MLB Betting News and Trends For Friday 6/1/18

Friday’s games
National League
Cubs (30-23) @ Mets (27-27)
Chatwood is 0-1, 6.75 in his last three starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 4-6.
5-inning record: 5-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-10

Wheeler is0-3, 7.07 in his last five starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 3-6.
5-inning record: 2-7. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-9

Cubs won six of their last eight road games; under is 10-2 in their last 11 road games. Mets lost eight of their last 11 games; under is 9-4 in their last 13 games.

Pirates (29-27) @ Cardinals (30-24)
Taillon is 0-1, 4.15 in his last five starts; under is 6-3-1 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 5-6.
5-inning record: 4-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11

Mikolas is 5-0, 1.99 in his last eight starts (over 6-4). Team in his starts: 8-2.
5-inning record: 8-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-10

Pirates lost five of their last six games; over is 6-3-3 in their last 12 road games. St Louis won four of its last six games; under is 10-4-1 in their last 15 home games.

Nationals (32-23) @ Braves (33-23)
Strasburg is 4-1, 2.78 in his last five starts (over 7-4). Team in his starts: 6-5.
5-inning record: 7-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-11

Foltynewicz is 2-1, 1.57 in his last four starts; under is 2-0-1 in his last three. Team in his starts: 4-7.
5-inning record: 3-3-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-11

Nationals won eight of their last ten games; last six Washington games stayed under. Atlanta is 5-2 in its last seven home games; under is 7-3-1 in its last 11 games.

Dodgers (26-30) @ Rockies (30-26)
Wood is 1-1, 3.62 in his last five starts; over is 6-3 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 5-6.
5-inning record: 3-5-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-11

Anderson is 1-1, 6.55 in his last four starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 6-5
5-inning record: 5-3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-11

Dodgers won 10 of their last 14 games; under is 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. LA is 3-5 in road series openers. Colorado won four of its last six games; they’re 3-5 in home series openers. Under is 6-1 in their last seven games.

Marlins (20-36) @ Diamondbacks (28-27)
Hernandez is 0-2, 2.40 in his last three starts (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 1-2.
5-inning record: 1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Buchholz is 0-1, 1.64 in two starts this season (under 2-0). Team in his starts: 0-2
5-inning record: 1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-2

Marlins lost six of their last seven games; over is 3-1 in their last four games. Arizona is 3-10 in its last 13 games; they’re 5-4 in home series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven home games.

Reds (20-37) @ Padres (25-33)
Mahle is 0-2, 7.54 in his last three starts; under is 4-0-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 5-6.
5-inning record: 3-8. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-11

Lockett is making his MLB debut; he is 2-5, 5.31 in 10 AAA starts this year in El Paso. Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Reds lost four of their last six games; they’re 3-6 in road series openers. Under is 7-2-2 in their last 11 games. San Diego won four of its last five home games; over is 3-1 in their last four games overall. Padres are 0-9 in home series openers.

Phillies (31-23) @ Giants (26-30)
Pivetta is 3-1, 1.13 in his last four starts (under 7-2-2). Team in his starts: 8-3.
5-inning record: 4-4-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11

Stratton is 3-0, 6.32 in his last three starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Giants scored 24 runs in his last three starts. Team in his starts: 8-3.
5-inning record: 6-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-11

Phillies lost four of their last six games; under is 7-3-1 in their last 11 games. Phils are 3-6 in road series openers. San Francisco lost six of its last eight games; they’re 5-3 in home series openers. Over is 10-3-2 in their last 15 games.

American League
New York (35-17) @ Baltimore (17-39)
Gray is 1-2, 5.94 in his last three starts (over 7-2-1). Team in his starts: 4-6
5-inning record: 4-5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10

Cashner is 1-2, 5.81 in his last five starts, last four of which stayed under. Team in his starts: 3-8
5-inning record: 3-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-11

New York is 17-4 in its last 21 games; over is 5-0 in their last five road games. NY is 4-3 in road series openers. Baltimore is 4-11 in its last 15 games; under is 5-1 in their last six games. Orioles are 4-5 in home series openers.

Blue Jays (25-31) @ Tigers (26-30)
Garcia is 0-3, 7.36 in his last six starts (over 5-4). Team in his starts: 5-4
5-inning record: 2-7. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-9

Hardy is 1-0, 2.76 in three starts (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 2-1.
5-inning record: 2-0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Blue Jays are 7-18 in their last 25 games, 6-4 in road series openers. Over is 5-1-2 in their last eight road games. Detroit won six of its last eight games; they’re 7-2 in home series openers. Over is 7-3-1 in their last 11 home games.

