MLB Betting News and Trends For Saturday, April 7, 2018

Preview: Orioles at Yankees
Gracenote
Apr 7, 2018

It took more than five hours, but the Baltimore Orioles were able to put together their first winning streak of the season Friday night in New York. The Orioles will try to claim their third straight over the Yankees when the teams continue their four-game series in the Bronx on Saturday.

After opening the series with a 5-2 triumph to snap a five-game slide, Baltimore utilized a grand slam by Pedro Alvarez in the top of the 14th inning to outlast New York - which saw four players leave the game due to illness or injury - on Friday. The dramatic blast by Alvarez was the fourth homer of the game for the Orioles - two by Manny Machado - and was their only hit in 10 tries with runners in scoring position. Didi Gregorius slugged his third home run in the past four games for the Yankees, who have scored five runs in 23 innings in the series after producing 18 in 16 offensive frames in a two-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays to begin the homestand. New York will hope for some length out of right-hander Sonny Gray on Saturday after seeing Friday's starter, CC Sabathia, leave with hip soreness following the fourth inning and then using seven relievers.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Baltimore), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Chris Tillman (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Sonny Gray (0-0, 2.25)

Tillman's miserable 2017 campaign spilled into his season debut when he gave up four runs on seven hits and four walks in four innings of a loss to Houston on Monday. The 29-year-old gave up 14 runs in four innings over two starts against the Yankees early last season and owns a 5.54 ERA in 22 career encounters (21 starts). Gregorius is 11-for-20 with a home run, a triple and five doubles against Tillman.

Gray gave up seven hits and three walks in just four innings at Toronto on Sunday but managed to limit the damage to one run. The Orioles got to Gray for five runs in four innings at Yankee Stadium last September, and the one-time All-Star has a 5.30 ERA in six starts in the Bronx. The 28-year-old will be careful with Tim Beckham, who is 6-for-13 with a pair of homers against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Machado had yet to produce an RBI in his first seven games before his two solo blasts off Sabathia.

2. Yankees C Gary Sanchez, who is 2-for-32 on the season, left Friday's game with a calf injury, while 3B Brandon Drury (migraine) and IF Tyler Wade (flu-like symptoms) also left the game.

3. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis homered in two at-bats Friday after opening the season with two singles in 25 at-bats.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Orioles 4

Preview: Mets at Nationals
Gracenote
Apr 6, 2018

It is only seven games, but the Washington Nationals have not played like the team that won three of the past four National League East titles. The Nationals bring a three-game losing streak into Saturday’s home contest against the New York Mets, taking Friday off after being outscored 28-9 during their slide - including an 8-2 rout in Thursday's home opener.

“We know that they’re going to be a really good team all year,” Washington first baseman Ryan Zimmerman told reporters after the Mets dominated the home opener, acknowledging several teams in the division have improved from last season. “It’s not going to be easy.” The Mets made it look easy Thursday, sparked by the return of outfielder Michael Conforto. Playing in the majors for the first time since August due to left shoulder surgery, Conforto hit a two-run homer off Washington ace Stephen Strasburg, drew a walk and scored two runs to lift New York to its fifth victory in six games. “As a competitor, you want to go up against the best,” Conforto told the media afterward. “They don’t get much better than him.”

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (0-1, 6.75 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 1.50)

Health has been the issue with Matz, who only made 13 starts last season before an elbow injury resulted in season-ending surgery. He pitched four innings in his season debut Sunday against St. Louis, giving up three runs on four hits (two homers) with three walks and four strikeouts. Matz struggled with his control, throwing 89 pitches in his outing and giving up both homers on two-strike pitches.

The 32-year-old Gonzalez began his season with the same consistent outing that has made him a fixture in the middle of Washington’s rotation. He needed 91 pitches to go six innings in a victory over Cincinnati on Sunday, striking out seven while walking one and allowing one run on five hits. Gonzalez, who is 80-54 with a 3.48 ERA in seven seasons in Washington, went 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA against the Mets last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington OF Adam Eaton, who missed most of last season with a left ankle injury, tweaked the ankle on a slide Thursday and told reporters afterward he may miss a couple of days.

