MLB Betting News and Trends For Friday, 5/4/18

Friday’s games
National League
Phillies (17-13) @ Nationals (16-16)
Pivetta is 1-1, 2.79 in his last five starts (under 5-0-1). Team in his starts: 5-1
5-inning record: 2-1-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Gonzalez is 2-1, 3.12 in his last three starts; his last five starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 3-3
5-inning record: 4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Phillies lost four of their last five games; they’re 1-4 in road series openers. Under is 4-2 in their last six road games. Washington won its last five games; under is 8-4 in their last 12 games.

Marlins (11-19) @ Reds (7-24)
Chen allowed one run in 5.1 IP (68 PT) in his first ’18 start. Team in his starts: 1-0
5-inning record: 1-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Romano is 1-2, 4.02 in his last three starts (over 4-2). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 0-3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6

Marlins won six of their last eight games; under is 8-2 in their last 10 games. Cincinnati lost its last five home games; over is 8-2-1 in their last 11 games.

Rockies (17-15) @ Mets (17-12)
Marquez is 0-2, 8.68 in his last two starts; under is 3-1 in his last four starts. Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 1-4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

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

Rockies are 5-3 in their last eight games; under is 7-1 in those eight games. Mets lost five of their last six home games; over is 8-3-2 in their last 13 games.

Giants (16-15) @ Braves (19-11)
Stratton is 2-1, 3.68 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 2-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Foltynewicz is 1-0, 2.16 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 2-1-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Giants won four of their last five games; they’re 7-3 in series openers. Over is 6-2 in their last eight games. Atlanta won its last five games; over is 9-3-2 in their last 14 games.

Pirates (17-15) @ Brewers (19-13)
Kingham retired first 20 batters he faced in his MLB debut; he threw seven shutout innings (98 PT). Team in his starts: 1-0
5-inning record: 0-0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Guerra is 2-1, 1.23 in four starts this year (under 4-0). Team in his starts: 3-1
5-inning record: 2-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4

Pirates lost their last eight road games (under 5-2-1). Milwaukee won its last six home games; under is 8-2 in their last ten games.

Cubs (16-12) @ Cardinals (17-12)
Quintana is 3-0, 4.79 in his last four starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Mikolas is 2-0, 2.14 in his last three starts (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5

Cubs won five of their last seven road games; under is 7-1 in their last eight games. St Louis won seven of its last eight home games; their last three games stayed under.

Dodgers (14-17) vs Padres (11-21) (Monterrey, MX)
Buehler is 1-0, 1.80 in his first two MLB starts (over 1-1). Team in his starts: 2-0
5-inning record: 2-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-2

Lucchesi is 3-1, 2.57 in his last four starts (over 3-3). Team in his starts: 3-3
5-inning record: 3-1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Dodgers lost seven of their last ten games; under is 4-1 in their last five games. San Diego lost 11 of its last 15 games; over is 4-1 in their last five. This series is in Monterrey, Mexico.

American League
Indians (17-14) @ New York (21-10)
Tomlin is 0-3, 9.68 in four starts this year (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 1-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4

Sabathia is 2-0, 1.38 in his last two starts; over is 3-1 in his last four starts. Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 3-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-5

Indians split their last 10 games, last nine of which went over the total. New York won 12 of its last 13 games; under is 6-2 in their last eight games.

Blue Jays (18-14) @ Rays (13-16)
Happ is 4-0, 3.45 in his last five starts (under 3-2-1). Team in his starts: 5-1
5-inning record: 5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Its a bullpen game for the Rays. Team in bullpen games: 2-7
5-inning record: 3-3-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-9

Blue Jays won four of their last six games; over is 6-2 in their last eight road games. Tampa Bay lost three of its last four games; over is 7-1 in their last eight home games.

Red Sox (22-9) @ Rangers (13-20)
Porcello is 4-0, 2.23 in six starts this season (under 3-2-1). Team in his starts: 5-1
5-inning record: 4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Colon is 1-0, 3.08 in four starts this year (over 2-2). Team in his starts: 2-2
5-inning record: 3-0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4

Red Sox lost four of their last six road games; over is 3-1 in their last four games. Texas lost three of its last five games; over is 9-2-1 in their last 12 games.

