MLB Betting News and Trends For Wednesday 6/20/18

Wednesday’s games
National League
Cardinals (38-33) @ Phillies (38-33)
Wacha is 4-1, 3.41 in his last six starts; under is 6-3 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 10-4.
5-inning record: 8-5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-14

Arrieta is 0-3, 11.05 in his last three starts (over 8-5). Team in his starts: 5-8.
5-inning record: 7-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-13

Cardinals lost five of their last seven games; over is 6-2-1 in their last nine road games. Phillies won six of their last nine games; over is 9-2 in their last 11 games.

Dodgers (38-34) @ Cubs (41-29)
Stripling is 6-0, 1.66 in his last six starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 6-3.
5-inning record: 7-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-9

Lester is 4-0, 2.08 in his last four starts; under is 7-3 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 11-3.
5-inning record: 8-2-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Dodgers won six of their last eight games; LA’s last six games stayed under the total. Cubs won five of last seven home games; under is 7-1 in their last eight home games.

Marlins (29-45) @ Giants (36-38)
Urena is 2-1, 2.88 in his last four starts; under is 7-3 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 2-13.
5-inning record: 5-8-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-15

Holland is 2-2, 4.32 in his last five starts; under is 7-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 6-8.
5-inning record: 5-6-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-14

Miami won six of its last nine games; over is 6-2-1 in their last nine games. Giants lost six of their last nine games; over is 4-1 in their last five home games.

Brewers (43-30) @ Pirates (36-37)
Suter is 5-1, 3.24 in his last six starts (over 6-0); Brewers scored 50 runs in those five wins. Team in his starts: 7-6
5-inning record: 6-6-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-13

Kuhl is 1-1, 3.63 in his last three starts; his last five stayed under. Team in his starts: 8-6.
5-inning record: 6-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-14

Brewers are 6-8 in their last 14 games; under is 7-2 in their last nine road games. Pittsburgh won four of its last six games; under is 4-1 in their last five games.

Mets (31-39) @ Rockies (35-38)
Lugo is 1-1, 3.00 in three starts this year (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 1-2.
5-inning record: 1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Bettis is 1-0, 7.47 in his last seven starts (over 4-1-2). Team in his starts: 8-6.
5-inning record: 12-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-14

Mets won three of their last four games; under is 9-4-1 in their last 14 games. Colorado lost nine of its last 12 games; over is 16-1 in their last 17 games.

American League
Mariners (46-27) @ New York (48-22)
Hernandez is 0-3, 5.59 in his last five starts; over is 6-3 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 8-7.
5-inning record: 6-8-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-15

Loiasiga blanked Tampa Bay for five innings (91 PT) in his MLB debut, a 5-0 win. Team in his starts: 1-0.
5-inning record: 1-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Seattle won six of its last nine games; over is 5-1-1 in their last seven road games. New York won five of its last seven games; under is 12-1-1 in their last 14 games.

White Sox (24-48) @ Indians (39-33)
Lopez is 1-0, 2.33 in his last three starts; under is 5-1-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 4-10.
5-inning record: 7-6-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Kluber is 5-1, 2.14 in his last seven starts; over is 9-2 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 10-5.
5-inning record: 11-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-15

White Sox lost their last six games; under is 15-1-2 in their last 18 games. Cleveland won its last three games; under is 10-3-1 in their last 14 games.

Rays (34-39) @ Astros (49-26)
Eovaldi is 0-3, 6.23 in his last three starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 1-3
5-inning record: 2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4

Morton is 1-1, 6.00 in his last four starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 9-5.
5-inning record: 9-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-14

Tampa Bay lost four of its last six games; seven of Rays’ last eight games stayed under. Astros won 12 of their last 13 games; over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games.

Red Sox (49-25) @ Twins (32-37)
Price is 6-0, 2.64 in his last seven starts (under 5-2). Team in his starts: 10-4
5-inning record: 6-4-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Lynn is 3-1, 2.01 in his last five starts (under 4-1). Team in his starts: 5-8
5-inning record: 4-6-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-13

Red Sox won five of their last eight games; under is 10-4 in their last 14 games. Minnesota won three of its last four games; under is 5-2-1 in their last seven home games.

