MLB Betting News and Trends For Friday 8/31/18

National League
Brewers (75-60) @ Nationals (67-67)
Chacin is 3-1, 2.16 in his last four starts; over is 9-3 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 19-9, 11-6 away
5-inning record: 15-8-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-28

Roark is 5-1, 1.81 in his last seven starts; over is 7-3 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 11-15, 5-7 home
5-inning record: 10-13-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-26

Brewers are 5-2 in their last seven games; they’re 5-8 in last 13 road series openers—over is 5-1 in their last six games. Washington won three of its last four games; they won their last five home series openers. Over is 6-1-1 in their last eight home games.

Cubs (79-54) @ Phillies (71-62)
Quintana is 1-2, 5.49 in his last four starts; under is 5-3-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 15-10, 7-7 away
5-inning record: 10-11-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-25

Pivetta is 0-1, 6.61 in his last three starts; over is 9-3-1 in his last 13. Team in his starts: 13-13, 7-6 home
5-inning record: 10-12-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-26

Cubs won eight of their last nine games; they’re 13-8 in road series openers- under is 7-2-1 in their last ten road games. Philly is 3-8 in its last 11 games; they’re 12-9 in home series openers, 15-14 vs vs lefty starters- over is 4-1 in their last five games.

Pirates (65-69) @ Braves (74-59)
Taillon is 3-1, 2.41 in his last five starts; over is 9-5 in his last 14. Team in his starts: 15-11, 8-6 away
5-inning record: 13-10-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-26

Sanchez is 0-2, 4.19 in his last four starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 10-8, 4-4 home
5-inning record: 7-8-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-18

Pirates lost seven of their last nine games; they’re 13-9 in road series openers. Under is 13-4 in their last 17 games. Atlanta lost six of its last seven home games; they’re 12-9 in home series openers- their last three games went over.

Reds (57-77) @ Cardinals (75-59)
Bailey is 0-5, 6.83 in his last five starts; under is 7-3 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 1-17, 1-7 away
5-inning record: 2-14-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-18

Gomber is 3-0, 2.78 in his six starts (under 3-2-1). Team in his starts: 6-0, 1-0 home
5-inning record: 6-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-6

Reds lost eight of their last ten games; they’re 8-13 in road series openers, 17-17 vs vs lefty starters- under is 4-1 in their last five road games. St Louis is 17-4 in its last 21 games; they’re 5-0 in last five home series openers. Under is 5-1 in their last six home games.

Diamondbacks (73-61) @ Dodgers (72-62)
Greinke is 3-3, 2.49 in his last seven starts; under is 9-2 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 16-11, 8-5 road
5-inning record: 16-7-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-27

Ryu is 1-1, 2.87 in his three starts this month; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 6-3, 4-1 home
5-inning record: 6-1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-9

Arizona lost four of its last seven games; they’re 25-20 vs vs lefty starters—eight of their last ten games stayed under. Dodgers won five of their last six games; over is 7-4-1 in their last 12 games.

Rockies (72-61) @ Padres (53-83)
Senzatela is 2-3, 4.81 in his seven starts (under 5-2). Team in his starts: 3-4, 1-3 road
5-inning record: 2-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7

Kennedy is 0-2, 7.58 in his four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 0-4, 0-2 home
5-inning record: 0-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4

Colorado is 8-5 in its last 13 games; under is 9-4 in their last 13 games. San Diego won four of its last five home games; four of their last six games went over.

Mets (59-74) @ Giants (67-68)
Wheeler is 7-0, 1.68 in his last eight starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 12-13, 6-4 road
5-inning record: 12-9-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-25

Suarez is 1-1, 4.02 in his last three starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 10-13, 4-6 home
5-inning record: 7-9-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-23

Mets lost three of their last four games; they’re 13-9 in road series openers, 13-21 vs lefty starters- over is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Giants won four of their last five games; they’re 1-4 in last five home series openers. Under is 7-1 in their last eight home games.

American League
Detroit (54-80) @ New York (84-50)
Zimmerman is 2-2, 5.40 in his last four starts; under is 6-3 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 10-9, 5-4 away
5-inning record: 10-8-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-19

Severino is 3-1, 4.98 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 21-6, 11-1 home.
5-inning record: 18-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-27

Tigers lost five of their last six games; over is 5-2 in their last seven road games. New York won five of its last eight games; five of their last six games stayed under.

