Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Friday 5/25/18
Friday’s games
National League
Giants (24-26) @ Cubs (25-21)
Holland is 1-2, 3.63 in his last three starts; Giants are 1-4 in his road starts. Under is 6-3 in his starts. Team in his starts: 3-6.
5-inning record: 2-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-9 (0 of last 6).
Hendricks is 1-2, 4.39 in his last four starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 3-6.
5-inning record: 3-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-9
Giants lost eight of last nine road games; they’re 4-4 in road series openers. Over is 7-3-2 in their last 12 games. Cubs lost their last four home games; they’re 4-5 in home series openers. Under is 3-1 in their last four home games.
Cardinals (26-21) @ Pirates (27-22)
Gant is 0-1, 8.38 in two starts (over 1-1). Team in his starts: 0-2.
5-inning record: 0-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-2
Musgrove is making his first ’18 start; he is 1-2, 4.58 in four AAA starts this year, and is 11-12, 4.52 in 49 MLB games (25 starts). Team in his starts: 0-0.
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0
St Louis is 4-7 in its last 11 games; they’re 4-3 in road series openers. Under is 8-3 in their last 11 games. Pirates lost five of their last six games; under is 4-2-1 in their last seven home games. Bucs are 6-2 in home series openers.
Nationals (26-22) @ Marlins (19-30)
Scherzer is 6-0, 1.81 in his last eight starts; over is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 8-2.
5-inning record: 7-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10
Urena is 0-2, 5.19 in his last three starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 0-10.
5-inning record: 2-7-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-10
Nationals lost four of their last six games; they’re 6-1 in road series openers. Five of their last six road games stayed under. Miami split its last 12 games; they’re 3-5 in home series openers. Under is 5-2 in their last seven games.
Mets (25-21) @ Brewers (31-20)
Syndergaard is 2-0, 2.50 in his last three starts; under is 6-2-1 in his last nine starts. Team in his starts: 7-3.
5-inning record: 6-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-10
Guerra is 1-3, 4.44 in his last five starts (under 6-2). Team in his starts: 4-4
5-inning record: 2-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-8
Mets won five of their last seven games; under is 5-0 in their last five road games. Milwaukee won six of its last eight games; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight home games.
Reds (18-33) @ Rockies (26-24)
Romano is 0-2, 15.26 in his last two starts (over 6-4). Team in his starts: 4-6.
5-inning record: 2-5-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-10
Gray is 0-2, 11.00 in his last two starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 4-6.
5-inning record: 5-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10
Cincinnati won six of its last eight road games; under is 4-1-2 in their last seven games. Reds are 3-4 in road series openers. Rockies lost four of their last five games; they’re 1-5 in home series openers. Under is 6-2 in their last eight games at Coors Field.
Padres (21-30) @ Dodgers (22-27)
Richard is 2-0, 2.35 in his last two starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 4-6.
5-inning record: 3-7. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10
Stripling is 1-0, 1.76 in his last three starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 1-3.
5-inning record: 2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4
San Diego won four of its last six games; they’re 0-8 in last eight series openers. Under is 9-5-1 in their last 15 games. Dodgers won six of their last seven games; they’re 2-6 in home series openers. Under is 5-0-2 in their last seven home games.
American League
Angels (28-22) @ New York (31-15)
Heaney is 2-2, 2.77 in his last four starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 3-4
5-inning record: 1-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-7
Severino is 5-0, 1.91 in his last seven starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 9-1
5-inning record: 8-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-10
Angels lost six of their last nine games; under is 8-3-1 in their last 12 games. Halos are 4-3 in road series openers. New York is 13-2 in its last 15 games; they’re 5-3 in home series openers. Over is 17-7-1 in their home games this season.
White Sox (15-32) @ Tigers (21-28)
Lopez is 1-1, 5.04 in his last five starts (over 4-4-1). Team in his starts: 3-6
5-inning record: 4-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-9
Fiers is 2-1, 3.86 in his last three starts (over 6-2). Team in his starts: 4-4
5-inning record: 4-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-8
White Sox won four of their last six games; they’re 2-6 in road series openers. Under is 8-3 in their last 11 games. Detroit lost five of its last six games; they’re 5-2 in home series openers. Under is 6-2 in their last eight games.
Orioles (16-34) @ Rays (23-25)
Hess is 1-1, 6.75 in two starts this year (under 2-0). Team in his starts: 1-1
5-inning record: 1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-2
Bullpen game for the Rays, Team in bullpen games: 6-9.
5-inning record: 6-5-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-15
Baltimore lost six of its last nine games; they’re 2-6 in road series openers. Under is 6-3 in their last nine games. Rays won seven of their last ten games; they’re 4-3 in home series openers0 under is 5-2-1 in their last eight games.
Astros (33-16) @ Indians (24-24)
Keuchel is 2-1, 2.25 in his last three starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 4-6.
5-inning record: 3-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-10
Kluber is 7-1, 2.67 in his last eight starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 7-3.