Red Sox (39-18) @ Astros (36-22)
Sale is 2-1, 3.82 in his last five starts; under is 4-2-1 in his road starts. Team in his starts: 7-5
5-inning record: 7-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-12

Cole is 3-0, 2.45 in his last five starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 9-2.
5-inning record: 5-3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11

Boston is 11-4 in its last 15 games, over is 3-1-2 in their last six games. Astros lost four of their last six games; over is 7-4-1 in their last 12 games.

Indians (30-25) @ Twins (22-30)
Carrasco is 1-2, 4.95 in his last three starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 6-5.
5-inning record: 7-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-11

Berrios is 2-1, 1.99 in his last three starts (under 3-0). Team in his starts: 6-5.
5-inning record: 3-5-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11

Cleveland won eight of its last ten games; over is 780 in their last eight games. Minnesota lost seven of its last eight games; eight of Twins’ last 11 games stayed under the total.

A’s (29-28) @ Royals (20-36)
Montas allowed one run in six IP (88 PT) in his first ’18 start, a win over Arizona. Team in his starts: 1-0
5-inning record: 1-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Kennedy is 0-2, 9.15 in his last four starts (under 7-4). Team in his starts: 3-8.
5-inning record: 3-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-11

Oakland is 4-6 in its last ten games; under is 8-1 in their last nine games. A’s are 5-1 in their last six road series openers. Kansas City won three of its last four games; they’re 3-6 in home series openers. Over is 4-1 in their last five home games.

Rangers (25-34) @ Angels (30-27)
Colon is 1-1, 4.32 in his last four starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 5-4
5-inning record: 3-3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-9

Barria is 3-0, 2.70 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 4-2.
5-inning record: 5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Rangers lost seven of their last 11 road games; over is 7-3 in their last ten games. Texas is 2-7 in road series openers. Angels lost four of their last six games; they’re 4-5 in home series openers. Under is 3-1-1 in their last five home games.

Rays (28-27) @ Mariners (33-22)
Bullpen game for Tampa Bay Team in bullpen games: 8-11. Under 10-8-1
5-inning record: 8-6-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-19

Leake is 2-0, 3.67 in his last four starts (over 7-3-1). Team in his starts: 8-3.
5-inning record: 4-3-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-11

Tampa Bay won five of its last six games; they’re 7-3 in road series openers. Under is 6-1 in their last seven games. Mariners won 12 of their last 16 games; under is 9-1 in their last ten games. Seattle is 7-2 in home series openers.

Interleague
Brewers (36-21) @ White Sox (16-37)
Anderson is 1-1, 7.20 in his last three starts (under 5-3-2). Team in his starts: 7-3
5-inning record: 6-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-10 (4 of last 4)

Santiago is 1-1, 4.50 in his last three starts (over 3-2). Team in his starts: 1-4.
5-inning record: 0-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Milwaukee is 11-3 in its last 14 games; they’re 7-2 in road series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven road games. White Sox lost six of their last seven games; they’re 3-5 in home series openers. Four of their last five games went over.

Preview: Yankees at Orioles
Gracenote
May 31, 2018

The New York Yankees and host Baltimore Orioles will try again Friday night to begin their series in Camden Yards after rain washed out Thursday's scheduled opener. It marked the seventh time that the Yankees have had a game called off or suspended due to inclement weather, and they've played a major league-low 21 road games.

"Sadly, we're used to it. It is what it is," manager Aaron Boone told reporters of the weather. "We'll try and make the best of it. Get ready to go (Friday)." New York enters the set - and a four-city road trip - having won 10 of its last 11 series and is looking to avenge a rare series loss to the Orioles, who took three of four at Yankee Stadium earlier in the year. The scheduled starters for Thursday - New York's Sonny Gray and Baltimore's Andrew Cashner - are expected to take their turns Friday. The Orioles are looking to snap a five-game slide in which they've managed six total runs.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Sonny Gray (3-4, 5.98 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (2-6, 5.07)

Gray produced three quality starts in four turns - including an eight-inning gem at Kansas City on May 20 - before stumbling in a home loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. He gave up five runs over 3 2/3 innings in the setback while striking out seven and walking three. The 28-year-old defeated Baltimore with six solid innings at Yankee Stadium on April 7 but has a 5.15 ERA in seven career meetings with the Orioles.

