MLB Betting News and Trends For Tuesday 5/1/18

Tuesday’s games
National League
Pirates (17-12) @ Nationals (13-16)
Kuhl is 2-0, 3.00 in his last two starts (over 5-0). Team in his starts: 3-2 (Pirates scored 26 runs in the three wins, 4-2 runs in the losses)
5-inning record: 4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Scherzer is 4-0, 1.61 in his last four starts, last three of which went over. Team in his starts: 5-1
5-inning record: 4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Pirates won five of their last six games; they lost last five road games. Under is 7-1-1 in their last nine road games. Washington lost six of its last nine games; they’re 5-9 at home. Under is 7-2 in their last nine games.

Phillies (16-12) @ Marlins (10-18)
Eflin is making his first ’18 start; he is 4-10, 5.85 in 22 career starts, making 11 starts in each of last two years. Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Garcia is 1-0, 0.53 in three starts this year (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 1-2
5-inning record: 2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Phillies lost five of their last seven games; over is 6-1 in their last seven games. Miami won five of its last six games; they’re 6-10 at home. Under is 6-2 in their last eight games.

Braves (16-11) @ Mets (17-9)
Newcomb is 0-0, 5.19 in his last three starts, all of which went over. Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Syndergaard is 1-0, 2.92 in his last four starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 5-1
5-inning record: 5-0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Atlanta won four of its last five games; over is 6-1-1 in their last eight road games. Mets are 5-7 in their last 12 games; they’re 7-2 in series openers. Over is 7-2-1 in their last nine games.

Brewers (17-13) @ Reds (7-22)
Anderson is 2-1, 2.41 in his last three starts (under 4-1-1). Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 3-2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Bailey is 0-3, 4.46 in six starts this season (under 5-1). Team in his starts: 0-6
5-inning record: 1-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Brewers lost four of their last five games; eight of their last nine road games stayed under. Cincinnati is 3-10 at home; over is 7-2 in their last nine games.

Rockies (15-15) @ Cubs (16-10)
Gray is 1-2, 4.32 in three road starts this year (over 4-2). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Hendricks is 2-1, 2.50 in his last three starts (under 3-1-1). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Colorado lost four of its last five road games; under is 6-1 in their last seven road games. Cubs won their last six home games; their last six games overall stayed under.

Dodgers (12-16) @ Diamondbacks (20-8)
Kershaw is 1-4, 2.84 in six starts this year, last three of which went over. Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 2-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Koch is 1-0, 2.25 in his first two starts (over 1-1). Team in his starts: 1-1
5-inning record: 1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Dodgers lost six of their last seven games; over is 7-1 in their last eight road games. Arizona won seven of its last nine games; they’re 10-3 at home. Under is 7-1-1 in their last nine home games.

Padres (10-20) @ Giants (15-14)
Ross is 1-1, 3.06 in his last three starts; his last four starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5

Suarez allowed four runs in 5.1 IP (83 PT) in his first ’18 start, a 7-3 loss to Arizona. Team in his starts: 0-1
5-inning record: 0-0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

San Diego lost five of its last six games; under is 9-3-1 in their road games. Giants won six of their last seven games; under is 8-3-1 in their last 12 games.

American League
Rangers (11-19) @ Indians (15-12)
Fister is 1-2, 5.40 in four starts this year (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 2-2
5-inning record: 2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4

Clevinger is 2-0, 2.56 in five starts this year (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 2-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5

Rangers won three of their last five games; over is 5-1-1 in their last seven road games. Cleveland lost five of its last eight home games; over is 7-1 in their last eight home games.

Rays (13-14) @ Tigers (11-16)
Archer is 2-1, 6.54 in six starts this year (over 6-0). Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 3-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Boyd is 0-2, 2.74 in four starts this year (over 2-2). Team in his starts: 1-3
5-inning record: 0-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4

Tampa Bay won nine of its last ten games; over is 6-3 in their last nine. Tigers lost six of their last eight games; under is 4-1 in their last five games.

Royals (7-21) @ Red Sox (21-7)
Junis is 1-2, 5.89 in his last three starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 3-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Sale is 2-1, 2.06 in six starts this year (over 3-3). Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 3-1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6

Royals lost seven of their last nine games; over is 6-2 in their last eight road games. Boston won four of its last six games; under is 6-3 in their last nine games.

