MLB Betting News and Trends For Monday 8/6/18

National League
Cardinals (58-54) @ Marlins (46-67)
Weaver is 2-2, 3.37 in his last five starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 11-11, 7-4 away
5-inning record: 11-10-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-22

Chen is 1-2, 2.25 in his last four home starts; under is 4-2 in his last six starts overall. Team in his starts: 7-10, 5-3 home
5-inning record: 8-9 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-17

Cardinals won four of their last five games; they’re 8-10 in road series openers, 17-14 vs lefty starters. Over is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Miami lost its last six games; they’re 9-9 in home series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven home games.

Reds (49-63) @ Mets (45-64)
Bailey is 0-1, 2.45 in two starts since coming back to the Reds; under is 5-1 in his last six starts. Team in his starts: 1-13, 1-5 away.
5-inning record: 1-12-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-14

Syndergaard is 4-1, 2.83 in his last six starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 9-5, 6-2 home.
5-inning record: 8-4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Reds lost six of their last seven road games; they’re 8-10 in road series openers. Under is 6-2 in their last eight games. Mets lost five of their last six games; they’re 3-7 in last 10 home series openers. Four of their last five games stayed under.

Pirates (57-55) @ Rockies (59-52)
Musgrove is 2-2, 2.67 in his last five starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 5-6, 2-1 away.
5-inning record: 5-5-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11

Freeland is 4-1, 2.52 in his last nine starts; under is 8-2 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 13-9, 7-2 home.
5-inning record: 9-8-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-22

Pirates lost three of their last four games; they’re 4-1 in last five road series openers, 13-17 vs lefty starters. Four of their last five games went over. Colorado is off a 2-5 road trip; they’re 7-10 in home series openers. Rockies’ last seven home games stayed under.

Phillies (63-48) @ Diamondbacks (62-51)
Arrieta is 4-0, 3.26 in his last five starts; under is 5-1 in his last six road starts. Team in his starts: 12-9, 5-5 away
5-inning record: 12-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-21

Godley is 3-0, 3.03 in his last five starts; over is 5-3-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 13-9, 5-3 home.
5-inning record: 6-13-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-21

Phillies won their last five games; they’re 8-4 in last 12 road series openers. Under is 6-2 in their last eight games. Arizona won six of its last nine games; they’re 0-6 in last six home series openers. Over is 8-2 in their last ten games.

American League
Twins (52-58) @ Indians (61-49)
Gibson is 2-2, 2.96 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 10-12, 5-6 away
5-inning record: 9-11-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-22

Bauer is 3-0, 2.25 in his last six starts; under is 10-2 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 14-9, 9-2 home.
5-inning record: 12-6-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-23

Twins won its last three games; they’re 6-12 in road series openers. Minnesota’s last three games all went over. Cleveland won four of its last five games; they’re 8-11 in home series openers. Five of their last six games stayed under.

Mariners (64-48) @ Rangers (49-64)
LeBlanc is 2-2, 6.11 in his last five starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 11-6, 2-5 away
5-inning record: 10-5-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-17

Colon is 0-5, 6.75 in his last five starts; under is 7-4-1 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 8-12, 4-4 home.
5-inning record: 6-11-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-20

Mariners lost five of their last six games; they’re 1-5 in last six road series openers. Four of their last five games went over. Texas won seven of its last nine games; they’re 14-18 vs lefty starters, 6-12 in home series openers. Over is 9-2 in their last 11 home games.

New York (68-42) @ White Sox (41-70)
Lynn was 1-1, 5.06 in his last three starts for the Twins; under is 3-1 in his last four starts. He is 1-1, 4.09 vs Chicago this year. This is his first start for NY. Twins in his starts: 11-9, 7-4 away
5-inning record: 8-9-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-20

Covey is 1-5, 10.48 in his last six starts; over is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 5-9, 3-3 home.
5-inning record: 3-8-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-14

New York lost its last five games; they’re 2-6 in last eight road series openers. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six road games. White Sox won their last four games, are 6-11 in home series openers. Over is 6-1 in their last seven home games.