5-inning record: 7-2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10
Astros won seven of their last eight games; they’re 5-2 in road series openers. Under is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Cleveland won three of its last four games; they’re 3-5 in home series openers. Over is 11-1 in their last dozen home games.
Royals (17-33) @ Rangers (20-32)
Skoglund is 0-2, 6.08 in his last four starts (over 5-3). Team in his starts: 3-5.
5-inning record: 2-5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-8
Minor is 0-2, 8.22 in his last three starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 4-5.
5-inning record: 2-6-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-9
Royals won their last three games; under is 4-2 in their last six road games. Texas lost five of its last six games; over is 7-3 in their last ten home games.
Twins (21-24) @ Mariners (29-20)
Romero is 2-0, 2.08 in his first four MLB starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 2-2
5-inning record: 2-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4
Paxton is 2-0, 1.45 in his last four starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 6-4.
5-inning record: 5-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10
Minnesota won three of its last four games; they’re 1-7 in road series openers. Twins’ last four games stayed under the total. Mariners won seven of their last ten games; under is 4-0 in their last four games. Seattle is 5-2 in home series openers.
Interleague
Blue Jays (23-27) @ Phillies (28-19)
Gaviglio blanked Oakland for five IP in his first ’18 start (over 1-0). Team in his starts: 0-1
5-inning record: 1-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1
Eflin is 1-0, 2.60 in three starts this year (over 2-1). Team in his starts: 2-1.
5-inning record: 3-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3
Toronto lost nine of its last 12 games; they’re 5-3 in road series openers. Over is 8-3-2 in their last 13 road games. Phillies are 10-4 in their last 14 games; they’re 6-2 in home series openers. Under is 5-0 in their last five home games.
Braves (29-19) @ Red Sox (34-16)
Teheran is 3-0, 3.75 in his last four starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 8-2.
5-inning record: 5-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-10
Rodriguez is 1-1, 1.72 in his last three starts (under 2-0-1). Team in his starts: 8-1.
5-inning record: 5-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-9
Braves split their last eight games; they’re 3-4 in road series openers. Under is 6-2 in their last eight games. Boston won four of its last five games; they’re 5-2 in home series openers. Under is 4-1 in their last five games.
Diamondbacks (25-24) @ A’s (26-24)
Corbin is 0-1, 3.10 in his last five starts, last three of which went over. Team in his starts: 5-5
5-inning record: 5-1-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-10
Manaea is 1-2, 6.35 in his last four starts (under 7-3). Team in his starts: 6-4.
5-inning record: 4-5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10
Arizona lost its last seven games; they’re 1-5 in last six series openers. Under is 4-2 in their last six games. Oakland won seven of its last ten game; under is 7-1 in their last eight home games. Under is 7-1 in their last eight home games.
Friday's Diamond Notes
May 25, 2018
By Kevin Rogers
Hottest team: Astros (9-2 last 11)
Houston improved to 3-1 against Cleveland this season (and in the last week) following Thursday’s 8-2 blowout of the Indians at Progressive Field. Charlie Morton topped Mike Clevinger for the second time in less than a week as the Astros’ right-hander tossed six innings to cash as a short road favorite. Houston’s pitching continues to dominate as the Astros’ staff has yielded two runs or less in six of the past seven games, while improving to 6-1 in the previous seven contests away from Minute Maid Park.
It’s a matchup of Cy Young winners on Friday as Dallas Keuchel opposes Corey Kluber on the mound. Keuchel lost to Kluber last Saturday in Houston, 5-4 as the Houston southpaw was tagged for three runs in the first inning. Keuchel struggled on the road to begin the season by losing his first three away starts, but is coming off wins against the White Sox and A’s, while Houston outscored those opponents, 26-3.
Coldest team: Diamondbacks (1-13 last 14)
Time flies in a Major League Baseball season as Arizona was cruising atop the NL West by starting 24-11. The D-backs reached that mark on May 8 with an extra innings win against the Dodgers, but have won only once since and have fallen out of first place. Arizona has been swept in three of the past four series, including dropping all three games at Milwaukee and scoring a total of four runs.
During their current seven-game losing streak, the D-backs have scored more than two runs once, while topping the two-run mark three times in the last 14 games. Arizona continues its disastrous road trip by traveling out west to face Oakland as Patrick Corbin hopes to get the D-backs on track. Corbin is winless in his last four starts since Arizona began the season at 5-1 in his six trips to the mound.
Hottest pitcher: Luis Severino, Yankees (7-1, 2.35 ERA)
New York returns home after dropping two of three at Texas, while blowing a four-run lead in Wednesday’s 12-10 loss. The Yankees host the Angels on Friday as New York looks to improve to 10-1 this season when Severino takes the mound. Severino has compiled seven consecutive quality starts, while being listed as a favorite of -200 or more in each of his past three outings. The right-hander picked up a no-decision against the Angels in Anaheim last month in a 4-3 win as Severino yielded five hits and three earned runs in seven innings.