2. New York OF Jay Bruce hit a grand slam to put away Thursday’s game, and has at least one hit in five of his first six games.

3. Zimmerman is struggling, going 3-for-22 with six strikeouts after an 0-for-4 performance Thursday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Mets 2

Preview: Rays at Red Sox
Gracenote
Apr 6, 2018

The Boston Red Sox have used dominant pitching and extra-inning magic to put together baseball's longest winning streak at six games in a row. They will try to extend their run and continue the Tampa Bay Rays' six-game slide when the teams continue a three-game series at Fenway Park on Saturday afternoon.

After winning in 13 innings against the Marlins at Miami on Tuesday, Boston opened its home schedule with a 12-inning triumph over the Rays on Thursday, as Hanley Ramirez delivered the decisive hit in both affairs to help his team overcome some lackluster offensive efforts. "We've been finding a way to do it," right fielder Mookie Betts told reporters following Thursday's 3-2 win, which also included a two-run rally in the ninth that sent the game into extra innings. "Haven't scored a whole lot of runs, but we've found ways to manufacture some. Obviously, the pitcher has been what's kept us in every game." The Red Sox lead the majors with a 2.09 team ERA and much of their success has come against the Rays, who are 1-4 versus Boston and own baseball's worst OPS at .529. "Good teams stop the bleeding, and that's kind of what we have to do here," third baseman Matt Duffy told the Tampa Bay Times. "We have to do it pretty quick."

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Faria (0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (1-0, 1.69)

Faria limited the Red Sox to one run in four innings in his season debut Sunday afternoon, walking three while fanning just two. The outing left the 24-year-old with a 1.38 ERA in three career games (two starts) against Boston, although he has yet to pitch in Fenway Park. The current Red Sox roster is 7-for-46 with no extra-base hits against Faria.

Porcello's quest to return to his 2016 Cy Young form got off to a solid start as he yielded one run in 5 1/3 innings to defeat the Rays in Tampa Bay last Saturday. "He commanded the bottom of the zone," manager Alex Cora told reporters after the game. "(He) was able to mix up his pitches as we talk about before the game. ... You know he worked hard in the offseason and throughout spring training to work on his pitch selection and try to get back to the bottom of the zone and he was able to today." The 29-year-old is 13-8 with a 3.20 ERA in 24 career starts against the Rays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Ramirez has two RBIs in each of his last three games.

2. Rays CF Kevin Kiermaier is 2-for-28 with 12 strikeouts on the season.

3. Boston will activate LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) from the disabled list to start the series finale on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 4, Rays 3

Preview: Tigers at White Sox
Gracenote
Apr 6, 2018

It is fitting that the promotion for Saturday afternoon's contest between the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox is a winter hat giveaway since game time temperatures in the Windy City are expected to be in the upper 30s. The players, though, will be used to it after enduring similar conditions Thursday, when Detroit spoiled Chicago's home opener with a 9-7 victory in 10 innings.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (.318, home run, five RBIs in 22 at-bats this season), who has 463 home runs among his 2,643 career hits, is day-to-day after leaving Thursday's game with a bruised hip following a fall while running the bases. "He took the tumble and he's got a bruise and he felt it was getting tight in his hip area. So we just got him out of the ballgame," Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters. "He's feeling better now. Fortunately for us we've got a day off (Friday) and he'll get some more work and then we'll know more when we get here the next day." The Tigers' Michael Fulmer was sharp in his season opener and opposes Lucas Giolito, who has a bright future in the eyes of Chicago general manager Rick Hahn. "He’s still a young kid, still has not made a ton of starts at the big-league level,” Hahn told reporters. “He's looking more and more like the kind of guy we projected him to be, which is a stalwart in the rotation going forward."

