MLB Betting News and Trends For Monday 9/3/18

National League
Cardinals (76-61) @ Nationals (68-69)
Flaherty is 4-0, 1.13 in his last five starts (under 4-1). Team in his starts: 11-11, 5-7 away
5-inning record: 11-10-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-22

Scherzer is 6-1, 2.45 in his last ten starts (over 7-3). Team in his starts: 19-9, 9-4 home
5-inning record: 17-9-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-28

Cardinals split their last eight games; they’re 11-11 in road series openers. Under is 7-4 in their last 11 games. Washington lost three of its last four games; they’re 13-9 in home series openers— over is 8-2-1 in their last 11 home games.

Phillies (72-64) @ Marlins (54-83)
Velasquez is 1-1, 5.87 in his last four starts; his last three went over. Team in his starts: 11-14, 4-7 away
5-inning record: 11-10-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-25

Urena is 1-0, 3.00 in his last two starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 7-19, 4-11 home
5-inning record: 9-14-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-25

Philly is 4-10 in its last 14 games; they’re 8-14 in road series openers- over is 5-3 in their last eight games. Marlins lost five of their last six games; they’re 1-7 in last eight home series openers- under is 5-2 in their last seven home games.

Reds (59-78) @ Pirates (66-71)
Harvey is 1-0, 3.18 in his last four starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 10-9, 4-6 away
5-inning record: 11-6-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-19

Williams is 5-2, 0.75 in his last eight starts (under 7-0-1). Team in his starts: 13-13, 7-8 home
5-inning record: 9-11-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-26

Cincinnati is 3-8 in its last 11 games; they’re 8-14 in road series openers- over is 5-3 in their last eight games. Pirates lost nine of their last 12 games; they’re 13-9 in home series openers- under is 15-4-1 in their last 20 games.

Cubs (81-55) @ Brewers (77-61)
Hamels is 4-0, 0.92 in six starts for the Cubs (under 5-1). Team in his starts: 6-0, 3-0 away
5-inning record: 3-1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Davies is making his first start since May 29; he is 0-3, 6.75 in his last three starts (under 6-2). Team in his starts: 2-6, 1-4 home
5-inning record: 3-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-8

Cubs won 10 of their last 12 games; they’re 14-8 in road series openers- under is 9-3-1 in their last 13 road games. Milwaukee is 7-3 in its last ten games, 9-2 in last 11 home series openers- over is 7-2 in their last nine games.

Giants (68-70) @ Rockies (74-62)
Bumgarner is 2-1, 2.30 in his last six starts; under is 6-1-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 8-8, 3-5 road
5-inning record: 8-5-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-16

Anderson is 0-4, 11.39 in his last five starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 10-17, 3-11 home
5-inning record: 11-8-8 Allowed run in 1st inning: 15-27

Giants lost three of their last four games; they’re 6-1 in last seven road series openers- their last eight games stayed under the total. Colorado won six of its last nine home games; they’re 8-13 in home series openers- under is 7-2 in their last nine home games.

Mets (61-75) @ Dodgers (75-62)
deGrom is 3-1, 1.77 in his last five starts; under is 9-2 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 11-16, 6-6 road
5-inning record: 13-6-8 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-27

Wood is 3-1, 2.14 in his last six starts; under is 4-0-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 13-12, 5-7 home
5-inning record: 10-10-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-25

Mets won three of their last four games; they’re 13-10 in road series openers- under is 4-1 in their last five games. Dodgers won eight of their last nine games; they’re 1-5 in last six home series openers- under is 5-0 in their last five games.

Padres (54-85) @ Diamondbacks (74-63)
Mitchell is making his first start since May 5; he is 0-3, 6.47 in seven starts (over 5-2). Team in his starts: 2-5, 1-1 road
5-inning record: 0-5-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-7

Godley is 1-1, 6.11 in his last three starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 16-11. 5-4 home
5-inning record: 14-12-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-27

Padres are 4-7 in their last 11 games, 5-2 in last seven road series openers- over is 7-3 in their last ten road games. Arizona lost five of its last seven games; they’re 2-7 in last nine home series openers- their last nine games stayed under.

American League
Tigers (55-82) @ White Sox (55-82)
Fulmer is 0-3, 7.65 in his last four starts; over is 2-0-1 in his last three. Team in his starts: 5-16, 2-8 away
5-inning record: 7-10-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-21

Lopez is 1-0, 2.13 in his last two starts; over is 5-2-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 10-17, 5-7 home.
5-inning record: 12-14-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-27

Tigers lost seven of their last nine games; they’re 5-17 in road series openers- over is 4-1 in their last five games. Chicago is 13-6 in its last 19 games, 8-14 in home series openers- under is 6-1 in their last seven games.