Coldest pitcher: Jose Urena, Marlins (0-7, 4.55 ERA)
Urena is the only pitcher in baseball that has made at least 10 starts and his team has yet to win when he heads to the hill. Miami owns an 0-10 record in Urena’s 10 outings, including an 0-7 mark at Marlins Park. Urena hasn’t been terrible in spite of his overall numbers, as he has allowed three earned runs or less in four of his past five starts. However, the run support has been horrible for Urena, as the Marlins have scored three runs or less in eight of his 10 outings. Urena and the Marlins host the Nationals as the right-hander was winless in a pair of starts against Washington last season.
Biggest OVER run: Yankees (7-2 last nine)
New York’s offense showed up in Arlington by scoring 10 runs in two of the three games. However, the Yankees’ pitching let them down by allowing 18 runs in the final two losses as New York dropped its first series since mid-April at Boston. The Yankees fell to 21-2 this season when scoring at least six runs in a game, as New York will try to get on track against the Angels. Andrew Heaney takes the ball for the Halos as he has allowed five earned runs in his last five starts.
Biggest UNDER run: Twins (8-3 last 11)
Minnesota’s three-game winning streak came to a halt in Wednesday’s 4-1 home setback to Detroit. However, the Twins extended their UNDER stretch to four consecutive games as they have allowed seven runs during this span. Minnesota travels to Seattle as two of their first three meetings this season have finished UNDER the total. Rookie Fernando Romero makes his fifth start for Minnesota as the right-hander has seen the UNDER cash in three of his first four outings. Romero didn’t allow a run in his first two starts, while giving up five runs in his past two trips to the mound.
Matchup to watch: Braves vs. Red Sox
Both Atlanta and Boston own slight edges at the top of their respective divisions as the two squads hook up at Fenway Park this weekend for an interleague series. The Red Sox failed to pull off a sweep of the Rays by falling at Tampa Bay on Thursday, 6-3. However, Boston has won six of its past eight games to jump New York for first place in the AL East.
Atlanta continues its road trip after dropping two of three at Philadelphia as the Braves were shut out in both losses. Julio Teheran heads to the hill for the Braves in the series opener at Boston as the right-hander has been knocked around in his last two starts. Teheran began May by tossing consecutive scoreless outings, but has allowed 10 earned runs in 11 innings of work against the Cubs and Marlins. Atlanta has posted an impressive 8-2 record with Teheran on the bump this season, including three consecutive wins away from SunTrust Park.
Eduardo Rodriguez counters for Boston, as he gone through plenty of ups and downs this season. Currently, Rodriguez is on the uptick by putting together two scoreless starts in his past three outings, while Boston has managed an 8-1 record with the southpaw on the mound this season. The Red Sox have won five of seven home series openers in 2018, while going 18-4 since the start of last season in interleague play.
Betcha didn’t know: The Rockies have vaulted to the top of the NL West in spite of losing four of the last five games. Thanks to Arizona’s recent meltdown, Colorado owns a half-game lead over the Diamondbacks heading into the weekend. The Rockies host the Reds, as Colorado looks to improve on a 6-2 record in its last eight series openers. However, the Rockies have compiled the least amount of home wins in the National League with seven victories at Coors Field compared to 11 defeats.
Biggest public favorite: Nationals (-250) at Marlins
Biggest public underdog: Royals (+135) at Rangers
San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 05-25-2018
24th May 2018 by Gracenote
Wrigley Field hasn't lived up to its nickname of the "friendly confines" for the Chicago Cubs lately. The Cubs have lost four straight home games going into a three-game series with the visiting San Francisco Giants starting Friday.
Chicago had won 11 of 13 at home before the recent slide, which included a 10-1 drubbing and a 1-0 defeat against visiting Cleveland earlier this week. The Cubs have lost six of their last 10 overall to slide to fourth place in a tight National League Central race. "I think we are better than what our record shows," Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber told reporters. "We've just got to continue to be us and play our game and focus on everyone in this clubhouse and care about each other. I feel like we do a really good job of that. If we just continue to do what we believe in, good things are going to happen." The injury-riddled Giants started their eight-game road trip with two losses in Houston, including a 4-1 setback Wednesday, and have dropped 11 of 16 overall.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), ABC 7 (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Derek Holland (2-5, 4.94 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (3-3, 3.40)
Holland returns to Chicago, where he pitched for the White Sox last season. The 31-year-old has only two quality starts in nine outings this season, and he allowed four runs over six frames in a loss to Colorado last time out. Holland is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts against the Cubs, but he hasn't faced them since 2013.
Hendricks had a streak of four straight quality starts snapped in his last outing, as he allowed four runs (three earned) and didn't record an out in the sixth inning. The 28-year-old has refined his command after struggling a bit to find the strike zone early on, walking just four over his past six outings. Hendricks is 2-2 with a 3.49 ERA in five meetings with the Giants.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is riding a six-game hitting streak, but he's only 7-for-27 and has not hit a home run over that stretch.