Rays (71-62) @ Indians (76-57)
Glasnow is 0-1, 4.18 in his five starts for Tampa Bay (under 3-1-1). Team in his starts: 3-2, 0-2 away (home team won all five)
5-inning record: 2-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-5

Kluber is 4-1, 2.93 in his last six starts; over is 15-3-1 in his last 19 starts. Team in his starts: 17-10, 9-5 home.
5-inning record: 17-7-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-27

Rays won nine of their last ten games; they’re 2-10 in last 12 road series openers- over is 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Cleveland lost five of its last eight games; they’re 11-11 in home series openers- under is 9-3 in their last 12 home games.

Minnesota (62-71) @ Texas (58-76)
Gonsalves is 0-2, 11.37 in his two starts (over 1-1). Team in his starts: 0-2, 0-0 away
5-inning record: 0-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Hutchison is 1-1, 8.82 in his four starts (over 2-2). Team in his starts: 2-2, 1-1 home.
5-inning record: 1-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-4

Twins lost five of their last six games; they’re 7-15 in road series openers- under is 8-3 in their last 11 road games. Texas lost its last four games; they’re 15-26 vs lefty starters, 8-14 in home series openers- under is 5-2 in their last seven games.

Red Sox (93-42) @ White Sox (53-81)
Eovaldi is 0-2, 11.12 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 3-3, 1-2 away
5-inning record: 2-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Kopech is 1-0, 1.13 in his first two starts (over 1-1). Team in his starts: 1-1, 0-1 home.
5-inning record: 1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Red Sox won their last three games; over is 6-2 in their last eight games. Chicago is 11-5 in its last 16 games; under is 4-2 in their last six games.

Angels (65-69) @ Astros (82-52)
Barria is 2-1, 2.89 in his last four starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 9-11, 5-3 away
5-inning record: 10-8-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-20

Valdez allowed one run in five IP (77 PT) in his first ’18 start (under 1-0). Team in his starts: 1-0, 0-0 home.
5-inning record: 1-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Angels lost six of their last seven games; they’re 15-25 vs lefty starters- over is 8-6 in their last 14 games. Houston won eight of its last 11 games; over is 7-3 in their last ten games.

Orioles (40-94) @ Royals (42-91)
Cashner is 0-2, 6.23 in his last two starts; his last three stayed under. Team in his starts: 8-17, 4-8 away
5-inning record: 7-14-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-25

Keller is 2-0, 2.12 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 7-8, 6-2 home.
5-inning record: 6-5-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-15

Baltimore won its last three games; they lost their last eight road series openers. Under is 5-1 in their last six road games. Royals won five of their last six home games; they’re 4-3 in last seven home series openers. Over is 7-4 in their last 11 home games.

Mariners (75-59) @ A’s (80-55)
Leake is 0-2, 3.58 in his last five starts; under is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 17-9, 9-4 away
5-inning record: 10-8-8 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-26

Fiers is 3-0, 1.50 in his four Oakland starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 4-0, 3-0 home.
5-inning record: 4-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4

Mariners are 6-9 in their last 15 games; under is 5-2 in their last seven road games. A’s are 19-9 in their last 28 games, 2-3 in last five; four of their last six games stayed under.

Interleague
Blue Jays (60-73) @ Marlins (53-81)
Sanchez is 0-0, 6.75 in his last four starts; over is 7-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 7-9, 3-4 away
5-inning record: 3-9-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-16

Straily is 1-1, 4.09 in his last four starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 10-11, 6-4 home.
5-inning record: 7-9-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-21

Blue Jays lost their last four games; they’re 6-10 in last 16 road series openers. Over is 7-2 in their last nine road games. Miami lost its last three games; they’re 1-6 in last seven home series openers. Under is 7-1 in their last eight home games.

Milwaukee Brewers vs Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote

Jhoulys Chacin was one of the more under-the-radar signings in the offseason, but the veteran right-hander is among the biggest reasons that the Milwaukee Brewers are in the thick of the postseason chase. Chacin can match his career high in wins when he goes for his 14th victory in Friday's opener of a three-game series at the Washington Nationals

Milwaukee, which is 19-9 in games started by Chacin, is jockeying with St. Louis for the top wild card in the National League. Lorenzo Cain, another offseason acquisition, extended his hitting streak to a career-best 12 games with a go-ahead homer in the 11th inning of Thursday's 2-1 win over Cincinnati as the Brewers improved to 7-3 in their last 10. Washington, which had a three-game winning streak snapped in an 8-6 loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday, has been playing .500 ball for most the the past two months and offering no sign it can make a run at a wild-card spot. Right-hander Tanner Roark has lost a career-most 13 games but has been one of the best pitchers in baseball the past five weeks, starting with a dominating performance in Milwaukee last month.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chac�n (13-5, 3.61 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Tanner Roark (8-13, 3.95)

Chacin had his three-start winning streak snapped last time out, giving up three runs on eight hits and four walks over six innings in a loss to Pittsburgh. He was superb in his previous two outings, yielding only seven hits across 13 scoreless innings, and beat the Nationals on July 23 with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball. Chacin has made nine career starts against Washington, posting a 4-2 record and 3.06 ERA.

