Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Thursday 8/16/18
National League
Mets (51-67) @ Phillies (66-53)
Matz is 1-4, 7.40 in his last five starts; his last four starts went over. Team in his starts: 10-11, 4-6 away
5-inning record: 7-12-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-21
Oswalt is 1-1, 3.86 in his last five starts (over 3-3-1). Team in his starts: 2-5, 1-2 away
5-inning record: 3-2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-7
Eflin is 1-2, 4.94 in his last five starts; under is 8-3 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 9-7, 5-2 home
5-inning record: 11-4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-16
Suarez allowed four runs in five IP (75 PT) in his first MLB start, on July 26. Team in his starts: 1-0, 0-0 home
5-inning record: 1-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-1
Mets won five of their last seven games; they’re 11-8 in road series openers, 12-17 vs lefty starters- under is 6-4 in their last ten road games. Phillies are 3-5 in their last eight games, 12-7 in home series openers; they’re 14-12 vs lefty starters. Over is 3-1 in their last four home games.
Cubs (69-50) @ Pirates (61-60)
Lester is 0-3, 10.72 in his last five starts; over is 8-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 17-7, 8-3 away.
5-inning record: 12-8-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-24
Nova is 3-0, 4.50 in his last six starts; over is 3-0-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 13-9, 5-5 home
5-inning record: 12-5-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-22
Cubs are 7-4 in their last 11 games, 2-5 in last seven road series openers. Under is 5-2-1 in their last eight road games. Pittsburgh lost four of its last five games; they’re 13-7 in home series openers, 15-18 vs lefty starters. Over is 4-1 in their last five home games.
Nationals (60-61) @ Cardinals (66-55)
Roark is 4-0, 1.21 in his last four starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 9-14, 5-7 away.
5-inning record: 8-13-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-23
Flaherty is 2-0, 1.38 in his last two starts; over is 6-1 in his last seven starts. Team in his starts: 8-11, 3-5 home
5-inning record: 11-6-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-19
Nationals lost seven of their last eight road games; under is 5-3 in their last eight road games. St Louis won its last eight games; over is 10-5 in their last 15 home games.
Rockies (64-56) @ Braves (68-51)
Gray is 2-0, 2.80 in his last five starts; over is 8-3 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 13-9, 6-4 away
5-inning record: 11-9-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-22
Teheran is 1-0, 3.78 in his last three starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 13-10, 8-3 home
5-inning record: 9-11-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 11-23 (4 of last 4)
Rockies won four of their last five games; they’re 14-6 in road series openers. Four of their last five games stayed under. Atlanta won eight of its last ten games; five of their last eight home games went over.
Diamondbacks (66-55) @ Padres (48-74)
Buchholz is 4-1, 2.67 in his last five starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 6-5, 3-4 away.
5-inning record: 9-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11
Nix allowed four hits, no runs in six IP (88 PT) in his MLB debut last week (under 1-0). Team in his starts: 1-0, 1-0 home
5-inning record: 1-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1
Arizona is 5-3 in its last eight road games, 14-6 in road series openers. Under is 6-1-2 in their last nine games. Padres lost four of their last five games; they’re 2-17 in home series openers. Over is 8-4 in their last dozen games.
American League
Rays (61-59) @ New York (75-45)
Snell is 5-1, 1.33 in his last seven starts; under is 9-2 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 13-9, 7-6 away
5-inning record: 13-5-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-22
Tanaka is 2-1, 2.55 in his last four starts; over is 10-5-2 in his last 17. Team in his starts: 12-7, 4-3 home.
5-inning record: 11-4-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-19
Rays lost five of their last eight road games; under is 9-3 in their last 12 games. New York won seven of its last ten games; over is 6-4-2 in their last 12 home games.
Angels (62-60) @ Rangers (53-69)
Team in his starts: away
5-inning record: Allowed run in 1st inning:
Jurado is 2-2, 5.66 in his four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 2-2, 1-2 home.
