MLB Betting News and Trends For Monday, April 2, 2018

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 04-02-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
Giancarlo Stanton makes his home debut with the New York Yankees when they carry a two-game losing streak into the opener of a two-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Stanton crushed a pair of homers in his debut with New York to lift them to a season-opening win at Toronto, but was 1-for-9 in the next three games as the Yankees split the four-game set with the Blue Jays.

New York led 4-1 into the seventh inning Sunday before the bullpen faltered for the second straight day in a 7-4 defeat. The Yankees are 16-4 in home openers since 1998 and will take on a Tampa Bay squad that managed three runs over the course of three straight losses to the Boston Red Sox. Denard Span, who delivered a key bases-clearing triple in the Rays' win over the Red Sox in Thursday's opener, struck out with runners on the corners to end Sunday's 2-1 loss. Tampa Bay is currently operating with a four-man rotation and announced after the loss that reliever Austin Pruitt will start Monday.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, ESPN; FS Sun (Tampa Bay), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Austin Pruitt (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Jordan Montgomery (2017: 9-7, 3.88)

Pruitt was the winning pitcher in Tampa Bay's comeback 6-4 win on Thursday, allowing a hit and a walk in two scoreless innings. He was 7-5 with a 5.31 ERA in 30 games as a rookie last season, going 2-3 with a 4.19 mark in his eight starts. One of them came at Yankee Stadium on July 28, when he got the loss after giving up five runs in five innings while striking out seven and allowing three home runs.

Montgomery struck out 144 and allowed 140 hits in 155 1/3 innings during a solid rookie campaign in 2017. He was 6-3 with a 3.43 ERA in 15 starts at Yankee Stadium, including six innings of one-run ball against the Rays on Sept. 26 to pick up his ninth and final win of the year. The 25-year-old posted a 3.43 mark in six Spring Training appearances to help lock down the last spot in the rotation.

WALK-OFFS

1. The game time temperature is forecast to be 39 degrees with rain and snow expected to fall Monday morning.

2. Yankees 3B Brandon Drury slugged a two-run homer Sunday and is 5-for-13 with four RBIs through the first four games.

3. Rays RH Yonny Chirinos made his major league debut a memorable one with four scoreless innings of relief against the Red Sox on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Rays 3

Minnesota Twins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 04-02-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
The Pittsburgh Pirates may be a bit bleary-eyed as they play their home opener versus the Minnesota Twins on Monday afternoon, but a three-game season-opening sweep in Detroit should make them a little less tired. Pittsburgh completed a day-night doubleheader sweep caused by the second rainout of the series with an 8-6 victory Sunday night after winning 1-0 in the afternoon on the strength of Trevor Williams' six hitless innings.

Minnesota also began the season in encouraging fashion, taking two of three in Baltimore - including a 7-0 victory on Sunday behind a three-hitter by Jose Berrios and a pair of home runs from Brian Dozier. "Just a lot of positives, getting off to a start like that," Twins manager Paul Molitor told reporters after his club outscored the Orioles 15-5. "Our starters haven't given up a run yet." Lance Lynn makes his debut for Minnesota as he opposes Jameson Taillon, who overcame testicular cancer last season and could emerge as the ace of the Pirates' staff. "I wanted to go somewhere where they had a chance to win, no matter what," Lynn told reporters after signing a one-year, $12 million contract with the Twins on March 13 following six seasons with St. Louis. "It seemed like the perfect fit, and I look forward to doing what I have to do, which is take the ball when it is my turn."

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Lance Lynn (2017: 11-8, 3.43 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (8-7, 4.44)

Lynn would like to forget his last start in Pittsburgh on Sept. 23 as he allowed eight runs and six hits in two-thirds of an inning, telling reporters with a smile: "Yeah, I didn't get out of the first. That was pretty much it. And it was last year, so I'm not really worried about it." The 30-year-old Indiana native is 7-7 with a 5.10 ERA in 23 games (21 starts) versus the Pirates, including 3-4, 5.57 in 12 contests (10 turns) at PNC Park. Lynn allowed 151 hits and posted a 1.23 WHIP last year - both career lows for a full season - in 186 1/3 innings.

Taillon posted a 2.13 ERA in 12 2/3 innings during spring training, telling reporters: "Everything felt good. I'm healthy and ready to go." The 26-year-old Floridian finished 2017 strong, going 1-1 with a 2.12 ERA in his final three starts - all against teams that either made the playoffs or were in contention. Taillon, who never has faced Minnesota, is 6-7 with a 4.04 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 26 starts at PNC Park.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins 3B Miguel Sano is 2-for-14 to start the season, homering in each of his last two games.

