Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 08-17-2018 in MLB
The Oakland Athletics have won 11 of 14 to give the American League West-leading Houston Astros good reason to look over their shoulder. The division rivals will begin a pivotal three-game series Friday as the Athletics (72-49) aim to cut into their two-game deficit behind the first-place Astros (74-47), who snapped a five-game skid with a lopsided victory Wednesday.
Matt Chapman is riding a career-best 13-game hitting streak while reaching base in 29 consecutive contests, but that success hasn't been on display against Houston this season. The 25-year-old is 10-for-44 with 14 strikeouts versus the Astros, and 1-for-5 in a small sample size against Friday starter Charlie Morton. Evan Gattis showed signs of ending an ice-cold spell by belting two of Houston's season-high five homers in a 12-1 romp over Colorado on Wednesday. The 31-year-old was mired in an 0-for-19 stretch over his previous eight games before collecting three hits against the Rockies, but is 8-for-40 with 10 strikeouts versus the Athletics this season.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network; AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Charlie Morton (12-3, 2.88 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Edwin Jackson (4-2, 2.48)
Morton tasted defeat for the first time since July 1 on Saturday despite permitting only three runs in six innings of a 3-2 setback versus Seattle. The 34-year-old looks to get back in the winner's circle when he hits the road, where he is 4-1 with a 2.73 ERA in 10 outings -- including eight quality starts. Morton was left with a no-decision in his lone meeting this season versus Oakland after allowing three runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings on July 12.
Jackson has been brilliant while winning each of his last three starts, permitting one run on 11 hits while striking out 14 over 19 1/3 innings in victories over Toronto, Detroit and the Los Angeles Angels. The 34-year-old especially was impressive against the Angels, scattering three hits and striking out six over a season-high 7 1/3 frames. Martin Maldonado (5-for-12, homer, six RBIs) has gotten under the skin of Jackson, who owns a 2-2 mark with a 4.17 ERA in eight career encounters (seven starts) against Houston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Houston won eight of the first nine encounters against Oakland this season before the latter responded by taking three of four from July 9-12.
2. Athletics 1B Matt Olson is 6-for-17 with three doubles and two RBIs during his four-game hitting streak entering the series versus the Astros, against whom he is only 5-for-47 with 15 strikeouts.
3. Houston 3B Alex Bregman has hit safely in eight of his last nine games.
PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Astros 3
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 08-17-2018 in MLB
The Seattle Mariners won five of seven encounters against a pair of American League West heavyweights to conclude their 10-game road trip with plenty of optimism. The Mariners (70-52) hope to continue their good fortune Friday when they begin a six-game homestand with the opener of a three-game series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers (65-57).
"It's not going to get any easier, but we're starting to play with our confidence again and have some swag to our team," Seattle manager Scott Servais said after Dee Gordon belted a rare homer in the 12th inning in Wednesday's 2-0 triumph over Oakland. Jean Segura recorded a four-hit performance for the second time in three outings for the Mariners, who reside 4 1/2 games behind first-place Houston and 2 1/2 behind the second-place Athletics. Los Angeles also required 12 innings to emerge victorious in its last outing, with Brian Dozier's sacrifice fly helping the club remain hot on the heels of National League West-leading Arizona with a 4-3 victory versus San Francisco on Wednesday. Yasiel Puig likely will not be on the field for the series opener -- pending appeal -- as the outfielder received a two-game suspension and undisclosed fine for fighting and inciting a bench-clearing incident in Tuesday's tilt.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network; SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (5-4, 3.32 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (7-2, 3.80)
Buehler has answered allowing five runs in two of three starts by permitting three total over his last three contests, splitting the first two of the latter stretch before being saddled with a hard-luck no-decision Saturday. In that outing, the 24-year-old scattered four hits and struck out six over seven scoreless innings at hitter-friendly Coors Field in Colorado. Buehler also said he was no worse for wear after a collision with teammate Max Muncy and is expected to take the mound for his first career encounter with Seattle.
LeBlanc posted his first win since July 20 on Saturday after yielding two runs on three hits in five innings of a 3-2 triumph at Houston. The 34-year-old returns to the comforts of Safeco Field, where he sports a 6-1 mark with a 3.50 ERA in 12 games (10 starts) this season. LeBlanc, however, hasn't been as fortunate when facing the Dodgers, against whom he is 1-7 with a 4.18 ERA in 11 career meetings (nine starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles IF Manny Machado is batting 13-for-42 with five runs scored in his last 11 games overall and 5-for-15 versus Seattle this season.
2. Mariners RHP Edwin Diaz is one save shy of the franchise record of 48 set by Fernando Rodney in 2014.
3. Seattle has won only three of 10 interleague games this season.
PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Dodgers 2
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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 08-17-2018 in MLB
The Arizona Diamondbacks look to defeat the host San Diego Padres for the fifth straight time and ninth in 12 attempts this season when the teams continue their four-game series on Friday. Arizona rode a five-run first inning to a series-opening 5-1 win on Thursday and remained 1 1/2 games ahead of Colorado Rockies in the National League West.
The hot-hitting David Peralta launched a three-run blast during the first-inning outburst and is 22-for-55 with six homers, 11 RBIs, and 12 runs scored this month. Paul Goldschmidt was kept in the yard during a 1-for-5 effort and is a torrid 17-for-46 with two homers and eight RBIs against San Diego this season. The Padres have dropped four straight games and 15 of their last 21 as they possess the worst record (48-76) in the NL. Hunter Renfroe homered for the team's lone run in the opener, marking the sixth time he's gone deep in his last 16 games.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (3-2, 4.83 ERA) vs. Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (6-6, 3.45)
Ray is winless over his last eight turns but has suffered just two setbacks during that stretch. The 26-year-old has allowed fewer than three earned runs in four of his last six outings but only has worked more than 5 1/3 frames in one of those turns. Ray faced the Padres on July 7, when he gave up four runs and four hits over 4 1/3 innings, and is 4-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 10 career starts against the club.
Lucchesi defeated Philadelphia in his last turn as he gave up only two hits over six scoreless innings. The 25-year-old rookie is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts against Arizona and has served up four homers in just 14 2/3 frames. Lucchesi is 4-4 with a 3.77 ERA in 12 home starts this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Diamondbacks have won their last five games in San Diego.
2. Padres SS Freddy Galvis has gone 0-for-6 with three strikeouts in his last two contests after belting four homers during a six-game stretch.
3. Arizona 3B Jake Lamb (shoulder) underwent surgery on Thursday and is expected to be recovered prior to the start of spring training.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 4, Padres 2
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