5-inning record: 2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4
Angels won seven of their last nine games; they’re 5-10 in last 15 road series openers. Texas lost seven of its last ten games; they’re 7-13 in home series openers. Under is 3-0-1 in their last four games.
Tigers (50-71) @ Twins (56-63)
Liriano is 0-2, 4.50 in his last two starts; his last four stayed under. Team in his starts: 7-12, 3-9 away.
5-inning record: 7-8-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-19
Santana is 0-1, 6.53 in his four starts (over 2-2). Team in his starts: 3-1, 2-0 home
5-inning record: 2-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-4
Tigers are 3-9 in their last 12 games, 5-15 in road series openers. Under is 8-3-1 in their last 12 games. Minnesota won three of its last four games; under is 6-2 in their last eight games. Twins are won their last six home series openers.
Blue Jays (55-65) @ Royals (36-84)
Gaviglio is 0-2, 6.59 in his last three starts (over 9-6-1). Team in his starts: 6-10, 4-4 away
5-inning record: 5-7-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-16
26-year old Sparkman is making his first MLB start; he is 0-1, 5.06 in eight relief stints this year, is 4-1, 4.58 in 10 AAA starts this year. Team in his starts: 0-0 home.
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0
Toronto won three of its last four games; over is 10-3 in their last 13 road games. Royals lost 11 of their last 13 games; over is 11-5-1 in their last 17 games.
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Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Rays vs. Yankees Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/16/2018
The New York Yankees have endured difficulty in solving the pesky Tampa Bay Rays, as they have dropped seven of their last nine encounters heading into the rubber match of their three-game series in the Bronx on Thursday afternoon. The Yankees (75-45) fell for the third time in their last 10 contests overall with a decisive 6-1 setback to the Rays (61-59) on Wednesday.
Rookie Miguel Andujar belted his fifth homer in nine outings on Wednesday, improving to 14-for-37 with 11 RBIs and nine runs scored in that stretch. The 23-year-old Dominican is 14-for-47 with two homers and five RBIs against Tampa Bay this season and 1-for-3 with a double versus Thursday starter Blake Snell. While New York is nursing a 3 1/2-game lead over Oakland for the first wild-card spot in the American League, Tampa Bay has won five of eight to move two games over .500. Mallex Smith highlighted his three-hit performance with a two-run homer on Wednesday after going 5-for-32 with eight strikeouts in his previous at-bats in the season series.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Blake Snell (13-5, 2.18 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (9-3, 4.08)
Snell struck out six and retired all 15 batters he faced before departing in Friday's 7-0 romp at Toronto in his second start since coming off the disabled list because of shoulder fatigue. "I'm not going to argue. I felt great, yes, but I haven't gone five innings in a month," the 25-year-old All-Star told reporters of his abrupt exit. Snell hasn't fared well in a pair of losses versus New York this season, permitting nine runs on as many hits - including four homers - while issuing seven walks in 8 1/3 innings.
Tanaka tasted defeat for the first time since April 17 on Friday when he was gouged for six runs on as many hits - including three homers - over five innings of a 12-7 setback versus Texas. The 29-year-old Japanese star had won his previous seven decisions and owned a stingy 1.78 ERA in six previous starts before getting ripped by the Rangers. Tanaka was downright masterful against Tampa Bay on July 24, scattering three hits and striking out a season high-tying nine in a complete-game 4-0 win.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York has belted a home run in 14 straight home games.
2. The Rays will activate OF Tommy Pham from the disabled list prior to Thursday's contest after an 11-game absence due to a fractured foot.
3. Yankees rookie 2B Gleyber Torres is 2-for-29 in his last seven games.
PREDICTION: Yankees 4, Rays 1
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New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Mets vs. Phillies Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/16/2018
Wilson Ramos provided the Philadelphia Phillies' ailing offense with a much-needed shot in the arm against the best team in the majors. The Phillies (66-53) aim to ride that momentum into Thursday's doubleheader versus one of the worst in the majors in the visiting New York Mets (51-67), against whom they have dropped five of eight encounters this season with two shutout losses.