2. Giants SS Brandon Crawford is 19-for-35 with two homers and nine RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak.
3. San Francisco OF Mac Williamson (concussion) is swinging a hot bat during his rehab stint at Triple-A Sacramento and is expected to be activated at some point this weekend.
PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Giants 4
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 05-25-2018
24th May 2018 by Gracenote
pittsburgh pirates fans have been patient as right-hander joe musgrove worked his way back to form after nursing a strained right shoulder that lingered from spring training into the season. musgrove, who was a key part of the gerrit cole trade to houston, will make his debut on friday as the pirates (27-22) begin a six-game homestand with the opener of a three-game series versus the st. louis cardinals (26-21).
"i'm tired of traveling. i'm tired of not being here contributing. so i'm ready to do my part," musgrove told reporters following the conclusion of his four-start rehab assignment. musgrove's debut will need to be sterling to match the impact of rookie austin meadows (11-for-25, five rbis, four runs scored), who belted his third homer in six games since being recalled from triple-a indianapolis - albeit in thursday's 5-4 setback in cincinnati. while pittsburgh has dropped five of six, st. louis isn't throwing any parties as it mustered just three runs in losing back-to-back contests to kansas city to fall to 4-7 over its last 11. marcell ozuna overslept and was a late scratch in wednesday's 5-2 loss to the royals, but is expected back in the lineup on friday versus a pittsburgh team against which he went 4-for-12 with three rbis in last month's three-game sweep by the pirates.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, fs midwest (st. louis), at&t sportsnet-pittsburgh
pitching matchup: cardinals rh john gant (1-1, 4.67 era) vs. pirates rh joe musgrove (2017: 7-8, 4.77)
gant, who is filling in for the injured adam wainwright, endured his toughest outing of the season on saturday as he was gashed for five runs on four hits - including a homer - in 4 1/3 innings of a no-decision against philadelphia. the 25-year-old's lone positive in that contest were his career-best seven strikeouts. gant had a pair of no-decisions versus pittsburgh last season, as he tossed one scoreless inning of relief on sept. 10 before permitting one run on three hits and two walks in three innings two weeks later.
musgrove was blitzed for six runs on 10 hits in five innings in his last rehab outing with indianapolis. the 25-year-old aims to recapture the form that saw him in the starting rotation last season with the astros before being ushered to the bullpen. musgrove has limited experience versus the current crop of cardinals, with only small sample sizes against dexter fowler (1-for-2, triple) and ozuna (1-for-3).
walk-offs
1. st. louis and pittsburgh have fared well versus national league central foes, with the former owning a 14-7 mark while the latter is 11-5.
2. pirates c francisco cervelli, who homered on wednesday, also went deep to highlight a 4-for-10 effort with two rbis and two runs scored against the cardinals.
3. st. louis cf tommy pham is 0-for-13 with nine strikeouts in his last three games overall and 2-for-12 in last month's series versus pittsburgh.
prediction: cardinals 3, pirates 2
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 05-25-2018
24th May 2018 by Gracenote
the philadelphia phillies' pitching staff slowly is changing the narrative of citizens bank park being labeled as hitter-friendly by recording three shutouts in the team's last eight home contests. zach eflin will bid to keep the good times going on friday as the phillies (28-19) open a three-game interleague series against the struggling toronto blue jays (23-27).
"our pitching has been really strong. that leads me to believe our staff is really good, to hold (the braves) down like that," philadelphia manager gabe kapler said after the team moved within a half-game of first place in the national league east by shutting out atlanta twice in a three-game series. carlos santana, who signed a three-year, $60 million deal in the offseason, has recorded back-to-back two-hit performances to improve to 19-for-70 in may after going 15-for-98 to begin the season. while philadelphia's 18-7 home mark is tied with the new york yankees for the best in the majors, toronto begins a nine-game road trip with losses in nine of its last 11 overall. "i'm ready to get on the road, there's no doubt. this was a brutal homestand for us," manager john gibbons said after thursday's 8-1 setback against the los angeles angels.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, sportsnet (toronto), nbc 10 (philadelphia)
pitching matchup: blue jays rh sam gaviglio (1-0, 0.93 era) vs. phillies rh zach eflin (1-0, 1.56)
gaviglio stepped up in the absence of marcus stroman (shoulder) to scatter six hits and match a career high with six strikeouts over 5 1/3 scoreless innings in a no-decision versus oakland on saturday. "he did an excellent job. he showed us a lot," gibbons said of the 28-year-old. gaviglio will make his 20th career appearance and first versus the phillies on friday.
eflin escaped with a no-decision on saturday after allowing four runs in 4 2/3 innings against st. louis while walking three batters for the second straight outing. the 24-year-old has kept the ball in the park in each of his last two trips to the mound, a significantly better showing than his lone previous encounter with toronto. eflin was taken deep three times - with josh donaldson belting a grand slam - while being scorched for eight earned runs in 2 2/3 innings in his major-league debut versus the blue jays on june 14, 2016.
walk-offs
1. toronto lhp jaime garcia (shoulder) felt fine after a bullpen session and will return to the rotation on saturday, gibbons told reporters.