2. Pirates 1B Josh Bell, who finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting after recording 26 home runs and 90 RBIs last season, is 6-for-13 with three RBIs to begin 2018.

3. Minnesota 1B Logan Morrison, who recorded 38 home runs and 85 RBIs with Tampa Bay last year, went 0-for-11 with four strikeouts in his first three games with the Twins.

PREDICTION: Pirates 3, Twins 2

Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 04-02-2018

2nd April 2018 by Gracenote
Someone will get their first victory of the season when the Detroit Tigers host the Kansas City Royals on Monday afternoon in the opener of their three-game series. Both teams were unable to take advantage of beginning the year at home, as Kansas City lost two games to the Chicago White Sox while Detroit was swept of a three-game set by Pittsburgh.

Detroit had a win wiped off the board on Opening Day when the apparent winning run was overturned by replay, leading to a 13-10 loss in 13 innings. The Tigers dropped both ends of a doubleheader on Sunday for their first 0-3 start since losing their first seven games in 2008. The Royals lost two straight to the White Sox before the finale of the scheduled three-game set was rained out on Sunday. Kansas City's pitching staff will look forward to seeing someone else after Chicago launched seven home runs in the two contests.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jason Hammel (2017: 8-13, 5.29) vs. Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (2017: 6-7, 5.66)

Hammel is coming off his worst season since his 2007 rookie campaign, but he went 1-0 with a 4.13 ERA in five meetings with the Tigers in 2017. The 35-year-old is 2-0 with a 4.94 ERA in six career games (four starts) at Comerica Park. Hammel went 0-3 last April, but he's typically a quick starter as he has gone 21-13 with a 3.99 ERA in March and April during his career.

Liriano is pitching for his sixth different team since 2012 and looking to bounce back after posting his highest ERA since 2009. His new home hasn't been kind to him, as the 34-year-old is 4-7 with a 5.80 ERA in 15 career games (12 starts) at Comerica Park. Liriano has fared slightly better against the Royals, going 7-5 with a 4.36 ERA in 19 contests (16 starts) - including a win last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals OF Jon Jay, who is 4-for-11 against Liriano, has led off with a single and scored in each of his first two games and is 3-for-5 when leading off innings.

2. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera is 7-for-20 with a pair of doubles versus Hammel.

3. Kansas City's bullpen has allowed 12 runs and 11 hits - four homers - over eight innings.

PREDICTION: Tigers 8, Royals 6

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 04-02-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
The Milwaukee Brewers look to continue their best start in 12 years when they open their home schedule against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. Newcomers Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich have made a big splash for the Brewers and combined to go 15-for-28 with six RBIs and seven runs scored in a season-opening three-game sweep at San Diego.

"It could be a fun year for the middle of the order," third baseman Travis Shaw told reporters after driving in three runs in Saturday's 7-3 triumph. "Tonight's special; 2-3-4 get on, what, 10 times? Yelich with five hits. His bat-to-ball skills are unbelievable. He finds a way to get the barrel to the ball every single time no matter the count. He's fun to watch." The Cardinals cracked the win column for the first time with a 5-1 victory at the New York Mets on Sunday, as Paul DeJong slugged a pair of solo homers. Marcell Ozuna, Yelich's teammate in Miami before both were part of the Marlins' housecleaning this offseason, had three hits and two RBIs after opening his career in St. Louis with back-to-back 0-for-4 efforts. Miles Mikolas, who appeared in 37 games with San Diego and Texas between 2012-14 before three years pitching in Japan, makes his return to the majors to start for the Cardinals opposite Brewers right-hander Zach Davies in the series opener.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (2017: NR) vs. Cardinals RH Zach Davies (17-9, 3.90 ERA)

Mikolas posted a 31-13 record and 2.18 ERA in three seasons with the Yomiuri Giants before signing with the Cardinals in December. "I really like their philosophy and everything they're all about here," Mikolas told reporters late in spring training. "I think they scouted me pretty heavily over there (in Japan)." The 29-year-old is 2-5 with a 6.44 ERA in 10 career starts in the major leagues - all with Texas in 2014.

