……59-36
Det 19-31-9…..…24-24-11.……43-55
Astros 30-17-14……28-17-11…….58-33
KC 18-33-8…….20-27-9…..38-60
Angels 24-24-9……27-25-8……51-49
Twins 18-29-11……28-24-8…..46-53
NYY 29-21-9……33-15-7…….62-35
A’s 20-29-10……23-23-10…..43-52
Seattle 28-23-7……28-19-14……..56-40
TB 23-22-12……26-23-8……49-44
Texas 20-27-8…..23-32-6…….43-59
Toronto 17-29-10……19-25-14……36-54

%age of times teams score in first inning (road/home/total- 8/8)
Ariz 23-55…….22-61…..…45
Atl 19-59……18-51………37
Cubs 12-58……..18-55……..30
Reds 14-58……..13-57……..27
Colo 21-61…….21-54.……..42
LA 18-56……..23-59..…..41
Miami 13-56……..18-60…….31
Milw 20-57…..…21-60…….41
Mets 20-51……..19-61…….39
Philly 12-58……..19-56…….31
Pitt 15-53……..19-63…….34
StL 21-60……..17-55…….38
SD 16-62……..13-54…….29
SF 12-59………17-57..…..29
Wash 21-57……..18-57……..39

Orioles 19-60……..17-55………36
Boston 16-58……22-57………37
White Sox 16-57……16-57…….32
Clev 15-53…….25-59……..40
Detroit 18-59……..16-56….…34
Astros 17-60…..…13-56………30
KC 15-59..…….16-55…….31
Angels 15-55…..….17-60…….31
Twins 14-56………13-57…….27
NYY 13-59……..21-54………34
A’s 14-59…..…..13-56…….27
Seattle 21-56………19-61…..…40
TB 17-57..……19-56……..36
Texas 9-55…….…16-60…..…25
Toronto 13-56………12-57….….25

Interleague play- 2018
NL @ AL– 57-56 NL, favorites -$71
AL @ NL– 59-45 NL, favorites -$843
Total: 116-101 NL, favorites -$914

Interleague play- 2017
NL @ AL– 86-58 AL, favorites -$434
AL @ NL– 75-72 NL, favorites +$396
Total: 159-131 AL, favorites -$38

Totals in interleague games
NL @ AL: Over 72-70-4
AL @ NL: Over 75-65-8
Total: Over 147-135-12

Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 08-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th August 2018 by Gracenote
Braves vs. Nationals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/08/2018

Ronald Acuna arrived in the majors as one of the most heralded prospects in recent memory, and the Atlanta Braves outfielder enters Thursday's series finale at the Washington Nationals off the biggest performance of his young big-league career. Acuna displayed the tools that made scouts salivate in Wednesday's 8-3 victory, outrunning a pickoff throw for a stolen base, belting a 452-foot homer and snagging Matt Adams' would-be homer at the top of the center field fence.

The Braves have captured two of the first three contests in the series, pulling within one-half game of Philadelphia for first place in the National League East as Charlie Culberson belted his third homer of the series and his fifth of the year against the Nationals. Washington entered the series as winners of eight of 11 contests, but wakes up Thursday sitting 5 ½ games behind the Braves in the division and desperate to salvage a series split. Outfielder Bryce Harper lined his 28th homer into the left-field seats in the sixth for the Nationals, and enters the series finale hitting .339 with five homers and 17 RBIs since the All-Star break. Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon collected three hits Wednesday and is batting .317 in his past nine games.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Facebook-Watch

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Anibal Sanchez (6-3, 2.89 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (6-8, 4.04)

Sanchez is one of the reasons the Braves are contending for a playoff spot, considering the spring-training signee enters Thursday with the lowest WHIP (1.06) and third-lowest ERA of his 13-year career. The 34-year-old held the New York Mets to one run on two hits over six innings Friday with a season-high nine strikeouts - the sixth-consecutive start he has worked at least six frames. Sanchez is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in three appearances (two starts) against the Nationals in 2018.

Gonzalez, a steady piece of the Nationals rotation since 2012, has struggled mightily since beginning the season 6-2. The 32-year-old is winless in his past 11 starts, posting a 6.37 ERA with nine homers allowed in 53 2/3 innings, and opponents are hitting .303 with a .871 OPS in that span. Gonzalez is 5-11 with a 5.04 ERA lifetime against the Braves, and gave up three runs with nine strikeouts over seven innings in his lone appearance against Atlanta this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. After scoring eight runs in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader, the Nationals are 1-for-21 with runners in scoring position the past two games with 18 runners left on base.

2. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman drove in a run with a seventh-inning single and is hitting .325 during his 10-game hitting streak.

3. Washington placed RHP Kelvin Herrera (right rotator cuff impingement) on the disabled list Wednesday and recalled RHP Koda Glover from Triple-A Syracuse.

PREDICTION: Braves 6, Nationals 3
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Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 08-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th August 2018 by Gracenote
Twins vs. Indians Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/08/2018

Francisco Lindor has another highlight to add to an already memorable season and looks to finish off a red-hot series with a big effort when his Cleveland Indians host the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon for the finale of their four-game set. Lindor launched a three-run, walk-off homer in the ninth inning Wednesday to give the American League Central-leading Indians a 5-2 victory and is 6-for-14 with two blasts in the series.

The All-Star shortstop is riding a six-game hitting streak during which he has gone 10-for-25 and is one shot shy of recording back-to-back 30-homer campaigns after improving his season average to .297 with his fourth straight two-hit performance. Corey Kluber, who is 8-3 with a 2.01 ERA in 13 home starts this year, looks to toss his second straight shutout when he takes the mound for Cleveland against Minnesota ace Jose Berrios on Thursday. The Twins have won eight of 15 meetings with the Indians this season but sit 10 games back in the AL Central after going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position on Wednesday. Miguel Sano homered and doubled for Minnesota in the setback and is 10-for-29 with six walks, four RBIs and seven runs scored over his last nine contests.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (11-8, 3.51 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (14-6, 2.63)

Berrios has posted four quality starts in his last six outings, including Saturday's turn in which he limited Kansas City to two runs over seven innings en route to victory. The 24-year-old Puerto Rican has permitted fewer than three runs in seven of his last 11 outings, going 5-3 with eight quality starts in that stretch. Edwin Encarnacion is just 1-for-9 but has homered against Berrios, who is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts versus Cleveland this year.

Kluber registered his first shutout of the season and the seventh of his career on Saturday, when he held the Los Angeles Angels to three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. The 32-year-old native of Alabama has given up one run over 16 1/3 innings in his last two starts after going winless in the previous three. Joe Mauer is 16-for-54 with two homers and five doubles versus Kluber, who is 9-6 with a 3.36 ERA in 21 career starts against the Twins.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota INF Logan Forsythe is 9-for-20 with three RBIs during his six-game hitting streak after going 0-for-1 in his team debut on Aug. 1.

2. Cleveland CF Leonys Martin, who has gone 5-for-15 with two homers since being acquired from Detroit, sat out Wednesday due to illness.

3. Twins MGR Paul Molitor needs one win to pass Frank Quilici (280) for fifth place on the club's all-time list.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Twins 2
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San Diego Padres vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 08-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th August 2018 by Gracenote
Padres vs. Brewers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/09/2018

The Milwaukee Brewers are coming off a stellar power display as they look to win the rubber match of their three-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres on Thursday afternoon. Five different players homered - tying a franchise record - as the Brewers recorded an 8-4 victory on Wednesday.

Jesus Aguilar, Travis Shaw and Eric Thames hit consecutive homers in the first inning while Orlando Arcia and Christian Yelich went deep later in the contest as Milwaukee climbed within 1 1/2 games of the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. Aguilar has homered in each of the first two games of the series and is tied for third in the National League with 28 blasts. San Diego is 3-3 entering the finale of its seven-game road trip and has scored 27 runs in the three triumphs. Hunter Renfroe has homered in three straight contests for the Padres and is 9-for-25 during his six-game hitting streak.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Robbie Erlin (2-3, 3.34 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Junior Guerra (6-7, 3.42)

Erlin is making his second straight start and fourth of the campaign. The 27-year-old defeated the Cubs on August 2 as he gave up one run and two hits over five innings. Erlin allowed two runs and three hits in 3 2/3 innings of relief against the Brewers on March 31 in his lone career appearance versus the club.

Guerra has gone 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA while serving up five home runs over this last four turns. The 33-year-old won three straight outings prior to the funk and is holding opponents to a .233 batting average this season. Guerra is 1-1 with a 3.94 ERA in three career starts versus the Padres.

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres 1B Eric Hosmer is mired in an 18-game home-run drought.