Roark was a hard-luck loser at the New York Mets on Saturday, coming out on the short end of a 3-0 decision after permitting one run on four hits over six innings. The 31-year-old has surrendered only eight earned runs over the last seven turns, including a win at Milwaukee on July 25 in which he struck out 11 over eight scoreless innings. Christian Yelich is 9-for-36 with one extra-base hit against Roark.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yelich leads the NL with a .316 batting average after going 8-for-15 with three homers and nine RBIs versus the Reds.

2. Nationals RF Bryce Harper, battling a bad cough, is in a 3-for-20 slump.

3. Brewers LHP Dan Jennings rolled his ankle in Thursday's win and had to be assisted off the field.

PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Brewers 2

Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote

A day after helping the Philadelphia Phillies gain ground in the National League East race, the Chicago Cubs will try to damage the host Phillies' playoff hopes when the NL contenders begin a three-game series Friday. Chicago leads the NL Central by 4 1/2 games over St. Louis after opening an 11-game road trip with a 5-4 win Thursday at Atlanta, which leads the Phillies by three games in the NL East.

The Phillies have lost eight of their last 11, but they rallied for an 8-6 win over Washington on Wednesday and gained ground thanks to the Cubs' win over Atlanta on their day off. After the Cubs leave town, the Phillies will play 12 of their next 15 against teams with losing record, but first they have to deal with the NL's best team - and one of its hottest. Chicago has won eight of its last nine and expects to have former MVP Kris Bryant back in the lineup as early as Saturday for the first time since July 23. The Cubs haven't lost a series since dropping two of three at St. Louis from July 27-29.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago Plus, NBC 10 (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (11-9, 4.33 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (7-10, 4.76)

Quintana has been inconsistent, but he has pitched better in his last two outings, allowing three runs over 10 innings. The 29-year-old held Cincinnati to two runs over five frames in a win Saturday, snapping a three-start winless streak. Quintana is 0-1 with a 5.94 ERA in three starts against the Phillies.

Pivetta started the month with three straight quality starts, but he has been knocked around in his last two outings. The 25-year-old was tagged for five runs over 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision at Toronto on Saturday after giving up six runs in 3 2/3 frames in his previous outing versus the New York Mets. Pivetta is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two meetings with the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 2B/OF Ben Zobrist is 10-for-21 with four multi-hit games during a five-game hitting streak.

2. Phillies C Jorge Alfaro is 8-for-26 with two homers and five RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.

3. Cubs OF Jason Heyward left Thursday's game with a right hamstring injury after diving for a ball in the outfield and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Phillies 4

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote

The Pittsburgh Pirates won 11 games in a row in July, but that success is only a fading memory heading into the opener of a three-game road series Friday at the Atlanta Braves. The Pirates fell 5-0 on Thursday at St. Louis - their 20th defeat in the past 32 games - and stand at 2-4 on their current nine-game road trip as they head to Atlanta to face a team that leads the National League East by three games and completed a three-game sweep in Pittsburgh last week.

Catcher Francisco Cervelli has reached base in 13 consecutive games for Pittsburgh after going 1-for-4 on Thursday and is hitting .298 in that stretch while left fielder Adam Frazier is batting .344 with 12 doubles and four homers since returning from the minors July 25. Atlanta has dropped two of three to begin a nine-game homestand, losing 5-4 on Thursday to the Chicago Cubs. Rookie outfielder Ronald Acuna continues bolstering his case for NL Player of the Month, finishing 3-for-5 with two runs scored Thursday to raise his average to .339 with 10 homers, 20 RBIs and 24 runs scored in August. Catcher Kurt Suzuki, who doubled and drove home a run, has hits in 10 of his past 11 games with four doubles, a homer, four RBIs and seven runs scored.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet - Pittsburgh, FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (10-9, 3.49 ERA) vs. Braves RH Anibal Sanchez (6-5, 3.05)

Taillon looks to end August with another strong outing after going 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in his first four turns this month. The 26-year-old has pitched to a 2.54 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break after posting a 3.91 ERA in the first half and allowed only one run in six innings in each of his past two starts (a no-decision Aug. 19 against the Cubs and a win Saturday against Milwaukee). Taillon, who has never faced Atlanta, has surrendered three earned runs or fewer in 16 consecutive starts.