Twins (63-73) @ Astros (84-53)
Gibson is 2-4, 6.43 in his last six starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 12-15, 6-9 away
5-inning record: 10-15-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-27

Keuchel is 1-1, 4.82 in his last three starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 16-12, 6-7 home.
5-inning record: 12-13-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-28

Twins lost seven of their last nine games; they’re 8-15 in road series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven road games. Houston is 9-3 in its last 12 games, 1-4 in last five home series openers- under is 8-4 in their last 12 home games.

New York (86-51) @ A’s (82-56)
Sabathia is 1-1, 2.28 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 14-10, 5-5 away
5-inning record: 12-9-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-24

Cahill is 1-1, 5.85 in his last four starts (over 3-0-1). He has an 8.05 ERA in eight home starts. Team in his starts: 10-7, 6-2 home.
5-inning record: 8-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-17

New York is 11-5 in its last 16 games, 13-9 in road series openers- over is 3-1 in their last four games. Oakland is 6-4 in its last ten games, 7-3 in last ten home series openers- over is 6-1 in their last seven games.

Royals (45-91) @ Indians (77-59)
Junis is 1-2, 2.87 in his last five starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 10-15, 5-6 away
5-inning record: 12-8-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-25

Plutko is 0-3, 5.24 in his last four starts (under 4-0). Team in his starts: 4-5, 3-2 home.
5-inning record: 6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-9

Royals won seven of their last eight games; they’re 5-16 in road series openers- over is 8-3-1 in their last dozen road games. Cleveland is 4-7 in its last 11 games; they’re 9-5 in last 14 home series openers- under is 3-1-1 in their last five games.

Rays (73-63) @ Blue Jays (62-74)
Bullpen game for the Rays. Team in his starts: away
5-inning record: Allowed run in 1st inning:

Stroman is 0-1, 6.00 in his last four starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 8-10, 4-4 home.
5-inning record: 6-10-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-18

Rays won 11 of their last 13 games; they’re 2-11 in last 13 road series openers- over is 4-1-1 in their last six games. Toronto lost five of its last seven games; they’re 13-9 in home series openers- four of their last five games went over.

Angels (66-71) @ Rangers (60-77)
Shoemaker allowed three runs in 5.2 IP (90 PT) in his only ’18 start, an 8-3 win in Oakland March 31. Team in his starts: 1-0, 1-0 away
5-inning record: 1-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Springs is making his first MLB start; he’s allowed five runs in 17.2 IP in 10 MLB relief stints. Only 26 of his 112 minor league games were starts. Team in his starts: 0-0 home.
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Angels lost nine of their last 12 games; they’re 10-13 in road series openers- under is 4-1 inn their last five games. Texas lost five of its last seven games; they’re 8-15 in home series openers- four of their last five games went over.

Orioles (40-97) @ Mariners (76-61)
Rogers allowed three runs in five IP (85 PT) in his first start (over 1-0). Team in his starts: 1-0, 0-0 away
5-inning record: 1-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Ramirez is 1-1, 7.07 in his last three starts (over 5-1). Team in his starts: 3-3, 1-0 home.
5-inning record: 3-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6

Baltimore lost its last seven road games; they’re 0-9 in last nine road series openers- over is 4-1 in their last five road games. Mariners are 7-11 in their last 18 games; they’re 14-7 in home series openers- over is 9-2 in their last 11 home games.

Interleague
Red Sox (94-44) @ Braves (76-60)
Eovaldi is 0-3, 10.33 in his last three starts (under 4-3). Team in his starts: 3-4, 1-3 away
5-inning record: 2-4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7

Newcomb is 1-2, 8.38 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 14-12, 4-7 home.
5-inning record: 13-11-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-26

Red Sox lost six of their last eight road games; they’re 8-1 in last nine road series openers- under is 8-4 in their last 12 road games. Atlanta is 3-7 in its last ten games, 12-10 in home series openers- under is 12-3-1 in their last 16 games.

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Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Red Sox vs. Braves Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Boston Red Sox sit comfortably atop the American League East entering the opener of a three-game road series Monday at the Atlanta Braves, and they hope better days are to come as two key cogs of their starting rotation heal. Boston fell 8-0 Sunday at the Chicago White Sox, further reinforcing the point that the presence of Chris Sale and David Price in the Red Sox rotation makes baseball's best team even more formidable.

