Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Saturday, 5/5/18 from various handicappers and websites
Saturday’s games
National League
Phillies (17-14) @ Nationals (17-16)
Velasquez is 0-3, 7.98 in his last three starts (over 5-1). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 1-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6
Roark is 1-1, 3.60 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four starts. Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 3-1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6
Phillies lost five of their last six games; over is 7-3 in their last ten games. Washington won its last six games; over is 3-1 in their last four games.
Marlins (11-20) @ Reds (8-24)
Smith is 1-1, 1.38 in his last two starts (under 4-2). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 2-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6
Mahle is 1-0, 2.92 in his last two starts (under 4-2). Team in his starts: 3-3
5-inning record: 3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-6
Marlins won six of their last nine games; under is 9-2 in their last 11 games. Cincinnati lost five of its last six home games; over is 8-3-1 in their last 12 games.
Rockies (18-15) @ Mets (17-13)
Bettis is 2-1, 2.39 in his last four starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 5-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6
Matz is 1-1, 9.95 in his last three starts, all of which went over. Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 1-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5
Rockies are 6-3 in their last nine games; under is 7-2 in those nine games. Mets lost six of their last seven home games; over is 9-3-2 in their last 14 games.
Giants (17-15) @ Braves (19-12)
Blach is 1-2, 4.50 in his last four starts (under 6-1). Team in his starts: 3-4
5-inning record: 2-3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-7
McCarthy is 4-0, 3.66 in six starts this year (over 5-1). Team in his starts: 5-1
5-inning record: 5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6
Giants won five of their last six games; over is 7-2 in their last nine games. Atlanta won five of its last six games; over is 10-3-2 in their last 15 games.
Pirates (18-15) @ Brewers (19-14)
Taillon is 0-3, 11.92 in his last three starts; under is 4-1 in his last five starts. Team in his starts: 3-3
5-inning record: 2-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6
Chacin is 2-0, 2.70 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 5-2
5-inning record: 3-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7
Pirates lost eight of their last nine road games (under 5-3-1). Milwaukee won six of its last seven home games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 games.
Cubs (16-13) @ Cardinals (18-12)
Chatwood is 2-0, 0.69 in his last two starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5
Weaver is 0-2, 9.00 in his last three starts (under 4-2). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 4-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6
Cubs lost their last three games; under is 8-1 in their last nine games. St Louis won eight of its last nine home games; their last four games stayed under.
Dodgers (15-17) vs Padres (11-22) (Monterrey, MX)
Maeda is 1-2, 6.20 in his last four starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5
Mitchell is 0-3, 7.47 in his last three starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 2-5
5-inning record: 1-6. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7
Dodgers won their last three games; under is 5-1 in their last six games. San Diego lost 12 of its last 16 games; over is 4-2 in their last six. This series is in Monterrey, Mexico.
American League
Indians (17-15) @ New York (22-10)
Bauer is 2-1, 2.63 in his last four starts (over 3-3). Team in his starts: 3-3
5-inning record: 2-1-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-6
Gray is 0-2, 8.47 in his last four starts (over 4-1-1). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 2-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6
Indians are 5-6 in their last 11 games, last ten of which went over the total. New York won 13 of its last 14 games; under is 6-3 in their last nine games.
Blue Jays (18-15) @ Rays (14-16)
Sanchez is 2-1, 3.46 in his last four starts (under 5-1). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 1-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6
Faria is 2-0, 2.28 in his last four starts (under 4-2). Team in his starts: 3-3
5-inning record: 2-2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6
Blue Jays are 4-3 in their last seven games; over is 6-2-1 in their last nine road games. Tampa Bay lost three of its last five games; over is 7-1-1 in their last nine home games.
Red Sox (23-9) @ Rangers (13-21)
Rodriguez is 3-0, 4.57 in his last four starts (over 3-1-1). Team in his starts: 5-0
5-inning record: 3-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-5
Hamels is 0-3, 5.28 in his last five starts (under 5-2). Team in his starts: 1-6
5-inning record: 2-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7
Red Sox lost four of their last seven road games; over is 3-2 in their last five games. Texas lost four of its last six games; over is 9-3-1 in their last 13 games.
Twins (11-17) @ White Sox (9-21)
Lynn is 0-3, 8.37 in five starts this year (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 0-5
5-inning record: 0-4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5
Santiago allowed two runs in 4.2 IP (86 PT) in his first ’18 start. Team in his starts: 0-1
5-inning record: 0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1
Minnesota lost 12 of its last 15 games; over is 8-1 in their last nine road games. White Sox are 4-10 at home; over is 7-3-1 in their last 11 home games.
