MLB Betting News and Trends For Thursday, April 26, 2018

Thursday’s games
National League
Braves (13-10) @ Reds (5-19)
Newcomb is 1-0, 3.12 in his last three starts (over 2-1-1). Team in his starts: 1-3
5-inning record: 2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4

Bailey is 0-3, 3.99 in five starts this season (under 5-0). Team in his starts: 0-5
5-inning record: 1-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Atlanta lost three of their last five games; over is 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Reds lost 14 of their last 17 games- over is 3-0-1 in their last four games.

Diamondbacks (16-7) @ Phillies (15-8)
Koch allowed one run in six IP (86 PT) in his first ’18 start. Team in his starts: 0-1
5-inning record: 0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Lively is 0-1, 4.64 in four starts this year (over 2-2). Team in his starts: 3-1
5-inning record: 2-0-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4

Arizona is 10-5 in its last 15 games; their last seven road games went over. Phillies won eight of their last nine home games; under is 5-3-1 in their last nine games overall.

Mets (15-7) @ Cardinals (14-9)
Syndegaard is 1-0, 3.12 in his last three starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 5-0
5-inning record: 1-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Martinez is 2-0, 0.33 in his last four starts (under 3-1-1). Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Mets are 8-3 on the road this season; five of their last six games went over. St Louis won nine of its last 11 games; under is 6-4 in their last ten games.

Brewers (16-9) @ Cubs (11-10)
Anderson is 2-1, 3.27 in five starts this season (under 3-1-1). Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Hendricks is 1-1, 4.09 in four starts this season (under 2-1-1). Team in his starts: 1-3
5-inning record: 1-2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4

Milwaukee won its last eight games; their last four road games stayed under. Cubs won four of their last six games; over is 4-3 at Wrigley Field this season.

American League
Twins (8-11) @ New York (14-9)
Gibson is 0-1, 6.60 n his last three starts (over 2-2). Team in his starts: 3-1
5-inning record: 2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4

Montgomery is 2-0, 3.00 in his last two starts (over 4-0). NY scored 35 runs in the four games. Team in his starts: 3-1
5-inning record: 4-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4

Twins lost seven of their last eight games; over is 8-2 in their last ten road games. New York is 8-2 in its last ten games; they’re 10-5 at home. Over is 12-3 in their home games.

Rays (9-13) @ Orioles (6-18)
Archer is 1-1, 6.92 in five starts this season (over 5-0). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Bundy is 1-2, 2.27 in five starts this season (under 5-0). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Tampa Bay won its last five games; they’re 3-6 on road. Over is 8-1 in their last nine games. Orioles lost 12 of their last 14 games; under is 9-2 in their home games.

Red Sox (18-5) @ Blue Jays (14-9)
Sale is 1-1, 1.86 in five starts this season (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 2-1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Estrada is 2-1, 5.32 in four starts this season (over 2-2). Team in his starts: 3-1
5-inning record: 2-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4

Red Sox lost three of their last four games; under is 4-0 in their last four games. Toronto won eight of its last ten home games; under is 3-0 in their last three games overall.

Mariners (13-10) @ Indians (13-9)
Paxton is 1-0, 4.29 in his last four starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 1-2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-5

Clevinger is 2-0, 1.75 in four starts this season (under 3-1). Under is 3-1 in his starts. Team in his starts: 3-1
5-inning record: 2-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4

Mariners won six of their last eight road games; under is 6-4-1 in their last 11 games. Cleveland won four of its last five games; under is 13-4 in their last 17 games.

White Sox (5-16) @ Royals (5-17)
Giolito is 0-3, 11.85 in his last three starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 1-3
5-inning record: 0-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4

Junis is 3-1, 2.02 in four starts this year (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 3-1
5-inning record: 3-0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4

White Sox lost 14 of their last 16 games; over is 6-2-1 in their last nine games. Royals lost 12 of their last 14 games; under is 5-0-1 in their last six home games.

