Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Friday 9/28/18
National League
Cardinals (87-72) @ Cubs (93-66)
Wainwright is 1-1, 4.50 in his last four starts (under 5-2). Team in his starts: 4-3, 1-1 road
5-inning record: 3-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-7
Hendricks is 4-1, 2.06 in his last six starts; under is 10-2 in his last 12 starts. Team in his starts: 17-15, 8-7 home
5-inning record: 12-13-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 15-32
St Louis lost its last three games; they’re 12-13 in road series openers. Over is 8-1 in their last nine games. Cubs won four of their last six games, are 13-13 in home series openers. Under is 9-1 in their last ten games at Wrigley.
Pirates (80-78) @ Rockies (89-70)
Kingham is 0-5, 11.57 in his last five starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 4-6, 1-5 road
5-inning record: 5-7-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-14
DeSclafani is 0-3, 8.81 in his last three starts; under is 6-3-1 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 11-9, 7-5 home
5-inning record: 10-6-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-20
Pittsburgh is 3-4 in its last seven games, 11-14 in road series openers. Under is 5-1 in their last six road games. Cincinnati lost its last five games; they’re 12-13 in home series openers. Under is 12-0 in their last 12 games.
Braves (89-70) @ Phillies (78-81)
Foltynewicz is 2-1, 3.33 in his last four starts; under is 7-4 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 14-16, 7-7 road
5-inning record: 15-9-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-30
Eickhoff is making his first ’18 start; he is 18-25, 3.90 in 65 career starts; he allowed two runs in two IP in two relief stints this year. He was 0-0, 2.41 in four AAA starts this year. Team in his starts: 0-0 home
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0
Atlanta won six of their last eight games, but lost last two; they’re 11-2 in last 13 road series openers. Under is 5-1 in their last six road games. Phillies lost their last eight games; they’re 14-11 in home series openers. Over is 9-5 in their last 14 games.
Marlins (62-96) @ Mets (75-84)
Ureña is 5-0, 1.85 in six starts since drilling Acuña and getting ejected in first inning August 15. Over is 7-4-1 in his last 12 starts. Team in his starts: 11-19, 5-8 road
5-inning record: 12-15-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-29
Oswalt is 1-1, 4.86 in his last four starts; his last three home starts went over. Team in his starts: 4-7, 2-3 home
5-inning record: 5-4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-11
Marlins are 2-11 in their last 13 games, 0-9 in last nine road series openers. Miami’s last six road games all went over. New York won five of its last seven games; they’re 2-7 in last nine home series openers. Under is 4-1 in their last five home games.
Nationals (81-78) @ Rockies (89-70)
Ross is 0-1, 4.63 in his two starts (under 2-0). Team in his starts: 0-2, 0-0 road
5-inning record: 0-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-2
Freeland is 5-0, 2.37 in his last six starts; under is 7-3 in his last 10. Team in his starts: 22-10, 11-2 home
5-inning record: 16-10-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-32
Nationals won four of their last five games; they’re 5-11 in last 16 road series openers. Over is 7-3 in their last ten games. Colorado won its last seven games; they’re 11-14 in home series openers- under is 10-5-1 in their last 16 games.
Diamondbacks (81-78) @ Padres (64-95)
Corbin is 0-2, 5.87 in his last three starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 17-15, 8-6 away
5-inning record: 16-9-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-32
Lauer is 1-0, 1.89 in his last four starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 8-14, 4-7 home
5-inning record: 11-9-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-22
Arizona is 3-8 in its last 11 games, 17-8 in road series openers; over is 7-4 in their last 11 games. Padres are 5-7 in their last dozen games, 4-20 in home series openers; over is 8-3 in their last 11 games.
Dodgers (88-71) @ Giants (73-86)
Ryu is 2-0, 0.00 (13 IP) in his last two starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 9-5, 2-3 away
5-inning record: 8-4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-14
Bumgarner is 1-1, 4.50 in his last five starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 9-11, 6-3 home
5-inning record: 10-7-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-20
Dodgers lost three of their last four road games, 16-2 in last 18 road series openers; over is 5-1 in their last six games. Giants lost six of their last seven games; they’re 14-11 in home series openers. Under is 16-1 in their last 17 home games.
American League
New York (98-61) @ Boston (107-52)
Happ is 1-0, 1.17 in his last four starts (over 5-3-2). Team in his starts: 8-2, 3-0 road
5-inning record: 6-2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-10
Johnson is 0-1, 7.20 in his last three starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 9-3, 6-1 home
5-inning record: 9-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-12
New York won five of its last seven games; they’re 6-1 in last seven road series openers. Over is 7-2 in their last nine games. Boston is 4-5 in its last nine games; they’re 18-7 in home series openers. Over is 5-2-1 in their last eight games.