New York (18-10) @ Astros (20-10)
Montgomery is 2-0, 3.18 in his last three starts (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5

Verlander is 4-0, 1.59 in six starts this year (under 4-2). Team in his starts: 5-1
5-inning record: 4-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

New York won nine of its last ten games; under is 4-1 in their last five games. Astros won four of their last five games; over is 7-3-1 in their last ten games.

Blue Jays (16-12) @ Twins (9-15)
Estrada is 1-2, 9.00 in his last three starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 2-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5

Gibson is 0-1, 4.71 in his last four starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Blue Jays lost four of their last six games; over is 4-0-1 in their last five games. Minnesota lost ten of its last 11 games; nine of those 11 games went over.

Orioles (8-20) @ Angels (16-12)
Cobb is 0-3, 15.43 in three starts this season (over 3-0). Team in his starts: 0-3
5-inning record: 0-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-3

Tropeano is 0-2, 7.59 in his last two starts (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 1-2
5-inning record: 1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Baltimore lost six of its last eight games; over is 6-2-1 in their last nine road games. Angels lost eight of their last nine home games; six of their last eight games stayed under.

A’s (14-14) @ Mariners (16-11)
Triggs is 2-0, 4.70 in five starts this year; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 1-1-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Hernandez is 2-1, 3.86 in his last four starts, last three of which stayed under. Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 2-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6

A’s lost three of their last four games; over is 7-3 in their last ten road games. Seattle won five of its last six games; over is 7-2 in their last nine games.

Interleague
White Sox (8-18) @ Cardinals (15-12)
Shields is 0-2, 5.96 in his last four starts (over 3-2). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Wacha is 4-0, 3.18 in his last four starts (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 3-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-5

White Sox are 3-6 in last nine road games; over is 6-2 in their last eight. St Louis lost its last three games; over is 3-1 in their last four home games.

Umpires
Pitt-Wsh: Under is 7-1 in last eight Estabrook games.
Phil-Mia: All three Rehab games stayed under the total.
Mil-Cin: Three of last four Muchlinski games went over.
Colo-Chi: Five of last six Diaz games stayed under.
LA-Az: Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Gibson games.
SD-SF: Home side is 10-3 in last 13 Wendelstedt games.

Tex-Clev: Five of last seven Hoberg games went over.
TB-Det: Favorites won eight of last ten Hudson games.
KC-Bos: Favorites won eight of last 11 Conroy games.
NY-Hst: Six of last seven Wegner games stayed under.
Tor-Minn: Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Johnson games.

Preview: Rangers at Indians
Gracenote
May 1, 2018

The Cleveland Indians will look to continue their recent strong play against Texas when they host the Rangers on Tuesday in the middle contest of a three-game set. The Indians have won seven of the eight meetings versus the Rangers since the start of the 2017 campaign after rallying for a 7-5 victory on Monday.

Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez delivered the tiebreaking double in the eighth inning in the opener and is 5-for-9 with three doubles and four RBIs over the past two games. Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor went 3-for-5 with two runs scored on Monday for his second three-hit outing in four games after having just one such effort in the first 23 contests. The Rangers have dropped consecutive outings - allowing seven runs in each - as they remain in the basement in the American League West. Texas slugger Joey Gallo is hitless in 11 at-bats with six strikeouts over the past three games.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Doug Fister (1-2, 3.93 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (2-0, 2.56)

Fister is 7-5 with a 3.18 ERA in 19 career starts against the Indians and his most recent one was the best of the bunch. As a member of the Boston Red Sox, The 34-year-old allowed a leadoff homer to Lindor last August 22 and didn't allow another hit in a complete-game effort in which he struck out six and walked two. Fister allowed two runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings Wednesday when he received a no-decision against the Oakland Athletics.

Clevinger received a no-decision Thursday as he gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings against the Seattle Mariners. The 27-year-old put together his best effort as a big-leaguer five days earlier when he tossed a two-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles for his first career shutout. Clevinger has a 1.00 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against Texas and has struck out 12 and allowed just two hits in nine innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians, who lead the AL Central, allowed 22 runs in their previous two contests before posting the win on Monday.

2. Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis went 2-for-5 in the opener to lift his sagging average to .178 but he is a solid 12-for-31 against Fister.

