MLB Betting News and Trends For Tuesday 7/10/18

National League
Nationals (45-45) @ Pirates (42-48)
Hellickson is 0-1, 13.00 in his last three starts (under 7-3). Team in his starts: 7-4
5-inning record: 5-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-11

Musgrove is 1-2, 5.91 in his last four starts (over 4-0). Team in his starts: 3-4.
5-inning record: 3-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7

Nationals won three of their last five games,; under is 4-1-1 in their last six road games. Pittsburgh lost seven of its last nine home games; over is 7-3-1 in their last 11 games.

Phillies (50-39) @ Mets (36-52)
22-year old De Los Santos is making his MLB debut; he was 9-3, 1.89 in 16 AAA starts this year. Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

28-year old Gagnon is making his MLB debut; he was 2-4, 4.40 in 18 AAA starts this year. Team in his starts: 0-0.
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Phillies won nine of their last 12 games; under is 11-3 in their last 14 games. Mets are 5-14 in their last 19 games; under is 6-2-1 in their last nine games.

Brewers (54-37) @ Marlins (38-55)
Chacin is 1-0, 2.25 in his last two starts; his last three starts went over. Team in his starts: 13-6
5-inning record: 9-6-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-19

Lopez is 1-0, 5.73 in his first two MLB starts (over 1-1). Team in his starts: 1-1.
5-inning record: 1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-2

Brewers won six of their last eight games; over is 8-4 in their last 12 games. Miami lost three of its last five games; under is 8-2-1 in their last 11 home games.

Diamondbacks (50-41) @ Rockies (46-44)
Corbin is 0-0, 0.95 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 9-9.
5-inning record: 8-4-6. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-18

Anderson is 2-0, 0.00 (16 IP) in his last two starts; his last three stayed under. Team in his starts: 9-9.
5-inning record: 9-4-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-18

Arizona lost six of its last nine games; they’re 10-4 in road series openers, 19-13 vs lefty starters. Under is 5-1-1 in their last seven road games. Colorado won eight of its last ten games; they’re 5-8 in home series openers, 19-18 vs lefty starters. Under is 7-2 in their last nine games.

Dodgers (49-41) @ Padres (39-54)
Hill is 1-1, 2.78 in his last four starts (over 7-3). Team in his starts: 4-6.
5-inning record: 3-6-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-9

Lauer is 1-1, 3.68 in his last four starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 4-10.
5-inning record: 6-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-14

Dodgers won six of their last eight games; they’re 18-13 vs lefty starters- under is 7-3 in their last ten road games. San Diego lost five of last six home games; over is 12-4 in their last 16 home games.

Cubs (51-37) @ Giants (48-45)
Quintana is 1-1, 4.96 in his last three starts; over is 6-4-1 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 11-6
5-inning record: 7-8-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-17

Cueto is 3-1, 1.95 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: 2-6

Cubs won eight of their last ten games; over is 5-2 in their last seven road games. Giants lost five of their last eight games; they’re 17-17 vs lefty starters- under is 11-4 in their last 15 games.

American League
New York (59-30) @ Baltimore (25-66)
Tanaka is making his first start since June 8; he is 3-0, 4.22 in his last four starts. Over is 8-3 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 10-2
5-inning record: 9-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-13

Cashner is 0-4, 4.15 in his last seven starts; his last 10 starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 4-13.
5-inning record: 5-10-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-17

New York won five of its last seven games; under is 16-3 in their last 19 road games. Orioles are 2-14 in their last 16 games; under is 10-5 in their last 15 games.

Rangers (40-52) @ Red Sox (63-29)
Gallardo is 3-0, 6.26 in four starts; Texas scored 40 runs in those four games (over 4-0). Team in his starts: 4-0
5-inning record: 3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4

Velasquez is 2-0, 2.53 in two starts this year (over 1-1). Team in his starts: 2-0.
5-inning record: 1-0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Rangers lost six of their last eight games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Boston won their last seven games; over is 6-3 in their last nine games.

Tigers (40-53) @ Rays (46-44)
Boyd is 0-3, 9.41 in his last five starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 8-9
5-inning record: 4-10-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-17

Stanek is 0-1, 1.32 in nine starts (under 6-2-1). Team in his starts: 3-6.
5-inning record: 4-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-9

Detroit is 4-16 in its last 20 games; under is 7-3-1 in their last 11 games. Tampa Bay is 12-4 in its last 16 games, 17-12 vs lefty starters. Under is 9-3 in their last 12 games.

