MLB Betting News and Trends For Friday 9/21/18

National League
Mets (71-82) @ Nationals (77-76)
deGrom is 2-2, 2.36 in his last seven starts; under is 5-0-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 12-18, 7-7 away
5-inning record: 13-8-9 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-30

Ross allowed two runs in five IP (74 PT) in his first ’18 start (under 1-0). Team in his starts: 0-1, 0-1 home
5-inning record: 0-0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Mets lost four of their last six games; seven of their last nine games stayed under. Washington won three of its last five games; over is 8-2 in their last ten home games.

Brewers (87-66) @ Pirates (77-74)
Chacin is 0-3, 5.52 in his last three starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 20-12, 12-7 away
5-inning record: 16-11-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-32

Nova is 2-0, 0.75 in his last two starts; his last five starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 15-12, 6-6 home
5-inning record: 14-8-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-27

Brewers are 8-4 in their last 12 games, 14-10 in road series openers- their last five games stayed under. Pittsburgh won its last eight home games; they’re 9-5 in last 14 home series openers- four of their last five games stayed under.

Reds (66-88) @ Marlins (59-93)
Castillo is 3-1, 2.55 in his last four starts (under 4-0). Team in his starts: 16-14, 7-9 road
5-inning record: 14-15-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-30

Chen is 4-1, 2.27 in his last five home starts; under is 5-2-1 in his last eight home starts. Team in his starts: 11-13, 7-3 home
5-inning record: 10-12-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-24

Reds lost seven of their last 11 road games; under is 8-0-1 in their last nine games. Miami lost six of its last eight games; four of their last six games went over.

Phillies (78-74) @ Braves (85-68)
Pivetta is 0-3, 4.73 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 14-16, 6-8 road
5-inning record: 10-16-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-30

Teheran is 2-1, 3.03 in his last five starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 17-12, 10-5 home
5-inning record: 11-12-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 14-29

Phillies won four of their last seven games; over is 6-2-1 in their last nine road games. Atlanta lost four of its last six games; six of Braves’ last seven games went over.

Giants (72-81) @ Cardinals (84-69)
Bumgarner is 1-1, 4.50 in his last four starts; under is 7-3-1 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 9-10, 3-6 away
5-inning record: 10-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-19

Gant is 1-1, 6.46 in his last three starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 7-10, 3-6 home
5-inning record: 7-4-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-17

Giants won four of their last six games; they’re 7-3 in last ten road series openers- under is 11-3 in their last 14 games. St Louis is 3-5 in its last eight games, 7-1 in last eight home series openers- over is 7-3 in their last ten games.

Rockies (82-70) @ Diamondbacks (79-74)
Marquez is 1-1, 2.34 in his last five starts; under is 9-1 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 16-13, 8-6 away
5-inning record: 12-13-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 18-29

Godley is 0-3, 9.95 in his last three starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 16-14, 5-5 home
5-inning record: 14-15-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-30

Rockies lost five of their last six games; they’re 2-7 in last nine series openers- under is 7-2 in their last nine games. Arizona lost six of its last eight games; they’re 3-9 in last 12 home series openers- over is 6-1 in their last seven home games.

Padres (61-92) @ Dodgers (85-68)
Lauer is 0-0, 2.84 in his last four starts; under is 7-4-2 in his last 13. Team in his starts: 7-14, 3-7 away
5-inning record: 10-9-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-21

Hill is 3-0, 6.75 in his last three starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. LA scored 37 runs in his last three starts. Team in his starts: 12-10, 4-5 home
5-inning record: 9-10-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-22

Padres are 5-4 in their last nine games, 7-1 in last eight road series openers; over is 6-2-1 in their last nine games. Dodgers won seven of their last eight games; they’re 2-6 in last eight home series openers- three of their last four games stayed under.

American League
Baltimore (44-108) @ New York (93-59)
Ramirez is 0-3, 10.70 in his last five starts; his last three stayed under. Team in his starts: 3-7, 1-3 away
5-inning record: 2-5-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-10

Sabathia is 0-3, 8.10 in his last four starts; under is 11-5-1 in his last 17. Team in his starts: 14-13, 9-4 home
5-inning record: 12-11-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-27

Baltimore is 4-14 in its last 18 games, 1-9 in last 10 series openers; their last three road games went over. New York lost five of its last eight games; they’re 17-9 in home series openers- over is 7-3 in their last ten home games.

