Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Monday 7/2/18
National League
Giants (45-40) @ Rockies (41-43)
Bumgarner is 1-2, 2.51 in five starts (under 4-1). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5
Freeland is 1-0, 1.80 in his last three starts; under is 10-2 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 8-8.
5-inning record: 8-4-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-16
Giants won 1o of their last 12 games; they’re 6-8 in road series openers, 17-16 vs lefty starters. Under is 5-2 in their last seven games. Colorado is 3-5 in its last eight games, 4-8 in home series openers, 16-17 vs lefty starters. Over is 11-2 in their last 13 home games.
Cardinals (42-40) @ Diamondbacks (47-37)
Martinez is 1-4, 7.48 in his last six starts; over is 4-0-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 7-6.
5-inning record: 5-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-13
Ray is 2-0, 2.86 in his last six starts; under is 3-1 in his last four starts. Team in his starts: 6-5.
5-inning record: 4-1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-7
Cardinals lost their last four games; they’re 5-7 in road series openers, 9-11 vs lefty starters. Over is 6-3-1 in their last ten road games. Arizona lost its last five home games (under 4-1); they’re 8-5 in home series openers.
Pirates (40-43) @ Dodgers (44-39)
Kingham is 0-3, 4.70 in his last four starts (under 4-2). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 2-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6
Wood is 3-0, 2.89 in his last three starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 9-7
5-inning record: 5-7-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-16
Pittsburgh won four of their last six games; they’re 6-7 in road series openers, 8-12 vs lefty starters. Over is 7-2 in their last nine road games. Dodgers lost four of their last six games; they’re 8-7 in home series openers. Under is 7-3 in their last ten home games.
American League
Tigers (37-48) @ Blue Jays (39-44)
Fiers is 0-2, 3.33 in his last four starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 9-6
5-inning record: 6-7-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-15
Borucki allowed two runs ins ix IP (95 PT) in his first MLB start. Team in his starts: 0-1
5-inning record: 0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1
Detroit lost 11 of its last 12 games; under is 5-2 in their last seven games. Blue Jays won ten of their last 12 home games; over is 6-3 in their last nine home games.
Indians (45-37) @ Royals (25-58)
Kluber is 2-2, 4.98 in his last four starts; over is 11-2 in his last 13 starts. Team in his starts: 11-6
5-inning record: 12-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-17
Junis is 0-6, 6.69 in his last six starts; under is 7-3 in his last 10. Team in his starts: 7-9
5-inning record: 7-5-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-16
Indians lost six of last nine road games; they’re 6-8 in road series openers. Under is 8-2 in their last ten road games. Royals are 4-21 in their last 25 games, 4-10 in home series openers. Under is 7-3 in their last ten home games.
Interleague
Red Sox (56-29) @ Nationals (42-40)
Porcello is 1-1, 4.01 in his last four starts; over is 8-2 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 11-6
5-inning record: 11-6. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-17
Scherzer is 0-3, 2.33 in his last four starts; Washington got shut out in all three losses. His last six starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 12-5
5-inning record: 9-7-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-17
Red Sox lost six of last nine road games; they’re 6-8 in road series openers. Over is 5-1-1 in their last seven road games. You’re reading armadillosports.com. Washington lost seven of its last nine games; they’re 7-6 in home series openers. Four of their last five games stayed under.
Atlanta (48-34) @ New York (54-27)
Sanchez is 0-2, 5.59 in his last two starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 5-3
5-inning record: 3-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-8
German is 2-0, 5.73 in his last four starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 5-4
5-inning record: 2-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-9
Braves won five of their last seven games; they’re 8-7 in road series openers. Over is 8-2-1 in their last 11 road games. New York won eight of their last ten home games; they’re 10-4 in home series openers. Over is 3-1-1 in their last five home games.
White Sox (29-54) @ Reds (36-48)
Shields is 2-2, 4.38 in his last four starts; under is 10-2-1 in his last 13. Team in his starts: 6-11
5-inning record: 6-10-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-17
Castillo is 1-4, 1-4, 7.42 in his last six starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 8-9
5-inning record: 7-10. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-17
White Sox are 5-4 in last nine games, 3-11 in road series openers- their last four road games all went over the total. Cincinnati is 14-5 in its last 19 games; they’re 6-8 in home series openers. Reds’ last six home games all went over the total.