2. philadelphia 2b cesar hernandez has hit safely in 16 of his last 20 games, scoring 15 times in the process.
3. blue jays 3b yangervis solarte has homered twice and drove in six runs during his six-game hitting streak.
prediction: phillies 4, blue jays 2
Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 05-25-2018
24th May 2018 by Gracenote
the new york yankees' string of eight straight series wins finally came to an end as the prolific offense could not survive a rare letdown from the pitching staff. the yankees will try to keep the bats hot and turn the staff around when they host the los angeles angels on friday in the opener of a three-game series.
new york tied a major league record with a total of 21 home runs in a five-game span by bashing four more in wednesday's 12-10 loss at texas, and rookie infielder gleyber torres is highlighting the power surge with four homers in the last three contests. "when i go to home plate, i just try to put the ball in play, try to take good at-bats," torres told reporters. "the home runs are happening, but i never try to hit home runs." the yankees totaled 17 runs in a three-game sweep at los angeles from april 27-29, but the angels are coming in hot with three wins in their last four games. los angeles will try to capture friday's series opener behind left-hander andrew heaney, while new york counters with ace right-hander luis severino.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, mlb network, fs west (los angeles), yes (new york)
pitching matchup: angels lh andrew heaney (2-3, 3.35 era) vs. yankees rh luis severino (7-1, 2.35)
heaney allowed a total of five earned runs over his last five starts but is coming off a loss to tampa bay on saturday in which he issued five walks over six innings and was charged with four unearned runs. the 26-year-old struck out seven batters in that outing and owns 46 strikeouts in 40 1/3 total frames. heaney struck out nine while yielding two runs - one earned - across five innings against the yankees on april 27 but settled for a no decision.
severino notched his seventh consecutive quality start at kansas city on saturday, scattering three runs and eight hits over six innings to earn the win. the eight hits allowed matched a season high for the dominican republic native, who yielded a total of three earned runs in his previous three outings. severino went up against heaney on april 27 and also settled for a no decision while surrendering three runs and five hits in seven frames.
walk-offs
1. the yankees have hit three or more home runs in five straight games for the first time in franchise history.
2. los angeles rookie rhp shohei ohtani will not make his scheduled start on sunday in an effort to manage his workload but will be available to hit during the series.
3. new york rhp david robertson allowed a total of six runs in 3 2/3 innings across his last four appearances.
prediction: yankees 8, angels 3
Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 05-25-2018
24th May 2018 by Gracenote
the chicago white sox and detroit tigers own two of the five worst records in the american league, but both teams really only need a hot streak to get right back in the thick of things in the al central. the white sox seek payback for a three-game sweep early last month at the hands of the tigers beginning friday when they visit detroit for the opener of a three-game set.
chicago (15-32) has been sitting at the bottom of the al for much of the season, but it also has never trailed by more than 9 1/2 games in the central in large part because division-leading cleveland has hovered right around .500 most of the season. despite thursday's 9-3 home setback against baltimore, the white sox have been playing better baseball of late, going 5-3 over their last eight contests after opening the season 10-29. the tigers (21-28) were one game out of first place in the division just over a week ago, but they return home - where they are 12-10 - four games off the pace entering thursday following a 2-5 road trip. detroit ended a five-game slide with a 4-1 victory at minnesota on wednesday and hope to rediscover the form that led to its first three-game sweep of the season, april 5-8 in chicago.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, wgn (chicago), fs detroit
pitching matchup: white sox rh reynaldo lopez (1-3, 2.98 era) vs. tigers rh mike fiers (4-3, 4.57)
lopez bounced back from one of the worst outings of his career with perhaps his best sunday against texas, yielding two hits and two walks while fanning eight over eight scoreless innings. the 24-year-old dominican turned in a similar performance in a losing cause versus detroit, permitting one unearned run on two hits and five walks april 8. lopez has logged at least five innings in all but one turn and allowed more than two earned runs just twice in his nine starts this season.
fiers took the loss saturday in seattle, surrendering four runs on six hits - including a pair of homers - across five frames. the nova southeastern product has struggled with the long ball in recent years and this season has been no different, giving up two home runs in four of his eight starts. fiers' best outing of the campaign came opposite lopez last month when he blanked the white sox over six innings, improving to 2-0 with a 0.70 era in four starts versus chicago.
walk-offs
1. tigers of nicholas castellanos, who has two hits in four consecutive games, is batting .375 with nine runs scored, five doubles and three homers over his last 17 contests.