Twins (10-17) @ White Sox (9-20)
Berrios is 0-2, 5.79 in his last three starts (over 3-3). Team in his starts: 3-3
5-inning record: 2-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Fulmer is 2-0, 1.38 in his last two starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Minnesota lost 12 of its last 14 games; over is 7-1 in their last eight road games. White Sox are 4-9 at home; over is 6-3-1 in their last ten home games.

Tigers (13-17) @ Royals (9-22)
Liriano is 2-0, 4.32 in his last three starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5

Kennedy is 0-3, 6.16 in his last four starts (under 4-2). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 2-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6

Tigers lost five of their last six road games; under is 4-1 in their last five games overall. Kansas City is 4-3 in its last seven games; over is 5-1 in their last six.

Orioles (8-23) @ A’s (15-16)
Cashner is 0-3, 7.88 in his last three starts (under 4-2). Team in his starts: 1-5
5-inning record: 0-4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Mengden is 2-1, 4.57 in his last four starts (over 4-2). Team in his starts: 3-3
5-inning record: 3-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Baltimore lost four of its last five games; they’re 1-4 in road series openers. Over is 4-1 in their last five road games. A’s lost five of their last seven games; over is 4-2 in their last six games.

Angels (19-12) @ Mariners (18-12)
Richards is 2-1, 8.53 in his last three starts (over 4-2). Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 3-1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Leake is 1-2, 9.98 in his last three starts (over 5-0-1). Team in his starts: 1-0
5-inning record: 2-1-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Angels are 11-1 in their last 12 road games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven. Seattle won four of its last five games; under is 5-2-1 in their last eight home games.

Interleague
Astros (20-13) @ Diamondbacks (21-10)
Cole is 2-1, 1.94 in six starts this season; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 5-1
5-inning record: 3-1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Medlen is making his first start since ‘16; he’s made 75 MLB starts, was 1-3, 7.77 in six starts for the Royals two years ago. Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Astros lost their last three games; over is 3-0-1 in their last four road games. Arizona is 5-3 in its last eight games, 9-1 in series openers; under is 11-2-1 in their last 14 home games.

Preview: Indians at Yankees
Gracenote
May 4, 2018

The New York Yankees look to build off an impressive road trip when they open their nine-game homestand Friday with the first of three contests against the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees scored three times in the top of the ninth inning on Thursday to post their third straight victory and 12th in 13 contests, a 6-5 triumph at Houston that concluded a 6-1 trek.

“Our road trip, going to Anaheim and getting three wins on a team that’s one of the best in the game right now, and then come here in Houston and battle back after a tough first loss against them, that just kind of shows what kind of team we are,” New York’s Aaron Judge told reporters after knocking in the winning run Thursday. CC Sabathia goes after his 240th career victory when he takes the mound for the Yankees on Friday against the scuffling Josh Tomlin. The Indians managed to earn a split of a weather-delayed doubleheader at home against Toronto on Thursday, taking the second game 13-4 after coughing up a lead in the opener and suffering a 13-11 defeat in 11 innings. Francisco Lindor knocked in six runs for Cleveland in the twinbill and is 14-for-31 with three home runs during his six-game hitting streak.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), WPIX (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Josh Tomlin (0-4, 9.16 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (2-0, 1.71)

Tomlin has struggled mightily in three of his first four starts of 2018, including the last two in which he allowed 11 runs and 17 hits over 9 2/3 innings en route to defeats. The 33-year-old Texas Tech product has served up 10 homers - six in his last two outings - across 18 2/3 frames while opponents are batting .360 against him. Tomlin, who went 10-9 with 23 homers allowed in 141 innings last year, is 3-3 with a 5.79 in eight career games (seven starts) versus the Yankees.

Sabathia has picked up where he left off last season (14-5) by allowing just five earned runs across 26 1/3 innings to open 2018 after posting back-to-back quality starts. The 37-year-old former Cy Young Award winner gave up one unearned run over six frames on April 24 to beat Minnesota and yielded just one run in seven innings five days later in a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Lindor is 5-for-9 with a double versus Sabathia, who is 4-3 with a 3.65 ERA in 11 career games against the Indians.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland 1B-DH Edwin Encarnacion is 8-for-15 with three homers and nine RBIs over his last three contests.

