MLB Betting News and Trends For Thursday 9/20/18

National League
Mets (70-82) @ Nationals (77-75)
Vargas is 4-1, 3.46 in his last five starts; under is 9-5-2 in his last 16. Team in his starts: 6-12, 3-8 away
5-inning record: 7-11 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-18

Scherzer is 1-1, 5.40 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 21-10, 8-5 home
5-inning record: 18-11-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-31

Mets lost four of their last five games; they’re 8-4 in last 12 road series openers- seven of their last eight games stayed under. Washington won three of its last four games; they’re 14-11 in home series openers. Over is 7-2 in their last nine home games.

Reds (65-88) @ Marlins (59-92)
Reed is 0-1, 6.23 in his five starts (over 3-2). Team in his starts: 1-4, 0-3 road
5-inning record: 1-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Brigham is 0-2, 7.36 in his two starts (under 2-0). Team in his starts: 0-2, 0-1 home
5-inning record: 0-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-2

Reds lost seven of their last ten road games; they’re 0-8 in last eight road series openers- under is 7-0-1 in their last eight games. Miami lost five of its last seven games; they’re 12-13 in home series openers. Four of their last five games went over.

Phillies (78-73) @ Braves (84-68)
Velasquez is 0-2, 9.82 in his last three starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 12-16, 4-9 road
5-inning record: 12-12-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-28

Gausman is 1-1, 6.06 in his last three starts (over 2-0-1). Team in his starts: 6-2, 4-0 home
5-inning record: 4-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-8

Phillies won four of their last six games; they’re 1-6 in last seven road series openers- over is 5-2-1 in their last eight road games. Atlanta lost four of its last five games; they’re 13-12 in home series openers- five of Braves’ last six games went over.

American League
Angels (75-77) @ A’s (91-61)
Shoemaker is 2-1, 3.98 in his four starts (over 2-2). Team in his starts: 3-1, 3-0 away
5-inning record: 2-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4

Jackson is 1-1, 5.09 in his last five starts (under 10-5). Team in his starts: 12-3, 6-2 home
5-inning record: 3-6-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-15

Angels lost four of their last six games; under is 8-5 in their last 13 road games. Oakland lost four of its last six games; over is 10-1 in their last 11 home games.

Boston (103-49) @ New York (93-58)
Rodriguez is 1-1, 3.10 in his last four starts; his last six stayed under. Team in his starts: 18-4, 7-1 away
5-inning record: 14-6-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-22

Tanaka is 3-0, 0.43 in his last three starts (over 2-0-1). Team in his starts: 16-9, 6-5 home
5-inning record: 15-5-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-25

Red Sox won six of their last nine games, but lost last two; six of their last seven games stayed under. New York lost four of its last seven games, but won last two; over is 6-3 in their last nine home games.

Rays (85-66) @ Blue Jays (69-83)
Team in his starts: away
5-inning record: Allowed run in 1st inning:

Gaviglio is 0-2, 7.24 in his last three starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 7-14, 4-5 home
5-inning record: 6-10-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-21

Tampa Bay won 13 of its last 16 games; under is 5-3-1 in their last nine road games. Blue Jays won four of their last five games; under is 3-1 in their last four games.

White Sox (59-92) @ Indians (85-66)
Shields is 2-1, 4.09 in his last four starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five road starts. Team in his starts: 11-20, 3-10 away
5-inning record: 11-18-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 10-31

Tomlin is 0-0, 6.06 in his last three starts (over 5-1-1). Team in his starts: 1-6, 1-3 home
5-inning record: 2-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7

White Sox lost their last three games; under is 8-2-1 in their last 11 road games. Cleveland won five of its last seven home games; over is 3-2-2 in their last seven home games.

Royals (52-100) @ Tigers (61-91)
Lopez is 2-0, 2.33 in his last three starts (over 4-2). Team in his starts: 3-3, 1-1 away
5-inning record: 1-4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Boyd is 2-1, 3.26 in his last five starts; under is 7-3-2 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 15-14, 10-3 home
5-inning record: 12-14-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-29

Royals lost their last four games; five of their last seven games went over. Detroit lost 10 of its last 12 home games; under is 7-2 in their last nine home games.

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Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 09-20-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 20th September 2018 by Gracenote

The Oakland Athletics snapped a three-game slide with a convincing victory and look to take another step toward securing a postseason berth when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday in the finale of a three-game set. Oakland walloped the Angels 10-0 on Wednesday to maintain a 5 1/2-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League's second wild-card spot.