Sanchez lost his past two outings despite giving up just four runs on nine hits in 12 1/3 innings, in part because the Atlanta offense scored only three runs combined against Colorado on Aug. 19 and Miami on Saturday. The 34-year-old has regressed a bit in the second half, allowing six homers while posting a 3.82 ERA in 37 2/3 innings after allowing just seven home runs and owning a 2.60 ERA in 65 2/3 innings before the All-Star break. Sanchez is 3-5 with a 3.62 career ERA in eight starts against Pittsburgh.

WALK-OFFS

1. Acuna's 38 hits in August is the most by a Braves' 20-year-old since Hank Aaron collected 37 in July of 1954.

2. Pittsburgh OF Gregory Polanco has recorded at least one RBI in four of his past six games. He has also collected at least one hit in eight of his past 10 games is batting .325 in that span.

3. The Braves outscored the Pirates 9-2 in sweeping the three-game series last week.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Pirates 3

Cincinnati Reds vs St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote

Immediately prior to rolling off 10 consecutive series victories, the St. Louis Cardinals dropped two of three on the road to the Cincinnati Reds. The Cardinals hope to avenge that setback and cap one of the most successful months in club history with a win on Friday, when they host the first of three games against the Reds.

St. Louis (75-59) found itself sitting at .500 after 102 games following a series loss against its National League Central rival, but the 11-time World Series champion has been the best team in baseball since then, going 24-8 to ascend to the top of the NL wild-card standings. The Cardinals improved to 21-6 in August following Thursday's 5-0 victory against Pittsburgh, giving the club its most wins in the month since 2004. While St. Louis remained 4 1/2 games behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati is in last place in the Central and has dropped three straight series. The Reds got former MVP Joey Votto back from the disabled list Thursday, but he went 0-for-5 in a 2-1 loss to Milwaukee - their seventh setback in eight contests.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (1-12, 6.17 ERA) vs. Cardinals LH Austin Gomber (4-0, 2.79)

Bailey is in the midst of a nine-game winless streak and fell to 0-7 during that stretch with Sunday's loss to the Cubs in which he surrendered six runs - three earned - over five innings. The 32-year-old Texan has struggled keeping the ball in the park in 18 starts this season, giving up 21 home runs over 96 1/3 frames. Yadier Molina (19-for-47, three homers) and Matt Carpenter (19-for-42) have thrived versus Bailey, who is 6-14 with a 5.57 RA in 26 career starts against St. Louis.

Gomber continued his seamless transition from the bullpen to the rotation in Sunday's win at Colorado, allowing two runs - one earned - over six innings to improve to 3-0 with a 2.51 ERA in six career starts. The Florida Atlantic product has yielded more than two runs only once in 23 appearances during his rookie campaign. Gomber has issued 24 walks in only 48 1/3 innings but was sharp in a no-decision at Cincinnati on July 24, permitting two runs while striking out six in 6 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals 1B Jose Martinez has hit safely in 20 of 25 games this month and leads his club with 18 multi-RBI performances.

2. The Reds have won five of the last seven meetings after dropping nine in a row to St. Louis to begin the season.

3. Gomber is 14-0 in August during his professional career (minors and majors) and can become the first St. Louis rookie left-hander ever to win five games in the month with a victory on Friday.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 8, Reds 3

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote

The suddenly hot Los Angeles Dodgers look to post a season-best sixth consecutive victory when they open a crucial four-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. The Dodgers have outscored their opponents 34-13 during the winning streak to move within one game of the first-place Diamondbacks in the National League West.

Cody Bellinger, Yasmani Grandal and Manny Machado all hit solo homers in Wednesday's 3-1 triumph over the Texas Rangers as Los Angeles remained 1 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second wild-card spot. "I think we're cooking as a whole team right now," Bellinger told reporters. "It's just a matter of producing on the field. It's just a matter of time until the talent takes over." Arizona salvaged the finale of a three-game set against the San Francisco Giants by recording a 3-1 win Wednesday to move a half-game ahead of the Colorado Rockies. Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock is 3-for-28 over the last eight games but has tormented the Dodgers this season by batting .348 with seven homers, four doubles and 12 RBIs in 12 games.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (3-2, 4.73 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Rich Hill (6-4, 3.50)

Ray has received seven consecutive no-decisions and is 0-2 over his last 10 turns. The 26-year-old allowed one run and five hits and struck out seven over five innings against the Seattle Mariners in his last outing. Ray is 2-0 with an 0.89 ERA in his last three starts against the Dodgers and is 6-3 with a 2.69 ERA in 13 career outings against Los Angeles.

