MLB Betting News and Trends For Monday 9/24/18

National League
Marlins (62-93) @ Nationals (78-78)
Alcantara is 2-1, 2.35 in his four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 2-2, 0-1 away
5-inning record: 2-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4

Strasburg is 3-0, 2.93 in his last five starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 11-9, 4-7 home
5-inning record: 11-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-20

Marlins won their last three games; they’re 0-8 in last eight road series openers- their last five games stayed under. Washington lost four of its last five home games; they’re 2-6 in last eight series openers- over is 9-4 in their last 13 home games.

Pirates (78-76) @ Cubs (91-64)
Taillon is 4-0, 1.97 in his last five starts; under is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 19-11, 10-6 away
5-inning record: 16-10-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-30

Hamels is 0-2, 4.30 in his last five starts (under 7-3). Team in his starts: 7-3, 4-0 home
5-inning record: 4-4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10

Pittsburgh won six of their last eight games; they’re 2-6 in last eight road series openers- under is 8-3-1 in their last dozen road games. Cubs won seven of their last ten games; they’re 13-12 in home series openers- four of their last five games went over.

Brewers (89-67) @ Cardinals (87-69)
Bullpen game for Milwaukee Team in his starts: road
5-inning record: Allowed run in 1st inning:

Flaherty is 0-2, 4.35 in his last four starts; under is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 11-15, 5-5 home
5-inning record: 11-14-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-26

Brewers are 5-2 in their last seven road games, 15-10 in road series openers- under is 6-2 in their last eight games. St Louis won six of its last seven games; they’re 8-1 in last nine home series openers- their last six games went over the total.

Phillies (78-77) @ Rockies (85-70)
Eflin is 2-0, 0.79 in his last two starts; under is 11-7 in his last 18. Team in his starts: 12-11, 4-7 road
5-inning record: 14-7-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-23

Anderson is 0-5, 8.62 in his last seven starts; over is 7-3 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 11-20, 4-12 home
5-inning record: 12-10-9 Allowed run in 1st inning: 16-31

Phillies are 7-20 in their last 27 road games; they’re 1-7 in last eight road series openers- over is 7-4-1 in their last 12 road games. Colorado won its last three games; they’re 10-14 in home series openers- under is 9-3 in their last dozen games.

Dodgers (87-69) @ Diamondbacks (79-77)
Kershaw is 3-0, 3.07 in his last six starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 14-10, 7-4 away
5-inning record: 15-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-24

Ray is 3-0, 1.55 in his last five starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 11-11, 4-7 home
5-inning record: 12-4-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-22

Dodgers won nine of their last 11 games; they’re 15-2 in last 17 road series openers- their last three games all went over. Arizona lost seven of its last eight games; they’re 2-11 in last 13 home series openers- over is 7-3 in their last ten home games.

Padres (62-94) @ Giants (72-84)
Mitchell is 1-1, 4.42 in his last four starts; his last three stayed under. Team in his starts: 4-6, 4-1 away
5-inning record: 1-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-10

Holland is 1-0, 2.73 in his last five starts; under is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 15-14, 7-4 home
5-inning record: 10-11-8 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-29

Padres lost six of their last nine games; they’re 8-1 in last nine road series openers- over is 9-2-1 in their last 12 games. San Francisco lost its last four games; they’re 14-10 in home series openers- their last 14 home games stayed under.

American League
Astros (98-57) @ Blue Jays (71-85)
Keuchel is 1-1, 5.09 in his last four starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 17-15, 10-6 away
5-inning record: 13-15-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 11-32

Estrada is 0-4, 9.43 in his last five starts; under is 3-1 in his last four home starts. Team in his starts: 12-15, 6-7 home
5-inning record: 9-13-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-27

Houston won six of its last eight games; they’re 19-5 in road series openers- over is 7-3 in their last ten road games. Blue Jays won six of their last nine games; under is 5-3 in their last eight games.

New York (95-60) @ Tampa Bay (87-68)
Severino is 1-1, 1.42 in his last two starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 23-8, 9-6 away
5-inning record: 19-8-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-31

Castillo is 0-0, 3.07 in 10 opens (over 7-3). Team in his starts: 9-1, 4-1 home
5-inning record: 9-0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10

New York won four of its last six games; they’re 5-1 in last six road series openers- under is 4-1-1 in their last six road games. Tampa Bay won seven of its last nine games; they’re 12-3 in last 15 home series openers- over is 7-3 in their last ten home games.