Rays (85-67) @ Blue Jays (70-83)
Team in his starts: away
5-inning record: Allowed run in 1st inning:

Reid-Foley is 2-3, 6.23 in his five starts (over 3-2). Team in his starts: 2-3, 0-1 home
5-inning record: 2-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Tampa Bay won 13 of its last 17 games; over is 4-2 in their last six games. Blue Jays won five of their last six games; under is 3-2 in their last five games.

Red Sox (104-49) @ Indians (85-67)
Sale has allowed one run in his last 49 IP; Boston won his last nine starts (under 3-1 in his last four). Team in his starts: 17-8, 9-5 away
5-inning record: 16-4-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-25

Bauer is making his first start since August 11; he is 4-0, 1.05 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 16-9, 9-3 home
5-inning record: 13-6-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-25

Red Sox clinched AL East last nite; they’re 3-3 in last six games, 15-10 in road series openers- under is 6-2 in their last eight games. Cleveland won five of its last eight home games; under is 7-4-3 in their last 14 home games.

Royals (52-101) @ Tigers (62-91)
Kennedy is 1-0, 2.25 in his last two starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 5-15, 2-8 away
5-inning record: 8-9-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-20

Liriano is 2-2, 5.86 in his last five starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 10-15, 4-5 home
5-inning record: 9-11-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-25

Royals lost their last five games; six of their last eight games went over. Detroit lost 10 of its last 13 home games; under is 7-3 in their last ten home games.

Mariners (84-68) @ Rangers (64-88)
Ramirez is 1-1, 7.27 in his last four starts (over 6-3). Team in his starts: 6-3, 3-3 away
5-inning record: 4-4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-9

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

Mariners won five of last seven games, are 15-11 in road series openers- under is 11-4 in their last 15 games. Texas lost its last four games; they’re 3-8 in last 11 home series openers. Under is 4-2 in their last six home games.

Angels (75-78) @ Astros (95-57)
Heaney is 2-1, 2.25 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 14-14, 6-9 away
5-inning record: 8-12-8 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-28

Cole is 4-0, 3.74 in his last six starts (over 5-1). Team in his starts: 22-8, 11-3 home
5-inning record: 17-7-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-30

Angels lost five of their last seven games; they’re 6-2 in last eight road series openers- over is 4-1 in their last five games. Houston is 13-4 in its last 17 games; they’re 2-6 in last eight home series openers- over is 6-4 in their last ten games.

Twins (71-81) @ A’s (92-61)
Berrios is 0-3, 4.71 in his last four starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 15-15, 4-10 away
5-inning record: 10-14-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-30

Hendriks is 0-1, 2.70 in his six “opens” (over 5-1). Team in his starts: 2-4, 1-3 home
5-inning record: 4-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-6

Minnesota won its last four games; they’re 9-17 in road series openers- over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Oakland lost four of its last seven games, but scored 31 runs in winning last two; they are 9-4 in last 13 home series openers- over is 11-1 in their last 12 home games.

Interleague
Cubs (89-63) @ White Sox (60-92)
Quintana is 2-1, 1.85 in his last four starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 17-12, 8-8 away
5-inning record: 13-12-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-29

Lopez is 2-0, 0.67 in his last four starts (under 4-0). Team in his starts: 12-18, 6-8 home
5-inning record: 13-14-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-30

Cubs won five of their last seven games, are 6-2 in last eight road series openers. Under is 8-2 in their last ten games. White Sox lost three of their last four games, are 9-15 in home series openers- under is 6-2-1 in their last nine games.

Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

Jose Quintana was responsible for plenty of highlights during his time on the South Side, but he will try to reach new heights when he takes the mound for the visiting Chicago Cubs in his former home park on Friday. Quintana aims to surpass his career-high win total when he takes the mound for the Cubs in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox.

It will be Quintana's first start against his former team since being traded across town in a mid-season deal in 2017. It's a big one for the Cubs, who are clinging to a 2 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee in the National League Central. The White Sox don't have as much to play for, though they need three wins in the last 10 games to avoid their first 100-loss season since 1970. They also have a chance to win the season series, which the Cubs lead 2-1 after taking two of three at Wrigley Field from May 11-13.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago (Cubs), WGN (White Sox)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (13-10, 3.95 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (6-9, 4.05)

Quintana failed in his first bid for win No. 14, allowing two runs - both on solo homers - over five innings in a 2-1 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. The 29-year-old has allowed two or fewer runs in six straight outings, posting a 2.10 ERA over that stretch. Quintana is 22-27 with a 3.59 ERA in 84 games (82 starts) in his former home park.

