MLB Betting News and Trends For Sunday, April 1, 2018

Sunday’s games
National League
Cardinals (0-2) @ Mets (2-0)
Weaver was 7-2, 4.39 in 10 starts LY; over is 5-2 in his last seven.

Matz is 0-4, 9.27 in his last five starts; under is 3-1 in his last four.

Mets won first two games, both of which went over total- they scored 15 runs in first two games.

Cubs (2-1) @ Marlins (1-2)
Quintana is 0-1, 9.24 in his last four starts; under is 7-4 in his last 11 outings.

Dillon was 1-2, 5.17 in six starts LY; four of the six games went over.

Cubs won two of first three series games; teams played 27 innings last two nights. Two of three games went over.

Nationals (2-0) @ Reds (0-2)
Gonzalez is 0-2, 7.79 in his last four starts; over is 7-1-1 in his last nine. He is 4-2, 2.56 in nine starts against the Reds.

Romano is 1-3, 4.13 in his last five starts, four of which stayed under total.

Washington won first two series games, 2-0/13-7.

Giants (2-1) @ Dodgers (1-2)
Stratton was 4-3, 3.16 in ten starts LY; under was 6-4 in those games. He is 1-1, 6.75 in three games (2 starts) vs LA.

Hill is 3-0, 1.77 in his last seven starts; over is 6-4 in his last ten starts. He is 5-2, 2.43 in 11 starts against the Giants.

Giants won two of first three games, despite scoring a total of two runs (under 3-0). Dodgers won 5-0 last nite, after a couple of 1-0 losses.

American League
Twins (1-1) @ Orioles (1-1)
Berrios is 1-2, 4.85 in his last six starts; under is 4-1 in his last five.

Gausman is 1-2, 2.77 in his last four starts; under is 10-3 in his last 13 starts.

Teams split first two series games, both of which stayed under the total.

New York (2-1) @ Blue Jays (1-2)
Gray is 1-4, 5.52 in his last six starts; under is 9-4 in his starts with Bronx. He is 4-3, 2.47 in eight starts vs Toronto.

Stroman is 2-3, 3.72 in his last five starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six starts. He is 6-4, 3.19 in 13 starts vs New York.

New York won two of first three series games, all of which stayed under total. Blue Jays scored 8 runs in their first three games.

Red Sox (2-1) @ Rays (1-2)
Velasquez was 0-1, 5.02 in three starts LY (under 2-1).

Faria is 0-3, 5.31 in his last four starts; under is 6-2-1 in his last nine. For what it is worth, he threw six no-hit innings in his last spring training start.

Boston won two of first three series games, despite scoring total of 8 runs in those games (under 2-1). Rays haven’t scored a run in first five innings yet this season.

White Sox (2-0) @ Royals (0-2)
Lopez was 3-0, 6.04 in his last four starts LY, all of which went over. White Sox scored 33 runs in those four games.

Hammel is 0-3, 10.61 in his last four starts; over is 9-1 in his last ten starts. He is 2-4, 5.32 in 12 games vs Chicago (7 starts).

White Sox won first two series games, 14-7/4-3.

Astros (1-1) @ Rangers (1-1)
Cole makes his Houston debut here; he was 1-4, 5.50 in his last six starts LY. Under is 4-1 in his last five outings.

This is Minor’s first MLB start since 2014; he was 30-31 in 87 starts for Atlanta from 2012-14. LY, Minor was 6-6, 2.55 in 65 games for the Royals (77.2 IP).

Astros won two of their first three games (under 2-1).

Angels (2-1) @ A’s (1-2)
Ohtani makes his MLB debut here, after coming over from Japan.

Triggs is 0-4, 10.61 in his last four starts; over is 7-2 in his last nine starts.

Angels won two of first three series games (over 2-1).

Indians (1-1) @ Mariners (1-1)
Bauer is 2-1, 2.53 in his last four starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. He is 1-4, 4.74 in seven games vs Seattle (6 starts).

Leake is 3-1, 2.85 in his last five starts, all of which stayed under. He is 2-2, 3.92 in seven starts vs Cleveland.