"When you start getting hurt, especially your main guys, it's not that easy to go out there with the guys that we're throwing and keep throwing the ball well," Boston manager Alex Cora told the media after fill-in starter Brian Johnson was knocked out in the second inning Sunday. "They did it for a month and a half, right after the All-Star break, and now it's not that way." Boston looks for Sale and Price to return in the next two weeks, but first heads to Atlanta to face a Braves team holding a four-game lead over Philadelphia in the National League East race. Rookie outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. tied a franchise record with his seventh leadoff homer in Sunday's 5-1 home victory over the Pirates, a game Atlanta broke open with a four-run eighth inning for the second consecutive game. Acuna finished a triple shy of the cycle, extending his hitting streak to five games and raising his average to .296 with 23 homers on the season.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, NESN (Boston), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Nathan Eovaldi (5-7, 4.35 ERA) vs. Braves RH Touki Toussaint (1-0, 1.50)

Eovaldi hopes for a good beginning to September after posting a 5.67 ERA in six August starts, losing his last three outings and pitching beyond the fifth inning twice. The 28-year-old lost to the White Sox on Friday, giving up three runs on three hits over two innings of a rain-shortened outing five days after surrendering six runs (five earned) across four innings to Tampa Bay. Traded by the Rays to the Red Sox on July 25, Eovaldi is 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts for Boston.

Toussaint impressed in his major-league debut Aug. 13 against Miami, giving up one run on two hits with four strikeouts over six innings to get the victory. The 22-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday and figures to get a handful of starts down the stretch as the Braves try to give their other starting pitchers extra rest. Toussaint finished 9-6 with a 2.38 ERA in 24 starts between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston OF J.D. Martinez collected two hits Sunday to raise his average to .337, pulling into second place in the AL just three points behind teammate OF Mookie Betts (.340).

2. The Red Sox beat Atlanta twice in three games at Boston in late May, scoring 14 runs combined in the two victories before the Braves won the series finale, 7-1.

3. Boston is 50 games above .500 (94-44) and the Red Sox have dominated in day games - winning 30-of-38 contests.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Braves 5
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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Cardinals vs. Nationals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The St. Louis Cardinals have followed a blistering-hot August with two setbacks in as many days to begin the final month of the regular season. The Cardinals, who are clinging to the second wild-card spot in the National League, aim to snap their modest slide on Monday afternoon when play the opener of a three-game series against St. Louis native Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals.

St. Louis' Harrison Bader, who has hit safely in 13 of his last 17 contests, joined Greg Garcia in driving in a pair of runs in Sunday's 6-4 setback in 10 innings against Cincinnati. Bader went 6-for-13 with a homer, three RBIs and four runs scored as the Cardinals captured the first three contests versus Washington before the latter responded to end St. Louis' season-high eight-game winning streak on Aug. 16. The Cardinals reside a half-game behind the top wild-card team Milwaukee, which benefited from a seven-run fifth inning to capture the rubber match of its series with the Nationals. Rookie Juan Soto recorded his sixth multi-hit performance in eight games in Sunday's 9-4 setback, although he is just 2-for-12 with four strikeouts versus the Cardinals this season.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Midwest (St. Louis), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jack Flaherty (8-6, 2.87 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.22)

Flaherty improved to 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his last five starts on Tuesday after allowing one run on four hits in seven innings of a 5-2 triumph versus Pittsburgh. The 22-year-old, who did not walk a batter for the first time since May 31, saw his start pushed back as the Cardinals organization does its best to manage his workload that has spanned 155 innings (122 1/3 in the majors) this year. Flaherty will be making his 29th career appearance and first versus Washington.

Scherzer, who was outdueled by right-hander Aaron Nola in a battle of potential Cy Young Award contenders his last time out, yielded two homers in a season-low five innings of a no-decision against Philadelphia. The three-time Cy Young winner will receive an extra day of rest after manager Dave Martinez opted to shuffle Jefry Rodriguez into a spot start on Sunday. Matt Carpenter is 5-for-14 against Scherzer, but the 34-year-old right-hander has flustered Yadier Molina (1-for-11) in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington SS Wilmer Difo has seven hits -- including two homers -- to go along with five RBIs and six runs scored in his last seven games.

2. Cardinals 1B Jose Martinez, who has seven strikeouts in his last two contests, is 7-for-14 versus the Nationals in 2018.

3. Washington OF Bryce Harper is 7-for-17 with two homers against St. Louis this season.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Nationals 3
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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Phillies vs. Marlins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Philadelphia Phillies are scuffling mightily at the plate with just four runs in their last three contests to put a crimp in their aspiring postseason plans. The Phillies look to get back on track Monday afternoon in the opener of a three-game series at the Miami Marlins, against whom they erupted for 23 runs in a four-game sweep at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 2-5.