Right fielder Stephen Piscotty matched his career high of five RBIs in Wednesday's victory on a three-run homer and two-run double as the Athletics moved within four games of the Houston Astros in the American League West. Second baseman Jed Lowrie and center fielder Ramon Laureano each drove in two runs as Oakland scored at least seven runs for the fourth straight meeting with the Angels. Los Angeles managed four hits and had only one at-bat with runners in scoring position as it was blanked for the second time in the past five games. Star center fielder Mike Trout was hitless in three at-bats Wednesday and is batting .340 with three homers and eight RBIs in 47 at-bats against the Athletics this season.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, Facebook Watch

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Matt Shoemaker (2-1, 3.98 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Edwin Jackson (5-3, 3.17)

Shoemaker is making his fifth start since returning from a forearm injury and it will be his fourth outing on the road. The 31-year-old lost to the Seattle Mariners in his last turn when he gave up three runs and five hits and struck a season-best eight in 4 2/3 innings. Shoemaker defeated the Athletics when he gave up three runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings March 31 - the outing in which he was injured - and stands 6-2 with a 3.61 ERA in 13 career appearances (12 starts).

Jackson received a no-decision in his last turn when he gave up one run and four hits over five innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 35-year-old journeyman has pitched five or fewer innings in five of his last six starts, allowing two homers in three of the outings. Jackson defeated the Angels on Aug. 11 when he tossed 7 1/3 innings of three-hit shutout ball to improve to 5-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 13 career appearances (10 starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Piscotty is batting .328 with six homers and 18 RBIs in 58 at-bats in September.

2. Los Angeles DH Shohei Ohtani is 2-for-5 with two walks in the series and is batting .367 with five homers and 12 RBIs in 49 at-bats in September.

3. Oakland RHP Trevor Cahill (back) threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and could return to the rotation over the weekend.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, Angels 4

Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 09-20-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 20th September 2018 by Gracenote

The New York Yankees provided their own version of pop to once again prevent the Boston Red Sox from a bubbly celebration in the Bronx. Fresh off a three-homer performance, the Yankees (93-58) look to complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Red Sox (103-49) on Thursday and avert their long-time rivals from clinching their third straight American League East title.

Luke Voit went deep on two occasions to highlight his four-hit performance in Wednesday's 10-1 romp to raise New York's home run total to 245, tying its franchise record set in 2012. Miguel Andujar went deep in that contest and also has homered among his two hits in a small sample size versus Thursday starter Eduardo Rodriguez. While the Yankees reside 2 1/2 games ahead of Oakland for the top wild-card spot, the Red Sox are bidding to clinch the AL East in the Bronx for the second time in three years. J.D. Martinez collected three hits on Wednesday to improve to 20-for-59 versus New York this season heading into a matchup with right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, against whom he is a robust 7-for-16 with three homers, seven RBIs and seven runs scored in his career.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (12-4, 3.53 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (12-5, 3.47)

Rodriguez sandwiched a pair of strong one-run starts around a disastrous one since returning from the disabled list, although he picked up a no-decision despite striking out seven over six innings versus Toronto last Thursday. The 25-year-old Venezuelan fell to 2-3 with a 3.00 ERA in seven career starts at Yankee Stadium after permitting five runs - including two homers - in an 8-1 setback on June 29. Rodriguez fared much better in his previous outing against New York, as he allowed just one hit and struck out eight in five innings of a no-decision on May 10.

Tanaka ran his scoreless innings streak to 20 on Friday after scattering four hits and striking out eight over six frames of an 11-0 rout of Toronto. The 29-year-old Japanese star has answered three losses in four starts with three straight wins. Tanaka owns a 1-0 mark in three outings versus Boston this season, although he has yielded 11 runs on 21 hits - including five homers - with a 6.60 ERA while allowing the club to bat .328 against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston OF Mookie Betts is 0-for-8 with five strikeouts in his last three games.

2. New York OF Giancarlo Stanton is 0-for-9 with four strikeouts in the series.

3. Red Sox INF Eduardo Nunez has hit safely in six straight games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 3, Yankees 2

New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 09-20-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 19th September 2018 by Gracenote

The New York Mets started September with a flourish before dropping four of the last five contests, including their 12th shutout loss of the season last time out. The Mets (70-82) hope to wake up their slumbering bats against Max Scherzer and the host Washington Nationals (77-75) on Thursday in the opener of a four-game series.