Rangers (31-44) @ Royals (22-51)
Bibens-Dirks is 0-1, 8.18 in two starts this year (over 2-0). Team in his starts: 1-1
5-inning record: 0-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-2

Junis is 0-4, 6.75 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 7-7
5-inning record: 7-3-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Rangers won their last four games; under is 7-1 in their last eight road games. Kansas City lost 14 of its last 15 games; three of KC’s last five games went over.

Interleague
Tigers (36-38) @ Reds (27-45)
Fulmer is 1-0, 1.29 in his last two starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 5-9
5-inning record: 5-6-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-14

Mahle is 2-0, 1.65 in his last three starts; under is 5-2-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 8-6
5-inning record: 4-9-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Detroit won five of its last six games; under is 9-2 in their last 11 road games. Reds are 6-8 in their last 14 games; over is 6-0-1 in their last seven home games.

Braves (43-29) @ Blue Jays (33-39)
Sanchez is 3-0, 2.45 in his last five starts (under 4-1-1). Team in his starts: 5-1
5-inning record: 3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Happ is 4-0, 2.39 in his last six starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 9-5
5-inning record: 9-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Braves won six of their last seven games; over is 5-1-1 in their last seven road games. Toronto won seven of its last eight home games; under is 7-4 in their last 11 home games.

A’s (37-36) @ Padres (34-41)
Montas is 3-1, 3.33 in four starts this year (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 3-1
5-inning record: 3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4

Ross is 1-1, 4.98 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 9-5
5-inning record: 8-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-14

A’s are 9-4 in their last 13 road games; five of last six Oakland games went over the total. San Diego lost four of its last five games; over is 8-3 in their last 11 home games.

Orioles (20-51) @ Nationals (39-32)
Cashner is 0-3, 5.82 in his last three starts; under is 6-0 in his last six. Team in his starts: 3-10
5-inning record: 3-8-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-13

Gonzalez is 0-1, 6.61 in his last three starts (under 9-5). Team in his starts: 9-5
5-inning record: 8-2-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-14

Baltimore lost 10 of its last 11 games; under is 7-3 in their last ten road games. Nationals are 6-10 in their last 16 games; over is 7-4 in their last 11 games.

Umpires
StL-Phil: Under is 3-1 in last four Blaser games.
LA-Chi: Under is 7-0-1 in last eight Whitson games.
Mil-Pitt: Under is 7-2 in last nine Wendelstedt games.
NY-Col: Over is 7-3-2 in last dozen LBarrett games.
Mia-SF: Under is 5-2 in last seven Visconti games.

Chi-Clev: Under is 6-2 in last eight Little games.
Sea-NY: Underdogs won three of last five Hoye games.
TB-Hst: Over is 8-6-1 in Lentz games this year.
Bos-Min: Under is 8-1 in last nine Nelson games.
Tex-KC: Under is 6-2 in last eight Fairchild games.

Det-Cin: Under is 10-3 in Holbrook games this year.
Atl-Tor: Over is 4-2 in last six Winters games.
A’s-SD: Over is 6-2 in Barber games this season.
Balt-Wsh: Under is 7-1 in last eight Meals games.

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Preview: Tigers at Reds
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

The Detroit Tigers continue to have issues in interleague play, a trend they will try to reverse when they cap a two-game series at the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. A 9-5 loss to the Reds in Tuesday's opener left the Tigers with a 1-6 mark against National League teams, compared to 35-32 versus the American League.

Detroit won a season-high five straight and had a chance to reach .500 before it was blanked over the first eight innings Tuesday night, picking up five runs in the ninth to make it mildly interesting. Tucker Barnhart was 3-for-3 and Joey Votto clubbed a grand slam as Cincinnati improved to 24-30 since a 3-15 start that led to the firing of manager Bryan Price. Votto, who needs one game to tie Frank Robinson (1,502) for eighth place on the Reds' all-time list, has 12 RBIs over a 10-game stretch. He will be getting his first look at right-hander Michael Fulmer, who starts for the Tigers on Wednesday opposite Tyler Mahle.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (3-5, 4.13 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tyler Mahle (5-6, 3.96)

Fulmer allowed one run on five hits over seven innings in each of his last two starts, picking up a win against Minnesota last time out. He yielded one run in 14 frames over two interleague starts - both against Pittsburgh - earlier in the year and owns a 2.47 ERA in seven career outings versus the National League. The 25-year-old, who will be facing Cincinnati for the first time, is 12-6 with a 2.50 mark in 27 career starts in day games.