2. Milwaukee CF Lorenzo Cain has recorded two or more hits in all five games versus San Diego this season, going 12-for-24 with six runs scored, four stolen bases, four doubles and three RBIs.

3. San Diego is expected to recall RHP Jacob Nix to start Friday's game against Philadelphia.

PREDICTION: Brewers 7, Padres 5
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Texas Rangers vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 08-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th August 2018 by Gracenote
Rangers vs. Yankees Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/09/2018

The New York Yankees recovered nicely from a disastrous series against their bitter rivals and hope to continue trending in the right direction when they host the Texas Rangers on Thursday for the opener of their four-game series. After enduring a four-game sweep in Boston, the Yankees traveled to Chicago and reversed their fortunes, taking all three meetings with the White Sox.

Giancarlo Stanton highlighted a six-run second inning with his sixth career grand slam - and first since April 18, 2014 while with Miami - as New York rolled to a 7-3 victory on Wednesday. Stanton recorded only three hits in the series against Chicago, but two were home runs for the American League wild card-leading Yankees, who are nine games behind the Red Sox in the AL East. Texas is coming off its ninth win in 12 games, an 11-7 triumph over Seattle on Wednesday that featured a 19-hit attack - with every player in the lineup recording at least one. Joey Gallo was one of three Rangers to collect three hits as he went deep twice for his seventh career multi-homer performance and third this season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Ariel Jurado (2-1, 4.02 ERA) vs. Yankees LH J.A. Happ (11-6, 4.05)

Jurado seeks his third consecutive victory as he makes his fourth major-league start after being recalled from Double-A Frisco. The 22-year-old Panamanian allowed two runs and six hits over five innings against Baltimore on Friday after limiting host Houston to one run and two hits in six frames on July 28. Jurado has made 16 starts for the RoughRiders this season, going 5-3 with one complete game - a shutout - and a 3.28 ERA.

Happ is expected to return from the disabled list, where he landed after contracting hand, foot and mouth disease, to make his second start since being acquired from Toronto. The 35-year-old native of Illinois was superb in his debut with the Yankees on July 29, allowing one run - a solo homer - and three hits over six innings in a win over Kansas City. Happ is 4-2 with a 2.97 ERA in six career starts versus Texas after giving up two runs and five hits over seven frames in a victory on April 29 while with the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus is riding a 19-game hitting streak during which he has gone 29-for-84 with six doubles, two triples, two homers and 12 RBIs.

2. Stanton is three homers away from reaching 30 for the fifth time in his nine major-league seasons.

3. Texas OF Nomar Mazara (thumb) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Rangers 4
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Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 08-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th August 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 08/09/2018

The Boston Red Sox have a chance to pick up their second straight sweep and 12th overall when they wrap up a three-game set at the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. After a stirring four-game sweep of the rival New York Yankees at home, the Red Sox have produced 20 runs, 21 hits and 13 walks while claiming the first two games in Toronto.

Rafael Devers homered in his return from the disabled list and J.D. Martinez added to his American League-leading hits total (138) with three more and an RBI in Wednesday's 10-5 triumph. Xander Bogaerts chipped in three RBIs for first-place Boston, which improved to 39-19 on the road, 55-7 when scoring first and 58-9 when scoring at least five runs, something it has done four times during its six-game winning streak. Justin Smoak has been one of the Blue Jays' few bright spots of late and he had three hits Wednesday to extend his hitting streak to 12, the longest streak by a Toronto player this year. Rick Porcello is coming off his 10th career complete game and will try to duplicate the performance when he gets the start for the Red Sox on Thursday opposite lefty Ryan Borucki.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (14-4, 3.84 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Ryan Borucki (1-2, 2.30)

Porcello limited the Yankees to one hit - a solo home run - while striking out nine in his dominant win at home Friday night. He is 3-0 with a 2.18 ERA in three starts since he was lit up by Toronto (eight runs in two innings) at Fenway Park on July 13. That continued Porcello's career-long struggles versus the Blue Jays, against whom he has a 5.26 ERA in 24 games (23 starts).

Borucki has not allowed an earned run in two of his last three starts, including an eight-inning gem at Seattle on Friday. He has an ERA of 0.90 over the three-start stretch, during which the 24-year-old has walked just one batter in 20 innings. The surge began after Borucki gave up seven runs (four earned) in three frames opposite Porcello last month in Boston.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox optioned INF Tony Renda to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for Devers.