Ramos, who was activated from the disabled list prior to Wednesday's contest, highlighted his sixth three-hit performance of the season with a triple, two doubles and three RBIs as Philadelphia remained two games behind National League East-leading Atlanta with a 7-4 triumph over the Boston Red Sox. Fellow in-season trade acquisition Justin Bour had two hits in that contest, but is just 5-for-33 with 12 strikeouts against New York in 2018. While the Phillies mustered just nine runs en route to losing four of their previous five games, the Mets benefited from Brandon Nimmo's first career five-hit performance to record their best scoring output of the season in a 16-5 romp over Baltimore on Wednesday. The energetic 25-year-old is a robust 9-for-12 with four RBIs and seven runs scored in his last three games entering the series versus Philadelphia, which will send right-hander Zach Eflin and left-hander Ranger Suarez to the mound - although manager Gabe Kapler did not announce the starter of the doubleheader.
TV: 4:05 ET, Facebook-Watch
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Corey Oswalt (1-2, 5.03 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Ranger Suarez (1-0, 7.20)
Oswalt received his second straight no-decision despite allowing three runs over six innings for the second consecutive start. The 24-year-old rookie kept the ball in the park at Miami on Saturday after surrendering a pair of homers in his previous outing against Atlanta. Oswalt took the loss in his first career start versus Philadelphia on July 9 despite retiring the first 12 batters he faced before permitting three runs on one hit while striking out a season-high
Suarez won his major-league debut on July 26 despite allowing four runs on six hits - including two homers - over five innings of a 9-4 victory versus Cincinnati. The 22-year-old was promptly sent back to the minors immediately after that start. Suarez has fared well in the minors this year with a 2.89 ERA recorded in over 106 innings with Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia 3B Maikel Franco is 6-for-18 in his last five games entering the series versus New York, against which he is just 6-for-25 this season.
2. Mets 3B Todd Frazier has homered twice in his last three contests and is 13-for-34 with nine RBIs during his eight game-hitting streak.
3. The five-game series, which features a makeup contest from May 12, concludes Sunday with the 2018 Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa.
PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Mets 3
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Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 15th August 2018 by Gracenote
Cubs vs. Pirates Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/15/2018
The Pittsburgh Pirates are beginning the fade from the National League playoff race, and the next week could do further damage to their postseason hopes. The Pirates begin a seven-game homestand against a pair of division leaders when they play the first of four contests against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.
The Pirates have fallen nine games behind the Cubs in the NL Central and 5 1/2 back of the second wild-card spot. Pittsburgh was swept in two games at Minnesota to begin the week and now faces a brutal stretch of 16 straight games against teams with winning records, including four with the Cubs and six with NL East-leading Atlanta. The Cubs have alternated wins and losses in their past seven contests, but that has been good enough to maintain a three-game lead over second-place Milwaukee in the NL Central. After being shut out by the Brewers on Tuesday and holding a players-only meeting, the Cubs hammered 13 hits, including homers by Anthony Rizzo and Albert Almora, in an 8-4 win Wednesday.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (12-5, 3.89 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Ivan Nova (7-6, 4.42)
Lester is winless in five starts since the All-Star break and has pitched to a bloated 10.32 ERA over that span. The 34-year-old was rocked for nine runs (eight earned) over 3 2/3 innings Saturday against Washington, and he surrendered three home runs. Lester is 7-6 with a 3.59 ERA in 16 career starts against the Pirates, including 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA in four meetings this season.
The Pirates have won five of Nova's last six starts, and the 31-year-old is 3-0 with a 4.22 ERA over that stretch. Nova won at San Francisco last time out, limiting the Giants to two runs and three hits over six frames. Nova is 4-1 with a 3.63 ERA in six starts against the Cubs and has allowed four runs in 12 2/3 innings across two meetings in 2018.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Pirates are 51-2 when leading after eight innings, while the Cubs are 58-2 when taking a lead to the ninth.
2. Chicago INF David Bote is 9-for-23 over his last eight games.
3. The Cubs acquired OF Terrance Gore from Kansas City on Wednesday. Gore is 0-for-11 in his major-league career but has 21 stolen bases in 49 big-league games and will be eligible for the postseason roster.
PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Pirates 4
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Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Nationals vs. Cardinals Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/16/2018
The red-hot St. Louis Cardinals take aim at their ninth straight victory when they attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the visiting Washington Nationals on Thursday. St. Louis posted a 4-2 victory on Wednesday and has scored 17 runs while winning the first three contests of the series.
The Cardinals have gone 19-9 since interim manager Mike Shildt took over for the fired Mike Matheny to move within four games of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and one of Philadelphia and Milwaukee - the teams occupying the wild-card spots in the NL. Matt Carpenter extended his streak of reaching base to 33 games but departed Wednesday's contest in the seventh inning after being hit by a pitch on his right wrist, although the Cardinals announced that X-rays were negative and Carpenter's exit was precautionary. The sinking Nationals have dropped four straight and seven of their last nine contests to slip nine games behind NL East-leading Atlanta and seven back in the wild-card race. Washington's Bryce Harper recorded two hits on Wednesday and is 4-for-12 with two homers and one double in the series.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Washington), FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Tanner Roark (7-12, 4.12 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (6-10, 4.66)
Roark has won four consecutive starts after losing 12 of his first 15 decisions this season. The 31-year-old has posted a stellar 1.21 ERA during his winning streak, striking out 27 batters while walking only two. Roark is 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) against the Cardinals and has struggled with Yadier Molina (4-for-8, four RBIs).
Weaver is making his first start since Aug. 6 as he missed his scheduled turn six days later due to a cut on his right index finger. The Floridian lost at Miami in his last outing despite allowing just two runs and seven hits in six innings. Weaver, who turns 25 on Tuesday, is just 1-4 with a 5.13 ERA in 10 home starts this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals OF Harrison Bader recorded his fifth three-hit performance of the season on Wednesday and is batting .348 in 46 at-bats this month.
2. Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg (neck) tossed close to 70 pitches in a simulated game on Wednesday and could return to the rotation next week without making a rehab start.
3. St. Louis activated Brett Cecil (foot) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned fellow LHP Tyler Webb to Triple-A Memphis.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Nationals 4
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New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Mets vs. Phillies Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/16/2018
Wilson Ramos provided the Philadelphia Phillies' ailing offense with a much-needed shot in the arm against the best team in the majors. The Phillies (66-53) aim to ride that momentum into Thursday's doubleheader versus one of the worst in the majors in the visiting New York Mets (51-67), against whom they have dropped five of eight encounters this season with two shutout losses.
Ramos, who was activated from the disabled list prior to Wednesday's contest, highlighted his sixth three-hit performance of the season with a triple, two doubles and three RBIs as Philadelphia remained two games behind National League East-leading Atlanta with a 7-4 triumph over the Boston Red Sox. Fellow in-season trade acquisition Justin Bour had two hits in that contest, but is just 5-for-33 with 12 strikeouts against New York in 2018. While the Phillies mustered just nine runs en route to losing four of their previous five games, the Mets benefited from Brandon Nimmo's first career five-hit performance to record their best scoring output of the season in a 16-5 romp over Baltimore on Wednesday. The energetic 25-year-old is a robust 9-for-12 with four RBIs and seven runs scored in his last three games entering the series versus Philadelphia, which will send right-hander Zach Eflin and left-hander Ranger Suarez to the mound - although manager Gabe Kapler did not announce the starter of the doubleheader.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (5-9, 4.35 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Zach Eflin (8-4, 3.57)
Matz is expected to return from a two-week absence due to a strained flexor-pronator muscle to start the opener of a doubleheader. The 27-year-old, who tossed a 56-pitch simulated game Saturday, settled for a no-decision at Philadelphia on May 11 despite yielding one run on five hits over five innings. Matz, who issued a season high-tying four walks in that contest, owns an 0-1 mark with a 2.53 ERA in two career encounters with the Phillies.