Amed Rosario recorded three of New York's six hits in Wednesday's 4-0 setback versus Philadelphia to give him 11 hits to go along with five runs scored in his last seven games. The 22-year-old Dominican hasn't been as successful versus Washington this season, going just 10-for-52 with 10 strikeouts. Anthony Rendon is 11-for-20 with two homers, eight RBIs and four runs scored during his five-game hitting streak for the Nationals, who open their final homestand of the season with wins in eight of their last 11 contests. Rendon, who drove in two runs for the fourth straight contest in Tuesday's 4-2 win at Miami, is batting a blistering 20-for-48 with three homers, 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored versus New York this season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jason Vargas (6-9, 6.47 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (17-7, 2.53)

Vargas improved to 4-1 in his last five trips to the mound last Thursday after permitting two runs on three hits over six innings of a 5-2 victory versus Miami. The 35-year-old was masterful in his lone outing against Washington this season, scattering three hits and striking out a season-best eight in six innings of a 3-0 triumph on Aug. 24. Ryan Zimmerman is 3-for-7 and Mark Reynolds is 3-for-8 with a pair of doubles in his career versus Vargas.

Scherzer's bid for a fourth Cy Young Award took a hit in his last outing on Friday, as he surrendered six runs on seven hits in a season-low four innings of a 10-5 setback at Atlanta. The 34-year-old fanned six batters to reside seven strikeouts shy of matching his career high of 284. Scherzer picked up the win in his lone encounter with the Mets this season, overcoming two homers and three runs total in seven innings of a 5-4 triumph on July 12.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington SS Trea Turner has scored five runs during his seven-game hitting streak.

2. New York's Corey Oswalt will get the start on Saturday in place of fellow RHP Zack Wheeler, who was shut down for the remainder of the season as a precaution after tossing 182 1/3 innings.

3. Nationals OF Bryce Harper, who walked five times on Tuesday, is 15-for-49 versus the Mets this season.

PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Mets 1

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 09-20-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 19th September 2018 by Gracenote

The Tampa Bay Rays are not going away easily in the quest for a playoff spot and look to extend their winning streak to six when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night to open a four-game series. Tampa Bay completed a sweep at Texas with a 9-3 triumph Wednesday afternoon and remained within 5 1/2 games of Oakland for the American League's second wild card.

"We need help, there's no doubt about that," Rays manager Kevin Cash, whose team is 14-3 in September, told the Tampa Bay Times. "I like the way the guys have continued to go about their business day to day. That's very cliche, but sometimes you have to go with that and control what you can control." Joey Wendle went 8-for-12 with four doubles in the series while Tommy Pham homered twice Wednesday to help take three straight at Texas and Tampa Bay will go with a bullpen day Thursday as right-hander Ryne Stanek opens the game. Righty Sam Gaviglio is expected to go for Toronto in the opener after the Blue Jays saw their four-game winning streak come to an end Wednesday while managing four hits in the 2-1 loss at Baltimore. Rookie infielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had two of the hits for Toronto on Wednesday and is 6-for-16 with three RBIs during a four-game hitting streak to raise his batting average to .286.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Ryne Stanek (2-3, 2.49 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Sam Gaviglio (3-8, 5.25)

Stanek is slated to "open" the game for the 27th time this season and is 0-2 with a 2.50 ERA over 36 innings with 47 strikeouts and 16 walks in the role. The 27-year-old Kansas native has permitted just two hits and four walks over his last eight appearances, covering six scoreless innings in the stretch while fanning six. Stanek has not yielded a run across six innings against the Blue Jays in 2018, starting four of the five previous outings.

Gaviglio managed to hold Boston to two runs despite giving up six hits over 3 1/3 innings in a no-decision last time out on Sept. 13. The 28-year-old Oregon State product owns just one victory in his past nine decisions, dating back to May 25, and completed at least six innings one time in the last nine appearances. Jake Bauers is 2-for-2 with a homer and a double versus Gaviglio, who is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in two starts against the Rays this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto OF Billy McKinney was 3-for-7 with a homer in the last two games after an 0-for-18 stretch in his previous six contests.

2. The Rays recalled RHPs Chih-Wei Hu and Austin Pruitt along with LHP Hoby Milner and OF Austin Meadows from Triple-A Durham.

3. Tampa Bay has won nine of the first 12 meetings in the season series and ends the regular season at home against the Blue Jays, Sept. 28-30.