Blue Jays (72-87) @ Rays (88-71)
Pannone is 3-0, 2.70 in his last three starts (under 4-1). Team in his starts: 4-1, 1-1 away
5-inning record: 2-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5
Glasnow is 1-2, 2.37 in is last three starts (under 7-2-1). Team in his starts: 4-6, 3-1 home
5-inning record: 3-6-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-10
Blue Jays lost three of their last four games; they’re 13-13 in road series openers- their last five games stayed under. Tampa Bay lost four of its last six games; they’re 12-4 in last 16 home series openers- over is 10-4 in their last 14 home games.
Astros (100-58) @ Orioles (46-112)
Cole is 4-0, 3.94 in his last five starts; over is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 23-8, 11-5 away
5-inning record: 18-7-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-31
Verlander is 3-0, 1.33 in his last four starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 20-13, 12-2 away
5-inning record: 22-6-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-33
Ramirez is 0-3, 10.22 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 3-8, 2-4 home
5-inning record: 2-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-11
Hess is 0-2, 8.35 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 4-14, 3-3 home
5-inning record: 4-10-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-18
Houston won eight of its last 11 games; under is 3-0 in their last three games. Orioles played a DH yesterday; they’re 5-8 in their last 13 games; three of their last four games went over.
White Sox (62-96) @ Twins (74-84)
Giolito is 0-3, 6.59 in his last five starts (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 14-17, 10-6 away
5-inning record: 10-18-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 12-31
Lopez is 3-0, 0.79 in his last five starts (under 4-1). Team in his starts: 13-18, 5-10 away
5-inning record: 14-14-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-26
DeJong is 0-1, 5.40 in his three starts (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 1-2, 1-0 home
5-inning record: 0-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3
Berrios is 0-3, 5.40 in his last five starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 15-16, 11-6 home
5-inning record: 10-15-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-31
White Sox lost four of their last five games, are 8-18 in road series openers- under is 3-1-1 in their last five road games. Minnesota won seven of its last ten games; they’re 15-11 in home series openers- under is 8-3-1 in their last 12 home games.
Indians (89-70) @ Royals (57-102)
Clevinger is 3-1, 2.43 in his last five starts (under 3-1-1). Team in his starts: 15-16, 5-9 away
5-inning record: 10-14-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-31
Kennedy is 2-0, 2.84 in his last three starts; under is 9-3 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 6-15, 3-7 home
5-inning record: 9-9-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-21
Indians won four of their last six games; under is 4-2 in their last six games. Kansas City won five of its last six games; under is 7-1 in their last eight games.
A’s (96-63) @ Angels (78-81)
Fiers is 2-1, 2.86 in his last four starts (under 5-4). Team in his starts: 8-1, 2-1 away
5-inning record: 8-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-9
Barria is 1-1, 4.00 in his last four starts; under is 10-6 in his last 16. Team in his starts: 12-13, 5-7 home
5-inning record: 11-10-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-25
Playoff-bound A’s won six of last eight games, are 14-11 in road series openers- their last five road games went over. Angels lost six of their last eight games, are 14-11 in home series openers. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six home games.
Rangers (67-92) @ Mariners (85-73)
Perez is 0-2, 8.10 in his last four starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 4-10, 3-4 away
5-inning record: 5-7-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-14
LeBlanc is 0-2, 5.28 in his last three starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 16-10, 9-4 home
5-inning record: 15-8-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-26
Texas lost eight of its last 11 games; under is 4-0-1 in their last five games. Seattle is 4-7 in its last 11 games; over is 5-2 in their last seven games.
Interleague
Tigers (64-95) @ Brewers (92-67)
Zimmerman is 0-2, 6.89 in his last three starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 12-12, 5-5 away
5-inning record: 13-10-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-24
Davies is 0-5, 4.81 in his last seven starts; under is 8-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 4-8, 3-5 home
5-inning record: 4-8 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-12
Tigers are 3-7 in their last ten games, 6-19 in road series openers; Over is 5-2-1 in their last eight road games. Milwaukee won six of its last seven games, is 17-8 in home series openers; their last five home games stayed under.
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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 28th September 2018 by Gracenote
Cardinals vs. Cubs Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/28/2018
One of the most heated rivalries in baseball will have a little extra fuel this weekend. The Chicago Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday afternoon for the opener of a season-ending three-game series, with both teams fighting to determine their postseason fate.