Teams split first two series games (over 1-1), both of which were decided by one run.

Interleague
Pirates (1-0) @ Tigers (0-1)
Williams is 2-3, 2.02 in his last six starts; under is 14-3 in his last 17 starts.

Fulmer is 0-6, 6.80 in his last seven starts; under is 3-1 in his last four starts.

These teams were rained out two of last three days.

Umpires
StL-NY— Under is 10-3 in last 13 Bucknor games.
Wsh-Cin– Under is 7-2-1 in last ten Hudson games.
Chi-Mia— Under is 9-3-1 in last 13 Torres games.
SF-LA— Under is 4-0-1 in last five Tumpane games.

Min-Balt— Underdogs are 5-3 in last eight Foster games.
NY-Tor— Over is 14-6 in last 20 Rackley games.
Bos-TB— Over is 18-6-2 in last 26 Gonzalez games.
Chi-KC— Under is 7-4 in last eleven Johnson games.
Hst-Tex— Underdogs are 9-7 in last 16 Morales games.
LAA-A’s— Underdogs won six of last seven Little games.
Clev-Sea— Under is 10-4-2 in last 16 Wolf games.

Pitt-Det— Seven of last nine BWelke games went over total.

Minnesota Twins vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
The month of April has not been kind to Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, but he's hoping to reverse that trend Sunday in the rubber match of a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins. Gausman owns a 5.88 ERA in 15 career April appearances and has a history of struggling against the Twins, who evened the season-opening set with Saturday's 6-2 victory.

Jason Castro, Miguel Sano and Max Kepler each belted solo home runs Saturday in support of starter Kyle Gibson, who did not allow a hit through six scoreless innings. Byron Buxton went 0-for-4 while hitting eighth in the order for the Twins but carries lofty goals and a streak of 25 consecutive steals into Sunday's contest. "I want to get 50 bases. That's my biggest goal for this year - I'm definitely going to go more," Buxton told reporters. "If I can get 50, that helps the team. It's how I can help - get on base, get in scoring position." Jonathan Schoop is 1-for-9 with four strikeouts through two games for the Orioles, who have been held to a total of eight hits - including Adam Jones' walk-off homer on Opening Day.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH José Berríos (2017: 14-8, 3.89 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (2017: 11-12, 4.68)

Berrios appears primed for a breakout season after reducing his walks and posting an impressive strikeout rate of 8.6 per nine innings last year. The 23-year-old was sharp during spring training, going 2-1 with a 1.42 ERA over 19 frames in six starts. Manny Machado is 4-for-8 with a home run against Berrios, who owns a 2-0 record and 4.67 ERA in three career starts versus Baltimore - including a victory at Camden Yards on May 24, 2017.

Gausman is aiming for a strong start after posting a combined first-half ERA of 5.05 over the past two seasons. The 27-year-old native of Colorado worked with new teammate Andrew Cashner on his two-seam fastball during spring training and said he's focused on being a more consistent starter in his sixth season. Joe Mauer is 5-for-10 against Gausman, who is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in five career starts versus Minnesota.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Twins are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings with Baltimore.

2. Orioles OF Colby Rasmus is 10 RBIs away from reaching 500 for his career.

3. Twins RHP Phil Hughes (oblique) worked four innings in a minor-league rehab start Saturday and could rejoin the rotation on April 11.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Orioles 4

New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
The Toronto Blue Jays needed to prove something to themselves while showing the rest of baseball that the New York Yankees aren't invincible after all. The Blue Jays finally were able to muster up some offense in their third game of the season and have a chance to earn a split of a four-game set against the visiting Yankees on Sunday afternoon.