3. Texas placed LHP Martin Perez (right elbow) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled RHP Jose Leclerc from Triple-A Round Rock.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Rangers 4

Preview: Pirates at Nationals
Gracenote
May 1, 2018

Max Scherzer hasn't missed a beat since capturing his second straight - and third career - Cy Young Award last season, winning four straight decisions while allowing fewer than three earned runs on six occasions in 2018. Scherzer aims to continue his good fortune on Tuesday as the Washington Nationals play the second contest of their four-game series versus the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.

Trea Turner highlighted his three-hit performance with an RBI single in Monday's 3-2 victory for Washington, which has won two straight for the first time in two weeks to even its record after four contests on its 10-game homestand. The 24-year-old Turner is 11-for-21 with three RBIs and four runs scored in his last five games overall and 2-for-6 lifetime versus Tuesday starter Chad Kuhl. Corey Dickerson belted a solo homer in the seventh inning to trim Pittsburgh's deficit to one, but the National League Central-leading Pirates failed to close the gap and saw their five-game winning streak halted as they began their nine-game road trip. Dickerson is heating up to the tune of going 11-for-31 with four RBIs and six runs scored in his last nine games ahead of his first encounter with Scherzer.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (3-1, 4.55 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (5-1, 1.62)

Kuhl posted his second straight victory on Wednesday after allowing three runs on six hits while striking out a career high-tying eight in an 8-3 triumph versus Detroit. The 25-year-old excelled in his lone career start at Nationals Park, surrendering just one hit over six shutout innings on July 17, 2016. Kuhl wasn't as fortune in his most recent encounter against Washington, as he was pummeled for six runs on 10 hits in four innings in an 8-4 setback on May 16, 2017.

Scherzer registered double-digit strikeouts for the fourth time this season after fanning 10 in six innings of a 15-2 romp at San Francisco on Wednesday. The 33-year-old has struck out 57 against just nine walks over 39.0 frames while permitting seven earned runs in that stretch. Scherzer, who has a pair of no-hitters to highlight a 4-2 career mark versus Pittsburgh, has kept Gregory Polanco (1-for-11) and Francisco Cervelli (1-for-12) under wraps.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pittsburgh CF Starling Marte hit safely in nine straight games before being retired as a pinch-hitter in the series opener.

2. Washington RF Bryce Harper has walked a major league-high 38 times in 29 contests, putting him on pace for 212 this season.

3. Pirates 1B Sean Rodriguez is mired in a 1-for-18 slump over his last eight games.

PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Pirates 2

Preview: Braves at Mets
Gracenote
Apr 30, 2018

The New York Mets wondered if this was the season they would return to contention in the National League East, while the Atlanta Braves wondered if this was the year they would start emerging from a four-year rebuild. The Mets begin May in first place in the division and open a three-game home series on Tuesday against the Braves, who sit just 1 ½ games back after a surprisingly strong start to the season.

New York is 17-9 and pounded out season highs in runs (14) and hits (19) in a blowout victory Sunday at San Diego, wrapping up a 4-5 road trip as first baseman Adrian Gonzalez finished 3-for-6 with a homer and five RBIs. “The process is there, and even my outs were hard hits,” the veteran told reporters after the game. Atlanta, which began the week 16-11 and in the top five in the majors in runs (second), on-base percentage (second), batting average (third) and slugging percentage (fifth), blasted Philadelphia 10-1 on Sunday as center fielder Ender Inciarte - who was moved from leadoff to ninth in a revamped lineup - fell a homer shy of the cycle. “It’s the same guys, we just moved them around a little bit,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker told the media afterward, as new leadoff hitter Ozzie Albies homered and scored three times.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Sean Newcomb (1-1, 4.23 ERA) vs. Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (2-0, 2.86)

Newcomb looks to rebound after one bad inning, including two walks and a homer, cost him four runs and a potential victory Thursday at Cincinnati. The 24-year-old struck out seven - the third time in his past four starts he has recorded that many - and in three of his five outings has surrendered two earned runs or fewer. One of those efforts came against the Mets on April 20 in Atlanta, when Newcomb held New York to two earned runs (three total) with five strikeouts in six innings.

Syndergaard pitches on full rest despite bumping up a day after Steven Matz experienced back tightness during a Saturday throwing session. Syndergaard squared off against Newcomb April 20 in Atlanta, earning a no-decision while allowing three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts in six innings. The 25-year-old gave up one earned run in 7 1/3 innings Thursday at St. Louis in a no-decision, and has walked just five hitters in 34 2/3 innings this season while striking out 46.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York likely will not have LF Yoenis Cespedes for the first two games of the series after he jammed his left thumb on a head-first slide Sunday in San Diego.