The Cubs have clinched a playoff berth, but they're locked in a tight race with Milwaukee for the National League Central title - and the NL's top seed. Chicago increased its lead over the Brewers to one game with a 3-0 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday. The Cardinals' playoff hopes took a big hit earlier this week as they were on the wrong side of a three-game sweep in their showdown with Milwaukee, dropping them one game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second wild-card spot. Adam Wainwright could be making his final start for the Cardinals in the series opener.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Midwest (St. Louis), ABC 7 (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (2-3, 4.08 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (13-11, 3.49)
Wainwright has made three starts since returning from the disabled list, and the Cardinals have won all three. The 37-year-old struck out six while allowing four runs over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision against San Francisco in his last outing. Wainwright is 15-9 with a 3.94 ERA in 44 career games (35 starts) versus the Cubs, including an 11-2 record at Wrigley Field.
Hendricks has allowed fewer than three earned runs in seven straight starts, posting a 1.55 ERA over that stretch. The 28-year-old has given up just one run in each of his last two outings after limiting the crosstown White Sox to four hits over 7 2/3 innings in a win on Sunday. Hendricks is 4-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 13 career starts against St. Louis.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago 3B-OF Kris Bryant (wrist) missed his second consecutive game Thursday and is day-to-day.
2. Cardinals 1B Matt Carpenter is hitting .105 with two extra-base hits and 16 strikeouts over his last 11 contests.
3. Cubs 2B Daniel Murphy, who has gone 11-for-32 during his seven-game hitting streak, is 8-for-20 with three extra-base hits against Wainwright.
PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Cardinals 2
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Pirates vs. Reds Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/27/2018
The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to clinch a winning campaign for the first time since 2015 when they begin a season-ending three-game series at the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. The Pirates managed just three hits in a 3-0 loss at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Thursday, their second straight setback following an 8-2 surge.
Pittsburgh (80-78) did manage five walks against the Cubs but they were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position while falling to 41-32 against National League Central opponents. The Reds have scored just five runs during a five-game losing streak, including a 6-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. After shutting down Luis Castillo due to an innings restriction, Cincinnati bumped Anthony DeSclafani into Friday's start. Rookie Nick Kingham goes for the Pirates, who swept a three-game set at Cincinnati in July.
TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Nick Kingham (5-7, 5.23 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (7-7, 4.91)
Kingham is coming off a disastrous start in a loss against Milwaukee on Sunday, giving up six runs (five earned) over 1 1/3 innings. He is 0-3 with a 12.19 ERA over his last four starts. The 26-year-old's last win came at Cincinnati on July 21, when he let up two runs and four hits across 6 1/3 innings.
DeSclafani tied a career high with 10 strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings but took the loss at Miami his last time out. The outing left the New Jersey native with an 0-3 record and an ERA of 7.04 in five September starts. Corey Dickerson is 3-for-7 with two home runs against DeSclafani.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pirates CF Starling Marte has 12 RBIs in 13 games against the Reds this year.
2. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett is 3-for-20 over his last five games to drop his average to .313, eight points behind NL leader Christian Yelich.
3. Pittsburgh has won each of the last six meetings by a combined margin of 42-11.
PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Reds 3
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Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Astros vs. Orioles Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/27/2018
The Houston Astros will have plenty of opportunities to tune up for the playoffs over the final three days of the regular season. After a rainout in Baltimore on Thursday, the Astros and host Orioles will squeeze their four-game series into a three-day span, beginning with Friday's series opener and a doubleheader Saturday.
Houston, which has clinched the second seed in the American League playoffs, will try to take advantage of otherwise meaningless games to get primed for an ALDS matchup with Cleveland beginning next Friday. "I have stressed to them not to get sloppy," Astros manager A.J. Hinch told reporters. "You don't want to play like it's spring training, then have to go back into playoff mode. I don't want them to get into bad habits. We have to play the games and you have to keep your edge. You can't not compete." Gerrit Cole will start Friday for Houston as he needs 5 2/3 innings to reach 200 for the second straight time. The Orioles, who already played a doubleheader Wednesday at Fenway Park, give the ball to David Hess.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (15-5, 2.92 ERA) vs. Orioles RH David Hess (3-10, 5.14)
Cole ranks fifth in the AL in ERA and second behind teammate Justin Verlander with 272 strikeouts. He fanned 12 while allowing three runs over seven innings to defeat the Los Angeles Angels last Friday. The Orioles are one of three teams (also Pittsburgh, Minnesota) that Cole has never faced.
Hess is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in four September starts but allowed just two runs and four hits over five innings at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. He gave up a total of five home runs over his last two contests after getting through three straight starts without serving up a homer. The Tennessee native will be facing the Astros for the first time.
