MLB Betting News and Trends For Friday 9/14/18

National League
Reds (63-84) @ Cubs (85-61)
Harvey is 1-1, 4.64 in his last four starts; under is 5-1-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 11-10, 4-7 away
5-inning record: 12-7-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-21

Hamels is 2-1, 1.65 in his last five starts (under 6-2). Team in his starts: 6-2, 3-0 home
5-inning record: 4-2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-8

Cincinnati won four of its last six games; they’re 0-7 in last seven road series openers. Under is 7-4 in their last 11 road games. Cubs lost four of their last six games; they’re 12-12 in home series openers. Cubs’ last four games stayed under.

Marlins (57-89) @ Phillies (74-71)
Chen is 0-4, 9.39 in his last five road starts; under is 4-2-1 in his last seven starts overall. Team in his starts: 11-12, 3-7 away
5-inning record: 4-23 Allowed run in 1st inning: 10-11-2

Eflin is 0-3, 10.13 in his last three starts; under is 10-6 in his last 16. Team in his starts: 10-11, 6-4 home
5-inning record: 12-7-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-21

Marlins are 3-19 in their last 22 road games; under is 5-0-1 in their last six games. Miami is 0-7 in last seven road series openers. Philly lost nine of its last 11 games; they’re 2-9 in last 11 series openers. Under is 4-2 in their last six openers.

Nationals (74-73) @ Braves (82-64)
Scherzer is 2-1, 2.92 in his last five starts; over is 8-4 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 21-9, 9-4 road
5-inning record: 18-10-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-30

Gausman is 1-1, 4.02 in his last three starts (under 4-2-1). Team in his starts: 5-2, 3-0 home
5-inning record: 3-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7

Washington won five of its last six games; they’re 13-10 in road series openers- over is 10-5 in their last 15 games. Atlanta won its last five games; they’re 12-11 in home series openers. Braves’ last three games stayed under.

Pirates (72-73) @ Brewers (84-63)
Archer is 0-2, 5.40 in his last five starts (over 3-1-1). Team in his starts: 3-4, 1-3 road
5-inning record: 5-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7

Gonzalez is 1-1, 4.58 in his last three starts; under is 8-3-1 in his last 12. Brewers in his starts: 1-0, 1-0 home
5-inning record: 10-12-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-28

Pirates won six of their last eight games; they’re 10-13 in road series openers. Under is 6-2-1 in their last nine road games. Milwaukee won eight of its last ten games; they’re 11-2 in last 13 home series openers. Five of their last six games stayed under.

Dodgers (80-67) @ Cardinals (81-66)
Buehler is 1-1, 1.98 in his last six starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 11-8, 5-4 away
5-inning record: 11-6-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-19

Flaherty is 4-0, 1.71 in his last seven starts (under 6-1). Team in his starts: 11-13, 6-4 home
5-inning record: 11-12-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-24

Dodgers are 7-3 in their last ten road games; over is 4-1-1 in their last six games. St Louis won three of its last five games; over is 5-2 in their last seven home games.

Rockies (81-65) @ Giants (68-79)
Anderson is 0-4, 12.11 in his last five starts; over is 7-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 11-18, 7-6 road
5-inning record: 12-9-8 Allowed run in 1st inning: 16-29

Stratton is 1-2, 2.84 in his last four starts, last three of which stayed under. Team in his starts: 12-11, 6-4 home
5-inning record: 10-10-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 10-23

Colorado is 9-3 in its last 12 games; they’re 15-8 in road series openers. Under is 6-2 in their last eight road games. Giants lost their last 11 games; they’re 13-10 in home series openers. Under is 11-0 in their last 11 home tilts.

American League
White Sox (57-89) @ Orioles (42-104)
Shields is 1-2, 5.96 in his last four starts; under is 11-7-2 in his last 20 starts. Team in his starts: 10-20, 2-10 away
5-inning record: 10-18-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 10-30

Ortiz is making his first MLB start; he allowed three runs in 0.2 IP in his one relief stint. He was 2-1, 3.69 in six AAA starts. Team in his starts: 0-0 home
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

White Sox lost seven of their last eight games; they’re 7-17 in road series openers- under is 3-0-1 in their last four games. Baltimore lost ten of its last 12 games; they’re 3-13 in last 16 home series openers- four of last six Oriole games went over.

Toronto (65-81) @ New York (90-56)
Estrada is 0-2, 9.49 in his last three starts; over is 6-4 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 12-13, 6-6 away
5-inning record: 9-11-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-25

Tanaka is 2-1, 1.93 in his last four starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 15-9, 6-4 home
5-inning record: 14-5-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-24

Blue Jays are 5-12 in their last 17 games, 7-11 in last 18 road series openers- over is 10-5 in their last 15 road games. New York lost three of its last four games; they’re 9-5 in last 14 home series openers- over is 3-1 in their last four home games.