2. Inciarte is 6-for-6 in stolen bases in his past five games and entered Monday leading the majors with 13 on the season - nine away from his career high of 22 set last year.

3. The Braves captured two of three from the Mets in Atlanta in April and will host a four-game series with New York at the end of May.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Braves 2

Preview: Royals at Red Sox
Gracenote
May 1, 2018

The grand slam is back in vogue in Boston after a year off, and it has become a big part of why the Red Sox won a club-record 19 games in April. The Red Sox hope to carry that success into May starting Tuesday when they host the second of a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals.

Boston managed to go all season without hitting a grand slam and settled for an American League-low 168 homers overall in 2017, but the Red Sox tallied six in April alone while rolling to a 19-6 mark during the month. Xander Bogaerts became the first Boston hitter to hit his second this season in Monday's 10-6 triumph, sending a bases-loaded offering from Jason Hammel over the Green Monster in the third inning to give the Red Sox a lead they would not relinquish. Kansas City raced out to a three-run lead in the opener before Boston got to the plate and scored its most runs in almost two weeks, but it wasn't nearly enough for the club to build upon its first winning streak of the season. Whit Merrifield finished with a pair of RBI doubles for the Royals, who continue to rank last in the majors in runs.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jakob Junis (3-2, 3.34 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Chris Sale (2-1, 2.31)

Junis could not keep the ball in the park during Thursday's loss to the Chicago White Sox, surrendering all six of his runs via the career-high five homers he allowed over 5 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old had been mostly dominant over his first four outings, going 3-1 with a 2.03 ERA despite a rough outing on April 14 when he gave up four runs in 4 2/3 frames. J.D. Martinez (1-for-5) is the only Boston hitter to face Junis, who is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in his two road starts this season.

Sale did just enough to get the win Thursday at Toronto, working around a pair of solo shots among the three runs and four hits he permitted over six innings. The six-time All-Star's ERA is the highest it has been through six turns since 2015, although he has still managed to post a .203 batting average against and 0.97 WHIP. Alcides Escobar is 24-for-70 with a homer in his career versus Sale, who is 10-10 with a 2.99 ERA in 32 appearances (21 starts) against the Royals.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox's six grand slams are tied with the 1996 Montreal Expos for the most ever by May 1.

2. Kansas City is 6-for-23 with runners in scoring position over the last two games after beginning the season 38-for-214 in such situations.

3. Boston's 21 wins are tied for its most through 28 games since 2002.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Royals 1

Preview: Brewers at Reds
Gracenote
May 1, 2018

The Milwaukee Brewers went from playing some of the best baseball in the majors to setting or tying some dubious team records, so a visit to Cincinnati to face the Reds' major-league worst pitching staff couldn't have come at a better time. After finding their offense following a brutal showing in their last series, the Brewers eye back-to-back victories Tuesday when they continue a three-game set in Cincinnati.

Milwaukee steamrolled its opposition 45-14 during an eight-game winning streak that allowed it to briefly climb atop the National League Central, but the Brewers' bats quickly cooled off in Chicago as the Cubs held them to a total of two runs (tied for worst in club history for a four-game series) and 14 hits (worst) en route to a sweep. The offense snapped out its doldrums Monday on Manny Pina's fourth-inning solo shot to end a 23-inning scoreless streak, and Milwaukee used a three-run seventh to rally for a 6-5 win. The Reds, who own a National League-worst 5.32 ERA, fell to 4-4 since beginning the season by losing 18 of their first 21. Eugenio Suarez nearly carried Cincinnati to victory by himself in the opener, driving in all but one of the team's runs courtesy of a pair of two-run doubles.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Chase Anderson (2-2, 2.86 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (0-3, 4.19)

Anderson maintained his excellence on the road despite taking the loss Thursday versus the Cubs, giving up only a solo homer among five hits he allowed across seven innings. The 30-year-old Oklahoma product is 1-1 with a 0.93 ERA in three turns away from Miller Park, allowing opponents to bat .127 against him on the road. Anderson didn’t factor into the decision in either of his two outings versus the Reds last season, but he is 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA in seven starts against them.