Rays (42-41) @ Marlins (34-51)
Eovaldi is 1-4, 4.91 in his last five starts (under 5-1). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 3-2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-6
Chen is 1-3, 7.18 in his last six starts (over 4-1-1). Team in his starts: 5-7
5-inning record: 6-6. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-12
Tampa Bay won eight of its last nine games; they’re 7-7 in road series openers, 15-12 vs lefty starters. Under is 15-3 in their last 18 games. Marlins lost four of their last six games; they’re 7-1 in last eight series openers. Under is 5-1-1 in their last seven games.
Twins (35-45) @ Brewers (48-35)
Gibson is 1-3, 3.33 in his last four starts; under is 6-4 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 7-9
5-inning record: 7-8-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-16
Suter is 3-1, 3.60 in his last four starts; his last eight starts went over. Team in his starts: 8-7
5-inning record: 7-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-15
Minnesota lost eight of its last ten games; their last three games went over. Twins are 4-10 in road series openers, 9-14 vs lefty starters. You’re reading armadillosports.com. Brewers are 3-5 in their last eight games, 7-3 in last 10 home series openers. Milwaukee’s last five games went over.
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Detroit Tigers vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 07-02-2018
MLB Previews 1st July 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 07/01/2018
The Detroit Tigers applied the brakes on an epic slide that saw them lose each of the last 11 contests in June. The Tigers (37-48) look to pick up speed by collecting their second straight win of the new month and salvaging a split of their four-game series against the host Toronto Blue Jays (39-44) on Monday afternoon.
Nicholas Castellanos went deep for the fourth time in eight games with his fourth career grand slam to highlight Detroit's 9-1 romp of Toronto on Sunday. The 26-year-old, who has two homers among his four hits and six RBIs in the last two contests, is a robust 13-for-32 with 12 RBIs and seven runs scored in his last eight games. Justin Smoak followed up a home run in back-to-back contests in this series with an RBI double for Toronto, which fell for only the second time in 12 home games. The 31-year-old's hot streak hasn't extended to meetings with Monday starter Mike Fiers, against whom he is 1-for-10 with five strikeouts.
TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network; FS Detroit, Sportsnet (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Mike Fiers (5-5, 4.04 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Ryan Borucki (0-1, 3.00)
Fiers dropped his second straight start and fell to 1-3 in his last eight trips to the mound Wednesday despite allowing one run in seven innings of a hard-luck 3-0 setback versus Oakland. The 33-year-old has struggled on the road this season with a 5.15 ERA, nearly two full runs worse than his total at Comerica Park (3.19). Rogers Centre also hasn't been too kind to Fiers, who has posted an 0-2 mark and 5.91 ERA in two career starts there.
Borucki acquitted himself well in his major league debut, permitting two runs in six innings in a 7-0 loss to Houston. "I thought he was fantastic against a great hitting ballclub. They put pressure on him, and he didn't cave," manager John Gibbons said of the 24-year-old, who is considered the Blue Jays' top left-handed prospect. Borucki's time could be limited with Aaron Sanchez expected to return after a right finger contusion landed him on the 10-day disabled list.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto CF Kevin Pillar is 7-for-18 with three runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.
2. Detroit SS Jose Iglesias has four hits, two RBIs and two runs scored in the series after entering the set mired in a 3-for-15 stretch over his previous five games.
3. Blue Jays OF Teoscar Hernandez has eight hits and four runs scored in his last eight games.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 4, Tigers 3
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Atlanta Braves vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 07-02-2018
MLB Previews 2nd July 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 07/02/2018
The Atlanta Braves have gotten off to a great start on their 10-game road trip and hope to continue their success as they begin a three-game interleague series between a pair of division leaders when they visit the New York Yankees on Monday. Atlanta began its trek with a three-game sweep in St. Louis, outscoring the Cardinals 22-10 to remain three games in front of Philadelphia in the National League East.