Hill is 0-5 in seven starts against Arizona since joining the Dodgers - including 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA in two 2018 outings - and stands 1-6 with a 5.90 ERA in 11 career turns against the Diamondbacks. The 38-year-old defeated the San Diego Padres in his last turn when he gave up two hits and struck out eight over six scoreless innings. Hill is 4-0 with a 2.13 ERA over his last seven starts and has allowed two or fewer runs in six of them.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Diamondbacks are 8-4 versus Los Angeles this season, including 3-2 at Dodger Stadium.

2. Struggling Los Angeles RHP Kenley Jansen (heart issues) is expected to be available for closing duties Thursday, though manager Dave Roberts opted to use RHP Kenta Maeda to close out Wednesday's win.

3. Arizona had three runs on 16 hits in the three-game series with the Giants and had gone 25 innings without a run until RF Steven Souza Jr. led off the third inning Wednesday with his first homer since Aug. 5.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 4

Colorado Rockies vs San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote

The San Diego Padres carry a rare three-game winning streak into Friday's contest against the visiting Colorado Rockies, who sit 1 1/2 games behind first-place Arizona in the National League West and two games behind Milwaukee for the second wild-card spot. San Diego opened the four-game series with Thursday's 3-2, 13-inning victory after Franmil Reyes delivered the team's first walk-off home run of the season.

Padres third baseman Wil Myers committed three errors and went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts, but left fielder Hunter Renfroe had two hits and is 11-for-30 during his seven-game hitting streak. Reyes continued to impress with his 12th home run for the Padres, who are aiming for their first four-game winning streak of the season. The Rockies began a 23-game stretch against divisional foes by collecting just three hits in the extra-inning affair as the top three batters in the order - Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu, Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story - went a combined 0-for-21. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to seven games (12-for-32) and the Rockies received another stellar outing from German Marquez, who recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts over eight innings.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Antonio Senzatela (4-4, 5.24 ERA) vs. Padres RH Brett Kennedy (0-2, 7.58)

Senzatela is looking to bounce back from a rough start last Friday, when he allowed seven runs on 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings against St. Louis. The 23-year-old native of Venezuela is 1-3 on the road this season, posting a 5.46 ERA in 10 games (four starts). Myers is 6-for-9 with a home run against Senzatela, who owns a 4-0 record and 4.00 ERA in nine career games (three starts) versus San Diego - including 1-0 with a 6.14 mark in four relief appearances this season.

Kennedy is still seeking his first career win after allowing three runs on five hits over five innings last Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. One of many promising young pitchers in the San Diego system, the 24-year-old rookie was recalled from Triple-A El Paso early this month after going 10-0 with a 2.72 ERA across 16 starts with the Chihuahuas. Kennedy has given up 31 hits over his first four career starts covering 19 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego improved to 3-10 in extra innings with Thursday's victory.

2. Colorado 1B Ian Desmond is hitless in his last 14 at-bats after going 0-for-6 on Thursday.

3. The Padres activated LHP Eric Lauer (forearm) from the 10-day disabled list - he pitched five innings on Thursday - and optioned RHP Colten Brewer to Triple-A El Paso.

PREDICTION: Rockies 7, Padres 3

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote
3 minutes

Zack Greinke looks to defeat his former team for the third straight time this season when the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Greinke registered 17 strikeouts over 12 1/3 innings in the two wins and will attempt to help Arizona beat Los Angeles for the 10th time in 14 meetings this season.

David Peralta hammered a three-run homer as the Diamondbacks recorded a 3-1 victory in the series opener, halting the Dodgers' five-game winning streak. "We always come with a purpose, we always come to win," Peralta said during a postgame television interview. "We always come to compete and give 100 percent every day. We got the 'W.' Now we got to turn the page." Arizona holds a 1 1/2-game lead over second-place Colorado in the National League West and is two ahead of Los Angeles, which also trails Milwaukee by 2 1/2 games for the NL's second wild-card spot. The Dodgers scored 34 runs during their winning streak, but Manny Machado's solo homer was all the offense they could manage on Thursday.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, SportsNet LA, KTLA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (13-8, 2.93 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-1, 2.18)

Greinke went 0-3 over a four-start span before defeating Seattle in his last turn, when he gave up an unearned run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old is a superb 30-7 with a 2.34 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 51 career outings at Dodger Stadium, which was his home from 2013-15. Greinke is 6-4 with a 3.84 ERA in 13 career turns against the Dodgers.