Davies tied for second in the National League in wins and first in starts (33) in 2017, his second full season in the majors. However, the Arizona native saw his walks increase to 55 from 38 in 2016 and his strikeouts fall to 124 from 135, and he struggled at home by posting a 5.82 ERA in 17 starts. Matt Carpenter is 8-for-18 with two homers and four doubles against Davies, who is 2-0 with a 3.41 ERA in six career starts versus St. Louis.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals RF Dexter Fowler is 0-for-13 with six strikeouts on the season.

2. Cain and Shaw have three doubles apiece through the first three games.

3. This is Milwaukee's first 3-0 start since 2006, when it opened 5-0.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Cardinals 4

Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 04-02-2018

2nd April 2018 by Gracenote
The big-name addition to the Chicago Cubs' pitching staff made an unimpressive debut, but the team hopes to see more from the other new member of its starting rotation. Tyler Chatwood attempts to fare better than new teammate Yu Darvish when he makes his first start for the Cubs on Monday in the opener of a two-game road series against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Reds continue a tough season-opening homestand, facing a second consecutive division favorite after being swept of a three-game set by Washington over the weekend. Cincinnati pitchers allowed eight home runs against the Nationals, and now they face a Cubs lineup that went deep five times in a four-game series at cavernous Marlins Park. Chicago's offense has been boom-or-bust thus far, though, as the team has scored 18 runs in its two wins and a total of one in its two losses, including a 2-1 defeat in 17 innings. The Cubs' bullpen was worked hard over the weekend but was up to the challenge, allowing just two runs in 24 innings.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (2017: 8-15, 4.69 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tyler Mahle (2017: 1-2, 2.70)

Chatwood put up solid numbers over the last two years despite pitching his home games at Coors Field, where he posted ERAs of 6.12 and 6.01. The 28-year-old's biggest problem has been his command, as he issues more than four walks per nine innings for his career - including a career-high 4.7 last year. Chatwood is 0-3 with a 5.09 ERA in four career starts against the Reds.

Mahle was impressive in a late call-up last season, keeping the opponent scoreless in two of his four starts. The 23-year-old fought his control and walked 11 batters over 20 innings in the majors, but he made big strides on that front during the offseason and had success commanding his off-speed pitches in the spring. Mahle is making only his second start at Great American Ball Park, where he allowed three runs over five frames in a loss to Pittsburgh in his major-league debut on Aug. 27.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant hit safely in all four games against the Marlins, going 7-for-18 in the series.

2. Cincinnati CF Billy Hamilton, who recorded his first hit on Sunday, is 3-for-6 with two doubles and a triple versus Chatwood.

3. The 0-3 start is the first for the Reds since 2003.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Reds 4

Chicago White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 04-02-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
The Chicago White Sox got off to a hot start in their first two games and were ready to keep the momentum going, but Mother Nature had other plans. After having their series finale at Kansas City postponed due to weather on Sunday, the White Sox will travel north and visit the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a three-game set on Monday.

There was snow in the forecast and a high of 29 degrees in Kansas City, and the climate-controlled environment in Toronto might be better for a Chicago club itching to build on a start that saw it slug seven homers in the first two games. "Honestly, in terms of timing, any sports team, and especially baseball, you just want to play," White Sox manager Rick Renteria told reporters. "So any interruption in that kind of changes the direction you are kind of going a little bit." The Blue Jays are hitting their stride as well and earned a season-opening split with the New York Yankees on Sunday thanks to a pair of home runs from Justin Smoak. "He's off to a great start," Toronto manager John Gibbons told reporters of Smoak. "A big year last year ... and he has turned into a pretty good hitter. You can't do any better than he did today. Game on the line, down a run, two outs, against one of the top relievers in baseball. He's just really coming into his own, I think. A late bloomer."

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (2017: 3-3, 4.72 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Jaime Garcia (2017: 5-10, 4.41)

Lopez had his season debut pushed back a day thanks to the postponement on Sunday and is trying to begin his first full season in the majors. The 24-year-old Dominican Republic native started in all eight of his appearances for Chicago last season and surrendered 49 hits in 47 2/3 innings. Lopez was sharper at Triple-A Charlotte, posting a 3.79 ERA in 22 starts and striking out 131 in 121 innings.

Garcia is getting set for his first full season in the American League after signing a one-year contract early in spring training. The 31-year-old Mexico native pitched for three different teams last season, finishing up with the eight starts for the New York Yankees and going 1-3 with 4.70 ERA in nine total AL starts with the Yankees and Twins. Garcia is making his first career start against Chicago.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson (arm) served as the DH in the last three games but could return to third on Monday.