The Braves managed only six hits Sunday but built a six-run lead before holding on for a 6-5 triumph as Ozzie Albies extended his hitting streak to 11 games. Charlie Culberson notched two hits and a pair of RBIs while Freddie Freeman belted a solo homer to end his 12-game drought as Atlanta scored at least five runs for the eighth time in nine contests. New York, which shares first place in the American League East with Boston, turned on the power Sunday as it clinched a series victory against the rival Red Sox with an 11-1 rout in which it belted six home runs - with Aaron Hicks recording his first career three-homer performance. Kyle Higashioka notched his first career hit with a solo blast while Aaron Judge and rookie Gleyber Torres also went deep as the Yankees increased their major league-leading homer total to 137, which eclipsed the franchise mark for most prior to the All-Star break.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Anibal Sanchez (3-2, 2.68 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Jonathan Loaisiga (2-0, 1.93)
Sanchez failed to last five innings against Cincinnati on Tuesday and suffered his second straight loss after yielding two runs and five hits in 4 2/3 frames. The 34-year-old Venezuelan registered 28 strikeouts over 29 innings in five outings last month while issuing only eight walks - four of which came in a setback at Toronto on June 20. Sanchez has fared well against the Yankees in his career, going 4-1 with a 3.79 ERA in six starts.
Loaisiga hopes to make it through six innings for the first time as he takes his fourth overall turn in the rotation and third at home. The 23-year-old Nicaraguan rookie earned the victory at Philadelphia last Monday after allowing one hit and two walks while recording eight strikeouts in 5 1/3 scoreless frames. It was the second outing without a run scored against Loaisiga, who has not served up a home run over 14 career innings while limiting opponents to a .204 batting average.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees C Austin Romine (hamstring) is day-to-day after the results of his MRI came back negative.
2. Atlanta's starting pitchers lead the NL with a 3.31 ERA after tossing 17 2/3 scoreless innings against St. Louis in the three-game sweep.
3. New York optioned Giovanny Gallegos to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday and purchased the contract of fellow RHP David Hale from the RailRiders.
PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Braves 3
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Boston Red Sox vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 07-02-2018
MLB Previews 2nd July 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 07/02/2018
The Boston Red Sox meet the Washington Nationals on Monday to start a three-game series in the nation's capital and will face arguably the top Cy Young Award contender for the second straight game. Max Scherzer, the two-time reigning National League Cy Young winner, takes the ball for Washington after Boston lost to Luis Severino and the New York Yankees 11-1 on Sunday night.
Monday's mound matchup pits the 2016 Cy Young winners and former Detroit Tigers teammates against each other as the Red Sox, who are in a virtual tie for first in the American League East with the Yankees, send Rick Porcello to the hill. Porcello faces a struggling Nationals team which is 6-15 in its last 21 contests and six games behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East after Sunday's 4-3 loss in 13 innings at Philadelphia. "We've got to start striking out less, putting the balls in play, driving in runs when we have the ability to drive in runs," first-season Washington manager Dave Martinez told reporters. "But it'll turn. Our offense is good. I know it's good. And I truly believe that it'll turn around.'' The Nationals' Bryce Harper (team highs of 20 home runs and 49 RBIs), who could receive perhaps the largest free-agent contract in history this winter, saw his season average fall to .216 after going 0-for-4 with two walks and two strikeouts on Sunday.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, NESN (Boston), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (9-3, 3.60 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (10-4, 2.04)
Porcello escaped with a no-decision after allowing four runs - on two homers - and eight hits while walking two and striking out five in 5 2/3 innings of Boston's 9-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. It was the fifth time in the last 10 starts that the 29-year-old native of New Jersey yielded at least four runs after going 5-0 with a 2.14 ERA in his first seven turns of the season. Adam Eaton is 5-for-13 with a home run, triple and double versus Porcello, who defeated Washington 9-4 on April 13, 2015 as he allowed three earned runs in eight innings and struck out Harper twice in four hitless at-bats.
Scherzer is 0-3 with a 2.33 ERA in his last four starts as the Nationals were shut out in all three losses. The 33-year-old from Missouri, who was the NL Pitcher of the Month in April and May, went 1-3 with a 2.31 ERA in five June starts after entering the month 9-1 with a 1.92 ERA. J.D. Martinez is 2-for-7 with two home runs and three strikeouts versus Scherzer, who is 4-4 with a 6.04 ERA in 10 starts against the Red Sox but will be facing them for the first time since joining Washington in 2015.