Toronto set a dubious record with its fewest hits (seven) through the first two games of a season before collecting nine in Saturday's 5-3 win, punctuated by a tiebreaking home run from ex-Yankee Yangervis Solarte in the eighth inning. Kevin Pillar also manufactured an insurance run in historical fashion, becoming the first Blue to swipe three bases in one inning, including a steal of home in the ninth. Giancarlo Stanton collected his fourth extra-base hit of the series, but Tyler Austin did the heavy lifting for New York, accounting for all its runs with a pair of massive homers measuring a combined 853 feet. Yankees reliever Dellin Betances yielded Solarte's homer, his second in as many outings, after allowing only three in 66 appearances a year ago.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, YES (New York), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Sonny Gray (2017: 10-12, 3.55 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (2017: 10-9, 4.98)

Gray was somewhat of a disappointment after he was acquired from Oakland, where he won 14 games in back-to-back seasons (2014-15). Granted, he didn't get a ton of offensive support from New York, which backed him with one run or less in five of his seven losses with the Yankees. Gray was 1-2 in three starts at Rogers Centre last season despite a 1.50 ERA, but he tossed six innings of one-run ball to earn a win on Sept. 23.

Stroman was initially expected to draw the start on Opening Day but he was pushed back after dealing with shoulder inflammation early in training camp. The 26-year-old saw plenty of the Yankees in 2017, making five starts against them and posting a 1-2 mark with a 5.32 ERA and .297 batting average against. Aaron Judge did plenty of damage in his rookie season against Stroman, going 6-for-12 with three home runs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Austin has nine career homers and eight have either tied the game or put New York ahead.

2. Blue Jays 1B Justin Smoak was 3-for-4 with two RBIs Saturday, but he's 4-for-25 with 10 strikeouts versus Gray.

3. Yankees LF Billy McKinney (left shoulder AC sprain) and RHP Adam Warren (ankle contusion) each were hurt in Saturday's game. McKinney was later placed on the 10-day disabled list, while INF Miguel Andujar was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Blue Jays 2

St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
It is only two games but the New York Mets appear to have their power pitching back on track as they aim to complete a season-opening home sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Two days after Noah Syndergaard fanned 10 hitters in Thursday's season opener, Jacob deGrom and three relievers combined for 12 punch outs in a 6-2 victory Saturday, giving New York pitchers 27 strikeouts through the season's first 18 innings.

New York has not lacked for offensive production in the series, scoring 15 runs in two games as Yoenis Cespedes and Travis d'Arnaud slugged homers in Saturday's triumph and Todd Frazier added three RBIs. It has been a miserable start offensively for the Cardinals, who are hitting .194 in the two defeats. One St. Louis hitter locked in is first baseman Jose Martinez, who is 5-for-8 in the series with a homer and three RBIs. But the Cardinals are 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position in the series, and their bullpen has surrendered six runs in seven innings.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), SNY (New York), ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (2017: 7-2, 3.88 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (2017: 2-7, 6.08)

After an impressive 2017 in which he compiled a 2.05 ERA before struggling in his final two starts, Weaver looks to solidify his spot in the St. Louis rotation. The 24-year-old allowed more than two earned runs just once in his first 11 appearances last season before surrendering 14 earned runs in his final two outings. Weaver was outstanding in spring training, holding opponents to a .113 batting average with a 0.67 WHIP, 19 strikeouts and one run allowed in 16 1/3 innings.

The Mets are hoping Matz can break through in 2018 after elbow issues and eventual surgery limited him to only 13 starts a season ago. His numbers this spring were not great - a 6.30 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP - but Matz only allowed four earned runs across his final 18 1/3 innings and, more importantly, reported no health issues. The 26-year-old lost in his only start against the Cardinals last season, giving up five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings on July 9.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets closer Jeurys Familia, who made seven saves in an injury-riddled 2017 after saving 51 games the previous season, earned his first save of the season Saturday with two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings.

2. New York 1B Adrian Gonzalez, who hit .242 in 71 games with the Dodgers last season, is 3-for-7 with two walks through two games.

3. St. Louis was busy roster-wise Saturday, disabling P Brett Cecil (left shoulder strain), promoting P Ryan Sherriff from Triple-A Memphis, officially signing new closer Greg Holland, transferring P Alex Reyes to the 60-day disabled list and trading P Josh Lucas to Oakland.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Cardinals 2
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The real winner of the season-opening series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers is Mother Nature, with inclement weather Saturday forcing a second postponement in two days and resulting in a split doubleheader Sunday in Detroit. The two teams may have needed the rainout to recover from a wild opening day Friday (following a Thursday rainout), a game the Tigers appeared to have won before a reversed call at home plate led to a 13-10 Pirates victory in 13 innings.