2. white sox c welington castillo was suspended for 80 games thursday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
3. detroit has outscored chicago 28-8 while winning each of the last four meetings, recording two shutouts over that span.
prediction: white sox 3, tigers 2
Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 05-25-2018
24th May 2018 by Gracenote
right-hander jose urena is laboring through a frustrating season with the miami marlins, failing to win in each of his 10 starts and carrying an 0-7 record into friday night's matchup against the visiting washington nationals. breaking the slide won't be easy for urena, who will be matched up against three-time cy young award winner max scherzer.
urena lost both starts against washington during his breakout 14-win season in 2017 but he pitched a gem in a 1-0 loss at marlins park, allowing the one run on three hits over eight innings. miami salvaged a .500 road trip by taking the final two games at the new york mets, rallying for two runs in the ninth wednesday to improve to 14-13 since opening the season with 17 losses in 22 contests. scherzer looms as the early favorite to win his fourth cy young in six years, going 6-0 in nine starts since suffering his only defeat on april 4. the nationals continue to struggle at home but have won seven of their last eight on the road and own an eight-game winning streak in the series against the marlins.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, masn2 (washington), fs florida (miami)
pitching matchup: nationals rh max scherzer (7-1, 1.78 era) vs. marlins rh jose urena (0-7, 4.55)
scherzer had to settle for a no-decision against the los angeles dodgers last time out despite striking out 13 and permitting only two runs and five hits over seven innings. he has yet to allow more than two earned runs in a start this season and has fanned at least 10 in seven of his 10 outings. martin prado is 13-for-30 with a homer off scherzer, who went 1-1 with a microscopic 1.17 era in four starts versus miami in 2017.
urena's skid continued when he gave up four runs and five hits over six innings last time out but he also continues to be victimized by a lack of run support -- miami had has scored 23 runs in his 10 starts and seven over his last five turns. all four of his quality starts, including the past three, have come at home, where he is 0-6 this season. bryce harper is 2-for-3 with a double and four walks versus urena.
walk-offs
1. nationals lf juan soto, 19, was hitless in four at-bats wednesday after going 3-for-5 with three rbis in the first two games of the series.
2. marlins c j.t. realmuto was 5-for-10 in the last two games at new york but is 1-for-20 lifetime against scherzer.
3. miami's win on wednesday was its first in 25 games when trailing after eight innings this season.
prediction: nationals 4, marlins 1
Houston Astros vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 05-25-2018
24th May 2018 by Gracenote
two-time cy young award winner corey kluber will try to cool off houston's offense when his cleveland indians host the astros on friday for the second contest of the four-game series between the american league division leaders. houston has won four straight and seven of eight contests after recording 12 hits and going 5-for-9 with runners in scoring position in an 8-2 victory over the indians on thursday.
alex bregman belted a three-run homer and finished with four rbis for the al west-leading astros as he extended his hitting streak to eight games (11-for-29), while jake marisnick launched a three-run shot in his first game back from the minors. kluber seeks his 11th consecutive quality start to open the season - following one last week against houston - while dallas keuchel attempts to avoid his seventh loss of the year for the astros after producing six quality outings in his first 10 turns. the al central-leading indians, who lost two of three at houston from may 18-20, could not get it done on the mound thursday after allowing just one run in a two-game road sweep of the chicago cubs to start the week. cleveland's michael brantley brings a 13-game hitting streak - during which he is 20-for-56 with four homers and 15 rbis - into friday's contest after registering a two-run single in the series opener.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, mlb network, at&t sportsnet-southwest (houston), sportstime ohio (cleveland)
pitching matchup: astros lh dallas keuchel (3-6, 3.43 era) vs. indians rh corey kluber (7-2, 2.36)
keuchel gave up four runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts over five innings last time out versus cleveland after recording his best two starts of the season. the 30-year-old native of oklahoma allowed one run and eight hits across 15 frames in his previous two outings and registered a quality start in his first of four turns this month as well. jose ramirez is 4-for-9 with a pair of doubles against kuechel, who is 4-1 with a 2.76 era in seven career games (six starts) versus the indians.
kluber permitted two runs and six hits while striking out 10 over seven innings to defeat houston on saturday and record his 10th straight quality start. the 32-year-old from alabama has issued just one walk in his last four appearances and reached double digits in strikeouts for the third time in 2018 on saturday to push his total to 71 in 72 1/3 frames. marwin gonzalez is 8-for-17 with two homers and six rbis versus kluber, who is 6-3 with a 3.17 era in nine career outings (eight starts) against the astros.
walk-offs
1. indians ss francisco lindor is 5-for-12 with three doubles, three runs scored and two walks in his last three games.
2. houston ss carlos correa has gone 59 contests without an error, tying the franchise record for his position set in 1976 by roger metzger.