Orioles (45-110) @ Red Sox (105-51)
Bundy is 1-2, 6.55 in his last four starts; over is 7-4 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 9-20, 3-10 away
5-inning record: 11-14-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 10-29

Eovaldi is 0-3, 5.66 in his last five starts (under 5-4). Team in his starts: 4-5, 2-1 home
5-inning record: 4-4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-9

Baltimore is 5-16 in its last 21 games, 0-12 in last 12 road series openers- over is 5-1 in their last six road games. Red Sox are 4-5 in their last nine games, 13-5 in last 18 home series openers; under is 5-0 in their last five games.

Indians (87-68) @ White Sox (61-94)
Kluber is 3-0, 3.09 in his last four starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 20-11, 8-6 away
5-inning record: 19-8-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-31

Covey is 0-6, 8.21 in his last seven starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 5-14, 3-6 home
5-inning record: 4-11-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-19

Indians won four of their last six games; they’re 10-6 in last 16 road series openers- under is 3-1-1 in their last five games. Chicago lost five of its last seven games; they’re 10-15 in home series openers- under is 7-4-2 in their last 13 games.

Rangers (66-89) @ Angels (75-81)
Sampson is 0-2, 2.53 in two starts (under 2-0, Texas was shut out both games). Team in his starts: 0-2, 0-1 away
5-inning record: 0-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-2

Pena is 2-1, 3.75 in his last four starts; under is 9-4-1 in his last 14. Team in his starts: 7-9, 4-4 home
5-inning record: 6-7-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-16

Texas lost five of its last seven games; they’re 9-4 in last 13 road series openers- over is 3-1 in their last four games. Angels lost their last five games; they’re 13-11 in home series openers- over is 5-0-1 in their last six games.

A’s (94-62) @ Mariners (85-70)
Mengden is 0-2, 11.57 in his last four starts; over is 3-0-2 in his last five. Team in his starts: 10-6, 4-2 away
5-inning record: 8-5-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-16

Paxton is 2-2, 5.79 in his last five starts; under is 8-3 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 15-11, 6-6 home
5-inning record: 10-10-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-26

A’s won four of their last five games; they’re 13-11 in road series openers- over is 6-2 in their last eight games. Seattle split its last eight games; they’re 15-9 in home series openers- under is 7-1 in their last eight home games.

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Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 09-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd September 2018 by Gracenote
Stephen Strasburg has manhandled the Miami Marlins throughout his career, and this campaign has been no different. Strasburg aims to continue his dominance of the division rival on Monday as the Washington Nationals (78-78) host the Marlins (62-93) in the opener of their final home series of the season.

Strasburg surrendered just two runs and struck out 19 to win both of his starts this season versus Miami to improve to 17-7 with a 3.04 ERA and 1.11 WHIP against the National League East rival. Trea Turner is riding an 11-game hitting streak and career-best 23-game on-base stretch while fellow infielder Anthony Rendon has respective streaks of nine and 31 for Washington, which has won 10 of the 16 meetings with Miami this season. While the Nationals have dropped three of four contests overall, the Marlins recorded a pair of shutouts to highlight a three-game sweep of Cincinnati. Brian Anderson had three singles in Sunday's 6-0 romp to give him five hits and four runs scored during the series, although he is 0-for-6 with two strikeouts in his career versus Strasburg.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), MASN2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Sandy Alcantara (2-1, 2.35 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (9-7, 3.83)

Alcantara tasted defeat for the first time in his career on Tuesday, as he allowed three runs on six hits over four innings of a 4-2 setback versus Washington. The 23-year-old Dominican issues six walks to drive up his pitch count to boot. Adam Eaton and Turner each had a pair of singles in the contest, although the rest of the Nationals combined to go 2-for-11 against Alcantara.