Royals (25-65) @ Twins (40-48)
Kennedy is 0-2, 5.00 in his last three starts; under is 7-1 in his last eight starts. Team in his starts: 3-14
5-inning record: 4-9-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-17

Slegers allowed one run in six IP (72 PT) in his first ’18 start. Team in his starts: 1-0
5-inning record: 1-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Royals lost their last ten games; five of their last seven games went over. Minnesota won its last six home games; five of their last seven games stayed under.

A’s (51-40) @ Astros (61-32)
Manaea is 3-0, 2.77 in his last four starts; over is 4-1 in his last five road starts. Team in his starts: 11-7
5-inning record: 7-8-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-18

Verlander is 0-2, 4.26 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 11-8.
5-inning record: 12-3-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-19

A’s won 11 of their last 13 games; over is 8-5 in their last 13 road games. Houston won six of its last seven games, is 20-14 vs lefty starters; under is 9-2 in their last 11 games.

Mariners (57-34) @ Angels (46-45)
Leake is 1-1, 2.84 in his last three starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 13-5
5-inning record: 8-5-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-18

Richards 1-1, 4.43 in his last five starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 8-7.
5-inning record: 7-5-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-15

Seattle is 10-3 in its last 13 games, is 9-6 in road series openers. Under is 4-1 in their last five road games. Angels are 5-10 in their last 15 games, 7-2 in last nine home series openers. Halos’ last four games stayed under.

Interleague
Reds (40-51) @ Indians (49-40)
Romano is 1-1, 6.60 in his last three starts; over is 8-2 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 9-9
5-inning record: 4-9-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-18

Bauer is 3-1, 1.63 in his last four starts; his last seven starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 10-8.
5-inning record: 9-5-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-18

Reds are 6-5 in their last 11 games; over is 10-2 in their last 12 games. Cleveland lost three of its last four games; over is 6-2 in their last eight games.

Blue Jays (41-48) @ Braves (50-39)
Stroman is 1-1, 4.32 in his last three starts; under is 4-0-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 4-6
5-inning record: 2-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-10

Teheran is 1-2, 6.89 in his last three starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 10-7.
5-inning record: 6-8-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-17

Blue Jays lost five of their last seven games; they’re 4-7 in last 11 road series openers. Under is 5-3-1 in their last nine games. Atlanta lost five of their last six games; they’re 5-1 in last six home series openers. Over is 5-1 in their last six home games.

Cardinals (46-43) @ White Sox (30-60)
Mikolas is 2-1, 2.37 in his last three starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 11-6
5-inning record: 9-7-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-17

Covey is 0-3, 14.40 in his last four starts, with last three going over. Team in his starts: 4-6.
5-inning record: 2-5-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-10

St Louis lost seven of its last ten games; they’re 7-7 in road series openers. Over is 5-3 in their last eight games. White Sox lost their last five games; they’re 5-8 in home series openers. Over is 13-5 in their last 18 games.

Umpires
Wsh-Pitt- Under is 10-2-1 in last 13 Hickox games.
Phil-NY- Six of last seven Lentz games stayed under.
Mil-Mia- Six of last nine Muchlinski games stayed under.
LA-SD- Under is 10-4 in last fourteen Carapazza games.
Chi-SF- Three of last four Diaz games went over.

NY-Balt- Under is 5-2 in last seven Livensparger games.
Tex-Bos- Underdogs are 7-6 in last 13 Porter games.
Det-TB- Four of last six Fletcher games went over.
KC-Min- Five of last seven Woodring games stayed under.
A’s-Hst- Last five Blakney games went over the total.

Cin-Clev- Over is 6-2 in last eight Hoye games.

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Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 10th July 2018 by Gracenote
Nationals vs. Pirates Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/10/2018

It has been all about the offense - or lack thereof - lately for the Washington Nationals, who have lost 10 of their last 14 and averaged two runs in the defeats while scoring 52 runs in the four wins. Washington hopes for something on the upper end of that spectrum in the second of a three-game road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

The Pirates won the series opener 6-3 on Monday for their first win in five meetings with the Nationals this season. The Nationals had scored 18 and 14 runs in two of their previous four games, but they didn't do much beyond solo home runs from Juan Soto and Bryce Harper in the opener. They'll try to get the boom-or-bust offense back on track against right-hander Joe Musgrove, who is making his first start against Washington. Pittsburgh will try to solve right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, who has had trouble with Gregory Polanco (5-for-13 with a homer) but has held the rest of the Pirates' roster to eight hits in 74 at-bats.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN 2 (Washington), AT&T SportsNet - Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jeremy Hellickson (2-1, 3.81 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Joe Musgrove (3-3, 3.79)

Hellickson is making his third start since coming off the disabled list, and he hasn't made it through the fifth inning in the first two. The 31-year-old was tagged for nine runs (eight earned) over four innings in a no-decision against Miami on Thursday. Hellickson is 3-1 with a 2.38 ERA in six meetings against the Pirates and has won both of his previous starts at PNC Park.