2. New York rookie 2B Gleyber Torres knocked in three runs Thursday and is 13-for-41 in his first 12 major-league games.

3. Indians 2B Jason Kipnis has recorded four multi-hit peformances in his last five games, raising his batting average to .202.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Indians 3

Preview: Phillies at Nationals
Gracenote
May 3, 2018

The Washington Nationals have answered a lackluster start with a strong surge, so much so that first-year manager Dave Martinez is having trouble keeping track of the victories. The Nationals (16-16) have countered a 1-6 stretch with a season-high five-game winning streak heading into Friday's opener of a three-game series versus the visiting Philadelphia Phillies (17-13).

"For us to gather four or five wins in a row, it's awesome. I just want them to keep going, keep playing hard. That's it," Martinez said after Washington completed a four-game sweep of Pittsburgh with a 3-1 victory on Thursday afternoon. Wilmer Difo is 9-for-15 with one homer, three RBIs, six runs scored and five walks during his six-game hitting streak for the Nationals, who will bid to move above .500 for the first time since they were 6-5 on April 10. Philadelphia, which has been as high as seven games above .500 this season, applied the brakes on a four-game losing skid with an emphatic 6-0 romp over Miami on Wednesday. Maikel Franco had a pair of doubles to give him nine hits in his last eight games heading into a matchup versus Friday starter Gio Gonzalez, against whom he is 1-for-19 with four strikeouts.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (1-1, 3.27 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (3-2, 2.67)

Pivetta permitted more than three runs, five hits and two walks for the first time this season on Saturday as he added one to all three totals in a 4-1 setback versus Atlanta. The 25-year-old British Columbia native was taken deep for the second straight outing after keeping the ball in the park in each of the previous four. Ryan Zimmerman is 4-for-6 with a homer and three RBIs versus Pivetta, who has allowed four homers, eight runs and 14 hits in a pair of starts (9 2/3 innings) against Washington.

Gonzalez rebounded from what he perceived to be an early hook to work his longest outing of the season on Sunday. The 32-year-old tossed a season-high 114 pitches and surrendered just one run while striking out eight over seven innings in a 3-1 triumph against Arizona. Gonzalez has flustered Franco and Aaron Altherr (2-for-17, seven strikeouts) while sporting a 10-7 mark in 23 career encounters against Philadelphia.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia rookie INF Scott Kingery expects to play on Friday after he was hit in the right arm with a 98-mph fastball from Marlins RHP Tayron Guerrero.

2. Washington SS Trea Turner has 14 hits, eight RBIs and six runs scored during his last eight games.

3. Phillies RHP Jerad Eickhoff (strained right lat) is slated to throw live batting practice on Friday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Phillies 2

Preview: Marlins at Reds
Gracenote
May 3, 2018

The Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds are both buried in last place in their respective divisions, but there appears to be much more hope for one of the teams than the other. The Marlins have shown signs of life following a dreadful start and look to carry the momentum into their six-game road trip when the visit Cincinnati on Friday night.

Miami had won four straight and six of seven following its rocky 5-17 start but had its winning streak snapped in a 6-0 defeat to Philadelphia on Wednesday in the series finale. "Great homestand. We played with a lot of energy," Marlins outfielder Cameron Maybin said. "We've got to keep it going. It's a long year. You can't dwell on days or past weeks." The Reds are trying to avoid dwelling on the past and present - they have lost five in a row at Great American Ball Park after getting swept by Milwaukee to kick off a nine-game homestand. Owners of a major league-worst 7-24 record, Cincinnati sends right-hander Sal Romano to the mound to face Miami lefty Wei-Yin Chen in the series opener.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (1-0, 1.69 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (1-3, 4.65)

After missing nearly a full year due to an elbow strain, Chen made a successful return to the majors Saturday by limiting Colorado to one run on four hits over 5 1/3 innings to pick up the victory in his season debut. Limited to nine appearances (five starts) in 2017, the 32-year-old has never faced the Reds in his first six major-league seasons. He is prone to the long ball, permitting at least 22 homers in four of his first five seasons.

Romano failed to pitch beyond five innings for the fourth time in his last five turns, taking the loss Saturday after giving up three runs (two earned) over 4 2/3 innings at Minnesota. The New York native matched a season high with six innings in his previous start, earning his lone victory with six innings of two-run ball (one earned). Romano has fared well in his two career starts against the Marlins, posting a 1-0 record and 0.93 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 1B Joey Votto is 2-for-15 over the past five games.