A’s (89-58) @ Rays (80-65)
Jackson is 1-1, 6.00 in his last four starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 11-3, 5-1 road
5-inning record: 3-6-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-14

Castillo is 0-0, 3.86 as an “opener” (over 4-2). Team in his starts: 6-0, 3-0 home
5-inning record: 6-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

A’s won six of their last seven games; they’re 12-11 in road series openers- over is 9-3 in their last 12 games. Tampa Bay won nine of their last 11 games; they’re 10-2 in last dozen home series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games.

Tigers (59-87) @ Indians (82-64)
Boyd is 2-1, 3.24 in his last four starts; under is 7-3-1 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 14-14, 4-10 road
5-inning record: 11-14-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-28

Tomlin is 0-3, 8.40 in six starts, last of which was May 15 (over 5-1). Team in his starts: 1-5, 1-2 home
5-inning record: 2-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Tigers lost their last four games; they’re 3-13 in last 16 road series openers- over is 6-2 in their last eight road games. Cleveland is 5-7 in its list 12 games, 4-1 in last five home series openers- under is 5-2-1 in their last eight home games.

Twins (67-79) @ Royals (50-96)
Berrios is 0-3, 5.40 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 15-14, 4-9 away
5-inning record: 9-14-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-29

Lopez is 2-0, 1.20 in his last two starts (over 3-2). Team in his starts: 2-3, 1-2 home
5-inning record: 1-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Twins won four of their last seven games; under is 3-2-1 in their last six. Kansas City is 10-2 in its last 12 home games; under is 6-3-1 in their last ten games.

Mariners (80-66) @ Angels (73-74)
Bullpen game for Seattle. Team in his starts: 18-10, 9-5 away
5-inning record: 11-9-8 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-28

Shoemaker is 2-0, 3.45 in his three starts (over 2-1). Team in his starts: 3-0, 0-0 home
5-inning record: 2-0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Seattle is 6-7 in its last 13 games; six of their last eight games stayed under. Angels won seven of their last ten games; under is 10-4-1 in their last 15 games.

Interleague
Mets (68-78) @ Red Sox (101-46)
Syndergaard is 3-0, 3.58 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 14-7, 5-5 away
5-inning record: 13-6-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-21

Velazquez is 0-2, 7.72 in his last five starts (over 4-3). Team in his starts: 5-2, 2-1 home
5-inning record: 2-3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-7

Mets are 8-3 in their last 11 games, 14-10 in road series openers- under is 4-2 in their last six road games. Boston won its last four games; they’re 17-6 in home series openers. Under is 7-5 in their last 12 games.

Diamondbacks (77-70) @ Astros (92-54)
Ray is 2-0, 1.59 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 9-11, 6-4 away
5-inning record: 11-4-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-20

Keuchel is 2-0, 3.96 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 17-13, 7-7 home
5-inning record: 13-14-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-30

Arizona lost five of its last six games; they’re 16-7 in road series openers. Over is 6-2 in their last eight games. Houston won 10 of its last 11 games; they’re 11-12 in home series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games.

Rangers (62-84) @ Padres (59-86)
Mendez is 1-1, 5.54 in his three starts (over 3-0). Team in his starts: 1-2, 0-1 away
5-inning record: 1-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Lauer is 0-2, 6.75 in his last five starts; under is 2-0-1 in his last three. Team in his starts: 7-13, 4-6 home
5-inning record: 9-9-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-20

Rangers lost six of their last seven games; they’re 8-4 in last 12 road series openers- under is 6-4-1 in their last 11 road games. San Diego is 9-5 in its last 14 games, 4-18 in home series openers- over is 3-1-1 in their last five games.

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Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 14th September 2018 by Gracenote
The New York Yankees are closing in on a berth in the American League Wild Card Game, but they're in danger of having to play it on the road. The Yankees return from a 4-5 road trip that tightened up the race for the top wild-card spot to open up a nine-game homestand with the first of three against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.