Tigers (47-65) @ Angels (55-58)
Boyd is 2-0, 1.29 in his last two starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 10-11, 3-7 away
5-inning record: 6-12-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-21

Tropeano is 1-3, 6.75 in his last four starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 6-7, 3-4 home.
5-inning record: 4-8-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-13

Detroit lost 11 of its last 14 road games; they scored one run in last three games. Tigers are 5-14 in road series openers. Under is 5-1 in their last six road games. Angels lost six of their last seven games; they’re 9-4 in last 13 home series openers, 10-21 vs lefty starters- over is 4-1 in their last five home games.

Interleague
Cubs (64-47) @ Royals (34-77)
Hamels allowed one run in five IP (95 PT) in his first start for the Cubs. He is 1-1, 4.05 against the Royals this year. Over is 4-1-1 in his last six starts. Cubs in his starts: 1-0, 1-0 away
5-inning record: 6-11-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-21

Junis is 1-3, 9.62 in his last five starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 7-5, 4-3 home
5-inning record: 9-7-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-20 (6 of last 8)

Cubs are 6-7 in their last 13 games, 1-5 in last six road series openers. Over is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Kansas City lost its last four games; they’re 5-13 in home series openers, 13-22 vs lefty starters. Under is 4-1 in their last five home games.

Astros (71-42) @ Giants (57-56)
Morton is 2-0, 4.50 in his last four starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 13-8, 5-4 away
5-inning record: 13-4-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-21

Rodriguez is 2-0, 1.60 in his last six starts (under 5-1). Team in his starts: 8-2, 4-1 home
5-inning record: 6-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-10

Astros won four of their last five games; they’re 15-3 in road series openers. Under is 14-3 in their last 17 road games. Giants won five of their last seven games, are 11-6 in home series openers. Over is 5-2-1 in their last eight games.

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Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 08-06-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 5th August 2018 by Gracenote
Twins vs. Indians Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/05/2018

The Minnesota Twins attempt to put a little pressure on the American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians when they pay a visit Monday night for the opener of a four-game set. The Twins come in off a three-game sweep against Kansas City at home and have won seven of the first 12 against Cleveland this year, but they trail the Indians by nine games in the division while going 19-34 on the road.

Eddie Rosario has played a big part in Minnesota's success in the season series, going 17-for-51 with 12 runs scored along with six homers and 11 RBIs, while fellow outfielder Max Kepler comes in red hot at 9-for-18 over his last six contests. Kyle Gibson looks for a third quality start in his fourth outing against Cleveland in 2018 when he takes the mound Monday, while the Indians will counter with All-Star Trevor Bauer, who is fourth in the AL in ERA. Cleveland has won four of its last five to maintain a comfortable lead in the division and Jose Ramirez has led the way, going 10-for-22 with three homers and eight RBIs during a six-game hitting streak. Ramirez launched a three-run shot in the first inning - his franchise record 12th blast in the opening frame this year - as the Indians edged the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Sunday; the MVP candidate has gone deep five times against the Twins in 2018.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (5-8, 3.47 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (10-6, 2.34)

Gibson fell to 3-2 with a 3.15 ERA over his last five starts after allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over six innings in a loss to Cleveland on Tuesday. The 30-year-old Indiana native boasts 132 strikeouts - 13 away from his career high in 2015 - over 135 innings and owns a 2.94 ERA in 11 road outings in 2018. Jason Kipnis is 12-for-30 with a homer versus Gibson, who is 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA in three starts against the Indians this season.

Bauer is 3-0 in his last six starts and has limited opponents to two or fewer runs in eight of his last nine outings. The 27-year-old UCLA product, who is 5-1 with a 2.02 ERA at home in 2018, held Minnesota to two runs on four hits and four walks over 6 2/3 innings in last week's head-to-head showdown with Gibson and is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against the Twins in 2018. Rosario is 12-for-33 with two homers and nine RBIs versus Bauer.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland C Yan Gomes missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and is considered day-to-day.

2. Minnesota OF Robbie Grossman (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day disabled list after going 2-for-4 in his 500th major-league game Sunday.