WALK-OFFS
1. Houston (100-58) needs three wins in the final series to set a franchise record for victories in a season.
2. Orioles LF Trey Mancini is 9-for-26 with four extra-base hits during a six-game hitting streak.
3. The Astros have won 11 of the last 12 meetings.
PREDICTION: Astros 6, Orioles 3
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Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 28th September 2018 by Gracenote
Marlins vs. Mets Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/28/2018
Despite going hitless in his last game, Michael Conforto has enjoyed one of the finest Septembers in the history of the New York Mets. The 2017 All-Star hopes to take another few steps toward a team record Friday when the Mets host the Miami Marlins in the opener of a three-game set between National League East rivals.
Conforto finished 0-for-2 with a pair of walks as New York rolled to a 4-1 win Thursday in the rubber match of its three-game series with division champion Atlanta to improve to 16-9 in September. That success is due in no small part to the offensive contributions of the 25-year-old Seattle native, who has 29 RBIs this month - five shy of club mark for September set by Hall of Famer Gary Carter in 1984. The Marlins (62-96) are wrapping up their ninth consecutive losing season and have dropped eight of their last nine road contests. The first three of those setbacks came when they were outscored 22-5 in New York just over two weeks ago and the last three came earlier this week when they were swept in Washington, giving up at least seven runs in each contest.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Urena (8-12, 4.07 ERA) vs. Mets RH Corey Oswalt (3-3, 6.08)
Urena is unbeaten in his last seven starts and won each of his four in September in dominant fashion, lowering his ERA for the month to 1.13 on Saturday when he blanked Cincinnati over 5 2/3 innings. One of those recent outings was a road victory versus the Mets on Sept. 11, holding them to one run over 6 1/3 frames. Urena, who will reach nine wins for a second straight season with a victory Friday despite beginning the year 3-12, is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA in three starts against the Mets this season.
Oswalt took his first loss since July 9 in Washington on Saturday, giving up two runs on four hits over five innings. The 25-year-old San Diego native has proven to be much more comfortable as a starter 16 games into his big-league career, going 2-3 with a 4.91 ERA in 11 turns versus 1-0, 12.54 in five relief appearances. J.T. Realmuto and Starlin Castro each have two hits in five career at-bats versus Oswalt, who has been tagged for nine runs in 8 2/3 frames while going 0-1 against Miami in 2018.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets OF Brandon Nimmo is only 1-for-13 over his last six games, but he has drawn 10 walks over that span - including nine in the last four contests.
2. Miami OF Brian Anderson has 159 hits this season, the most by a Marlin rookie since Chris Coghlan in 2009 (162)
3. New York starting pitchers are 10-4 with a major league-best 2.68 ERA this month.
PREDICTION: Marlins 4, Mets 2
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New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Yankees vs. Red Sox Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/27/2018
The New York Yankees watched the Boston Red Sox wrap up the American League East in the Bronx just over a week ago and they hope to have their own celebration at Fenway Park this weekend. The Yankees have a magic number of one for clinching the top wild card and can nail it down with a victory in Friday night's opener of a three-game series versus the Red Sox.
New York needs one win or a loss by Oakland to secure home field for Wednesday's one-game playoff against the Athletics, a task made easier by the fact that Boston has nothing to play for. "We know what's at stake, and we took a good step toward it," said Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton after he homered twice in Thursday's 12-1 drubbing at Tampa Bay to move his team closer to the potential clincher. Left-hander J.A. Happ, who is 6-0 in 10 starts since he was acquired from Toronto, will get the nod against Boston in the series opener and is on track to start the wild-card game. Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez, who is 21-for-63 with 17 RBIs in 16 games against New York this season, enters the series batting .330 overall with 42 homers and 127 RBIs.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, WPIX (New York), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH J.A. Happ (16-6, 3.57 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (4-4, 4.11)
Happ did not factor in the decision last time out, holding Baltimore to one run and five hits over five innings -- the eighth time in 10 starts since joining the Yankees that he allowed two runs or fewer. He also had a no-decision in his previous turn against the Red Sox, permitting only an unearned run on four hits over six innings. Steve Pearce has been a nemesis for Happ, going 10-for-29 with five homers.
Johnson has pitched primarily out of the bullpen in 2018 but the last of his 12 starts was an ugly one -- he lasted only 1 1/3 innings and was rocked for four runs and seven hits in 1 1/3 innings at the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 2. He beat the Yankees on Aug. 2 but had mixed results, striking out 11 while allowing five runs in five innings. Johnson also made three scoreless relief appearances versus New York this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees SS Didi Gregorius (wrist) was cleared for baseball activities and could play this weekend.