WALK-OFFS
1. Harper's on-base percentage is .366 thanks in part to seven walks in his last three games, giving him an NL-most 67 this season.
2. Red Sox RF Mookie Betts has more walks (38) than strikeouts (37) and is the only player with at least 20 home runs (20) and 15 stolen bases (15).
3. Boston is 16-11 in series openers - 4-2 in their last six such games - and 40-18 in other contests.
PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Red Sox 2
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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 07-02-2018
MLB Previews 1st July 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 07/01/2018
The Tampa Bay Rays completed an impressive 8-1 homestand against some of the top teams in the majors over the weekend and look to carry over the momentum on the road when they begin a three-game interleague series against the Miami Marlins on Monday night. The Rays swept five games combined from the New York Yankees and Washington before taking three of four versus defending World Series champion Houston, capped by Sunday's 3-2 triumph.
The Rays (42-41) gave up 14 runs on the homestand - six in one game against the Yankees - and third baseman Matt Duffy (.321 batting average) continues to contribute at key times offensively, taking a 10-game hitting streak (14-for-39) into the opener of the Citrus Series. Nathan Eovaldi, who went 13-27 in 63 games with Miami from 2012-14, will try to continue Tampa Bay's strong work on the mound when he gets the start Monday against the Rays' former American League East foe Wei-Yin Chen - when he was with Baltimore. The Marlins failed to complete a three-game sweep of the New York Mets when they dropped a 5-2 decision Sunday to fall back into last place in the National League East. All-Star Game candidate J.T. Realmuto had a pair of singles for Miami and is 13-for-37 during a nine-game hitting streak.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Nathan Eovaldi (2-3, 4.08 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (2-5, 6.14)
Eovaldi rebounded from a four-game winless stretch, in which he allowed 16 runs over 23 1/3 innings, by holding Washington to one hit over six scoreless frames in a 1-0 victory Tuesday. The 28-year-old Texan struck out a season-high nine in that outing, but has served up eight homers in 35 1/3 innings overall this year. Derek Dietrich is 2-for-2 versus Eovaldi, who gave up eight runs in two-thirds of an inning at Miami in 2015 while with the New York Yankees in his only meeting against his former club.
Chen posted his second quality start in three games Wednesday when he limited Arizona to one run on five hits over six innings of a 2-1 setback. The 32-year-old Taiwan native, who is 2-0 versus the American League since joining Miami, has pitched much better at home (1-1, 2.30 ERA) than on the road (1-4, 9.85) this year. Kevin Kiermaier is 4-for-13 with a home run and triple against Chen, who is 5-6 with a 3.72 ERA in 21 career starts versus the Rays - the most outings he has registered against any team in the majors.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rays, who host Miami for three games July 20-22, took three of four in the series last season and have won 10 of 14 contests all time at Marlins Park.
2. Miami RHP Kyle Barraclough has strung together 21 straight scoreless appearances, allowing two hits in 20 2/3 innings during the run.
3. Tampa Bay RHP Chris Archer (abdominal strain), who has been out for a month, is scheduled to make his first rehab start Tuesday for Class-A Charlotte.
PREDICTION: Rays 6, Marlins 3
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Chicago White Sox vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 07-02-2018
MLB Previews 2nd July 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 07/02/2018
Interleague play is sweeping Major League Baseball early this week, but some of the matchups are not of the marquee variety. The Chicago White Sox will play one such game when they visit the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game set on Monday.
The Reds (36-48) and White Sox (29-54) are a combined 37 games under .500 but both are coming off wins, with Cincinnati battling a pair of first-place teams in its last two series. "I think everybody is feeding off each other the way we keep winning games and beating good teams," Reds right-hander Matt Harvey told reporters. "The last couple of series we've been playing really well. That's motivation to go out there and keep that rolling and do my part to go deep into games as much as possible and keep runs off of the board." The White Sox avoided a sweep with a 10-5 win at Texas on Sunday but are 4-3 in their last seven games. Chicago will send James Shields to the mound on Monday opposite Cincinnati fellow right-hander Luis Castillo.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH James Shields (3-9, 4.29 ERA) vs. Reds RH Luis Castillo (5-8, 5.85)
Shields is coming off his best outing of the season after scattering four hits over seven innings in a win over Minnesota on Wednesday. The 36-year-old bounced back after surrendering eight runs - two earned - over 4 2/3 innings against Oakland on June 22. Shields spent 1 1/2 seasons in the NL with the San Diego Padres and is 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA in two career starts against Cincinnati.