3. Indians DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion has a team-high 11 RBIs to go along with four homers against the Twins in 2018.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Twins 3
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Cincinnati Reds vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 08-06-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 5th August 2018 by Gracenote
Reds vs. Mets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/05/2018

The New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds' upcoming three-game series lost any semblance of luster it hoped to have with Matt Harvey not slated to pitch at Citi Field. With the one-time Dark Knight of Gotham reduced to a spectator's role in the Big Apple, the Mets (45-64) and visiting Reds (49-63) will vie for their respective second win in seven outings at the other's expense on Monday.

Devin Mesoarco, who was acquired in the Harvey deal in May, belted the tying homer in the ninth before New York fell for the 12th time in 16 outings against Atlanta with a 5-4 setback in 10 innings. Michael Conforto recorded back-to-back multi-hit performances versus the Braves, although he went 3-for-13 as the Mets dropped two of three in Cincinnati on May 7-9. That series featured New York batting out of order in perhaps a sign of things to come as its season went south in a hurry while Cincinnati was mired in its worst start since the Great Depression. Joey Votto had an RBI single for his lone hit in that series (1-for-10) and is 0-for-11 with five strikeouts in his career against Monday starter Noah Syndergaard.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (1-8, 5.87 ERA) vs. Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (6-2, 2.98)

Bailey has answered a disastrous stretch in which he posted a 1-7 mark with a 6.68 ERA with two solid starts since coming off the disabled list. The 32-year-old allowed two runs in both of his most recent outings and scattered three hits over eight innings in a hard-luck 2-1 setback at Detroit on Tuesday. Bailey fell to 1-5 with a 7.22 ERA in seven career starts versus New York after getting tattooed for six runs on eight hits - including three homers - in four innings of a 7-6 loss on May 7.

Syndergaard, who returned from an absence due to hand, foot and mouth disease, tasted defeat for the first time in three months on Wednesday after permitting three runs on six hits over seven innings of a 5-3 setback at Washington. "Considering where I was two months ago and where I'm at now, I kind of went through a roller coaster of emotions and events," the 25-year-old told reporters. "It's going to take a while to knock a little bit of rust off." Eugenio Suarez is 4-for-12 in his career versus Syndergaard, who owns a 3-0 mark with a 1.98 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in four career starts against Cincinnati.

WALK-OFFS

1. Suarez has two homers, five RBIs and three runs scored during his six-game hitting streak.

2. Mets OF-INF Jose Bautista is mired in an 0-for-23 stretch.

3. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett is just 3-for-21 with seven strikeouts in his last six games.

PREDICTION: Reds 4, Mets 3
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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 08-06-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 5th August 2018 by Gracenote
Cardinals vs. Marlins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/05/2018

Matt Carpenter bids to continue his torrid display at the plate on Monday as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals play the opener of a three-game series against the Miami Marlins. Carpenter went deep for the third time in as many contests on Sunday to push the Cardinals (58-54) into third place in the National League Central with a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh.

Carpenter, who homered in six straight games from July 14-21, was kept in the park in St. Louis' previous series against Miami (46-67) - although he went 5-for-14 with two runs scored. Fellow third baseman Jedd Gyorko didn't fare as well in that set, but had an RBI single on Sunday to give him six hits and as many runs driven in during his last four outings. While the Cardinals have won four of five to keep within earshot of the first-place Chicago Cubs, the reeling Marlins dropped their sixth straight and 10th in 13 games with a 5-3 setback to Philadelphia on Sunday. Justin Bour homered three times in the series against the Phillies and went 4-for-12 with two RBIs in the previous set versus St. Louis.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (6-9, 4.75 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (3-8, 5.86)

Weaver endured another inconsistent turn in his topsy-turvy campaign on Wednesday after yielding two runs on five hits in a season-low 2 2/3 innings of a no-decision versus Colorado. The former Florida State star looks to find himself at home on the road, where he boasts a 5-5 mark with a 4.43 ERA as opposed to a 1-4 record with a 5.13 ERA at Busch Stadium. Weaver has scattered three hits in three scoreless innings of relief over two career appearances against Miami.