2. Marlins C J.T. Realmuto is riding a career high-tying 11-game hitting streak.

3. Cincinnati placed LHP Amir Garrett on the bereavement list Thursday.

PREDICTION: Marlins 4, Reds 3

Preview: Rockies at Mets
Gracenote
May 3, 2018

The New York Mets have come back to the pack following the best start in franchise history, relinquishing first place in the National League East following a three-game sweep by division rival Atlanta. New York, which has dropped 11 of 17 since its scorching 11-1 start to the year, resumes its six-game homestand against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.

The Mets were bludgeoned for 21 runs and 41 hits by the Braves and enter the series opener against the Rockies riding an 18-inning scoreless streak following back-to-back shutouts in which they managed a combined six hits. "Things have not gone well lately," rookie manager Mickey Callaway said. "That's part of a long baseball season to have ups and downs. The main thing we have to do is continue to do the same things we did when we were going well, and eventually we'll come out of it." Colorado scored only four runs in the first four contests of its nine-game road trip, but it improved to 3-3 on the trek by taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs, including an 11-2 thumping in Wednesday's series finale. Third baseman Nolan Arenado was 5-for-14 with three homers and seven RBIs in the three-game set at Chicago.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (1-3, 5.14 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-1, 4.09)

Although Marquez lost his second consecutive start Saturday at Miami, he shaved one run off his ERA after permitting three runs (one earned) over six innings. The 23-year-old Venezuelan has pitched dramatically better away from Coors Field, posting a 1-1 record and 1.59 ERA in three road starts as opposed to a 10.64 ERA in Colorado. Yoenis Cespedes has a homer in three at-bats versus Marquez, who gave up three runs in his lone start against New York last season.

Wheeler pitched only five innings Sunday at San Diego, but he picked up the victory by striking out a season-high nine while permitting two runs on six hits. The 27-year-old lost his only home start of the season despite giving up three runs over six innings versus Washington to fall to 8-16 with a 4.88 ERA lifetime at Citi Field. Wheeler lost his only career start against the Rockies back in 2014, allowing seven runs (four earned) and six hits over four innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arenado was 10-for-25 with two homers and eight RBIs in six games versus the Mets in 2017.

2. Mets RHP Jacob deGrom could make his start Monday after an MRI exam revealed no structural damage in his elbow.

3. The Mets and Rockies split six meetings a year ago, with the home team winning two of three each time.

PREDICTION: Rockies 5, Mets 3

Preview: Blue Jays at Rays
Gracenote
May 4, 2018

The Tampa Bay Rays figure to have a definitive advantage in terms of rest when they begin a three-game series with the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. While the Rays had Thursday off to absorb a series loss at the Detroit Tigers, the Blue Jays played 20 innings while splitting a doubleheader in Cleveland that ended just before midnight.

Yangervis Solarte's grand slam in the 11th lifted Toronto to a 13-11 win in the opener and he had a solo shot among three hits in the nightcap but the Indians rolled 13-4. Toronto activated star third baseman Josh Donaldson (shoulder) from the disabled list and he received plenty of work in his return, going 4-for-11 with two homers during the twinbill. The Rays have played four straight one-run games, losing three of them, including Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Tigers in 12 innings. Tampa Bay won its last four at home and will aim for five straight behind rookie Ryan Yarbrough, who opposes red-hot lefty J.A. Happ for the Blue Jays.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (4-1, 3.50 ERA) vs. Rays LH Ryan Yarbrough (1-1, 4.19)

Happ has at least eight strikeouts in each of his last five starts and fanned nine in seven strong innings while defeating Texas his last time out. The 35-year-old's only road outing resulted in six innings of one-run ball at Baltimore on April 9, but he owns a 6.27 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) at Tampa Bay. Despite sharing a division, Happ hasn't faced the Rays over his last 36 starts dating to Sept. 4, 2016.

Yarbrough will be making his eighth appearance of the year but just his second start. He took the loss in his first start April 15 against Philadelphia after giving up five runs (two earned) in 4 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old allowed two runs in four frames of relief at Boston on April 28 to pick up his first career victory.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays C Wilson Ramos has hit safely in 11 straight games and 1B C.J. Cron has done so in 10 straight.