Tigers (13-18) @ Royals (10-22)
Zimmerman is 1-1, 5.87 in his last three starts (over 4-2). Team in his starts: 3-3
5-inning record: 2-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5
Hammel is 0-3, 5.15 in six starts this season (under 4-1-1). Team in his starts: 0-6
5-inning record: 2-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-6
Tigers lost six of their last seven road games; under is 5-1 in their last six games overall. Kansas City is 5-3 in its last eight games; over is 5-2 in their last seven.
Orioles (8-24) @ A’s (16-16)
Gausman is 2-1, 2.81 in his last four starts (under 4-2). Team in his starts: 3-3
5-inning record: 3-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6
Cahill is 1-1, 3.50 in three starts this year (over 3-0). Team in his starts: 2-1; A’s scored 23 runs in those three games.
5-inning record: 1-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3
Baltimore lost five of its last six games; over is 5-1 in their last six road games. A’s lost five of their last eight games; over is 5-2 in their last seven games.
Angels (19-12) @ Mariners (18-12)
Skaggs is 1-2, 4.32 in his last three starts (under 4-2). Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 3-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6
Gonzales is 2-0, 1.50 in his last two starts (over 5-1). Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6
Angels are 12-1 in their last 13 road games; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight. Seattle won four of its last six games; under is 6-2-1 in their last nine home games.
Interleague
Astros (20-13) @ Diamondbacks (21-10)
Morton is 4-0, 1.96 in six starts this season (over 3-3). Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 5-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6
Greinke is 3-1, 4.26 in his last four starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 3-3
5-inning record: 3-1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6
Astros lost three of their last four games; over is 3-0-2 in their last five road games. Arizona lost its last three games; under is 11-2-2 in their last 15 home games.
Umpires
Chi-StL: Four of five Hernandez games stayed under.
Phil-Wsh: Last four Muchlinski games went over.
Pitt-Mil: Under is 4-1-1 in Kellogg games this year.
Mia-Cin: All four Hoberg games this year went over.
LA-SD: Under is 5-2 in Wegner games this season.
Col-NY: Under is 7-3 in last ten Estabrook games.
SF-Atl: Four of last five Gibson games stayed under.
Clev-NY: Three of last four Randazzo games stayed under.
Det-KC: Four of five Diaz games stayed under.
Tor-TB: Favorites won 14 of last 16 Bucknor games.
Min-Chi: Last four Scheurwater games stayed under.
Bos-Tex: Over is 5-1-1 in Johnson games this year.
Balt-A’s: Four of five Vanover games went over.
LA-Sea: Under is 7-3 in last ten Reyburn games.
Hst-Az: Home side won 11 of last 14 Dimuro games.
Preview: Indians at Yankees
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
The New York Yankees keep finding different ways to win and hope to make it a little easier on themselves when they host the Cleveland Indians on Saturday afternoon for the middle contest of their three-game series. The Yankees squandered two leads on Friday before scoring in the bottom of the ninth inning to post a 7-6 victory over the road-weary Indians, who played a lengthy doubleheader on Thursday.
Aaron Judge homered for the first time since April 24 and Gary Sanchez went deep for the third time in six games on Friday as New York won its fourth straight and improved to 13-1 over its last 14 contests. Sonny Gray will try to get on track when he takes the mound for the Yankees on Saturday while Cleveland counters with Trevor Bauer, who is off to a strong start. The Indians sit atop the Central Division despite having lost five of their last eight games but are getting their offense in gear, as they've scored 55 runs in their last six contests. Francisco Lindor recorded two more hits in Friday’s loss to extend his hitting streak to seven games, going 16-for-36 with eight RBIs during that stretch.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Trevor Bauer (2-2, 2.45 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Sonny Gray (1-2, 6.67)
Bauer recorded his fifth straight quality start last time out but settled for a no-decision after allowing two runs and four hits with 11 strikeouts across 6 2/3 innings versus Texas. The 27-year-old UCLA product won his previous start against the Chicago Cubs as he permitted one run and four hits while fanning eight over 6 2/3 frames, giving him 46 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings this year. Didi Gregorius is 5-for-16 with a homer against Bauer, who is 3-4 with a 4.20 ERA in eight career games versus the Yankees.