New York (90-56) did not get a hit until the eighth inning in a 3-1 loss at Minnesota on Wednesday, and its lead on Oakland for the first wild card is down to 1 1/2 games with 16 to play. The Yankees are 12-4 against the Blue Jays in 2018, including 6-1 at home, and will have their hottest pitcher in Masahiro Tanaka on the mound for the opener. Toronto dropped all three at Boston to begin a nine-game road trip, scoring a total of five runs in the sweep at the hands of the Red Sox. The Blue Jays, who are one defeat away from clinching their second straight losing season, go with veteran Marco Estrada on Friday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Toronto), WPIX (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (7-11, 5.32) vs. Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (11-5, 3.61)

Estrada posted his first quality start in six turns with six innings of two-run ball in a no-decision against Cleveland last Friday. He held New York to four runs in 13 innings over two matchups at home earlier in the year but was tagged for five runs and seven hits - including three home runs - in five frames at Yankee Stadium on April 20. Giancarlo Stanton is 7-for-20 with four homers and three doubles against the 35-year-old Estrada.

Tanaka has been the Yankees' best pitcher for about two months and he was at his best last Friday at Seattle, where he tossed eight scoreless innings while striking out a season-high 10. He has a 2.35 ERA over his last 10 starts and has surrendered just one home run - an issue earlier in the year - over his last five appearances. The Japan native is 10-4 with a 2.86 ERA in 16 career starts against the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees CF Aaron Hicks is 1-for-20 over his last five games.

2. Toronto is 23-40 against the AL East.

3. New York 3B Miguel Andujar is 8-for-21 during a five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Blue Jays 3
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Chicago White Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 14th September 2018 by Gracenote
Winning streaks have been hard to come by lately for the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles, but one of them will be able to claim consecutive victories before the start of the weekend. Two of the three teams with the worst records in the American League square off on Friday as the Orioles host the White Sox in the opener of their three-game series.

Chicago (57-89) entered Wednesday's series finale with Kansas City on a seven-game slide before Tim Anderson's two-run homer in the 12th inning gave the team its fifth win in 15 contests. Offense has been in short supply for the White Sox throughout most of that stretch, producing fewer than five runs in nine straight games to match its longest such run from last season. Baltimore (42-104) owns the worst record in the majors, but it received a rare strong start from Dylan Bundy to defeat Oakland 5-3 on Thursday and snap its six-game skid. The White Sox and Orioles, who are a combined 5-17 this month, split a four-game series in late May.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH James Shields (6-16, 4.58 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Luis Ortiz (0-0, 40.50)

Shields gave up at least six runs for the sixth time in 2018 during Saturday's loss to the Los Angeles Angels, surrendering six and nine hits - including a pair of home runs - over 4 1/3 innings. The 2011 All-Star was enjoying one of his best stretches of the season over his previous six turns, going 2-2 with a 3.76 ERA in that span. Adam Jones (14-for-50) and Jonathan Villar (3-for-7) have homered against Shields, who is 7-2 with a 3.81 ERA in 13 career starts in Baltimore.

Ortiz was roughed up in his major-league debut at Tampa Bay on Friday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while recording only two outs in a relief appearance. The 22-year-old, who was acquired from Milwaukee at the trade deadline in a four-player deal involving Jonathan Schoop, went 2-1 with a 3.69 ERA in six outings with Triple-A Norfolk prior to being recalled this month. Ortiz went 5-5 with a 3.70 ERA in the minors this season and is 20-22 with a 3.25 ERA in 88 games (76 starts) over his minor-league career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Anderson needs one more home run to become the first White Sox shortstop with at least 20 blasts and 20 stolen bases in a single season.

2. Baltimore 1B Trey Mancini is batting .337 in 22 home games since the All-Star break.

3. Chicago has struck out a major league-high and club-record 1,412 times this season.

PREDICTION: White Sox 4, Orioles 3
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Miami Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 14th September 2018 by Gracenote
The Philadelphia Phillies spent more than a month atop the National League East this summer, but their freefall over the last month or so has put their hopes of ending a six-year postseason drought on life support. The Phillies will try to avoid a season-high sixth straight defeat on Friday, when they host the Miami Marlins in the opener of their three-game series.

Philadelphia reached a season-high 15 games over .500 on August 5, but little has gone right for the team since, as it has won only 11 of its last 34 contests to fall 7 1/2 games behind division-leading Atlanta. The Phillies, who also trail St. Louis by six games for the second wild-card spot, are coming off a day of rest after falling to 2-9 in September following a three-game sweep by Washington that began their six-game homestand. The Marlins contributed to Philadelphia's woes earlier this month, winning two of three against the Phillies from Sept. 3-5. Miami has struggled to get much of anything going since that series victory, however, going 1-5 over their last six contests after losing both ends of their doubleheader against the New York Mets on Thursday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (6-10, 4.72 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Zach Eflin (9-7, 4.42)

Chen's recent run of success came to a halt Saturday in Pittsburgh, as he threw first-pitch strikes to only seven of the 18 batters he faced and yielded three runs on four hits and two walks in four innings. The 33-year-old had been dominant in his previous five outings, going 3-1 while posting a 1.44 ERA and 0.80 WHIP. Asdrubal Cabrera (3-for-24) has struggled while Maikel Franco (7-for-18, two homers) has excelled against Chen, who took the loss versus Philadelphia on July 13 despite permitting one run in six frames.