Interleague
Tigers (10-12) @ Pirates (13-11)
Fulmer is 1-2, 4.63 in four starts this season (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 2-2
5-inning record: 2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4

Nova is 2-0, 3.20 in his last three starts (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 4-0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Tigers won six of their last nine games; over is 6-2 in their last eight games. Pittsburgh lost seven of its last nine games- their last three home games went over.

SHAZMAN
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Preview: Braves at Reds
Gracenote
Apr 25, 2018

The Atlanta Braves had dropped the first two contests of their four-game series at the Cincinnati Reds before entering Thursday afternoon’s series finale looking for a split after getting a boost from several of their talented young prospects. Outfielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. made his major-league debut in Wednesday’s 5-4 victory, contributing an eighth-inning single and scoring the game-tying run before third baseman Johan Camargo doubled home Ozzie Albies with the decisive run in the ninth.

Albies and Camargo both made their major-league debut last season, and rookie A.J. Minter earned his first save as the Braves – who are a surprising 13-10 on the season – look to exit the rebuild stage and push toward contention. Cincinnati battled back from an early deficit as first baseman Joey Votto, who was homerless after his first 21 games, went deep for the second consecutive night. The Reds (5-19), who averaged 2.9 runs on 7.3 hits per game during a 3-18 start, have scored 23 runs on 34 hits through the first three games of the series. Cincinnati relievers gave up two runs on six hits in four innings Wednesday, and its bullpen enters the series finale at 2-6 on the season with a 5.34 ERA.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Sean Newcomb (1-1, 3.74 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (0-3, 3.68)

Newcomb has cut his walks per nine innings so far this season to 4.6 from 5.1 last season, and is striking out 11.2 hitters per nine innings. The 24-year-old gave up three runs (two earned) in six innings against the Mets on Friday, and has struck out six hitters or more in three of his four starts. Newcomb, whose lone victory this season featured six scoreless innings at Colorado on April 8, won his only appearance against Cincinnati as a rookie in 2017.

Bailey has pitched far better than his record would indicate, as he has surrendered more than three earned runs just once in five starts and is holding opposing batters to a .218 average. He drew a no-decision Saturday at St. Louis, giving up three runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings in a game the Reds would lose 4-3. The 31-year-old owns a 2-2 lifetime record with a 4.54 ERA in six career starts against the Braves, but has not faced Atlanta since 2014.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati IF Cliff Pennington snapped an 0-for-19 skid with an infield single in the sixth inning.

2. Atlanta CF Ender Inciarte extended his hitting streak to nine games with a three-hit performance, and stole two bases to give him nine steals through 22 games.

3. Albies’ fifth-inning homer marked his 17th extra-base hit in April, tying the franchise record.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Reds 2
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Umpire Trends - Chris Segal

Road team is 5-0 in Segals last 5 games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1 in Segals last 5 Thursday games behind home plate.
Road team is 4-1 in Segals last 5 games behind home plate vs. Atlanta.
Home team is 6-2 in Segals last 8 Thursday games behind home plate.
Under is 13-5 in Segals last 18 games behind home plate.
Braves are 5-2 in their last 7 games with Segal behind home plate.
Reds are 1-4 in their last 5 games with Segal behind home plate.

Preview: Tigers at Pirates
Gracenote
Apr 26, 2018

After splitting a doubleheader, the visiting Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates play the rubber match of a three-game interleague series Thursday at PNC Park. The Pirates are trying to avoid their third straight series loss.

Detroit’s offense stayed hot in a 13-10 win in Game 1 of Wednesday’s twinbill - the Tigers’ third time scoring in double digits in the past seven contests - but the Pirates cooled off Detroit’s lineup in an 8-3 win in the nightcap. Pittsburgh had totaled just five runs during a four-game skid before putting up 18 runs in the doubleheader. Both teams will look for deep outings from their starters in the finale, as Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer and veteran Ivan Nova of the Pirates look to give taxed bullpens a break. Detroit used 10 relievers Wednesday while Pittsburgh used seven.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Detroit, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (1-2, 3.47 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Ivan Nova (2-1, 4.20)

Fulmer bounced back from a disastrous outing at Cleveland with a quality start Friday against Kansas City. The 25-year-old held the Royals to two runs and eight hits over seven innings while matching his season-high with four strikeouts. Fulmer shut down the Pirates on April 1, allowing one run and four hits over eight innings in a 1-0 loss.