Gray matched his longest outing of the season on Monday, when he limited Houston to two runs and four hits over six innings but ended up with the loss. The 28-year-old Vanderbilt product is winless in four starts and has struggled with his control, issuing 19 walks in 27 frames this year. Brandon Guyer is 3-for-8 with two homers and Michael Brantley is 6-for-18 with a pair of doubles against Gray, who is 3-3 with a 3.38 ERA in eight career games versus Cleveland.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez has registered three hits in three of his last six contests - including the loss on Friday, when he homered for the second straight game.
2. New York rookie 2B Gleyber Torres belted his first major-league homer on Friday and is 15-for-45 with eight RBIs since being recalled from the minors.
3. An MRI showed no structural damage to Indians RHP Nick Goody’s right elbow, but he will be shut down for at least a week.
PREDICTION: Indians 5, Yankees 3
Preview: Cubs at Cardinals
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of their longest losing streak of the season and an even longer – and more concerning – stretch of offensive futility. The Cubs will try to get their slumping bats going in the second of a three-game road series in St. Louis against their National League Central rivals on Saturday.
St. Louis is alone in first place in its division for the first time this season after winning the series opener 3-2 while Milwaukee lost to Pittsburgh. The Cardinals have won three straight by identical 3-2 scores – all against opponents from the Windy City. The Cubs have scored three or fewer runs in nine straight games and were scoreless until the ninth inning of Friday’s loss. It was the third straight defeat for Chicago following a five-game winning streak, as the Cubs have allowed three or fewer runs in seven of the past eight contests.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, ABC 7 (Chicago), FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (2-3, 2.83 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (2-2, 5.17)
Chatwood has won two straight starts, allowing just one run over his last 13 innings. The 28-year-old was dominant Sunday against Milwaukee, permitting two hits and three walks over seven scoreless frames. Chatwood is 0-3 with a 6.32 ERA in five games (two starts) against St. Louis.
Weaver was lights-out in his first three starts but has struggled in his last three outings. The tough stretch began when the 24-year-old was tagged for six runs in four innings in a loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 19. Weaver is 0-2 with a 13.09 ERA in three starts against Chicago.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cardinals have won three straight one-run games to improve to 6-5 in those contests after starting 0-3.
2. Cubs INF Tommy La Stella leads the majors in hits (six) and RBIs (six) as a pinch hitter.
3. St. Louis RHP Dominic Leone left the game without throwing an official pitch after experiencing right biceps cramping while warming up in the eighth inning.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Cubs 3
Preview: Phillies at Nationals
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
Manager Dave Martinez's decision to move Bryce Harper to the leadoff spot has paid immediate dividends, not only for the former National League MVP, but for the Washington Nationals as well. With four of his NL-leading 12 home runs coming over those four contests, the five-time All-Star looks to remain locked in at the plate when the red-hot Nationals continue their three-game home series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.
Harper batted .247 with eight home runs, 19 RBIs and 38 walks over his first 29 games out of the third spot in the lineup before Martinez moved him up in an effort to force pitchers to throw him more strikes. The 25-year-old Las Vegas native homered in his first two at-bats from atop the order in Friday's series-opening 7-3 win and is 6-for-17 with nine RBIs since the move. While Washington is riding a season-high six-game winning streak and averaging 7.8 runs with Harper leading off, Philadelphia quickly is fading since its surprising 16-9 start. Carlos Santana and Maikel Franco each homered and combined to drive in all three runs on Friday, but the Phillies have scored fewer than four runs four times while dropping five of their last six.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (1-4, 5.70 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Tanner Roark (2-2, 3.55)
Velasquez's roller-coaster season continued Sunday against Atlanta as he gave up a season-high six earned runs and seven hits - two homers - in four innings. The 25-year-old is 0-2 with a 10.39 ERA over his last two turns after a three-outing stretch during which he went 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA while posting a 20:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Harper is 5-for-6 with a home run and five RBIs against Velasquez, who is 1-2 with a 6.14 ERA in four starts versus the Nationals.
Roark posted his first victory since his season debut on Monday as he held Pittsburgh to two runs in seven frames, The native of Illinois has limited his opponents to fewer than three runs in four of his six trips to the mound, posting a .194 batting average against and 1.03 WHIP while logging at least six innings in all but one turn. Roark went 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in five starts versus the Phillies last year and is 6-6 with a 3.96 mark in 17 career appearances (15 starts) against them.