Mahle is 2-0 with a 1.10 ERA in three starts in June, including 6 1/3 scoreless innings at Kansas City last Wednesday. The 23-year-old has made it through four consecutive outings without giving up a home run after serving up 13 in his previous nine starts. Mahle has never faced the Tigers but won his first two career interleague starts while giving up just one run in 12 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers CF Leonys Martin was 3-for-3 with two walks in five plate appearances Tuesday.

2. Reds CF Billy Hamilton is 5-for-8 with a home run and five runs scored over his last two games.

3. Cincinnati recalled RHP Jackson Stephens from Triple-A Louisville and optioned RHP Austin Brice to Louisville.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Reds 4
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Preview: Braves at Blue Jays
Gracenote
Jun 19, 2018

Third base remains a spot where the Atlanta Braves may try to improve in advance of the trade deadline, but Johan Camargo continues serving notice he is capable of handling the position entering the finale of a two-game series Wednesday at the Toronto Blue Jays. Camargo dominated Tuesday, belting his first career grand slam and finishing 4-for-5 with a career-best five RBIs as the National League East leaders stayed 3 ½ games ahead of second-place Washington with an 11-4 win.

Camargo, a slick fielder who can play a variety of positions, is hitting .400 in his past seven games with nine RBIs as Atlanta moved a season-high 14 games above .500. He had plenty of support in the lower part of the lineup, as the Braves pounded Toronto pitching for 11 hits and 10 runs from the bottom four spots in the batting order. The Blue Jays saw their seven-game home winning streak snapped thanks in part to finishing 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, despite hitting six doubles (one off their season high). One of the lone highlights for the Blue Jays in the opener was catcher Luke Maile, who ended a 0-for-12 skid with a hit and two RBIs.

TV: 12:37 p.m. ET, FB-Watch

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Anibal Sanchez (3-0, 1.93 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (8-3, 3.48)

Sanchez signed with the Braves in mid-March after being released by Minnesota, and the 34-year-old is an unheralded reason why Atlanta is in first place. Since rejoining the rotation in late May after missing six weeks with a hamstring injury, Sanchez is 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA and only 14 hits allowed in 23 1/3 innings. Sanchez, who struck out six with no walks in seven shutout innings Thursday against San Diego, went 0-1 with a 10.13 ERA in two starts against the Blue Jays last season while pitching with Detroit.

Happ has flourished in his second tour of duty with Toronto - posting a 3.36 ERA in 71 starts since the beginning of 2016 - and at age 35 is putting together one of the best seasons of his 12-year career. He has not allowed an earned run in his past two starts with just three hits allowed in 12 innings, and is 4-0 with a 1.91 ERA and a .146 opponents batting average across his past six outings. Happ is 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) against Atlanta, but has not faced the Braves since 2012.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto 1B Justin Smoak snapped a 1-for-29 skid with two hits Tuesday, and has reached base in 58 of his 65 games this season.

2. Atlanta LF Charlie Culberson homered and made a run-saving catch Tuesday, and is hitting .315 since the beginning of May.

3. Blue Jays C Russell Martin, who did not play Tuesday, has walked in seven consecutive games.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 3, Braves 2
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Preview: Cardinals at Phillies
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

Matt Carpenter was ice cold to begin the month of June before heating up in a hurry, with homers in three straight games and four of his last five. Carpenter aims to continue the power display on Wednesday afternoon as the St. Louis Cardinals (38-33) and Philadelphia Phillies (38-33) play the rubber match of their three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

Carpenter belted the go-ahead homer just inside the right foul pole with two out in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 7-6 triumph to improve to 11-for-25 with eight extra-base hits (six doubles, two homers), six RBIs and as many runs scored versus Philadelphia this season. The 32-year-old hasn't been as fortunate versus struggling Wednesday starter Jake Arrieta, going 3-for-35 with 10 strikeouts. While St. Louis has erupted for 17 runs en route to winning two of three following a four-game skid, Philadelphia saw its bid for a fourth straight victory thwarted as it was unable to escape its third consecutive contest in which its bullpen imploded. Odubel Herrera homered for the third straight game and fourth time in five outings heading into a tilt versus right-hander Michael Wacha, against whom he is 4-for-13 with six RBIs in his career.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (8-2, 3.24 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (5-5, 3.33)

Wacha is looking to atone for a horrific outing on Friday after surrendering three homers and nine runs total over four-plus innings as he suffered his first loss since March 31 in a 13-5 setback versus the Chicago Cubs. The 26-year-old issued four free passes in that contest to increase his walk total to 13 in his last four trips to the mound after allowing 21 in his previous 10 starts. Wacha improved to 3-2 in his career against Philadelphia after permitting two runs in six innings and striking out a season high-tying eight batters in a 12-4 romp on May 18.