Nova has posted three straight quality starts but was denied his third consecutive win Friday at Philadelphia because of poor run support. The 31-year-old held the Phillies to one run and five hits over six innings but didn’t get a decision in the 2-1 loss. Nova is 0-3 with a 6.56 ERA in seven games (six starts) against the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pittsburgh C Francisco Cervelli had six RBIs in Game 1 on Wednesday and boasts 18 in 19 games. His career high is 43 in 2015.

2. Tigers C James McCann is 10-for-28 with two homers during a seven-game hitting streak.

3. Pirates OF Jose Osuna was added as the team’s 26th man for the doubleheader and hit a three-run homer in his first big-league at-bat of the season in Game 2, but he will likely be sent back to Triple-A Indianapolis.

PREDICTION: Tigers 8, Pirates 6
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Umpire Trends - Name unavailable
No trends available.

Preview: Diamondbacks at Phillies
Gracenote
Apr 26, 2018

The Philadelphia Phillies aim to hand Arizona its first series loss of 2018 on Thursday afternoon, one day removed from snapping an eight-game home losing streak to the Diamondbacks. Arizona (16-7) put itself in the equation to win its eighth straight series by doubling up Philadelphia (15-8) in Tuesday's opener before Aaron Altherr helped level the set with a go-ahead three-run homer the following night.

Cesar Hernandez, who has five multi-hit performances in his last eight games, collected three hits to improve to 5-for-8 with three runs scored in the series. The 27-year-old Venezuelan is 16-for-43 at Citizens Bank Park this season for the Phillies, who improved to 5-1 on their 10-game homestand and 10-2 overall in the City of Brotherly Love. Arizona felt the love by outscoring the hosts 45-18 in the previous eight encounters before mustering just five hits to suffer its first loss in Philadelphia since May 17, 2015. A.J. Pollock had one of the hits to improve to 8-for-24 with two homers, five RBIs and as many runs scored during his six-game hitting streak, although he'll get his first look at Thursday starter Ben Lively.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Facebook Watch

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Matt Koch (0-0, 1.13 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Ben Lively (0-1, 4.64)

Koch distinguished himself after being recalled from Triple-A Reno by allowing just one run - albeit a mammoth 489-foot homer by Franchy Cordero - on two hits in six innings of a no-decision versus San Diego on Friday. "I thought Matt Koch threw the ball extremely well," manager Torey Lovullo said of the 27-year-old. "... He was mixing his pitches. When you're walking a young pitcher into that kind of environment and he goes out there with that great mound presence and executes, it's definitely noticed and he did a great job." Koch, who is filling the rotation spot of Taijuan Walker (Tommy John surgery), is slated to make his first appearance versus Philadelphia on Thursday in his fourth career start and 11th overall game.

Lively received his third straight no-decision despite yielding one run on five hits in six innings against Pittsburgh on Friday. The 26-year-old credited a text from his grandfather, who implored him to slow everything down for his strong performance versus the Pirates. Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Lamb and Chris Owings have each homered against Lively, who is 0-1 versus the Diamondbacks with eight runs and 15 hits allowed over two starts (11 1/3 innings)

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera has reached safely in a career-high 25 consecutive games.