Lopez has been lights-out of late, tossing 13 consecutive scoreless innings over his last two outings and giving up just two runs over 27 innings across his last four starts. The 24-year-old has struck out at least six batters in five straight starts and has surrendered only one home run during that stretch. Lopez is 2-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 14 home starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs RHP Pedro Strop (hamstring) told reporters that he expects to return to game action before the end of the regular season.

2. White Sox 2B Yoan Moncada is 15-for-45 with four RBIs over his last 11 games.

3. Chicago OF Kyle Schwarber (back) is expected to return to the lineup during the series after being sidelined since Sept. 10.

PREDICTION: Cubs 3, White Sox 2
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Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

The Milwaukee Brewers' magic number to clinch a National League wild-card berth is six as they begin a six-game road trip Friday with the first of three against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Milwaukee, which trails the Chicago Cubs by 2 1/2 games in the NL Central, hopes to have center fielder Lorenzo Cain back in the lineup as the NL MVP candidate left Tuesday's game after two at-bats and missed Wednesday's 7-0 victory over Cincinnati because of soreness in his right rib cage area.

"I guess when the pain and soreness is out of there, I'll be back on the field," Cain told reporters. "I wanted to play but, like I said, they want me to be smart about it, so we'll see where it's at on Friday." The Brewers (87-66) lead the Cardinals by three games for the top wild-card spot and visit St. Louis for a three-game set starting Monday but more importantly are 4 1/2 games clear of Colorado, which sits third in the wild-card standings. Pittsburgh (77-74) continues to play hard down the stretch as it owns a five-game winning streak with the first two coming in Milwaukee last weekend, and has won eight in a row at home. The Pirates' Ivan Nova tries to defeat the Brewers for the second straight start Friday and opposes Jhoulys Chacin, who is 0-3 with a 2.51 ERA in five outings versus Pittsburgh this season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (14-8, 3.54 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Ivan Nova (9-9, 4.07)

Chacin has lost his last three starts after allowing two runs, three hits and three walks while striking out four in five innings of a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. The 30-year-old Venezuelan, who has matched his career high in wins set with Colorado in 2013, has yielded three or fewer earned runs in each of his last eight starts. Chacin is 9-3 with a 3.36 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 19 road turns this season, improving his career numbers away from home to 32-41, 4.10, 1.37 in 114 games (97 starts).

Nova permitted one run, four hits and a walk while striking out four in six innings of Saturday's 3-1 victory at Milwaukee for his second straight victory. The 31-year-old Dominican is 7-4 with a 3.46 ERA in 16 starts since coming off disabled list June 10. Travis Shaw is 12-for-19 with three home runs and two walks versus Nova, who is 3-2 with a 2.81 ERA in seven career starts versus Milwaukee, including 1-0, 1.69 in two turns this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Shaw (.240, 29 home runs, 79 RBIs) played Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game when he was hit in the right knee by a pitch while Brewers LF Ryan Braun (.247, 15, 52) has not started in the last three contests because of back discomfort.

2. Pirates CF Starling Marte (.278, 19 home runs, 67 RBIs, 33 stolen bases) needs one homer to become the third player in team history to record 20 home runs and 30 steals, joining Barry Bonds (1987, 1990-92) and Andy Van Slyke (1987-88).

3. Milwaukee 3B Mike Moustakas (.250, 26 home runs, 88 RBIs this season) is batting .208 with a home run and seven RBIs in 14 September games after hitting .277 in August.

PREDICTION: Brewers 3, Pirates 2
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Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 21st September 2018 by Gracenote
The New York Yankees were eliminated from the American League East race by the first-place Boston Red Sox and now turn their focus toward landing a wild-card berth. The Yankees hold the top spot and are eight games clear of the Tampa Bay Rays entering the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Friday.

New York suffered an 11-6 loss to Boston on Thursday to see the division race conclude and is just 4-6 over its last 10 games. But the Yankees still have a chance at securing a 100-win campaign for the first time since 2009 as they need to go 7-3 down the stretch to reach the milestone. Baltimore has set the franchise mark for most losses (108) during the club's Baltimore era that began in 1954 and stand just three setbacks shy of matching the overall mark of 111 by the St. Louis Browns in 1939. The Orioles edged the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 on Wednesday for only their fourth victory in the past 18 games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Yefry Ramirez (1-6, 5.50 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (7-7, 3.80)

Ramirez lost to the Chicago White Sox in his last turn when he gave up one run and four hits over 5 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old rookie matched his season best of seven strikeouts against Chicago and has fanned 55 in 55 2/3 innings. Ramirez is 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA in three appearances (two starts) against the Yankees.