Musgrove will come off the DL to make his first start since June 29 when he threw seven scoreless innings to win at San Diego. The 25-year-old has struggled in his last three home starts, allowing 14 earned runs over 13 1/3 innings. Musgrove's only career appearance against the Nationals was one inning of scoreless relief last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals C Matt Wieters (left hamstring strain) came off the disabled list Monday and went 1-for-4 in his first game since May 10.

2. Polanco has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games and is 15-for-42 with four homers and 13 RBIs over that stretch.

3. Pittsburgh CF Starling Marte is 10-for-19 during a five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Pirates 3
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New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 10th July 2018 by Gracenote
Yankees vs. Orioles Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/10/2018

The New York Yankees get Masahiro Tanaka back from the 10-day disabled list when they play the third game of a four-game series at the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. Tanaka, who has won five straight decisions, has been sidelined for over a month with right and left hamstring strains.

He threw 69 pitches over five frames in a rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and the Yankees hope he gets at least that far after they split a doubleheader to begin the series Monday. Brett Gardner was 4-for-6 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs scored to lead the Yankees to a 10-2 win in the nightcap. Danny Valencia's three-run shot in the sixth inning lifted the Orioles to a 5-4 victory in the opener, snapping their six-game losing streak. Andrew Cashner gets the start opposite Tanaka on Tuesday as he seeks his first victory since May 21.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (7-2, 4.58 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (2-9, 4.39)

Tanaka was injured in a start at the New York Mets on June 8 when he allowed one run and struck out eight across five innings. He lost to the Orioles on April 5 despite posting a quality start before getting the win after giving up four runs in 5 1/3 frames in a rematch June 2. Adam Jones is 11-for-27 with three home runs against Tanaka, who has a 5.25 ERA in four career starts at Camden Yards.

Cashner is 0-4 over his last seven turns but he has five quality starts in that span, including six innings of three-run ball (two earned) in a loss at Minnesota on Thursday. The 31-year-old is 0-5 with a 4.70 ERA in nine home starts. Aaron Hicks is 4-for-6 with two doubles against Cashner, who owns a 2.25 ERA in five career matchups with the Yankees.

WALK-OFFS

1. Gardner has seven RBIs over his last three starts.

2. Orioles 2B Jonathan Schoop is batting .438 during an eight-game hitting streak.

3. Yankees RF Aaron Judge is batting .371 with 31 RBIs in 27 games against Baltimore since the start of 2017.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Orioles 4
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Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 10th July 2018 by Gracenote
Reds vs. Indians Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/10/2018

After being on the wrong end of comebacks in each of their previous two games, the Cincinnati Reds shut down yet another late rally just in time in the opener of their interleague series with the Cleveland Indians. The Reds may not have any margin for error in the second contest of the three-game set in Cleveland on Tuesday, however, as Trevor Bauer tries to stop the Indians' three-game slide.

Cincinnati let a five-run advantage slip away Saturday and could not hold on to the lead on two occasions Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, dropping two of three over the weekend to end their 4-0-1 run in series play since June 19. The Reds nearly let another one get away Monday after going ahead 7-1 in the ninth inning, as the Indians struck for four runs in the bottom of the frame before Raisel Iglesias struck out Jose Ramirez with a runner on to end the threat. Bauer is 6-3 with a 2.05 ERA while averaging 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings over his last 10 starts and has surrendered only five homers this season - none in his last six outings. He'll be tasked with trying to stop the Indians' three-game home losing streak - the longest for the club since a five-game skid from May 16-27, 2017.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Sal Romano (5-8, 5.40 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (8-6, 2.45)

Romano continued to benefit from his offense in Wednesday's victory over the Chicago White Sox, recording the win despite surrendering a pair of homers among the four runs he allowed in five frames. The 24-year-old has given up 11 runs over his last three turns but is 2-1 over his last five outings in part because Cincinnati has averaged 6.2 runs in those contests. Romano is 2-2 with a 3.77 ERA in five career interleague starts as he faces Cleveland for the first time.