2. Arizona SS Ketel Marte has four hits in his last three contests after going 1-for-19 in his previous five.

3. Phillies LF Rhys Hoskins has hit safely in four straight games and 10 of his last 11.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 3, Phillies 2
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Umpire Trends - John Tumpane

Home team is 5-0 in Tumpanes last 5 Thursday games behind home plate.
Over is 3-0-1 in Tumpanes last 4 games behind home plate.
Road team is 4-0 in Tumpanes last 4 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
Phillies are 5-1 in their last 6 games with Tumpane behind home plate.
Home team is 9-3 in Tumpanes last 12 games behind home plate.
Over is 5-2 in Tumpanes last 7 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
Home team is 5-2 in Tumpanes last 7 games behind home plate vs. Arizona.

Preview: Twins at Yankees
Gracenote
Apr 26, 2018

The New York Yankees continue to feast on the Minnesota Twins and can finish off a four-game sweep when the teams meet Thursday in Yankee Stadium. With Wednesday's 7-4 win, the Yankees improved to 17-4 against the Twins since July 2015, 53-21 since 2008 and 81-31 since 2002.

Didi Gregorius wasn't around for most of the one-sided stretch but he's doing his part to keep it going and homered for the fourth straight game while going 3-for-3 on Wednesday. Gregorius is the first Yankees shortstop to go deep in four consecutive contests and he has nine RBIs in the series to push his major league-leading total to 29. The Twins, losers of six in a row, will try to slow down the Bronx Bombers' bats behind right-hander Kyle Gibson, who has given up nine runs on nine hits and seven walks in 10 career innings at Yankee Stadium. Lefty Jordan Montgomery goes for New York, which has won five straight overall and eight of its last 10.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS North (Minnesota), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (1-1, 4.29 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Jordan Montgomery (2-0, 3.80)

After allowing one earned run in 10 1/3 innings through his first two starts, Gibson has given up nine in 10 2/3 frames over his last two. He suffered his first loss at Tampa Bay his last time out despite striking out a season-high seven and walking one in 6 1/3 innings. The 30-year-old is 1-4 with a 9.31 ERA in his career against New York, his highest mark against any opponent he has faced at least twice.

Montgomery has followed up a solid rookie sason with a nice beginning to his 2018 campaign, winning his last two outings while lasting six innings both times. He allowed a run and four hits while striking out five to defeat Toronto at home on Saturday. The University of South Carolina product faced the Twins once in 2017, giving up six runs in six innings of a loss at Target Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins SS Eduardo Escobar is 5-for-7 with two walks in the last two games.

2. Yankees 1B Tyler Austin has three homers and nine RBIs over a four-game stretch.

3. New York RF Aaron Judge has reached safely in 29 straight games at Yankee Stadium, the second-longest streak since 2009.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Twins 4
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Umpire Trends - D.J. Reyburn

Over is 9-2 in Reyburns last 11 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Road team is 4-1 in Reyburns last 5 games behind home plate.
Over is 7-2 in Reyburns last 9 games behind home plate vs. Minnesota.
Home team is 6-2 in Reyburns last 8 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Under is 19-7-1 in Reyburns last 27 Thursday games behind home plate.
Road team is 5-2 in Reyburns last 7 games behind home plate vs. Minnesota.
Road team is 7-3 in Reyburns last 10 Thursday games behind home plate.
Yankees are 2-7 in their last 9 games with Reyburn behind home plate.
Twins are 1-4 in their last 5 games with Reyburn behind home plate.
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Preview: Mets at Cardinals
Gracenote
Apr 26, 2018

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez has flourished since struggling out of the blocks in his Opening Day start against the New York Mets. After permitting five runs in that contest, Martinez has yielded a total of one over his last 27 1/3 innings heading into Thursday afternoon's rubber match of the three-game series at Busch Stadium.

Paul DeJong had two hits and scored twice during St. Louis' 9-1 romp on Wednesday to improve to 8-for-20 with two homers and six RBIs during his five-game hitting streak. The 24-year-old has flustered the Mets to the tune of going 7-for-19 with two homers this season while helping the Cardinals (14-9) to their ninth win in 11 outings overall. While St. Louis is heating up, New York (15-7) has cooled considerably with losses in six of its last 10 after a blistering-hot 11-1 start to the season. The Mets aim to improve to 6-0 when Noah Syndergaard takes the mound this season on Thursday, as the right-hander opposes Martinez in a rematch of the season opener.