While Weaver has received better results on the road, Chen has performed better at Marlins Park as he owns a 2-2 record with a 2.18 ERA as opposed to a 1-6 mark with a bloated 10.27 ERA outside of Miami. "We're not going to try to explain it. We're going to try to ride it," manager Don Mattingly told reporters of the 33-year-old, who allowed five runs on as many hits - including two homers - in five innings of a 5-3 setback at Atlanta last Monday. Chen pitched significantly better in his last outing against St. Louis, although he settled for a no-decision after permitting two runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings on June 6.

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis OF Marcell Ozuna returns to play a game in Miami for the first time since being traded in December for RHPs Sandy Alcantara and Zac Gallen, OF Magneuris Sierra and LHP Daniel Castano.

2. Marlins LF Derek Dietrich went 6-for-11 with a homer, four RBIs and four runs scored in the previous series versus the Cardinals.

3. St. Louis C Yadier Molina is 9-for-25 with three RBIs and three runs scored in his last five games.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Marlins 2
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Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 08-06-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 5th August 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 08/05/2018

The Seattle Mariners have found it difficult to score runs for the better part of a month, and it is no coincidence Kyle Seager's recent woes during what may end up being the worst season of his career have played a big part. The one-time All-Star broke out of his funk in his last game, however, and the Mariners hope to ride that offensive wave a bit longer starting Monday when they visit the Texas Rangers for the opener of a three-game series that begins a 10-game road trip.

Seattle entered Sunday having scored three runs or fewer in 18 of its previous 23 games before Seager and Nelson Cruz combined to hit three homers and drive in all of the team's runs in a 6-3 victory over Toronto. Seager's two solo blasts were particularly refreshing for the 30-year-old third baseman, who is still batting a career-worst .231 despite ending his 21-game homer drought and helping the Mariners end a five-game losing streak. The win also allowed Seattle to move within six games of American League West-leading Houston while remaining 2 1/2 games behind division-rival Oakland in the race for the final wild-card spot. The Rangers have won seven of nine since dropping six of their first seven following the All-Star break, but they fell short of completing their first four-game sweep of the season with Sunday's 9-6 loss to Baltimore.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (6-2, 3.95 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (2-4, 6.50)

LeBlanc has dropped two of his last three decisions since winning each of his first five, and the worst effort of the bunch came when he surrendered a season-high seven runs over 4 1/3 frames in Wednesday's loss to Houston. The Alabama product has been a boon to the rotation for the most part, however, going 6-2 with a 3.86 ERA since becoming a starter in early May. LeBlanc notched his first victory as a starter against Texas on May 31, yielding one run over five innings.

Perez is winless in four starts since returning from a 2 1/2-month stint on the disabled list, despite allowing one earned run or fewer in three of those outings. The 27-year-old Venezuelan settled for a no-decision at Arizona last Monday after permitting four runs (one earned) across five frames. Seager (16-for-46, four homers and seven RBIs) and Cruz (8-for-25, three home runs and five RBIs) have fared well against Perez, who earned his last victory on April 22 by holding the Mariners to two runs over six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners 2B Dee Gordon (ankle) was held out of the lineup for the second straight contest Sunday but remains day-to-day.

2. Texas 1B Joey Gallo and 2B Rougned Odor failed to homer for the first time in four games Sunday, but SS Elvis Andrus' triple in the first inning extended his hitting streak to 16 games - matching the best run of his career.

3. Cruz has four home runs and eight RBIs through five games this month.

PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Rangers 4
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New York Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 08-06-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 6th August 2018 by Gracenote
Yankees vs. White Sox Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/06/2018

The New York Yankees have very little time to lick their wounds after a disastrous series against their biggest rivals as they continue their seven-game road trip Monday with the opener of a three-game set versus the Chicago White Sox. New York saw its losing streak reach a season-high five games when it squandered a late lead and dropped a 5-4 decision in 10 innings at Boston in a game that ended early Monday morning.