Strasburg improved to 3-0 with a 2.64 ERA in his last five starts after yielding two runs on five hits in Tuesday's victory. The 30-year-old matched his season high with 11 strikeouts in that contest to raise his five-game total to 38. Strasburg has struggled at home in 2018, posting a 2-5 mark with a 5.20 ERA while surrendering 10 of his 16 homers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington LF Juan Soto is 2-for-23 with five strikeouts in his last six contests.

2. Miami C J.T. Realmuto is 6-for-15 with three runs scored and two RBIs during his four-game hitting streak.

3. Turner's RBI total (19) versus the Marlins this season is more than twice than his count against any other team.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Marlins 1
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Houston Astros vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 09-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd September 2018 by Gracenote
The Houston Astros cut their magic number to clinch the American League West to three with a strong weekend and are hoping to keep their collective foot on the pedal and carry that momentum into the playoffs. The Astros will try to move even closer to the division title and notch a fourth consecutive victory when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday for the opener of their three-game series.

Houston, which is 16-4 this month, whipped the Los Angeles Angels by a combined score of 27-10 in a three-game sweep over the weekend to close out the home portion of its regular-season schedule and move 4 1/2 games ahead of Oakland in the AL West. "As easy as these guys are making it look, it's hard being the hunted and being the team that's in it, and certainly getting some good at-bats pieced together against good pitching," Astros manager A.J. Hinch told reporters. "We're doing our part." The Blue Jays are losers of three of their last five as they play out the string in a disappointing season as they finish their home slate with Houston before closing the campaign at Tampa Bay. Toronto will send Marco Estrada to the mound on Monday while the Astros counter with Dallas Keuchel.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), Sportsnet, TVA (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (11-11, 3.71 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (7-13, 5.57)

Keuchel is trying to get back into the win column and find some consistency before heading into the postseason after not being sharp last time out. The former Cy Young Award winner was rocked for five runs on six hits and two walks in five innings to suffer a loss against Seattle on Wednesday, marking the second time in three starts he surrendered five earned runs. Keuchel struggled against Toronto on June 27, when escaped with a no-decision after yielding six runs on seven hits and three walks in 5 1/3 frames.

Estrada is winless in his last five starts but was solid at Baltimore on Wednesday, allowing one run and four hits in six innings. The 35-year-old Mexican is having trouble finding any consistency as he was lit up for eight runs on six hits and three walks by the Yankees in New York in his previous turn on Sept. 14. Estrada started at Houston on June 27 and did not factor in the decision after surrendering four runs - three earned - and seven hits over five frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros SS Carlos Correa (back) has missed the last four games and is day-to-day.

2. Toronto SS Lourdes Gurriel Jr., whose older brother Yuli plays for the Astros, has collected seven RBIs in his last six contests.

3. Houston RHP Charlie Morton (shoulder) left Saturday's game after one inning and it is unclear if he will pitch again before the postseason.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Blue Jays 2
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Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 09-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 24th September 2018 by Gracenote
Orioles vs. Red Sox Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/24/2018

The Boston Red Sox open the final week of an impressive regular season looking to get healthy for the playoffs and add some milestones as they host the major league-worst Baltimore Orioles in the opener of their three-game series on Monday. The American League East-champion Red Sox have lost four of their last six contests following a 4-3 setback in 11 innings at Cleveland on Sunday that kept them tied with the 1912 team that went 105-47 for the franchise record for the most wins in a season.

Boston shortstop Xander Bogaerts left Sunday's contest with a strained left shoulder and is day-to-day, but teammate Mookie Betts is feeling good after going 4-for-6 with his 31st homer - passing Nomar Garciaparra for the most blasts in a season by a leadoff hitter in Red Sox history. Nathan Eovaldi will try to put together back-to-back strong starts when he takes the mound for Boston in the series opener against fellow right-hander Dylan Bundy. The Orioles defeated the New York Yankees 6-3 on Sunday with the help of two homers by Tim Beckham, keeping them one loss away from the dubious franchise record of 111 set by the 1939 St. Louis Browns. Rookie DJ Stewart has gone 7-for-12 with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs during his five-game hitting streak after going 0-for-13 to start his major-league career.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (8-15, 5.37 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Nathan Eovaldi (5-7, 3.98)

Bundy has pitched better in his last two starts, allowing two earned runs in each outing while taking the loss against Toronto and defeating Oakland. The 25-year-old native of Oklahoma went 0-5 over his previous seven turns, adding to his career-high loss total while posting a 9.09 ERA during that rough stretch. Brock Holt is 8-for-13 with a homer versus Bundy, who is 0-2 with a 4.38 ERA in four starts against the Red Sox this year and 3-6 with a 4.80 ERA in 16 career appearances (12 starts).