2. Smoak is batting .353 during his 12-game hitting streak.

3. Martinez is 13-for-28 with two homers and nine RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 4
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Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 08-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th August 2018 by Gracenote
Orioles vs. Rays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/09/2018

Mark Trumbo has stepped up since trades took two major threats from the Baltimore Orioles' lineup, and the 32-year-old slugger looks to extend his hitting streak to 11 games Thursday in the rubber match of the three-game series against the host Tampa Bay Rays. Trumbo has gone 15-for-40 with four homers and 13 RBIs during his streak, most of it without the traded Jonathan Schoop in the lineup and all of it since star Manny Machado was dealt.

Trumbo joined Adam Jones and Tim Beckham in going deep Wednesday before the Orioles rallied for two runs in the ninth inning to post a 5-4 victory that evened the set at a win apiece and gave them an 8-7 lead in the season series. Rookie David Hess has allowed three runs over 13 2/3 innings against the Rays this year, notching his only two wins, and will take the mound Thursday opposite Tampa Bay reliever Hunter Wood. The Rays have dropped four of their last five contests - all by a single run - and left the potential tying run on third base in the ninth inning to fall back to .500. Tampa Bay's Joey Wendle recorded a pair of hits Wednesday and is 8-for-20 with four RBIs this month.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH David Hess (2-6, 6.41 ERA) vs. Rays RH Hunter Wood (0-0, 3.22)

Hess is winless in his last nine outings, including Friday's loss at Texas in which he surrendered seven runs - five earned - and six hits over 3 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old native of Tennessee won two of his first three starts this season but is 0-5 with a 7.50 ERA during his winless streak. Wendle is 4-for-5 and Matt Duffy has homered versus Hess, who has gone 1-3 with a 6.61 ERA on the road during his rookie campaign.

Wood will open the game with an inning or two for the sixth time this year after permitting one run on two hits and two walks over 1 2/3 frames in that role Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox. The 24-year-old from Arkansas has posted a 2.16 ERA over 8 1/3 innings in his first five starts, giving up eight hits while registering 15 strikeouts. Austin Wynns homered on July 29 against Wood, who has yielded two runs over 3 1/3 frames versus the Orioles this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rays have played the most one-run games in the majors this season, going 21-27 in those contests.

2. Jones, who is just 5-for-24 with one RBI this month, needs one double to reach 300 with the Orioles.

3. Tampa Bay OF Mallex Smith has gone 6-for-13 over his last three contests to raise his average to .298.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Orioles 4
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Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 08-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th August 2018 by Gracenote
Mariners vs. Astros Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/08/2018

The Houston Astros essentially have run roughshod over the competition in their quest to repeat as World Series champions, however the American League West front-runners have failed to solve the mystery that is Seattle Mariners left-hander James Paxton. "The Big Maple" carries a 3-0 mark with a slim 0.87 ERA in three starts against the host Astros this season into the opener of a four-game series on Thursday.

Seattle surely could benefit from some solid pitching after surrendering 11 runs in back-to-back losses to Texas to fall to 2-7 in its last nine outings. Mike Zunino went deep twice in Wednesday's 11-7 loss to give him three homers among his five hits with four runs scored in his last two contests, although he is 0-for-10 with seven strikeouts versus Thursday starter Justin Verlander. Houston received sterling pitching performances in all eight contests of its just-completed road trip, with wins in six of its last seven overall. The Astros are also flexing their muscles at the plate, with 13 homers in their last eight games - including Tyler White's two-run shot in the eighth inning of a 2-1 victory at San Francisco on Tuesday.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH James Paxton (9-5, 3.51 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (11-6, 2.19)

Paxton silenced the Astros at Safeco Field on July 30, surrendering three hits while striking out eight over seven solid innings in a 2-0 win to improve to 6-3 with a 2.59 ERA in his career versus Houston. The 29-year-old British Columbia native has permitted 15 hits with 21 strikeouts against four walks in 20 2/3 frames against the Astros this season. Paxton fell to 1-3 in his last four starts despite yielding three runs on eight hits in seven innings of a 5-1 setback versus Toronto on Saturday.

Verlander is bidding for his 200th career win on the heels of matching his career high with 14 strikeouts while allowing one run on four hits in 7 2/3 innings of Friday's 2-1 triumph at the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner has surrendered two or fewer runs in three straight starts and five of his last six. Verlander will be making his first start this season versus Seattle, against which he owns a 12-8 mark with a 3.01 ERA in 24 career starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston LF Marwin Gonzalez, who has gone deep four times in his last six outings overall, is 9-for-28 with two homers and five RBIs versus Seattle this season.

2. Mariners RHP Sam Tuivailala strained his right Achilles tendon while attempting to execute a rundown on Wednesday.

3. Astros SS Carlos Correa, who has been sidelined since late June with a lower-back injury, is expected to be activated for this series, per manager A.J. Hinch.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Mariners 3
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 08-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th August 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Rockies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/09/2018

The Colorado Rockies aim to break out of their funk when they open a pivotal four-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. The Rockies have dropped six of their past eight games and reside in third place in the National League West while Los Angeles stands a half-game behind the division-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers fell out the top spot with Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics while the Rockies lost 4-3 to the Pittsburgh Pirates to drop three games behind the Diamondbacks. Los Angeles is struggling offensively with 10 runs in the past five games after setting season-highs with 21 runs and seven homers in a win against the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 2. Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal hit a solo shot in Wednesday's loss to reach at least 20 homers for the third consecutive campaign. Colorado also is having troubles tallying runs as it has scored three or fewer in 11 of the past 16 games, including each of the past three outings.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, MLB Network; SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (8-3, 2.68 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (6-4, 4.05)

Stripling (right big toe) will be activated off the 10-day disabled list to make the start and will look to recapture his earlier form. The 28-year-old was a first-time All-Star because of his stellar 2.08 ERA but was 0-1 with a 9.35 ERA in two starts after the break before going on the DL. Stripling gave up four runs and nine hits over six innings in a no-decision against the Rockies on July 1 and stands 1-1 with a 2.88 ERA in 10 career appearances (three starts) versus Colorado.

Anderson served up three homers and allowed seven runs (matching a season worst) and seven hits over four innings while falling to the Milwaukee Brewers in his last turn. The 28-year-old was unbeaten (2-0) over his previous six starts and gave up four earned runs over the first five. Anderson is 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers this season and is 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA in nine career turns against Los Angeles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies All-Star CF Charlie Blackmon has recorded back-to-back two-hit outings after being 1-for-21 with seven strikeouts in his first five games of the month.

2. Los Angeles OF Joc Pederson is 1-for-9 over his last three games after hitting three homers in a two-game span.

3. Colorado LHP Chris Rusin (foot) could be activated off the 10-day disabled list as soon as Thursday.

PREDICTION: Rockies 8, Dodgers 6
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 08-09-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 8th August 2018 by Gracenote
Pirates vs. Giants Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/08/2018

The Pittsburgh Pirates have sprinted back within earshot in the National League Central after winning 19 of their last 27 contests. The Pirates look to draw closer to the leaders on Thursday when they continue their nine-game road trip with the opener a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants.

Adam Frazier collected three hits in Pittsburgh's 4-3 victory over Colorado on Wednesday to improve to 10-for-21 with six extra-base hits (five doubles, homer), four RBIs and three runs scored in August. Gregory Polanco has been ice-cold to start the month, although he has followed a 1-for-17 performance by driving in a run in back-to-back outings. Offense has been in short supply for San Francisco, which has answered a four-game winning streak by scoring 11 runs en route to dropping four of its last five. Andrew McCutchen, who had three doubles among his four hits against his former team on May 11-13, went 0-for-6 with two strikeouts as the Giants were swept in an abbreviated two-game series versus Houston.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Ivan Nova (6-6, 4.49 ERA) vs. Giants LH Andrew Suarez (4-7, 4.60)

Nova allowed four runs and three walks in back-to-back outings, with the latter resulting in a no-decision versus St. Louis on Saturday. The 31-year-old Dominican is sporting a 2-1 mark with a 5.81 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over his last six trips to the mound. Nova has been flustered by Brandon Crawford, who is 5-for-11 with three extra-base hits (two doubles, triple) versus the hurler.

Suarez saw his streak of 12 consecutive starts without allowing over four earned runs come to a halt on Saturday after permitting a career-high eight on 10 hits in a 9-3 setback versus Arizona. The 25-year-old was blitzed for five runs in four innings of an 11-2 setback at Pittsburgh on May 11. Starling Marte and Jose Osuna belted two-run shots in that contest off Suarez, who will make his 20th career start on Thursday.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco 3B Evan Longoria has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games.

2. Pittsburgh is just 10-19 against NL West representatives this season.

3. Marte went 6-for-13 with a homer, two RBIs and three runs scored in the previous series versus the Giants.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Pirates 2
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