Bauer struck out at least eight for the eighth straight outing and won for the third time in his last four trips to the mound Wednesday in Kansas City, allowing two runs while fanning eight over 7 2/3 innings. The UCLA product, who was named to his first All-Star team over the weekend, ranks third in the American League with 156 strikeouts. Joey Votto (3-for-8) has homered while Eugenio Suarez (1-for-10) has struggled versus Bauer, who yielded two runs in 5 1/3 frames last year in his only career start against Cincinnati.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Reds are 9-2 in interleague play this season after going 5-15 against the AL in 2017.

2. Cleveland OF Michael Brantley hasn't homered in a season-high 24 straight games after hitting 11 in his first 54 contests, but the three-time All-Star has as many RBIs as strikeouts over that span (10).

3. Votto hit his 266th career home run Monday to move past Matt Stairs for second place on the all-time list among Canadian-born players.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Reds 2
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Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 10th July 2018 by Gracenote
Phillies vs. Mets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/10/2018

A pair of pitchers making their major-league debuts will square off Tuesday in New York as the hometown Mets continue a four-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies. Enyel De Los Santos, who will pitch for Team World in the upcoming MLB All-Star Futures Game, is being called up to make his debut for the Phillies opposite fellow newcomer Drew Gagnon for the Mets.

Their arrivals come on the heels of Monday's doubleheader split between the two teams, capped by Philadelphia's 3-1 victory in the second game. Aaron Nola struck out 10 and yielded one hit over seven scoreless innings while delivering all the offense he would need with a three-run double in the fifth inning for the Phillies. Wilmer Flores lifted the Mets to a 4-3 win in the opener with a pinch-hit solo blast in the bottom of the 10th and had an RBI double for his team's only run in the nightcap. New York is 42-21 against its National League East rivals since the start of 2015, including 4-2 this year.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Philadelphia, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Enyel De Los Santos (NR) vs. Mets RH Drew Gagnon (NR)

De Los Santos entered Monday tied for the International League lead with nine wins and was first among full-time starters in ERA. He has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last six outings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 22-year-old from the Dominican Republic was acquired last offseason in the trade that sent Freddy Galvis to San Diego.

Gagnon has made 198 appearances (138 starts) in eight seasons in the minors, including 17 this year with Triple-A Las Vegas, where he was 1-4 with a 4.67 ERA. The Long Beach State product broke in with Milwaukee in 2011 and spent 2017 with Triple-A Salt Lake in the Los Angeles Angels' organization. Gagnon is 5-17 with a 5.86 ERA in his career at the Triple-A level.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets placed 3B Todd Frazier (rib cage) on the 10-day disabled list and optioned RHP Chris Flexen to Triple-A Las Vegas amid a flurry of roster moves.

2. Flores' game-winning homer gave him 10 career walk-off RBI, breaking a tie with David Wright for the most in team history.

3. The Phillies optioned LHP Hoby Milner from Lehigh Valley.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Mets 3
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Milwaukee Brewers vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 10th July 2018 by Gracenote
Brewers vs. Marlins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/10/2018

The Milwaukee Brewers haven't lost a series in nearly a month, but they'll need a win Tuesday in the second of three games at the Miami Marlins to maintain that streak. The Brewers aim to avoid a second straight loss to the last-place Marlins, and their first consecutive defeats since June 30 and July 1 at Cincinnati.

Miami won the series opener 4-3 in 10 innings despite Milwaukee first baseman Jesus Aguilar's NL-best 23rd home run. The Marlins stunned the Brewers' usually dominant bullpen, as Starlin Castro and Brian Anderson hit back-to-back homers off All-Star left-hander Josh Hader in the seventh and scored the game-winner against closer Corey Knebel. Miami has won two straight following a three-game skid and is looking to win a third consecutive home series. The Brewers have won or split their last six series, and Monday's loss was just their second in eight contests.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (7-3, 3.63 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Pablo Lopez (1-0, 5.73)

Chacin was excellent Thursday, holding Atlanta to two runs and three hits over seven innings with seven strikeouts. The 30-year-old has only six quality starts in 19 outings, but he has allowed two or fewer runs 12 times. Chacin is 2-4 with a 4.33 ERA in eight games (six starts) against Miami.

Lopez will make his third big-league start as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing outing Thursday at Washington. The 22-year-old Venezuelan was handed a nine-run lead but gave up five runs over five innings in a game the Nationals rallied to win. Lopez pitched well in his only previous home start, allowing two runs over six innings to beat the New York Mets on June 30.