2. Chicago 3B Matt Davidson is 4-for-7 with three homers, six RBIs and four runs scored.

3. Toronto CF Kevin Pillar is 6-for-13 with four runs scored and three stolen bases.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, White Sox 4

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 04-02-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
Matt Harvey begins the process of trying to prove he can still be an effective pitcher for the New York Mets when he gets the start Monday against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a three-game series. The 29-year-old Harvey's steep slide from the youthful staff ace to injury-riddled veteran culminated in a dismal 2017 campaign, but the right-hander is confident in a turnaround, and not just for himself.

"Sky's the limit. I think the biggest thing is staying healthy and we all are right now for the most part and we're going to be really good," he told reporters last week in spring training. "We're going to shock a lot of people and it's going to be a lot of fun." Harvey will hope for a little more run support than the Mets provided in Sunday's 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, the club's first setback of the season. The Phillies enjoyed a much-needed day off Sunday after utilizing 21 pitchers in the season-opening three-game series at Atlanta. Sunday's 15-2 loss involved six hurlers, one of whom - Hoby Milner - had been called upon by rookie manager Gabe Kapler despite not throwing any warm-up pitches, which led to confusion and the eventual ejection of Braves skipper Brian Snitker for arguing against a delay.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Ben Lively (2017: 4-7, 4.26 ERA) vs. Mets RH Matt Harvey (5-7, 6.70)

Lively was recalled last June and posted quality starts in five of his first six outings in the major leagues, including 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball in a tough loss at New York on June 30. The 26-year-old allowed five runs in 19 1/3 frames spread over three solid matchups with the Mets on the season. He then posted a 3.13 ERA in six Grapefruit League appearances to earn a spot in the rotation.

A broken bone in his shoulder limited Harvey - who missed all of 2014 and much of 2016 because of injury - to 19 games (18 starts) last year, as he sat out all of July and August. The one-time All-Star returned to go 1-4 with an 11.28 ERA in six appearances in September, ending the season with a loss at Philadelphia in which he was rocked for four runs in four frames. Harvey, who posted a 4.50 ERA in five Grapefruit League outings, is 7-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 11 career starts versus the Phillies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies LF Rhys Hoskins went 5-for-10 with a home run and two doubles in the series against the Braves.

2. Mets CF Juan Lagares is 5-for-8 over his last two games.

3. The Mets won each of the last six season series, including 12 of 19 matchups in in 2017.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Phillies 4

Baltimore Orioles vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 04-02-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
The defending champion Houston Astros picked up right where they left off with wins in three of their first four games to open 2018. The Astros will host the Baltimore Orioles in the home opener on Monday as they raise the banner in front of the home fans.

"I can't wait to go home and play in front of our fans in Houston," second baseman and reigning AL MVP Jose Altuve told reporters. "It's going to be exciting. It's going to be the first time they actually can watch us play after the World Series. It's going to be pretty interesting and I know they're excited and we're excited. It's going to be a good day." Altuve isn't suffering any World Series hangover and went 9-for-16 with five runs scored as the Astros took three of four at Texas. The Orioles are searching for some offense after totaling five runs in three games against the Minnesota Twins, dropping the last two. The Minnesota staff carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning on Saturday and limited Baltimore to a total of three hits in Sunday's 7-0 setback.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, MASN (Baltimore), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Chris Tillman (2017: 1-7, 7.84 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (2017: 14-7, 3.62)

Tillman struggled through his worst season in 2017 and found a shallow market for his services in free agency before returning to Baltimore on a one-year, $3 million contract with incentives that reportedly could push the value up another $7 million. The California native battled through injury and was demoted to the bullpen last season but ended up surrendering 24 homers and walking 51 in 93 total innings. Tillman gave up a pair of home runs over 5 1/3 innings in his lone 2017 appearance against Houston but limited the damage to three runs in a no-decision.

Morton is coming off a memorable 2017 campaign that saw him earn the win as a starter in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series and as a reliever in Game 7 of the World Series. The 34-year-old posted career bests with 163 strikeouts, a 1.19 WHIP and a .228 batting average against in 2017. Morton never faced Baltimore in 2017 and is making just his third career start against the Orioles after going 0-2 with a 9.82 ERA in the first two chances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles 1B Chris Davis, who is hitting leadoff this season, went 0-for-12 in the first three games.