WALK-OFFS
1. Martinez told reporters after Friday's game that he expects 3B Anthony Rendon (toe) to be activated from the disabled list on Saturday.
2. Philadelphia 1B Rhys Hoskins went 0-for-4 on Friday, marking only the third time in which he failed to reach base in 30 starts this season.
3. Washington 1B Matt Adams is 6-for-14 with four walks, four homers, seven RBIs and seven runs scored since replacing Harper as the third hitter in the order.
PREDICTION: Nationals 8, Phillies 2
Preview: Tigers at Royals
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
The Kansas City Royals have gone as Jorge Soler has gone, and he has been tough to stop lately. The red-hot Soler and the Royals look to continue their recent solid play Saturday when they play the third of a four-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers.
Soler’s two-run single keyed a four-run eighth inning to lift Kansas City to a 4-2 win on Friday. The Royals have won four straight at Kauffman Stadium following a 10-game home losing streak, and they’ve won five of their last seven overall to pull even with the Chicago White Sox for fourth place in the American League Central. Detroit has lost six straight road games against division opponents and is 27-38 against Kansas City since 2015, including a 3-5 mark this season. The Tigers placed veteran slugger Miguel Cabrera on the disabled list Friday with a strained right hamstring suffered while running out an infield single in Thursday’s game.
TV: 4:15 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Jordan Zimmerman (1-0, 5.81 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jason Hammel (0-3, 4.91)
Zimmerman posted his first quality start of the season Monday against Tampa Bay, allowing two hits over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision. The 31-year-old kept the ball in the park after allowing five homers over his previous two starts. Zimmerman is 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA in six games (five starts) against the Royals with all three wins coming at Kauffman Stadium.
Hammel is coming off his worst outing of the season after allowing eight runs over 4 2/3 innings in a loss at Boston on Monday. The 35-year-old had posted a 2.33 ERA over his previous four starts, including a complete-game loss at Detroit on April 20. Hammel is 3-3 with a 5.78 ERA in 16 games (13 starts) against the Tigers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Soler is 15-for-39 with eight extra-base hits during a career-high 10-game hitting streak and has reached base in 19 straight games.
2. Tigers 3B Jeimer Candelario, who is 9-for-24 during a six-game hitting streak, is 5-for-12 with a double versus Hammel.
3. The Royals promoted Jason Adam from Triple-A Omaha before Friday’s game and optioned fellow RHP Scott Barlow to Omaha.
PREDICTION: Royals 7, Tigers 5
Preview: Blue Jays at Rays
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
The Tampa Bay Rays seek their sixth consecutive home win when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday for the second of three games between the American League East foes. The Rays returned from a 5-3 road trip to defeat the Blue Jays 6-2 in Friday's series opener, utilizing home runs by Johnny Field and Brad Miller to back a solid team pitching effort.
Rookie Ryan Yarbrough tossed five scoreless innings of relief as Tampa Bay cruised through its latest "bullpen day" with a combined four-hitter. Curtis Granderson doubled and scored to get the Blue Jays going in the top of the first inning before leaving with hamstring tightness, an injury that will require a re-evaluation Saturday. Toronto fell for the third time in its last four games and it has allowed an average of 8.5 runs during the 1-3 swoon. The Blue Jays will try to get back into the win column behind right-hander Aaron Sanchez, who opposes Jake Faria for Tampa Bay.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet 360 (Toronto), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (2-2, 4.06 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jake Faria (2-1, 4.60)
Sanchez had a string of four straight quality starts halted at Minnesota on Monday, when he allowed four runs in six innings while picking up the win. The 25-year-old, who entered Friday's action leading the American League with six hit batters, dominated the Rays in Tampa Bay through seven innings last April and owns a 1.24 ERA in 13 career encounters (five starts). That includes 24 2/3 innings and only two runs allowed at Tropicana Field.
Faria bounced back from a rocky outing two turns ago to stifle the Detroit Tigers through eight scoreless innings on Monday. He limited the Tigers to three hits and has allowed only 14 in 23 2/3 frames over a span of four starts. Josh Donaldson is 3-for-5 against the 24-year-old Faria, who is 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA in two career starts versus Toronto.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rays C Wilson Ramos has hit safely in 12 straight games.