Jorge Alfaro, who is a robust 13-for-34 with two homers versus the Marlins this season, is riding an eight-game hitting streak and had an RBI double in the ninth inning in Sunday's 8-1 setback to the Chicago Cubs. The Phillies open a stretch of 19 consecutive contests versus National League East teams on Monday, a run that culminates on Sept. 20-23 with a four-game series at a first-place Atlanta club that holds a four-game lead over Philadelphia. Cellar-dwelling Miami resides at the other end of the spectrum with losses in five of six overall and eight of 13 versus the Phillies this season. "We are going to be playing teams that are contending for the postseason. I hope we start a winning streak," Marlins infielder Martin Prado told reporters after Sunday's 6-1 setback to Toronto.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (9-9, 4.05 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Urena (4-12, 4.56)

Velasquez, who will be pitching on extra rest after he had his next start pushed back, evened his record after allowing two runs on three hits in five innings of an 8-3 win at Toronto last Sunday. The 26-year-old has dominated Miami in a pair of starts this season, winning both contests after permitting a total of one run on six hits in 12 1/3 frames. Velasquez owns a 3.02 ERA on the road, but only has a 3-4 mark to show for it.

Urena looks to take the first step in improving upon a disastrous 1-9 record at home when he faces Philadelphia, against which he is 0-2 in three starts this season after yielded 13 runs on 19 hits -- including four homers -- in a 16 innings. Odubel Herrera is 5-for-13 against the 26-year-old Dominican, but the hurler has handcuffed Rhys Hoskins (0-for-8, six strikeouts) and Asdrubal Cabrera (3-for-19). Urena returns to the mound after allowing four runs in six innings of a no-decision at Boston on Tuesday.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera has 10 hits and five runs scored in his last eight contests.

2. Miami OF Rafael Ortega collected a multi-hit performance for the third time during his four-game hitting streak and also scored a run Sunday.

3. Phillies 3B Maikel Franco, who has five homers versus the Marlins this season, is 0-for-13 in his last five contests overall.

PREDICTION: Marlins 4, Phillies 2
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Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Reds vs. Pirates Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Cincinnati Reds aren't going to the postseason but are content to battle some of the top teams in the National League Central and throw a wrench into the playoff race. The Reds will try to continue the momentum generated from a series win at St. Louis when they visit the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday afternoon for the opener of their three-game set.

Cincinnati did its part to impact the NL wild-card race last week by taking one from Milwaukee and two from the Cardinals, with its two losses to the Brewers coming in extra innings. The Reds possess some of the best offensive players in the NL and one of their three infield All-Stars - third baseman Eugenio Suarez - delivered the key blast Sunday with a two-run, tiebreaking homer in the 10th inning at St. Louis. The Pirates declared their intention to build for the future with a series of deals in advance of Friday's deadline but showed they still have some fight left by battling the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves in three close games over the weekend. Cincinnati will turn to veteran Matt Harvey on Monday while Pittsburgh counters with budding ace Trevor Williams.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Matt Harvey (6-7, 4.97 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Trevor Williams (11-9, 3.30)

Any hope the Reds had of dealing Harvey for a building block or two in front of the Aug. 31 trade deadline probably disappeared when he was knocked around for five runs and 11 hits in four innings against Milwaukee on Wednesday. The native of Connecticut was sharp in his previous three turns, allowing three runs and 14 hits in 18 2/3 frames. Harvey suffered through a disastrous outing against Pittsburgh on July 22, when he was ripped for eight runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings.

The future for the Pirates should include Williams, who quietly is becoming one of the best pitchers in the NL Central. The 26-year-old struck out eight over six scoreless innings at St. Louis en route to a win on Wednesday and is 5-2 with a 0.75 ERA in his last eight starts. Williams is seeing Cincinnati for the first time since April 6, when he registered the win despite allowing two runs and a season-high 10 hits in 5 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett went 2-for-5 on Sunday to boost his NL-leading batting average to .319.

2. Pirates 1B Josh Bell is hitless in his last three games.

3. Pittsburgh leads the season series 9-4.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Reds 1
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Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Tigers vs. White Sox Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers both are far removed from the postseason race, but that doesn't mean they've given up. Both teams will be trying to continue a recent run of strong play when the Tigers visit the White Sox on Monday afternoon for the opener of their three-game series.