2. Blue Jays 1B Justin Smoak was placed on the paternity list to make room on the active roster for Donaldson.

3. Toronto CF Kevin Pillar is 14-for-34 with 10 extra-base hits and five walks during a nine-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 4, Rays 3

Preview: Giants at Braves
Gracenote
May 3, 2018

Two of the hottest teams in the National League meet Friday night when the San Francisco Giants - winners of eight of their past 11 contests - visit Atlanta to begin a three-game series with the NL East-leading Braves. The Giants’ recent spurt has pushed them above .500 at 16-15, while the Braves have won five in a row in finishing a three-city road trip at 7-3.

Nick Hundley gave the Giants a big boost in Wednesday’s 9-4 victory over San Diego, matching a career high with four hits, and Brandon Crawford snapped a 5-for-47 skid with two hits. San Francisco may be without right fielder Andrew McCutchen, who left Wednesday’s game after being hit by a pitch in the left elbow. The Braves absolutely dominated the Mets in a three-game road sweep, outscoring New York 21-2, and lead the NL with 172 runs scored along with a plus-57 run differential. Nick Markakis fell a triple shy of the cycle, driving in three runs and scoring three times in Thursday’s 11-0 rout. Markakis (.336) and teammate Freddie Freeman (.322) are among the NL leaders in batting average.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chris Stratton (2-2, 3.90 ERA) vs. Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (2-1, 2.53)

Stratton had allowed more than two earned runs just once in his first five starts before the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader against Los Angeles, in which he gave up six runs on six hits with four walks in just 1 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old pitched well in going 2-0 in his three previous outings, giving up just three runs on 10 hits with 17 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings. Stratton made two relief appearances against Atlanta in 2016, not allowing a run in two innings.

Foltynewicz has yet to give up more than two earned runs in any of his six starts this season, and held Philadelphia to one on three hits with six strikeouts over six innings in a victory Saturday. The 26-year-old only walked two hitters last time out after issuing eight in his previous 10 2/3 innings over two starts. Foltynewicz, who is holding opponents to a .209 average this season, is 2-2 in five career starts against the Giants with a 4.45 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco RHP Johnny Cueto reportedly will seek a second opinion on his sore right elbow.

2. Atlanta rookie LF Ronald Acuna Jr. collected his fifth multi-hit game in his eighth career contest Thursday, highlighted by a 451-foot homer.

3. Giants RHP Mark Melancon, on the disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain, is expected to throw a bullpen session this weekend.

PREDICTION: Braves 6, Giants 3

Preview: Red Sox at Rangers
Gracenote
May 4, 2018

Rick Porcello looks to continue his undefeated start when the Boston Red Sox visit the Texas Rangers on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Porcello has not factored in the decision in either of his last two outings after winning his first four starts.

Porcello has won six consecutive decisions dating back to last season and will look to help the Red Sox bounce back from an 11-5 pummeling in Thursday's series opener. Mookie Betts homered for the fourth time in a two-game span and leads the major leagues with 12 blasts. Nomar Mazara is swinging his own hot bat for Texas with three homers in as many contests, and his career-best five-RBI output on Thursday gives him 10 in a four-game span. Delino DeShields recorded two hits for the fourth time in five games and is 11-for-31 during his seven-game hitting streak.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (4-0, 2.23 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Bartolo Colon (1-0, 2.87)

Porcello did not receive a decision against Tampa Bay in his last turn, when he gave up three runs and seven hits over 7 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old hasn't issued a free pass in four of his six starts and has registered 38 strikeouts against walks in 40 1/3 frames. Porcello is 6-4 with a 5.52 ERA in 11 career starts versus the Rangers, who are hitting a collective .336 against him.

Colon is making his fifth start of the season after picking up his first win of the campaign in his last turn, when he gave up three runs and six hits over seven innings against Toronto. The 44-year-old has a stellar 0.86 WHIP over 31 1/3 frames and has struck out 21 while issuing just three walks. Colon is 9-11 with a 3.76 ERA in 29 career appearances (27 starts) versus Boston but is starting against the club for the first time since July 14, 2013, when he was pitching for Oakland.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rangers have won two straight against the Red Sox since losing last season's first five meetings.

2. Boston CF Jackie Bradley Jr. was hitless in four at-bats in the opener and is 2-for-29 with 12 strikeouts over his last nine appearances.

3. Texas recalled LHP Yohander Mendez from Round Rock and optioned RHP Nick Gardewine to the Triple-A affiliate while activating Carlos Perez, who was claimed off waivers from Atlanta, and designating fellow C Juan Centeno for assignment.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 8, Rangers 7

Preview: Pirates at Brewers
Gracenote
May 3, 2018

One couldn't ask for a better major-league debut than the one Nick Kingham enjoyed earlier this week, but the sterling performance went only so far as to guarantee him the next start. That comes on Friday as Kingham aims to snap the Pittsburgh Pirates' four-game losing streak when they open a three-game series versus the host Milwaukee Brewers.