2. Field is 6-for-14 with two homers and two doubles over his last four games.
3. Blue Jays UTIL Steve Pearce was placed on the 10-day disabled list with an oblique strain.
PREDICTION: Rays 5, Blue Jays 4
Preview: Pirates at Brewers
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
If the first 30 or so games are any indication, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers figure to be among four teams jostling for the top position in the National League Central all season long. The Pirates have made their mark by beating up on division rivals so far this year, however, and hope to continue doing so on Saturday as they resume their three-game series in Milwaukee.
One of three teams within 1 1/2 games of first place in the Central, Pittsburgh returned home Friday after being swept in a four-game series at Washington and recaptured the form that allowed it to win five straight prior to its trek as Starling Marte recorded a two-run, inside-the-park homer in a 6-4 victory against the Brewers. In doing so, the Pirates ran their winning streak in the division to five games while also improving their overall record against the Central to 9-2. Milwaukee was unable to carry over the momentum from a three-game sweep in Cincinnati despite a strong performance from Domingo Santana, who went 2-for-4 and homered for the first time in 30 games this season. The defeat also ended the Brewers' six-game home winning streak - the club's longest since capturing eight in a row in 2013.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet-Pittsburgh, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (2-3, 4.83 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (2-1, 4.54)
Taillon was dealt his third loss in as many tries Monday at Washington, but he was able to record a quality start for the first time over that stretch after giving up three runs in six innings. The former No. 2 overall draft pick has posted an 11.92 ERA during his rough spell after beginning the season with a 2-0 record and 0.89 ERA in his first three turns. Hernan Perez is 5-for-13 with three homers versus Taillon, who is 1-3 with a 3.73 ERA in six career starts against Milwaukee.
Chacin's struggles on the road continued in Monday's no-decision at Cincinnati as he surrendered four runs on five hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings - the fourth time in seven tries he has failed to complete the fifth frame. While the 30-year-old Venezuelan has registered a 5.71 ERA in five road outings, he is 1-1 with a 2.31 ERA in his two turns at home this season. Chacin is 2-3 with a 5.35 ERA in six career starts versus the Pirates but hasn't faced them since 2016.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Pirates have outscored their division rivals 70-42 in their 11 matchups.
2. Santana's two-run homer in the series opener accounted for his first two RBIs at home this season.
3. Pittsburgh OF Corey Dickerson is 8-for-20 with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBIs in his last five games at Miller Park.
PREDICTION: Brewers 5, Pirates 4
Preview: Dodgers at Padres
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
One day after recording the first combined no-hitter in franchise history, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their three-game series against the San Diego Padres in Monterrey, Mexico on Saturday. Walker Buehler and three relievers opened the series with the Dodgers’ 23rd no-hitter in Friday's 4-0 victory.
Chris Taylor and Kike Hernandez homered for Los Angeles, which has allowed a total of three runs during its three-game winning streak. The Dodgers will be without left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu until at least the All-Star break due to a severe groin strain, but Buehler already has proven to be a capable replacement, giving up a total of two runs over 16 innings in his first three starts. The Padres have dropped 12 of their last 16 games and clearly miss Wil Myers, who landed on the disabled list for the second time this season last week with a strained left oblique. Eric Hosmer had his five-game hitting streak come to an end Friday, while Jose Pirela went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts from the leadoff spot.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (2-2, 3.76 ERA) vs. Padres RH Bryan Mitchell (0-3, 6.07)
Maeda struggled with his command in Sunday’s 4-2 loss to San Francisco after entering the game with a total of six walks in his first five starts. The 30-year-old exited after allowing four runs on five hits - including a three-run homer by Evan Longoria in the opening frame - and four walks in six innings. Maeda worked 5 2/3 frames and notched the win against San Diego on April 18, improving to 4-3 with a 4.72 ERA in 10 career games (nine starts) versus the Padres.
Mitchell still is seeking his first win as a Padre after giving up four runs over 4 2/3 innings in Monday’s 14-2 loss to the New York Mets. The 27-year-old has failed to impress since being acquired from the New York Yankees during the offseason, issuing 23 walks over 29 2/3 frames in his first six starts. “I think I’ve made improvements,” Mitchell told reporters. “The numbers may not reflect that, but I can tell the ball’s coming out of my hand better and the pitches are better.”
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers are hopeful that LHP Rich Hill (finger) will be available to start Sunday's series finale.