2. Astros SS Carlos Correa went 6-for-10 with four runs scored in the last two contests.

3. Houston took five of the six meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Astros 8, Orioles 3

Boston Red Sox vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 04-02-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
The rivalry between Derek Jeter and Boston takes on a different look when the Red Sox visit the Miami Marlins for the opener of a two-game interleague series on Monday. Jeter, who was a part of several memorable games between the Red Sox and the New York Yankees as a player, is now the CEO and a part owner of the Marlins.

Jeter's current team doesn't exactly have the same look as some of his star-studded New York teams, and the rebuilding Miami club has yet to connect with the area fans. The Marlins did manage to split a four-game series with the Chicago Cubs by taking the finale 6-0 on Sunday but did so in front of an announced crowd of 10,428 - the smallest ever at Marlins Park, which opened in 2012. The Red Sox took three of four at Tampa Bay to begin the campaign on the back of some dominant pitching, starting with the six scoreless innings Chris Sale threw in the opener before the bullpen let him down in the lone loss. The starters matched Sale the next three games and the bullpen did its part as Boston limited the Rays to a total of three runs in the three wins.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (2017: 2-0, 4.33 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Trevor Richards (NA)

Johnson earned a spot on the Opening Day roster for the first time in his career thanks in part to injuries to left-handers Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) and Drew Pomeranz (forearm). The 27-year-old Florida native made 18 starts in the minors last season and went 3-4 with a 3.10 ERA while holding batters to a batting average of .239. Boston won all five of Johnson's starts in the majors last season, including an interleague game at Philadelphia on June 14.

Richards is expected to get the call to make his Major League debut on Monday after cruising through two levels of the minors last season. The 24-year-old began at Class A-Advanced Jupiter before finishing up in Double-A with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and combined for a 12-11 record with a 2.53 ERA in 27 games - 25 starts. Richards struck out 158 in 146 total innings and allowed opponents a .218 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts went 0-for-5 on Sunday after going 8-for-12 in the first three games.

2. Marlins RHP Drew Steckenrider worked in three of the first four games and totaled 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

3. Boston went 16-4 in interleague play last season while Miami went 9-11.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, Marlins 3

Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 04-02-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
The Dave Martinez era is off to a good start in the nation's capital, and the Washington Nationals will try to keep it going when they begin a three-game road series against the Atlanta Braves on Monday. The Nationals swept their season-opening three-game set against Cincinnati over the weekend as Martinez made his managerial debut.

Washington survived a scare in the series finale as closer Sean Doolittle gave up a two-run homer to Phil Gosselin before nailing down the save in Sunday's 6-5 victory. The Nationals' rotation was excellent against the Reds, with all three starters posting quality starts and allowing a total of two earned runs over 18 1/3 innings. The Braves took two of three from visiting Philadelphia to open the season, including a wild comeback win on Opening Day and a 15-2 rout in Saturday's series finale. Atlanta racked up 27 runs and 37 hits in the series, including 13 that went for extra bases.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Tanner Roark (2017: 13-11, 4.67 ERA) vs. Braves LH Sean Newcomb (2017: 4-9, 4.32)

Roark's ERA crept up almost two runs from 2016 to last season, but the metrics indicate bad luck might deserve a good bit of the blame. His walk rate stayed static and his strikeout rate increased, but he did give up a career-high 23 homers in 181 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old is 6-3 with a 2.88 ERA in 19 career games (13 starts) against the Braves, but he went 1-2 with a 5.87 ERA in four meetings (three starts) last year.

Newcomb showed signs this spring of improved fastball command, which is the key to his ability to take a big step in his second major-league season. The 24-year-old recorded 108 strikeouts in 100 innings over 19 starts as a rookie, but he also issued 57 walks and hit six batters. Newcomb faced the Nationals once last season, allowing four runs in four frames of a loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington CF Adam Eaton is 8-for-13 with two doubles, two homers and five RBIs through three games.

2. Braves CF Ender Inciarte is 9-for-22 with two doubles, a triple and a homer versus Roark.

3. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman walked seven times in 16 plate appearances against the Phillies.

PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Braves 5

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 04-02-2018

2nd April 2018 by Gracenote
After being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series last year, the Arizona Diamondbacks are eager to start a new chapter in the burgeoning rivalry. They'll get their chance Monday as they begin a three-game series against the visiting Dodgers, who were shut out in each of their first two games against San Francisco before responding with back-to-back wins.