Ryu defeated San Diego in his last turn, when he gave up two runs - one earned - and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old South Korean has struck out 18 and walked just two over 15 2/3 frames in three starts since returning from a groin injury. Ryu, who is 3-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 12 career starts versus Arizona, suffered the injury on May 2 in the second inning of an outing against the Diamondbacks.

WALK-OFFS

1. Peralta's homer was his first at Dodger Stadium, where he is 23-for-102 in 33 games.

2. Los Angeles batters struck out 15 times in the series opener, with SS-CF Chris Taylor leading the way with four.

3. Arizona CF A.J. Pollock was hitless in five at-bats on Thursday and is just 3-for-33 over his last nine contests.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Diamondbacks 2

New York Mets vs San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote
3 minutes

Zack Wheeler has been downright dominant in his last seven starts, sporting a 6-0 mark with a rail-thin 1.17 ERA. Wheeler will look to avenge his lone "blemish" in that stretch - a well-pitched effort that resulted in a no-decision versus San Francisco - as the New York Mets (59-74) continue their nine-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series against the Giants (67-68) on Friday.

Todd Frazier hit a grand slam and drove in a season-high five runs as New York improved to 15-11 over its last 26 games with a 10-3 win over Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. The 32-year-old went deep in his last two contests versus San Francisco, with the teams settling for a split of their four-game series last week. The Giants got it in gear soon after that, rolling off four wins - including two shutouts - before dropping a 3-1 decision on Wednesday in the finale of their three-game series against Arizona. Andrew McCutchen, who had an RBI single versus the Diamondbacks Wednesday, went 1-for-12 with five strikeouts in the previous series against the Mets.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (9-6, 3.46 ERA) vs. Giants LH Andrew Suarez (5-9, 4.42)

Wheeler allowed one run on five hits and reached double-digit strikeouts for the first time since 2014 when he fanned 10 against San Francisco on Aug. 20. The 28-year-old owns a 2-1 career mark in five encounters against the Giants, who selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft before later trading him to New York for Carlos Beltran. Wheeler once again found the winner's circle on Saturday after scattering six hits over seven innings in a 3-0 win versus Washington.

Suarez put an end to his 0-3 mark in a four-start stretch with a scintillating performance versus Texas, against which he scattered three hits over seven scoreless innings in a 5-3 victory on Saturday. "Once I know I'm getting a lot of ground balls, I know that's when I'm in my game," said the 25-year-old, who induced 12 groundouts and two double plays. Suarez will be making his 24th career start and first appearance versus the Mets on Friday.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco 3B Evan Longoria went 5-for-16 with two homers in the previous series versus New York.

2. Mets 3B David Wright rejoined the team on Thursday as he continues his rehabilitation from back, neck and shoulder injuries.

3. Giants 2B Joe Panik has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Mets 3

Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote
3-4 minutes

The New York Yankees have not been shy about making moves this summer to help them make a push for the American League East crown, and they did so again Thursday by reportedly acquiring Andrew McCutchen from San Francisco. The five-time All-Star could debut with his new team as early as Friday as the Yankees host the Detroit Tigers for the second contest of their four-game series.

Minutes after New York dropped a gut-wrenching 8-7 decision to Detroit in Thursday's opener, it reportedly traded for McCutchen, presumably in an attempt to fill the void in the outfield created by Aaron Judge's wrist injury late last month. The former National League MVP would join fellow trade acquisitions Zach Britton, J.A. Happ and Lance Lynn with the Yankees, who fell eight games behind Boston in the AL East but remained 4 1/2 ahead of Oakland for the first wild card. The Tigers entered the series ranked last in the major leagues with 106 home runs but belted five against New York, including Niko Goodrum's tiebreaking solo shot that capped a three-run rally in the ninth inning. Detroit snapped its five-game losing streak as a result, winning for only the eighth time in 26 contests this month.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (6-6, 4.38 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (17-6, 3.27)

Zimmermann's second-half struggles continued in Sunday's loss to the Chicago White Sox as he surrendered five runs and eight hits in six innings. Although he has worked at least six frames in four of his last five turns, the 32-year-old is 2-5 with a 5.50 ERA since the All-Star break after going 4-1 with a 3.71 mark during the first half. Giancarlo Stanton (7-for-32, five walks) has recorded three homers and nine strikeouts versus Zimmermann, who is 3-1 with a 3.09 ERA in five career starts against the Yankees.