2. San Diego recalled INF Javier Guerra from Triple-A El Paso.
3. The Dodgers optioned LHP Edward Paredes to Oklahoma City and recalled INF-OF Breyvic Valera from the Triple-A club.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 8, Padres 4
Preview: Marlins at Reds
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
The Cincinnati Reds still own the worst record in the major leagues, but they can clinch a second series victory in the last three tries when the Miami Marlins pay a visit on Saturday night. Eugenio Suarez belted a three-run homer in the first inning Friday and the Reds (8-24) held on for a 4-1 triumph in the series opener, giving them five victories in their last 11 contests after a 3-18 start to the season.
Suarez boasts 13 RBIs over eight games since returning from the disabled list while teammate Jose Peraza had two hits Friday and is 20-for-51 over the last 11 contests for Cincinnati, which was swept by Milwaukee in three games earlier in the week. Right-hander Tyler Mahle will try to keep it going for the Reds when he takes the mound Saturday against lefty Caleb Smith, who is coming off the best start of his young career. The Marlins have managed just one run combined while losing two straight after stringing together a season-high four-game winning streak. Miami’s J.T. Realmuto did record a single in Friday’s loss to extend his hitting streak to 12 games and has hit safely in 13 of the 14 games he has played this season since coming off the disabled list.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Caleb Smith (1-3, 4.40 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tyler Mahle (2-3, 4.32)
Smith earned his first major league victory in his 15th appearance last Sunday when he allowed two hits over seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts against Colorado. The 26-year-old Texas native has struck out 41 in 28 2/3 innings overall - 19 in his last two trips to the mound, including a loss to Milwaukee on April 22 when he yielded two runs on two hits. Smith faces Cincinnati for the first time and is 0-4 with a 9.00 in his career on the road.
Mahle is coming off his second victory of the season last Sunday when he limited Minnesota to one run on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts across 6 1/3 innings. The 23-year-old California native was 0-2 over the previous two starts after giving up five runs over 11 innings combined with 17 strikeouts. Mahle, who meets Miami for the first time, boasts 38 strikeouts and 11 walks across 33 1/3 frames in 2018 while allowing seven homers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati 2B Scooter Gennett (shoulder), relegated to a pinch-hitting role since April 29, could return to the lineup Saturday.
2. Miami RHP Tyler Cloyd was reinstated from the paternity list and LHP Dillon Peters optioned to Triple-A New Orleans.
3. The Reds recalled RHP Tanner Rainey on Friday and placed LHP Amir Garrett on the bereavement list.
PREDICTION: Reds 5, Marlins 3
Preview: Twins at White Sox
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
After turning on the power to post a rare victory and even the four-game series, the Minnesota Twins attempt to post back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly a month when they visit the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. Minnesota belted four home runs Friday en route to a 6-4 triumph, which was just its third victory in 15 contests.
Eduardo Escobar hit a pair of shots for his third multi-homer performance and added an RBI double while Brian Dozier and Logan Morrison also went deep for the Twins, who ended their eight-game road losing streak. Escobar has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 contests, registering five multi-hit efforts in that span. Leury Garcia and Jose Abreu homered for the White Sox, who fell to 3-11 at home this season. Abreu and Yolmer Sanchez each recorded three of Chicago's nine hits, with the former matching the total from his previous six games.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Lance Lynn (0-3, 8.37 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Hector Santiago (0-0, 3.48)
But for a strong outing against Houston on April 9 in which he struck out nine over five scoreless innings, Lynn's first month with Minnesota has been an absolute disaster. The 30-year-old native of Indiana surrendered five or more runs in each of his other four turns with his new club and has worked more than five frames just once thus far. Lynn is hoping his track record against Chicago will help in his quest for a victory, as he has gone 1-0 while allowing three runs and recording 26 strikeouts over 19 1/3 innings in three career starts versus the White Sox.
Santiago will be facing the team with which he spent the previous 1 1/2 seasons as he makes the second start of his second stint with Chicago. The 30-year-old from New Jersey, who began his career with the White Sox in 2011, came out of the bullpen to fill in for the injured Miguel Gonzalez on Sunday and gave up two runs on five hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision at Kansas City. Santiago owns a 3-2 record and 4.19 ERA in six starts and four relief appearances against Minnesota during his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox 2B Yoan Moncada (hamstring/thumb/foot) returned to the lineup Friday after missing one game but exited in the fifth inning with tightness in his left hamstring.
2. Escobar and Morrison hit the first back-to-back homers of the season for the Twins on Friday in the fourth inning, which featured a total of three blasts - also a first for the team this year.