Cashner gave up five runs in five innings while allowing a season-high 11 hits and walking a season-high four in a loss at Tampa Bay on Saturday. He has walked at least three in eight of his last 10 starts and opponents are batting .290 against the 31-year-old. Aaron Hicks is 3-for-3 with a double against Cashner, who limited the Yankees to one run across six innings of a win in New York on April 5.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees OF Brett Gardner is 8-for-17 with three homers over his last four games.

2. Orioles OF Colby Rasmus (hip) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Friday with Double-A Bowie.

3. Thursday's postponement will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader July 9.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Orioles 5

Preview: Cubs at Mets
Gracenote
Jun 1, 2018

Most of the Chicago Cubs’ starting pitchers were dominant in the last turn through the rotation, and the one exception will try to turn things around Friday. Right-hander Tyler Chatwood looks to follow his peers and bounce back from consecutive rough outings when the visiting Cubs play the second of a four-game series against the New York Mets.

Cubs pitchers held the Mets to four hits during a 5-1 win in the series opener, handing New York its third straight home loss and its eighth defeat in its last 11 games overall. The Mets have scored a single run in each of their last three home games. The difference in the opener was the bullpens, as four of the five relievers New York used allowed at least one run, while Chicago’s bullpen allowed only one hit - Brandon Nimmo’s solo homer - in three innings of work. The Cubs have won four of their last five games overall and five of six on the road.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago Plus, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (3-4, 4.10 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-4, 5.40)

Chatwood has struggled to find the strike zone all season, but particularly in his last two starts. The 28-year-old has issued 11 walks over his last two outings, failing to get through the third inning in either, and has walked 45 in 48 1/3 innings this season. Chatwood is 3-2 with a 4.29 ERA in seven starts against the Mets.

Wheeler is winless in his last five starts and has posted a 6.43 ERA over that stretch, but he has struck out at least six in each of his last four outings. The 28-year-old gave up four runs and six hits over six innings in a no-decision at Milwaukee last time out. Wheeler is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts against the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs RF Jason Heyward is 8-for-13 over his last three games, raising his average from .222 to .262.

2. Nimmo had a double and a home run Thursday and owns 10 extra-base hits along with seven RBIs over his past 10 games.

3. Chicago 2B-3B Tommy La Stella collected his 11th hit as a pinch-hitter Thursday, the most in the majors.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Mets 5

Preview: Blue Jays at Tigers
Gracenote
May 31, 2018

The Detroit Tigers are making a spirited charge during their 12-game homestand, winning back-to-back series to move into second place in the American League Central. The surging Tigers (26-30) could see additional good news in the form of the return of Miguel Cabrera to the lineup on Friday when they open a three-game set versus the Toronto Blue Jays (25-31).

"If he's good, he'll go right in the lineup," Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire said of Cabrera, who has been sidelined for nearly one month with a strained right hamstring. Nicholas Castellanos has recorded consecutive three-hit performances to finish May with a flourish, batting 20-for-49 with seven runs scored in his last 11 games. While the Tigers have located their offense to win six of their last eight, the Blue Jays have struggled to find consistency at the plate en route to losing 13 of their last 17 contests. Toronto has fallen to a season-worst six games under .500 after a 9-19 record in May, with its .321 winning percentage marking its worst in that month since 1981.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Jaime Garcia (2-3, 5.52 ERA)) vs. Tigers LH Blaine Hardy (1-0, 2.70)

Garcia returned from a stint on the disabled list due to shoulder inflammation and recorded his best start with Toronto on Saturday, breezing through a season-high seven innings on just 73 pitches. "He looked totally different than he has all year," manager John Gibbons said of the 31-year-old, who allowed one run on five hits. "He had great command, and that's what was hurting him all year. ... That 10 days off looks like it did him wonders." Garcia, who has permitted the current crop of Tigers to bat .385 against him, surrendered two runs in four innings for a no-decision in his lone career appearance versus Detroit.

Hardy posted his first career win in a starting role on Sunday after yielding one run on three hits over a career-long seven innings in a 3-2 triumph versus the Chicago White Sox. "Did I expect this? No chance," said the 31-year-old, who had never pitched more than five innings during his major league career. "I was hoping I could get through five and turn the game over to the bullpen." Hardy retired his last 14 batters and fanned a season-high six while making his third start in place of the injured Jordan Zimmermann (shoulder).