Detroit and Chicago both are 27 games under .500 but took on the two best teams in the major leagues over the weekend and acquitted themselves quite well, with the Tigers splitting a four-game road set against the New York Yankees and the White Sox splitting four at home with Boston. Chicago shut down baseball's best offense in an 8-0 victory on Sunday and are winners of seven of their last 10 - a stretch that began with three consecutive triumphs over Detroit. The three losses to the White Sox kicked off a string of five consecutive setbacks for the Tigers, who scored 11 runs in Sunday's win over New York - their highest amount since a 13-10 victory at Pittsburgh on April 25. Detroit will try to keep that offense going against Chicago's Reynaldo Lopez while countering with Michael Fulmer.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (3-10, 4.71 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (5-9, 4.51)

Fulmer was solid in 4 2/3 scoreless innings against Chicago on Aug. 24 after coming off the disabled list but could not find the same rhythm on Wednesday. The 25-year-old was ripped for seven runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 frames at Kansas City, leaving him winless since June 14. Fulmer was victorious in Chicago on April 7, when he scattered six hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings.

Lopez recorded his first win since July 1 by holding the Yankees to one run and five hits over seven innings on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Dominican did not factor in the decision in any of his previous five turns despite allowing fewer than three earned runs in three of those outings. Lopez is making his sixth start of the season against Detroit after goingt 0-1 with a 3.23 ERA in the first five meetings.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox RF Avisail Garcia (knee) sat out Sunday and is day-to-day.

2. Detroit rookie RF Victor Reyes recorded his first four-hit performance on Sunday with two doubles, a single and a home run in five at-bats.

3. Chicago C Welington Castillo (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day disabled list, a stint that followed an 80-game suspension for using a PED.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Tigers 4
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Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Cubs vs. Brewers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Milwaukee Brewers are locked in a tight National League wild-card race, but their best shot to make a run in the NL Central comes this week. The Brewers host the division-leading Chicago Cubs for a three-game series starting Monday.

Javier Baez, Daniel Murphy and Anthony Rizzo all homered for the Cubs in Sunday's 8-1 win at Philadelphia, moving Chicago a season-high 26 games above .500. The Cubs have won 10 of their last 12 to open a five-game lead over Milwaukee in the NL Central. The Brewers have claimed four of their last five to stay afloat in the division race and take over the top spot in the wild-card standings, which they lead by a half-game over St. Louis. Christian Yelich's grand slam keyed a seven-run fifth inning that lifted Milwaukee to a 9-4 win at Washington on Sunday, giving the Brewers a fourth consecutive series win.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Cole Hamels (9-9, 3.70 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (2-5, 5.23)

Hamels is 4-0 with a 0.69 ERA in six starts since joining the Cubs, who have won all six of his outings. The 34-year-old didn't get a decision last time out despite striking out eight New York Mets over five scoreless innings. Hamels is 7-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 14 starts against the Brewers, most recently in 2016.

Davies has been sidelined by a rotator cuff injury and back tightness since May 29, limiting him to eight big-league starts in 2018. The 25-year-old dominated Single-A hitters in his last rehab start, needing only 85 pitches in a shutout. Davies is 5-5 with a 3.64 ERA in 12 starts against the Cubs and has allowed three runs over 11 2/3 frames across two meetings this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baez on Sunday became the fifth Cubs player with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in a season by his age-25 season, joining Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Ernie Banks and Ron Santo.

2. Yelich was 12-for-27 with four homers and 14 RBIs during the Brewers' six-game road trip.

3. Rizzo has recorded multiple hits in five of his past nine games and nine of his last 18.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 2
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Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 3rd September 2018 by Gracenote
Twins vs. Astros Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/03/2018

Alex Bregman helped the Houston Astros get back on track over the weekend and looks to continue his surge when they host the struggling Minnesota Twins on Monday afternoon for the opener of their three-game series. Bregman, who is batting .342 since July 31, homered for the second straight contest on Sunday as the American League West-leading Astros earned a split of their four-game set against the Los Angeles Angels with a 4-2 victory.

Houston extended its division lead over second-place Oakland to 2 1/2 games after George Springer went deep for the first time since Aug. 5, improving to 9-for-26 with six runs scored over his last six contests. Dallas Keuchel goes after his second straight win and sixth quality start in seven outings for the Astros in the series opener while Minnesota counters with Kyle Gibson, who gave up five runs over 4 1/3 innings on April 11 to drop to 3-1 lifetime against Houston. The Twins are 10 games under .500 despite occupying second place in the AL Central and have dropped seven of nine after being routed 18-4 at Texas on Sunday. Former MVP Joe Mauer should be in the lineup Monday after being rested in the setback and needs one extra-base hit to tie Tony Oliva (597) for fourth place on the Twins' all-time list.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (7-11, 3.79 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (10-10, 3.58)

Gibson allowed 12 runs - nine earned - on 15 hits and seven walks over 10 innings in road losses to Cleveland and the Chicago White Sox to end the month of August. The 30-year-old native of Indiana, who has registered a career-high 153 strikeouts this season, had won his previous two starts while yielding four runs in 14 frames. Bregman, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa are a combined 11-for-25 against Gibson.