Sabathia is 0-3 with a 6.35 ERA while struggling over his last five starts. The 38-year-old served up three homers in 2 1/3 innings in his last turn as he gave up five runs and seven hits while losing to the Blue Jays. Sabathia is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts against Baltimore this season and 19-11 with a 3.69 ERA in 44 career turns.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees LF Giancarlo Stanton hit a grand slam on Thursday and is batting just .143 with two homers in 63 at-bats in September.

2. Baltimore C Chance Sisco (concussion) didn't make the trip to New York and is hopeful of returning to action early next week.

3. New York LHP Aroldis Chapman (knee) made his first appearance since Aug. 21 on Thursday and served up a three-run homer to Boston's Mookie Betts while retiring two batters.

PREDICTION: Yankees 13, Orioles 6
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New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 21st September 2018 by Gracenote
Jacob deGrom is winless over his last five starts despite leading the majors with a 1.78 ERA and he looks to snap the victory drought when the New York Mets visit the Washington Nationals on Friday in the second contest of a four-game series. The New York ace has allowed three runs or less in 27 consecutive starts, a major-league single-season record.

A popular candidate for the National League Cy Young Award despite an 8-9 record, deGrom has held opponents to a major league-low .288 slugging percentage and ranks fourth in the majors with 251 strikeouts. He will look to pitch the Mets to a second straight victory after New York prevailed 5-4 in 12 innings on Thursday. Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon slugged his 100th career homer and is a torrid 11-for-21 with three homers and 11 RBIs over the past five games. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman is also locked in at the plate, as his three-hit outing on Thursday made him 8-for-22 with four doubles over the past five games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN 2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (8-9, 1.78 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Joe Ross (0-0, 3.60)

The 30-year-old deGrom received a no-decision Sunday when he gave up three runs and five hits in seven innings against the Boston Red Sox. He struck out 12 in the contest to mark the 10th time this season he struck out 10 or more this season. One of those occurrences was when deGrom struck out 12 in a no-decision against Washington on April 16 - he gave up three runs and six hits over 7 1/3 innings - and he stands 6-4 with a 2.76 ERA in 14 career starts against the Nationals.

Ross is making his second major-league start of the season after working his way back from Tommy John surgery in July 2017. The 25-year-old gave up two runs and four hits over five innings against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 13 but wasn't involved with the decision. Ross is 2-2 with a 4.29 ERA in six career starts against the Mets.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets OF Michael Conforto hit his 27th homer on Thursday to match his career-best total set last season.

2. Washington rookie LF Juan Soto is 1-for-14 over the last three contests.

3. New York 1B Wilmer Flores will miss the rest of the season due to early-onset arthritis in both knees and will receive injections.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Mets 2
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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 21st September 2018 by Gracenote
The Tampa Bay Rays attempt to rebound from about as demoralizing a defeat as a team could endure when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night for the second a four-game series. The Rays saw their five-game winning streak come to an end and lost for just the fourth time in 18 games this month after coughing up seven runs in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 9-8 setback Thursday.

Tommy Pham is 9-for-18 while hitting safely in four straight after recording three hits and a pair of RBIs on Thursday for Tampa Bay (85-67), which fell 6 1/2 games behind Oakland (92-61) in the race for the second wild card in the American League with 10 contests left. "We need a lot of things to go in our favor," Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters after his team gave up three homers in the ninth inning. "Losses like this don't help." The Blue Jays have won five of their last six contests while rookies Danny Jansen and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (7-for-21, five-game hitting streak) each homered during the improbable comeback before Justin Smoak's solo blast ended it. Former 30th-round pick Rowdy Tellez also belted a two-run homer and started the rally with an RBI double in the series opener for Toronto, improving his batting average to .385 since being called up for the first time in his career early in September.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.14 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Sean Reid-Foley (2-3, 5.54)

The Rays did not make it official after Thursday's game, but Castillo is expected to open the contest Friday after allowing one hit over 4 2/3 innings in his last three tries as a starter. The 24-year-old Dominican has yielded one run on four hits and a pair of walks across 10 2/3 innings with 14 strikeouts in his last seven trips to the mound overall. Castillo is 2-0 and has not permitted a run over 7 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts and one walk against Toronto this year.

Reid-Foley comes in off his second strong outing in his last three starts, allowing two hits and four walks across five scoreless innings to beat the New York Yankees on Saturday. The 23-year-old, who was born in Guam, struck out 10 in that contest - matching the output in his start at Miami on Sept. 2 when he gave up one run over seven frames. Reid-Foley makes his second start at home after yielding six runs over 4 2/3 innings to Cleveland on Sept. 8 in Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay INF Joey Wendle is 10-for-17 with five doubles during a four-game hitting streak.