Eovaldi permitted just two hits and two walks in six scoreless innings against the Yankees last time out but extended his winless streak to eight games. The 28-year-old Texan had not completed six frames in his previous seven appearances (six starts), going 0-3 in that span. Chris Davis is 4-for-13 with two homers versus Eovaldi, who gave up eight runs - four earned - over 2 2/3 innings against Baltimore on Aug. 10 but escaped with a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore 3B Renato Nunez has gone 4-for-8 with two homers, three RBIs and three runs scored in his last two games.

2. Boston OF-DH J.D. Martinez has belted 41 homers, one shy of Dick Stuart's mark (1963) for most by a first-year Red Sox player.

3. Orioles 2B Breyvic Valera left Sunday's game with a broken left index finger he suffered while getting tagged out at home plate.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Orioles 3
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New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 09-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd September 2018 by Gracenote
Yankees vs. Rays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/23/2018

The visiting New York Yankees can strengthen their hold on the top wild-card spot and eliminate the Tampa Bay Rays from postseason contention in one fell swoop on Monday when the American League East rivals play the opener of a four-game series at Tropicana Field. The Yankees (95-60) are clinging to a 1 1/2-game lead over Oakland, while the Rays (87-68) reside 6 1/2 behind the Athletics with seven contests remaining on their slate.

Miguel Andujar had two of New York's four hits in Sunday's 6-3 setback to major league-worst Baltimore, giving the rookie three multi-hit performances in his last four outings. Giancarlo Stanton recorded just his second hit in 20 at-bats over his last five games, however the slugger is 18-for-57 with three homers and 10 RBIs versus the Rays this season. Tommy Pham has three homers, seven RBIs and eight runs scored during his seven-game hitting streak for Tampa Bay, which boasts a 16-5 mark in September and majors-best 25-7 record since Aug. 19. C.J. Cron homered in Sunday's 5-2 win over Toronto giving him six RBIs and three runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Luis Severino (18-8, 3.38 ERA) vs. Rays RH Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.25)

Severino turned in his second straight one-run performance on Wednesday to post his first win since Aug. 26 in a 10-1 romp over Boston. The 24-year-old Dominican owns a 2-1 mark with a 3.54 ERA in three starts versus Tampa Bay this season, although he surrendered season highs in runs (seven) and hits (11) over five innings of a 7-6 setback on July 23. Severino has stymied Kevin Kiermaier (3-for-23, 11 strikeouts) in his career, although Jake Bauers is 3-for-5 with a homer in a small sample size versus the hurler.

Castillo is expected to make his 11th start this season before likely giving way to left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. The 24-year-old Castillo last pitched on Friday, allowing a solo homer in one inning of a no-decision at Toronto. He owns a 1-0 mark in six appearances this season versus the Yankees, surrendering three runs and six hits over seven innings while issuing five walks and striking out five.

WALK-OFFS

1. Per New York manager Aaron Boone, SS Didi Gregorius will be re-evaluated in a few days after sustaining cartilage damage in his wrist while sliding to home plate with Saturday's game-winning run.

2. Tampa Bay SS Willy Adames is 10-for-29 with two homers and six RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak.

3. Yankees INF Gleyber Torres is just 4-for-32 with 13 strikeouts this season against the Rays.

PREDICTION: Yankees 3, Rays 2
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 09-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd September 2018 by Gracenote
Pirates vs. Cubs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/23/2018

Despite an inconsistent offense and injuries to several key players throughout the year, the Chicago Cubs begin the final week of the regular season on the cusp of a third consecutive National League Central title. They'll try to move closer to wrapping up their spot in the postseason when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday for the opener of their four-game series.

