Toronto Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 08-03-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 3rd August 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 08/03/2018
The Seattle Mariners have dropped to third place in the American League West due to their prolonged slump. Seattle has lost 14 of 21 contests and looks to break out of the funk when it hosts the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series.
The Mariners were 56-32 on July 5 before the slide began and have been passed by Oakland for second place in the division race. "You have to find a way, you've got to keep competing and it's got to turn," Mariners manager Scott Servais said of the slump during his postgame press conference following Thursday's 7-3 setback. "It's not just going to happen. We have to make it happen." Kendrys Morales hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning to help the Blue Jays win for just the third time in 10 games. Toronto's Teoscar Hernandez, who was 2-for-25 over his previous seven contests, broke out on Thursday with his second four-hit performance of the season that included three doubles.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Ryan Borucki (0-2, 2.83 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Marco Gonzales (12-5, 3.37)
Borucki is making his seventh start of the season after allowing fewer than three runs in five of his first six outings. The 24-year-old still is seeking his first major-league victory after giving up two runs and six hits over six innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox in his last turn. Borucki hasn't served up a homer in 35 innings and has registered 28 strikeouts against 11 walks.
Gonzales has won five consecutive starts, posting a 1.57 ERA over 34 1/3 innings during that stretch. The 26-year-old defeated the Los Angeles Angels in his last turn as he gave up two runs and seven hits over six frames. Gonzales, who never has faced Toronto, is 5-1 with a 2.88 ERA in 10 home starts this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners 2B Dee Gordon (ankle) departed in the ninth inning of the series opener and will be re-evaluated on Friday.
2. Toronto INF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (ankle), who currently is on the 10-day disabled list, was named American League Rookie of the Month for July after batting .423 with a franchise-record 11 straight multi-hit efforts in 71 at-bats.
3. Seattle reinstated 3B Kyle Seager from the paternity list, optioned INF Zach Vincej to Triple-A Tacoma and sent INF Gordon Beckham outright to the same affiliate after he cleared waivers.
PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Blue Jays 3
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Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 08-03-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 3rd August 2018 by Gracenote
Astros vs. Dodgers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/03/2018
Justin Verlander faces host Los Angeles' hitters on Friday for the first time since helping the Houston Astros defeat the Dodgers in last season's World Series. Verlander gave up five hits in 12 innings while losing one start and not factoring in the decision in the other during a highly competitive Fall Classic that Houston won in seven games.
Verlander is going through a rough stretch during which he has gone 1-4 while serving up 10 home runs in eight starts. The Dodgers displayed they are ready for the three-game series by trouncing Milwaukee 21-5 on Thursday, setting Dodger Stadium records for runs scored and homers (seven). Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig both went deep twice while Cody Bellinger (grand slam), Brian Dozier and Justin Turner each hit one shot as Los Angeles totaled 18 hits. Houston was off Thursday after winning the final two contests of a three-game set in Seattle to end its season-worst five-game losing streak.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Justin Verlander (10-6, 2.24 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Alex Wood (7-5, 3.68)
Verlander gave up five runs and struck out 14 against two walks in the World Series, falling in Game 6 while having the chance to clinch the series. The 35-year-old lost to Texas in his last turn, when he allowed two runs and nine hits over five innings. Verlander is 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in two career regular-season starts against the Dodgers.
Wood has won six straight decisions and is unbeaten over his last eight outings. The 27-year-old defeated Atlanta in his last turn, when he allowed one hit over 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Wood won his lone regular-season start against Houston, as he scattered three hits over seven scoreless frames on June 25, 2014 while with Atlanta, and settled for a no-decision in Game 4 of last year's World Series despite yielding just one run and one hit (George Springer's homer) in 7 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers activated Turner (groin) from the 10-day disabled list prior to Friday's game and placed 2B Chase Utley (wrist) on it.
2. Springer (shoulder), who was MVP of the 2017 World Series, is expected back in the starting lineup after sitting out Wednesday's series finale against Seattle.
3. Los Angeles has scored 10 or more runs on 10 occasions this season.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Astros 4
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