Signed to a three-year, $75 million deal, Arrieta answered a strong 10-start performance out of the blocks with an 0-3 mark and 7.98 ERA in his last three outings. The 2015 National League Cy Young Award winner was blitzed for eight runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings of a 13-2 setback at Milwaukee on Friday. Arrieta also fell victim to Wacha and the Cardinals on May 18, yielding four runs (two earned) in three frames to drop to 8-5 with a 2.38 ERA in his 18 career encounters with St. Louis.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia LF Rhys Hoskins has 10 hits -- including three homers -- to go along with eight RBIs and six runs scored in his last six games.

2. St. Louis CF Tommy Pham, who is riding a 13-game hitting streak, has homered in back-to-back contests.

3. Phillies 1B Carlos Santana's solo homer extended his hit streak to four games, during which he has scored five times in the last three.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Phillies 2
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Preview: White Sox at Indians
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

Corey Kluber looks to bounce back from a rare rough outing when he gets the start for the Cleveland Indians in the finale of a three-game series with the visiting Chicago White Sox on Wednesday afternoon. Kluber lost for the first time in over a month after giving up a season-high four runs in five innings against Minnesota on Friday.

He'll try to rebound against a White Sox team that failed to score on Kluber over six frames in a meeting last month and has recorded 16 total runs during a six-game losing streak. Francisco Lindor drove in a pair of runs to pace the Indians' attack in Tuesday's 6-3 win, which gave Cleveland a 7-2 record against Chicago - including 5-0 at home. The Indians improved to 23-13 overall at Progressive Field and matched their high-water mark for the season at six games above .500 (39-33). The White Sox, who turn to emerging right-hander Reynaldo Lopez in the finale, are at the other end of the spectrum at a season-high 24 games below .500 (24-48).

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (2-4, 3.35 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (10-3, 2.24)

Lopez has five quality starts in his last six turns, with the one exception being a clunker at Cleveland opposite Kluber on May 30, when the Indians got to him for seven runs in 2 2/3 innings. He has a 4.36 ERA on the road, compared to 2.25 at home. Yonder Alonso is 2-for-2 and Edwin Encarnacion is 2-for-4 with a walk against the 24-year-old Lopez.

Kluber also issued his first walk in a span of seven starts in the loss to the Twins and he's handed out 11 in 104 2/3 innings overall. The two-time Cy Young Award winner is 6-1 with a 1.80 ERA in eight home starts. Jose Abreu is 16-for-47 with five home runs against Kluber, who is 10-4 in his career versus the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Lindor has at least two hits in six of his last 10 games.

2. White Sox OF Charlie Tilson was 3-for-4 on Tuesday and is batting .353 over a 10-game stretch.

3. The Indians placed RHP Evan Marshall (elbow) on the 10-day disabled list and selected the contract of RHP George Kontos.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, White Sox 2
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Preview: Dodgers at Cubs
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

After splitting a pair of one-run games to begin the series, the host Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers get back together for the rubber match of their three-game series Wednesday. Both National League contenders used late rallies to claim a victory during Tuesday’s doubleheader.

The Dodgers took advantage of Chicago’s short-handed bullpen to score two runs in the ninth and claim a 4-3 win in the series opener Tuesday afternoon, but Albert Almora Jr.’s RBI single in the 10th inning lifted the Cubs to a 2-1 victory in the nightcap. Chicago was without closer Brandon Morrow, who was unavailable due to back tightness. The split dropped the Cubs a half-game behind Milwaukee in the NL Central, but they ended a four-game losing streak against the Dodgers in the regular season. Los Angeles has now won 22 of its last 28 and pulled within 1 1/2 games of NL West leader Arizona.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet Los Angeles, WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (6-1, 1.76 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (8-2, 2.28)

Stripling has been a revelation for the Dodgers, first out of the bullpen and now as a starter. The 28-year-old has won his last six outings and has posted a 2.12 ERA in nine starts. Stripling will make his first start against the Cubs after pitching six scoreless innings across three relief appearances.