2. Martinez needs one homer to surpass Dick Stuart (1963) for the most in a player's first season with Boston.
3. The Yankees need four homers to match the major-league record of 264 set by Seattle in 1997.
PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Red Sox 3
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Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Blue Jays vs. Rays Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/27/2018
Having been officially eliminated from postseason contention to start the week, the Tampa Bay Rays still have a pair of goals remaining entering the final series of the season Friday night against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays are two wins shy of reaching 90 for the season and need one more victory to post 50 wins at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay has dropped three of four following Thursday's 12-1 mauling by the New York Yankees, but they stayed in contention in a top-heavy American League East until the final week of the season. Tommy Pham had his 10-game hitting streak snapped Thursday but he has reached safely in 29 consecutive games, the longest active string in the AL. Toronto halted a three-game slide with a 3-1 win over Houston on Wednesday to give outgoing manager John Gibbons a victory in his final home game with the franchise. Randal Grichuk, who has hit safely in five of the last six games, belted a two-run homer in the victory to establish a career high with 25.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNET, TVA Sports (Toronto), FS Sun Tampa Bay
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Thomas Pannone (4-1, 3.58 ERA) vs. Rays RH Tyler Glasnow (2-7, 4.23)
Pannone is winding up his abbreviated rookie season on a high note, winning his third consecutive start after holding Tampa Bay to two runs -- both on solo homers -- and six hits over six innings. The long ball has been among the few concerns for the 24-year-old, who has allowed six runs and 14 hits over 20 innings, including five homers, during the winning streak. Pham and Jesus Sucre each homered off Pannone.
Although Glasnow lost for the fourth time in his last five outings, he posted his fourth quality start in that span by giving up three runs over six innings at Toronto on Saturday. He was superb in his previous turn, blanking Texas on two hits over six innings, and gave up two runs over seven innings in a loss to Cleveland on Sept. 11. Glasnow was rocked for seven runs in two-thirds of an inning at Toronto on Sept. 5.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rays DH C.J. Cron went deep Thursday and is one shy of becoming the ninth player in franchise history to reach 30.
2. Blue Jays 1B Justin Smoak is 2-for-21 over the past eight games.
3. Rays 3B Matt Duffy (right quadriceps) missed Thursday's game and will be re-evaluated Friday.
PREDICTION: Rays 4, Blue Jays 3
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New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Yankees vs. Red Sox Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/27/2018
The New York Yankees watched the Boston Red Sox wrap up the American League East in the Bronx just over a week ago and they hope to have their own celebration at Fenway Park this weekend. The Yankees have a magic number of one for clinching the top wild card and can nail it down with a victory in Friday night's opener of a three-game series versus the Red Sox.
New York needs one win or a loss by Oakland to secure home field for Wednesday's one-game playoff against the Athletics, a task made easier by the fact that Boston has nothing to play for. "We know what's at stake, and we took a good step toward it," said Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton after he homered twice in Thursday's 12-1 drubbing at Tampa Bay to move his team closer to the potential clincher. Left-hander J.A. Happ, who is 6-0 in 10 starts since he was acquired from Toronto, will get the nod against Boston in the series opener and is on track to start the wild-card game. Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez, who is 21-for-63 with 17 RBIs in 16 games against New York this season, enters the series batting .330 overall with 42 homers and 127 RBIs.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, WPIX (New York), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH J.A. Happ (16-6, 3.57 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (4-4, 4.11)
Happ did not factor in the decision last time out, holding Baltimore to one run and five hits over five innings -- the eighth time in 10 starts since joining the Yankees that he allowed two runs or fewer. He also had a no-decision in his previous turn against the Red Sox, permitting only an unearned run on four hits over six innings. Steve Pearce has been a nemesis for Happ, going 10-for-29 with five homers.
Johnson has pitched primarily out of the bullpen in 2018 but the last of his 12 starts was an ugly one -- he lasted only 1 1/3 innings and was rocked for four runs and seven hits in 1 1/3 innings at the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 2. He beat the Yankees on Aug. 2 but had mixed results, striking out 11 while allowing five runs in five innings. Johnson also made three scoreless relief appearances versus New York this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees SS Didi Gregorius (wrist) was cleared for baseball activities and could play this weekend.
2. Martinez needs one homer to surpass Dick Stuart (1963) for the most in a player's first season with Boston.
3. The Yankees need four homers to match the major-league record of 264 set by Seattle in 1997.
PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Red Sox 3
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Washington Nationals vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Nationals vs. Rockies Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/27/2018
The red-hot Colorado Rockies embark on what could be a historic weekend at Coors Field in Denver when they begin a three-game series with the Washington Nationals on Friday. Colorado (89-70), which has won seven straight after Thursday's 5-3 victory over Philadelphia, has never won the National League West but controls its own fate with a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Rockies could also clinch a playoff berth with a victory Friday coupled with a St. Louis loss to the Cubs in Chicago. Colorado outscored the Phillies 39-7 in this week's four-game sweep with David Dahl homering in each game and totaling 11 RBIs in the series while Trevor Story (team-best 35 home runs), who shares the team lead in RBIs with Nolan Arenado (105), went deep in each of the last two contests. The Rockies' Kyle Freeland, a Denver native, is 9-2 with an eye-popping 2.36 ERA in 14 starts at Coors Field this season and opposes Joe Ross, who makes his third and final appearance in a season that began late because of Tommy John surgery. "The consistency in performance has been as good as anybody in the game, especially when you consider around half his starts have come at altitude," Rockies manager Bud Black told the Denver Post about Freeland, who hasn't lost since Aug. 1. "He's living on the black."