Detroit spent Friday evening and undoubtedly Saturday seething after Nick Castellanos was initially called safe in the bottom of the 10th with the game-winning run, only to have replay reverse the call, setting off an argument that resulted in Ron Gardenhire being ejected in his debut as Tigers manager. "We've had plenty of plays that need clear and conclusive evidence to overturn, and there was one angle that maybe looked like it could have gotten my sleeve, and let's over turn the game and not let the Tigers win," Castellanos told reporters afterward. Both teams had plenty of chances in the opener, however, as the Pirates blew a four-run ninth-inning lead and Detroit relievers surrendered nine runs and 11 hits in seven innings. "We fight as a family," Pittsburgh right fielder Gregory Polanco told the media after he finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs, three runs scored,and the go-ahead three-run homer in the 13th. "We've got to fight every pitch, every at-bat, every inning, and you see what happens."

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet (Pittsburgh), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (2017: 7-9, 4.07 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (2017: 10-12, 3.83)

Originally scheduled to start Saturday, Williams looks to build off a steady second half of 2017 in which he posted a 3.35 ERA in 13 starts. The 25-year-old, who began the season in the bullpen before joining the rotation in May, received two runs of support or less in seven of his 25 starts, but also got seven runs or more in six appearances. Williams finished spring training with a 5.87 ERA, giving up 10 runs on 18 hits in 15 1/3 innings.

Fulmer also was slated to make his season debut Saturday, and the 25-year-old enters the campaign looking to prove he is healthy. The 2016 American League Rookie of the Year and an All-Star a season ago, Fulmer underwent elbow surgery that ended his 2017 in September, and had an MRI exam in early March after experiencing elbow soreness, but the tests came back clean. Fulmer, considering the young ace of Detroit's rebuilding team, struck out 15 while walking two and posting a 2.12 ERA in four spring training starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. The two teams combined for 23 runs, 31 hits and five errors in Friday's opener.

2. Pittsburgh OF Starling Marte is hitting .335 in interleague play since the start of 2014, the highest average by any National League player.

3. The Tigers did not hit a homer in Friday's marathon game, but seven of their 14 hits were doubles.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Pirates 3

Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
Xander Bogaerts struggled through a difficult season in 2017 in large part because he played through a lingering wrist injury, but it appears the Tampa Bay Rays are getting a taste of what he is capable of when he is healthy. Boston's red-hot 25-year-old shortstop attempts to cap off an incredible four-game series Sunday when the visiting Red Sox eye a series victory over the Rays.

Bogaerts is 8-for-12 through three games in 2018 and has multiple extra-base hits in every contest, making him only the second player in the last 100 years (Adrian Gonzalez, 2015) to accomplish that feat over the first three games of a season. The two-time Silver Slugger Award winner padded those totals in Saturday's 3-2 victory, going 3-for-4 with an RBI double and solo homer. Hector Velazquez will try to be the latest Boston starting pitcher to baffle Tampa Bay after Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello combined to allow one earned run over 18 1/3 innings through the first three games of the series. The Rays matched their hit total from the first two contests (eight) in Saturday's defeat, getting five of them from Carlos Gomez (2-for-4, solo home run) and Matt Duffy (3-for-4).

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Hector Velazquez (2017: 3-1, 2.92 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jacob Faria (2017: 5-4, 3.43)

With three projected starters beginning the season on the disabled list, Velazquez will attempt to build on his success in 2017, transitioning from a non-roster invitee who had spent the previous seven years in the Mexican League. The 29-year-old was much more successful as a reliever, however, going 3-0 and did not allow an earned run in five appearances (he was 0-1 with a 5.02 ERA in his three starts). Over his final five outings last season, Velazquez allowed a total of six hits over 11 scoreless frames.