Lester has earned the win in his last four starts and six of his last seven. The 34-year-old posted his third straight quality start when he won at St. Louis on Friday, allowing two runs and five hits over six innings. Lester is 2-3 with a 3.89 ERA in seven regular-season meetings against the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs SS Addison Russell is hitting .348 in June and has reached base in his last 13 games with an at-bat.

2. Dodgers 3B Justin Turner, who is riding a six-game hitting streak, is 0-for-14 with four strikeouts versus Lester.

3. Cubs RHP Yu Darvish, who has been on the disabled list since May 23 with inflammation in his right triceps, is scheduled to throw a simulated game Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Cubs 3, Dodgers 2
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Preview: Athletics at Padres
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

The Oakland Athletics used a late power surge in the series opener to extend their winning streak to three contests and will attempt to sweep the two-game interleague set when they visit the San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon. Oakland forged a tie on Stephen Piscotty's two-out solo homer in the ninth inning before Jed Lowrie's two-run blast in the 10th gave the club a 4-2 victory.

Lowrie has been heating up for the Athletics as he has gone 7-for-18 during the four-game hitting streak he will carry into the series finale. San Diego's losing streak reached three games as it managed only six hits in the setback. Cory Spangenberg registered two of those hits, notching a pair of singles for his second straight two-hit performance. Jose Pirela drove in one of the Padres' runs on Tuesday, giving him four RBIs in his last four contests.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Frankie Montas (3-1, 2.67 ERA) vs. Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (3-2, 3.23)

After beginning his stint with Oakland this season with three stellar starts, Montas was rocked by Houston for seven runs - five earned - on 11 hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings of a loss on Thursday. The 25-year-old Dominican combined to allow three runs and issued three walks in his first three turns. Montas never has faced San Diego but is 1-0 with a 8.64 ERA in interleague action that consists of three relief appearances and a start against Arizona in his season debut on May 27.

Lucchesi will be activated from the disabled list to make his first start since May 14 against Colorado due to a hip injury. The 25-year-old rookie from California came away without a decision versus the Rockies after giving up three runs and six hits - two homers - in five innings. Lucchesi, who has yet to face an American League team, has made seven of his nine career starts at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics DH Khris Davis is hitless in 13 at-bats over his last four games after going 5-for-8 with three homers in his previous two contests.

2. San Diego OF Wil Myers (oblique) and C Austin Hedges (elbow) both could return from the disabled list during the team's weekend series in San Francisco.

3. Oakland OF Matt Joyce (back) went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI on Tuesday in the second game of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville and is expected to be activated from the DL during the weekend series against the White Sox in Chicago.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Padres 2
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Preview: Marlins at Giants
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

Tensions again will be high when the San Francisco Giants host the Miami Marlins on Wednesday afternoon for the finale of their three-game series. Marlins starter Dan Straily was ejected from Tuesday's contest for hitting Buster Posey with a pitch in the second inning after San Francisco's Dereck Rodriguez plunked Lewis Brinson in the top of the frame.

Brinson and San Francisco's Hunter Strickland exchanged words during Monday's game after the former celebrated a run-scoring single, and the Giants' closer punched a door following the contest - breaking his pitching hand. Strickland underwent surgery on Tuesday and will miss six to eight weeks, while the Giants went on to post a 6-3 victory that marked just their second in six games against the Marlins this season. Posey ended a 12-game home-run drought and Gorkys Hernandez added a two-run blast as part of a three-RBI performance for San Francisco, which is just 10-20 at home against Miami since the beginning of the 2010 campaign. Brinson was hitless in three at-bats on Tuesday but is 7-for-21 with five RBIs against the Giants despite batting just .180 on the season.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Urena (2-8, 4.18 ERA) vs. Giants LH Derek Holland (4-7, 4.48)

Urena has won two of his last three starts after losing his first seven decisions of the season. The 26-year-old was superb while beating Baltimore in his last turn as he gave up just three hits over eight scoreless innings. Urena went 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two starts against the Giants last season and has struggled with Andrew McCutchen (4-for-8).

Holland is 2-1 over his last four starts despite not working more than five innings in any of the outings. The 31-year-old lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last turn, when he gave up three runs - two earned - and five hits and struck out seven in five frames. Holland lasted just two-thirds of an inning in his lone career start against the Marlins on July 2, 2011 as he surrendered five runs and four hits while with Texas.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants recalled RHP Pierce Johnson from Triple-A Sacramento to replace Strickland on the roster.