The Cubs reduced their magic number to clinch the NL Central to five with a 6-1 win over the crosstown White Sox on Sunday, maintaining their 2 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee. "In spite of not being the offensive team I thought we would be, we're still in a pretty good position," Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters. "I think that just goes back to the culture and a winning attitude and you expect to win when you go play. The game is close and you expect to win it somehow. That's something you have to develop over time, and it doesn't happen overnight." The Pirates have won 12 of their last 17 contests, but they mathematically were eliminated from playoff contention with Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Brewers. The Cubs lead the season series 8-7 and have held the head-to-head advantage over the Pirates every season since 2014.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (13-9, 3.24 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Cole Hamels (9-10, 3.90)

The Pirates have won the last six games Taillon has started, as he is 4-0 with a 1.66 ERA over that stretch. The 26-year-old didn't get the win last time out despite a dominant effort, as he registered 11 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings against Kansas City. Taillon is 3-3 with a 4.35 ERA in seven career starts against the Cubs.

Hamels' dominant stretch to begin his tenure with the Cubs ended when he was roughed up for seven runs over six innings in a loss at Arizona last time out. The 34-year-old still has posted an impressive 2.42 ERA in 10 turns since being acquired from Texas and has allowed only four runs in 27 2/3 frames at Wrigley Field since calling it home. Hamels is 5-3 with a 2.49 ERA in 12 career starts against Pittsburgh.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago INF Javier Baez has recorded an NL-best 81 extra-base hits, the most by a Cub since Derrek Lee collected 99 in 2005.

2. Pirates CF Starling Marte left Sunday's game in the fifth inning with tightness in his left calf.

3. Cubs 3B-OF Kris Bryant was held out of the lineup Sunday due to left shoulder fatigue.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Cubs 2
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Cleveland Indians vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 09-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 24th September 2018 by Gracenote
Indians vs. White Sox Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/24/2018

Corey Kluber aims to become the second 20-game winner in the major leagues when the Cleveland Indians begin their season-ending seven-game road trip Monday with the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox. Kluber looks to join Tampa Bay's Blake Snell (21) and reach the 20-win plateau for the first time in his impressive career.

Kluber is the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner after capturing the prize for the second time, and a three-time All-Star who also led the AL in victories (18) and ERA (2.25) last season, but figures to cede the award to Snell this year. AL Central champion Cleveland completed the home portion of its schedule by taking two of three from AL East winner Boston, including a 4-3 triumph in 11 innings on Sunday. Michael Brantley has been heating up for the Indians, going 9-for-21 over his last four games. The White Sox, who have lost five of their last seven contests - including two of three in Cleveland last week, begin their final home series of the season before wrapping up 2018 with four contests in Minnesota.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (19-7, 2.93 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Dylan Covey (5-13, 5.33)

Kluber registered his career-high 19th win on Tuesday after allowing three runs and eight hits with 11 strikeouts over eight innings against Chicago at home. The 32-year-old native of Alabama, who recorded at least 18 victories four of the last five seasons, has won seven of his last eight decisions and reached double digits in strikeouts in two of his last three turns. Kluber is 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three outings against the White Sox this year and 12-4 with two complete games, one shutout and a 2.93 mark in 23 career meetings - including one relief appearance.

Covey is hoping for a repeat performance with a better result as he settled for a no-decision in Cleveland on Wednesday after giving up just two hits across six scoreless innings. It was the second start for the 27-year-old Californian after rejoining the rotation following a stint in the bullpen during which he made six appearances. Covey is 1-2 with a 4.82 ERA in seven career games (five starts - all this season) against the Indians, with the victory coming when he permitted two runs over seven frames at home on June 13.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians DH Edwin Encarnacion drove in a run Sunday to reach the 100-RBI mark for the fourth straight season and sixth time in his career.

2. Chicago's Tim Anderson notched two of the team's four hits and drove in the lone run in Sunday's 6-1 loss to the crosstown Cubs - a day after becoming the first shortstop in team history to record 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in a season.

3. Cleveland's Trevor Bauer is expected to start Tuesday's contest, with fellow RHP Carlos Carrasco slated to follow him out of the bullpen.