Castillo has failed to complete six innings in any of his last three starts and was reached for five runs - four earned - on six hits and a walk over four innings at Atlanta on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has surrendered at least three runs in each of his last six starts and yielded 18 home runs in 87 2/3 total innings. Castillo is making his first start against the White Sox and is 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA in two interleague starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox RF Avisail Garcia went 4-for-5 on Sunday and is enjoying an eight-game hitting streak.
2. Cincinnati SS Jose Peraza is 10-for-26 with three home runs over the last six contests.
3. Chicago 2B Yoan Moncada is 2-for-18 with eight strikeouts in the last four games.
PREDICTION: Reds 6, White Sox 5
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Minnesota Twins vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 07-02-2018
MLB Previews 1st July 2018 by Gracenote
Twins vs. Brewers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/01/2018
The Milwaukee Brewers didn't receive any help in the standings from the Minnesota Twins after the latter surrendered 35 runs en route to dropping a three-game series to the Chicago Cubs. The National League Central-leading Brewers (48-35), who are clinging to a half-game advantage over the Cubs, bid to vent their frustration Monday in the opener of a three-game interleague set against the visiting Twins (35-45).
Milwaukee's offense in Sunday's 8-2 setback to Cincinnati was reduced to Ryan Braun's two-run homer in the ninth inning, with the blast preventing the club from being shut out for the 11th time this season. The 2011 NL Most Valuable Player has answered a 2-for-18 stretch with eight hits -- including two homers -- and five runs scored and four RBIs in his last seven games. While Milwaukee has lost five of eight both overall and at Miller Park, Minnesota's troubles away from Target Field continued as it found itself in an early eight-run hole before dropping an 11-10 decision Sunday to fall to 15-25 on the road. Brian Dozier, who belted a two-run shot in the series finale, has two homers among his five hits during the first six contests of the nine-game road trip.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (2-6, 3.48 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Brent Suter (8-5, 4.28)
Gibson dropped his second straight start and fell to 1-5 in his last eight trips to the mound Wednesday after allowing five runs on a season-high 11 hits in a 6-1 setback at the Chicago White Sox. The 30-year-old began the eight-game stretch with another five-run outing versus Milwaukee, against which he served up two homers and walked four batters. Gibson has flustered Travis Shaw (0-for-8, three strikeouts), although Brad Miller (6-for-15) has gotten his licks in on the hurler.
Suter saw his second three-start winning streak come to a halt Wednesday after yielding four runs on six hits in as many innings of a 5-4 setback versus Kansas City. The 28-year-old pitched decidedly better in his last meeting with Minnesota, allowing one run while striking out six in 5 2/3 innings of an 8-3 triumph on May 18. Suter kept the ball in the park in that contest, but has since surrendered seven homers in as many outings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Minnesota C Mitch Garver is 9-for-15 with a homer, three RBIs and five runs scored in his last six contests.
2. Milwaukee OF Hernan Perez is 2-for-19 with six strikeouts in his last six games.
3. Twins LF Robbie Grossman has back-to-back multi-hit performances and three in his last six contests.
PREDICTION: Twins 4, Brewers 2
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Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 07-02-2018
MLB Previews 2nd July 2018 by Gracenote
Indians vs. Royals Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/02/2018
The Cleveland Indians are running away with the American League Central and just began swinging the bats well. The Indians will try to stay hot at the plate when they visit the Kansas City Royals in the opener of a three-game series on Monday.