2. Miami RF-3B Brian Anderson went 1-for-5 with an RBI on Tuesday and has reached base in each of his last 17 games.

3. San Francisco RHP Johnny Cueto (elbow) likely will begin a rehab assignment soon after faring well in Monday's two-inning simulated game.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Giants 4
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Preview: Orioles at Nationals
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

The worst team in the majors proved to be the perfect elixir for the Washington Nationals, who snapped a four-game skid by rallying twice for a 9-7 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night. Assured of their first season series win over Baltimore since 2007, the Nationals host the Orioles in Wednesday's middle contest of the three-game set.

Trea Turner homered to ignite a 4-for-4 night and Anthony Rendon collected three RBIs, including a go-ahead two-run double for Washington, which improved to 4-0 against Baltimore this year. Michael A. Taylor extended his career-high hitting streak to 10 games with a pinch-hit RBI single while rookie Juan Soto reached base three times and is 7-for-14 versus the Orioles this season. Baltimore squandered an early four-run lead and wasted a pair of two-run homers by Jace Peterson and Trey Mancini to lose for the 10th time in 11 games. The Orioles, who fell to 9-28 away from home, will try to beat the Nationals for the first time behind right-hander Andrew Cashner, who is seeking his first win since April 5.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN 2 (Baltimore), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (2-8, 4.98 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (6-3, 3.01)

Cashner is coming off back-to-back quality starts, but he lost his third consecutive outing after giving up three runs and nine hits over six innings at Toronto last time out. He had an identical line versus the New York Yankees in his previous start and has won just once over his last 11 turns. Daniel Murphy (6-for-12), Bryce Harper (5-for-11) and Anthony Rendon (5-for-12) have roughed up Cashner.

Gonzalez was tagged for five runs and nine hits -- both season worsts -- over six innings in a loss at Toronto and was reached for four runs and six hits in a season-low 3 1/3 innings in a no-decision versus San Francisco on June 9. His last win was a dominant performance at Baltimore on May 28, when he permitted six hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings. Manny Machado is 5-for-16 against Gonzalez.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals RH Kelvin Herrera, acquired from Kansas City on Monday, worked a perfect inning Tuesday in his Washington debut.

2. The Orioles designated 3B Pedro Alvarez for assignment and promoted INF Steve Wilkerson and C Caleb Joseph from Triple-A Norfolk.

3. The Nationals placed 1B Matt Adams on the 10-day disabled list due to a fractured left index finger.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Orioles 3
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Preview: Brewers at Pirates
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Chad Kuhl has allowed only eight earned runs over his last five starts but has little to show for it, posting just one win in that span. Kuhl gets to face one of his favorite opponents as he looks to remain unbeaten in his career against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday in the finale of a three-game set.

Kuhl dominated the Brewers in Milwaukee on May 6, allowing one hit over seven scoreless innings to improve to 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA against them. Starling Marte homered and Jordy Mercer delivered an RBI double for the second straight night for Pittsburgh, which lost for the second time in six games to fall back below .500. Jesús Aguilar accounted for all his team's runs with a two-run homer and RBI double in Tuesday's 3-2 victory as the Brewers snapped a three-game slide. Milwaukee left-hander Brent Suter, who is 5-1 over his last six starts and is coming off his best outing of the year, will oppose Kuhl.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Brent Suter (7-4, 4.30 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (5-4, 3.76)

Suter worked a season-high seven innings and yielded one run on five hits to beat Philadelphia on Friday. It marked the first time he pitched at least six innings this season and the sixth straight outing in which he has permitted three runs or fewer. Suter has a 1-0 record and 1.80 ERA in eight appearances versus the Pirates, including two scoreless innings in relief on May 4.

Kuhl halted a six-start winless drought against Cincinnati on Friday, limiting the Reds to two runs -- one earned -- and six hits over six innings. The 25-year-old improved to 3-1 with a 3.43 ERA at PNC Park with his first victory since beating the Brewers more than a month earlier. Orlando Arcia is 5-for-12 against Kuhl, who has limited Ryan Braun to one hit in nine at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers 3B Travis Shaw (wrist) has missed the past two games.