Kingham was the talk of the town after taking a perfect game into the seventh inning and finished with a one-hit, nine-strikeout masterpiece in a 5-0 triumph over St. Louis. Pittsburgh (17-15) certainly could use any semblance of a repeat performance given its recent pitching woes, as the team has been outscored 27-10 during its four-game skid. Milwaukee (19-13) answered a four-game skid of its own - courtesy of a sweep by the Chicago Cubs - by erupting for 16 runs to take out the brooms in a three-game set versus lowly Cincinnati. "Everybody was freaking out after the Chicago series, but that was a perfect storm," third baseman Travis Shaw said. "A 5-4 road trip? We'll take it every time."

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Nick Kingham (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Junior Guerra (2-1, 0.82)

With his family in attendance, Kingham retired the first 20 batters he faced before Paul DeJong singled down the left-field line. "I was like, 'You know what, it was a good run, man. It was fun while it lasted,'" the 26-year-old said. Kingham has found his groove in 2018 as he notched a 2-1 mark with a 1.59 ERA in four starts with Triple-A Indianapolis to improve to 43-41 during nine seasons in the minors.

Guerra recorded his fourth straight strong start on Saturday but was saddled with a hard-luck loss despite allowing one run on three hits in six innings of a 3-0 setback at the Cubs. The 33-year-old Venezuelan has permitted a total of three runs (two earned) and 13 hits in 22 innings while registering an 0.95 WHIP and allowing the opposition to bat a slim .176 against him. Starling Marte is 5-for-11 in his career versus Guerra, but the right-hander has flustered Gregory Polanco (0-for-10), David Freese (1-for-9, three strikeouts) and Francisco Cervelli (1-for-8)

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee could also receive a jolt with the likely return of OF Ryan Braun, who exited Wednesday's 3-1 victory over the Reds with a troublesome stiff right calf.

2. Pittsburgh LF Corey Dickerson is 9-for-29 with three homers, eight RBIs and five runs scored during his last eight contests.

3. Brewers RF Domingo Santana is 8-for-24 in his last eight games.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Brewers 2

Preview: Twins at White Sox
Gracenote
May 4, 2018

After battling back in the series opener to end their four-game slide, the Chicago White Sox look to make things easier on themselves when they continue their four-game set against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Friday. Chicago chopped away at a four-run deficit on Thursday before walking off with a 6-5 victory thanks to Trayce Thompson's solo homer with two outs in the ninth inning.

Rookie Daniel Palka began the comeback in the fourth with a two-run blast - his second homer in 22 major-league at-bats - for the White Sox, who improved to 4-9 in one-run games this season. Logan Morrison fell a triple shy of the cycle on Thursday, but his 3-for-4 effort wasn't enough to help Minnesota avoid its 12th loss in 14 contests. Gregorio Petit continued his strong start to his tenure with the Twins, recording two of the team's other four hits in the setback. The 33-year-old Venezuelan has gone 5-for-11 with an RBI and two runs scored in his first three games after having his contract purchased from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), NBCS Chicago Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (2-3, 3.63 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Carson Fulmer (2-1, 4.32)

Berrios has gotten roughed up in his last two starts, surrendering nine runs on 11 hits and five walks over seven innings en route to a pair of losses. The 23-year-old Puerto Rican has yielded at least four runs in each of his three setbacks but has allowed nine hits with 22 strikeouts over 23 scoreless frames in his other three turns this season. Berrios improved to 4-1 with a 1.67 ERA in five career starts against Chicago on April 12, when he gave up three hits and fanned a career high-tying 11 in seven innings.

In contrast to Berrios, Fulmer has been superb in his last two outings, recording a pair of victories after allowing two runs and seven hits over 13 innings. It's been a nice turnaround for the 24-year-old Floridian, who yielded 11 runs on 14 hits and nine walks over 10 2/3 frames in his first three starts this year. Fulmer has made one start and one relief appearance against Minnesota in his brief career, going 0-1 while surrendering seven runs on five hits - three homers - and four walks in only three innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox 3B Matt Davidson has recorded four multi-hit performances in his last eight games after going 2-for-4 in the series opener.