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Washington), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Joe Ross (0-1, 4.09 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (16-7, 2.84)
Ross allowed four runs (three earned), eight hits and one walk while striking out three over six innings of a 4-2 loss to the New York Mets on Sept. 21. The 25-year-old Californian made his first start since July 9, 2017 when he received a no-decision after yielding two runs and four hits over five innings of Washington's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 13. Ross has made one start against Colorado on April 25, 2017 at Coors Field, receiving a no-decision after permitting five runs across 4 2/3 innings of the Nationals' 15-12 victory.
Freeland allowed seven hits and a walk while striking out six over seven innings of a 2-0 victory at Arizona on Sunday, improving to 7-0 with a 2.10 ERA in his last 10 starts - all of the quality variety. The 25-year-old and eighth overall pick of the 2014 draft is 15-3 after going 1-4 with a 4.24 ERA in six April outings. Ryan Zimmerman is 3-for-5 with a three-run homer versus Freeland, who is 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA in two starts versus Washington after allowing one run over 4 2/3 innings and earning a no-decision in April.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rockies RHP Wade Davis set a club record with his NL-leading 42nd save Thursday and hasn't blown one since Aug. 3.
2. Nationals RF Bryce Harper (.244, 34 home runs, 100 RBIs this season), who may have played his last home game in a Washington uniform Wednesday, is batting .377 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 61 at-bats with 14 walks and 18 runs scored at Coors Field.
3. Jorge De La Rosa, a LHP now with the Cubs, holds the Rockies record for lowest ERA in a season at Coors Field - 2.76 in 2013.
PREDICTION: Rockies 11, Nationals 2
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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Diamondbacks vs. Padres Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/27/2018
The Arizona Diamondbacks bid to secure a winning record this season Friday when they host the San Diego Padres (64-95) in the opener of a three-game series at Chase Field. That's likely little consolation for the Diamondbacks (81-78), who began September in first place in the National League West before a series of four-game losing skids dropped them out of postseason contention.
"You always want to finish up strong. It's been a really tough month for us, to say the least, but our last home game here we came out and played some really good baseball," said A.J. Pollock, who belted a three-run homer in Arizona's 7-2 triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Pollock has gone deep three times during his five-game hitting streak and is 18-for-52 with three homers, 11 RBIs and nine runs scored in the season series versus San Diego. The cellar-dwelling Padres might not have much riding on the final three contests of the campaign, however Freddy Galvis doesn't see it that way as he closes in on playing in all 162 games for the second straight year. "I feel like when I'm on the field I can help the team to win some games," Galvis told reporters. "I can do it with the bat, I can do it with the glove, I can do it with my mind. Playing 162 is really important to me."
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (11-7, 3.23 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Lauer (6-7, 4.60)
Corbin dropped his second straight start and fell to 1-3 in his last seven outings Saturday after allowing four runs on five hits in three innings of a 5-1 setback versus Colorado. The 29-year-old issued four walks in that contest, matching the sum total of his previous five starts. Corbin owns a 1-0 mark and has struck out 19 in two starts this season against San Diego despite permitting six runs in 12 innings.
Lauer posted his first win since July 10 after yielding one run on four hits in five innings of a 5-3 triumph at the Dodgers last Friday. The 23-year-old has been taken deep in each of his last two outings, but that wasn't the case in his lone encounter with Arizona this season. Lauer, who allowed one run in five frames of a 6-3 win versus the Diamondbacks on July 5, has permitted three runs or fewer in 13 of his last 15 starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego CF Travis Jankowski, who is 6-for-38 against Arizona this season, homered to highlight his three-hit performance in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over San Francisco.
2. Diamondbacks RF David Peralta, who hit his 30th homer Wednesday, is 9-for-40 against the Padres this season.
3. San Diego's 29 home wins are the fewest in the National League and second-worst in the majors (Baltimore).
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 3, Padres 2
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Oakland Athletics vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Athletics vs. Angels Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/27/2018
The Oakland Athletics have already secured an American League wild-card berth, so they'll switch their sights to wresting away homefield advantage from the New York Yankees when they begin a regular season-ending three-game road series against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. Oakland faces an uphill climb to avoid playing at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, though, as New York's magic number to clinch the top wild-card spot is one with a trip to Boston looming this weekend.