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (0-1, 1.13 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (0-0, 4.50)

Fulmer allowed one run, four hits and two walks while striking out three in eight innings of a 1-0 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. "That was probably the coldest game of my big league career, but I handled it better than I expected," the 25-year-old Oklahoman told reporters. "I was happy with how everything felt." Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu is 5-for-14 with a home run and four RBIs against Fulmer, who is 1-1 with a 4.41 ERA in five starts - 1-1, 4.71 in three turns last season.

Giolito earned a no-decision after allowing three runs, four hits and four walks in six innings of the White Sox's 4-3 victory at Kansas City on March 31. The 23-year-old Californian, who was acquired from Washington as part of the Adam Eaton trade Dec. 7, 2016, was 3-3 with a 2.38 ERA in seven starts with Chicago last season, yielding 31 hits and striking out 34 in 45 1/3 innings. Giolito pitched seven shutout innings, permitting three hits and three walks while striking out four, in the White Sox's 7-1 victory over Detroit on Aug. 27 in his only appearance against the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit rookie INF Niko Goodrum (4-for-14 this season) replaced Cabrera on Thursday and hit his first major league home run.

2. Chicago DH Matt Davidson leads the team with eight RBIs and four homers, three of the blasts coming on Opening Day.

3. Tigers RF Nicholas Castellanos is hitting .385 after going 3-for-5 with two runs scored in the series opener.

PREDICTION: White Sox 3, Tigers 2

Preview: Mariners at Twins
Gracenote
Apr 6, 2018

It is a pretty good bet Minnesota's second home game of the season won't include a bald eagle landing on the shoulder of the opposing pitcher in pregame festivities. The Twins face the Seattle Mariners in the second contest of a three-game set on Saturday and the first game will be recalled for the coolness of Seattle left-hander James Paxton.

Minnesota received a two-run homer from slugging third baseman Miguel Sano and solo shots from catcher Mitch Garver and Eddie Rosario while posting a 4-2 victory on Thursday but Paxton stole the day while holding his ground as the bald eagle flew at him twice and landed on his shoulder as he stood at attention for the national anthem. "It's not the first time I've seen a bald eagle, but it's the first time I've had one try to land on me. So that was interesting," Paxton said after the contest. "I wasn't going to run. I figured I'm not going to outrun an eagle, so we might as well just see what happens." It will be another frosty day on Saturday with a projected high of 31 degrees -- it was 38 for Thursday's first pitch -- but Twins second baseman Brian Dozier said you just have to accept the conditions. "It's not the warmest, but we've gotta play," Dozier told reporters. "Both teams have to take the field, right?"

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports Northwest (Seattle), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Mike Leake (1-0, 2.57 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (1-0, 0.00)

Leake allowed two runs and five hits over seven innings while defeating Cleveland in his first outing and he said he will be bundling up between innings. "If you can keep your hand warm and stay mobile and make sure your blood is flowing, for the most part you can keep your grip," Leake told reporters. "Once you start getting cold and losing that feel, that's when you start losing it. You have to try to ignore it. If you can block out the weather and get the tunnel vision, it distracts you from how cold it is." Leake has a 6.75 ERA in two career no-decisions against the Twins and is making his first start at Target Field.

Berrios was superb in his first outing when he threw a three-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles for the first shutout of his career. Minnesota is hoping it will be referring to the 23-year-old as "ace" by the end of the season as he looks to build on a fine 2017 performance of 14-8 with a 3.89 ERA. Berrios won his lone career start against Seattle when he allowed two runs and five hits over eight innings last June 15.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Twins have set a franchise record with 12 homers through six games -- the old mark was 10 in 2009.

2. Seattle has scored just 21 runs in six games as it plays without DH Nelson Cruz (ankle) and deals with slow starts from 3B Kyle Seager (3-for-21) and 1B Ryon Healy (1-for-18).

3. Sano has fanned 13 times in 25 at-bats but also has a team-best seven RBIs and his three homers rank one behind Dozier.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Twins 6

Preview: Diamondbacks at Cardinals
Gracenote
Apr 6, 2018

The Arizona Diamondbacks send ace Zack Greinke to the mound as they go for a fifth straight victory Saturday afternoon in the middle contest of a three-game series against the host St. Louis Cardinals. Robbie Ray and four relievers held St. Louis to just two hits in its home opener Thursday for a 3-1 victory as the Diamondbacks equaled their best seven-game start in franchise history at 6-1.