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto DH Kendrys Morales has two straight multi-hit performances in the sweep against Boston to give him four such games in his last eight outings after notching just three in his previous 31.

2. Detroit 3B Jeimer Candelario has reached base in 25 consecutive contests, accounting for the longest active streak in the majors.

3. Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson likely will return from a two-game absence due to a tight left calf.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Blue Jays 4

Preview: Nationals at Braves
Gracenote
Jun 1, 2018

The Atlanta Braves sit in first place in the National League East entering Friday’s home matchup with the Washington Nationals, after using a strong pitching performance to capture the opener of a four-game series pitting the division’s top two teams. Three Atlanta pitchers combined to hold the Nationals to five hits in Thursday’s 4-2 triumph, ending Washington’s six-game winning streak and vaulting the Braves ½-game ahead of the Nationals at the top of the division.

The Braves retired 20 of the final 22 Nationals hitters they faced as the combination of Sean Newcomb, Dan Winkler and Arodys Vizcaino stymied a Washington offense that averaged 4.7 runs and 9.7 hits in winning eight of its previous nine games. The Braves got four hits and two runs scored from the top two hitters in their lineup – center fielder Ender Inciarte and second baseman Ozzie Albies – while first baseman Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a double in the third inning. Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon finished with two hits and two RBIs and is hitting .355 with six doubles, two homers and six RBIs in his past eight games. Washington looks to recapture the division lead Friday against the Braves, who enter June in first place for the first time since 2014.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (6-4, 3.13 ERA) vs. Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (4-3, 2.55)

Strasburg has helped fuel Washington’s rise toward the top of the division, going 4-1 in five May starts with a 2.51 ERA and 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The 29-year-old gave up seven homers in his first 39 2/3 innings but has surrendered just three across his past 32 1/3 innings, and since May 2 has allowed no more than three earned runs in any start. Strasburg, who shut out Miami on three hits with eight strikeouts in five innings Sunday, beat the Braves in April behind eight shutout innings.

The 26-year-old Foltynewicz continues to make strides in his fourth full major-league season, entering Friday having allowed more than two earned runs only once in 11 starts. He was fantastic in beating Boston on Sunday, surrendering just one run on three hits with seven strikeouts in a season-high seven innings, and has limited opponents to a .216 batting average. Foltynewicz made consecutive starts against the Nationals in early April, going 1-1 with a 2.61 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington activated RHP Ryan Madson (strained chest muscle) from the disabled list Thursday, and could activate OF Brian Goodwin (left wrist) and LHP Matt Grace (groin) this weekend.

2. Winkler has limited right-handed hitters to five hits in 51 at-bats with 23 strikeouts this season.

3. Nationals 1B Mark Reynolds finished 0-for-4 in the series opener, but is hitting .341 with six homers and eight RBIs in 14 games with Washington.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Braves 3

Preview: Brewers at White Sox
Gracenote
May 31, 2018

The best team in the National League meets the worst in the American League when the Milwaukee Brewers visit the Chicago White Sox on Friday in the opener of a three-game interleague series. The Brewers are winners of 11 of their last 14 games to improve to 36-21 and ascend to the top of the NL Central.

Milwaukee did not drop back-to-back games in May and won their last six series after polishing off a series win over the St. Louis Cardinals with a 3-2 win on Wednesday. "Our team is very together," Brewers right-hander Junior Guerra told reporters after the win. "We're all one. When it comes to a long season, being part of one, being connected, it's a big thing." The White Sox (16-37) are losers of four in a row and six of seven after wrapping up a six-game road trip by getting swept in Cleveland by a combined score of 25-10. Chicago will try to snap the slide behind left-hander Hector Santiago while Milwaukee counters with righty Chase Anderson on Friday.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Chase Anderson (4-3, 4.42 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Hector Santiago (1-2, 4.87)

Anderson was bailed out by his offense and did not factor in the decision against the New York Mets on Saturday, when he was ripped for five runs on seven hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings in a game Milwaukee went onto win 17-6. The 30-year-old posted his lone quality start of May in the previous turn, when he allowed two runs over six innings in a win over Arizona. Anderson won his lone previous start against Chicago and is 5-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 13 career interleague games - 12 starts.

Santiago tossed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen on Monday but is making his regular turn in the rotation on Friday. The 30-year-old earned a win at Detroit in his last start on Saturday, scattering three runs - two earned - and seven hits across five innings. Santiago is making his second career start against the Brewers and is 1-5 with a 4.10 ERA in 23 career interleague games - 14 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox 2B Yoan Moncada struck out 10 times in his last four games and is up to 71 in 45 games this season.