Cleveland pounded out a major-league, season-high 11 doubles and 13 extra-base hits in a 15-3 bludgeoning of Oakland on Sunday to push its lead to nine games in the AL Central. "It was great," said Francisco Lindor, who homered among three hits on Sunday. "Hopefully, this gets us going in the right direction. Guys were on the right path. Guys felt very comfortable today." The Royals are last in the majors in runs scored and managed a total of five while getting swept in a three-game series at Seattle over the weekend, dropping the team 33 games below .500 (25-58). That struggling Kansas City offense gets the misfortune of facing reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber on Monday while countering with fellow right-hander Jakob Junis.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (11-4, 2.54 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jakob Junis (5-9, 4.67)
Kluber threw up a rare dud at St. Louis on Tuesday, when he was ripped for six runs on six hits and a walk over 1 2/3 innings - the shortest of his 180 career starts. The Stetson product allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his previous eight turns and owns a 0.86 WHIP. Kluber did not yield an earned run over seven innings in a win over Kansas City on May 13 and won both of his starts against the Royals last season while posting a 0.73 ERA.
Junis has suffered the loss in each of his last six starts and was reached for five runs on seven hits - including three homers - and three walks over five innings at Milwaukee on Tuesday. The 25-year-old has surrendered at least five runs in three of his last four outings and failed to complete six innings in any of those turns. Junis suffered a loss at Cleveland on May 12, when he yielded four runs and six hits over 5 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Royals LF Alex Gordon is 2-for-19 over his last six games.
2. Lindor is 6-for-12 with five runs scored and five extra-base hits over the last three contests.
3. Cleveland optioned RHP Adam Plutko to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday and recalled LHP Marc Rzepczynski.
PREDICTION: Indians 4, Royals 1
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San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 07-02-2018
MLB Previews 1st July 2018 by Gracenote
Giants vs. Rockies Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/01/2018
The San Francisco Giants have been one of - if not the worst - road team in the National League for a large part of the season, but their most recent series may be a sign they have turned the corner in that regard. The Giants hope to improve to 9-2 during their 13-game stretch against NL West rivals and post a fifth straight victory away from home when they begin a three-game set against the Colorado Rockies on Monday.
San Francisco entered last weekend with an NL-low 16 road wins and trailed division-leading Arizona by 5 1/2 games, but none of that seemed to matter as the team's somewhat inconsistent offense erupted for 16 runs to complete a sweep of the Diamondbacks after winning Friday's opener 2-1. With their 10th victory in 12 games, the Giants (45-40) moved a season-high five games over .500 and remained even with the Los Angeles Dodgers for second place in the West. The Rockies (41-43) were denied a chance to reach the break-even mark on Sunday, dropping a 6-4 decision to the Dodgers to end their three-game winning streak. San Francisco and Colorado have split 10 contests this season, although the Giants have won three of the last four meetings after taking two of three at home last week.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (1-2, 2.51 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (7-6, 3.29)
Bumgarner has recorded four quality starts in five trips to the mound since coming off the disabled list in early June and is riding a streak of 15 consecutive scoreless innings over his last two outings. The four-time All-Star has yielded a total of five hits and struck out 16 batters over that span but did not factor in the decision Wednesday despite spinning seven scoreless frames against Colorado. Bumgarner is 12-7 with a 2.92 ERA in 27 career starts versus the Rockies.
Freeland went toe-to-toe with Bumgarner on Wednesday and also did not receive a decision despite tossing seven scoreless innings while registering his third straight quality start. The 25-year-old native of Denver has allowed more than three runs only once in his last 12 turns and logged at least six frames in each of his five outings last month. Freeland defeated the Giants in his first two starts against them this season and is 4-2 with a 2.61 ERA in seven appearances versus San Francisco.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants 2B Joe Panik is 5-for-13 with a homer in his last three contests, scoring once and driving in two runs each time.
2. Despite going 8-for-35 over his last nine contests, Colorado 3B Nolan Arenado has recorded five homers and eight RBIs over that span.
3. San Francisco 3B Pablo Sandoval is day-to-day with a deep right elbow bruise after being hit by a pitch early in Sunday's win.
PREDICTION: Giants 3, Rockies 2
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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 07-02-2018
MLB Previews 2nd July 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 07/02/2018
The National League West is becoming a four-team race, with the Arizona Diamondbacks leading the pack but struggling to pull away. The Diamondbacks will try to bounce back at the expense of another struggling team when they host the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a three-game series on Monday.