“The pitching has set the tone,” Arizona infielder Daniel Descalso told reporters. “That was the story last year and it’s the same thing going forward this year.” The Diamondbacks’ starting pitchers are 5-0 in seven games with a 3.02 ERA and a league-best 53 strikeouts through Thursday and the Cardinals will try to get their offense going while sending right-hander Michael Wacha to the hill after he endured a rough 2018 debut. Paul DeJong (10-for-26, three homers, five RBIs) and Yadier Molina (7-for-27, three homers, team-best six RBIs) leads St. Louis, which is batting .235 overall and .208 with runners in scoring position. “Pitchers are always ahead of hitters early on,” Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter told the St. Louis Dispatch. “Cold weather. I think that’s what you’re going to see. But when this offense gets clicking. …”

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (0-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (0-1, 7.71)

Greinke limited Colorado to one run on five hits with nine strikeouts and no walks over 5 2/3 innings without getting a decision in his 2018 debut last Saturday. The 34-year-old Florida native was 13-1 at home as opposed to 4-6 on the road last year, but won his only start at St. Louis while allowing just one run over seven innings. Marcell Ozuna is 4-for-11 with three homers and Carpenter is 8-for-24 with a pair of blasts against Greinke, who is 12-4 with a 3.17 ERA lifetime versus St. Louis.

Wacha improved in 2017 after a rough 2016 campaign, but struggled in his season debut last Saturday when he yielded four runs on five hits (two homers) over 4 2/3 innings against the New York Mets. The 26-year-old Texas A&M product, who finished 12-9 last season after going 7-7 in 2016, went 8-4 with a 3.41 ERA at home in 2017 as opposed to 4-5 with a 4.97 mark. A.J. Pollock is 3-for-7 with a home run versus Wacha, who beat the Diamondbacks with six scoreless innings last season and is 1-1 lifetime in the series.

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis CF Dexter Fowler, who batted .264 in his first year with the team last season, is off to a 4-for-30 start in 2018.

2. Arizona’s five-time All-Star 1B Paul Goldschmidt is 2-for-22 with seven strikeouts in the early going and is 1-for-9 against Wacha.

3. Carpenter has reached base in all seven contests to start the season and registered his 100th career multi-walk game Thursday.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Cardinals 2

Preview: Cubs at Brewers
Gracenote
Apr 7, 2018

The shutout streak is over for the Milwaukee Brewers, but the late-inning magic continues. The Brewers snapped out of their offensive funk Friday and picked up their third one-run victory, and they’ll try to keep the positive momentum going when they host the Chicago Cubs for the third game of a four-game series Saturday.

Milwaukee had been blanked in two straight games and was scoreless through four innings Friday before busting out with a pair of two-run homers during a four-run fifth. Orlando Arcia’s RBI single in the ninth gave the Brewers a 5-4 win – their second walk-off win in four games and their third win in their last at-bat. The Cubs’ bullpen continued its outstanding work with three scoreless innings to keep the game tied before Milwaukee’s ninth-inning rally. The loss dropped the Cubs to 0-4 when scoring four or fewer runs, while they are 3-0 when scoring more than four.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, ABC 7 (Chicago), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Yu Darvish (0-0, 10.38 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (0-1, 9.53)

Darvish did not dazzle in his Cubs debut last Saturday, allowing five runs and five hits over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Miami. The 31-year-old struggled to command his fastball, walking two batters and hitting two more, and he generated only nine swinging strikes. Darvish faced the Brewers last season and allowed three runs over five innings with seven strikeouts in a loss.

Davies had a rough outing Monday against St. Louis, allowing seven runs (six earned) and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old struck out six and didn’t walk anyone, but he hit a batter and gave up a home run. Davies is 5-4 with a 3.90 ERA in 10 starts against the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo, who is off to a 3-for-28 start, was scratched from Friday’s lineup with tightness in his lower back and is listed as day-to-day.