Keuchel has given up more than three runs just once over the last two months and limited Oakland to that amount over six innings in a no-decision last time out. The 30-year-old former Cy Young Award winner finished August with a 3.49 ERA after a dazzling July in which he went 4-1 with a 1.65 mark. Keuchel dropped to 2-3 lifetime versus the Twins after permitting three runs over four frames in a 4-1 setback on April 10.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota OF Eddie Rosario (quadriceps), who leads the team in batting (.292), homers (22) and RBIs (74), is not expected to play Monday.

2. Altuve has gone 0-for-11 with four strikeouts over his last three games, dropping his batting average to .321.

3. Twins C Chris Gimenez belted a two-run homer and pitched an inning - yielding five runs and six hits (two homers) - on Sunday in his first game since being re-acquired from the Chicago Cubs.

PREDICTION: Astros 8, Twins 2
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San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Giants vs. Rockies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

Tyler Anderson came out on the winning side of the first 1-0 victory at Coors Field in over eight years the last time he saw the San Francisco Giants at home, but he has experienced little more than frustration ever since. The Colorado Rockies hope they can help end their 28-year-old left-hander's nine-game winless drought Monday when they host the opener of a three-game set against the Giants.

Anderson outdueled Andrew Suarez in a rare pitchers' duel in Colorado on July 4, giving up only two singles while tying a season high with nine strikeouts over eight innings in only the 10th 1-0 game in the 24-year history of Coors Field. The Las Vegas native was abysmal in August, going 0-4 with an 11.39 ERA in five trips to the mound. The Rockies (74-62) find themselves alone in second place in the National League West, only one-half game behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers after splitting a four-game series in San Diego against the Padres over the weekend. San Francisco may welcome some time away from home after struggling offensively for the bulk of its nine-game homestand, scoring three runs or fewer in six of its last seven contests.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (5-5, 2.68 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (6-7, 4.79)

Bumgarner struggled with his control but capped off an otherwise brilliant August with Tuesday's no-decision against Arizona, yielding four hits and four walks across seven scoreless innings. The four-time All-Star held the opposition to one run or fewer in four of his six starts last month, finishing with a 2-1 record and 2.08 ERA despite giving up six runs in a setback at Cincinnati on Aug. 18. Bumgarner took the loss in Coors Field on July 2, giving up three runs (two earned) over six frames.

Anderson has surrendered 19 runs and 24 hits over his last three starts spanning 11 1/3 innings and gave up a total of nine home runs in August while permitting at least six runs three times in five turns. His worst effort came in last Sunday's loss to St. Louis after he was tagged for six runs while recording only two outs. Brandon Crawford (2-for-8) and Gorkys Hernandez (2-for-8) have each homered against Anderson, who is 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in two starts this season against San Francisco.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rockies have won five of the six meetings against the Giants at home this season and held their division rival to three runs during a three-game sweep in early July.

2. Colorado 3B Nolan Arenado, who went 3-for-25 during the team's just-completed six-game road trip, is batting .356 at home (as opposed to .255 on the road).

3. San Francisco is hitting .212 with runners in scoring position over the last 21 contests.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Rockies 2
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New York Yankees vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Yankees vs. Athletics Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The New York Yankees' already-slim chances in the American League East took a big hit with a disappointing homestand against two teams with .401 winning percentages. They turn their attention to a road trip that will be critical for the AL wild-card situation, beginning Monday with the first of three games at the Oakland Athletics.

The Yankees went 3-4 at home against the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers, capped by an 11-7 defeat Sunday that left them 7 1/2 games out in the AL East. New York holds a 4 1/2-game lead on the Athletics for the first wild-card spot and home-field advantage in the play-in game after Oakland got past the Seattle Mariners - the Yankees' next opponent on this road trip - by an 8-2 margin Sunday. Stephen Piscotty homered twice to pace the Athletics, who opened up a 5 1/2-game edge on the Mariners. Oakland is 27-19 in its last 46 games against New York, which turns to veteran southpaw CC Sabathia in the series opener opposite Trevor Cahill.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, YES (New York), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (7-5, 3.36 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Trevor Cahill (5-3, 3.60)

Sabathia is on a run of three straight quality starts, lasting six innings in each outing and giving up five runs total. He has 33 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings over a span of four starts, including 20 in 11 2/3 frames in his last two road appearances. The 38-year-old has a 5.20 ERA in 16 career starts in Oakland.

In two starts since spinning seven scoreless innings in a win over Houston on Aug. 18, Cahill is 0-1 with an 8.64 ERA. He lasted a season-low 3 1/3 innings at Houston on Wednesday while walking a season-high six batters. Andrew McCutchen is 6-for-14 with three doubles and a home run against the 30-year-old Cahill.

