Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Monday 5/7/18
Preview: Mets at Reds
Gracenote
May 6, 2018
The losses are piling up for the skidding New York Mets - both on and off the field. With another injury to a key player to cap off a wretched homestand that dropped the team into third place in the National League East, the Mets hit the road for a six-game road trip beginning with the first of three against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.
Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes left Sunday's 3-2 loss to Colorado due to soreness in his right quadriceps and told reporters he was unsure of his availability for the series opener in Cincinnati. Jacob deGrom was expected to start Monday for New York but was placed on the 10-day disabled list to allowed more time to rest his hyperextended elbow. The Mets were outscored 34-11 during a disastrous 0-6 homestand and have dropped 14 of their last 20 after a blistering 11-1 start to the season. Joey Votto homered among four hits and drove in four runs in Sunday's 8-5 loss to Miami, which kept Cincinnati tied with Baltimore for the worst record in the majors at 8-26.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH P.J. Conlon (NR) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (0-4, 4.81 ERA)
Conlon was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to make his major league debut and he'll also go into the history books, becoming the first Irish-born player to reach the bigs since 1945. With deGrom expected to start Sunday at Philadelphia, it figures to be a one-game audition for Conlon, who is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in five starts this season. He has allowed only one homer but opponents are batting .310 against him.
Bailey endured some hard-luck losses at the outset of the season after registering three quality starts in his first four outings, but he has regressed over the past two weeks. After a pair of no-decisions, he was tagged for five runs on six hits over five innings in a loss to Milwaukee on Tuesday. Bailey, who has surrendered six homers over his last three starts, is 1-4 with a 6.49 ERA lifetime versus New York.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York was held to two runs or fewer five times on the winless homestand, including three shutouts.
2. Votto was 7-for-13 with a homer and three doubles in the three-game series versus Miami.
3. Mets SS Asdrubal Cabrera has hit safely in four straight games and eight of nine.
PREDICTION: Reds 5, Mets 3
Preview: Tigers at Rangers
Gracenote
May 6, 2018
The Texas Rangers' bats went silent over the weekend as they dropped three straight to finish a four-game series with the visiting Boston Red Sox. They will try to put a few more runs on the board and shake out of a season-long funk at home when they open a three-game set against the visiting Detroit Tigers on Monday.
After beginning the series with the Red Sox with an 11-5 win, Texas produced a total of seven runs from Friday through Sunday and its lineup recorded 14 strikeouts in a 6-1 loss in the finale. The three straight losses gives the Rangers a 5-15 mark at home, where it has lost its first six series to begin a season for the first time. The Tigers also managed seven total runs over their last three contests and finished a four-game set at Kansas City with a 4-2 setback Sunday afternoon. They are 3-3 in starts made by right-hander Michael Fulmer, who gets the nod in the series opener opposite veteran left-hander Matt Moore for Texas.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (1-2, 2.80 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Matt Moore (1-4, 7.67)
Since giving up nine runs in three innings at the Cleveland Indians on April 12, Fulmer has turned in three straight quality starts while posting an ERA of 1.89. He did not factor in the decision after giving up two runs in six solid innings against the Tampa Bay Rays at home on Wednesday. The former first-round pick is 1-1 with a 3.21 mark in two career starts against the Rangers, both of which took place at Texas.
Moore posted a 3.18 ERA over his final three starts in April - as well as a scoreless inning of relief - but was rocked in his first outing this month. The 28-year-old gave up 10 runs on 11 hits in just four innings against the Indians, serving up three home runs after allowing only one over his first six appearances this season. Moore has not faced the Tigers since June 4, 2013, when he was pounded for six runs in two frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers 3B Jeimer Candelario (thumb) did not play Sunday and RF Nicholas Castellanos (flu-like symptoms) did not start.
2. Rangers rookie 1B Ronald Guzman is 1-for-19 with 12 strikeouts over his last six contests.
3. Detroit C/1B John Hicks is 9-for-20 with a home run and two doubles during a five-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Rangers 3
Preview: Giants at Phillies
Gracenote
May 6, 2018
The San Francisco Giants are on their longest winning streak of the season and will go for their fifth consecutive victory when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night. It is the opener of a four-game series for the teams and comes after San Francisco completed a three-game sweep of National League East-leading Atlanta over the weekend.