2. Brewers closer Corey Knebel went on the disabled list Friday with a strained left hamstring and is expected to miss at least six weeks.

3. Chicago 3B Kris Bryant is 11-for-28 with two doubles, a triple, and a homer against Davies.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Brewers 5

Preview: Royals at Indians
Gracenote
Apr 6, 2018

The Cleveland Indians know they can't count on Michael Brantley too heavily right away after missing 223 of a possible 324 games over the last two years, but Friday's season debut was another reminder of what his presence means to their struggling lineup. The Indians eye consecutive wins for the first time this season Saturday when they host the Kansas City Royals for the second of a three-game set.

Brantley, who was limited to 11 games in 2016 and 90 in 2017 due to injury, missed the first six games of this season while finishing his recovery from offseason ankle surgery before he was activated from the disabled list early Friday. Cleveland, which is batting a league-low .157, put the two-time All-Star to work right away in its home opener and immediately reaped the benefits, as his go-ahead, two-run single in his first at-bat proved to be the last bit of offense either team would see in the Indians' 3-2 victory. The Royals have played a league-low five games due to postponements in each of their first two series, which hasn't helped their cause at the plate - .203 team batting average, a league-worst one home run and a league-low 14 runs scored. Kansas City has dropped eight of its last nine in Cleveland and is 3-16 over its last 19 games at Progressive Field.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (0-0, 3.60)

Kennedy was in line for a win last Saturday after yielding one run across six frames, but he did not factor into the decision after his bullpen let him down against the Chicago White Sox. The 33-year-old was also sharp in the spring, when he posted a 2.50 ERA in five turns. Kennedy is winless in his last five starts versus the Indians and was pounded for nine runs over 7 2/3 innings in two starts last season, leaving him with a 2-5 record and 5.90 ERA in 10 starts against them.

Bauer struck out seven in five frames but needed 101 pitches to get there Sunday, running into trouble in his final inning versus the Seattle Mariners after giving up a pair of RBI doubles en route to a no-decision. The UCLA product did most of his best work during his breakout 2017 campaign at home, going 10-4 with a 3.93 while striking out 116 across 103 frames. Alcides Escobar is 8-for-25 with a homer against Bauer, who went 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in three starts versus Kansas City last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians are 29-8 over their last 37 home games dating back to the 2017 All-Star break, including an 18-3 mark over their last 21 contests.

2. Dating back to its final exhibition game on March 25, Kansas City has played five games in 12 days.

3. Despite not hitting a homer Friday, 15 of Cleveland's 24 runs this season have come via a home run.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Royals 3

Preview: Dodgers at Giants
Gracenote
Apr 7, 2018

The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants was put on hold Friday when a major storm forced the first rainout at AT&T Park since 2006. The teams will attempt to start an abbreviated two-game series Saturday when the Dodgers’ Rich Hill faces the Giants’ Chris Stratton for the second time in less than a week.

The Dodgers' offense sputtered out of the blocks in last weekend’s series against the Giants and is hitting the skids once again heading into Saturday’s contest. Right fielder Yasiel Puig is batting .179 with two RBIs for the Dodgers, who split their four-game series against the Giants before heading to Arizona, where they were swept in three games by the Diamondbacks after plating only one run in the final two contests. Los Angeles is hoping to jump-start its offense against the Giants, who belted four home runs in Wednesday’s 10-1 victory over Seattle. San Francisco is 3-3 despite slow starts from new arrivals Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria, who are a combined 3-for-43 with 12 strikeouts.

TV: 6:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), NBC Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Giants RH Chris Stratton (0-1, 5.06)

Hill tossed six scoreless innings against the Giants on Sunday and allowed five hits with five strikeouts in the Dodgers’ 9-0 victory. The 38-year-old native of Massachusetts posted a 4.06 ERA in 11 road starts last season compared to a 2.77 ERA in 14 outings at Dodger Stadium. Hunter Pence is 5-for-23 with a home run against Hill, who owns a 6-2 record and 2.23 ERA in 12 career starts against San Francisco.