WALK-OFFS

1. Aguilar is 6-for-15 with four homers and eight RBIs over his last four contests.

2. Castro is 17-for-35 during an eight-game hitting streak.

3. Milwaukee CF Lorenzo Cain is 4-for-8 in two games since coming off the disabled list.

PREDICTION: Brewers 7, Marlins 4
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Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 10th July 2018 by Gracenote
Tigers vs. Rays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/10/2018

The Tampa Bay Rays can move three games over .500 for the first time this season when they host the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday in the middle contest of a three-game series. Daniel Robertson's RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted the Rays to a wild 10-9 triumph in the series opener Monday night.

Carlos Gomez had three hits and three RBIs for Tampa Bay (46-44), which has won four straight and 12 of its last 13 at home. All-Star Wilson Ramos slugged his 13th home run and has nine RBIs over his last seven games for the Rays. Tampa Bay got veteran starter Chris Archer back from the disabled list for Monday's game but will go with another bullpen day on Tuesday, led by Ryne Stanek. Detroit, which has dropped 10 of its last 12 on the road, turns to struggling left-hander Matthew Boyd.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (4-7, 4.58 ERA) vs. Rays RH Ryne Stanek (1-2, 2.12)

Boyd is 0-3 with a 10.59 ERA over a span of four starts, giving up six earned runs over four innings Thursday against Texas. The Oregon State product has allowed five home runs in that stretch after giving up just three over his previous nine starts. He dominated the Rays through six innings to lead Detroit to a 2-1 win at home May 1.

The Rays burned through eight relievers in Monday's extra-inning win, but Stanek threw just nine pitches and has enough left to start Tuesday. It'll be the 26-year-old's 11th start, including a two-inning effort with no runs allowed at the New York Mets on Friday. Stanek will be seeing the Tigers for the first time.

WALK-OFFS

1. Gomez is 5-for-9 over his last two contests to raise his average from .195 to .208.

2. Tigers RF Nicholas Castellanos has scored at least one run in 12 of his last 15 starts (16 total over that span.

3. Detroit is 15-30 on the road.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Tigers 4
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Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

Steve Pearce didn't have the opportunity to play at Fenway Park this season prior to Monday following last month's trade to the Red Sox because Boston didn't acquire him until right before they went on a long road trip. He wasted little time endearing himself to his new fans in his first opportunity as a Red Sox at home and looks to continue swinging a hot bat Tuesday as Boston continues a three-game set with the Texas Rangers.

Pearce, who was acquired from Toronto on June 28, was in the Red Sox's lineup the next day as the cleanup hitter and batted .450 during the team's nine-game trek. The 35-year-old slugger entered this series opener hitting only .214 in 27 career games at Fenway, but he clubbed a two-run homer in his first at-bat Monday and finished 2-for-4 as the American League East leaders cruised to a 5-0 victory. J.D. Martinez added a three-run blast to pad his major league-leading home run (28) and RBI (77) totals for Boston (63-29), which has won seven in a row and owns the best record in baseball. The Rangers lost for the sixth time in eight contests overall and have dropped their last four to the Red Sox by a combined score of 22-7 after defeating Boston 11-5 in their first meeting of the season.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Southwest (Texas), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (3-0, 8.17 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Hector Velazquez (6-0, 2.76)

Gallardo has feasted on the AL Central and been provided a ton of run support since joining the Rangers' rotation last month, going 3-0 in four starts despite a 5.87 ERA in part because his offense has scored at least seven runs each time. The 2010 All-Star collected his third win in as many turns Thursday at Detroit, permitting four runs (three earned) across 5 1/3 innings. Mookie Betts and Martinez are each 5-for-15 against Gallardo, who is 2-3 with a 5.25 ERA in seven starts versus Boston.

Velazquez will draw his first start since April 14 as the Red Sox continue to deal with injuries to the rotation. Despite going 4-0 with a 2.83 ERA in 24 relief appearances this season, the 29-year-old has shown some vulnerability of late, giving up two runs three times over his last seven outings. Velazquez, who is allowing opponents to bat .302 overall but is 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA as a starter this season, gave up a three-run shot to Nomar Mazara while getting only two outs in relief against Texas on May 3.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pearce has multiple hits in five of the six games he has more than one at-bat since joining the Red Sox, including four of his five starts.

2. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre singled in the fourth inning to move past Dave Winfield (3,110) and into sole possession of 20th place on the career list.