Severino has yet to rediscover his first-half form, but he has managed to win three of his last four starts - including Sunday's victory at Baltimore in which he allowed three runs - two earned - over 5 2/3 innings. The two-time All-Star has fanned eight batters in each of his recent wins, allowing him to move 11 strikeouts away from his second straight season with at least 200. Nicholas Castellanos (6-for-12) is one of the few Tigers who has fared well against Severino, who is 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA in four career starts versus Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Stanton reached 300 career homers in his 1,119th career game on Thursday, becoming the fifth-quickest player to hit the plateau in major-league history.

2. Detroit DH Victor Martinez on Thursday registered his first multi-homer performance since July 21, 2017 by belting a pair of shots.

3. New York 2B Gleyber Torres has reached base 11 times in his last four contests and is batting .400 over his last 14 games.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Tigers 2

Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote
3-4 minutes

Tommy Pham is beginning to flaunt some power after a slow start with his new team and hopes to continue the surge when the Tampa Bay Rays visit the American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians for the opener of a three-game set Friday night. Pham is 11-for-23 with a pair of homers and five RBIs in his last five games after going 2-for-22 in his first seven contests with the Rays following a trade deadline deal with St. Louis.

Tampa Bay has won nine of its last 10 games to sit on the fringe of the AL wild-card race, producing 37 runs over the past five contests, and manager Kevin Cash told reporters: "We're getting a lot of contributions, a lot of good at-bats." It will be difficult to continue that type of offense in the series opener as the Indians send two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the mound against Rays fireballer Tyler Glasnow. Cleveland took the rubber match of a three-game set against Minnesota on Thursday afternoon 5-3, improving to 41-25 at home, and has won four consecutive season series against Tampa Bay (4-3 in 2017). Jason Kipnis is beginning to turn around a rough season while going 9-for-15 with two homers and seven RBIs over the last four games for the Indians, and is batting .318 with 15 RBIs in 30 career contests versus the Rays.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Tyler Glasnow (1-3, 4.18 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (16-7, 2.91)

Glasnow has yet to win in his first five outings since coming over from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline but has a 3.80 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 23 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old California native gave up three runs on five hits and three walks across five innings against Kansas City in a no-decision last Thursday. Glasnow faces Cleveland for the first time and is 1-2 with a 5.85 ERA on the road overall this season.

Kluber had an uncharacteristic outing against one of the major league's worst offenses last Saturday, yielding five runs over 5 1/3 innings in a setback at Kansas City. The 32-year-old Alabama native had won his previous four decisions over five starts, posting a 2.21 ERA in that stretch. C.J. Cron is 3-for-5 with two doubles versus Kluber, who is 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA in eight career contests against Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland C Yan Gomes, who was rested Thursday, is 11-for-23 with a homer during a six-game hitting streak.

2. Tampa Bay 2B/OF Brandon Lowe is 10-for-28 with a homer and eight RBIs in his last 10 games after starting his major-league career 0-for-19.

3. Indians LF Michael Brantley has recorded multiple hits in seven of his last games, going 15-for-43 in that stretch.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Rays 2

Minnesota Twins vs Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote
3 minutes

The Minnesota Twins are a second-place club while the Texas Rangers are buried in last place in their division, but neither team has much to play for as they close out the month of August. The Twins and Rangers are separated by only 4 1/2 games in the standings as they prepare to kick off a three-game series Friday night at Texas' Globe Life Park.

Minnesota lost two of three in Cleveland to open a nine-game road trip to fall 14 games behind the first-place Indians in the American League Central. The Twins are in a 1-5 slide and struggling to stay healthy - shortstop Jorge Polanco (hamstring) has missed the past three games and Eddie Rosario left Thursday's loss with a strained right quadriceps that could sideline him for the weekend series. The punchless Rangers have dropped four in a row and six of eight, scoring one run or fewer four times in that span. Adrian Beltre had an RBI double in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers to move into a tie with Robin Yount for 17th on the career hits list (3,142).

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Southwest Plus (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Stephen Gonsalves (0-2, 11.37 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Drew Hutchison (2-2, 6.52)

Gonsalves will make his third career start and first on the road after giving up four runs and seven hits, including a three-run homer, over five innings in a loss to Oakland on Saturday. He had a forgettable major-league debut against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 20, lasting only 1 1/3 innings while allowing four runs and six hits. Gonsalves was 9-3 with a 2.96 ERA at Triple-A Rochester.

After making 11 relief appearances with the Philadelphia Phillies, Hutchison is poised for his fifth start since joining the Rangers. A former 13-game winner with Toronto in 2015, he was tagged for six runs and seven hits in a no-decision at San Francisco last time out. Joe Mauer is 3-for-7 with four RBIs against Hutchison, who has failed to pitched past 5 1/3 innings in his four starts with Texas.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins 3B Miguel Sano homered Thursday but is 3-for-35 with 15 strikeouts in his last 10 games.