Arizona managed one run in the first two games against the San Francisco Giants over the weekend and watched the bats catch fire on Sunday only to fall 9-6 while being swept at home. "Just an unfortunate series," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. "We couldn't put everything together in one game. The first couple of nights we ... couldn't get that big hit, and today we get some big hits and got some runners on base and cashed them in (but) unfortunately the pitching didn't execute the way they had been the first couple of nights." The Cardinals were swept at home over the weekend as well, dropping three in a row to Atlanta to run their losing streak to four straight. St. Louis will try to bounce back behind ace Carlos Martinez on Monday while Arizona counters with left-hander Robbie Ray.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (4-4, 3.22 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (3-0, 4.01)
Martinez snapped a five-start winless streak by holding Cleveland to two runs on six hits and one walk over six innings on Tuesday. The Dominican Republic native struck out eight in that outing - his highest total since punching out a season-high 11 at Cincinnati on April 15. Martinez is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in eight career games - five starts - against Arizona.
Ray returned from an absence of nearly two months on Wednesday at Miami and showed no rust while scattering two hits over six scoreless frames to earn the win. The Tennessee native, who was out with a strained oblique, struck out six and walked a pair in victory. Ray started at St. Louis on April 5 and issued five walks but struck out nine and limited the damage to one run while earning the win.
WALK-OFFS
1. Diamondbacks INF Ketel Marte (hamstring) sat out Sunday and is day-to-day.
2. St. Louis CF Tommy Pham went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer on Sunday after going 0-for-28 over his last nine games.
3. Arizona 3B Jake Lamb is batting .342 over the last 10 games.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 4, Cardinals 2
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 07-02-2018
MLB Previews 2nd July 2018 by Gracenote
Pirates vs. Dodgers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/02/2018
Matt Kemp has produced more than a few memorable performances in what has been a spectacular bounce-back season so far - something the Pittsburgh Pirates experienced first-hand early last month. The 33-year-old will continue to make a bid for his first All-Star appearance since 2012 on Monday, when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the opener of a three-game series against the Pirates.
Kemp almost single-handedly propelled the Dodgers to their 6-4 victory over Colorado on Sunday, going 3-for-4 with a solo homer and four RBIs - essentially matching his production across the board from his previous 12 games (3-for-36, one home run, four RBIs). He went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a blast, five RBIs and three runs scored in a June 6 loss at Pittsburgh - the only setback in a series for Los Angeles during which the native Oklahoman batted .417 and drove in seven runs over three games. The Pirates enter the final leg of their 10-game road trip having seemingly righted the ship by winning four of their first six during the trek following a five-game skid. Pittsburgh rookie Colin Moran stepped up in a big way in Sunday's 7-5 win over San Diego by hitting his second grand slam of the season.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Nick Kingham (2-3, 3.82 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Alex Wood (4-5, 4.00)
Kingham will return to the rotation for the first time since June 9, when he permitted two runs across 6 1/3 innings in a road loss to the Chicago Cubs. The 26-year-old is 1-2 with a 4.86 ERA in three road turns but is allowing opponents to bat only .209 and has posted a 0.99 WHIP in his first six career starts. Kingham is 4-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 10 turns at Triple-A Indianapolis and settled for a no-decision in his last minor-league outing last Monday after yielding two runs in 5 2/3 frames.
After winning once in his first 13 starts of the season, Wood notched his third victory in as many tries Wednesday against the Cubs, permitting three runs - two earned - and fanning six across seven innings. The 27-year-old native of North Carolina has allowed fewer than three earned runs in his each of his last four outings, lowering his ERA nearly one-half of a run over that stretch. Josh Harrison is 6-for-19 with two doubles and a homer against Wood, who is 2-2 with a 2.86 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) versus Pittsburgh.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers 2B Max Muncy is hitting .357 and has drawn nine walks to go along with four home runs and five RBIs over his last nine games.
2. Moran on Sunday joined Wally Westlake (1947) as the only rookies in club history to hit two grand slams in a season.
3. Los Angeles RHP Daniel Hudson has allowed one earned run in 12 outings since the beginning of June and held the opposition hitless in seven of his last nine relief appearances.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Pirates 2
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