Faria posted a 4-0 record and 2.11 ERA in six turns prior to the All-Star break last season before going 1-4, 4.47 in 10 appearances (eight starts) following the Midsummer Classic. The California native surrendered 13 runs (11 earned) on 19 hits and 12 walks over 19 1/3 exhibition frames but capped off his spring by tossing six no-hit innings Tuesday. Boston hitters on the 40-man roster went 3-for-29 with no extra-base hits last year against Faria, who yielded one run in two games (one start) spanning nine innings against the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Bogaerts didn't connect on his first homer last season until May 25 and needed 28 games to hit five doubles.

2. Sunday will mark the 564th straight game the Rays' starting pitcher is below 30 years of age, the longest such streak in the majors.

3. Boston closer Craig Kimbrel hasn't allowed a hit to the last 34 Tampa Bay batters he has faced.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 4, Rays 3

Chicago Cubs vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
The Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins have wound up seeing even more of each another than they expected in their season-opening four-game series. After working extra innings for two straight games, the teams wrap up the set Sunday in Miami.

The Marlins prevailed in a 17-inning marathon on Friday, but the Cubs returned the favor the following day by winning 10-6 in 10 frames and taking a 2-1 advantage in the series. Chicago's bullpen continued its outstanding work in the series and has allowed only two runs in 22 innings. Miami's relievers didn't fare as well, as closer Brad Ziegler was tagged for four runs in his second frame. Derek Dietrich hit the Marlins' first home run of the season Saturday, while the Cubs have belted five shots in the first three games.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago Plus, FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (2017: 11-11, 4.15 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Dillon Peters (2017: 1-2, 5.17)

Quintana got off to a rocky beginning last season before turning things around and going 7-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 14 starts after being acquired from the White Sox. The 29-year-old has been a slow starter in his career, as he is 8-8 with a 4.02 ERA in 25 starts before the month of May. Quintana never has faced the Marlins.

Peters was sent to minor-league camp before getting the call to join the rotation following Dan Straily's injury. The 25-year-old had command issues during a September call-up last year, issuing 19 walks and hitting two batters in 31 1/3 innings, and his control was a problem again this spring. Peters was excellent in three starts at Marlins Park, however, going 1-1 with a 1.53 ERA in 17 2/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs have homered in each of the first three games and will try to do so for four straight to start a season for the first time since 2009.

2. Marlins 2B Starlin Castro is 0-for-14 with three strikeouts against Quintana.

3. Dietrich has been hit by a pitch three times in the series and 74 times in his career - most in franchise history.

PREDICTION: Cubs 8, Marlins 4

Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
The Chicago White Sox aim for their first 3-0 start since 1992 when they wrap up a three-game road series against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday. The Royals are trying to avoid starting with three straight losses for the second consecutive season.

After slugging six home runs in a 14-7 win on Opening Day, the White Sox won a defensive struggle in the second game of the series. Yoan Moncada homered and Welington Castillo recorded a two-run double during a three-run eighth inning to lift Chicago to a 4-3 win on Saturday. Matt Davidson continued his hot start for the White Sox with a run-scoring single, giving him six RBIs in two games. The Royals' bullpen has struggled through the first two contests, allowing 12 runs in eight innings.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (2017: 3-3, 4.72 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jason Hammel (2017: 8-13, 5.29)

Lopez made eight starts for the White Sox last year after a solid campaign at Triple-A Charlotte, where he struck out 131 in 121 innings. The 24-year-old Dominican didn't miss as many bats in the majors last year, but he has good enough stuff to be a strikeout pitcher. Lopez faced the Royals three times last season and was 2-0 with a 3.44 ERA in 18 1/3 innings.

Hammel is coming off his worst season since his rookie campaign in 2007, and that included getting hit hard in two losses to the White Sox. The 35-year-old struggled to a 4-6 record and a 4.94 ERA in 17 home starts a year ago, allowing 11 home runs at Kauffman Stadium. Hammel is 2-4 with a 5.32 ERA in 12 games (seven starts) against the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals OF Jon Jay has led off with a single and scored in each of the first two games and is 3-for-5 when leading off innings.