3. Martinez has exactly two hits in five straight contests and is 13-for-30 with three homers and 13 RBI over his last seven games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 8, Rangers 4
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Toronto Blue Jays vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
Blue Jays vs. Braves Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

The Atlanta Braves sustained their first real stumble of the season last week, dropping five of their final six games on a 10-game road trip, and return home for a quick two-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays starting Tuesday looking for stabilization. It starts with the pitching staff, as Atlanta hurlers have posted a 6.80 ERA in its past six games while allowing 13 homers, and the Braves bats have struggled to keep up, hitting .248 while averaging 7.7 runners left on base.

"Our starters have been really solid, but we are going through a rut with them now," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker told the media after Sunday's 10-3 loss at Milwaukee, a game in which the Braves skipper benched center fielder Ender Inciarte after the speedster failed to hustle out of the box on a dropped pop up. Toronto enters the series having dropped five of its past seven, falling 2-1 to the Yankees at home Sunday despite Kendrys Morales becoming the fifth Cuban-born player to reach 200 homers in the big leagues. "It just means I need to work harder and keep working and hit some more," Morales, who has six hits and two homers in his past three games, told media members via translator after the game. The Braves and Blue Jays split a two-game series in Toronto in mid-June as Atlanta got five RBIs and a grand slam from Johan Camargo in the opener and Morales homered with two RBIs in the finale.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (1-6, 6.50 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (6-6, 4.47)

Stroman continues working his way back from right shoulder fatigue and a six-week spell on the disabled list, and after surrendering only one earned runs in 12 innings across his first two starts, he was hit hard Wednesday against the Mets. The 27-year-old allowed six runs on six hits with four walks in 4 2/3 innings, the fifth time in 10 starts he has given up five or more earned runs. Stroman's walks per nine innings (3.8) and hits per nine innings (10.8) are up significantly from last season's marks of 2.8 and 9.0.

Teheran did not accompany the team on the final leg of its road trip after coming down with an illness that impacted his last start Wednesday at the Yankees, in which the 27-year-old struck off 10 but walk a season-high tying four while allowing five runs on five hits in five innings. He is 2-5 in his past seven starts - a stretch that includes two starts of zero runs give up and three outings of four runs or more allowed. Teheran gave up two homers against New York and has surrendered 17 long balls on the season, tied for the second-highest total in the National League through Sunday's games.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto SS Lourdes Gurriel extended his hitting streak to a career-high six games Sunday, and is 7-for-24 with two homers and six RBIs in that stretch.

2. Braves 1B Freddie Freeman is 7-for-12 in his past three games with three doubles.

3. Atlanta relievers have posted a 4.65 ERA in July with 15 walks in 31 innings.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Blue Jays 3
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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
Cardinals vs. White Sox Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

The St. Louis Cardinals look to provide the finishing kick on the final leg of their season-long nine-game road trip Tuesday when they play the opener of their abbreviated two-game interleague series against the Chicago White Sox (30-60). St. Louis (46-43) won four of its first six contests on the trek before dropping a 13-8 decision at San Francisco on Sunday.

Matt Carpenter has shifted into a higher gear after limping out to the worst start of his career, highlighted by a pinch-hit three-run homer in Sunday's setback to improve to .298 over his last 59 games. Carpenter, who paces the Cardinals in nearly every major offensive category, will bid for a fourth All-Star appearance as he competes in the National League's Final Vote. Jose Abreu booked his second All-Star appearance and first as a starter, marking the first member of the White Sox to earn the latter honor since Hall of Famer Frank Thomas won the fan election at first base in 1996. Abreu, however, is mired in a 2-for-23 stretch with six strikeouts over his last seven contests for the slumping White Sox, who have dropped five in a row.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (9-3, 2.63 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Dylan Covey (3-4, 5.54)

Mikolas was selected to his first All-Star Game on Sunday, four days removed from allowing two runs over six innings and overcoming a career-high four walks in an 8-4 victory at Arizona. The number of free passes likely was quite a surprise for the 29-year-old, who didn't issue more than two walks in any outing this season. Mikolas will get his first look at the White Sox, however he owns a 2-0 career mark with a 1.99 ERA in five interleague outings.

Covey's good fortune has soured over his last four starts as he owns an 0-3 record with a bloated 13.20 ERA after yielding 22 earned runs on 21 hits -- including six homers -- and 13 walks in his last 15 innings. The 26-year-old answered being taken deep four times against Texas on June 29 by getting blitzed for six runs in 3 2/3 frames of a 7-4 setback at Cincinnati on Wednesday. Covey has yet to face St. Louis in his career and has posted an 0-2 mark with a 7.16 ERA in five interleague encounters (four starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 2B Yoan Moncada, who had a two-run double in a 3-2 loss to St. Louis on May 1, has a homer, six RBIs and six runs scored during his seven-game hitting streak.