"Everything now is just a day-at-a-time mentality,'' Athletics right-hander Edwin Jackson told reporters. "Can't really look too far ahead. We'll find out what's next in due time, and I'll just sit back and enjoy (making the playoffs) and watch us continue to go out and battle and see how many games we can win in this last little stretch." Oakland continues to ride the bat of Khris Davis, who belted his major league-leading 47th home run Wednesday and has 192 career homers in his first six seasons - 132 in the last three years. Los Angeles (78-81) is coming off a three-game sweep of Texas and needs to win its last three games to avoid its first three-year stretch of losing seasons since 1992-94. Mike Fiers is 5-1 with a 2.90 ERA in nine starts since joining Oakland and opposes Jaime Barria, who has enjoyed a solid rookie season.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Mike Fiers (12-7, 3.31 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jaime Barria (10-9, 3.54)
Fiers received a no-decision after allowing one run, four hits and one walk while striking out five in six innings of Oakland's 3-2 victory over Minnesota on Saturday. The Athletics are 8-1 in starts made by 33-year-old Florida native, who was 7-6 with a 3.48 ERA while with Detroit before joining Oakland in August. Mike Trout is 6-for-17 with a home run, four doubles, five RBIs, four walks and six strikeouts versus Fiers, who is 3-3 with a 5.16 ERA in nine starts versus Los Angeles after a no-decision this season when he yielded one run over 5 2/3 innings May 30.
Barria received a no-decision after allowing one run, four hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings of Los Angeles' 10-5 loss at Houston on Saturday. The 22-year-old Panamanian has a 1.27 WHIP with 117 hits allowed and 94 strikeouts against 41 walks across 124 2/3 innings this season. Barria, who makes his first career start versus Oakland, had a 3.55 ERA in 13 outings prior to the All-Star Game and 3.53 in 12 games after the break.
WALK-OFFS
1. Trout (.313, 38 home runs, 77 RBIs) needs one run scored to become the seventh player in history with six 100-run seasons in his first seven years (Alex Rodriguez, seven; Hank Aaron, Bill Dahlen, Mickey Mantle, Mel Ott and Albert Pujols, six apiece).
2. Oakland, which is third in the major leagues with 223 home runs, leads baseball with 132 on the road.
3. The teams have split 16 meetings this year as the Athletics try to win their first season series over Los Angeles since 2013.
PREDICTION: Athletics 3, Angels 2
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Giants Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/27/2018
The Los Angeles Dodgers have answered a scintillating 10-2 stretch with back-to-back losses to put their postseason plans in jeopardy. The Dodgers (88-71) aim to return to their winning ways Friday when they play the opener of a three-game series versus the reeling San Francisco Giants (73-86), who have lost 18 of their last 23 contests.
Los Angeles dropped two straight to Arizona and trails first-place Colorado by one game in the National League West, but lead St. Louis by one game for the second wild-card spot. Cody Bellinger was mired in a 1-for-12 rut before recording consecutive two-hit performances, highlighted by his RBI single in Wednesday's 7-2 setback to the Diamondbacks. While the Dodgers are entertaining postseason aspirations, the Giants -- manager Bruce Bochy contends -- will look to gain valuable experience while playing the role of spoiler. "I've never liked being in this position," Bochy told reporters. "I like being in the other position, but it's good for the guys. These games are going to mean a lot. It's good experience for the young guys. There's a lot at stake."
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network; Sportsnet Los Angeles, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (6-3, 2.00 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (6-6, 3.20)
Ryu has scattered four hits in back-to-back scoreless outings, highlighted by his eight-strikeout performance versus San Diego on Sunday. The 31-year-old South Korean has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his 14 appearances this season and has permitted only two earned runs with 13 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings in two starts versus San Francisco. Hunter Pence (13-for-31, seven RBIs) and Gorkys Hernandez (3-for-8) have rattled Ryu in his career.
Bumgarner has given the home fans plenty for which to cheer, as the 29-year-old has not yielded a run in his last three starts (20 innings) at AT&T Park. Bumgarner followed up a 3-0 win versus Colorado on Sept. 15 by allowing three runs in six innings of a no-decision at St. Louis six days later. Enrique Hernandez is a robust 16-for-36 with four homers and eight RBIs versus Bumgarner, however the hurler has flustered Yasmani Grandal (1-for-13, seven strikeouts).
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco SS Brandon Crawford (6-for-51, 14 strikeouts) and 3B Evan Longoria (9-for-48, 10 strikeouts) have struggled mightily versus Los Angeles this season.