Bailey continued to struggle with the long ball Thursday but escaped with a no-decision against Atlanta, permitting four runs - including two homers - and seven hits while throwing only 50 pitches in five frames. The 12-year-veteran has surrendered two home runs in consecutive outings and five in his last three turns after giving up only one in his first three trips to the mound. Ryan Braun is 16-for-47 with four home runs versus Bailey, who is 7-9 with a 4.65 ERA in 26 starts against Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. Suarez is 8-for-22 with three doubles and seven RBIs since returning from the disabled list five games ago.

2. Milwaukee LHP Josh Hader on Monday became the first pitcher since saves became an official statistic in 1969 to strike out at least eight batters in a save of fewer than three innings.

3. Cincinnati's 7-22 record matches the worst 29-game start in franchise history (1931, 1934).

PREDICTION: Brewers 8, Reds 3

Preview: Phillies at Marlins
Gracenote
May 1, 2018

The Philadelphia Phillies have cooled down since briefly flirting with first place in the National League East, losing three straight and five of seven overall. The Phillies aim to apply the brakes on Tuesday and even their three-game series with the host Miami Marlins, who have won a season-high three in a row and five of their last six.

Maikel Franco continues to feast on the Marlins, belting a two-run homer in Monday's 8-4 setback to extend his hitting streak to six games overall while improving to 7-for-15 with three blasts, 12 RBIs and six runs scored versus Miami. One of Franco's three homers came at the expense of Tuesday starter Jarlin Garcia, who was making a relief appearance on April 5. Brian Anderson helped the Marlins extend their winning streak with both his bat and his glove, as he homered and drove in four runs while also making a diving catch with the bases loaded. Anderson leads the team with 16 RBIs, with six coming at the expense of the Phillies.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (2017: 1-5, 6.16 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Jarlin Garcia (1-0, 1.00)

Eflin has been summoned from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take the rotation spot of Ben Lively, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list last week with a strained lower back. The 24-year-old Eflin has gone 2-2 with a 4.05 ERA in four starts with the IronPigs this season after struggling to a 1-5 record and 6.16 ERA over 11 turns with Philadelphia in 2017. Eflin was shelled in his lone career outing at Miami, surrendering seven runs on nine hits and four walks in five innings of an 11-1 rout on July 27, 2016.

Garcia is receiving three extra days of rest due to the returns of Wei-Yin Chen and Dan Straily, in addition to rookie Caleb Smith making another start. The 25-year-old Garcia allowed just one run and four hits while striking out seven in six innings before settling for a no-decision at the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 23. The Dominican has posted a 0.53 ERA during his three starts (17 innings) while limiting the opposition to a .114 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami 2B Starlin Castro recorded a pair of doubles to highlight his three-hit performance in the series opener, improving to 13-for-33 in his last nine games.

2. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera has reached base safely in 30 straight contests.

3. Marlins 1B Justin Bour is in line to return following a three-game absence due to a back injury.

PREDICTION: Marlins 3, Phillies 1

Preview: Rays at Tigers
Gracenote
May 1, 2018

The Tampa Bay Rays attempt to begin another winning streak when they visit the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Tampa Bay had its eight-game string halted at Boston on Sunday but bounced back with a 3-2 triumph in the series opener to improve to 5-1 on its eight-game road trip.

C.J. Cron snapped a scoreless tie in the top of the ninth with a two-run homer and Brad Miller added a solo shot, which proved to be crucial as Detroit scored twice in the bottom of the inning and loaded the bases before Jose Alvarado recorded the final out. Matt Duffy recorded the Rays' other two hits to improve to 11-for-27 during his seven-game hitting streak. Victor Martinez delivered a two-run single for the Tigers, who have lost five of their last six contests. The 39-year-old Martinez is hoping his slump is over, as he had gone 2-for-30 prior to the hit.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (2-1, 6.61 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (0-2, 2.74)

Archer came away with a victory at Baltimore on Thursday despite yielding four runs and a season-high 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings. The North Carolina native has surrendered four or more runs in all but one of his six turns this year and has served up a homer in each outing. Archer has made eight career starts against Detroit, going 2-2 with a 3.55 ERA.

After giving up just one run in each of his first three starts this season, Boyd was tagged for four on seven hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings in a loss at Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Despite being winless, the 27-year-old has held opponents to a .195 batting average while allowing seven runs and 16 hits in 23 frames. Boyd made his only career start against Tampa Bay on Sept. 8, 2015, when he gave up three runs over five innings in a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera did not play Monday after leaving the previous day's game with a left biceps spasm.