Stratton took the loss against the Dodgers on Sunday after giving up three runs with four strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old earned a spot in the rotation after posting a 3.29 ERA over 27 1/3 innings in spring training and drawing raves for his improved curveball. Stratton, who has gone 1-2 with a 5.91 ERA in four career games (three starts) against the Dodgers, hopes to stick in the rotation after bouncing between the minors and majors for the past two seasons.

WALK-OFFS

1. Friday’s game has been rescheduled as part of a split-admission doubleheader April 28.

2. Los Angeles C Yasmani Grandal recorded multi-hit performances in two of the first three meetings with San Francisco, but is 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his last two games.

3. Giants C Buster Posey is 6-for-14 with two doubles and three runs scored during his four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Giants 3

Preview: Marlins at Phillies
Gracenote
Apr 6, 2018

The Philadelphia Phillies look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season when they host the National League East-rival Miami Marlins on Saturday for the second of a three-game set. The Phillies, who lost four of the first five games on the road, enjoyed their home opener Thursday as Maikel Franco snapped out of an early slump with a triple, a homer and four RBIs in a 5-0 victory over the Marlins.

Franco was 1-for-11 before busting out Thursday and last year’s rookie phenom Rhys Hoskins has reached base in all six games while going 8-for-20 with a homer and three RBIs in the early going for Philadelphia. Vince Velasquez will try to rebound from a rough season debut when he takes the ball for the Phillies on Saturday against Miami’s Dillon Peters, who was outstanding in his first start of the campaign. The Marlins played two of the major league’s best teams to start the season at home, going 2-4 against the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, but managed just four hits in their first road contest Thursday. Second baseman Starlin Castro (10-for-32, four RBIs) and third baseman Brian Anderson (9-for-28, homer, team-high six RBIs) have each hit safely in the first seven games for Miami.

TV: 6:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida, NBCS Philadelphia Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Dillon Peters (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (0-1, 13.50)

Peters allowed six hits over six scoreless innings in the 6-0 victory over the Cubs on Sunday, walking just one and striking out a pair of batters. The 25-year-old University of Texas product walked 19 in just 31 1/3 innings over six starts (1-2) last season and was 0-1 with a 9.88 ERA in three road outings during 2017. Odubel Herrera is 3-for-4 against Peters, who limited Philadelphia to two runs and nine hits with 12 strikeouts over 13 innings without getting a decision last year.

Velasquez gave up seven runs (four earned) and nine hits over 2 2/3 innings of a 15-2 setback against Atlanta, extending his winless streak to 11 starts (0-6). The 25-year-old Californian was 1-5 with a 6.10 ERA at home last season and gave up 10 of the 15 homers he surrendered overall at Citizens Bank Park. Cameron Maybin - batting .320 in his first season with Miami - is 2-for-2 against Velasquez, who has had success against the Marlins while going 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA in six appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Anderson can tie Hanley Ramirez and Alejandro De Aza (eight) for the longest hitting streak to open a season by a Marlins rookie.

2. Philadelphia SS J.P. Crawford is off to a slow start, going 1-for-19 with six strikeouts.

3. Miami placed 1B-OF Garrett Cooper (wrist) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled OF Braxton Lee.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Marlins 4

Preview: Reds at Pirates
Gracenote
Apr 7, 2018

The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to their best start since 1976, and they’ll try to stay hot when they host the Cincinnati Reds in the third contest of a four-game series Saturday. The Pirates are tied for the best record in the majors at 6-1.