San Francisco has piled up 33 runs over its past four wins and outscored the Braves 24-9 in its first sweep in Atlanta since 2014. Giants starter Jeff Samardzija has a nightmarish history against the Phillies, owning an 8.18 ERA against them overall and a 15.43 mark in four appearances at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia suffered its fourth straight series loss when closer Hector Neris (1-2) walked in the tying run before giving up the game-winning single in the ninth inning of a 5-4 loss at Washington on Sunday. Maikel Franco is 7-for-15 with two homers and three doubles during a four-game RBI and hitting streak for the Phillies.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (1-1, 5.27 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Zach Eflin (0-0, 1.50)
Samardzija has sandwiched two solid outings around a dud, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings in a no-decision against San Diego last time out. The 33-year-old was knocked around for six runs in 3 2/3 innings in a loss versus Washington on April 25 after tossing five scoreless innings at the Los Angeles Angels in his season debut. Carlos Santana is hitless in seven at-bats against Samardzija.
Elfin had a no-decision in a strong season debut last time out, taking a perfect game into the sixth inning and permitting one run on three hits over six frames. He made 11 starts in each of his first two seasons, posting a 4-10 record overall and surrendering 28 home runs in only 127 2/3 innings. Red-hot Brandon Crawford is 4-for-8 with two homers off Elfin, who is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA versus the Giants.
WALK-OFFS
1. Crawford has multiple hits in four straight contests, going 10-for-18 with seven RBIs, to extend his overall hitting streak to five games.
2. Phillies CF Odubel Herrera, who had three hits Sunday, is batting .386 at home.
3. Giants RF Andrew McCutchen has hit safely in six straight games.
PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Giants 4
Preview: Marlins at Cubs
Gracenote
May 7, 2018
The Miami Marlins have won four consecutive series after a rough start to the season and look to continue moving in a positive direction when they visit the slumping Chicago Cubs on Monday for the opener of their three-game set. J.T. Realmuto reached base four times and Starlin Castro knocked in three runs for the second straight game as the Marlins outlasted Cincinnati 8-5 on Sunday, improving to 8-3 in their last 11 contests after a 5-17 start.
“We talked early in the year about how I thought we were playing pretty good,” Miami manager Don Mattingly told reporters. “We were playing close games and finding ways to lose. Now, we’re finding ways to win. To get back into it, we have to do it like this - winning two out of three (in a series).” Jarlin Garcia looks to continue his strong start to the season when he takes the mound in the series opener against Kyle Hendricks, who is 2-1 with a 1.35 ERA in five career games against the Marlins. The Cubs have dropped a season-high five straight games after losing on a walk-off home run for the second straight day on Sunday as rival St. Louis posted a 4-3 victory. Javier Baez homered for the second straight contest to give Chicago the lead in the 14th inning before former Cub Dexter Fowler delivered a two-run shot in the bottom half to end it.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Jarlin Garcia (1-0, 1.09 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (2-2, 3.19)
Garcia has strung together four consecutive outstanding starts but has just one win to show for it despite allowing two runs and 10 hits over 23 innings in that span. The 25-year-old Dominican gave up one run and five hits with three strikeouts across six innings in a no-decision on Tuesday against Philadelphia. Garcia limited the Cubs to one hit over six scoreless frames of relief during his season debut on March 30 as Miami posted a 2-1 victory in 17 innings.
Hendricks registered his fourth quality start in six outings on Tuesday but came away with the loss after permitting three runs on four hits and two walks in 7 2/3 innings against Colorado. The 28-year-old Dartmouth product served up three homers in that setback, and opponents have gone deep against him eight times in 36 2/3 frames this season. Castro is 3-for-6 lifetime versus Hendricks, who held Miami to one run on four hits and three walks over six innings in a no-decision on March 30.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago 3B Kris Bryant has hit safely in six straight games after homering on Sunday but is just 6-for-37 over his last 10 contests.
2. Realmuto, who went 2-for-4 on Sunday, has hit safely in 14 of his 16 games this season.
3. The teams split a four-game series in Miami to open the season, playing a total of 36 innings in the last three contests.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Marlins 2
Preview: Astros at Athletics
Gracenote
May 6, 2018
Dallas Keuchel and the Houston Astros hope to snap out of a slump when they visit the improving Oakland Athletics on Monday for the opener of the three-game series between the American League West rivals. The 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, Keuchel has started the season with just one win in six decisions, and the Astros have matched that record over their last six contests after suffering a 3-1 setback at Arizona on Sunday.