2. Pirates RF Gregory Polanco is 5-for-8 in the last three games.

3. The Brewers designated LH Boone Logan for assignment on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Pirates 3, Brewers 2
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Preview: Mariners at Yankees
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

Aaron Hicks' recent power display proved to be contagious in the New York Yankees' series opener against the Seattle Mariners. Hicks went deep for the third time in as many contests for the Yankees (48-22), who will ride a four-homer performance into Wednesday's second contest of their three-game set versus the visiting Seattle Mariners (46-27).

Giancarlo Stanton ignited the fireworks with a solo homer, Miguel Andujar and Hicks added two-run shots and Gleyber Torres capped the scoring with a solo blast in Tuesday's 7-2 win for New York, which has won 15 of 19 overall and a majors-best 27 of 38 at home. Hicks collected three hits from the leadoff spot to improve to 8-for-17 with five RBIs and four runs scored during his four-game hitting streak, although he is just 1-for-5 with two strikeouts versus Wednesday starter Felix Hernandez. Seattle opened a 10-game road trip with a thud despite Nelson Cruz going deep for the second time in as many contests and seventh in his last 10. The Mariners matched a season low with two hits in that outing, putting their streak of 11 consecutive series without a loss (7-0-4) in jeopardy heading into their tilt versus right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT-Northwest (Seattle), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (6-6, 5.44 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Jonathan Loaisiga (1-0, 0.00)

Hernandez answered a disastrous start with a solid one on Thursday, albeit his strong seven-inning performance versus Boston resulted in his second consecutive loss. The 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner and six-time All-Star aims to rebound at the new Yankee Stadium, where he owns a 6-1 mark with a 1.41 ERA in nine career appearances. Brett Gardner is 13-for-36 in his career against Hernandez, but the hurler has subdued Austin Romine (0-for-6) and Didi Gregorius (1-for-9).

Loaisiga acquitted himself well in his major-league debut, scattering three hits over five strong innings in a 5-0 triumph over Tampa Bay. The 23-year-old Nicaraguan struggled with his control by issuing four walks against the Rays after allowing the same total over 45 minor league innings this season. Loaisiga was elevated to the majors from Double-A Trenton to fill in for injured starter Masahiro Tanaka, who is dealing with ailing hamstrings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle 2B Dee Gordon has scored five times during his seven-game hitting streak.

2. Gardner (swollen right knee) could return to the lineup Wednesday, manager Aaron Boone said.

3. Mariners 3B Kyle Seager has answered a six-game hitting streak by going 0-for-7 with five strikeouts in the last two contests.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Yankees 3
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Preview: Red Sox at Twins
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

The Boston Red Sox missed out on a chance to become the first team to reach 50 wins this season in the series opener but look to rebound when they visit the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. The Red Sox's bullpen coughed up four runs in the eighth inning on Tuesday during a 6-2 setback, dropping the team to 5-3 on its 10-game road trip as it lost for just the fourth time in 35 contests in which it scored first.

Boston’s Rafael Devers homered for the second straight game on Tuesday and has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 contests, registering a .327 batting average in that span, while slugger J.D. Martinez has recorded multiple hits in three of his last five games. David Price will try to even the series when he takes the mound for the Red Sox against veteran Lance Lynn, who owns a 3.13 ERA at home as opposed to 6.57 on the road. Eduardo Escobar brings an eight-game hitting streak (14-for-31, 10 RBIs) into Wednesday’s contest after knocking in three runs in the series opener for the Twins, who are 10-7 this month. Escobar leads the majors with 31 doubles, including one in the sixth inning on Tuesday that brought home a pair of runs, and has raised his batting average to .305.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH David Price (8-4, 3.76 ERA) vs. Twins RH Lance Lynn (4-5, 4.98)

Price has yielded fewer than three runs in six of his last seven starts, going 6-0 during that stretch after beating Seattle on Thursday with seven innings of one-run ball. The 32-year-old Vanderbilt product, who is 5-2 with a 3.59 ERA in eight road starts, has gone beyond six innings once in his last five trips to the mound. Eddie Rosario is 3-for-6 versus Price, who is 10-3 with a 2.52 ERA in 17 career appearances (16 starts) against the Twins.

Lynn has been a much better pitcher since posting an 0-3 record and 8.37 ERA in five April starts to begin his tenure with the Twins. The 31-year-old Ole Miss product has recorded six quality starts in eight outings since May 1, including each of the last five - a stretch during which he allowed seven runs over 31 1/3 innings. Mookie Betts is 3-for-5 with a homer against Lynn, who is 0-1 with a 1.89 ERA in three career starts versus the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier is two home runs behind Tom Brunansky (163) for ninth place on the franchise list.