2. Minnesota OF Eddie Rosario has hit safely in six of his last seven contests, going 10-for-29 with four two-hit performances in that span.

3. Chicago 2B Yoan Moncada missed Thursday's game and is day-to-day with hamstring, thumb and foot ailments.

PREDICTION: White Sox 5, Twins 2

Preview: Tigers at Royals
Gracenote
May 3, 2018

The Kansas City Royals are feeling at home at Kauffman Stadium again. The Royals will try for a fourth straight home win following a 10-game skid in their home park when they host the Detroit Tigers for the second of a four-game series Friday.

The Royals have found a groove at the plate, averaging 6.2 runs while winning four of their last six following a stretch during which they scored 3.2 runs per game and went 3-15. Kansas City set a season-high for runs in a 10-6 win in the series opener. The Tigers had won two straight following a string of five losses in six games, and Thursday’s defeat came with the added sting of injury. Miguel Cabrera strained his right hamstring running out an infield single in his first game back after missing three games with a sore left biceps, and the latest injury could land the former MVP on the disabled list.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (3-1, 3.38 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ian Kennedy (1-3, 3.48)

Liriano has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his first five starts, including three quality starts. The 34-year-old won at Baltimore last time out, allowing three runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings. Liriano has allowed four runs over 12 innings in two starts against Kansas City this season and is 8-5 with a 4.21 ERA versus the Royals in his career.

After starting the season with three straight quality starts, Kennedy has failed to pitch into the sixth in his last three outings. The 33-year-old labored through five innings in a no-decision last time out, allowing two runs and five hits with six strikeouts and two walks against the White Sox. Kennedy is 3-4 with a 4.01 ERA in nine starts against Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals C Salvador Perez’s home run Thursday was his 18th against the Tigers – his most against any opponent.

2. Tigers RF Nicholas Castellanos has three straight three-hit games against the Royals and is 12-for-30 versus Kansas City in seven games this season.

3. Kansas City RF Jorge Soler has reached base in a career-high 18 straight games, the longest active streak in the American League, and is 14-for-35 during a nine-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Tigers 7, Royals 5

Preview: Cubs at Cardinals
Gracenote
May 3, 2018

Despite some early offensive struggles, the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are within a game of the National League Central lead. If either of them can get the bats going during a three-game series starting Friday in St. Louis, they’ll have a chance to put some distance between themselves and their arch-rivals.

The Cardinals enter the series a half-game behind first-place Milwaukee, while the Cubs are a game back. Chicago has scored three or fewer runs in eight straight games, but star sluggers Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant both homered in Wednesday’s 11-2 loss to Colorado. "The at-bats have been good," Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters. "We've seen some good pitching. … The runs are going to come, but we've been in a stretch where we've faced some pretty good guys." The Cardinals have been in a similar situation, as they’ve totaled just eight runs over their past four games but swept two games from the Chicago White Sox by identical 3-2 scores earlier this week.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (3-1, 5.74 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (3-0, 3.27)

Quintana has been inconsistent in his first five starts, allowing four or more runs three times but tossing two scoreless outings. The 29-year-old was dominant Saturday against Milwaukee, striking out seven and allowing two hits and one walk over seven shutout innings. Quintana is 3-0 with a 3.13 ERA in four starts against the Cardinals.

After three seasons in Japan, Mikolas has quickly shown he can be an effective major-league starter. The 29-year-old has racked up 27 strikeouts and just two walks in 33 innings across his first five outings. He had a season-high seven strikeouts and held Pittsburgh to two runs and six hits over seven innings last time out for his third straight quality start.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rizzo has homered in consecutive games for the 25th time in his career and has an RBI in three straight contests.

2. The Cardinals have hit 14 home runs in 14 home games.

3. St. Louis RF Dexter Fowler, who snapped an 0-for-14 skid with his 100th career home run Wednesday, is 5-for-13 with a homer versus Quintana.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Cubs 4

Preview: Dodgers at Padres
Gracenote
May 3, 2018

Perhaps the only time through the first month-plus of the season the Los Angeles Dodgers have looked like the defending National League champions came during an explosive three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres. Coming off a strong finish to their last series, the Dodgers hope to continue their recent dominance of the Padres on Friday when the teams begin a three-game set in Monterrey, Mexico.