WALK-OFFS

1. McCutchen is 0-for-7 with two strikeouts in two games since being acquired in a trade with San Francisco.

2. Piscotty is 7-for-19 with three homers and 10 RBIs during a five-game hitting streak.

3. Yankees 1B Luke Voit went deep in Sunday's loss and has five homers in his last 10 games.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Athletics 5
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Kansas City Royals vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Royals vs. Indians Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Kansas City Royals look to test their hottest stretch of the season when they begin a six-game road trip with the first of three against the American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians on Monday afternoon. The Royals, who sit last in the AL Central but took two of three from the Indians late last month, finished a 7-1 homestand with a 9-1 triumph against the major league-worst Baltimore Orioles on Sunday - their season-best fifth victory in a row.

Whit Merrifield continues to lead the way for Kansas City while hitting safely in seven straight contests (13-for-30, seven RBIs) to raise his batting average to .312 and extending his career-best, on-base streak to 22 games. Jakob Junis looks to ride a strong run on the mound when he gets the start for the Royals in the series opener while Cleveland counters with rookie Adam Plutko, who has struggled of late. Francisco Lindor is just 2-for-20 in his last five games overall for the Indians but has worn out Junis to the tune of 6-for-10 with three homers and nine RBIs in his career. Cleveland went 19-9 in August to all but seal its spot in the playoffs but dropped the last two of three against Tampa Bay over the weekend after a late rally fell short in a 6-4 setback Sunday.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jakob Junis (7-12, 4.53 ERA) vs. Indians RH Adam Plutko (4-4, 4.94)

Junis snapped a four-game winless stretch Tuesday with his first career complete game, limiting Detroit to two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts in a 6-2 victory. The 25-year-old Illinois native went 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA across six starts during August, and he held his last five opponents to two or fewer earned runs. Jose Ramirez is also 3-for-7 against Junis, who is 0-2 with a 9.82 ERA in two starts versus the Indians this season.

Plutko has not earned a victory in his last six trips to the mound after going 4-1 through June 24, as he prepares to face Kansas City for the first time. The 26-year-old UCLA product, who has served up 13 homers in 12 games (nine starts) in 2018, gave up two runs over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against Minnesota on Wednesday. Plutko has had better results at home where he is 3-1 with a 4.66 ERA and a .243 batting average against.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion owns seven RBIs in his last six games and needs one homer to reach 30 for the seventh straight year.

2. Kansas City C Meibrys Viloria had a two-run double in his major-league debut Sunday and veteran C Salvador Perez (thumb) is likely out a few more days.

3. Indians 3B Josh Donaldson (calf), who was acquired Friday, went through batting practice and agility drills Sunday but remains without a timetable for his return.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Royals 4
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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Rays vs. Blue Jays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Tampa Bay Rays quietly are lingering on the fringe of the wild-card race in the American League after knocking off teams in front of them in the standings. The Rays will try to keep that momentum going when they visit a team below them - the Toronto Blue Jays - on Monday for the opener of their three-game series.

Tampa Bay sits eight games behind Oakland for the second AL wild card after winning 11 of their last 13 contests, a stretch that includes series wins over division leaders Boston and Cleveland. The Rays began their current road trip by splitting a two-game series at National League East-leading Atlanta before taking two of three from the Indians behind a pitching staff that has surrendered three runs or fewer in 10 of the team's last 13 contests. The Blue Jays concluded their trek by winning two of three at Miami and got a glimpse of the future when rookie Sean Reid-Foley registered 10 strikeouts over seven innings in Sunday's 6-1 triumph. Toronto will try to coax a similar effort out of Marcus Stroman, who will be facing Tampa Bay for the second time in three starts.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), Sportsnet, TVA (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays TBA vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (4-8, 5.27 ERA)

Tampa Bay set the major-league record for innings by relievers on Saturday and are expected to continue a trend of beginning the game with an "opener" out of the bullpen. The Rays have started 16 different pitchers, with Ryne Stanek's 22 turns the most from a traditional reliever. Stanek, who is 2-3 with a 2.77 ERA, could get the nod again on Monday after last throwing one inning of relief on Friday at Cleveland.

Stroman (blisters) is expected to come off the disabled list and make the start after getting through a bullpen session without any issues on Saturday. The Duke product last worked in New York on Aug. 16, when he was ripped by the Yankees for five runs on six hits and a pair of walks over four innings but escaped with a no-decision. Stroman faced Tampa Bay in his previous outing on Aug. 12 and again did not receive a decision despite allowing one run and five hits in five frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays OF Teoscar Hernandez snapped his 17-game home-run drought with a three-run blast on Sunday.