2. Boston SS Xander Bogaerts has collected three homers and seven RBIs over his last six contests.

3. Twins SS Ehire Adrianza has hit safely in eight of his last nine games, going 10-for-30 in that stretch.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Twins 2
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Preview: Rays at Astros
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

The Tampa Bay Rays spoiled Houston's chances of establishing a new franchise-record winning streak and look to win the three-game series when they visit the Astros on Wednesday. Tampa Bay recorded a 2-1 victory on Tuesday to end Houston's streak at 12 games, which matches the franchise mark set in 1999 and equaled in 2004.

Wilson Ramos delivered the tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and C.J. Cron homered earlier in the contest as the Rays improved to 2-4 entering the finale of their seven-game road trip. Cron, who was hitless in 23 straight at-bats before the second-inning blast, struck out two times later in the contest and has whiffed 19 times over his last seven games. Houston recorded just five hits in its first setback since June 5 and left runners on first and second in the ninth inning. "Even after this loss, we're such a fun group that we'll show up (Wednesday) and guys will still be cracking jokes and having a lot of fun," Astros catcher Max Stassi told reporters after the loss. "We'll go out there and play hard. We'll be fine."

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Nathan Eovaldi (1-2, 4.63 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (8-1, 2.94)

Eovaldi is making his fifth start since returning from the second Tommy John surgery of his career. The 28-year-old lost to the New York Yankees in his last turn, when he gave up five runs and eight hits over 7 1/3 innings. Eovaldi is 1-0 with a 2.52 ERA in four career starts against the Astros and has enjoyed success against Jose Altuve (2-for-12) and George Springer (0-for-6) while struggling with Josh Reddick (5-for-11).

Morton gave up three runs and four hits over six innings to beat Kansas City in his last turn and halt a three-start winless stretch. The 34-year-old has issued 10 walks over 9 2/3 frames in his last two outings after walking just six over his previous five starts. Morton is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts against the Rays and has experienced difficulties with Carlos Gomez (6-for-16, homer) and Ramos (5-for-13).

WALK-OFFS

1. Ramos is 7-for-18 with a homer and four RBIs during his five-game hitting streak.

2. Houston 3B Alex Bregman singled in the team's lone run on Tuesday and has reached base in 30 consecutive games.

3. Tampa Bay designated UTL Rob Refsnyder for assignment to open a roster spot for CF Kevin Kiermaier (thumb), who went 0-for-5 in his first game since April 15.

PREDICTION: Astros 3, Rays 1
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Preview: Rangers at Royals
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

The Texas Rangers look to extend their season-best four-game winning streak when they conclude their three-game series against the host Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Texas has scored 28 runs during their victory splurge but still stands 13 games below .500.

Nomar Mazara and Isiah Kiner-Falefa each recorded three hits while Delino DeShields delivered a two-run double to lead a 12-hit attack in Tuesday's 4-1 triumph. Shin-Soo Choo went 1-for-5 to extend his streak of reaching base to 33 games, the longest by a Ranger since Mark Teixeira reached safely in 36 consecutive contests in 2006. Kansas City notched only four hits on Tuesday as it lost its eighth straight game and 14th in its last 15. The Royals own the worst home record in the majors at 10-28, and their 22-51 overall mark is the worst in franchise history through 73 games.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Austin Bibens-Dirkx (0-1, 6.55 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jakob Junis (5-7, 4.43)

Bibens-Dirkx was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday to make his third major-league start of the season. The 33-year-old took the loss when he faced the Royals on May 24 as he gave up six runs - four earned - and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. Bibens-Dirkx has served up 10 homers in just 45 1/3 frames on the road (13 appearances - four starts) during his tenure with the club.

Junis has lost four straight starts and is winless over his last five outings. The 25-year-old has served up three homers and given up six runs in each of his last two turns, the most recent being a loss to Houston on Friday in which he allowed seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. Junis has given up 18 homers this season, with 13 coming in eight home starts (3-5, 4.84 ERA).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals have been outscored 99-36 while going 2-15 this month.

2. Texas RHP Keone Kela recorded his 17th consecutive save this season with a perfect ninth inning on Tuesday.

3. Kansas City 1B Lucas Duda (foot) went 2-for-5 with a three-run homer for Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday during the second game of his rehab assignment.

PREDICTION: Rangers 6, Royals 2
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