2. Brewers OF Christian Yelich recorded multiple hits in five of his last six games and scored 10 runs in that span.

3. Milwaukee CF Lorenzo Cain is 1-for-12 over the last three contests.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, White Sox 5

Preview: Red Sox at Astros
Gracenote
Jun 1, 2018

The top two strikeout pitchers in the American League will go head-to-head when the visiting Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros resume their four-game series on Friday night. Boston ace left-hander Chris Sale, the major league leader with 308 strikeouts in 2017, ranks second in the AL this season behind Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole.

Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the offseason, Cole has turned in a quality start in 10 of his 11 outings while reaching double digits in strikeouts five times. Astros shortstop Carlos Correa muddled through May with a .188 batting average before capping the month with a two-run homer in Thursday's 4-2 victory for the AL West leaders. Sale is coming off his worst outing of the season but has a great track record against Houston, owning a 5-1 record and 1.31 ERA in six starts. Xander Bogaerts extended his hitting streak to four with a two-run double in Thursday's loss for major league-best Boston, which was without leading hitter Mookie Betts for a fifth straight game due to soreness in his left side.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (5-2, 2.76 ERA) vs. Astros RH Gerrit Cole (5-1, 2.05)

Sale lasted a season-low 4 1/3 innings against Atlanta on Sunday, giving up six runs and five hits to snap his six-start undefeated streak. It was the first time in a dozen starts this season that he permitted more than three runs and marked the fifth straight outing in which he has surrendered a home run. Reigning AL MVP Jose Altuve is among the few Astros to enjoy success against Sale, going 8-for-21 with a homer.

Cole gave up three runs and four hits over seven innings at Cleveland last time out but lost his chance for his sixth victory following a ninth-inning meltdown by Houston's bullpen. Cole is unbeaten in his last six turns overall but is finding wins hard to come by at Minute Maid Park, posting a 1-1 record with a 2.41 ERA in five home starts. Cole is 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in a pair of career starts versus the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Correa has reached base safely in each of his 20 career games against Boston.

2. Astros C Brian McCann had his right knee drained and received some shots on Wednesday.

3. Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia (left knee soreness) was scratched from the lineup Thursday and is listed as day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Astros 3, Red Sox 2

Preview: Indians at Twins
Gracenote
Jun 1, 2018

All-Star infielders Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez look to continue their red-hot hitting when the visiting Cleveland Indians go after a seventh straight win Friday night against the slumping Minnesota Twins. Ramirez homered for his third straight game and Lindor was 4-for-5 with two blasts - improving to 9-for-14 over his last three contests - in Thursday’s 9-8 victory at Minnesota.

Ramirez boasts multiple hits in four of the last five outings and Lindor has knocked in seven runs in his past four for the Indians, who have scored 52 times during the current winning streak to extend their lead in the American League Central to 4 1/2 games. Carlos Carrasco will try to keep it going for Cleveland when he takes the mound Friday against Jose Berrios in a rematch of the April 18 game in Puerto Rico when each completed seven scoreless innings for a no-decision before the Twins won 2-1 in 16 innings. Minnesota has dropped three straight and seven of eight after rallying from eight runs down to tie Thursday before giving up a Lindor’s game-winning solo shot in the eighth inning. Eddie Rosario had two singles in the series opener to extend his hitting streak to six games for the Twins and batted .368 in May with 21 RBIs and 20 runs scored.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (6-3, 3.98 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (5-5, 3.67)

Carrasco managed a victory last time out against Houston despite allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts. The 31-year-old Venezuela native finished with a 4.98 ERA in five starts during May, but owns a 2.91 mark overall across six road starts in 2018. Brian Dozier is just 6-for-29 but boasts three homers versus Carrasco, who stands 5-6 with a 3.53 ERA in 18 career appearances (15 starts) against the Twins.

Berrios permitted two or fewer runs in three straight starts, but took the loss Sunday after surrendering a pair at Seattle over 7 1/3 innings of a 3-1 setback. The 24-year-old Puerto Rican accumulated 27 strikeouts over 22 2/3 innings in his last three outings after settling for four combined in his previous three trips to the mound. Berrios is 2-2 with a 3.95 ERA in five career starts against the Indians and owns a 2.92 mark in six home games this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota 1B Joe Mauer, who has been out since May 18 with neck and concussion issues, suffered a setback and is no longer expected to return this weekend.