The Yankees, who are five games clear in the American League wild-card race, allowed a 4-1 advantage in the ninth inning to slip away and fell 9 1/2 games behind the first-place Red Sox in the American League East after being swept in the four-game series. Giancarlo Stanton drove in a run while registering two of New York's six singles Sunday for his third two-hit performance in four contests. Chicago is riding a season-high four-game winning streak after completing a three-game sweep in Tampa Bay with an 8-7 triumph Sunday. Avisail Garcia went deep twice and Daniel Palka belted a decisive two-run homer in the ninth inning for the White Sox, whose four victories have come by a total of five runs.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, YES (New York), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Lance Lynn (7-8, 4.89 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Dylan Covey (4-7, 5.57)

Lynn gets his first start with the Yankees after making his team debut in relief Wednesday, when he struck out five while scattering five hits over 4 1/3 scoreless innings against Baltimore. The 31-year-old native of Indiana allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his final four turns with Minnesota, going 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA in that span. Lynn is 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA in five career starts against the White Sox after splitting a pair of decisions earlier this season.

Covey has lost six of his last seven decisions, including a setback against Kansas City on Wednesday in which he surrendered seven runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old Californian has posted an 8.68 ERA over his last eight turns, working more than five frames once in that stretch. Covey did not fare well in his lone career start versus the Yankees as he was battered for eight runs and 10 hits - three homers - over five innings in a loss at New York on April 19, 2017.

WALK-OFFS

1. Palka has gone 3-for-15 over his last seven contests, with all three hits being home runs.

2. New York OF Brett Gardner and 3B Miguel Andujar have hit safely in seven of their last eight games.

3. Chicago OF Leury Garcia exited Sunday's game with a sore left hamstring and will be re-evaluated prior to the series opener.

PREDICTION: Yankees 8, White Sox 5
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Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 08-06-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 5th August 2018 by Gracenote
Cubs vs. Royals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/05/2018

The Chicago Cubs has been a .500 team since the All-Star break and hopes to take advantage of the struggling Kansas City Royals when they open a three-game road series on Monday night. The Cubs are 9-9 since the Midsummer Classic and hold just a one-game lead over second-place Milwaukee in the National League Central after dropping a 10-6 decision at home against San Diego on Sunday.

Chicago slugger Anthony Rizzo arrives in Kansas City after going 7-for-14 with two homers and four RBIs in the four-game set against the Padres while sitting just four hits away from 1,000 in his career. The Cubs (64-47), who visit the Royals for the first time since 2011, will send newcomer Cole Hamels to the mound for his second start with the team Monday, while right-hander Jakob Junis goes after his second straight win for Kansas City. The Royals (34-77) have dropped four in a row - three in a row at Minnesota over the weekend - and hold just a half-game lead over Baltimore (34-78) for the worst record in baseball. Kansas City's Whit Merrifield had four hits in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Twins and is 11-for-23 with two homers to go along with five RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago Plus, FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Cole Hamels (6-9, 4.53 ERA) vs. RH Jake Junis (6-11, 5.12)

Hamels won his first start with the Cubs, allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks with nine strikeouts over five innings at Pittsburgh. The 34-year-old San Diego native had given up 25 runs (21 earned) in his previous four turns with Texas before the trade. Hamels went 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in two starts against Kansas City earlier this year and is 4-2 with a 3.00 mark in seven career outings versus the Royals.

Junis snapped a 10-game winless stretch Wednesday at the Chicago White Sox, permitting four runs on six hits and three walks across 5 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old Illinois native, who has allowed 26 homers in his 20 starts, owned a 3.61 ERA through May but has recorded a 7.33 mark over eight starts in June and July. Junis faces the Cubs for the first time in his career and is 2-1 with a 4.13 ERA in five career interleague starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago INF/OF Ben Zobrist is 13-for-27 with five doubles and two homers over his last seven outings.

2. Kansas City OF Alex Gordon boasts multiple hits in five of his last six games and registered eight RBIs in his past five contests.

3. The Cubs are 8-4 in interleague play while the Royals stand 3-6; the clubs are meeting for the first time since 2015.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Royals 3
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 08-06-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 5th August 2018 by Gracenote
Pirates vs. Rockies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/05/2018

The Colorado Rockies needed some extra-inning heroics in order to avoid a sweep at Milwaukee over the weekend and should be happy to return home after a less-than-stellar road trip. The Rockies will try to string together back-to-back wins and get off to a strong start on an important seven-game homestand when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.