Nick Ahmed is batting .455 with a home run and five RBIs for Arizona, which opened the season by scoring a total of 17 runs in two wins against Colorado before losing 2-1 in Saturday's series finale. Paul Goldschmidt is hitless in his first eight at-bats, but the five-time All-Star is a career .310 hitter with 28 home runs against the Dodgers, who have won the NL West each of the last five seasons. "We always enjoy it when the Dodgers come to town," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. "We also enjoy gearing up against them, especially knowing that they're the National League champions, so we're excited. It'll be a great challenge for us. It's the Dodgers. It's special, and we know that." The Dodgers clearly are missing Justin Turner (broken left wrist), but Cody Bellinger provided a spark in Sunday's 9-0 win over the Giants with a two-run blast homer.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (2017: 5-9, 3.77 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Taijuan Walker (9-9, 3.49)

Ryu battled through a variety of injuries last season and posted a career-worst ERA over 126 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old South Korean retained his spot in the rotation despite struggling in spring training, where he finished with a 7.04 ERA over 15 1/3 frames in four games. Goldschmidt is 9-for-21 with two home runs against Ryu, who is 3-3 with a 3.77 ERA in 10 career starts versus the Diamondbacks - including a 2-2 record and 4.80 ERA in five at Chase Field.

Walker appears poised to become an elite starter this season after posting a 3.32 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 76 innings over the second half last year. The 25-year-old recorded a 4.32 ERA over 16 2/3 frames in five starts during the spring. Walker owns a 2-1 record with a 4.79 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers after going 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in three turns last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona has won its last six regular-season meetings with the Dodgers by a combined score of 40-13.

2. Los Angeles' starting pitchers allowed one run while recording 27 strikeouts over 25 innings in their first four games.

3. Arizona plays 18 of its first 21 contests against NL West rivals.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Dodgers 4

Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 04-02-2018

1st April 2018 by Gracenote
The Texas Rangers will turn to 44-year-old right-hander Bartolo Colon when they open a four-game road series against the Oakland Athletics on Monday after both teams lost three of four contests to start the season. Colon allowed six earned runs in 18 innings during spring training to earn a spot in the rotation for the Rangers, who were outscored 17-5 to lose the last two against Houston over the weekend.

"I expect that he's going to go out and throw strikes and have a veteran outing," Texas manager Jeff Banister told reporters of Colon, who is starting his 21st season in the major leagues after pitching for Atlanta and Minnesota in 2017. Elvis Andrus has led the offense for the Rangers in the early going, recording seven hits in 13 at-bats with a homer and Oakland will try to cool the shortstop off with right-hander Andrew Triggs taking the mound. The Athletics won the season opener against the Los Angeles Angels before losing the last three, including Sunday's matchup 7-4 after taking an early one-run lead. Oakland third baseman Matt Chapman belted a three-run homer in the loss Sunday and shares the team lead in RBIs (four) with outfielder Khris Davis (85 homers in 2016-17) in the first four contests.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Bartolo Colon (2017: 7-14, 6.48 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Andrew Triggs (2017: 5-6, 4.27)

The ageless Colon will pitch for his 11th major league team after being signed by the Rangers and hopes to rebound after a rough season while adding to his 240 career wins and 2,454 strikeouts. The Dominican Republic native had totaled at least 14 victories in four straight seasons before struggling last year, but still logged 143 innings. Jonathan Lucroy is 4-for-9 lifetime against Colon, who is 9-6 with 3.41 ERA in 21 career appearances (20 starts) against the Athletics.

Triggs went 4-1 with a 1.84 ERA in April last season, but struggled after that while allowing 68 hits in 65 1/3 innings in 12 starts overall before undergoing season-ending hip surgery in July. The 29-year-old USC product was much better against left-handed hitters (.215) than he was against right-handers (.302) in 2017 and finished 3-4 with a 5.15 ERA at home. Andrus is 2-for-5 with an RBI against Triggs, who allowed two unearned runs in six innings to beat the Rangers last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Athletics won 11 of 19 meetings last season with Davis belting seven homers and recording 13 RBIs in the series.

2. Texas 2B Rougned Odor is off to a rough start with one hit in 12 at-bats with four strikeouts.

3. Oakland 1B Matt Olson, who hit 24 homers in his first full season last year, is 2-for-14 with eight strikeouts in the first four games.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, Rangers 4