2. Tampa Bay SS Brandon Lowe has gone 12-for-24 with three homers in his last nine contests.

3. Toronto C Luke Maile doubled three times on Sunday, matching the total from his previous 23 games.

PREDICTION: Rays 8, Blue Jays 2
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Los Angeles Angels vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 3rd September 2018 by Gracenote
Angels vs. Rangers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/03/2018

Nomar Mazara claims he still is bothered by a sprained right thumb, but you'd never know it from the power surge he displayed over the weekend. Mazara has belted four home runs over his last three contests and hopes to continue the onslaught when the Texas Rangers host the Los Angeles Angels on Monday for the opener of their three-game series.

Mazara reached the 20-homer plateau for the third time in his three-season career as he launched two of Texas' six blasts in Sunday's 18-4 rout of Minnesota. The 23-year-old Dominican has collected seven RBIs during his homer binge for the Rangers, who went deep 11 times during the three-game set against the Twins. The Angels began their 10-game road trip by settling for a split of their four-game series in Houston after dropping a 4-2 decision on Sunday. Andrelton Simmons recorded one of Los Angeles' seven singles in the setback and is 8-for-21 over his last five contests.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Matt Shoemaker (1-0, 4.76 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Jeffrey Springs (0-0, 2.55)

Shoemaker will be activated from the disabled list to make his second start of the year after missing five months with forearm issues. The 31-year-old native of Michigan's lone outing of 2018 took place on March 31, when he notched a victory at Oakland after giving up three runs on four hits and four walks over 5 2/3 innings. Shoemaker has made six career starts against Texas, going 4-2 despite posting a 5.68 ERA.

Springs will make his first career start as he receives the honor in the increasingly popular "opener" strategy, with right-hander Ariel Jurado expected to take the reins from him. The 25-year-old Springs, a rookie from North Carolina, has yielded five runs and 16 hits - three homers - with nine walks and 18 strikeouts over 17 2/3 innings in 10 relief appearances during his first major-league season. Springs went 4-4 with a 4.13 ERA in 33 combined efforts out of the bullpen with Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers INF Jurickson Profar finished a triple shy of the cycle on Sunday, going 4-for-5 to match the hits total from his previous six games.

2. Los Angeles OF Justin Upton sat out the series finale against Houston and could miss the entire set versus Texas due to the concussion he suffered when hitting his head on the ground while sliding to avoid a collision with teammate Simmons on Saturday.

3. Texas set a club record Sunday as 13 of its 19 hits went for extra bases.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Rangers 4
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San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 09-03-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Padres vs. Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

Nothing has come easy of late for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have seen eight of their last 14 games decided by one run. The Diamondbacks look to snap a three-game losing streak on Monday when they begin a brief two-game set against the San Diego Padres, who are beginning an eight-game road trip.

Arizona lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers by a 3-2 score for the third straight day on Sunday when Matt Kemp delivered a walk-off two-run double off Archie Bradley after closer Brad Boxberger opened the ninth with back-to-back walks. A.J. Pollock snapped a 0-for-27 slump with an eighth-inning single, but the Arizona offense was held to three runs or fewer for the ninth time in the last 10 games. Arizona fell one game behind the first-place Dodgers in the National League West standings but hopes to bounce back against the cellar-dwelling Padres, who have lost two in a row following a season-high four-game winning streak. Hunter Renfroe singled in Sunday's 7-3 loss to Colorado and is 15-for-42 during his career-high 10-game hitting streak, while Wil Myers is 2-for-20 with nine strikeouts over his last five games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Bryan Mitchell (0-3, 7.08 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (14-7, 4.42)

Mitchell is making his first appearance since landing on the disabled list nearly three months ago with a right elbow injury. The 27-year-old native of North Carolina began the season in the team's rotation but moved to the bullpen after posting a 6.47 ERA in his first seven starts. "I think there's been some positive signs in his (rehab) outings and some things we like that he's attempted to adjust," manager Andy Green told reporters. "He's still the same live-arm guy that we liked in the beginning of the year."

After giving up 11 runs in his previous two starts, Godley rebounded with a stellar outing Wednesday by holding San Francisco to one run and two hits in 7 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old native of South Carolina has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last six turns. Myers is 8-for-18 with a home run against Godley, who is 3-3 with a 5.23 ERA in 13 career games (nine starts) versus San Diego - including 2-0 with a 4.67 mark in four games (three starts) this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona is 10-4 against San Diego this season, including 6-1 over the past seven matchups.

2. San Diego is 6-71 when trailing after six innings.

3. Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt is 24-for-55 with three homers and 14 RBIs versus the Padres this season.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 9, Padres 3
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