Colorado enters the week two games behind Arizona and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and will need to avoid looking ahead with a four-game series against the Dodgers beginning on Thursday. The Rockies went 2-5 on their road trip through St. Louis and Milwaukee but snapped a four-game slide when Nolan Arenado slammed a go-ahead home run in the 11th inning on Sunday. The Pirates are trying to get back into the race in the NL Central but dropped two of three to the Cardinals over the weekend and are 24-26 on the road, where they will play their next nine contests before returning home for a four-game series against the division-leading Chicago Cubs. Pittsburgh tries to start off strong on the trip by sending Joe Musgrove to the mound while Colorado counters with Kyle Freeland.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Joe Musgrove (4-5, 3.63 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (9-7, 3.20)

Musgrove yielded a total of three runs over 14 innings in his last two starts but went just 1-1 after coming out on the wrong end of a 1-0 decision against the New York Mets on July 29. The 25-year-old has allowed fewer than three earned runs in four of his last five outings and completed at least seven frames in four of those turns. Musgrove, who is facing Colorado for the first time in his career, is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three road starts this season.

Freeland has completed six innings once in his last five starts and suffered a loss at St. Louis on Wednesday, when he surrendered three runs on nine hits and three walks in 5 1/3 frames. The 25-year-old has issued at least three free passes in six of his last 10 turns. Freeland limited the walks to two at Pittsburgh on April 18 but lasted only four innings as he surrendered five runs and six hits in a loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates LF Corey Dickerson (hamstring) is 0-for-4 in two games since coming off the 10-day disabled list.

2. Colorado SS Trevor Story went 4-for-14 with four home runs and nine RBIs in the three contests at Milwaukee.

3. Pittsburgh 2B Adam Frazier has gone 6-for-14 with three doubles and a homer in his last three games.

PREDICTION: Pirates 3, Rockies 1
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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 08-06-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 5th August 2018 by Gracenote
Phillies vs. Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/05/2018

The Philadelphia Phillies are winners of five in a row and own a 1 1/2-game lead in the National League East as they get set for a trip out west. The Phillies will try to keep rolling when they meet another division leader in the Arizona Diamondbacks, whom they visit Monday for the opener of their three-game series.

Philadelphia has allowed three runs or fewer in each of its last six games as it completed a four-game sweep over Miami with a 5-3 win on Sunday. "It doesn't matter who the opponent is; to sweep a four-game series is very difficult in Major League Baseball," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler told reporters. "I'm very proud of the job that our guys did. Miami has some really good young players, and they're led well. And our guys set the tone. We're prepared for our road trip." The Diamondbacks are sitting in a tie for first place in the NL West with the Los Angeles Dodgers and are 3-3 through the first six contests of their nine-game homestand. Arizona will turn to Zack Godley on Monday while Philadelphia counters with veteran leader Jake Arrieta.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (9-6, 3.32 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (12-6, 4.46)

Arrieta went 4-0 with a 2.80 ERA in six outings last month, capping the stretch with a win at Boston on Tuesday. The TCU product held the major league-best Red Sox to one run and six hits in seven innings, striking out seven without issuing a walk. Arrieta recorded a win over Arizona at home on April 25, when he yielded three runs - one earned - and four hits over seven frames.

Godley is on a roll as well and is coming off his best start of the season as he held Texas to two hits while striking out 10 in seven scoreless innings. The 28-year-old recorded more strikeouts than innings pitched in each of his seven outings in July and has registered 130 in 123 frames this season. Godley, who will be making his second career start against Philadelphia, is 6-2 with a 3.43 ERA at home in 2018.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies SS Asdrubal Cabrera homered on Saturday and Sunday - his first two blasts since being acquired from the New York Mets late last month.

2. Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt walked three times on Sunday and has drawn at least one free pass in each of his last six contests.

3. Philadelphia RHP Pat Neshek tossed a perfect inning on Sunday, dropping his ERA to 0.79.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Phillies 5
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Detroit Tigers vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 08-06-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 5th August 2018 by Gracenote
Tigers vs. Angels Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/05/2018

The Los Angeles Angels are missing their best player and answering questions about the future of their manager as they slide out of the postseason race in the American League. The Angels hope to have Mike Trout back in the lineup when they return home to host the Detroit Tigers on Monday for the opener of their three-game series.