3. Chicago recalled LHP Jace Fry from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday and optioned RHP Juan Minaya to the Knights.
PREDICTION: Twins 5, White Sox 3
Preview: Giants at Braves
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
The San Francisco Giants are playing some of their best baseball of the season entering Saturday’s contest at the Atlanta Braves, and shortstop Brandon Crawford is showing signs of life at the plate after an extended slump. Crawford, who snapped a 5-for-47 skid with two hits Wednesday, collected three hits – including his third homer of the season – and drove in two runs in Friday’s 9-4 victory over the Braves, the Giants’ eighth victory in their past 11 games.
Third baseman Evan Longoria added two hits, and his ninth-inning homer put him one base hit shy of 1,500 for his career. The Braves debuted a new third baseman Friday, promoting Jose Bautista from Triple-A Gwinnett, and Bautista responded with a double off the wall in his first at-bat in finishing 1-for-4 with two strikeouts. The Braves look to rebound after their five-game winning streak ended, and while Atlanta starting pitchers had not allowed more than one run in five consecutive starts, the Giants torched Mike Foltynewicz for six runs in the second to take the series opener. Right fielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman, who started the day among the National League leaders in hitting, both homered in a losing cause.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Ty Blach (2-3, 4.10 ERA) vs. Braves RH Brandon McCarthy (4-0, 3.09)
Blach has pitched fairly well since giving up six runs in his second start of the season, posting a 3.54 ERA with 27 hits allowed in his past 28 innings. The 27-year-old beat the Dodgers on Sunday in his last start, allowing two runs on six hits with one walk and four strikeouts in six innings. Blach beat Atlanta in his only career appearance, giving up two runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings last season.
McCarthy has provided the Braves even more than they hoped for so far, a veteran presence in the rotation who began the weekend tied for second in the NL in wins. The 34-year-old held Philadelphia to one run on five hits with six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings Sunday, the third time in his past four starts McCarthy has allowed one run. He is 1-3 with a 7.34 ERA in seven career games (five starts) against the Giants.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta placed SS Dansby Swanson on the 10-day disabled list Friday with left wrist inflammation, and Johan Camargo went 1-for-2 with two walks in his place.
2. San Francisco CF Andrew McCutchen, who was hit with a pitch on the left elbow Wednesday, started and finished 1-for-3 with two walks.
3. Markakis hit his sixth homer of the season Friday; he hit eight all of last season, the sixth coming on Aug. 4.
PREDICTION: Braves 6, Giants 4
Preview: Rockies at Mets
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
The New York Mets made big news Friday afternoon by designating for assignment one-time star pitcher Matt Harvey. Hours later they went out and continued their slump with a loss against the Colorado Rockies, who will try to make it two straight over the reeling Mets when the teams continue their three-game series in New York on Saturday.
Harvey was an All-Star in 2013 before injuries and ineffectiveness led him through several rocky seasons, including a demotion to the bullpen early in 2018. "I think we've tried to find some other solution over a fairly long period of time," general manager Sandy Alderson told reporters Friday. "This was a long time coming. It's something we tried to address, we struggled with, and we wrestled with over two managerial regimes." With news of the move still fresh, the Mets spotted the Rockies five first-inning runs and had a comeback fall short in Friday's 8-7 loss, their seventh in the last nine games. Charlie Blackmon slugged his 11th home run and Tony Wolters hit his first for Colorado, which has won three in a row and improved to 13-8 on the road.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Chad Bettis (3-1, 2.43 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (1-2, 4.98)
Bettis completed at least seven innings in three of his last four starts, including a hard-luck loss at Miami on Sunday in which he allowed two runs and four hits. The 29-year-old is 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA in four road starts. Jay Bruce has a home run and a double in four at-bats against Bettis, who surrendered nine runs in 13 career innings against the Mets.
Matz was 1-1 with a 3.77 ERA through his first three starts but is 0-1 with a 7.36 mark over the last two outings. He lasted just 3 1/3 frames in a loss at St. Louis on April 25 before having his next start pushed back due to back soreness. Blackmon is 5-for-8 with two doubles and Nolan Arenado has a pair of homers in eight career at-bats against Matz.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arenado is 6-for-15 with three homers and seven RBIs over his last three games.
2. Mets OF Michael Conforto went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts Friday and is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts over a three-game span.