2. Toronto 2B Devon Travis, who was rested in the series opener, is 9-for-26 with a pair of doubles against Tampa Bay this year.

3. The Rays are still 9-4 against the Blue Jays in 2018 and can clinch their third season series in the last four years with one more win this weekend.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Blue Jays 3
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Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

Scooter Gennett was a non-factor throughout the first series he faced the Miami Marlins this season, but all he did was carry the offense in his second shot against them. Coming off another stellar performance, one of the top National League's top hitters will try to lead the Cincinnati Reds to their first back-to-back victories in nearly two weeks Friday when they visit Miami for the second of four games against the Marlins.

Gennett went 1-for-8 and struck out five times as Cincinnati dropped two of three at home to the Marlins in early May, but he continued his breakout season in Thursday's 4-2 series-opening victory, finishing 2-for-3 with a two-run double and a two-run blast. The first-time All-Star trails Milwaukee's Christian Yelich (.319) by a point in his quest to win the NL batting title and is hitting .333 with four homers and 12 RBIs across 17 games in September. J.T. Realmuto and Peter O'Brien each had two hits and an RBI in a losing cause for Miami, which has lost seven of nine and scored no more than four runs in any of those defeats. O'Brien has been a pleasant surprise over 13 games in what has been an otherwise dismal season for the NL-worst Marlins (59-93), going 6-for-12 with two home runs and five RBIs over his last four contests.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (10-12, 4.52 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (6-11, 4.93)

Castillo has been dominant in three of his four starts this month, including back-to-back wins against National League division leaders in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old Dominican is 3-1 with a 1.46 ERA in September after holding the Dodgers to one run over 6 1/3 innings on Sept. 11 and the Cubs to one run in 6 2/3 frames Sunday. Castillo enjoyed one of the finest starts of his career against Miami last year, getting the win after allowing one run across eight innings.

Chen continued to struggle on the road in last Friday's loss at Philadelphia, surrendering five runs on seven hits - including two homers - over four innings, falling to 1-8 with a 9.29 ERA with a .338 batting average against in 12 starts away from Miami. Conversely, the 33-year-old is 5-3 with a 1.77 ERA in 12 turns at home, however, yielding only a .190 average. Chen lost his only career start against the Reds on May 4, giving up four runs and two home runs in four frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins' starting pitchers have allowed three runs or fewer in 19 of the last 23 home games.

2. Reds SS Jose Peraza went 1-for-5 in the opener to move with 10 hits of tying Barry Larkin (185; 1990) for the most hits in a single season by a Cincinnati shortstop.

3. Realmuto has hit 18 of his career-high 21 home runs as a catcher this season and remains one shy of tying Charles Johnson's club record (19 in 1997).

PREDICTION: Marlins 3, Reds 2
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Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

Detroit Tigers outfielder Christin Stewart showed enough power in the minors this season to prove he was worthy of a big-league promotion, and it took him less than two weeks to demonstrate it against an American League Central rival. Coming off the type of performance it hasn't seen from a rookie in years, Detroit hopes it can get another huge offensive effort from its 24-year-old slugger Friday when the Tigers host the Kansas City Royals in the second contest of a four-game set.

Stewart tallied 25 homers and 80 RBIs in 125 minor-league games in 2018 before making his major-league debut Sept. 9 and delivered on that promise by hitting two home runs and driving in six in Thursday's 11-8 series-opening win. Not only did the outburst help his team end a seven-game home losing streak, but the Georgia native needed only 11 games to become first Tigers rookie with six RBIs in a game since Ryan Raburn in 2007. Stewart nearly tied the club record for most RBIs in a game (eight), but his bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning was preceded by a foul ball that missed being a likely three-run double by a few inches. The Royals (52-101) dropped their fifth straight contest despite registering three doubles and four homers and are five losses away from tying the franchise mark they set in 2005.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (2-8, 4.73 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (5-10, 4.54)

Kennedy produced his second straight quality start and notched his first victory in 18 turns since April 7 after yielding two runs (one earned) over six innings against Minnesota. The 33-year-old journeyman has yielded three runs or fewer over his last five outings, including two since sitting out nearly two months on the disabled list. Victor Martinez is 8-for-24 with a home run versus Kennedy, who delivered six scoreless innings and struck out seven in a no-decision against Detroit on May 4.