Houston leads the league in the fewest runs allowed (103) but has scored fewer than two in three of its last six contests, although Yuli Gurriel was able to extend his hitting streak to eight games (12-for-32) on Sunday. Keuchel, who gave up six runs and seven hits - three homers - over seven innings in a loss to Oakland on April 27, will oppose Brett Anderson in the series opener. The Athletics, who finished last in the AL West in 2017, are 18-16 and can match their season-high four-game winning streak on Monday. Jed Lowrie, who leads the major leagues with 48 hits and is riding a six-game streak during which he has gone 10-for-25, should be back in the lineup after being rested on Sunday.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (1-5, 3.98 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Brett Anderson (0-0, 2.84)
Keuchel has posted quality starts in three of his last four outings but received two runs of support in three losses during that stretch. The 30-year-old Arkansas product limited the New York Yankees to three runs and six hits over seven innings in a 4-0 loss on Wednesday and has not issued a walk in his last two starts. Matt Chapman is 4-for-7 with two doubles and a pair of homers versus Keuchel, who is 5-5 with a 2.88 ERA in 19 career appearances (17 starts) against Oakland.
Anderson makes his second start since being recalled from Triple-A Nashville after allowing two runs on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings of a no-decision Wednesday at Seattle. The 30-year-old Texan made 13 starts last season with Toronto and the Chicago Cubs, going 4-4 with a 6.34 ERA. Josh Reddick (3-for-3) and Jake Marisnick (2-for-2) have homered against Anderson, who is 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA in three career games (two starts) versus Houston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Oakland C Jonathan Lucroy is 6-for-13 during his four-game hitting streak and has belted nine homers in 54 career contests versus Houston.
2. Houston 3B Alex Bregman homered on Sunday and has hit safely in five consecutive games (5-for-18).
3. The Astros took two of three from the Athletics at home from April 27-29 and went 25-13 against Oakland over the previous two seasons.
PREDICTION: Astros 6, Athletics 3
Preview: Nationals at Padres
Gracenote
May 6, 2018
A simple shakeup of the batting order has done wonders for the Washington Nationals, who begin a three-game series against the host San Diego Padres on Monday. The Nationals have gone 5-1 and averaged 6.2 runs per game since manager Dave Martinez moved star Bryce Harper into the leadoff spot on Tuesday.
Wilmer Difo delivered a walk-off RBI single with the bases loaded in the ninth inning on Sunday to give the Nationals a 5-4 win over Philadelphia. Matt Adams homered for the fifth time in six games as he started at first base in place of Ryan Zimmerman, who has missed two games with back soreness but hopes to return Monday as Washington begins a seven-day road trip that concludes against National League West-leading Arizona. The Nationals first need to be careful not to overlook San Diego, which was the victim of a no-hitter by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday but responded with back-to-back wins to close the series in Monterrey, Mexico. Eric Hosmer belted his fifth homer in Sunday’s 3-0 victory, but Christian Villanueva went 0-for-4 and is hitless in his last 19 at-bats.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (3-3, 3.47 ERA) vs. Padres RH Tyson Ross (2-2, 3.28)
Strasburg snapped a two-game skid with a strong outing against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, when he allowed three runs - two earned - over seven innings while recording 11 strikeouts. The native of San Diego is 6-2 with a 2.94 ERA in eight career turns against the Padres. Freddy Galvis is 4-for-26 with eight strikeouts against the 29-year-old Strasburg, who starred at San Diego State and owns a 2-1 record and 2.84 ERA in three career starts at Petco Park.
Ross settled for a no-decision against San Francisco on Tuesday despite giving up just one run with nine strikeouts over six frames. The 31-year-old has been a pleasant surprise for the Padres with 40 strikeouts against 13 walks and two home runs allowed over 35 2/3 frames in six starts. Adams has registered four hits in seven at-bats against Ross, who is 2-1 with a 4.76 ERA in six career games (three starts) versus Washington.
WALK-OFFS
1. Adams is 14-for-34 with six home runs and 14 RBIs in his last 10 games.
2. San Diego is 11-1 when opening the scoring but 2-21 when its opponent gets on the board first.
3. Difo has reached base safely in 15 of his last 23 plate appearances.
PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Padres 2