Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Friday 9/7/18
National League
Padres (56-86) @ Reds (59-82)
Kennedy is 1-0, 2.81 in his last three starts (over 3-2). Team in his starts: 1-4, 0-2 away
5-inning record: 1-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5
DeSclafani is 1-1, 6.06 in his last three starts; over is 6-3-1 in his home starts. Team in his starts: 10-6, 6-4 home
5-inning record: 9-4-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-16
Padres lost three of their last five games; under is 6-1 in their last seven games. Cincinnati lost seven of its last nine games; over is 3-2 in their last five home games.
Marlins (56-84) @ Pirates (69-71)
Straily is 1-0, 0.64 in his last two starts; over is 7-2 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 10-12, 4-7 away
5-inning record: 8-9-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-22
Archer is 0-2, 5.68 in his last four starts (over 3-2-1). Team in his starts: 2-4, 1-1 home
5-inning record: 4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6
Marlins are 2-14 in their last 16 road games, 6-15 in road series openers. Over is 9-2 in their last 11 road games. Pittsburgh won its last three games; they’re 14-9 in home series openers. Under is 10-1 in their last 11 home games.
Cubs (83-57) @ Nationals (69-72)
Lester is 3-0, 1.52 in his last four starts; over is 11-2 in his last 13 starts. Team in his starts: 21-7, 11-3 away
5-inning record: 16-8-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-28
Ross is making his first ’18 start; he is 17-13, 3.95 in 45 MLB starts. He was 2-1, 2.39 in six AAA starts this year. Team in his starts: 0-0 home
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0
Cubs are 5-4 in their last nine games; over is 4-1 in their last five games. Washington lost six of its last eight games; they’re 13-22 vs lefty starters- over is 10-3 in its last 13 home games.
Phillies (73-66) @ Mets (63-76)
Nola is 3-1, 1.87 in his last five starts; under is 5-1 in his last six road starts. Team in his starts: 19-9, 6-8 away
5-inning record: 11-8-9 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-28
Matz is 0-1, 1.89 in his last three starts; over is 7-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 12-13, 5-7 home
5-inning record: 7-14-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-25
Phillies are 5-12 in their last 17 games; they’re 0-6 in last six road series openers, 16-15 vs left starters- four of their last six games stayed under. Mets won four of their last five games; they’re 4-9 in last 13 home series openers. Under is 5-3 in their last eight games.
Giants (68-73) @ Brewers (79-62)
Holland is 1-0, 1.21 in his last four starts; under is 7-1-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 14-12, 7-8 away
5-inning record: 9-10-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-26
Anderson is 3-0, 4.42 in his last seven starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 14-13, 9-5 home
5-inning record: 15-8-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-27
Giants lost their last five games; they’re 12-11 in road series openers. Under is 10-1 in their last 11 games. Milwaukee won six of its last eight games; they’re 14-8 in home series openers, 17-16 vs lefty starters- over is 5-1 in their last six home games.
Dodgers (76-64) @ Rockies (77-62)
Kershaw is 3-0, 2.36 in his last seven starts; under is 5-3-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 11-10, 5-4 away
5-inning record: 13-6-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-21
Gray is 2-0, 4.26 in his last three starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 16-10, 6-4 home
5-inning record: 13-11-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 10-26
Dodgers are 9-3 in their last 12 games, 13-1 in last 14 road series openers; under is 6-2 in their last eight games. This is armadillosports.com. Colorado won its last five games; they’re 9-13 in home series openers, 28-23 vs lefty starters- under is 10-3 in their last 13 home games.
Braves (77-63) @ Diamondbacks (75-65)
Gausman is 4-0, 1.64 in his last five starts (under 4-1-1). Team in his starts: 5-1, 2-1 away
5-inning record: 3-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6
Corbin is 3-1, 2.35 in his last six starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 16-12, 8-6 home
5-inning record: 14-7-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-28
Braves lost six of their last nine games; seven of their last eight road games stayed under. Arizona lost five of its last six games; 11 of Arizona’s last 12 games stayed under the total.
American League
Indians (80-60) @ Blue Jays (63-77)
Carrasco is 1-2, 5.60 in his last three starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 16-10, 8-4 away
5-inning record: 15-7-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-26
Estrada is 0-2, 15.64 in his last two starts; over is 6-3 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 11-13, 5-7 home
5-inning record: 9-11-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-24
Indians are 5-4 in their last nine games; under is 5-3-1 in their last nine games. Toronto lost eight of its last 11 games; three of their last five games stayed under.
Orioles (41-99) @ Rays (75-64)
Bundy is 0-4, 9.10 in his last six starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 8-18, 3-8 away
5-inning record: 9-13-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 10-26
Snell is 5-0, 1.26 in his last five starts; under is 11-3-1 in his last 15. Team in his starts: 17-9, 8-3 home
5-inning record: 16-6-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-26
Orioles are 2-11 in their last 13 road games, 0-10 in last 10 road series openers; they’re 16-27 vs lefty starters- four of their last five games stayed under. Tampa Bay won four of its last five games; they’re 10-2 in last dozen home series openers- over is 3-1-1 in their last five home tilts.
Astros (87-53) @ Red Sox (97-44)
Cole is 3-0, 3.97 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 20-8, 9-5 away
5-inning record: 16-6-6Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-28
Price is 3-0, 1.89 in his last six starts; under is 5-1-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 20-6, 11-2 home
5-inning record: 13-7-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-26
Astros won their last five games, are 17-5 in road series openers, 31-22 vs lefty starters- under is 6-1 in their last seven games. Boston won seven of its last nine games; they’re 16-5 in home series openers. Four of their last six games stayed under.
Royals (46-93) @ Twins (63-76)
Fillmyer is 2-0, 4.18 in his last five starts (over 5-3-1). Team in his starts: 3-6, 0-3 away
5-inning record: 3-5-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-9
Gonsalves is 0-2, 12.60 in his three starts (over 2-1). Team in his starts: 1-2, 0-2 home
5-inning record: 1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3
Royals are 2-12 in their last 14 road games, 6-16 in road series openers, 15-26 vs lefty starters— under is 5-3-1 in their last nine road games. This is armadillosports.com. Minnesota lost its last five games; they’re 8-1 in last nine home series openers- four of their last six games went over.
Angels (68-72) @ White Sox (56-84)
Pena is 0-1, 3.82 in his last five starts; under is 8-3 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 5-8, 2-4 away
5-inning record: 4-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-13
Rodon is 3-1, 3.06 in his last five starts; under is 6-3-1 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 8-7, 4-3 home
5-inning record: 5-6-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-15
Angels are 5-10 in their last 15 games, 11-13 in road series openers, 16-25 vs lefty starter- under is 6-2 in their last eight games. White Sox are 8-5 in their last 13 games, 9-14 in home series openers- under is 8-4 in their last 12 games.
Rangers (61-79) @ A’s (84-57)
Gallardo is 1-2, 5.59 in his last four starts (over 9-3-1). Team in his starts: 10-3, 3-2 away
5-inning record: 8-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-13
Bassitt is 2-0, 2.66 in his last four starts (over 3-3-1). Team in his starts: 4-3, 1-2 home
5-inning record: 3-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-7
Texas lost seven of its last ten games; they’re 7-3 in last ten road series openers- under is 6-2 in their last eight road games. A’s are 8-5 in their last 13 games, 8-3 in last 11 home series openers- five of their last six games went over.
New York (87-53) @ Seattle (78-62)
Tanaka is 1-1, 2.70 in his last three starts; under is 3-0-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 14-9, 9-4 away
5-inning record: 13-5-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-23
Paxton is 3-1, 4.07 in his last five starts; under is 7-3 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 15-10, 6-5 home
5-inning record: 10-9-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-25
New York lost three of its last four games; they’re 27-13 vs lefty starters, 13-10 in road series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Seattle is 4-6 in its last ten games, 15-7 in home series openers- under is 4-1 in their last five home games.
Interleague
Cardinals (78-62) @ Tigers (57-83)
Gomber is 1.86 in his last five starts; over is 2-0-1 in his last three. Team in his starts: 7-0, 5-0 away
5-inning record: 7-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-7
Norris 0-2, 4.63 in his three starts (under 3-0). Team in his starts: 0-3, 0-1 home
5-inning record: 0-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3
Cardinals are 2-3 in their last five games, 11-12 in road series openers, 24-15 vs lefty starters- three of their last four games went over. Detroit won three of its last four games; they’re 11-11 in home series openers, 17-18 vs lefty starters- over is 6-2 in their last eight games.
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San Diego Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 6th September 2018 by Gracenote
The San Diego Padres may possess a future star at catcher as they focus on knocking off the Cincinnati Reds on Friday in the second contest of their four-game set. Francisco Mejia slugged two homers and drove in four runs in his first start with the franchise as the Padres recorded a 6-2 victory in Thursday's series opener.
Mejia, who is rated as the No. 1 catching prospect by MLB pipeline, was acquired from Cleveland in July for two-time All-Star left-hander Brad Hand and right-hander Adam Cimber. The 22-year-old Mejia belted a solo shot in the third inning and launched a three-run blast one frame later as the San Diego improved to 2-1 on its eight-game road trip. Cincinnati continues to spiral downward as Thursday's setback was its fourth straight and 12th in 15 contests. Second baseman Scooter Gennett, who leads the National League with a .320 batting average, missed the opener for the Reds with a thigh injury but hopes to return on Friday.
TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Brett Kennedy (1-2, 5.76 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (7-4, 4.37)
Kennedy earned his first major-league victory in his last turn - his fifth start - as he scattered four hits over six scoreless innings against Colorado. The 24-year-old has allowed five runs over 16 frames in his last three outings after being roughed up for 11 over nine innings in his first two career starts. Kennedy has served up six homers while opponents have registered a .340 batting average against him.
DeSclafani has gone 3-1 over his last six starts to lower his ERA by more than a run. The 28-year-old is 4-2 with a 4.34 ERA while serving up 11 homers over 58 innings in 10 turns at home this season. DeSclafani is making his third career start against the Padres after going 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA in the first two, which took place in 2016.
WALK-OFFS
1. Padres LF Hunter Renfroe homered in the series opener and has gone deep eight times in his last 19 games.
2. Cincinnati SS Jose Peraza recorded three hits on Thursday to improve to 5-for-8 with a homer over his last two contests.
3. San Diego RF Franmil Reyes went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the opener as his career-best 10-game hitting streak came to an end.
PREDICTION: Reds 5, Padres 4
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Miami Marlins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 6th September 2018 by Gracenote
Marlins vs. Pirates Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/06/2018
Returning home to face a last-place club helped the Pittsburgh Pirates snap out of a funk and they will look to extend their momentum against another last-place club. The Pirates have won three in a row after sweeping National League Central rival Cincinnati and continue their six-game homestand with the first of three against the Miami Marlins on Friday night.
Pittsburgh had dropped 14 of 19 before outscoring the Reds 15-6 to draw within two games of reaching the .500 mark. Gregory Polanco was 6-for-12 with a home run and five RBIs in the three-game sweep of Cincinnati to extend his hitting streak to six games for the Pirates. The Marlins have alternated wins and losses over their last six, and now open a 10-game road trip - they are an NL-worst 22-43 away from home. Miami's Starlin Castro has multiple hits in four of his last seven games and is 8-for-23 against Pittsburgh right-hander Chris Archer, who will oppose Dan Straily in the series opener.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Dan Straily (5-6, 4.13 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Chris Archer (4-7, 4.56)
Straily is coming off a pair of stellar efforts, settling for a no-decision last time out despite limiting Toronto to one run and four hits over a season-high eight innings. The 29-year-old blanked Atlanta on three hits over six innings in his previous turn to halt a five-start winless drought. Starling Marte is 6-for-15 and Josh Bell 4-for-11 against Straily, who is 2-5 with a 4.31 ERA on the road.
Archer is coming off his best outing in nearly three months, although he did not factor in the decision after yielding one run and two hits over six innings while pitching exclusively from the stretch. "When I was 10 years old and first pitched in my life, my dad taught me to keep things simple, so I kind of went back to that," he told reporters. Archer struck out 13 in a no-decision against Miami on July 22.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pirates LHP Felipe Vazquez earned his 30th save Wednesday and hasn't blown a save since May 31.
2. Marlins OF Lewis Brinson is 10-for-28 during a seven-game hitting streak.
3. Pirates 2B-OF Adam Frazier has hit safely in three straight games, going 6-for-11 with five runs scored.
PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Marlins 3
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Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
David Bote's role has been reduced since Kris Bryant returned from the disabled list, but the Chicago Cubs might have to find a way to work him into the lineup for the remainder of their four-game set against the host Washington Nationals. Bote and the Cubs have had a knack for late-inning heroics against the Nationals, and they'll try to record another victory in the season series on Friday.
Bote, who hit a walk-off grand slam to beat the Nationals on Aug. 12, was the hero again when he delivered a go-ahead RBI double in the 10th inning of Thursday's 6-4 victory. The Cubs have won 12 of their last 16 and lead the National League Central by 4 1/2 games over Milwaukee. The Nationals have dropped six of their last eight to fall three games below .500 for the first time since April 30. Washington is now 3-8 in extra-inning affairs.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (15-5, 3.53 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Joe Ross (2017: 5-3, 5.01)
Lester was tagged for nine runs - eight earned - over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the Nationals on Aug. 11, but he has been outstanding in four starts since. The 34-year-old is 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA over those four outings, and he worked six scoreless frames Sunday at Philadelphia to earn the victory. Lester is 2-2 with a 4.25 ERA in seven career starts against Washington.
Ross is making his first major-league start since July 9, 2017 after recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old went 2-1 with a 2.39 ERA in six minor-league turns as he worked his way back. Ross is 0-2 with a 3.44 ERA in three career starts against the Cubs, including his major-league debut in 2015.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals SS Trea Turner (12-for-35) and OF Adam Eaton (12-for-38) extended their hitting streaks to eight games on Thursday.
2. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo has recorded multiple hits in four of his last five games, going 9-for-16 over that stretch.
3. Chicago 2B-OF Ben Zobrist is 16-for-41 with six multi-hit performances in his last 11 contests.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Nationals 3
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Cleveland Indians vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 6th September 2018 by Gracenote
Indians vs. Blue Jays Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/06/2018
The Cleveland Indians attempt to move a step closer to their third consecutive American League Central crown when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set. Cleveland reduced its magic number for clinching the division to seven by posting its third straight win on Thursday, a 9-4 triumph in the series opener.
The Indians hope Francisco Lindor continues his hot stretch after going 4-for-5 with a pair of solo homers and a two-run single in the victory. The 24-year-old shortstop, who has matched the career high of 33 blasts he set last season, has gone deep four times in as many contests after posting his eighth career multi-homer performance - and sixth this year. Lindor will look to set the franchise single-season record for leadoff homers after tying the mark of seven achieved in 2008 by Grady Sizemore on Thursday. Toronto, which fell to 1-3 on its seven-game homestand, squandered a 4-2 lead in the opener but saw rookie Rowdy Tellez get his name in the record books as he became the first player in major-league history to record extra-base hits in each of his first three career plate appearances with a pair of doubles after also notching one as a pinch-hitter in his debut versus Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), Sportsnet (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (16-8, 3.52 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (7-11, 5.43)
Carrasco has lost two of his last three starts, including a setback against Tampa Bay on Sunday in which he yielded five runs and nine hits over 6 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old Venezuelan, who needs two wins to match the career high he set last season, served up two homers in the loss to the Rays after allowing the same amount over his previous six turns. Carrasco is 3-1 with a 5.60 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) against Toronto after escaping with a no-decision at home on May 3, when he was tagged for six runs on nine hits and three walks in 5 1/3 frames.
Estrada has been dealing with a back injury which has affected his performance, as he has surrendered 11 runs on 15 hits and seven walks over 6 1/3 innings in his last two starts - both losses. The 35-year-old Mexican won both of his previous two outings, allowing seven runs and 13 hits over 12 frames. Estrada seeks his first win against Cleveland as he is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three career starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians OF Michael Brantley was kept out of the lineup in the series opener after fouling a ball off his left foot Wednesday against Kansas City.
2. Toronto recalled RHP Justin Shafer, who allowed an unearned run in one inning of relief, and C Reese McGuire, who went 1-for-4 in his major-league debut, from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.
3. Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis has registered six RBIs over his last three games after belting a three-run homer on Thursday.
PREDICTION: Indians 7, Blue Jays 3
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Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 6th September 2018 by Gracenote
Orioles vs. Rays Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/06/2018
The Tampa Bay Rays begin a nine-game homestand that will likely determine whether they are a real contender for an American League wild-card spot Friday night with the first of three against the major league-worst Baltimore Orioles. The Rays lost for just the third time in 16 contests Wednesday with a 10-3 setback at Toronto and sit eight games out in the race for the second wild-card behind Oakland, whom they host Sept. 14-16.
"It's not going to be easy," Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier told reporters after belting two homers Wednesday and improving to 7-for-13 in his last four games. "We have to do a lot of things right and hope a couple other teams falter down the stretch. It's one of those things we know we're not going to win every game from here on out. It's just not how this game works." The Rays, who are 41-24 in Tampa Bay this year and play 16 of the final 23 games at Tropicana Field, start the crucial stretch with Cy Young hopeful Blake Snell and his 8-1 home record on the mound Friday. Dylan Bundy tries to begin adding some positives to a mostly disappointing season when he gets the start in the opener for Baltimore, which has dropped five of six and is one away from reaching 100 losses for the first time since 1988. Outfielder Joey Rickard, who was drafted by the Rays in 2012, is riding a six-game hitting streak overall and has punished Tampa Bay this season to the tune of 12-for-26 with three homers and 15 RBIs in eight contests.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (7-13, 5.36 ERA) vs. Rays LH Blake Snell (17-5, 2.02)
Bundy went winless in five starts last month with a 9.24 ERA, but he did begin September with an improved performance against Kansas City on Saturday. The 25-year-old former fourth-overall pick limited the Royals to three runs on eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts without being involved in the decision. C.J. Cron is 4-for-13 with three homers versus Bundy, who is 2-1 with a 4.82 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay this year.
Snell has given up one earned run or fewer in six straight starts since the beginning of August after permitting one across 6 2/3 innings in a victory over Cleveland on Saturday. The 25-year-old Seattle native is 5-0 with a 1.10 ERA in six outings since spending a short period of time on the disabled list with shoulder fatigue. Adam Jones is 3-for-7 with a homer against Snell, who is 1-2 with a 4.98 ERA in four career games versus Baltimore.
WALK-OFFS
1. Jones is 13-for-33 in his last eight games overall and has batted .386 with three homers and 10 RBIs - both of which are his most against any team - against the Rays this season.
2. Tampa Bay OF Tommy Pham (groin), who is riding a 10-game hitting streak, missed Wednesday's contest but could return as early as Friday.
3. The teams have split 16 games this season, but the Rays won four of the six meetings in Tampa Bay.
PREDICTION: Rays 6, Orioles 1
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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 6th September 2018 by Gracenote
Cardinals vs. Tigers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/06/2018
The St. Louis Cardinals flexed their muscles by erupting for eight homers and 18 runs total as they strengthened their hold on the second wild card in the National League with back-to-back victories. The Cardinals (78-62) aim to continue their power display on Friday as they begin their final interleague series of the season with the opener of a three-game set versus the Detroit Tigers (57-83) at Comerica Park.
Matt Adams homered twice against his former team and Marcell Ozuna matched a career high with four hits in Wednesday's 7-6 triumph over Washington. Ozuna belted a pair of solo shots in St. Louis' 11-8 win on Tuesday after going 0-for-8 with three strikeouts in his previous two games since coming off the disabled list due to inflammation in his right shoulder. Like the Cardinals, the Tigers also showed some power by recording 18 runs in back-to-back victories versus the Chicago White Sox -- highlighted by four homers in a 10-2 romp on Wednesday. Mikie Mahtook is batting .341 since Aug. 23 after going deep in both of those contests for Detroit, which has won three of its last four after losing seven of its previous eight.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals LH Austin Gomber (5-0, 2.77 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Daniel Norris (0-3, 5.49)
The Cardinals are a perfect 7-0 this season in games pitched by Gomber, who improved to 4-0 with a 2.52 ERA in a starting role after allowing two runs for the third straight outing. The 24-year-old rookie overcame 10 hits but did not walk a batter over a season-high seven innings in last Friday's 12-5 triumph versus Cincinnati. "This guy is not going to give in. He's going to bear down and make tough pitches and he did that," manager Mike Shildt said of Gomber, who helped his cause with a two-run double in the second.
Norris permitted two runs on one hit -- a homer -- in 4 1/3 innings of Saturday's 2-1 setback at the New York Yankees in his first start since returning from a four-month absence following groin surgery. The 25-year-old exited the contest with a cramps in his left calf, but he reported no issue afterward and is expected to be set to pitch versus St. Louis. "My breaking balls were good and my fastball is still true and has a little life on it," Norris told the Detroit News. "I'm still getting some swings and misses, even at 91 and 92 mph. ... I feel like I can absolutely compete at this level right now."
WALK-OFFS
1. St. Louis 1B Matt Carpenter has hit safely in four of his last six games, collecting a homer, five RBIs and four runs scored in that stretch.
2. Detroit RF Nicholas Castellanos is 10-for-30 with a homer, three RBIs and six runs scored in his last seven contests.
3. Cardinals C Yadier Molina is expected to play in the series opener after exiting Wednesday's game with left hamstring tightness.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Tigers 2
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Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 6th September 2018 by Gracenote
Phillies vs. Mets Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/06/2018
The free-falling Philadelphia Phillies have failed to win any of their last nine series, going 10-18 in that stretch to fall into second place in the National League East. After dropping two of three to the division's cellar dwellers, the Phillies (73-66) turn to ace Aaron Nola to help them take out their frustrations on the fourth-place New York Mets (63-76) in Friday's opener of a three-game set at Citi Field.
"We set out to win every baseball game. And our pleasure or our disappointment hinges on how we perform, and not really what Atlanta's doing," Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler said following Wednesday's 2-1 setback to lowly Miami. Asdrubal Cabrera improved to 6-for-14 with two homers, five RBIs and two runs scored during his four-game hitting streak after plating fellow former Met Jose Bautista for the Phillies' lone run against the Marlins. While Philadelphia remains within earshot of the Braves, New York is playing much better baseball at the moment with 17 wins in the last 28 -- including three of five at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 16-19. Wilmer Flores had a pair of RBIs singles in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers and is 13-for-43 versus the Phillies this season.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (15-4, 2.23 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (5-11, 4.20)
Nola suffered his first loss since July 14 on Sunday after allowing four runs for just the third time this season in an 8-1 setback versus the Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old struck out 11 in that contest, the same number he fanned over seven innings in a 4-2 win on Aug. 17 as he improved to 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA in four starts against the Mets in 2018. Kapler shuffled the pitching rotation to move up Nola, who is in line to face the first-place Braves on two occasions later this month.
Matz saw his winless stretch extend to five outings on Saturday despite striking out a career-high 11 batters against San Francisco. The 27-year-old, who yielded one run over seven innings for the second straight trip to the mound, has struggled in a pair of outings versus Philadelphia this season -- posting an 0-1 mark after surrendering seven runs on 10 hits in seven frames. Cesar Hernandez is 3-for-7 against Matz, but the hurler has handcuffed Carlos Santana (0-for-8) and Justin Bour (0-for-6).
WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia has plated just one run in four of its last five games.
2. Mets CF Brandon Nimmo, who is 5-for-24 with nine strikeouts against the Phillies this season, is 5-for-9 with a homer and three RBIs in his last three contests overall.
3. Santana has two homers, six RBIs and four runs scored during his eight-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Mets 3, Phillies 1
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Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 6th September 2018 by Gracenote
Astros vs. Red Sox Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/06/2018
The Boston Red Sox are barreling toward 100 wins, the American League East title and the best record in the majors, but up next is the team that ended their 2017 season. The Houston Astros, who beat the Red Sox in the American League Divisional Series en route to winning the World Series last year, open a three-game series in Boston on Friday night.
The Astros arrive at Fenway Park having won five in a row and holding a 3 1/2-game lead over second-place Oakland in the AL West. Red-hot Alex Bregman homered for the fourth time in five games and had five RBIs in Wednesday's 9-1 drubbing of Minnesota to extend his on-base streak to 33 consecutive games. The Red Sox completed a seven-game road trip with a three-game sweep in Atlanta, capping the trek by erasing a six-run deficit in Wednesday's 9-8 victory. Brandon Phillips, the hero of Wednesday's win with a game-winning two-run homer in his Boston debut, is 11-for-25 lifetime against Gerrit Cole, who matches up against David Price on Friday night.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (13-5, 2.86 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH David Price (14-6, 3.60)
Cole stumbled out of the All-Star break by going 0-3 in his first four starts, but he has bounced back by permitting nine earned runs over his last four outings and posting a 3-0 mark in that span. He won his second straight start Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, striking out nine and giving up two runs over 5 2/3 innings. Cole beat Boston with seven innings of three-run ball on June 1.
Price returns after missing one start, the result of taking a line drive off the wrist in the fourth inning of a no-decision against Miami on Aug. 29. That ended a superb stretch for the 33-year-old, who was 5-0 while rattling off seven consecutive quality starts. Catcher Brian McCann is 11-for-32 with three homers against Price, who tossed six innings of three-run ball to beat Houston on June 2.
WALK-OFFS
1. Bregman batted .486 with five homers, seven doubles and 17 RBIs over the just-concluded 10-game homestand.
2. Red Sox OF Mookie Betts, tied with teammate J.D. Martinez with a majors-best .335 batting average, is in a 1-for-12 rut.
3. The Astros are expected to activate RHP Charlie Morton (shoulder) off the disabled list to start Saturday's game.
PREDICTION: Astros 5, Red Sox 3
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Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 6th September 2018 by Gracenote
Angels vs. White Sox Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/06/2018
Shohei Ohtani the pitcher is done for the season but Ohtani the slugger is far from finished as the Los Angeles Angels complete a 10-game road trip with three against the Chicago White Sox starting Friday. Ohtani, who learned Wednesday that he will need Tommy John surgery, shrugged off the bad news with a pair of home runs in Los Angeles' 9-3 victory over Texas on Wednesday, giving him 18 with 47 RBIs in 247 at-bats of his magical rookie season.
"He's a professional," Angels' shortstop Andrelton Simmons told reporters about the 24-year-old Ohtani, who went 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA in 10 starts. "People will never understand how seriously he takes his job. He's very professional. He comes in, he works. He does his homework, and he balls. He goes out there and impresses his teammates every day, really. It's nice to see that he's still in good spirits. And he can still hit a ball really, really hard." Ohtani, who has served exclusively as a designated hitter when not pitching, is 11-for-26 with five home runs and nine RBIs in his last five starts as DH. Chicago (56-84) enters on a two-game slide, getting outscored by Detroit 18-5, but has won 14 of its last 22 games as the rebuilding process continues. Los Angeles' Felix Pena brings a 2.14 road ERA to Guaranteed Rate Field and opposes Carlos Rodon, who lost for the first time since June 30 in his last outing.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), NBCS Chicago Plus
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Felix Pena (1-4, 4.19 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (6-4, 2.89)
Pena earned a no-decision after allowing two runs (one earned) and five hits while striking out three in a career-high seven innings of Los Angeles' 7-3 loss at Houston on Saturday. The 28-year-old Dominican is 0-4 with a 4.35 ERA over his last 10 outings with Los Angeles scoring 27 runs during that span. Pena lost his only appearance versus the White Sox - 4-2 on July 24 when he yielded two runs, four hits and three walks over six frames.
It took the best team in baseball to halt Rodon's winning streak as he permitted five runs (four earned), six hits (two home runs) and two walks while striking out four over 6 1/3 innings of a 6-1 loss to Boston on Saturday. The 25-year-old Miami native, who has emerged as the ace of the staff, was 5-0 with a 1.84 ERA over nine starts spanning July and August. Mike Trout is 0-for-7 with five strikeouts and three walks versus Rodon, who is 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA in four career starts against the Angels after defeating them and Pena 4-2 on July 24 with a season-high eight strikeouts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Trout (.305, 31 home runs, 63 RBIs) missed Wednesday's game with a tight calf after getting hit by a pitch Tuesday.
2. Chicago C Kevan Smith (.294 in 143 at-bats) is 6-for-11 with four walks over his last four games, raising his average 21 points.
3. The clubs split a four-game series in July, capped by Los Angeles' 12-8 victory July 26 when C Francisco Arcia (.224, three home runs, 15 RBIs in 25 games) drove in four runs in his major league debut.
PREDICTION: White Sox 3, Angels 2
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Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 6th September 2018 by Gracenote
Royals vs. Twins Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/06/2018
The Minnesota Twins are struggling to score runs of late and enter the weekend riding a five-game losing streak after finishing up a 2-7 road trip. The Twins will try to turn things around at home when they open a three-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Friday.
Minnesota totaled four runs in three games at Houston this week and let things get out of hand in a 9-1 loss in Wednesday's finale. "It's a fine line," Twins manager Paul Molitor told reporters. "A couple of zeros early. You try to keep it close and compete with your starting pitcher and we just didn't hold them down very well early in these games. And we certainly didn't hit well enough to get back into them." The Royals pushed themselves well ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the race to avoid the worst record in the American League with a surprising six-game winning streak but finally fell back with a pair of losses at AL Central-leading Cleveland this week. Kansas City will try to coax a third straight quality start out of right-hander Heath Fillmyer on Friday while Minnesota turns to lefty Stephen Gonsalves.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Heath Fillmyer (2-1, 4.01 ERA) vs. Twins LH Stephen Gonsalves (0-2, 9.90)
Fillmyer earned a win over Cleveland while allowing one run in six innings on Aug. 25 and followed it up with seven strong frames against Baltimore on Saturday. The 24-year-old rookie scattered two runs and nine hits against the Orioles but did not factor in the decision in a game Kansas City won 5-4. Fillmyer surrendered three runs on five hits and three walks in three innings at Minnesota on Aug. 3 but was not involved in the decision.
Gonsalves is making his fourth career start and looking for his first win after allowing a total of 14 runs - 11 earned - and 19 hits over nine innings in his first three chances. The 24-year-old issued four walks in each of his last two turns and could not make it out of the fourth inning at Texas last Friday. Gonsalves is facing Kansas City for the first time and is 0-2 with an 11.37 ERA in two home starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins LF Eddie Rosario (quad) and 3B Miguel Sano (leg) could both return this weekend.
2. The Royals claimed RHP Ben Lively off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies and added him to the major-league roster.
3. Kansas City RF Jorge Bonifacio is 1-for-10 with eight strikeouts in his last three games.
PREDICTION: Royals 7, Twins 5
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San Francisco Giants vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 6th September 2018 by Gracenote
Giants vs. Brewers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/06/2018
The Milwaukee Brewers head into the weekend leading the wild-card race in the National League, but competition is far from settled. The Brewers will try to maintain their slim advantage when they host the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.
Milwaukee enters the weekend a half-game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals for the top spot and two games clear of the Los Angeles Dodgers after taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs this week to clinch a fifth straight series win. The Brewers are still chasing the Cubs in the NL Central and trail by four games with another showdown looming next week. "It would have been nice to sweep (those) guys, but it's always tough to sweep a team - and they have a pretty good team over there," Brewers CF Lorenzo Cain told reporters after a 6-4 loss on Friday. "We've been playing them tough all year. It's definitely been good games all season long. I don't expect anything less when we play those guys (next week)." The Giants will hope to take advantage of a Milwaukee team looking ahead and snap a five-game slide when they pit left-hander Derek Holland against Brewers righty Chase Anderson on Friday.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS Wisconsin, Dish455 (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Derek Holland (7-8, 3.56 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Chase Anderson (9-7, 3.96)
Holland has not lost since returning to the rotation on July 25 and breezed through six innings while allowing one run and four hits in a no-decision against the New York Mets on Saturday. The Ohio native has surrendered one or no runs in each of his last four outings and hasn't given up a home run in any of the last five. Holland is seeing Milwaukee for the first time this season and is 3-5 with a 3.45 ERA in 16 games - 15 starts - on the road.
Anderson is struggling to work deep into games and last recorded an out in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins on July 4. The 30-year-old allowed one run and four hits in five innings at Washington on Friday and kept the ball in the ballpark - a rarity for a pitcher tied for the NL lead with 28 homers allowed. Anderson did not surrender a home run at San Francisco on July 27 and earned a win while scattering one run and four hits over six frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Brewers LF Christian Yelich reached base safely in each of the last 22 games.
2. Giants 2B Joe Panik has multiple hits in each of his last two games after going a combined 3-for-22 in the previous six contests.
3. Milwaukee LHP Xavier Cedeno has yet to allow a run in three appearances since joining the team, spanning 2 1/3 innings.
PREDICTION: Brewers 8, Giants 2
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 6th September 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Rockies Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/06/2018
The Colorado Rockies have never won the National League West in their 25-plus years of existence, but Trevor Story appears to be on a mission to change that this season. With the day off to appreciate his first career three-homer game, the 25-year-old shortstop sets his sights on trying to help the Rockies pad their 1 1/2-game division lead Friday when they begin a three-game set at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Story enjoyed a brilliant start to the beginning of his club's 10-game homestand earlier this week, finishing 6-for-12 with five homers and eight RBIs during Colorado's three-game sweep of San Francisco, including one home run estimated to have traveled a club-record 505 feet in Wednesday's 5-3 triumph. The one-time All-Star has been red-hot during a six-game hitting streak, going 12-for-24 while recording five multi-hit efforts during his run. Story has yet to hit a home run in 47 at-bats this season versus the Dodgers, who briefly held the division lead at the end of last weekend before dropping two of three to the New York Mets. Los Angeles also lost three of four at Coors Field last month and are expected to be without closer Kenley Jansen this weekend after a team cardiologist recommended he remain home after experiencing an irregular heartbeat - thought be caused by the increased elevation in Colorado - that led to a trip to the hospital during the Dodgers' last trip to Denver.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (6-5, 2.40 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Gray (11-7, 4.70)
Kershaw is unbeaten in his last seven outings, but he settled for his fourth no-decision over that stretch Saturday against Arizona after surrendering two solo homers among the four hits he allowed over seven innings. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has logged 11 straight quality starts and been particularly stingy since the All-Star break, going 3-1 with a 1.94 ERA while striking out 49 and walking three. Nolan Arenado (16-for-49, three homers) and Charlie Blackmon (15-for-48, home run) have fared well against Kershaw, who is 9-4 with a 4.65 ERA in 20 starts at Coors Field.
Gray improved to 5-0 during his 12-game undefeated streak with Saturday's victory at San Diego despite permitting two solo shots among the seven hits he yielded in six frames. The Oklahoma native has managed only one strikeout in each of his last two turns spanning 12 2/3 innings, however, after fanning 71 across his previous 64 2/3 frames. Max Muncy (2-for-3) is one of several Dodgers with one home run versus Gray, who was tagged for four runs in 5 2/3 frames during a no-decision against Los Angeles on Aug. 10.
WALK-OFFS
1. With 31 homers in 2018, Story is one of only two shortstops in team history with at least 30 in a season.
2. Jansen is expected to rejoin the team Monday for the opener of a three-game series at Cincinnati.
3. Los Angeles RHP Ross Stripling (back) is expected to rejoin the team from the disabled list Saturday.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Rockies 4
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Atlanta Braves vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 09-07-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 7th September 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 09/07/2018
The Atlanta Braves started their seven-game road trip with a 10-inning triumph and look to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks again on Friday in the second contest of their four-game series. Atlanta squandered a two-run, ninth-inning lead before notching a 7-6 victory to win for just the third time in nine contests.
Nick Markakis went 4-for-5 with two RBIs, Kurt Suzuki hit a two-run homer and Johan Camargo belted a solo shot to help the Braves increase their lead over Philadelphia in the National League East to 3 1/2 games. Young star Ronald Acuna Jr. was hitless in five at-bats in the series opener and is just 1-for-16 - with the hit being a homer - with seven strikeouts over his last four games. The Diamondbacks have dropped five of their last six contests and are 2 1/2 games behind first-place Colorado in the NL West and trail St. Louis by three for the NL's second wild-card spot. Slugger Paul Goldschmidt went 3-for-5 with a game-tying solo homer in the ninth inning on Thursday and is 12-for-28 with two blasts, three doubles and five RBIs over his last seven games.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kevin Gausman (9-9, 3.78 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (10-5, 3.06)
Gausman has been splendid since being acquired from Baltimore, going 4-1 with a 1.66 ERA in six starts. The 27-year-old did not factor in the decision in his last start after giving up three runs - one earned - and five hits over six innings against Pittsburgh. Gausman has served up just two homers since joining the Braves after giving up 21 in 21 outings with the Orioles.
Corbin is 0-1 over his last three starts despite allowing just four runs and 12 hits while recording 24 strikeouts in 18 innings during the stretch. The 29-year-old is 6-3 with a 3.25 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 14 home starts. Corbin is 4-1 with a 1.69 ERA in eight career appearances (six starts) against the Braves, with the loss coming on July 15 as he yielded four runs and six hits over six frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Diamondbacks SS Nick Ahmed has notched four RBIs over his last two games - three on Thursday - after driving in just two runs over his previous 26 contests.
2. Suzuki is 19-for-53 with three homers and nine RBIs over his last 17 contests.
3. Arizona OF Jarrod Dyson (groin) will undergo season-ending surgery, while the club acquired INF-OF Patrick Kivlehan from the New York Mets for cash considerations.
PREDICTION: Braves 3, Diamondbacks 2
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