PREDICTION: Indians 9, White Sox 2
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Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 09-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd September 2018 by Gracenote
Brewers vs. Cardinals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/23/2018

Both the visiting Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals carry some momentum into a three-game series beginning Monday night that will go a long way toward sorting out the wild-card picture in the National League. The Brewers took two of three at Pittsburgh to begin their final road trip of the year, capped by Sunday's 13-6 rout behind another big effort by MVP candidate Christian Yelich (2-for-3, home run, three RBIs).

The win kept Milwaukee 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and two games ahead of the Cardinals for the first wild-card spot. St. Louis has won six of seven after a 9-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday and holds a 1 1/2-game lead over Colorado for the second wild card with six to play. The Brewers and Cardinals have split 16 meetings this year but Milwaukee was limited to exactly two runs in each of the last six encounters while going 2-4. Jack Flaherty will try to keep that trend alive when he starts the series opener for St. Louis, while the Brewers will enter one of their biggest series in years with a bullpen game.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers TBD vs. Cardinals RH Jack Flaherty (8-8, 3.08 ERA)

Chase Anderson, who was originally scheduled to start Monday, reportedly will be available out of the bullpen in this one but will not take the first inning, in which he has a 6.30 ERA. Manager Craig Counsell said that star left-hander Josh Hader will not be the opener but the young All-Star is rested after not pitching in the last two games. The same goes for closer Jeremy Jeffress, who has 8 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings over his last eight appearances.

Flaherty allowed three runs or fewer in eight straight starts before giving up five over 4 2/3 innings in a loss at Atlanta on Wednesday. He is 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA and a whopping 29 strikeouts across 18 innings against the Brewers this year. The former first-round pick boasts a 2.74 ERA in 11 home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yelich is 12-for-22 during his six-game hitting streak to raise his NL-leading batting average to .322.

2. Cardinals 2B Kolten Wong (cramps) has missed two straight games and is considered day-to-day.

3. Brewers INF Travis Shaw had two homers and four RBIs in the series against Pittsburgh.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Brewers 4
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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 09-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd September 2018 by Gracenote
Phillies vs. Rockies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/23/2018

The final week of the regular season is crucial for several teams, but the Colorado Rockies are in the most precarious position among those still in the postseason race. The Rockies will try to make up some ground in both the National League West and the wild-card race when they host the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday for the opener of their four-game series.

Colorado sits 1 1/2 games behind both the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West and St. Louis for the second wild card after the pitching staff led it to a three-game sweep in Arizona over the weekend. The Rockies allowed a total of three runs in a series capped by a 2-0 win on Sunday in which the Diamondbacks stranded 10 baserunners while three Colorado relievers combined for two hitless innings. The Phillies were postseason contenders until the last few weeks but officially were eliminated with Sunday's 2-1 loss at Atlanta - their fourth consecutive setback. Philadelphia will try to give the Rockies a tough time when it sends Zach Eflin to the mound, while Colorado counters with Tyler Anderson.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (11-7, 4.09 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (6-9, 4.76)

Eflin is finishing the season strong as he has allowed one run and eight hits over 11 1/3 innings in his last two starts - both victories. The 24-year-old worked only five frames against the New York Mets on Wednesday but still managed to match a season high with nine strikeouts. Eflin won his only previous career start in Colorado, allowing two runs and seven hits over six innings as a rookie on July 10, 2016.

Anderson is winless in his last 13 outings but produced quality starts his last two times out. The Oregon product scattered two runs and three hits across six innings in Los Angeles on Wednesday but did not factor in the decision. Anderson started at Philadelphia on June 13 and put forth one of his better outings, yielding one run and six hits in seven innings to record the win.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies SS Trevor Story (elbow) has missed the last five games and is without a firm timetable to return, although he is participating in baseball activities.

2. Philadelphia 1B Carlos Santana has gone 1-for-17 over his last five contests.

3. Colorado RHP Wade Davis has allowed one hit without issuing a walk over five scoreless innings in his last five appearances.

PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Phillies 4
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 09-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd September 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/23/2018

One day after officially being eliminated from playoff contention, the Arizona Diamondbacks won't lack for motivation as they begin a three-game series Monday against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. Arizona will be looking to prevent a celebration at Chase Field by the Dodgers, whose magic number to clinch the National League West is six as it owns a 1 1/2-game lead over Colorado.