TV: 1:15 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (2-0, 3.29 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (2-1, 1.42)

Syndergaard settled for his second straight no-decision on Friday after allowing three runs and striking out six in as many innings at Atlanta. The 25-year-old improved to 1-2 in his career versus St. Louis despite permitting four runs - including two homers - while fanning 10 in a 9-4 victory on March 29. Jose Martinez went deep in that outing and is 3-for-3 in his career versus Syndergaard, although the right-hander has handled Marcell Ozuna (3-for-17, six strikeouts) and Dexter Fowler (0-for-6, three strikeouts).

Martinez has scattered 15 hits and struck out 32 batters over his last four starts on the heels of issuing six walks over 4 1/3 innings in a 9-4 setback to the Mets on March 29. The 26-year-old Dominican was in line for his third win of the season on Saturday before the bullpen allowed Cincinnati to tie the game and spoil his three-hit effort over six innings. Yoenis Cespedes is 5-for-15 with a homer against Martinez, who owns a 3-3 mark with a 3.08 ERA in nine career appearances versus New York.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York 2B Asdrubal Cabrera is considered day-to-day after sitting out Wednesday's tilt with a tight right hamstring.

2. Cardinals CF Tommy Pham's availability for the finale is in question after he exited Wednesday's contest with a head injury sustained earlier in the day.

3. Mets LHP Jason Vargas, who has been on the disabled list with a broken bone in his non-throwing hand, is expected to make his season debut against San Diego on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Mets 3, Cardinals 1
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Umpire Trends - Jansen Visconti
No trends available.

Preview: Mariners at Indians
Gracenote
Apr 26, 2018

Mike Clevinger looks to follow up the best performance of his career when the Cleveland Indians open a four-game series against the visiting Seattle Mariners on Thursday. The right-hander allowed just two hits while recording his first career shutout in a 4-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles last Saturday.

Seattle left-hander James Paxton hasn't discovered last season's form and was touched up for five runs and six hits in four innings during a no-decision against the Texas Rangers in his last turn. Paxton's substandard campaign began with a loss to the Indians on March 31 when he served up a grand slam to Yonder Alonso and a two-run shot to Yan Gomes while giving up six runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Mariners, who won the other two games of the season-opening three-game series, defeated the Chicago White Sox 4-3 on Wednesday. Cleveland posted a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday and has won four of its last five games.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports Northwest (Seattle), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH James Paxton (1-1, 5.61 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (2-0, 1.75)

Paxton went 12-5 with a 2.98 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 24 starts last season but his ERA has nearly doubled and his WHIP has skyrocketed to 1.44. The 29-year-old has also served up four homers in 25 2/3 innings after giving up just nine in 136 frames last season. Paxton is 0-3 with a 5.87 ERA in three career outings against the Indians and has struggled with Jason Kipnis (4-for-8) and Rajai Davis (5-for-13).

Clevinger, who is making his 36th career start, is holding opposing batters to a .205 average this season to go along with a 1.10 WHIP. A 12-game winner last season, the 27-year-old controlled Baltimore hitters from the outset in his last effort despite striking out just three batters. Clevinger has never faced the Mariners but has experienced issues retiring Andrew Romine (3-for-8, two doubles) when the latter was on the Detroit Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians LHP Andrew Miller (hamstring tightness) departed Wednesday's game and manager Terry Francona said Miller will undergo an MRI exam on Thursday.

2. Seattle 1B Ryon Healy (ankle) is expected to be activated at some point during the four-game series.

3. Cleveland announced the signing of veteran OF Melky Cabrera for $1 million plus incentives and will have him working out at extended spring training in Arizona before beginning a short minor-league stint and eventually joining the Indians.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Mariners 4
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Umpire Trends - Name unavailable
No trends available.