3. cleveland of lonnie chisenhall (calf) is on a minor-league rehab assignment and could return before the end of the month.
prediction: indians 5, astros 2
Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 05-25-2018
24th May 2018 by Gracenote
the tampa bay rays are expected to start relief pitchers in all three games of their series with the visiting baltimore orioles, beginning with sergio romo in friday's opener. the rays have utilized relief pitchers in starting roles multiple times this year and will rely heavily on their strategy over the weekend, with romo starting twice and ryne stanek opening saturday's tilt.
they were able to get through a 6-3 win over the boston red sox on thursday while utilizing three pitchers, as blake snell coasted through six scoreless innings and wilson ramos had three hits and two rbis. the orioles did not immediately name a starter for friday but they have a rested staff after dylan bundy tossed a complete game in thursday's 9-3 win over the chicago white sox. david hess, who won his major league debut against the rays earlier this month, is a candidate to make the start. adam jones homered among three hits and scored three times on thursday for baltimore, which matched their runs total from the previous five games combined.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, masn (baltimore), fs sun (tampa bay)
pitching matchup: orioles rh david hess (1-1, 6.75 era) vs. rays rh sergio romo (1-0, 4.34 era)
hess gave up three runs in six innings to defeat the rays on may 12 at home, striking out three and walking none. he was unable to carry over the momentum and gave up five runs in 4 2/3 frames at boston on sunday for his first career loss. matt duffy took hess deep for all three runs in the first encounter at baltimore.
romo made 18 relief appearances to begin the year before starting back-to-back games last weekend at the los angeles angels. he totaled 2 1/3 scoreless innings and recorded six strikeouts in those two outings and has 26 strikeouts in 18 2/3 frames on the year. the current baltimore roster is 5-for-34 with 11 strikeouts against the 35-year-old romo.
walk-offs
1. orioles of/dh mark trumbo (knee) has missed two straight games and may have an mri.
2. ramos is batting .471 with six rbis during a five-game hitting streak.
3. baltimore ss manny machado has 10 rbis in six games against tampa bay this year.
prediction: rays 6, orioles 5
Atlanta Braves vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 05-25-2018
24th May 2018 by Gracenote
a pair of first-place teams looking to bounce back from series-ending losses meet friday when the boston red sox host the atlanta braves in the opener of a three-game interleague series. the red sox won four straight before falling 6-3 at tampa bay on thursday, as the top third of their order went 1-for-12 with five strikeouts.
mookie betts had that one hit and returns home sporting a .417 average at fenway park this year. boston gets a boost in the opener with the return of star second baseman dustin pedroia, who makes his season debut after recovering from offseason knee surgery. the braves were shut out twice in a three-game set at philadelphia to begin the week, sandwiching in a 3-1 victory. julio teheran, who gave up six runs and 13 hits in 6 1/3 innings in his only prior start at fenway park, gets the nod in the opener for the braves opposite red sox left-hander eduardo rodriguez.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, fs southeast (atlanta), nesn (boston)
pitching matchup: braves rh julio teheran (4-1, 4.17 era) vs. red sox lh eduardo rodriguez (4-1, 4.13)
teheran had his first home start in nearly a month sunday against miami, giving up six runs over five innings without getting a decision. the braves are 8-2 in his 10 starts and they've managed to win each of the last four, despite some inconsistent results. the 27-year-old lost his first two starts against the red sox and is 6-9 with a 5.08 era in 19 career interleague outings.
rodriguez has a 1.72 era over his last three starts but he has failed to get through six innings each time and allowed nine hits in his most recent outing - a win over baltimore on sunday. the venezuelan has 11 strikeouts and no walks over his last two appearances and 58 punchouts in 48 innings on the year. he has never faced the braves and owns a 3.93 era in nine career interleague starts.
walk-offs
1. braves rf nick markakis is batting .417 during a six-game hitting streak.
2. red sox ss xander bogaerts is 1-for-13 with six strikeouts over a four-game span.
3. boston won 11 of the last 14 meetings.
prediction: red sox 6, braves 4
Kansas City Royals vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 05-25-2018
25th May 2018 by Gracenote
the kansas city royals look to extend their season-high winning streak to four games when they visit the texas rangers on friday for the second contest of their four-game series. kansas city rolled to an 8-2 victory in thursday's opener and has outscored its opponents 18-5 during its season-best stretch.
salvador perez matched his season high by driving in four runs in the series-opening win and is enjoying a solid month with seven homers and 23 rbis. the five-time all-star didn't make his season debut until april 24 after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in late march while carrying a suitcase up the stairs at his home. texas was limited to five hits in the opener after it slugged seven homers and scored 23 runs while taking two of three from the new york yankees. the rangers continue to struggle at home with a substandard 9-18 record.
tv: 8:05 p.m. et, fs kansas city, fs southwest (texas)
pitching matchup: royals lh eric skoglund (1-4, 6.15 era) vs. rangers lh mike minor (3-3, 5.59)
skoglund has dropped both of his last two starts and is winless in four outings. the 25-year-old was torched for six runs and eight hits in five innings of a loss to new york in his last turn. skoglund has struggled on the road in six major-league appearances (five starts), going 0-2 with a 9.82 era and 2.05 whip while allowing opponents to bat .548.
minor is 0-2 with an 8.22 era over his last three starts and has served up five homers in 15 1/3 innings during that stretch. the 30-year-old won three straight decisions before falling into the current rut and gave up just three blasts over his first six turns. minor is 0-1 with a 3.00 era in two career starts against kansas city, a team for which he made 65 relief appearances last season while posting a career-best 2.55 era.
walk-offs
1. the rangers optioned lhp brandon mann to triple-a round rock and recalled rhp austin bibens-dirkx, who started thursday and suffered the loss.