Eflin's second-half struggles continued Saturday as he surrendered six runs on four hits and three walks in three innings against the Mets for his third loss in as many starts. The former first-round pick entered the All-Star break sporting a 7-2 record and 3.15 ERA in 12 outings, but he is only 2-5 with a 6.35 mark in nine turns since. Eflin was sharp in his two starts against Miami this season against Miami, going 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA while holding the Marlins to a .149 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies 1B Rhys Hoskins' 30 home runs and 62 extra-base hits are the most by a Philadelphia hitter since Ryan Howard recorded 33 and 64 in 2011.

2. Miami OF Lewis Brinson is 2-for-18 over his last five games after going 11-for-22 in his first six contests following an extended stint on the disabled list.

3. Philadelphia 1B Carlos Santana is one of only three major-leaguers with at least 80 RBIs (82) and 95 walks (97).

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Phillies 4
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Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 13th September 2018 by Gracenote
While they inch closer to formally clinching the American League Central title, the Cleveland Indians are more preoccupied with having their roster rested and clicking in advance of the upcoming playoffs. To that end, Josh Donaldson will make his second start for the Indians when they open a three-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers on Friday night.

Donaldson, the 2015 AL MVP who was acquired from Toronto on Aug. 31, made his Cleveland debut Tuesday after spending 3 1/2 months on the disabled list and is 0-for-5 in two games. Jose Ramirez, who swatted his team-leading 38th homer in Wednesday's 3-1 loss at Tampa Bay, has gone deep four times and has nine RBIs in 16 games against The Tigers this season. The Indians rested four starters Wednesday and will likely continue to do so against Detroit, which has dropped four in a row overall and 12 of 16 in the season series with Cleveland. Nicholas Castellanos, who leads the Tigers in most offensive categories, clubbed his 21st homer Wednesday but is batting only .175 with 19 strikeouts in 57 at-bats against the Tigers in 2018.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (9-12, 4.11 ERA) vs. Indians RH Josh Tomlin (1-5, 6.63)

After earning a win or loss in 11 consecutive starts (5-6), Boyd had to settle for a no-decision last time out despite a masterful performance against St. Louis. He notched a season-high 11 strikeouts while permitting one run and two hits over seven innings. He dominated Cleveland with seven innings of one-run ball on April 10, but was battered for six runs on eight hits over three innings by the Indians on June 24.

Tomlin has pitched solely in relief since returning from a lengthy stint on the disabled list, making five appearances -- the last four consisting of one inning or fewer. Tomlin is making his seventh start of the season and first since May 15, but is 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA in that role. He tossed five scoreless innings against the Tigers on April 10 and was tagged by Detroit for four runs in 5 1/3 innings May 15.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians have won six of the last seven meetings, outscoring Detroit 52-11.

2. Tigers SS Niko Goodrum could miss the series with a deep quad contusion.

3. Indians SS Francisco Lindor has six homers and 14 RBIs in 16 games versus Detroit this season.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Indians 4
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New York Mets vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 14th September 2018 by Gracenote
The Boston Red Sox look to move closer to clinching the American League East title for the third straight season when they host the improving New York Mets for the opener of a three-game interleague set Friday night. Boston has won four in a row after completing a three-game sweep of Toronto on Thursday with a 3-1 triumph, reducing its magic number to clinch the division crown to six.

J.D. Martinez launched his 41st homer in Thursday's win to move within one of the franchise record for a player in his first year with the Red Sox - held by Dick Stuart (42, 1963) - while Xander Bogaerts had two hits to improve to 10-for-19 in his last five outings. Boston will send Hector Velazquez to the mound in the series opener, while the Mets will counter with hard-throwing Noah Syndergaard, who faces the Red Sox for the second time in his career. New York is 9-3 this month after winning three in a row, including a doubleheader sweep of Miami on Thursday, and 9-1-2 in its past 12 series. Michael Conforto belted a solo homer in the first game Thursday and knocked in three runs in the second as he extended his hitting streak to six contests - going 10-for-26 with four blasts and 10 RBIs in that span.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (11-3, 3.44 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Hector Velazquez (7-2, 3.29)

Syndergaard extended his unbeaten streak to four starts Saturday despite allowing four runs on 12 hits and five walks across 6 2/3 innings in a win over Philadelphia. The 26-year-old Texan has thrown at least 100 pitches in six straight outings, including 114 in his first career complete game Sept. 2 at San Francisco. Syndergaard faced the Red Sox once in his career, yielding four runs over 6 2/3 innings back in 2015.