Preview: Rays at Orioles
Gracenote
Apr 26, 2018

The surging Tampa Bay Rays hope to make more history and sweep a two-game rain-shortened series when they visit the struggling Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night. The Rays have scored at least eight runs in four straight games for the first time in franchise history and are riding a five-game winning streak after recording 14 hits while rolling to an 8-4 victory on Wednesday.

Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria homered for the second straight game Wednesday and is 12-for-26 during a seven-game hitting streak for Tampa Bay, which started the season with one win in nine contests and has since won eight of 13. Chris Archer will try to match his last effort on the mound when he takes the ball for the Rays against Baltimore ace Dylan Bundy, who has managed just one victory despite five solid starts to open 2018. The Orioles have lost four in a row and 10 of 11 to plummet to the bottom of the American League East after coughing up a 3-0 lead Wednesday. Manny Machado went 0-for-4 in the series opener to end an 11-game hitting streak while Adam Jones registered a pair of doubles and an RBI to help Baltimore build its lead.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (1-1, 6.59 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (1-2, 1.42)

Archer comes in off his first quality start of the season last Friday as he allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings against Minnesota before the bullpen coughed up a 6-2 lead. The 29-year-old two-time All Star yielded four or more runs in three of his previous four outings and surrendered one homer in each of his five starts. Chris Davis boasts three homers and nine RBIs in 28 career at-bats versus Archer, who is 5-8 with a 4.81 ERA in 17 appearances (16 starts) against the Orioles.

Bundy earned his first victory of the season last Friday and posted his fourth quality start in five outings, holding Cleveland to one run on five hits over six innings of work. The 25-year-old Oklahoma native has enjoyed just 10 runs of support this season and boasts 40 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings after fanning nine last time out. Mallex Smith is 2-for-5 with a walk against Bundy, who is 1-2 with a 6.26 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) versus Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore INF Tim Beckham (groin) was placed on the 10-day disabled list and INF Jace Peterson took his place Wednesday, knocking in two runs.

2. Tampa Bay INF Joey Wendle is 10-for-20 during his five-game hitting streak and has three hits in two of his last three outings.

3. Davis has 29 homers and 76 RBIs in 109 career games against the Rays, but went 0-for-4 in the series opener.

PREDICTION: Rays 3, Orioles 2
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Umpire Trends - Name unavailable
No trends available.

Preview: Red Sox at Blue Jays
Gracenote
Apr 26, 2018

Mookie Betts gave the Boston Red Sox a much-needed offensive boost and a chance to claim a series win when they take on the host Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday in the finale of a three-game series. Betts slugged a leadoff homer and later added a go-ahead two-run shot to lift the Red Sox - who scored a total of four runs during a three-game losing streak - to a 4-3 victory Wednesday.

The star right fielder has reached base in 19 straight games against the Blue Jays while batting .349 with five homers and 23 RBIs. "They're special," Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters of players like Betts. "Like the Trouts, the Altuves, the most at-bats they get the better you feel about it. ... I'm glad that he's on my team." Chris Sale has been dominant through his first five starts for Boston but has just one win to show for it and will aim for victory No. 2 when he gets the nod opposite Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada. Sale tossed 22 scoreless innings while fanning 35 batters across three starts at Toronto last year.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), Sportsnet One (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (1-1, 1.86 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (2-1, 5.32)

The major-league leader in strikeouts a season ago with 308, Sale notched double figures in that category for the first time this year in seven solid innings of a hard-luck loss at Oakland on Saturday. He has 41 punchouts and six walks in his first 29 frames while holding opponents to a .206 average. The six-time All-Star is 6-3 with a 2.03 mark in 12 career games (nine starts) versus Toronto.