Pittsburgh’s lineup has a new look with the departure of stalwart Andrew McCutchen, but the Pirates have managed to replace him with a balanced effort. Five players had multiple hits in a 14-3 win Friday, including four hits and three RBIs from Colin Moran to go along with three hits apiece from Corey Dickerson and Jordy Mercer. The Reds had 13 hits Friday, but only one went for extra bases and they left 10 runners on base. Cincinnati is off to a 1-5 start and has totaled just six runs in its past three games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), AT&T SportsNet - Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Sal Romano (0-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (1-0, 6.35)

Romano struggled to command his off-speed pitches in Sunday’s loss to Washington, but he managed to eat up some innings. The 24-year-old was able to get through six frames and limit the damage to three runs despite issuing four walks and surrendering two home runs. Romano is 1-2 with a 2.29 ERA in three meetings with the Pirates, and he has lost both of his outings at PNC Park.

Kuhl was the beneficiary of strong run support in his first start in Sunday’s doubleheader finale at Detroit, as he gave up four runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings but still picked up the win in an 8-6 victory. The 25-year-old has struggled a bit at home, where he is 8-8 with a 5.07 ERA in 22 career starts. Kuhl is 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA in two meetings with the Reds.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates 1B Josh Bell went 0-for-2 Friday to snap his six-game hitting streak, but he walked three times and scored twice.

2. Reds 1B Joey Votto is 3-for-4 with a double and a homer versus Kuhl.

3. Cincinnati OF Scott Schebler has missed three straight games with an elbow injury but was able to take batting practice Thursday and Friday and is nearing a return.

PREDICTION: Pirates 7, Reds 5

Preview: Padres at Astros
Gracenote
Apr 7, 2018

After a miserable seven-game homestand to begin the season, the San Diego Padres had no problem walking into the home of the defending World Series champions and ending their five-game winning streak. The Padres attempt to build on their most complete performance of the young season Saturday when they continue their three-game road set against the Houston Astros.

Four San Diego pitchers combined on a four-hitter and the offense pounded out a season-high 13 hits en route to a 4-1 victory Friday in Houston - a huge boost for a team which tied a dubious club record by losing six of its first seven games and hasn't cleared 30 road wins in either of the past two seasons. Four Padres finished with at least two hits, as Jose Pirela went 3-for-4 and delivered a tiebreaking two-run double in the fifth inning, while Eric Hosmer, Christian Villanueva and Freddy Galvis contributed two hits apiece. The Astros managed only four singles and scored their lone run on a sacrifice fly after piling up 18 runs and 28 hits in a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles in their previous series. Houston's pitching has been on point for the most part, however, as the rotation has posted a 2.35 ERA and the staff as a whole has registered a league-high 83 strikeouts through eight games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS San Diego, AT&T Sportsnet - Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Bryan Mitchell (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Astros RH Gerrit Cole (1-0, 1.29)

Mitchell lasted five innings in Monday's loss to the Colorado Rockies but was largely ineffective, surrendering five runs on eight hits and three walks while failing to record a strikeout. The 26-year-old North Carolina native appeared to turn a corner in his development by posting a 3.25 ERA in 14 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2017, but he has yet to find any kind of success in the big leagues. Mitchell has allowed one run in two career relief appearances spanning 4 1/3 innings versus the Astros.

Cole gave up a solo homer in the first inning Sunday and permitted only one more hit and three walks over his last six frames against the Texas Rangers, fanning 11 to get the win. The former No. 1 overall pick's strikeout total in his season debut was his best mark since registering 12 in his final turn of the 2014 campaign. Cole enjoyed great success as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates in six career starts versus the Padres, going 4-2 with a 1.96 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros OF Josh Reddick owns a 15-game interleague hitting streak, the longest such active run in the majors.

2. Hosmer is batting .383 during his 11-game hitting streak at Minute Maid Park.

3. Despite the series-opening loss, Houston is 42-19 in interleague play since the start of the 2015 season.

PREDICTION: Astros 7, Padres 2

Preview: Blue Jays at Rangers
Gracenote
Apr 7, 2018

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is likely out until midseason because of foot injuries, but the team may have found a capable solution in the meantime. The veteran duo of Yangervis Solarte and Aledmys Diaz is off to a strong start for the Blue Jays, who continue their three-game series against the host Texas Rangers on Saturday.