Liriano has steadied the ship a bit in three September starts, going 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA this month after posting a 0-4 record and 7.17 ERA in five August outings. The 2006 All-Star was sharp for the most part in Sunday's victory at Cleveland, allowing three runs and striking out seven in as many frames. Jorge Bonifacio (3-for-5, two doubles, one home run) is one of the few Royals to fare well versus Liriano, who is 1-0 with a 2.28 ERA in four starts against Kansas City this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals need one victory this weekend to win the season series for the fourth straight year.

2. Detroit OF Nicholas Castellanos was one of six Tigers with multiple hits Thursday and is batting .378 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 18 games this month.

3. Kansas City 2B Whit Merrifield is batting .319 and has scored 13 runs during an 11-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, Royals 2
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Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

Detroit Tigers outfielder Christin Stewart showed enough power in the minors this season to prove he was worthy of a big-league promotion, and it took him less than two weeks to demonstrate it against an American League Central rival. Coming off the type of performance it hasn't seen from a rookie in years, Detroit hopes it can get another huge offensive effort from its 24-year-old slugger Friday when the Tigers host the Kansas City Royals in the second contest of a four-game set.

Stewart tallied 25 homers and 80 RBIs in 125 minor-league games in 2018 before making his major-league debut Sept. 9 and delivered on that promise by hitting two home runs and driving in six in Thursday's 11-8 series-opening win. Not only did the outburst help his team end a seven-game home losing streak, but the Georgia native needed only 11 games to become first Tigers rookie with six RBIs in a game since Ryan Raburn in 2007. Stewart nearly tied the club record for most RBIs in a game (eight), but his bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning was preceded by a foul ball that missed being a likely three-run double by a few inches. The Royals (52-101) dropped their fifth straight contest despite registering three doubles and four homers and are five losses away from tying the franchise mark they set in 2005.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (2-8, 4.73 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (5-10, 4.54)

Kennedy produced his second straight quality start and notched his first victory in 18 turns since April 7 after yielding two runs (one earned) over six innings against Minnesota. The 33-year-old journeyman has yielded three runs or fewer over his last five outings, including two since sitting out nearly two months on the disabled list. Victor Martinez is 8-for-24 with a home run versus Kennedy, who delivered six scoreless innings and struck out seven in a no-decision against Detroit on May 4.

Liriano has steadied the ship a bit in three September starts, going 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA this month after posting a 0-4 record and 7.17 ERA in five August outings. The 2006 All-Star was sharp for the most part in Sunday's victory at Cleveland, allowing three runs and striking out seven in as many frames. Jorge Bonifacio (3-for-5, two doubles, one home run) is one of the few Royals to fare well versus Liriano, who is 1-0 with a 2.28 ERA in four starts against Kansas City this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals need one victory this weekend to win the season series for the fourth straight year.

2. Detroit OF Nicholas Castellanos was one of six Tigers with multiple hits Thursday and is batting .378 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 18 games this month.

3. Kansas City 2B Whit Merrifield is batting .319 and has scored 13 runs during an 11-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, Royals 2
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Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 21st September 2018 by Gracenote
The Boston Red Sox have wrapped up their third consecutive American League East title and look to clinch the best record in the majors. Boston has a magic number of two over the Houston Astros in that quest as its opens a three-game series against the host Cleveland Indians on Friday.

The Red Sox (104-49) won the AL East crown with an 11-6 victory over the New York Yankees on Thursday and need one more victory to tie the franchise mark held by the 1912 World Series championship team. Mookie Betts hit his 30th homer while going 4-for-5 with five RBIs in the victory, while J.D. Martinez drove in his major league-leading 124th run. Cleveland (85-67) lost 5-4 in 11 innings to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday to fall to 8-10 in September. Standout right-hander Trevor Bauer returns from the broken right fibula he suffered on August 11 and is expected to pitch the first two innings, while Boston ace Chris Sale takes the mound and will be limited to 65 pitches as he attempts to rebuild his strength after recent shoulder soreness.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN2, NESN (Boston), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (12-4, 1.92 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (12-6, 2.22)

Sale pitched three innings of one-hit scoreless ball in his last tuneup against the New York Mets on Sunday. The 29-year-old has won seven consecutive decisions since losing to the Chicago White Sox on June 8. Sale hasn't faced Cleveland this season and is 5-8 with a 4.78 ERA in 29 career appearances (18 starts) versus the Indians.