Eflin will be added from Triple-A Lehigh Valley as the 26th man prior to Thursday's contest. Shuffling the 24-year-old to the IronPigs could be construed as a controversial move as it cost him approximately $20,000 in pay and big-league service time, although Eflin told Philly.com that "I couldn't care less about the money." Eflin, who is 0-2 with a 4.64 ERA in four career starts against the Mets, settled for a no-decision on July 9 after yielding three runs on five hits in as many innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia 3B Maikel Franco is 6-for-18 in his last five games entering the series versus New York, against which he is just 6-for-25 this season.
2. Mets 3B Todd Frazier has homered twice in his last three contests and is 13-for-34 with nine RBIs during his eight game-hitting streak.
3. The five-game series, which features a makeup contest from May 12, concludes Sunday with the 2018 Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa.
PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Mets 2
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Colorado Rockies vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Rockies vs. Braves Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/16/2018
Charlie Culberson has proven to be the perfect role player for the Atlanta Braves, who enter the opener of a four-game home series Thursday at the Colorado Rockies having won 14 of their past 18 games. Culberson, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in an offseason trade, collected three hits in Wednesday's 5-2 home victory over Miami and is 6-for-12 with four runs in his past three contests to help Atlanta cap a four-game sweep of the Marlins and remain two games up in first place.
The Braves come into the series with an edge after rookie outfielder Ronald Acuna, who had homered in five consecutive games, was drilled with a pitch in the first inning Wednesday - sparking a benches-clearing altercation and knocking the 20-year-old out of the game. Colorado's four-game winning streak ended Wednesday with a 12-1 loss at Houston, and the Rockies play 10 of their next 16 contests on the road. Third baseman Nolan Arenado finished 2-for-3 Wednesday and is hitting .321 in his past 16 games. The Rockies have allowed 10 or more hits in five of their past eight games, and after giving up just six runs in their previous three games, surrendered nine extra-base hits Wednesday.
TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet (Colorado), FS Southeast (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jon Gray (9-7, 4.81 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (8-7, 4.33)
Gray struggled throughout most of the first half, posting a 5.77 ERA before being sent to Triple-A Albuquerque at the end of June. The 26-year-old returned and allowed just five earned runs over 29 1/3 innings in his first four starts, winning twice, before permitting four runs across 5 2/3 frames in his last outing Friday. Gray is 3-0 lifetime with a 1.04 ERA against the Braves, beating them twice last season with two runs allowed on 10 hits in 12 innings.
Teheran's up-and-down season has stabilized a bit in his past three starts, as he posted a 3.78 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 16 2/3 innings while going 1-0 in that stretch. The 27-year-old allowed one run on two hits with six strikeouts in a no-decision Saturday against Milwaukee, after giving up three runs over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision six days earlier against the New York Mets. Teheran is 5-1 with a 2.21 ERA in nine career starts against the Rockies.
WALK-OFFS
1. Braves SS Dansby Swanson homered Wednesday, his second homer in the past four games, and has six RBIs in that stretch with four runs scored.
2. Colorado lost two of three to Atlanta in early April, giving up 14 runs and 27 hits in three games at Coors Field.
3. Acuna, who was hit in the left elbow in the first inning, left the game before the top of the second and the Braves did not have a diagnosis after Wednesday's game.
PREDICTION: Rockies 7, Braves 5
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Los Angeles Angels vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Angels vs. Rangers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/16/2018
The Los Angeles Angels won't have star Mike Trout in the lineup for Thursday's opener, and he could miss the entire four-game series against the host Texas Rangers. The team was hoping Trout (wrist) could be activated from the 10-day disabled list on Thursday, but it isn't known when he will return after his brother-in-law, Aaron Cox, passed away on Wednesday.