2. Cleveland CF Bradley Zimmer (bruised chest) is expected to be activated for Friday’s game after missing more than three weeks.

3. Twins RHP Tyler Duffey was recalled Thursday and pitched two scoreless innings while RHP Aaron Slegers was sent to Triple-A Rochester.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Twins 2

Preview: Pirates at Cardinals
Gracenote
Jun 1, 2018

Miles Mikolas was forced to head to Japan to resume his professional career, a move that has led him to becoming one of the more improbable success stories of the season. Mikolas has yet to taste defeat in 10 starts in 2018 and seeks his seventh win when the St. Louis Cardinals continue their four-game series against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.

Mikolas will be facing the Pirates for the third time in five weeks, coming away with a no-decision in each of the first two - including six innings of four-run ball at Pittsburgh on Sunday. St. Louis won the series opener in dramatic fashion, blowing an early four-run lead before rallying for five in the ninth capped off by Yairo Munoz's walk-off, three-run homer. Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli, in his second game back after sitting out three, belted a three-run homer Thursday and also is 3-for-6 against Mikolas. Gregory Polanco had a pair of RBI doubles among three hits for Pittsburgh, which closed out the month by losing 10 of 13.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (2-4, 4.53 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (6-0, 2.58)

Taillon's winless drought reached nine starts despite a solid outing versus St. Louis on Sunday, when he permitted three runs on five hits and left with the lead after 6 1/3 innings. He was hammered for six runs and eight hits over six innings in his previous turn and is 0-4 since tossing a one-hit shutout on April 8. Matt Carpenter is 7-for-16 with a homer off Taillon, who is 1-1 with a 4.45 ERA versus St. Louis.

Prior to struggling against the Pirates last time out, Mikolas had allowed two runs or fewer in seven straight starts, including seven innings of two-run ball at Pittsburgh on April. 27. The 29-year-old picked up his first shutout in the majors on May 21, blanking Kansas City on four hits while registering a career-high nine strikeouts. Mikolas has limited right-handed batters to a collective .177 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Munoz doubled his season total with five RBIs Thursday to extend his hitting streak to six games.

2. Cervelli's eighth homer topped his career high of seven set in 2015 with the Pirates.

3. Carpenter and Cardinals OF Harrison Bader have hit safely in seven and six games, respectively.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Pirates 4

Preview: Athletics at Royals
Gracenote
May 31, 2018

The Kansas City Royals haven't given their fans much to cheer during the 2018 season, as they reside in fourth place in the American League Central due in large part to a 9-19 mark at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals (20-36), however, have enjoyed a sliver of success of late and look to ride the momentum of back-to-back victories into Friday's opener of a three-game series against the visiting Oakland Athletics (29-28).

Mike Moustakas recorded his second straight multi-hit performance in Wednesday's 11-8 victory over Minnesota, with six of his last seven hits (four doubles, two homers) going for extra bases. While Moustakas enjoyed a 14-game hitting streak in April, Jon Jay carries a 12-game stretch into June by going 18-for-50 entering the series versus Oakland. Stephen Piscotty has answered both a personal and professional tough stretch by recording his third double in four games, with the latest one driving in two runs in the second inning of Thursday's 7-3 victory over Tampa Bay. The triumph salvaged the finale of a four-game set versus the Rays and enabled the Athletics to conclude their 10-game homestand with a 4-6 mark.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Frankie Montas (1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ian Kennedy (1-5, 5.15)

Montas was impressive in his season debut on Sunday, retiring his first 10 batters and taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning in a 2-1 victory against Arizona. The 25-year-old Dominican matched his career high with seven strikeouts and allowed just one run on three hits in the encounter. Montas has squared off against Kansas City in one relief appearance during his career, retiring all three players he's faced that are currently on the Royals' roster.

Kennedy saw his winless stretch extend to nine outings (0-5, 6.31 ERA) on Saturday despite permitting just two runs in five innings of a no-decision at Texas. The 33-year-old was gashed for 19 runs on 24 hits - including five homers - in his previous three starts. Khris Davis is 4-for-12 with a homer in his career versus Kennedy, who sports a 1-2 career mark and 5.09 ERA in three starts against the Athletics.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland 1B Matt Olson went deep on Thursday to give him six hits (two homers, two doubles, two singles) in his last seven games.