2. Tampa Bay OF Denard Span has scored at least one run in eight of his last nine contests.

3. Detroit recalled Chad Bell from Triple-A Toledo on Monday as fellow LHP Daniel Norris, who left his start on Sunday with a groin injury, was placed on the 10-day disabled list and will undergo surgery that will sideline him for 2-3 months.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Rays 4

Preview: Rockies at Cubs
Gracenote
May 1, 2018

The Chicago Cubs’ offense remains sporadic, but it won’t matter if their pitching staff continues what it is doing. Right-hander Kyle Hendricks looks to extend the Cubs’ string of strong pitching as Chicago hosts the Colorado Rockies for the second of a three-game series Tuesday.

The Cubs have won five straight games despite scoring three or fewer runs in each for the first time in franchise history. They’re the first major league team to do so since Milwaukee in 2011. The Rockies are looking to avoid their first four-game losing streak of the season. They’ll need to get their bats going to do so, as they’ve scored only four runs in their past four games and are without one of their top hitters after placing second baseman DJ LeMahieu (hamstring) on the disabled list Monday.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jon Gray (2-4, 5.79 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (2-1, 3.10)

Gray is looking to string together consecutive quality starts for the first time this season. The 26-year-old is coming off his best start of the season, as he struck out 11 and allowed three hits over six scoreless innings to beat San Diego on Wednesday. Gray was tagged for seven runs (six earned) in five innings in his first career start against the Cubs on April 20.

Hendricks is aiming for his third straight win after throwing seven innings of four-hit ball in a 1-0 win over Milwaukee on Thursday. The 28-year-old has posted quality starts in three of his five outings this season, and after uncharacteristically issuing seven walks across his first three starts, he has not walked a batter his last two times out. Hendricks is 2-2 with a 4.20 ERA in seven starts against the Rockies, including a win April 20.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs have gone four straight games without a home run for the first time since Sept. 1-5, 2016.

2. Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon is 10-for-31 during an eight-game hitting streak at Wrigley Field, and 3B Nolan Arenado is 20-for-47 in his last 12 games against the Cubs.

3. Cubs starting pitchers have not allowed an earned run in 33 2/3 innings – the club’s longest such streak since at least 1974.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Rockies 3

Preview: Yankees at Astros
Gracenote
May 1, 2018

Justin Verlander looks to continue to his dominant start on the mound and help the Houston Astros extend their winning streak against the New York Yankees at home to eight games when the teams meet for the second of a four-game series Tuesday night. Carlos Correa recorded two hits and an RBI as the Astros earned a 2-1 victory Monday for their seventh straight win at Minute Maid Park versus the Yankees, including the playoffs.

Verlander is limiting opponents to a .153 batting average and owns four wins in his first six starts while Correa has hit safely in 13 of the last 14 games and is 20-for-50 with nine RBIs in that span. Houston, which beat New York in seven games in the American League Championship series last year, has won three straight contests and ended the Yankees’ nine-game winning streak Monday after the Bronx Bombers had scored 64 times during their run. Brett Gardner had the only RBI for New York in Monday’s loss as the Yankees were held to three hits and struck out 14 times - 10 against starter Charlie Morton. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton whiffed three times in an 0-for-4 performance in the series opener after going 10-for-28 over the previous seven games with a homer and three RBIs.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH Jordan Montgomery (2-0, 3.76 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (4-0, 1.36)

Montgomery remained unbeaten in five starts after registering a no-decision last Thursday while holding Minnesota to two runs on five hits over five innings. The 25-year-old South Carolina native won his previous two starts against Toronto and Detroit, allowing four runs on nine hits combined across 12 innings with nine strikeouts and three walks. Correa is 4-for-6 with a homer versus Montgomery, who went 0-1 with a 5.56 ERA in two starts against the Yankees as a rookie last year.

Verlander beat the Los Angeles Angels last time out by giving up two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts over seven innings, without allowing a walk, and has yielded two or fewer runs in five of six starts. The 35-year-old former AL MVP blanked three opponents for his other three victories, including six scoreless innings at the Chicago White Sox on April 20, and has joined Roger Clemens (2004) as the only pitchers in franchise history to win their first nine decisions. Didi Gregorius is 2-for-6 with a homer against Verlander, who is 6-7 with a 3.87 ERA in 18 career games versus the Yankees.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York rookie 2B Gleyber Torres has hit safely in seven of his first nine major league games, going 10-for-31 overall.