PREDICTION: Rays 7, Blue Jays 3

Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 09-20-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 20th September 2018 by Gracenote
Scheduled Marlins Park Miami

The Cincinnati Reds have been shut out in three of their past five games and look to break out of their slump when they visit the Miami Marlins on Thursday in the opener of a four-game set. Cincinnati was blanked 7-0 by the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday to mark the 12th time they haven't scored this season, the most since the franchise was shut out 13 times in 2015.

The Reds managed just two hits in their latest shutout loss and the five hitless at-bats with runners in scoring position dropped the club to 3-for-47 in that category over the past eight games. All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett is just 2-for-15 over the past five games and his batting average dipped to. 317, second in the National League behind Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich (.319). Miami has dropped eight of its last 11 games and owns the worst record (59-92) in the National League, just one game worse than the San Diego Padres (61-92). Marlins rookie Brian Anderson is limping to the finish by going 7-for-46 in September and he hasn't homered in his past 17 appearances.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds LH Cody Reed (0-2, 4.32 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jeff Brigham (0-2, 7.36)

Reed struck out a career-high 10 in his last turn and gave up two hits over five scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old Reed is making his fifth consecutive start and looking to make an impression that may land him a rotation spot next season. Reed started against the Marlins on July 10, 2016 when he gave up four runs - three earned - and seven hits over 4 2/3 innings.

Brigham is making his third big league start and suffered a loss in each of the first two. The 26-year-old gave up three runs in each of the outings while pitching three innings against the Toronto Blue Jays in his debut and 4 1/3 frames against the New York Mets last Thursday. Brigham owns a 1.91 WHIP and has issued five walks in 7 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Marlins took two of three games against the Reds earlier this season and have won 15 of the past 24 meetings.

2. Cincinnati All-Star 3B Eugenio Suarez is just 1-for-20 over his past seven appearances.

3. Miami 1B Peter O'Brien reached base four times (2-for-2 with a homer and two walks) in Tuesday's loss to the Washington Nationals and is 7-for-15 with three homers and six RBIs over his past seven appearances.

PREDICTION: Reds 3, Marlins 1

Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 09-20-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 19th September 2018 by Gracenote

Jason Kipnis hopes to get on a roll in the final month of the season while solidifying a spot somewhere in the Cleveland Indians' postseason lineup, and he made a major statement with a walk-off grand slam Wednesday. Kipnis looks to build on those heroics Thursday night as the Indians go for a three-game sweep of the visiting Chicago White Sox and try to improve on a 12-3 edge in the season series.

Kipnis, who is batting .229 after notching his 1,000th career hit Wednesday with the slam, has been moved to center field after the acquisition of third baseman Josh Donaldson pushed Jose Ramirez to second base. Josh Tomlin gets the call on the mound for American League Central champion Cleveland in the series finale while the White Sox counter with fellow veteran James Shields, who is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in two games against the Indians this season. Chicago lost for the third straight contest after a four-game winning streak, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and leaving nine on base in Wednesday's setback. White Sox outfielder Daniel Palka homered for the fourth time in the last three games Wednesday to push his total to a team-high 26, tying Matt Davidson (2017) for the fourth most by a rookie in franchise history and moving within one of Zeke Bonura (1934) for third.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH James Shields (7-16, 4.53 ERA) vs. Indians RH Josh Tomlin (1-5, 6.49)

Shields has won two of his last three starts, including last Friday when he limited Baltimore to two runs and four hits over six innings for his 145th career victory. The 36-year-old California native has held opponents to three runs or fewer in five of his last seven starts, beginning with seven innings of three-run ball against Cleveland on Aug. 11. Francisco Lindor is 6-for-13 with a homer versus Shields, who is 5-8 with a 3.79 ERA in 22 career games against Cleveland.

Tomlin makes his second straight start after spending the previous four months either in the bullpen or on the disabled list. The 33-year-old Texan, who is 0-3 with a 7.68 ERA in seven starts in 2018, gave up two runs on five hits and one walk over four innings against Detroit in a no-decision last Friday after earning a win in relief on Sept. 8. Davidson is 2-for-8 with a homer against Tomlin, who is 5-5 with a 3.66 ERA in 16 games (13 starts) versus the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 2B Yoan Moncada is 12-for-40 with two RBIs and three walks over his last 10 contests.