2. Moncada is 3-for-6 with a triple and a homer against Hammel and has hit safely in nine straight contests against the Royals.

3. Chicago SS Tim Anderson has a 12-game hitting streak against Kansas City.

PREDICTION: Royals 6, White Sox 5

Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
Jake Marisnick has opened the season sharing time with youngster Derek Fisher in left field while batting at the bottom of the Houston Astros' lineup, but his early contributions could force the club to rethink his role. The Astros aim to continue their recent domination of the Silver Boot Series on Sunday when they target a series victory in the finale of a four-game set against the host Texas Rangers.

The right-handed hitting Marisnick batted eighth on Opening Day against Cole Hamels and belted a two-out solo homer off the southpaw, wasting little time building on his breakout 2017 campaign in which he finished with a career-high 16 home runs in only 230 at-bats. Despite moving down to the No. 9 spot in the order Saturday after sitting in favor of Fisher on Friday, the 27-year-old went deep off another left-hander (Matt Moore) and scored twice in 9-3 victory. "I think we can go from any position in the lineup and do some damage. Obviously, Jake at the bottom. If we can continue to get production throughout the lineup, we'll be really hard to kick out of games," manager A.J. Hinch told reporters. Elvis Andrus, who has tallied two hits in every game, scored all three runs - one of which came via a solo homer - for Texas in Saturday's defeat.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet - Southwest (Houston), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (2017: 12-12, 4.26 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Mike Minor (2017: 6-6, 2.55)

The centerpiece of a five-player deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates in January, Cole is coming off the worst of his five major-league seasons, finishing with career highs in ERA, losses, walks (55) and homers allowed (31). The former overall No. 1 pick of the 2011 draft was sharp in the spring, however, going 3-1 with a 2.14 ERA while fanning 24 over 21 frames. Cole struck out nine over seven scoreless innings to get the win versus the Rangers in his first and only start against them as a rookie in 2013.

Minor will draw his first big-league start since 2014 after finding much success in 66 appearances out of the Kansas City Royals' bullpen a season ago, when he compiled six saves and 17 holds while posting a 1.02 WHIP. The 26-year-old Vanderbilt product is coming off a poor showing in exhibition play (1-1, 6.17 ERA) and was tagged for six runs over 5 1/3 innings in his final start of the spring. Minor kept the Astros mostly in check in his three appearances against them in 2017, going 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston has won nine of its last 12 road contests in this series.

2. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre notched his 3,052nd career hit Saturday, one shy of tying Hall-of-Famer Rod Carew for the most ever by a Latin American player.

3. Texas OF Delino DeShields is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after he was placed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday with a fractured left hamate bone.

PREDICTION: Astros 7, Rangers 3

Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
Shohei Ohtani made his major-league debut as a hitter in the season opener but will get his first turn on the mound Sunday, when the Los Angeles Angels visit the Oakland Athletics for the finale of their four-game series. A highly touted prospect who is attempting to succeed as a two-way player, Ohtani served as Los Angeles' designated hitter on Thursday and singled in his first at-bat before finishing 1-for-5 with a strikeout.

The 23-year-old native of Japan hopes to turn in a strong pitching performance and help the Angels post their third straight win after rolling to an 8-3 victory on Saturday. Mike Trout was the star at the plate for Los Angeles, collecting three of the team's 12 hits - including two doubles - while driving in a pair of runs and scoring twice. Khris Davis matched Trout with a pair of two-base hits for Oakland, which has scored a total of four runs in its two losses after registering a 6-5 triumph on Opening Day. The 30-year-old Davis, who is coming off back-to-back 40-homer, 100-RBI seasons, is 4-for-10 with a blast and four RBIs over his first three games of 2018.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS West (Los Angeles), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Shohei Ohtani (ML Debut) vs. Athletics RH Daniel Gossett (2017: 4-11, 6.11 ERA)

Ohtani will be completing a feat that hasn't been accomplished in nearly a century, as he becomes the first person to start as a position player on Opening Day and then as a pitcher within his team's first 10 games since Babe Ruth in 1919 with Boston. "At this time, I am not that nervous," the phenom told Los Angeles' website through an interpreter prior to Saturday's contest. "But I'm not sure how I'll be feeling after (Saturday's) game." Ohtani is hoping to perform better than he did during spring training, where he yielded nine runs - eight earned - and nine hits (three homers) over 2 2/3 innings in two starts.