2. Houston 2B Jose Altuve needs one hit to pass Jimmy Wynn (1,291) for eighth on the franchise’s all-time list.

3. Yankees RF Aaron Judge did not start for the first time this season Monday, but walked as a pinch hitter.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Yankees 2

Preview: Blue Jays at Twins
Gracenote
May 1, 2018

The Toronto Blue Jays look to string together three wins after losing six of seven when they visit the slumping Minnesota Twins on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Justin Smoak and Russell Martin went deep in Monday's 7-5 victory as the Blue Jays increased their season total to 40 homers - second-most in the majors - while Minnesota lost for the 10th time in 11 games.

Kevin Pillar carries a five-game hitting streak (7-for-18) into Tuesday’s contest while Teoscar Hernandez has hit safely in six in a row (7-for-24) for Toronto, which is 7-1 against American League Central opponents in the early going. Marco Estrada will try to keep it going for the Blue Jays while the Twins counter with Kyle Gibson, who has allowed fewer than two runs in three of his five starts this year. Minnesota is producing runs during its downswing but has allowed 90 over its last 11 games, including 15 in the last two contests. Eduardo Escobar has led the Twins’ offense of late, going 11-for-28 with five doubles and six RBIs during his seven-game hitting streak.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (2-2, 6.00 ERA) vs. Twins RH Kyle Gibson (1-1, 3.33)

Estrada has given up five runs in each of his last two starts, suffering a loss against Boston on Thursday after managing a road victory versus the New York Yankees on April 20. The 34-year-old Mexican has registered 23 strikeouts and nine walks over 27 innings but has served up seven homers - four in his last two outings. Logan Morrison is 8-for-21 with three blasts and 10 RBIs versus Estrada, who is 3-2 with a 3.96 ERA in 10 career appearances (eight starts) against the Twins.

Gibson allowed one hit and struck out 10 over six scoreless innings last time out but settled for a no-decision at New York. The 30-year-old native of Indiana is winless in his last four starts, permitting 10 earned runs across 21 frames since working six hitless innings in his season debut to defeat Baltimore. Pillar is 3-for-10 with a homer against Gibson, who is 3-1 with a 4.95 ERA in six career starts versus the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins 3B Miguel Sano (five homers, 14 RBIs) has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury and could be headed for a stint on the disabled list.

2. Toronto 3B Yangervis Solarte is 5-for-9 with two runs scored, a homer and three RBIs over his last two contests.

3. Minnesota RF Max Kepler has notched three hits in three of his last six games, including Monday’s setback.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Blue Jays 4

Preview: White Sox at Cardinals
Gracenote
Apr 30, 2018

The St. Louis Cardinals will try to get their bats going again when they return home to host the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday in the opener of a two-game Interleague set. The Cardinals entered a series at Pittsburgh on Friday ranked fourth in the National League in runs scored, but were limited to seven runs while being swept in three straight by the Pirates.

The sweep included St. Louis' first shutout loss of the year Sunday afternoon, a 5-0 setback in which the Cardinals didn't gain a hit until there were two outs in the seventh. Paul DeJong had that hit and is batting .351 with two home runs and five doubles over his last nine games for St. Louis. The White Sox won the first three contests of a five-game set against the Kansas City Royals before dropping the final two, including Sunday's 5-4 defeat. Chicago manager Rick Renteria missed Friday and Saturday's action to attend his mother's funeral services before returning for the series finale and watching his team leave 11 runners on base.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH James Shields (1-3, 6.14 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (4-1, 3.62)

Shields completed six innings for the third time this season his last time out but he was knocked around for four runs on six hits and four walks in a loss to the Seattle Mariners.The 36-year-old has issued 17 free passes while striking out only 15 in his first 29 1/3 innings. Yadier Molina is 2-for-5 with a home run, a double and a walk in his career against Shields, who is 0-1 with an ERA of 8.74 in two starts against the Cardinals.

Wacha has won four consecutive starts, including three at home in which he has allowed a total of four runs in 17 2/3 innings. He fanned a season-high eight in a victory over the New York Mets on Wednesday and got through his fourth consecutive outing without allowing a home run. The 26-year-old picked up the win in his only prior meeting with the White Sox in 2015 despite giving up five runs in five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The teams last met in 2015, when they split four games.