2. Cardinals C Yadier Molina is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday after missing the last two contests because of shoulder soreness.

3. White Sox INF Yolmer Sanchez, who had an RBI single in a 3-2 setback to St. Louis on May 2, has reached base in each of his last seven games.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, White Sox 2
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Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
Athletics vs. Astros Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

After ending one streak in the opener, the Oakland Athletics attempt to extend another when they visit the Houston Astros on Tuesday for the second contest of their four-game series. Oakland topped Houston 2-0 in a pitchers' duel on Monday for its third straight overall win and first in its last nine meetings with the Astros.

Stephen Piscotty recorded half of the Athletics' six hits and drove in both runs - belting a solo homer in the seventh to snap a scoreless tie and adding an RBI single an inning later to help make a winner of Frankie Montas, who scattered three hits over six innings. Piscotty enters Tuesday having registered a home run and two RBIs in three consecutive contests. Houston managed only five singles as it had its six-game winning streak halted and fell to 4-1 on its 11-game homestand. George Springer has hit safely in four of the first five contests on the lengthy stretch at Minute Maid Park after notching a pair of hits on Monday.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Sean Manaea (8-6, 3.33 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (9-4, 2.15)

After enduring a rough month of May in which he went 1-4 while yielding at least four runs in each of his six outings, Manaea has put together a six-start unbeaten streak. The 26-year-old native of Indiana has gone 3-0 during the stretch, allowing fewer than three runs five times and exactly three in the other turn. Manaea, who settled for a no-decision against San Diego on Wednesday after giving up two runs in seven innings, is 2-4 with a 2.54 ERA in 10 career starts versus Houston - including a 1-1 mark and 2.84 ERA in two outings this season.

Verlander is looking to halt a winless streak that reached four starts when he settled for a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday after yielding two runs and four hits while registering 10 strikeouts in seven innings. The 35-year-old Virginian has not been victorious since June 14, when he extended his winning streak to five games by allowing three runs over seven frames in Oakland. With that triumph, Verlander improved to 11-6 with one complete game and a 2.68 ERA in 18 career starts versus the Athletics.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros 2B Jose Altuve has gone 9-for-24 during his six-game hitting streak.

2. Oakland OF Dustin Fowler struck out in all five of his at-bats in the series opener and has fanned 11 times in 24 at-bats this month.

3. Houston SS Carlos Correa (back) is unlikely to return from the disabled list until after the All-Star break.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Athletics 1
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Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
Royals vs. Twins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

One of five candidates for the final spot on the American League All-Star team, Minnesota Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario has presented a compelling case to the voters. Rosario is hitting .300 with 18 home runs and 54 RBIs for the Twins, who continue their three-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.

The Twins have won five in a row following a six-game losing streak and are making a concerted effort to support Rosario, who shares the final vote ballot with the New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton, Boston's Andrew Benintendi, Seattle's Jean Segura and the Los Angeles Angels' Andrelton Simmons. "I think he's played like an All-Star," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor told reporters. "For me to imagine that there are X amount of players on that All-Star team that are better is almost unfathomable." Joe Mauer and Eduardo Escobar recorded three hits apiece in Monday's 3-1 win over Kansas City, which has lost 10 straight and 28 of 32. Whit Merrifield has been one of the Royals' few bright spots, going 21-for-47 during his 11-game hitting streak.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (1-8, 5.11 ERA) vs. Twins RH Aaron Slegers (1-0, 2.38)

After missing one start due to an oblique injury, Kennedy will be activated from the disabled list prior to Tuesday's contest. The 33-year-old Californian has gone 15 starts without a win dating back to April 7, the longest active winless streak in the majors. Rosario is 7-for-17 with a home run against Kennedy, who is 4-4 with a 4.52 ERA in 12 career starts versus Minnesota - including an 0-3 record and 6.43 mark in five outings last season.

Slegers recorded his first major-league victory on Thursday and earned another start after holding Baltimore to one run over six innings in the Twins' 5-2 win. "It's nice," he told reporters. "It's fun to have that in the stat column, be a major-league winner. I can say that for the rest of my life." The 25-year-old rookie made his season debut on May 30 against Kansas City, allowing two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 frames of relief.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals have lost 11 consecutive series dating back to the end of May, when they took two of three from the Twins.