Los Angeles has dropped six of its last seven games and fallen to 55-58 amid reports that manager Mike Scioscia will step down after the season - a report he called "poppycock." The Angels also have been without Trout, who will celebrate his 27th birthday on Tuesday, for the last four games after he injured his right wrist during a stolen-base attempt, but X-rays and an MRI revealed only inflammation and he is considered day-to-day. The Tigers did not get off to a great start on their six-game road trip, managing just one run in three games while being swept by Oakland over the weekend. Detroit will try to produce some run support on Monday for starting pitcher Matthew Boyd while the Angels attempt to snap their slide behind Nick Tropeano.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (6-9, 4.22 ERA) vs. Angels RH Nick Tropeano (4-6, 4.94)

Boyd is coming off his best start of the season as he scattered four hits and struck out seven in eight scoreless innings of a win over Cincinnati on Tuesday. The Oregon State product has surrendered fewer than three runs in each of his last three turns and notched the victory in the last two after a stretch of seven straight starts without a triumph. Boyd yielded two hits in five scoreless frames to record a win over the Angels at home on May 28.

Tropeano has gone 1-3 with a 6.92 ERA in his last five starts, with a six-week stint on the disabled list sandwiched in between the outings. The New York native served up five solo home runs against the Chicago White Sox on July 26 and was charged with four runs on seven hits - one homer - at Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Tropeano recorded a win at Detroit on May 29, when he allowed two runs - on solo homers - and seven hits over 5 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers RF Nick Castellanos has gone 5-for-44 with 16 strikeouts over his last 11 games.

2. Angels 1B Albert Pujols needs four hits to become the ninth player in history with at least 1,000 in each league.

3. Detroit last won a road series against Los Angeles in 2009.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, Angels 2
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Houston Astros vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 08-06-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 5th August 2018 by Gracenote
Astros vs. Giants Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/05/2018

The injury bug continues to plague the Houston Astros, who begin a brief two-game interleague series against the host San Francisco Giants on Monday. George Springer suffered a left thumb injury in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers and could join a star-studded disabled list that includes Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Lance McCullers Jr.

Springer homered to begin Sunday's contest but left in the third inning after sliding head-first into second base, and the Dodgers went on to snap the Astros' four-game winning streak with a 3-2 victory. Tony Kemp belted a solo homer for Houston, which took two of three from Los Angeles but saw its lead over second-place Oakland in the American League West shrink to four games. San Francisco kept alive its playoff hopes by securing its first winning road trip of the season (4-2) with Sunday's 3-2 victory in Arizona. Evan Longoria belted a tie-breaking homer in the eighth inning and is batting .357 with two doubles, a triple and two blasts in 10 games since returning from a broken hand on July 26.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Charlie Morton (12-2, 2.90 ERA) vs. Giants RH Dereck Rodriguez (5-1, 2.59)

Morton helped the Astros snap a season-high five-game losing streak with a solid outing on Tuesday, when he allowed two runs while striking out eight over six innings against Seattle. The 34-year-old has gone 26-9 with a 3.29 ERA in 46 starts since joining Houston at the beginning of last season. Morton owns a 4-4 record and 2.59 ERA in 12 career starts against San Francisco, going 2-2 with a 3.82 mark in six outings at AT&T Park.

Rodriguez has entered the National League Rookie of the Year discussion after going 3-0 with a 1.49 ERA over his last seven games (six starts). The son of Hall-of-Famer Ivan Rodriguez tossed a career-high seven innings against San Diego on Tuesday, allowing one run and three hits while striking out seven. The 26-year-old, who is facing Houston for the first time, owns an impressive 54-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 66 frames this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants are 44-13 when scoring at least four runs and 13-43 when registering three or fewer.

2. Altuve (knee) has been ruled out for the series against San Francisco and will return to Houston to be examined by team doctors.

3. San Francisco C Buster Posey (concussion protocol) returned to the lineup Sunday after missing one game and went 1-for-3 while starting at first base.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Astros 4
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