Home runs continue to be an issue for Estrada, who surrendered three more in five innings but still got the win at Yankee Stadium on Friday. He's allowed nine runs in nine innings over his last two outings after opening the year with back-to-back quality starts. Boston's starting lineup for Wednesday's game is a combined 20-for-123 with 30 strikeouts against Estrada, who has a 3.97 ERA in 14 career encounters (12 starts) with the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts (ankle) could be activated Friday.

2. Blue Jays 3B Yangervis Solarte has four homers in his last nine games.

3. Toronto C Russell Martin went 0-for-3 on Wednesday and is 2-for-34 over his last 10 games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 3
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Umpire Trends - Ramon De Jesus

Home team is 5-1 in De Jesus' last 6 games behind home plate.
Over is 5-2 in De Jesus' last 7 games behind home plate.

Preview: Brewers at Cubs
Gracenote
Apr 26, 2018

The Milwaukee Brewers take an eight-game winning streak into a big four-game road series against the Chicago Cubs starting Thursday. The Cubs took three of four at Milwaukee earlier this month, and the Brewers would love to return the favor to their National League Central rivals.

Milwaukee’s pitching has been outstanding during the winning streak, allowing three runs or fewer in seven of the last eight games. Brewers right-hander Chase Anderson will try to keep it going when he gets his second crack at the Cubs this season after ending up on the wrong end of a 3-0 loss April 8. The Cubs split two games at Cleveland and have won four of their last six. Star third baseman Kris Bryant missed both games in Cleveland after leaving Sunday’s contest at Colorado when he was hit in the helmet with a German Marquez fastball, but Chicago manager Joe Maddon indicated Bryant could be back in the lineup Thursday.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NBCS Chicago Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Chase Anderson (2-1, 3.25 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 4.09)

Anderson has won his last two starts after going winless in his first three outings. The 30-year-old gave up a pair of home runs but not much else in a win over Miami last time out, allowing three runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings. Anderson is 3-3 with a 3.67 ERA in eight starts against the Cubs.

Hendricks picked up his first win of the season Friday at Colorado, allowing three runs and five hits over five innings. The 28-year-old did not issue a walk after allowing seven in his first three starts, but he did give up his fifth homer of the season. Hendricks is 6-4 with a 3.01 ERA in 16 meetings with the Brewers.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Brewers placed 1B Eric Thames on the disabled list Wednesday with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb and recalled RHP Brandon Woodruff.

2. Cubs 2B/OF Ben Zobrist is 9-for-17 with three homers against Anderson.

3. Chicago 2B Javier Baez (17-for-39) and CF Albert Almora Jr. (14-for-36) are riding eight-game hitting streaks.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Cubs 3
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Preview: White Sox at Royals
Gracenote
Apr 26, 2018

The two worst teams in the American League begin a stretch of five games in four days against one another when the Chicago White Sox visit the Kansas City Royals on Thursday. The White Sox are just 5-16 for their worst start since 1950 while the Royals have an even worse record at 5-17.

Kansas City has lost 12 of its last 14 games and began a seven-game homestand with back-to-back setbacks against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Royals are a porous 1-9 at home, a dubious mark that includes two losses to the White Sox to open the season. Chicago has lost 14 of its last 16 games and could be without slugger Jose Abreu, who departed in the fourth inning of Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners due to flu-like symptoms. "It goes to show you, they want to play, they want to fight," White Sox manager Rich Renteria told reporters. "He wasn't feeling very good, and ultimately, we had to make a decision to go ahead and do that. I give him credit for even trying."

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (0-3, 9.00 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jakob Junis (3-1, 2.03)

Giolito is coming off a horrific performance in a loss to the Houston Astros as he walked seven in two-plus innings and allowed nine runs and five hits. The 23-year-old has dropped three straight outings and has a 10.93 ERA and 2.07 WHIP during the stretch. Giolito is 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA in three career starts against the Royals, including a no-decision on March 31 when he allowed three runs and six hits over six innings.