Velazquez makes his eighth start of the season and first since Sept. 5 when he limited Atlanta to two runs on five hits and three walks over four innings in a no-decision. The 29-year-old Mexican has not won since he improved to 7-0 on July 30 and registered a 5.48 ERA in 10 appearances since. Velazquez faces the Mets for the first time in his career and is 4-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 19 appearances (three starts) at home in 2018.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York INF Jose Reyes owns 521 RBIs with the team, tied with Cleon Jones for eighth in franchise history.

2. Boston INF Eduardo Nunez, who boasts a four-game hitting streak (5-for-12), left Thursday's game with a sore right knee.

3. Mets 2B Jeff McNeil has hit safely in 23 of his last 25 starts and is 13-for-32 in his past eight games overall.

PREDICTION: Mets 6, Red Sox 3
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Oakland Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 14th September 2018 by Gracenote
The Tampa Bay Rays are the closest pursuers for the American League's second wild-card berth, but they need a three-game weekend sweep of the visiting Oakland Athletics to have any realistic chance of overtaking them. Tampa Bay enters Friday's series opener eight games back after Oakland suffered a 5-3 loss to Baltimore on Thursday to see its six-game winning streak come to an end.

The Rays are 9-2 this month and have won 18 of their last 22 games, making manager Kevin Cash ecstatic over his team's strong finish. "Getting to watch this from a really good seat, it's pretty exciting," Cash told reporters after Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Cleveland. "I hope it's exciting for our fans. Because these guys, they come every day, they bring a lot of effort, they're fun to watch and they're very talented." The Athletics fell 3 1/2 games behind first-place Houston in the AL West and 1 1/2 in back of the New York Yankees for the first wild card with Thursday's setback. Stephen Piscotty belted his ninth homer in 23 contests - he has 24 on the season - while extending his career-best hitting streak to 14 games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Edwin Jackson (5-3, 3.26 ERA) vs. Rays RH Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.45)

Jackson is 1-1 with a 5.09 ERA over his last five starts and has worked more than five innings just one during that stretch. The 35-year-old lasted just three frames in his last turn, when he gave up four runs and five hits in a no-decision against Texas. Jackson is 3-3 with a 3.98 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) against Tampa Bay, including a 149-pitch no-hitter in 2010 while with Arizona.

Castillo will take the mound as the "opener" in his seventh start of the season. The 24-year-old rookie opened against Cleveland on Monday and gave up one run and one hit in two innings. Castillo has a solid 1.04 WHIP and is limiting hitters to a .185 batting average in 47 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland OF Nick Martini recorded three hits and a walk on Thursday and is 6-for-8 with two walks over his last three games.

2. Tampa Bay OF Tommy Pham is 26-for-65 with three homers and 11 RBIs during his career-best 16-game hitting streak.

3. Athletics RHP Trevor Cahill (back) was scratched from Saturday's start and returned to Oakland to undergo an MRI exam.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Athletics 4
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Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

The Atlanta Braves left home last week for a seven-game west coast road trip after being swept by Boston, but open a 10-game homestand Friday against the Washington Nationals with the National League East title firmly in its grasp. The Braves won six times on their trip through Arizona and San Francisco, riding late-inning offense and strong starting pitching in bolstering their division lead to a season-high 7� games and reducing their magic number to 10.

Atlanta's pitching staff gave up three runs in a three-game sweep of San Francisco, sparked by a Mike Foltynewicz complete game, allowing only two extra-base hits in the series and walking only eight of the 101 batters faced. The Nationals are playing some of their better baseball of the season, winning five games in a row before losing Thursday's make-up game to the Cubs at home 4-3 in 10 innings. Rookie outfielder Juan Soto finished 1-for-5 in the defeat to extend his hitting streak to seven games, and is batting 355 with two doubles, three homers, seven RBIs and five runs scored during the streak. Washington closer Sean Doolittle allowed the go-ahead run to score in the 10th inning, the second time in three games since returning from the disabled list he has allowed a run.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (17-6, 2.31 ERA) vs. Braves RH Kevin Gausman (9-10, 3.89)

Scherzer is a leading contender to win his third consecutive NL Cy Young Award and with good reason, leading the league in wins, strikeouts (271), WHIP (0.88) and hits per nine innings (5.9). The 34-year-old is 5-1 with a 2.12 ERA in 10 starts since the All-Star break, and while he has allowed three earned runs in each of his past three starts, he has struck out 11 hitters in each of his past two outings. Scherzer is 2-1 in four starts against the Braves this season, posting a 1.67 ERA with 30 strikeouts.