2. White Sox 2B Yoan Moncada has multiple hits in four of his last eight games.

3. Cardinals CF Dexter Fowler (wrist) sat out Sunday's game in Pittsburgh but is expected to return for the series opener.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, White Sox 4

Preview: Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Gracenote
May 1, 2018

Clayton Kershaw already has matched last season's loss total, but the left-handed ace faces the lone team he has beaten this season when the Los Angeles Dodgers visit the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Kershaw allowed one run and two hits while registering a season-best 12 strikeouts in seven innings of a victory over Arizona on April 15.

Kershaw has allowed seven runs over 12 innings while losing his last two turns to see his record fall to 1-4. He will try to cool down A.J. Pollock, who slugged three homers for the first time in his career in Monday's 8-5 victory, which represents the Diamondbacks' sixth win in seven meetings with Los Angeles this season. The Dodgers also were dealt a major blow with the news that shortstop Corey Seager's constant elbow pain will require season-ending Tommy John surgery. "It was hurting worse, but I couldn't tell if that was just from how recent it was," Seager told reporters prior to Monday's game. "You obviously don't hope for what it turned out to be, but I was hoping for inflammation."

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (1-4, 2.84 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Matt Koch (1-0, 1.93)

Kershaw lost to Miami in his last outing as he gave up three runs on five hits and a career high-tying six walks in five innings. The 30-year-old issued just three free passes over 33 frames in his first five starts before the outing that prompted Kershaw to say, "I just wasn't very good." Kershaw also lost to the Diamondbacks on April 3, when he gave up two runs and four hits over six innings, and is 15-9 with a 2.51 ERA in 28 career starts against Arizona.

Koch is making his third start of the season after working six solid innings in each of the first two. The 27-year-old settled for a no-decision against San Diego on April 20, when he gave up one run and two hits, and followed that outing by allowing two runs and six hits en route to a win over Philadelphia. Koch, who has posted a stellar 0.86 WHIP and .167 opponents' batting average this season, picked up his first major-league win with a scoreless inning of relief against the Dodgers on Sept. 18, 2016.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks LF David Peralta (hand) departed Monday's game after being hit by a pitch and is day-to-day after X-rays were negative.

2. Arizona placed LHP Robbie Ray (oblique) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled RHP Silvino Bracho from Triple-A Reno.

3. Los Angeles recalled INF Breyvic Valera from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill Seager's roster spot.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 2

Preview: Orioles at Angels
Gracenote
Apr 30, 2018

After getting swept by the hottest team in the American League, the Los Angeles Angels hope to rebound against the lowly Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a three-game series in Anaheim on Tuesday. The Angels suffered two one-run losses and another by an 11-1 score in dropping all three to the New York Yankees over the weekend.

They've managed seven runs and 23 hits during a four-game losing streak and have dropped nine of 12 following a 13-3 start. "We're not squaring balls up the last 10 days like we did earlier in the season, but we will," manager Mike Scioscia told reporters. "These guys are too good of hitters not to come out of it." Scioscia's lineup could find an opportunity to break out against Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb, who has surrendered an alarming 30 hits in 11 2/3 innings to begin his career with Baltimore. He opposes Nick Tropeano for the Angels, who are 36-22 at home against the Orioles since 2004.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore, FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Alex Cobb (0-3, 13.11 ERA) vs. Angels RH Nick Tropeano (1-2, 4.67)

Cobb lasted a season-high 4 2/3 innings his last time out but continued to struggle, giving up 10 hits for the third straight game and going without a strikeout for the second time in that span. The 30-year-old, who won 12 games with Tampa Bay last year, has only walked three batters but 10 of the 30 hits he's allowed have been for extra bases, including three home runs over his first two road outings. Mike Trout is 7-for-12 with two homers against Cobb, who is 2-2 with a 5.35 ERA in six career starts versus the Angels.

After tossing 6 2/3 scoreless frames in his season debut, Tropeano was reached for nine runs in 10 2/3 innings over his next two starts. The 27-year-old, who missed all of last season following Tommy John surgery, has a 5.03 ERA in 12 career starts at Angel Stadium despite striking out more than a batter per inning. Tropeano allowed one run and struck out eight in six innings in his only prior start against Baltimore in 2016.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Orioles took two of three from the Detroit Tigers over the weekend for their first series victory at home.

2. Baltimore DH Pedro Alvarez slugged four home runs and drove in six over his last three games.

3. Angels RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani (ankle) is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday and to make a start on the mound during the weekend series in Seattle.

PREDICTION: Angels 7, Orioles 4