Trout departed the team late last week for what was termed a "family matter," and the reason became clear upon the death of the 24-year-old Cox, who retired as a minor-league pitcher in the Angels organization last week, according to the club. Los Angeles is playing well without the two-time American League MVP as it swept a three-game set from San Diego and has won seven of its last nine contests. Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre (hamstring) is slated to be re-evaluated Thursday as he hopes to avoid his third stint on the disabled list this season. The Rangers have lost four of their last six games after winning nine of their previous 12.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Taylor Cole (0-2, 2.95 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Ariel Jurado (2-2, 5.66)
Cole will take the mound first as Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia revealed the contest will be a bullpen game for his team. The Angels sent Cole out first in Sunday's loss to Oakland, and it didn't go well as he gave up three runs and three hits in 1 1/3 innings but avoided the loss. Cole, who turns 29 on Monday, has posted a stellar 0.87 WHIP with 22 strikeouts in 18 1/3 frames.
Jurado is making his fifth major-league start and will be looking to bounce back from a dreadful performance against the New York Yankees. The 22-year-old served up four homers - two two-run shots and two solo blasts - while allowing six runs and seven hits over five innings in a 7-3 loss. Jurado pitched well while winning his previous two turns as he gave up three runs and eight hits over 11 frames during that stretch.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels 1B Albert Pujols is just 10-for-48 this month and has gone deep just once in his last 17 contests.
2. Texas OF Nomar Mazara (thumb) is expected to be activated from the 10-day disabled list prior to the series opener.
3. Rene Rivera (knee) was activated from the 10-day DL and hit the game-winning, ninth-inning homer on Wednesday for Los Angeles, which optioned fellow C Jose Briceno and recently acquired RHP Odrisamer Despaigne to Triple-A Salt Lake while designating RHP Akeel Morris for assignment.
PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Angels 5
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Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 15th August 2018 by Gracenote
Tigers vs. Twins Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/15/2018
The Minnesota Twins were under .500 at home as late as the final week of June, but they have turned things around at Target Field over the past 7 1/2 weeks. Minnesota has won five in row and 16 of their last 20 at home as they prepare to host the Detroit Tigers on Thursday in the first of four games between American League Central rivals.
Trade-deadline acquisition Logan Forsythe, who had a 10-game hitting streak halted Tuesday, collected two hits and three RBIs in Wednesday's 6-4 win over Pittsburgh, including the go-ahead two-run single. "I don't know if he's taken many bad at-bats," Twins manager Paul Molitor told reporters of Forsythe, who is batting .386 with Minnesota. "I think he just has a calmness about situational hitting." The Tigers took two of three from the visiting Twins last week but followed that by dropping two of three to the Chicago White Sox to fall to 3-9 in their last 12. Left-hander Francisco Liriano will start the series opener against his former team for Detroit, which owns the second-worst road record in the majors at 18-41.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (3-7, 4.42 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ervin Santana (0-1, 6.53)
Liriano lost his sixth straight decision on Saturday against the Twins when he gave up three runs and six hits while walking four over five innings. The 34-year-old Dominican is winless in his last 14 appearances and has not won since April 28. All three of Liriano's wins were in the first month of the season and came against the two teams with the worst records in baseball (Baltimore, Kansas City).
Santana is in search of his first victory of the season as he prepares to make his fifth start overall and second in a row against the Tigers. Finger surgery in February delayed his season debut until July 25 and he had three straight no-decisions before struggling in Detroit, giving up five runs and a pair of homers across six innings. Victor Martinez is 15-for-43 with four homers off Santana.
WALK-OFFS
1. Detroit is 17-6 in the last 23 meetings at Minnesota.
2. Twins RHP Trevor Hildenberger has converted three straight save chances.
3. Tigers RHP Artie Lewicki, originally scheduled to start Saturday's game, was placed on the 10-day disabled list with an elbow injury Wednesday.
PREDICTION: Twins 5, Tigers 4
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Toronto Blue Jays vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Blue Jays vs. Royals Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/16/2018
Kevin Pillar and the Toronto Blue Jays have enjoyed their matchups with the host Kansas City Royals and get one more crack at the American League Central doormats when the teams complete their four-game series on Thursday. The Blue Jays have taken two of the first three contests in the set, riding Curtis Granderson's grand slam and Pillar's two RBIs to a 6-5 triumph in Wednesday's matchup to improve to 5-1 versus the Royals this year.
Pillar is 10-for-23 with eight RBIs in the season series and a .389 hitter in 11 career games at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City fell to 2-8 on its 11-game homestand despite receiving a pair of homers and three RBIs from Salvador Perez. The All-Star catcher is 7-for-17 with five extra-base hits, four RBIs and four runs scored during a four-game stretch. Sam Gaviglio made four appearances (two starts) with Kansas City last season before being traded to Toronto in March, and he will make his return to Kauffman Stadium to oppose Glenn Sparkman, who appeared in two games for the Blue Jays in 2017.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVA (Toronto), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Sam Gaviglio (2-5, 4.86 ERA) vs. Royals RH Glenn Sparkman (0-1, 5.06)
Gaviglio worked into the sixth inning on Saturday for the second straight start and allowed just one earned run in a tough loss to Tampa Bay. He has registered 14 strikeouts against three walks over 11 frames in his last two outings. The 28-year-old went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA with the Royals last season.
Sparkman came up in the Kansas City organization before being selected by the Blue Jays in the 2016 Rule 5 draft. The 26-year-old will be making his first career start after posting an 8.47 ERA in 10 relief outings over the last two years. He worked a career-high 4 1/3 innings against St. Louis on Aug. 10, when he yielded two runs and four hits.
WALK-OFFS
1. Kansas City has played a franchise-record 15 straight errorless games.
2. Toronto has won each of its last four one-run games and is 17-12 in such affairs.
3. Royals 1B-DH Ryan O'Hearn has hit two homers in three at-bats during the series.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Royals 4
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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Diamondbacks vs. Padres Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/16/2018
The Arizona Diamondbacks still sit atop the National League West despite having lost three of the first five contests on their nine-game road trip. Arizona hopes to expand its division lead when it visits the San Diego Padres on Thursday for the opener of their four-game series.
The Diamondbacks own a 1 1/2-game lead over Colorado and are coming off a 6-4 victory at Texas on Tuesday in which Paul Goldschmidt and Jon Jay each recorded two hits and an RBI. Goldschmidt kicked off his third straight multi-hit performance with his 27th home run, which extended his hitting streak to eight games - a stretch during which he has gone 14-for-37. San Diego looks to bounce back from a three-game sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels, which dropped it to 2-4 on its 10-game homestand. Cory Spangenberg recorded one of the Padres' four hits in Wednesday's 3-2 setback, a solo homer that improved him to 3-for-5 with two walks over his last two contests.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Arizona, FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Clay Buchholz (5-2, 2.67 ERA) vs. Padres RH Jacob Nix (1-0, 0.00)
Buchholz had his string of five consecutive victories snapped on Friday, when he took the loss at Cincinnati after allowing three runs - two earned - and eight hits in a season high-tying seven innings. It was the first setback since May 26 at Oakland for the 34-year-old Texan, who had won each of his previous four turns. Buchholz has won each of his two career starts against the Padres, including an outing at San Diego on July 29 in which he gave up three runs on six hits and three walks over 5 2/3 frames.
Nix is coming off an impressive major-league debut as he scattered four hits over six scoreless innings in a triumph over Philadelphia on Friday. The 22-year-old Californian issued two walks and registered four strikeouts while throwing 63 of his 88 pitches for strikes as he became the first Padre to work at least six scoreless frames in his debut since Odrisamer Despaigne on June 23, 2014. Nix went 2-3 with a 2.05 ERA in nine starts for Double-A San Antonio this season and tossed six scoreless innings en route to victory in his lone outing with Triple-A El Paso before being recalled.
WALK-OFFS
1. Padres 1B Eric Hosmer has hit safely in 18 of his last 21 games but has belted just one homer over his last 25 contests.
2. Arizona INF Daniel Descalso drove in two runs on Tuesday, giving him five RBIs in his last three games.
3. San Diego on Wednesday released RHP Phil Hughes, who was designated for assignment five days earlier after surrendering 14 runs over 20 2/3 innings in 16 relief appearances this year.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Padres 1
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