Bauer won four consecutive starts and five straight decisions before going on the disabled list with the leg injury. The 27-year-old has stood out at home, posting a 6-1 record with a 1.87 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 12 starts. Bauer is 2-2 with a horrific 8.24 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts is 2-for-18 over the past five games.

2. Cleveland LF Michael Brantley had three hits Thursday for his fifth multi-hit outing in his last nine appearances.

3. Boston INF Eduardo Nunez (hamstring), who was injured Wednesday, isn't expected to return until early next week.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Red Sox 5
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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 21st September 2018 by Gracenote
Phillies vs. Braves Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/21/2018

The Philadelphia Phillies have struggled defensively all season, and those shortcomings have resulted in their playoff chances fading rapidly entering Friday's contest at the first-place Atlanta Braves. The National League East leaders took advantage of several Philadelphia defensive miscues to post an 8-3 victory in Thursday's series opener, reducing their magic number to clinch its first division title in five years to four as the Phillies fell for the 12th time in 18 September games.

The Phillies, who own a minus-12 run differential and have the second-most errors in the NL, failed to field several hard-hit balls and their pitchers threw three wild pitches as the Braves extended their NL East lead to 6 1/2 games. Shortstop Dansby Swanson and first baseman Freddie Freeman each finished with two runs scored and two hits, and Atlanta finished with three sacrifice flies and three stolen bases. The Braves have won two in a row at home after a four-game losing streak, and a win Friday would put them one victory shy of eliminating Philadelphia from the race. Phillies shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera collected two hits and scored a run in breaking a 0-for-7 skid.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (7-13, 4.67 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (9-8, 3.97)

Pivetta has rebounded from two consecutive rough starts in late August, giving up just eight earned runs over his past four starts but has lost all three of his September outings. The 25-year-old struck out eight in five innings Sunday against Miami, but gave up three runs on four hits in a 6-4 defeat. Pivetta, who has won just once in his past 11 starts, is 1-1 with a 3.43 ERA in four starts against Atlanta this season.

Teheran struggled with his control Saturday in a loss to Washington, walking six hitters in four innings to suffer his first defeat in his past nine starts. The 27-year-old, the lone pitching holdover from Atlanta's last playoff team in 2013, has allowed more than three earned runs once since July 24 - including four starts with one earned run surrendered. Teheran has a 4.91 ERA in three starts against the Phillies in 2018, going 1-0 with three homers allowed over 14 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta improved to 44-23 against NL East competition this season, while the Phillies fell to 32-38.

2. Philadelphia used seven relievers in the series opener, as RHP Luis Garcia gave up four runs on two hits and two walks in the eighth - including a bases-loaded walk to Swanson.

3. Freeman has heated up down the stretch, hitting .404 in his past 12 games.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Phillies 3
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Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 20th September 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 09/20/2018

The Seattle Mariners made a solid run at a playoff spot but look like they are going to fall short. The Mariners will continue playing hard and try to stave off mathematical elimination when they visit the Texas Rangers in the opener of a three-game series Friday.

Seattle is 7 1/2 games behind the Oakland Athletics in the race for the second American League wild card but is playing well with wins in five of the first seven games on the road trip, including a series win over the defending champion Houston Astros. "That's a good ballclub over there, with good arms and a good lineup," Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger told reporters after a 9-0 triumph at Houston on Wednesday. "We always want to play them tough. We feel like we match up well with them and are in every game. Any team we play, we're trying to win and take the series. But it's always good beating them. They're the defending world champs, and it just speaks to what we've got in this clubhouse." The Rangers are going to finish in the AL West basement and are stumbling down the stretch with losses in four straight games. Texas will try to snap the slide while sending right-hander Connor Sadzeck out as the opener Friday against Seattle righty Erasmo Ramirez.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Erasmo Ramirez (2-3, 5.65 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Connor Sadzeck (0-0, 0.00)

Ramirez could not keep the ball in the park at the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday and surrendered three home runs among four hits in four innings without factoring in the decision. The Nicaragua native completed six innings in one of his nine starts this season and is up to 13 home runs allowed in 43 innings. Ramirez started at Texas on April 22 and suffered the loss while allowing five runs on five hits - two homers - and a walk in 4 2/3 frames.

Sadzeck is scheduled to pitch one or two innings as an opener before turning things over to Ariel Jurado. Sadzeck was part of the Rangers' wave of September call-ups and has yet to allow an earned run in eight appearances, spanning 6 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old rookie is seeing the Mariners for the first time.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers RHP Matt Bush underwent elbow surgery and will miss the first half of the 2019 season.

