MLB Betting News and Trends For Saturday 6/16/18

Saturday’s games
National League
Reds (25-44) @ Pirates (34-35)
Castillo is 0-3, 8.04 in his last three starts; under is 4-2-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 6-8.
5-inning record: 6-8. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-14

Nova is 1-3, 5.16 in his last four starts (under 3-0-1). Team in his starts: 6-6.
5-inning record: 6-2-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-12

Reds won three of their last four games; over is 9-3-1 in their last 13 games. Pittsburgh lost five of its last eight games; three of last four Pirate games went over the total.

Padres (34-38) @ Braves (40-29)
Lyles is 2-1, 3.45 in his last three starts; under is 4-2 in his road starts. Team in his starts: 3-7.
5-inning record: 3-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10

Newcomb is 6-1, 2.14 in his last eight starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 8-5.
5-inning record: 8-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-13

Padres are 12-5 in their last 17 games; under is 7-2 in their last nine games. Atlanta won four of its last six games; over is 6-3-1 in their last ten games.

Phillies (35-32) @ Brewers (42-27)
Eflin is 2-0, 1.98 in his last two starts (over 4-3). Team in his starts: 4-3.
5-inning record: 5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7

Guerra is 0-1, 2.22 in his last five starts (under 9-3). Team in his starts: 6-6.
5-inning record: 5-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-12

Phillies won three of their last five games; under is 7-3 in their last ten road games. Milwaukee is 12-3 in its last 15 home games; under is 7-4 in their last 11 games.

Cubs (39-27) @ Cardinals (36-31)
Hendricks is 0-3, 4.80 in his last three starts (under 9-2-2). Team in his starts: 4-9.
5-inning record: 3-7-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-13

Martinez is 0-3, 7.82 in his last three starts; under is 4-1-4 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 6-4.
5-inning record: 4-5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10

Cubs lost three of their last five games; under is 6-2 in their last eight games. St Louis lost three of its last five games; under is 7-3 in their last ten home games.

Mets (28-38) @ Diamondbacks (39-30)
Matz is 1-1, 2.05 in his last four starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 6-6.
5-inning record: 4-7-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-12

Corbin is 1-1, 6.11 in his last three starts; over is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 8-6.
5-inning record: 7-2-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Mets are 4-19 in their last 23 games; under is 7-2-1 in their last ten games. Arizona won eight of its last ten games; over is 11-3-1 in their last 15 games.

Giants (34-36) @ Dodgers (36-32)
Bumgarner is 0-1, 4.77 in two starts this year (over 1-1). Team in his starts: 0-2.
5-inning record: 1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Wood is 0-1, 11.25 in his last three starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 6-7.
5-inning record: 3-7-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-13

Giants lost four of their last five games; over is 5-3 in their last eight games. Dodgers are 10-2 in their last 12 games; over is 8-3-1 in their last 12 games.

American League
Rays (32-37) @ New York (45-20)
Bullpen game for Tampa Bay Team in bullpen games: 9-11. (under 10-9-1)
5-inning record: 9-7-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-20

Severino is 4-1, 2.75 in his last six starts; under is 7-2-1 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 12-2.
5-inning record: 10-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Tampa Bay won three of its last five games; their last four games stayed under. New York won 12 of its last 15 games; last ten Bronx games stayed under the total.

Twins (30-36) @ Indians (36-32)
Romero is 1-2, 6.07 in his last six starts (under 5-3). Team in his starts: 4-4.
5-inning record: 3-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-8 (5 of last 5)

Carrasco is 2-0, 0.64 in his last two starts; under is 8-5 in his last 13 starts. Team in his starts: 8-6.
5-inning record: 9-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Twins lost six of their last ten games; under is 8-4 in their last 12 road games. Cleveland won seven of its last eight home games; under is 7-2 in their last nine games.

Tigers (34-37) @ White Sox (24-44)
Zimmerman is making first start since May 5; he is 2-0, 5.75 in seven starts (over 4-3). Team in his starts: 4-3
5-inning record: 3-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Giolito is 1-3, 8.84 in his last four starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 5-8
5-inning record: 3-9-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-13

Tigers are 5-3 in their last eight games; under is 9-2 in their last 11 games. White Sox are 8-7 in their last 15 games; under is 13-0-1 in their last 14 games.

Astros (46-25) @ Royals (22-47)
Keuchel is 0-3, 7.67 in his last five starts (over 4-0-1). Team in his starts: 6-8.
5-inning record: 3-8-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-14

Duffy is 2-0, 2.10 in his last four starts; over is 8-3 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 4-10.
5-inning record: 5-8-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-14

Astros won their last nine games; over is 10-2-1 in their last 13 games. Kansas City lost ten of its last 11 games; under is 7-2 in their last nine games.