2. Dodgers SS Manny Machado is 7-for-24 with two homers, eight RBIs and three runs scored during his six-game hitting streak.
3. Pence is 8-for-19 with a homer and four runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Giants 3, Dodgers 2
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Detroit Tigers vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 28th September 2018 by Gracenote
Scheduled Miller Park Milwaukee
The Milwaukee Brewers still harbor thoughts of winning a division title as they open a three-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers on Friday. Milwaukee, which has clinched at least a National League wild-card berth, is one game behind the Central-leading Chicago Cubs with three games to play.
The Brewers are one of the hottest teams in the majors with four straight victories and 19 in their past 26 contests, but they intend to attempt to score a few more wins. "The wild-card game, no matter how good you are, it is always somewhat of a coin flip," Milwaukee veteran Ryan Braun told reporters. "So we have to take care of business." Milwaukee has scored 12 or more runs in two of its past four games with MVP candidate Christian Yelich (NL-best .321 average along with 33 homers and 104 RBIs) leading the charge with seven homers and 28 RBIs in September. Detroit allowed 20 runs while dropping the final two games of a three-game set with Minnesota and has lost 12 of its past 17 contests.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Wisconsin, Dish455 (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (7-8, 4.31 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (2-7, 4.65)
Zimmermann is 0-2 with a 6.32 ERA over his past three starts. The 32-year-old received a no-decision Saturday, as he gave up two runs and three hits over seven innings against Kansas City. Zimmermann is 5-1 with a 4.08 ERA in seven career outings against the Brewers but last pitched against them in 2015 when he was a member of the Washington Nationals.
Davies has lost consecutive starts and dropped five straight decisions. The 25-year-old had his season interrupted twice by rotator cuff soreness and missed more than three months during his second trip to the disabled list. Davies is 0-2 with a 3.32 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in four September outings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers LF Christin Stewart had three hits for the second time in 17 big league appearances on Thursday.
2. Milwaukee CF Lorenzo Cain is 7-for-18 with three walks, two steals and five runs scored over the past four games.
3. Detroit LHP Francisco Liriano (back) departed Thursday's start after 2 2/3 innings in his final start of the season.
PREDICTION: Brewers 10, Tigers 5
Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 28th September 2018 by Gracenote
Scheduled Target Field Minneapolis
Willians Astudillo proved earlier this summer his bat was major-league ready, but his production since his most recent promotion on Aug. 24 could lead to a very substantial role with the Minnesota Twins next season. The 26-year-old Venezuelan catcher attempts to continue his red-hot ways at the plate on Friday, when the Twins host the Chicago White Sox for a day-night doubleheader.
Astudillo batted .263 during a three-week stint with Minnesota that began with his major-league debut on June 30, posting a pair of two-hit efforts over his first seven games before being optioned to Triple-A Rochester on July 22. He returned about a month later and has been the team's best offensive player in September, lifting his batting average for the month to .397 after going 2-for-4 while driving in a career-high four runs in Thursday's 9-3 rout of Detroit. The Twins hold an 8-7 edge in the season series against the White Sox (62-96), who need one win this weekend to avoid recording the fourth 100-loss season in club history. Chicago has dropped seven of its last 10 and fell for the fourth time in five contests with Wednesday's 10-2 setback against Cleveland.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (10-12, 5.81 ERA) vs. Twins RH Chase De Jong (0-1, 3.86)
After going 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA in six starts last month, Giolito has since reverted back to his earlier form, going 0-3 with a 6.86 ERA over four outings in September - including Saturday's loss to the crosstown Cubs in which he surrendered five runs over 6 2/3 innings. The former 16th overall draft pick has struggled with his command all season, issuing an American League-high 86 walks. Max Kepler (4-for-9) has fared well versus Giolito, who is 2-1 with a 3.28 ERA in four starts against Minnesota this year.
De Jong hasn't thrown more than 73 pitches in three turns since being acquired from Seattle at the trade deadline. The 24-year-old permitted two runs and five hits in a season-high 4 1/3 innings of a no-decision at Oakland on Saturday. De Jong worked four scoreless frames in his team debut on Sept. 9 - his only outing at home thus far - and will make his fourth start of the season after going 7-8 with a 3.66 ERA in two minor-league stops earlier this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astudillo has struck out only once in 58 at-bats this month and three times in 87 major-league plate appearances overall this season.
2. Chicago 2B Yoan Moncada needs two doubles to become the first member of the White Sox aged 23 or younger to record at least 30 doubles, 15 homers, 60 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in a single season.
3. Minnesota 1B Joe Mauer has reached base safely in 10 straight and 12 of his last 13 games.
PREDICTION: Twins 6, White Sox 3