Junis pitched superbly while beating the Detroit Tigers in his last turn as he gave up two runs and four hits over eight innings. The 25-year-old has allowed just two runs and eight hits over 22 innings in his three victories as he displays that he could soon be the team's ace. Junis, who has never faced the White Sox, is holding batters to a .190 average in 11 career appearances (nine starts) at Kauffman Stadium.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals 3B Mike Moustakas homered in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Brewers and has at least one hit in 15 of the past 16 games.

2. Chicago 2B Yolmer Sanchez had two hits on Wednesday and is 8-for-18 during a five-game hitting streak.

3. Kansas City RHP Ian Kennedy (foot) indicated he intends to make Sunday's start - he departed Tuesday's game after three innings due to being struck by a liner off the bat of Milwaukee's Ryan Braun.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, White Sox 2
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MLB

Thursday, April 26

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Trend Report
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Atlanta Braves
Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games
Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Atlanta is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Atlanta's last 10 games on the road
Atlanta is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Cincinnati is 3-14 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Cincinnati's last 12 games
Cincinnati is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Cincinnati is 3-14 SU in its last 17 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games at home
Cincinnati is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta

Detroit Tigers
Detroit is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Detroit is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Detroit is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
Detroit is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing Pittsburgh
Detroit is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Pittsburgh is 17-8 ATS in its last 25 games at home
Pittsburgh is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games at home
Pittsburgh is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing Detroit
Pittsburgh is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit

Minnesota Twins
Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
New York Yankees
NY Yankees is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
NY Yankees is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 6 games
NY Yankees is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
NY Yankees is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 6 games at home
NY Yankees is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
NY Yankees is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
NY Yankees is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
NY Yankees is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota

Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Arizona is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games
Arizona is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Arizona is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 5 games on the road
Arizona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Arizona is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Arizona is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Arizona
Philadelphia is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Arizona
Philadelphia is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Arizona

New York Mets
NY Mets is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games
NY Mets is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Mets's last 6 games
NY Mets is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
NY Mets is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games on the road
NY Mets is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 6 of NY Mets's last 8 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games
St. Louis is 5-13 ATS in its last 18 games at home
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
St. Louis is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 6 of St. Louis's last 8 games when playing at home against NY Mets

Seattle Mariners
Seattle is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Seattle is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Seattle is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Seattle is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Seattle is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Cleveland
Seattle is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland Indians
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Cleveland's last 17 games
Cleveland is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland's last 10 games at home
Cleveland is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Seattle
Cleveland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games when playing at home against Seattle

Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 9 games
Tampa Bay is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Baltimore
Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Baltimore
Tampa Bay is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games
Baltimore is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games
Baltimore is 7-18 ATS in its last 25 games at home
Baltimore is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Baltimore's last 11 games at home
Baltimore is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Tampa Bay
Baltimore is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Tampa Bay
Baltimore is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

Boston Red Sox
Boston is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Boston is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games on the road
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Boston is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing Toronto
Boston is 13-3 ATS in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Boston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Toronto is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games
Toronto is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Toronto is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Toronto is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games when playing Boston
Toronto is 3-13 ATS in its last 16 games when playing at home against Boston
Toronto is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Milwaukee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games
Milwaukee is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Milwaukee is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 6 games on the road
Milwaukee is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Milwaukee's last 9 games when playing Chi Cubs
Milwaukee is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 9 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Chicago Cubs
Chi Cubs is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Chi Cubs is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games
Chi Cubs is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Chi Cubs is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chi Cubs's last 9 games when playing Milwaukee
Chi Cubs is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Chi Cubs is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chi Cubs's last 9 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

Chicago White Sox
Chi White Sox is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chi White Sox's last 9 games
Chi White Sox is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Chi White Sox is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games on the road
Chi White Sox is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Kansas City
Chi White Sox is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Kansas City
Chi White Sox is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Chi White Sox is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 7 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City Royals
Kansas City is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Kansas City is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games
Kansas City is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Kansas City is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games at home
Kansas City is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Chi White Sox
Kansas City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
Kansas City is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 7 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox