Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 08-18-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 18th August 2018 by Gracenote
Diamondbacks vs. Padres Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/18/2018
The Arizona Diamondbacks look to post their seventh consecutive victory at Petco Park when they visit the San Diego Padres on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series. The Diamondbacks also have won the last five overall meetings after capturing the first two games of the set, including Friday's 9-4 victory.
Paul Goldschmidt belted his 28th homer of the season and reached base five times (2-for-2, three walks) on Friday as Arizona's assault included 13 hits, six walks and one hit batsman. The Diamondbacks, who have scored 20 runs during their three-game winning streak, maintained their 1 1/2-game lead over Colorado in the National League West. The Padres, who have been outscored 30-13 during their five-game slide, have lost 16 of their last 22 contests and would drop 30 games below .500 with a defeat on Saturday. Wil Myers is struggling to find his timing as he is just 1-for-13 with seven strikeouts in four games since returning from a foot injury.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (13-6, 4.20 ERA) vs. Padres LH Clayton Richard (7-10, 4.98)
Godley has won four consecutive decisions since losing to San Francisco on July 1. The 28-year-old defeated Cincinnati in his last turn as he gave up two runs - one earned - and six hits over 6 2/3 innings. Godley is 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA in three appearances (two starts) against the Padres this season and 3-3 with a 4.66 ERA in 12 career meetings (eight starts).
Richard has gone 0-4 in nine turns since defeating the Giants on June 22. The 34-year-old produced a strong outing last time out but settled for a no-decision after holding the Los Angeles Angels to two runs and four hits over eight innings. Richard is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two outings versus Arizona this year and 10-6 with a 4.20 ERA in 19 career starts against the club.
WALK-OFFS
1. Diamondbacks 3B Eduardo Escobar, who homered and reached base four times on Friday, is 3-for-6 with four walks and four runs scored in the series.
2. San Diego recalled Miguel Diaz from Triple-A El Paso and optioned fellow RHP Kazuhisa Makita to the same affiliate.
3. Arizona OF Steven Souza Jr. drove in three runs for the second time this month while going 3-for-5 with two doubles on Friday.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 8, Padres 4
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 08-18-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 18th August 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Mariners Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/18/2018
After a quiet first few weeks in the National League, Manny Machado seems to be settling in with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who continue their three-game series versus the host Seattle Mariners on Saturday. Machado homered twice in Friday's 11-1 victory as the Dodgers remained two games back of NL West-leading Arizona.
Machado is 6-for-13 with two home runs and five RBIs over his last three games for the Dodgers, who have won two straight following a five-game losing streak. Yasmani Grandal, Matt Kemp and Max Muncy also homered in Friday's victory while rookie Walker Buehler continued to impress with eight strikeouts over six innings of one-run ball. The Mariners were held to four hits and matched their most lopsided loss of the season while falling five games behind first-place Houston in the American League West. Dee Gordon made his first start of the season at shortstop in place of Jean Segura (paternity list) and was hitless in three at-bats, ending his four-game hitting streak.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (5-4, 3.57 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Erasmo Ramírez (0-2, 6.75)
Hill received a no-decision last Sunday after allowing three runs (two earned) over six innings against Colorado. The 38-year-old has been outstanding since the All-Star break, going 3-0 with a 1.78 ERA over his last five starts covering 30 1/3 innings. Robinson Cano is 5-for-12 with a home run against Hill, who owns a 4-0 record and 1.35 ERA in 11 career games (four starts) against Seattle - including 4-0 with a 0.39 mark in six games (three starts) at Safeco Field.
Ramirez replaced Felix Hernandez in the rotation last Sunday against Houston and tossed five scoreless innings in his first major league start since April 27. The 28-year-old has spent two stints on the disabled list this season but looked sharp in his return against the Astros, allowing three singles while throwing 79 pitches. Ramirez, who is making his first start against the Dodgers, owns a 5-5 record and 5.57 ERA in 21 career interleague games (11 starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers OF Yasiel Puig is available to play this weekend while appealing his two-game suspension for inciting a fight in Tuesday's game against San Francisco.
2. The Mariners purchased the contract of INF Gordon Beckham from Triple-A Tacoma.
3. The Dodgers activated Daniel Hudson from the 10-day disabled list and placed fellow RHP Erik Goeddel on the DL with right elbow inflammation.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Mariners 3
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