2. Seattle LHP James Paxton (pneumonia) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday.

3. Texas 2B Rougned Odor is 2-for-24 with 11 strikeouts over his last six games.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Rangers 4
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Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 20th September 2018 by Gracenote
Angels vs. Astros Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/20/2018

With 10 games remaining in the regular season, the Houston Astros are trying to hold off the Oakland Athletics in the race for the American League West title. The reigning World Series champions hold a 3 1/2-game lead over the Athletics as they prepare to open a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday in their final home series of the season.

Although Houston finishes the season with seven games away from home, it is a major league-best 52-22 on the road and the final four are at Baltimore, which owns the worst record in baseball. The Astros lost for only the fourth time in 17 games this month with a 9-0 drubbing by Seattle on Wednesday, but they will send 14-game winner Gerrit Cole to the mound for the series opener against Los Angeles. Houston split a four-game home series at the turn of the month against the Angels, who were bludgeoned by a combined score of 31-3 in their last two games against Oakland. Mike Trout belted his 36th homer in Thursday's 21-3 rout but he is only 10-for-52 against the Astros this season.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Andrew Heaney (9-9, 3.97 ERA) vs. Astros RH Gerrit Cole (14-5, 2.88)

Heaney did not factor in the decision versus Seattle on Saturday, giving up a pair of runs and eight hits over five innings. He was overpowering in his previous turn, striking out a season-high 12 batters and blanking the Chicago White Sox on three hits over seven innings. Heaney improved to 3-1 with a 1.95 ERA in his career against the Astros after tossing six shutout innings at Houston on Aug. 30.

Cole was 0-3 in his first four starts after the All-Star break but he has turned things around and is 4-0 over his last six turns, permitting two earned runs or fewer in five of them. During the unbeaten streak, Cole has 53 strikeouts over 33 2/3 innings, including nine in a 4-2 win over the Angels on Sept. 2. Justin Upton is 6-for-16 against Cole, who is 1-1 with a 3.57 ERA in three starts versus the Angels in 2018.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros 1B Yuli Gurriel has hit safely in six straight games.

2. Angels C Francisco Arcia pulled double duty Thursday, hitting a homer and pitching two innings in relief.

3. Houston 3B Alex Bregman has only a single in 17 at-bats over his last six games.

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Angels 3
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San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 09-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 20th September 2018 by Gracenote
Giants vs. Cardinals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/20/2018

The St. Louis Cardinals had won three in a row to pick up steam toward their first postseason berth since 2015 only to stumble in their last outing. The Cardinals (84-69) aim to dust themselves off and return to form on Friday when they begin their last homestand of the season with the opener of a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants (72-81).

St. Louis veteran catcher Yadier Molina had an RBI single in Wednesday's 7-3 setback against Atlanta to extend his hitting streak to four games, during which he has one homer and driven in eight runs. The 36-year-old is 3-for-9 versus San Francisco this season and 5-for-17 against Friday starter Madison Bumgarner. The Cardinals are clinging to a 1 1/2-game lead over Colorado for the second wild-card spot in the National League entering the series opener versus the Giants, who answered an 11-game losing skid by winning four of five before dropping an 8-4 decision to San Diego on Wednesday. Aramis Garcia belted his third homer in eight starts in the last outing and has hit safely in nine of his first 10 career contests.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBC Bay Area (San Francisco), FS Midwest (St. Louis),

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (6-6, 3.14 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH John Gant (7-6, 3.53)

Bumgarner allowed five hits in six innings versus Colorado in Saturday's 3-0 win to sandwich a pair of scoreless outings around two disastrous ones. The 29-year-old improved to 4-5 in his career versus the Cardinals after yielding four runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 frames in a 13-8 victory on July 8. Bumgarner is returning to the Gateway City for his first start since the 2014 NL Championship Series, when he tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings to help the Giants advance to the World Series in five games.

Gant saw his seven-game streak of yielding two runs or fewer come to a halt on Saturday, as he allowed six on as many hits in 4 1/3 innings of a 17-4 setback versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 26-year-old lamented his inability to find the strike zone, as he walked four in that contest and 18 over his last five outings (28 innings). Gant pitched well against San Fancisco on July 6, permitting two runs on five hits in six innings of a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis 1B Matt Carpenter is 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts in his last five games.

2. Giants SS Brandon Crawford, who recorded his 10th three-hit performance on Wednesday, is just 1-for-13 versus the Cardinals this season.

3. St. Louis LF Marcell Ozuna is 6-for-15 with one homer, two RBIs and four runs scored during his four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 3, Giants 1
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