3. New York 3B Todd Frazier has three multi-hit efforts over the past four contests, homering twice in that stretch.
PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Mets 4
Preview: Rockies at Mets
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
The New York Mets made big news Friday afternoon by designating for assignment one-time star pitcher Matt Harvey. Hours later they went out and continued their slump with a loss against the Colorado Rockies, who will try to make it two straight over the reeling Mets when the teams continue their three-game series in New York on Saturday.
Harvey was an All-Star in 2013 before injuries and ineffectiveness led him through several rocky seasons, including a demotion to the bullpen early in 2018. "I think we've tried to find some other solution over a fairly long period of time," general manager Sandy Alderson told reporters Friday. "This was a long time coming. It's something we tried to address, we struggled with, and we wrestled with over two managerial regimes." With news of the move still fresh, the Mets spotted the Rockies five first-inning runs and had a comeback fall short in Friday's 8-7 loss, their seventh in the last nine games. Charlie Blackmon slugged his 11th home run and Tony Wolters hit his first for Colorado, which has won three in a row and improved to 13-8 on the road.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Chad Bettis (3-1, 2.43 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (1-2, 4.98)
Bettis completed at least seven innings in three of his last four starts, including a hard-luck loss at Miami on Sunday in which he allowed two runs and four hits. The 29-year-old is 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA in four road starts. Jay Bruce has a home run and a double in four at-bats against Bettis, who surrendered nine runs in 13 career innings against the Mets.
Matz was 1-1 with a 3.77 ERA through his first three starts but is 0-1 with a 7.36 mark over the last two outings. He lasted just 3 1/3 frames in a loss at St. Louis on April 25 before having his next start pushed back due to back soreness. Blackmon is 5-for-8 with two doubles and Nolan Arenado has a pair of homers in eight career at-bats against Matz.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arenado is 6-for-15 with three homers and seven RBIs over his last three games.
2. Mets OF Michael Conforto went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts Friday and is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts over a three-game span.
3. New York 3B Todd Frazier has three multi-hit efforts over the past four contests, homering twice in that stretch.
PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Mets 4
Preview: Astros at Diamondbacks
Gracenote
May 5, 2018
Losers of three straight for the first time this season, the Arizona Diamondbacks face another tough pitching matchup Saturday when they continue their three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros. Charlie Morton gets the start for Houston, one night after Gerrit Cole threw a one-hitter and struck out a career-high 16 in the Astros’ 8-0 victory.
Yuli Gurriel had four hits and three RBIs while Carlos Correa doubled twice and drove in three for the American League West-leading Astros, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Gurriel struggled early this season after playing in just one spring training game and spending time on the disabled list, but the first baseman is heating up with 10 hits during his six-game hitting streak, raising his average from .220 to .280 during that stretch. The Diamondbacks have won nine of their first 10 series despite injuries to Jake Lamb (shoulder) and starting pitchers Robbie Ray (oblique) and Taijuan Walker, who is out for the year with a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament. Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. (strained right pectoral) made his season debut Thursday and is expected to be in the lineup Saturday after being given a scheduled day off Friday.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Charlie Morton (4-0, 1.72 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (3-2, 4.50)
Morton continued to impress by holding the New York Yankees to one run on two hits with 10 strikeouts through 7 2/3 innings in last Monday's 2-1 victory. The 34-year-old has won each of his last seven decisions dating back to Sept. 15, 2017, posting a 1.80 ERA in nine starts over that stretch. Paul Goldschmidt has three hits in 12 at-bats against Morton, who is 4-1 with a 3.57 ERA in seven career starts against Arizona, including six-plus innings in a victory on Aug. 16, 2017.
Greinke bounced back from a rocky outing against Philadelphia by striking out 10 and holding the Los Angeles Dodgers to two runs over six innings in last Monday’s 8-5 victory. The four-time All-Star is 15-1 in his last 20 starts at Chase Field. Jose Altuve is 9-for-21 with a home run against Greinke, who is 6-2 with a 2.31 ERA in nine career starts against the Astros, including 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a 2-0 home victory on Aug. 14, 2017.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Diamondbacks are 16-1 when scoring four or more runs.
2. Houston has outscored its opponents 55-6 during its seven-game road winning streak.
3. Arizona optioned RHP Silvino Bracho to Triple-A Reno to make room for RHP Kris Medlen, who started Friday’s series opener.
PREDICTION: Astros 4, Diamondbacks 2