Solarte homered and reached base four times Friday while catcher Russell Martin drove in three runs as the Blue Jays opened a nine-game road trip with an 8-5 victory over the Rangers. The 30-year-old Solarte, who belted a career-high 18 home runs for San Diego last season, started at shortstop before moving to second base. The versatile Solarte could see more time at shortstop as part of a timeshare with Gift Ngoepe and Diaz, who is batting .313 with two home runs but has missed the last two games because of back spasms. While Toronto has won five of its last six games, Texas has dropped five of its last seven and could use a spark from first baseman Joey Gallo, who has three hits in his last 22 at-bats.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (0-0, 7.20 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Mike Minor (0-1, 3.86)

Limited to only two starts in spring training because of a sore shoulder, Stroman made his season debut against the New York Yankees on Sunday and received a no-decision after giving up four runs over five innings. “I felt really strong,” he told reporters after the game. “I don’t feel behind and I feel like my stuff is where I need it to be.” The native New Yorker has gone 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two career starts against the Rangers.

Minor made his first start since 2014 in Sunday’s 8-2 loss to Houston, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old was moved into the rotation by the Rangers after posting a career-low 2.55 ERA in relief with Kansas City last season. Solarte is 4-for-7 with a home run against Minor, who is 2-0 in with a 1.69 ERA in four career games (two starts) against the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas has gone 4-14 in its last 18 home games dating back to Sept. 9, 2017.

2. The Blue Jays are 3-0 when scoring first and 5-0 when scoring four or more runs.

3. The Rangers traded C Brett Nicholas to San Diego for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

PREDICTION: Rangers 6, Blue Jays 5

Preview: Braves at Rockies
Gracenote
Apr 6, 2018

One of the biggest surprises of the early days of the major league season is the productivity of the Atlanta Braves' offense, as they play the middle game of a three-game set Saturday at the Colorado Rockies leading the majors in runs scored. Atlanta rolled to its third consecutive victory Friday in chilly Denver, banging out 11 hits in an 8-3 triumph that gives the Braves 56 runs scored and 74 hits through eight games and a team batting average of .303.

Shortstop Dansby Swanson, whose struggles last season earned him a demotion to the minors, went 3-for-5 with three RBIs to raise his average to .370 and his OPS to .926. The Rockies, who gave up just three runs total in back-to-back victories in San Diego, surrendered eight runs or more for the fourth time in eight games this season to raise the pitching staff’s ERA to 5.09. Catcher Chris Iannetta continued his good start offensively, collecting two hits in the opener to bump his average to .409. Center fielder Charlie Blackmon, who came into the series with 10 hits (including four homers) in his past 25 at-bats, finished 0-for-3.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Denver)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (1-0, 3.60)

Atlanta signed Sanchez to a minor-league deal after the Twins released the 34-year-old in early March, a depth move with fifth starter Luiz Gohara sidelined with an ankle injury. Sanchez gave up five runs in nine innings across two spring training appearances, but provided the Braves three scoreless innings of relief with one hit allowed and three walks Monday against Washington. Sanchez finished 3-7 with a 6.41 ERA in 28 games (17 starts) for Detroit a season ago.

Bettis was one of baseball’s best stories last season, missing time due to treatment for testicular cancer before debuting in August and finishing 2-4 with a 5.05 ERA in nine starts. The 28-year-old opened his season with a victory over the Padres on Monday, allowing two runs on five hits with four walks and four strikeouts in five innings. Bettis faced Atlanta in his third start last season on Aug. 25, giving up five runs on six hits in five innings to take the loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado SS Trevor Story finished 1-for-4 on Friday, and has collected at least one hit in 10 of his past 11 games against Atlanta (batting .396 in that span).

2. Atlanta 2B Ozzie Albies is 5-for-14 with three extra-base hits and five runs in scored in his past three games, after starting the season 3-for-20.

3. Rockies RF Carlos Gonzalez drove in two runs in the opener, giving him 33 RBIs in 48 career games against the Braves.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Rockies 4