2. kansas city lf alex gordon (hip/neck) was a late scratch thursday, one day after making a spectacular diving catch against st. louis.
3. texas of ryan rua was hitless in four at-bats in the opener and is 0-for-20 in his last nine contests.
prediction: rangers 5, royals 4
New York Mets vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 05-25-2018
25th May 2018 by Gracenote
after soaring to a three-game sweep over arizona to begin their homestand, the milwaukee brewers landed with a thud in their series opener against the new york mets. milwaukee looks to bounce back friday as it continues the four-game set a day after managing only five singles in a 5-0 loss to new york.
ryan braun recorded one of those hits in his first game following a stint on the disabled list due to a back ailment, but zach davies' return from a shoulder injury was far from successful as he yielded four runs and six hits in four innings. the mets pounded out 13 hits as they began their eight-game road trip in strong fashion, with brandon nimmo falling a home run shy of the cycle as he went 4-for-4 with a walk and scored twice. the 25-year-old nimmo is 6-for-7 over his last two contests after going 0-for-7 in his previous two games. new york had lost two straight prior to thursday, scoring one run in each defeat, and dropped three of its previous four on the road.
tv: 8:10 p.m. et, sny (new york), fs wisconsin (milwaukee)
pitching matchup: mets rh noah syndergaard (4-1, 2.91 era) vs. brewers rh junior guerra (3-3, 2.98)
syndergaard has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last nine starts after yielding four in his season debut. the 25-year-old texan, who hasn't started on the road since april 26 in st. louis, limited arizona to one run over seven innings in a victory on sunday. syndergaard has been dominant against milwaukee in his career, going 2-0 with a 0.49 era and 0.71 whip in three starts.
guerra appears to have overcome a pair of rough starts to start the month, allowing three runs over 10 1/3 innings while going 1-0 in his last two turns. the 33-year-old venezuelan has struggled at home, however, surrendering nine runs over 10 frames in back-to-back losses after giving up one unearned run across 10 2/3 innings in his first two outings of 2018 at miller park. guerra has permitted one run over 12 2/3 frames while going 1-0 in two career starts against new york.
walk-offs
1. nimmo enters friday having reached safely in eight consecutive plate appearances.
2. to make room on the roster for braun and davies, the brewers optioned rhp brandon woodruff and 1b ji-man choi to triple-a colorado springs.
3. milwaukee has been shut out a major league-high nine times this season.
prediction: mets 6, brewers 3
Cincinnati Reds vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 05-25-2018
24th May 2018 by Gracenote
the colorado rockies watched the bats go cold at the end of a nine-game road trip and will hope for a change in temperature when they return home friday to host the cincinnati reds. the rockies dropped four of the final five games on the trek, capped by a 3-0 shutout at the los angeles dodgers on wednesday.
colorado dropped five of nine on its road trip and is concerned about the hitting heading back home. "you want to do better, obviously," rockies manager bud black told reporters of the trip. "we didn't play our best baseball every time. i thought we pitched really well. we strung together some innings, offensively, to win us some games. we played solid defense throughout the road trip. we just didn't hit well in certain games. ... we need to swing the bats better, for sure." the reds capped a seven-game homestand with a series win over the pittsburgh pirates, taking thursday's finale 5-4 behind eugenio suarez's grand slam. suarez is 1-for-4 in his career against colorado right-hander jon gray, who opposes cincinnati's sal romano on friday.
tv: 8:40 p.m. et, fs ohio (cincinnati), at&t sportsnet rocky mountain (colorado)
pitching matchup: reds rh sal romano (2-5, 5.62 era) vs. rockies rh jon gray (4-6, 5.34)
romano put together a string of five straight starts allowing two or fewer earned runs bridging april and may but was not quite as strong in his last two turns. the 24-year-old was ripped for a total of 13 runs on 14 hits and eight walks over 7 1/3 innings in those two outings - both losses. romano won his lone start against colorado in his 2017 rookie campaign, earning his victory as a big-leaguer after allowing two runs and six hits in five frames.
gray ran into similar trouble in his last two starts, surrendering a total of 11 runs and 19 hits over nine innings in losses to milwaukee and san francisco. the oklahoma native did manage to strike out 14 in those nine frames and owns 63 strikeouts in 55 2/3 total innings. gray saw cincinnati once in 2017 and earned a win while yielding three runs - two earned - across 5 2/3 innings.
walk-offs
1. rockies 3b nolan arenado is 1-for-10 with six strikeouts in his last three games.
2. cincinnati 1b joey votto is 5-for-27 over his last nine games.
3. colorado cf charlie blackmon leads the team with 12 home runs but managed just one in the last 17 games.
prediction: rockies 5, reds 3