Gausman has bolstered Atlanta's rotation since being acquired from Baltimore at the trade deadline, going 4-2 in seven starts with a 2.32 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. The 27-year-old looks to rebound from his worst start with his new team, giving up four runs on seven hits with four walks in 4 2/3 innings in a Sept. 7 loss at Arizona. Gausman faced the Nationals while pitching for the Orioles on June 21, surrendering two runs on four hits in six innings to get a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta has won 20 games - including seven of its past nine victories - in its final at-bat.

2. Braves rookie OF Ronald Acuna has hits in five of his past six games, and is batting .364 during that stretch with two doubles, two triples, a homer, six runs scored and eight walks.

3. Washington SS Trea Turner stole his major-league leading 38th base Thursday, and has reached base safely in 20 of his past 22 games.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Braves 3
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Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

The Chicago Cubs will play only three of their final 16 games outside their home city, beginning with a three-game visit from the Cincinnati Reds starting Friday. The National League Central-leading Cubs have only one road trip left - a six-game swing that includes three at Arizona and three against the crosstown White Sox.

Chicago bolstered its narrow NL Central lead with a 4-3 win in 10 innings Thursday at Washington, moving 1 1/2 games ahead of Milwaukee. Only six of the Cubs' remaining contests are against teams with winning records - the three at Arizona and their final three-game series of the season against St. Louis. The Reds have played well over the past week, winning four of their last six - including two of three against the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this week. The Cubs lead the season series 9-7 with a 6-1 edge at home.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Matt Harvey (7-8, 4.87 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Cole Hamels (9-9, 3.71)

Harvey has posted quality starts in four of his last six outings, pitching to a 3.38 ERA over that span. The 29-year-old had a season-high 10 strikeouts last time out against San Diego, allowing two runs over six innings to earn his first win since Aug. 18. Harvey is 2-1 with a 3.72 ERA in seven career starts against the Cubs, including a 1-1 mark and 3.14 ERA in five outings at Wrigley Field.

Hamels is 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA in eight starts since joining the Cubs. The 34-year-old didn't allow more than one run in any of his first six starts for Chicago, but he has surrendered five in 11 2/3 innings across his last two outings. Hamels is 11-1 with a 1.86 ERA in 16 starts against the Reds, and that includes a complete game win Aug. 23 at Wrigley Field.

WALK-OFF

1. Cubs RHP Pedro Strop left Thursday's game with an apparent hamstring injury suffered trying to beat out a double play in the 10th inning.

2. Reds SS Jose Peraza is 15-for-33 with two homers and eight RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak, and he has six multi-hit games during the run.

3. Chicago 3B/OF Kris Bryant is 7-for-18 with four doubles in his past five games and is batting .325 in 12 games since returning from the disabled list.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Reds 2
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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 13th September 2018 by Gracenote
The Arizona Diamondbacks are playing themselves out of postseason contention and have less than three weeks to turn around their fortunes. Arizona looks to begin that task when they visit the Houston Astros on Friday for the opener of their three-game interleague series.

The Diamondbacks find themselves 4 1/2 games out of first place in the National League West after losing five of their last six series, with the only non-loss during that stretch being a two-game split against San Diego. Arizona, which hasn't won a set since capturing both contests against the Los Angeles Angels from Aug. 21-22, dropped three of four at first-place Colorado after a 10-3 setback on Thursday that put it 4 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the second wild card. Houston, meanwhile, has won three in a row and is 10-1 this month as it enters Friday with a 3 1/2-game lead over Oakland in the American League West. Alex Bregman is coming off a performance against Detroit on Wednesday in which he registered his major league-high 50th double, 100th RBI and 100th run scored - joining Lance Berkman (2001) as the only players in franchise history to accomplish the feat and becoming the first Astro to drive in 100 runs since Carlos Lee in 2009.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (5-2, 4.18 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (11-10, 3.59)

Ray's unbeaten streak reached 10 starts on Sunday as he settled for a no-decision against Atlanta after allowing two runs on two hits and four walks over six innings. The 26-year-old Tennessean has posted only two victories during the streak but has given up fewer than three runs on seven occasions. Ray, who has yet to face Houston this year, yielded five runs on seven hits and eight walks over 10 1/3 frames in two career interleague starts in 2018 - both no-decisions.