Manny Machado, Austin Barnes and Matt Kemp homered while Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched six scoreless innings on Sunday as the Dodgers cruised to a 14-0 victory over San Diego, giving them nine wins in their last 11 contests. Kemp went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs while Max Muncy recorded four RBIs for Los Angeles, which took two of three from the Padres and sit one game behind Atlanta for home-field advantage in the NL Division Series. Arizona scored a total of three runs in three straight losses to Colorado over the weekend and has dropped 12 of its last 15 contests. Chris Owings, Eduardo Escobar and David Peralta notched two hits apiece in Sunday's 2-0 setback as Arizona fell to 1-5 on its nine-game homestand.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (8-5, 2.45 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (6-2, 3.92)

Kershaw struggled with his command on Tuesday and settled for a no-decision after allowing two runs - one earned - on three hits and five walks over seven innings against Colorado. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has permitted three earned runs or fewer in 23 of his 24 starts this season. A.J. Pollock is 8-for-43 with nine strikeouts against Kershaw, who is 15-9 with a 2.53 ERA in 30 career turns versus Arizona - including a 5-8 record and 3.65 mark in 14 outings at Chase Field.

Ray won his third straight decision on Wednesday, allowing one hit with four walks and eight strikeouts in six scoreless innings versus the Chicago Cubs. The 26-year-old Tennessean has posted a stellar 1.59 ERA with 46 strikeouts over 34 frames in his last six turns. Kemp is 7-for-16 with two home runs against Ray, who has gone 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA in his last five home outings and owns a 7-3 record and 2.63 ERA in 14 career starts versus Los Angeles.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Diamondbacks are 9-7 against the Dodgers this season, including a 5-2 record at home.

2. The Dodgers have set a franchise record for home runs in a single season with 225.

3. Arizona OF Steven Souza Jr. is listed as day-to-day after being removed from Sunday's game with a lower back spasm.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Diamondbacks 2
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Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 09-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd September 2018 by Gracenote
Rangers vs. Angels Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/23/2018

The Los Angeles Angels are limping toward the end of the season and an uncertain future, but at least they still have Mike Trout. The Angels and their superstar will try to snap a five-game slide when they open their final homestand of 2018 by hosting the Texas Rangers on Monday.

Los Angeles was outscored 58-13 over the last five games, with Sunday's 6-2 setback at Houston marking the closest final score in the bunch, and could be looking at major changes in leadership in the offseason with manager Mike Scioscia's future in question. "I don't think it's running out of gas," Scioscia told reporters. "There's a lot of youth on the field, there's a lot of youth in our bullpen. There's going to be growing pains. I think the guys still have their stuff. We went through that one week where we were getting at least to a certain point of games with our starters, and we were winning games. That evaporated this week. It was tough." Trout was given a day off on Sunday after hitting his 38th homer in Saturday's loss and will be going up against a Texas team that already waived goodbye to its manager and sits in last place in the American League West despite taking two of three from the Seattle Mariners in their final home series over the weekend. Texas will begin its road trip with rookie Adrian Sampson on the mound while the Angels counter with righty Felix Pena.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Adrian Sampson (0-2, 4.09 ERA) vs. Angels RH Felix Pena (3-5, 4.20)

Sampson is getting a chance to earn himself a spot in the Rangers rotation of the future and is still looking for his first major league win. The 26-year-old allowed a total of three runs over 10 2/3 innings against the Angels and Tampa Bay since joining the rotation on Sept. 11, but could not get even one run of support from his offense in either of those two outings. Sampson surrendered a solo home run among two hits at Los Angeles on Sept. 11 before coming out on the wrong end of a 1-0 final.

Pena had a string of four straight quality starts come to an end when he was knocked around for six runs on as many hits and a walk over four innings at Oakland on Wednesday. The Dominican Republic native, who is working as a full-time starter for the first time in his career, earned the win in his previous two outings. Pena had no trouble with Texas on Sept. 12, when he scattered six hits over six scoreless innings in a victory.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels SS Andrelton Simmons (knees) left Sunday's game and is day-to-day.

2. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre, 39, was given an extended ovation on Sunday in what was possibly his final game with Texas.