2. Kansas City RF Jorge Soler homered to highlight his four-hit performance on Wednesday, marking the third time he's gone deep in his last six outings.

3. Athletics RF Matt Joyce launched a solo homer in the eighth inning on Thursday, ending an 0-for-15 stretch.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, Athletics 2

Preview: Dodgers at Rockies
Gracenote
Jun 1, 2018

Before opening a three-game series against the host Colorado Rockies on Friday evening, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be anxiously awaiting news on ace Clayton Kershaw. The three-time Cy Young Award winner will undergo an MRI on his back after it tightened up during a five-inning start Thursday against Philadelphia.

In his first turn since landing on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis on May 1, Kershaw gave up one run and four hits as Los Angeles split the four-game series against the Phillies with Thursday’s 2-1 loss. The injury-plagued Dodgers have won 10 of their last 14 games and are tied for third place in the National League West with San Francisco. Colorado leads the division by 1 1/2 games over Arizona and boasts one of the league’s hottest hitters in Nolan Arenado, a five-time Gold Glove winner who is 8-for-21 with three home runs and eight RBIs in his last six games. "I think it's just a matter of trying to hit the ball hard, not trying to do too much, staying within myself,” Arenado told reporters. “There's little things, little tweaks that I'm doing that I think are helping me.”

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers TBD vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (3-1, 4.72 ERA)

Alex Wood was scheduled to start but has been bumped back until Sunday due to lingering hamstring cramps. “He threw a bullpen session Thursday and felt good,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts told reporters. “This will give him a couple of extra days to be sure his leg is in good shape, especially going to altitude.” Roberts said he hasn’t decided on a starter for Friday but expects to use multiple relievers - including new arrival Dennis Santana, who has combined to go 1-3 with a 2.54 ERA in 10 starts with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City this season.

Anderson came away with a no-decision against Cincinnati on Saturday after giving up three runs while throwing 101 pitches in six innings. The 28-year-old served up two home runs in the contest and has yielded a total of 10 over 55 1/3 frames in 11 outings. Justin Turner is 9-for-17 with a homer against Anderson, who owns a 2-3 record and 4.30 ERA in seven career starts versus the Dodgers - including a 2-2 mark and 3.75 ERA in four turns at Coors Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado OF Charlie Blackmon is 12-for-35 during his eight-game hitting streak.

2. The Dodgers optioned ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte to Triple-A Oklahoma City before Thursday’s game to make room for Kershaw.

3. The Rockies have reached double digits in hits in a season-high five consecutive games.

PREDICTION: Rockies 8, Dodgers 4

Preview: Marlins at Diamondbacks
Gracenote
Jun 1, 2018

The Miami Marlins' 10-game road trip got off to a good start but took a downward turn in a hurry. Miami looks to begin reversing its fortunes Friday as it begins a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Marlins kicked off their trek with a 7-2 triumph in San Diego before being outscored 20-10 while losing the final three contests of the series. Derek Dietrich went 3-for-4 with a solo homer in Thursday's 8-3 setback, giving him at least one hit in nine of his last 10 games. Arizona had a day off to lick its wounds after failing to complete a three-game sweep against Cincinnati with Wednesday's 7-4 defeat. John Ryan Murphy homered for the fourth time in six contests and Paul Goldschmidt belted a two-run shot, giving him six RBIs in as many games, while Jarrod Dyson collected three hits to enter Friday 4-for-8 over his last two outings.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Elieser Hernandez (0-2, 2.50 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Clay Buchholz (0-1, 1.64)

Hernandez remains in search of his first major-league victory as he makes his fourth career start and sixth appearance overall. The 23-year-old Venezuelan has allowed a total of four runs as he worked five innings in each of his previous three turns, issuing only one walk over those 15 frames. Hernandez suffered losses in each of his last two starts despite yielding one run and five hits against the Mets in New York on May 21 and two runs and six hits versus Washington on Sunday.

Buchholz is seeking his first victory with Arizona as he makes his third start - and first at home. The 33-year-old Texan has pitched well enough to win in each of his first two turns, allowing one run and two hits over five innings at New York and six frames at Oakland - where he was saddled with a hard-luck loss. Buchholz won both of his previous career starts against Miami, yielding six runs while registering 12 strikeouts in 13 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins C J.T. Realmuto went 0-for-4 on Thursday, ending his hitting streak at seven games.