Gossett made 18 starts as a rookie last season but allowed fewer than three earned runs in only six of those outings. One of those occasions came in Los Angeles on Aug. 28, when the 25-year-old native of South Carolina limited the Angels to two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings of a loss. That was the only career meeting with Los Angeles for Gossett, who failed to last five frames in any of his final three turns last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels placed 2B Ian Kinsler (adductor) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled INF Nolan Fontana from Triple-A Salt Lake.

2. Oakland acquired Josh Lucas from St. Louis for fellow RHP Casey Meisner and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville.

3. Los Angeles signed OF Ben Revere to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Salt Lake.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Athletics 4

Washington Nationals vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The Washington Nationals never really got a chance to see what kind of impact Adam Eaton could make at the top of their lineup, losing him to a torn ACL in the first month last year. Eaton appears to be bent on making up for lost time as he looks to continue his fast start to 2018 and help the visiting Nationals go for a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds.

Acquired for three top pitching prospects in December 2016, Eaton enjoyed a career day in Saturday's 13-7 win, going 5-for-5 with a homer, two doubles, three RBIs and four runs scored. Matt Adams, a longtime nemesis for the Reds, continued to torment them with a three-run home to ignite the offensive barrage, giving him 17 blasts and 43 RBIs in 68 games versus Cincinnati. After being shut out on Opening Day, the Reds got untracked offensively Saturday, as Adam Duvall and Eugenio Suarez swatted two-run homers while Scott Schebler added a solo shot. Scooter Gennett collected two more hits Saturday and is 6-for-9 for Cincinnati, which sends right-hander Sal Romano to the mound to face veteran lefty Gio Gonzalez in the series finale.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Washington), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (2017: 15-9, 2.96 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (2017: 5-8, 4.45)

Gonzalez is coming off one of the better seasons of his career, reaching double digits in victories for the eighth consecutive year while posting his second-lowest ERA. The 32-year-old won 11 times away from home last season and turned in a dominant performance at Cincinnati on July 14, limiting the Reds to four hits over 8 1/3 scoreless innings. Joey Votto has been a nemesis, going 8-for-21 with three homers.

Romano had an up-and-down rookie campaign but showed improvement down the stretch by allowing a combined nine runs during a span of six starts from mid-August to mid-September. Despite pitching half of his games in homer-happy Great American Ball Park, the 24-year-old New York native permitted only nine homers in 16 starts overall. He has never faced Washington, although Matt Adams has a homer in three at-bats off Romano.

WALK-OFFS

1. Adams, in his first season with the Nationals, has 11 homers and 25 RBIs in 104 at-bats at Great American.

2. Duvall and Schebler hit 31 and 30 homers, respectively, in 2017.

3. Washington has won 11 of its last 13 meetings against the Reds.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Reds 3

Cleveland Indians vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
Yonder Alonso finished the 2017 season with the Seattle Mariners and it did not take him long to make his former team regret letting him walk in free agency. Alonso got the Cleveland Indians off to a fast start with a first-inning grand slam in Saturday's 6-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners, setting up Sunday's rubber match of the three-game series.