Los Angeles went 2-4-3 in series play during April, getting the first of its two series wins when it outscored the Padres 30-10 from April 16-18 in San Diego. The Dodgers, who went 1-7 during an eight-game stretch shortly after the sweep, have looked a bit more like a team that has won the NL West five years in a row over the last couple of days, defeating division-leading Arizona in the final two contests of a four-game set that ended the Diamondbacks' streak of consecutive winning series at nine. The Padres enter this series having dropped 11 of their last 15, including losing two of three at San Francisco to begin the week. A pair of impressive rookie hurlers will take the mound in Major League Baseball's first foray into Mexico since 1999, as Los Angeles right-hander Walker Buehler will oppose San Diego left-hander Joey Lucchesi.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (1-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (3-1, 2.78)

Buehler has been limited to five innings in each of his first two career starts this season but has more than held his own in both, including Saturday in San Francisco when he earned the win after allowing two runs and striking out six. The Vanderbilt product settled for a no-decision five days earlier at home versus Miami after firing five scoreless frames. Buehler has yet to allow an extra-base hit in 2018 (10 singles) as he faces San Diego for the first time.

Lucchesi picked up the victory for the third time in his last four outings Saturday against the New York Mets, yielding two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six across 5 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old struggled to find a groove after only 43 of his 79 pitches went for strikes, but he still boasts 35 strikeouts versus 10 walks over 32 1/3 frames in 2018. Right-handers are hitting .216 versus Lucchesi, who is 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA in two starts outside of Petco Park.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego will serve as the home team at Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey for this series, the first of five regular-season series MLB plans to hold in Mexico over the next five seasons.

2. The Dodgers on Thursday learned LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu will be sidelined until at least the All-Star break with a severe groin strain, likely ensuring Buehler will remain in the rotation.

3. The Padres are 1-15 when scoring three or fewer runs and 10-6 when scoring four or more.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Padres 3

Preview: Astros at Diamondbacks
Gracenote
May 3, 2018

The Arizona Diamondbacks' near-record run of winning consecutive series might be over, but the team don't seem to be sweating their first back-to-back setbacks of the season. The Diamondbacks attempt to put a two-game skid to rest while extending the Houston Astros' losing streak to a season-high four Friday when the two division leaders begin a three-game set in Arizona.

"As sure as I'm sitting here right now, I knew that we were probably going to lose two in a row at some point this year. So it's OK. Tomorrow's another day," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters following Thursday's 5-2 defeat against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Arizona became the last team in the majors to lose consecutive games while also halting the National League West leaders' bid to become the first NL team to win 10 consecutive series to begin a season since the 1907 Chicago Cubs. Houston ended April with a 20-10 mark to match its best 30-game start in club history before the bottom fell out for the offense to begin May. The American League West-leading Astros scored their first runs in three games this month Thursday, but they could not hold a late two-run lead in the ninth inning and fell 6-5 to the New York Yankees, wrapping up a 4-6 homestand.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (2-1, 1.73 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Kris Medlen (2016: 1-3, 7.77)

Cole wrapped up a brilliant opening month with another strong performance in a no-decision Sunday versus Oakland, permitting three runs on six hits over 6 2/3 frames while generating 22 swinging strikes and fanning 12. The former No. 1 overall pick has already struck out at least 10 batters four times, while his 61 strikeouts last month set an AL record for the month of April. Paul Goldschmidt only has two singles in 14 at-bats versus Cole, who took the loss last year against Arizona despite allowing two runs over seven innings.

Medlen will be setting foot on a big-league mound for the first time in nearly two years in place of the injured Robbie Ray after missing all of last season following a second Tommy John surgery. The 32-year-old hasn't fared particularly in the minors in 2018 (0-3, 6.00 ERA in four starts at Triple-A Reno) after struggling across three stops in the minors in 2017 (5-8, 4.95 ERA in 20 turns). Medlen is 1-0 with a 3.29 ERA in four appearances (two starts) against the Diamondbacks.

WALK-OFFS

1. Since hitting four home runs over a five-game stretch from April 10-15, Goldschmidt has not homered and driven in only one run over the last 16 contests.

2. Houston's pitching staff leads the majors with 347 strikeouts, 30 more than any other team.

3. Arizona OF Steven Souza Jr., who had been sidelined all season with a strained right pectoral, was activated Thursday and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in his team debut.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Diamondbacks 2