2. Rangers LHP Martin Perez, who was scheduled to start the series finale, was moved to the bullpen for the rest of the season.

3. Minnesota traded C Bobby Wilson to the Chicago Cubs for C Chris Gimenez.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Twins 4

Boston Red Sox vs Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote
3 minutes

Highly regarded prospect Michael Kopech faces his former organization for the first time when the Chicago White Sox host the Boston Red Sox on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. The 22-year-old right-hander was a first-round pick of the Red Sox in 2014 but was shipped to Chicago as part of the package for Chris Sale in December 2016.

Kopech refused to participate in the usual media session with reporters on Thursday, saying he would discuss the Red Sox after Friday's outing, but White Sox manager Rick Renteria was happy to dissect the youngster's arsenal of pitches. "Hopefully, he continues to develop, continues to command the zone," Renteria told reporters. "It's electric stuff. Hopefully, he'll just continue to trust himself, which he is doing, and just enjoy being here. Know that he's capable of doing what he's doing because of this tremendous gift he has." The Red Sox overcame a four-run deficit to post a 9-4 victory in Thursday's series opener to stretch their lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East to 8 1/2 games. J.D. Martinez slugged his 39th homer - a three-run shot - to tie Oakland's Khris Davis for the major-league lead.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Nathan Eovaldi (5-6, 4.15 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Michael Kopech (1-0, 1.13)

Eovaldi has lost consecutive starts and is winless his last four after winning his first two outings for the Red Sox. The 28-year-old was rocked for six runs - five earned - and eight hits over four innings by Tampa Bay in his last turn. Eovaldi is 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against the White Sox.

Kopech earned his first major-league victory in his last turn, when he gave up one run and seven hits over six innings against Detroit. The phenom made his debut on Aug. 21 against Minnesota and struck out four in two scoreless innings but did not return after a 52-minute rain delay. Kopech went 7-7 with a 3.70 ERA and 170 strikeouts over 126 1/3 innings in 24 starts at Triple-A Charlotte.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox RF Mookie Betts hit a two-run blast in the series opener and is 7-for-12 with five walks, two homers and six RBIs over his last four games.

2. Chicago LF Avisail Garcia, who is batting just .159 this month, homered and drove in three runs in the series opener.

3. Boston 2B Ian Kinsler recorded three hits on Thursday for his fifth multi-hit performance in seven contests.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, White Sox 3

Los Angeles Angels vs Houston Astros Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 31st August 2018 by Gracenote
3 minutes

The Los Angeles Angels began a 10-game road trip with a solid performance and attempt to defeat the Houston Astros for a second straight night when they visit the American League West leaders on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Andrelton Simmons recorded three hits, including a three-run double, as the Angels topped the Astros 5-2 on Thursday for just their third win in 12 games.

Houston has lost two of three games after recording six straight victories but still holds a 2 1/2-game lead over Oakland in the division. Tyler White belted a two-run homer in the ninth inning for the Astros as the 27-year-old improved to 14-for-34 with four blasts and 12 RBIs over his last eight contests. The victory was just Los Angeles' second in nine meetings with Houston, which holds an 8-5 advantage in the season series. Simmons is 5-for-8 over his last two games and has recorded 63 RBIs this season, leaving him six shy of matching the career high he set in 2017.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jaime Barria (8-8, 3.67 ERA) vs. Astros LH Framber Valdez (2-0, 0.96)

Barria lost to the Astros on Saturday as he gave up four runs and five hits over three innings. The 22-year-old Panamanian went 3-0 over his previous five turns, a stretch that followed six setbacks in a span of seven outings. Barria is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against Houston this season and has retired Carlos Correa in all five at-bats.

Valdez made his first career start on Sunday against the Angels, emerging victorious after allowing one run and two hits in five innings. The 24-year-old also registered a win in his major-league debut on Aug. 21, when he gave up an unearned run and two hits over 4 1/3 frames of relief against Seattle. Valdez went 6-5 with a 4.11 ERA in 22 combined appearances (14 starts) in Double- and Triple-A prior to being recalled.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels DH-RHP Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will start Sunday's game, his first pitching appearance since June 6.

2. Houston formally announced that MGR A.J. Hinch has signed a four-year contract extension through the 2022 season.

3. Los Angeles placed 1B Albert Pujols (knee) on the 10-day disabled list, activated LF Justin Upton (finger) from the DL and recalled C Jose Briceno from Triple-A Salt Lake.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Angels 4