2. Rosario has hit safely in nine straight games against the Royals.

3. Kansas City MGR Ned Yost said RHP Burch Smith will start Wednesday's series finale, replacing struggling RHP Jason Hammel in the rotation.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Royals 5
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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

The Arizona Diamondbacks look to put a disappointing 10-game homestand in their rear-view mirror Tuesday when they hit the road to open a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies. The Diamondbacks (50-41) are six games above .500 away from home this season heading into Coors Field, where the Rockies (46-44) have struggled to an 18-22 mark.

Arizona scored 47 runs en route to winning five of six against Colorado this season, highlighted by a three-game sweep at Coors Field last month in which it won all of its contests by five runs. Paul Goldschmidt, who was selected to his sixth straight All-Star Game on Sunday, is 7-for-13 with three RBIs and two runs scored in his last three games overall and 8-for-21 with four homers, nine RBIs and 10 runs scored versus the Rockies this season. While the Diamondbacks limped to a 3-7 mark on their homestand after Sunday's marathon 16-inning loss to San Diego, Colorado saw its five-game winning streak halted with a 6-4 setback at Seattle. All-Star outfielder Charlie Blackmon, who has three homers in his last five games, has gone deep four times in 23 at-bats against Arizona this season.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountains (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (6-3, 3.05 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (6-3, 3.90)

Corbin is heading toward his second All-Star Game selection and first since 2013 with a flourish, allowing two runs while striking out 23 in his last three starts (19 innings). The 28-year-old southpaw, however, has been saddled with his third straight no-decision Wednesday despite permitting one run on six hits in as many frames against St. Louis. Corbin improved to 8-3 in his career versus Colorado after yielding two solo homers while striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings of an 8-2 win on Opening Day.

Anderson extended his scoreless streak to 16 innings Wednesday after allowing two hits and striking out a season high-tying nine over eight frames in a 1-0 victory versus San Francisco. The 28-year-old has credited a portion of his success to his use of a cutter to keep changeup-minded batters off balance. Anderson was fortunate to escape with a no-decision in his last encounter with Arizona on March 30, as he permitted seven runs and four walks in 2 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado 3B Nolan Arenado, who was selected to his fourth straight All-Star Game, is 5-for-25 with five strikeouts against Arizona this season.

2. Diamondbacks OF A.J. Pollock is 4-for-10 with three RBIs in his last three contests.

3. Rockies SS Trevor Story, who was selected to his first All-Star Game, has eight multi-hit performances in his last 12 games.

PREDICTION: Rockies 4, Diamondbacks 3
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Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
Mariners vs. Angels Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

Twenty-three games over .500 only gets a team the fourth-best record in the American League, and the Seattle Mariners are determined to move up in the standings. The Mariners will begin another push when they kick off a six-game road trip to close the first half by visiting the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday.

Seattle had some trouble scoring against Colorado to end its homestand but finally got the bats moving Sunday and earned a 6-4 victory to avoid a sweep. Nelson Cruz scored a pair of runs in the win and headlines a trio of Mariners that were announced to the AL All-Star roster Sunday, including right fielder Mitch Haniger and closer Edwin Diaz. The Angels only have one representative on the initial All-Star roster, but center fielder Mike Trout is the AL's marquee player as he gets set for his seventh All-Star appearance in as many seasons and heads into the series against Seattle looking to do damage after struggling to 2-for-10 with three strikeouts at the Mariners last week. Trying to stop Trout on Tuesday will be Mariners right-hander Mike Leake, who opposes Los Angeles righty Garrett Richards.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Mike Leake (8-5, 4.11 ERA) vs. Angels RH Garrett Richards (5-4, 3.42)

Leake had a string of eight straight starts lasting at least six innings come to an end with a loss to the Angels on Wednesday. The Arizona State product was reached for four runs (three earned) on nine hits and one walk in four innings while squandering an early lead. Leake allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his previous eight outings, including a win over Los Angeles on June 12 in which he scattered one run and four hits over six frames.

Richards came off the disabled list after over a month because of a left hamstring strain Wednesday and went up against Leake at Seattle. Richards struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings while allowing three runs (two earned) and four hits to earn his first win since May 4, which also came at Seattle. The 30-year-old is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 14 innings in three starts against the Mariners this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels SS Andrelton Simmons and Mariners SS Jean Segura are on the Final Vote ballot for the last AL All-Star spot.

2. Diaz struck out the side in three of his last four appearances.

3. Los Angeles RF Kole Calhoun is 0-for-13 over the last four games, dropping his batting average to .170.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Mariners 3
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