Keuchel had recorded 10 quality starts in 12 outings before his turn in Boston on Sunday, when he escaped with a no-decision after being tagged for five runs and nine hits over six innings. The 30-year-old native of Oklahoma native has lost only twice in his last 17 outings but is just 4-5 in 14 turns at home this year. Keuchel has made six career starts against Arizona, going 3-3 with a 4.00 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona OF A.J. Pollock is three homers away from matching the career high of 20 he set in 2015.

2. Bregman has reached base safely in 39 straight games overall - the fifth-longest streak in team history.

3. Diamondbacks LHP T.J. McFarland, who hasn't pitched since Saturday, and RHP Clay Buchholz, who was scratched from his scheduled start on Thursday, returned to Arizona to undergo MRIs on their elbows.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Diamondbacks 3
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 13th September 2018 by Gracenote
The Milwaukee Brewers continue to close in on the franchise's first postseason berth since 2011 but are looking at bigger things. The Brewers will try to stay with the Chicago Cubs in the battle for first place in the National League Central when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.

Milwaukee, which has one series left against a team with a winning record -- at St. Louis from Sept. 24-26 -- and plays nine of its final 15 games at home, owns the top wild card spot in the NL and is lurking 1 1/2 games behind the Cubs in the Central after taking two of three at Chicago earlier this week. "We won two out of three and put ourselves in a spot where the division is within reach," Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters. "You feel like now, really, you take care of your own stuff. You play well, and you feel like you've got a chance to be there." The Pirates are resigned to the spoiler role the rest of the way and will have a say in how the NL Central shakes out with six more against Milwaukee and a four-game set at Chicago down the stretch. Pittsburgh will try to cool the Brewers with right-hander Chris Archer on Friday while going up against Milwaukee lefty Gio Gonzalez.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chris Archer (4-7, 4.56 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Gio Gonzalez (8-11, 4.40)

Archer turned in quality starts in each of his last two outings but could not get enough run support to find the win column, picking up a pair of no-decisions. The North Carolina native allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in six innings against Miami last Friday while striking out six. Archer endured his worst start since joining Pittsburgh at Milwaukee on Aug. 26, when he was lit up for six runs on seven hits and a pair of walks in four innings.

Gonzalez won his Brewers debut Saturday, striking out seven while scattering three hits and an unearned run across 5 2/3 innings against the San Francisco Giants. The Florida native went winless in his last four starts (0-3) with the Washington Nationals before being traded and struggled all season to find consistency. Gonzalez pitched well at Pittsburgh with the Nationals on July 11, surrendering two runs and six hits in six innings, but suffered a loss while coming out on the wrong end of a 2-0 final.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates OF Gregory Polanco underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a dislocated left shoulder.

2. Milwaukee CF Lorenzo Cain is 9-for-17 with four runs scored in the last four games.

3. Pittsburgh rookie INF Kevin Kramer is 1-for-8 with six strikeouts in his last two games.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Brewers 4
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Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 14th September 2018 by Gracenote
Twins vs. Royals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/14/2018

The Kansas City Royals took the first step toward avenging last weekend's series loss and attempt to take another when they host the Minnesota Twins on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set. Kansas City lost two of three in Minnesota before beginning a seven-game homestand with three wins in four contests, including a series-opening 6-4 triumph on Thursday.

Salvador Perez and Jorge Bonifacio hit back-to-back homers during a four-run sixth inning for the Royals, who were held without a hit over the first five frames. Perez also recorded a double as he has hit safely in eight of his last nine contests, registering four home runs and nine RBIs in that span. Rookie Jake Cave notched two of Minnesota's seven hits, including a two-run blast in the second inning, to improve to 6-for-16 during his modest four-game hitting streak. Robbie Grossman doubled and drove in a run for the Twins, who have won their last two series after losing five in a row.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (11-11, 3.83 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jorge Lopez (2-4, 3.72)

Berrios' winless streak reached six starts as he lost his third straight outing Saturday despite allowing just one run and three hits in six innings against Kansas City. The setback dropped the 24-year-old Puerto Rican to 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA in three turns versus the Royals this season and 2-2 with a 4.53 mark in eight career starts. Berrios has not won since defeating Kansas City at home on Aug. 4, when he gave up two runs and five hits over seven frames.

Lopez was the reason Berrios took the loss on Saturday as he carried a perfect game into the ninth inning in Minnesota, but he issued a walk to the leadoff hitter and yielded a single before being lifted. The 25-year-old, who also hails from Puerto Rico, came away with his second straight victory after losing each of his first three starts following his acquisition from Milwaukee in the deal involving Mike Moustakas. Lopez made 10 relief appearances for the Brewers this season but hadn't made a start since 2015, when he got the call in each of his first two major-league appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins C Mitch Garver was kept out of the lineup Thursday but was progessing nicely, according to manager Paul Molitor, one day after taking a foul ball to the mask that forced his exit from a victory over the New York Yankees and undergoing concussion tests.