3. Los Angeles 1B Jose Fernandez (hand) sat out Sunday and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Angels 8, Rangers 3
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Oakland Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 09-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd September 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 09/23/2018

The Oakland Athletics finished their home schedule with a missed opportunity but hope to keep the heat on in the wild-card race when they begin a three-game series at the Seattle Mariners on Monday. The Athletics saw a four-game winning streak come to an end with a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, finishing 50-31 at home.

The loss kept them 1 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees in the race for the first wild card but they have a magic number of just one for clinching the second spot and their first postseason berth since 2014. The Mariners were in striking distance in the race not too long ago but couldn't keep up with Oakland through the dog days. They completed their last road trip of the year with a 6-1 loss at Texas, recording six hits and going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position to finish 44-37 away from home. The Athletics will turn to Daniel Mengden in the series opener for his first start since June 23 while Seattle gives the ball to James Paxton, who has been sidelined with pneumonia.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS California (Oakland), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Daniel Mengden (7-6, 4.00 ERA) vs. Mariners LH James Paxton (11-6, 3.83)

Mengden has made four extended relief appearances this month, going 1-0 with a 2.30 ERA. He limited the Los Angeles Angels to one run and two hits over four innings his last time out. The 25-year-old is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in three career matchups (two starts) with Seattle.

Paxton has been out since giving up four runs in six innings of a loss to the New York Yankees on Sept. 7. He is six strikeouts shy of reaching 200 for the first time in his career and a win short of matching his career high set last year. The University of Kentucky product struck out a career-high 16 in seven scoreless innings against Oakland on May 2.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners 2B Robinson Cano is 13-for-19 with seven RBIs during a five-game hitting streak.

2. Athletics OF Stephen Piscotty was 8-for-19 with nine RBIs and nine runs scored during the team's six-game homestand.

3. Oakland is 4 1/2 games behind first-place Houston in the AL West.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Mariners 4
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San Diego Padres vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 09-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd September 2018 by Gracenote
Padres vs. Giants Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/23/2018

The San Francisco Giants complete a disappointing month - and season - with a six-game homestand that begins with the first of three contests against the National League West-rival San Diego Padres on Monday. The Giants have dropped four straight after Sunday's 9-2 setback at St. Louis and managed just four victories in 20 games during September, scoring a major league-low 55 runs in that stretch.

Brandon Crawford provided the only offense on Sunday with a two-run homer for San Francisco, which has permitted 27 runs during its losing streak but owns a 41-34 record at home this season. Derek Holland has not lost since July 10 and will take the mound for the Giants in the series opener against Bryan Mitchell, who came to San Diego from the New York Yankees in an offseason trade. The Padres have optimism for the future with a stable of promising young players but will finish in last place for the second time in three years and miss the playoffs for the 12th straight season. San Diego is 8-11 in September after suffering a 14-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, but 23-year-old right fielder Franmil Reyes is batting .328 with 10 RBIs this month despite going 0-for-8 in his last two games.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Bryan Mitchell (1-4, 6.16 ERA) vs. LH Derek Holland (7-8, 3.57)

Mitchell began the month with two strong performances before giving up four runs and nine hits - two homers - in five innings last Monday in a loss to the Giants. The 27-year-old native of North Carolina allowed two runs on six hits and five walks over 11 frames in his first two starts of September. Crawford is 3-for-4 with a homer against Mitchell, who is 1-0 with a 3.96 ERA on the road as opposed to 0-4 with a 7.55 mark at home.

Holland is unbeaten in his last 13 turns and escaped with a no-decision against San Diego on Tuesday despite permitting four runs in five innings. The 31-year-old from Ohio had strung together four straight quality starts before that outing, recording one victory while yielding five runs over 24 1/3 frames. Eric Hosmer is 9-for-24 with two doubles and a homer versus Holland, who is 1-1 with a 6.39 ERA lifetime against the Padres.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego OF-3B Wil Myers is 6-for-16 with two doubles, a homer and four RBIs during his four-game hitting streak.

2. San Francisco 1B-C Aramis Garcia has gone 14-for-41 with three homers and seven RBIs in 14 contests during his first stint in the major leagues.

3. The Giants already have clinched the season series, winning 10 of the 16 meetings - including five of seven at home.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Padres 4
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