An All-Star with Oakland a year ago, Alonso clubbed 28 homers between the Athletics and Mariners before moving on to Cleveland, which he led with seven blasts during spring training. Catcher Yan Gomes supplied the lone run for the Indians with a bloop single in the season-opening 2-1 loss and delivered what proved to be the decisive hit Saturday - a two-run shot for a 6-3 lead. The Mariners are holding their breath over an injury to slugger Nelson Cruz, who twisted his ankle while walking down the dugout stairs Saturday after his second homer in as many games. Cruz, who led the American League in RBIs (119) and was fourth in homers (39) last season, is scheduled for an MRI exam on Sunday.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), ROOT Sports Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Trevor Bauer (2017: 17-9, 4.19 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Mike Leake (2017: 10-13, 3.92)

A former No. 3 overall draft pick in 2011, Bauer had a breakout season with the Indians a year ago and was immense over the second half, winning 10 of his last 11 decisions. The 26-year-old was denied a victory at Seattle on Sept. 22, when he went seven innings and allowed one run on five hits. Bauer is 1-4 with a 4.74 ERA versus the Mariners, but he owns a 2.25 ERA in four starts at Safeco Field

Leake was acquired by Seattle for the stretch run at the end of August last season and was impressive in his five starts, compiling a 3-1 record and 2.53 ERA while surrendering a total of nine earned runs and walking only two batters over 32 frames. The one loss with Seattle came against Cleveland in his final regular-season start, when he permitted three runs over seven innings. Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis is 6-for-17 against Leake.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners LF Ichiro Suzuki went 2-for-4 to move into sole possession of 21st place on the all-time hits list with 3,082.

2. Indians 3B Jose Ramirez, who clubbed 29 homers and batted .318 last year, is hitless in eight at-bats.

3. Seattle placed C Mike Zunino on the 10-day disabled list Friday with a strained left oblique.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Mariners 2

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 04-01-2018

31st March 2018 by Gracenote
The real winner of the season-opening series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers is Mother Nature, with inclement weather Saturday forcing a second postponement in two days and resulting in a split doubleheader Sunday in Detroit. The two teams may have needed the rainout to recover from a wild opening day Friday (following a Thursday rainout), a game the Tigers appeared to have won before a reversed call at home plate led to a 13-10 Pirates victory in 13 innings.

Detroit spent Friday evening and undoubtedly Saturday seething after Nicholas Castellanos was initially called safe in the bottom of the 10th with the game-winning run, only to have replay reverse the call, setting off an argument that resulted in Ron Gardenhire being ejected in his debut as Tigers manager. "We've had plenty of plays that need clear and conclusive evidence to overturn, and there was one angle that maybe looked like it could have gotten my sleeve, and let's over turn the game and not let the Tigers win," Castellanos told reporters afterward. Both teams had plenty of chances in the opener, however, as the Pirates blew a four-run, ninth-inning lead and Detroit relievers surrendered nine runs and 11 hits in seven innings. "We fight as a family," Pittsburgh right fielder Gregory Polanco told the media after he finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs, three runs scored, and the go-ahead three-run homer in the 13th. "We've got to fight every pitch, every at-bat, every inning, and you see what happens."

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet (Pittsburgh), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (2017: 8-11, 4.35 ERA) vs. Tigers TBD

Kuhl found a good rhythm after the All-Star break last season, posting a 3.63 ERA in his final 13 starts with 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The 25-year-old endured a difficult spring, however, surrendering five homers in 17 innings en route to posting a 10.06 ERA and a 2.06 WHIP in six appearances. Kuhl beat the Tigers in Detroit on Aug. 8 last season, allowing three runs on five hits with six strikeouts in six innings.

Detroit had yet to decide on whether Sunday's original starter, left-hander Francisco Liriano (6-7, 5.66 ERA last season), would start the nightcap or if lefty Matthew Boyd (6-11, 5.27 ERA a season ago) would get the nod. The 34-year-old Liriano, who pitched exclusively out of the bullpen with Houston after being acquired from Toronto at the trade deadline last season, looked sharp in spring training while posting a 2.25 ERA and limiting opponents to a .214 batting average in 16 innings. The 27-year-old Boyd made seven starts in spring training, finishing 4-0 with a 3.42 ERA, and struck out 26 against just seven walks in 23 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The two teams combined for 23 runs, 31 hits and five errors in Friday's opener.

2. Pittsburgh OF Starling Marte is hitting .335 in interleague play since the start of 2014, the highest average by any National League player.

3. The Tigers did not hit a homer in Friday's marathon game, but seven of their 14 hits were doubles.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Tigers 2