2. Perez is the ninth player in Royals history record back-to-back seasons of at least 25 home runs.

3. Minnesota SS Jorge Polanco is 7-for-21 over his last five games.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Royals 2
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 14th September 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Cardinals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/14/2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the series opener and look to pull even for the National League's second wild-card spot when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Los Angeles won a 9-7 slugfest on Thursday to put the heat on the Cardinals and remain 1 1/2 games behind first-place Colorado in the NL West.

Manny Machado went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs in Thursday's victory, with the blast being his first since Aug. 30. The Dodgers are 4-3 on their 10-game road trip and have scored eight or more runs in three of the victories. The Cardinals, who trail Milwaukee by three games for the first wild card and are 4 1/2 behind the Chicago Cubs for first in the NL Central, are just 5-7 this month after going 22-6 in August. Catcher Yadier Molina (hamstring) returned to the lineup after a six-game absence and went 0-for-1 with a walk before leaving after four innings with St. Louis trailing 8-1.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (6-5, 3.09 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Jack Flaherty (8-6, 2.92)

Buehler lost to the Rockies in his last turn as he gave up four runs and six hits over six innings. The 24-year-old is 3-2 with a 4.07 ERA in nine road starts compared to a solid 2.32 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts) at home. Buehler allowed three hits and registered nine strikeouts over seven scoreless frames in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Aug. 22, when he was matched up against Flaherty.

Flaherty is 4-0 over his last seven starts and has allowed fewer than two runs in five of those outings. The 22-year-old settled for a no-decision in his last turn as he gave up three runs and four hits in five innings against Detroit. Flaherty registered 10 strikeouts while giving up just one hit - a solo homer by Joc Pederson -over six innings in the recent no-decision against the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals RF Marcell Ozuna recorded two hits and two RBIs on Thursday and is 16-for-39 with five homers and 13 RBIs during his nine-game hitting streak.

2. Los Angeles RF Matt Kemp notched two hits in the series opener and is 5-for-13 with three RBIs over his last three contests.

3. St. Louis 3B Jedd Gyorko (groin) went 1-for-5 with an RBI on Thursday in his first start since Aug. 28.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 3, Dodgers 2
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Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 09-14-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 14th September 2018 by Gracenote
Twins vs. Royals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/14/2018

The Kansas City Royals took the first step toward avenging last weekend's series loss and attempt to take another when they host the Minnesota Twins on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set. Kansas City lost two of three in Minnesota before beginning a seven-game homestand with three wins in four contests, including a series-opening 6-4 triumph on Thursday.

Salvador Perez and Jorge Bonifacio hit back-to-back homers during a four-run sixth inning for the Royals, who were held without a hit over the first five frames. Perez also recorded a double as he has hit safely in eight of his last nine contests, registering four home runs and nine RBIs in that span. Rookie Jake Cave notched two of Minnesota's seven hits, including a two-run blast in the second inning, to improve to 6-for-16 during his modest four-game hitting streak. Robbie Grossman doubled and drove in a run for the Twins, who have won their last two series after losing five in a row.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (11-11, 3.83 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jorge Lopez (2-4, 3.72)

Berrios' winless streak reached six starts as he lost his third straight outing Saturday despite allowing just one run and three hits in six innings against Kansas City. The setback dropped the 24-year-old Puerto Rican to 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA in three turns versus the Royals this season and 2-2 with a 4.53 mark in eight career starts. Berrios has not won since defeating Kansas City at home on Aug. 4, when he gave up two runs and five hits over seven frames.

Lopez was the reason Berrios took the loss on Saturday as he carried a perfect game into the ninth inning in Minnesota, but he issued a walk to the leadoff hitter and yielded a single before being lifted. The 25-year-old, who also hails from Puerto Rico, came away with his second straight victory after losing each of his first three starts following his acquisition from Milwaukee in the deal involving Mike Moustakas. Lopez made 10 relief appearances for the Brewers this season but hadn't made a start since 2015, when he got the call in each of his first two major-league appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins C Mitch Garver was kept out of the lineup Thursday but was progessing nicely, according to manager Paul Molitor, one day after taking a foul ball to the mask that forced his exit from a victory over the New York Yankees and undergoing concussion tests.

2. Perez is the ninth player in Royals history record back-to-back seasons of at least 25 home runs.

3. Minnesota SS Jorge Polanco is 7-for-21 over his last five games.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Royals 2
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