2. Murphy hit five of his seven home runs on the season in May, a franchise record for a catcher in that month.

3. Miami will have a new closer when the series begins as RHP Brad Ziegler (nine saves in 10 opportunities) has been removed from the role, although his replacement has not been named.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 4, Marlins 2

Preview: Rangers at Angels
Gracenote
Jun 1, 2018

After proving to be mortal on the road, the Los Angeles Angels return home to what has been a house of horrors of late as they begin a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Friday. Los Angeles won 14 of its first 18 road contests this season before finishing 4-6 on a road trip that concluded with Thursday's 6-2 loss in Detroit.

One bright spot in the Angels' trek was rookie catcher Jose Briceno, who went 2-for-4 with a home run in each of his first two major-league starts behind the plate. Texas settled for a split of its four-game series in Seattle after dropping a 6-1 decision on Thursday. Nomar Mazara belted a solo homer as he posted his third consecutive two-hit performance while Adrian Beltre returned from a stint on the disabled list to go 2-for-4. The 39-year-old Dominican, who had been sidelined with a strained left hamstring, raised his career hits total to 3,082 to move past Cap Anson for 22nd place on the all-time list.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Bartolo Colon (2-2, 3.55 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jaime Barria (4-1, 2.97)

Colon makes his third attempt at career victory No. 243, which will tie him with Juan Marichal for most by a pitcher from the Dominican Republic. The 45-year-old, who is with his 11th major-league team, settled for a no-decision against Kansas City on Saturday after allowing three runs and five hits in seven innings. Colon is 12-8 with five complete games, four shutouts and a 3.62 ERA in 25 starts and one relief appearance against the Angels - the club for which he pitched from 2004-07, leading the American League in 2005 with a career-high 21 wins en route to capturing the Cy Young Award.

Barria came away with a victory over the Yankees in New York on Saturday despite giving up four runs and six hits - three homers - over five innings. The 21-year-old Panamanian rookie went 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in four starts in May after splitting his two turns the previous month. Barria made his major-league debut at Texas on April 11, notching the win after allowing one hit - a solo homer - in five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rangers optioned OF Ryan Rua to Triple-A Round Rock to clear a roster spot for Beltre.

2. Los Angeles 2B Ian Kinsler had a field day against his former team, going 9-for-14 with three doubles, a homer and three RBIs in the four-game series versus Detroit.

3. Texas SS Elvis Andrus (elbow) is expected to hit against soft-toss pitching on Friday.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Rangers 3

Preview: Reds at Padres
Gracenote
Jun 1, 2018

The San Diego Padres look to extend their winning streak to a season-best four games when they host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday for the opener of their three-game set. San Diego won the final three contests of a four-game series with Miami, which was capped by Thursday's 8-3 victory.

The Padres have scored 20 runs during their three-game winning streak and have emerged victorious in six of their last eight home contests. Christian Villanueva slugged a two-run homer on Thursday to raise his team-leading totals to 15 blasts and 35 RBIs, while Eric Hosmer went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs. Cincinnati is 2-4 on its nine-game road trip after stops in Colorado and Arizona, allowing 39 runs during the trek. Adam Duvall is batting just .181, but he recorded two four-RBI performances in the series against the Diamondbacks, including a grand slam in Wednesday's 7-4 triumph.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Tyler Mahle (3-6, 4.76 ERA) vs. Padres RH Walker Lockett (NR)

Mahle is 0-2 over his last three starts and has posted a porous 7.53 ERA during the stretch. The 23-year-old came away with a no-decision against Colorado in his last turn, when he gave up four runs and six hits over five innings. Mahle, who never has faced the Padres, is 3-4 with a 3.86 ERA in nine career road starts.

Lockett will make his major-league debut in the rotation spot that usually belongs to fellow rookie Joey Lucchesi (hip). The 24-year-old was struggling at Triple-A El Paso with a 2-5 record and 5.31 ERA in 10 starts, but Padres manager Andy Green doesn't view that as a problem. "This is the time to start taking looks at guys," Green told reporters. "He's got the opportunity to come up here, establish himself and throw the ball well, and possibly earn another shot."

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres LHP Brad Hand ranks second in the National League with 17 saves after converting all 11 of his opportunities in May.

2. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto is 11-for-25 while hitting safely in all six games of the road trip but has gone 13 contests without an RBI and 16 without a homer.

3. San Diego RF Wil Myers (oblique) took 20 dry swings on Thursday, the first time he has swung a bat since being injured in late April.

PREDICTION: Padres 5, Reds 4