2. Donaldson had a single and a walk in Wednesday victory, but is just 3-for-18 with one homer since being acquired.

3. White Sox OF Nicky Delmonico (stiff neck) missed the first two games of the series and is questionable for the finale.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Indians 3

Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 09-20-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 19th September 2018 by Gracenote

The Detroit Tigers will try to snap a seven-game home losing streak when they begin a four-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Thursday. The Tigers managed just four hits in an 8-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, suffering their second straight three-game sweep at Comerica Park.

Detroit was 15-for-92 in the series with the Twins and it has averaged 2.57 runs during the seven-game home slide, which matches a skid in the Motor City to end the 2017 campaign. The Royals have lost four in a row, the last three coming in Pittsburgh - each by one run. Jorge Lopez exited his last start with a left rib contusion after a collision with teammate Hunter Dozier but he is expected to be ready for this one for Kansas City. He will be opposed by Detroit's Matthew Boyd, who has had loads of issues in his career against the Royals.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jorge Lopez (2-4, 3.93 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (9-12, 4.08)

Lopez gave up three runs and a season-high nine hits over 4 1/3 innings of a no-decision against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. That came six days after he took a perfect game into the ninth versus the Twins before settling for eight-plus innings of one-run ball. The 25-year-old is 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA in three starts this month while recording 13 strikeouts against one walk.

Boyd will be making his 30th start for the first time in his career and is ending the season on a strong note. He is 1-0 with a 2.95 ERA in three September starts while producing 24 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings. Whit Merrifield is 10-for-23 with three doubles against the Oregon State product, who is 3-7 with a 6.50 ERA in 13 career starts versus Kansas City.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers 3B Jeimer Candelario is day-to-day after leaving Tuesday's game with a lumbar spine spasm.

2. Royals 2B-SS Adalberto Mondesi is 16-for-41 with three homers and eight RBIs over his last nine games.

3. Kansas City needs one win in the set to clinch the season series for the fourth straight time.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, Royals 3

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 09-20-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 19th September 2018 by Gracenote

Freddie Freeman has been the one constant throughout the Atlanta Braves' four-year rebuild, and now the first baseman and his teammates have an opportunity to win the National League East championship this weekend as they host the Philadelphia Phillies in a four-game series starting Thursday. Freeman, the lone position player left from Atlanta's last playoff team in 2013, helped his team snap a four-game losing streak with three hits in Wednesday's 7-3 win over St. Louis.

Freeman, who preached calm as the NL East leaders struggled in recent days, slugged his 23rd homer of the season and is hitting .405 with two homers and nine RBIs in his past 11 games as Atlanta reduced its magic number to six. The Phillies defeated the Mets 4-0 on Wednesday and arrive in Atlanta trailing the Braves by 5 1/2 games in the East, and must win at least twice this weekend to stave off elimination. The Phillies have been unable to take advantage of Atlanta's recent slump, going 6-11 in September as they embark on an eight-game road trip that also includes four games next week at Colorado. First baseman Rhys Hoskins snapped a 0-for-10 skid Wednesday with two hits, including a double and a homer, and his 67 extra-base hits are the most by a Philadelphia player since Jayson Werth in 2010 (75).

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (9-11, 4.50 ERA) vs. Braves RH Kevin Gausman (10-10, 3.92)

Velasquez has faded down the stretch as he surpassed his career high in innings pitched (140 this season; 131 in 2016), posting a 9.82 ERA with 16 hits allowed in 11 innings across three September starts. The 26-year-old has yet to pitch more than five innings in his past seven starts, giving up four runs on four hits over two innings Saturday against Miami. Velasquez has lost all four starts against the Braves this season, posting a 7.41 ERA with 29 hits allowed in 17 innings.

Gausman has revitalized his season while bolstering Atlanta's rotation since being acquired from Baltimore on July 31, going 5-2 in eight starts with a 2.61 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. The 27-year-old has scuffled in his past two starts, giving up seven earned runs with six walks and 14 hits across 10 1/3 innings while losing at Arizona and beating Washington. Gausman faced Philadelphia once while still with Baltimore, allowing five runs on 12 hits over five innings of a July 12 start.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies C Wilson Ramos collected two hits Wednesday and is batting .450 with four RBIs in his past seven games.

2. Braves CF Ender Inciarte is hitting .393 in his past eight games with nine runs scored and four doubles.

3. Atlanta and Philadelphia have not played each other since May 23 and the Braves lead the season series 7-5, outscoring the Phillies 57-38.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Phillies 2