Angels (38-32) @ A’s (34-36)
Tropeano is 2-2, 6.29 in his last five starts (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 5-5.
5-inning record: 3-6-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10

Manaea is 0-2, 6.15 in his last five starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 7-7.
5-inning record: 5-7-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-14

Angels lost four of their last five games,; over is 4-0-1 in their last five games. A’s lost five of their last six games; over is 3-0 in their last three games.

Red Sox (48-23) @ Mariners (45-25)
Wright is 1-0, 0.00 (13.2 IP) in two starts this year (under 2-0). Team in his starts: 2-0
5-inning record: 1-0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

LeBlanc is 2-0, 3.86 in his last three starts (under 6-1-1). Team in his starts: 6-2
5-inning record: 4-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-8

Red Sox won six of their last seven road games; nine of last 11 Boston games stayed under. Mariners won 21 of their last 27 games; over is 8-3-1 in their last 12 games.

Interleague
Marlins (27-43) @ Orioles (19-49)
Chen is 0-1, 4.08 in his last six starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 4-5
5-inning record: 5-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-9

Cobb is 1-3, 8.41 in his last four starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 2-9
5-inning record: 2-8-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11

Marlins won four of their last five games; over is 7-4 in their last 11 road games. Baltimore lost its last eight games; under is 8-2 in their last ten home games.

Nationals (37-29) @ Blue Jays (31-38)
Scherzer is 3-1, 2.48 in his last four starts; his last three stayed under. Team in his starts: 11-3
5-inning record: 9-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Estrada is 1-0, 2.25 in his last two starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 6-7
5-inning record: 4-5-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-13

Nationals are 5-7 in their last 12 games; under is 10-2 in their last 12 road games. Toronto lost three of its last four games; under is 6-2 in their last eight home games.

Rockies (34-35) @ Rangers (27-44)
Freeland is 2-2, 4.81 in his last four starts; under is 9-3 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 7-6
5-inning record: 6-4-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-13

Minor is 1-2, 6.14 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 5-7
5-inning record: 3-7-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-12

Rockies lost six of their last eight games; over is 13-0 in their last 13 games. Texas lost its last seven games; over is 12-5 in their last 17 home games.

Umpires
Cin-Pitt: Underdogs are 7-4 in Muchlinski games this year.
Phil-Mil: Under is 7-1 in last eight Nelson games.
SD-Atl: Under is 10-2 in last dozen Eddings games.
Chi-StL: Four of last five Woodring games stayed under.
SF-LA: Under is 9-2-1 in Bellino games this season.
NY-Az: Under is 8-2 in last ten Estabrook games.

TB-NY: Six of last seven Meals games stayed under.
Det-Chi: Favorites won nine of last ten Blaser games.
Hst-KC: Under is 8-5 in Wegner games this season.
LA-A’s: Road teams are 9-5 in Lentz games this season.
Min-Cle: Four of last five Wolf games went over.
Bos-Sea: Over is 5-2 in last seven LBarrett games.

Mia-Balt: Four of last five buck nor games stayed under.
Col-Tex: Over is 8-2-1 in last eleven Tichenor games.
Wsh-Tor: Five of last six Ortiz games went over.

Preview: Rays at Yankees
Gracenote
Jun 15, 2018

Luis Severino looks to rebound from his first loss in two months and become the third 10-game winner in the majors when the New York Yankees host the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon in the third of a four-game series. Severino had a 10-start unbeaten streak snapped last time out but he is 3-0 with six runs allowed in his last four starts versus the Rays.

New York made it two in a row over Tampa Bay with a 5-0 victory Friday night, improving to a major league-best 25-10 at home with its 12th victory in 15 games. Catcher Gary Sanchez, mired in a 1-for-31 slump entering Friday's game, delivered a three-run double for his first RBIs in June and Didi Gregorius homered among three hits for the Yankees. The Rays arrived in New York off a three-game sweep of Toronto but managed only four hits Friday to fall to 0-4 against the Yankees this season. Rookie first baseman Jake Bauers is 0-for-7 with five strikeouts in the series following a five-game hitting streak for Tampa Bay.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Ryne Stanek (1-1, 2.76 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (9-2, 2.27)

Ryan Stanek is expected to be the designated opener and is scheduled to be followed by left-hander Ryan Yarbrough as Tampa Bay goes to its bullpen to take the lead in the next two games. Stanek has been idle since Tuesday, when he opened versus Toronto and retired all six batters he faced in two spotless innings. Yarbrough earned his fifth win with six innings of four-run ball against the Blue Jays on Monday.

Severino allowed just two runs and five hits over five innings in a loss to the New York Mets on Sunday, which also ended a string of 10 consecutive quality starts dating to a loss at Boston on April 10. He handled the Rays with ease in his second start of the season, earning the victory with 7 1/3 innings of two-run ball. Severino is 5-0 with a 1.79 ERA and .174 batting average against in seven home starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees RF Aaron Judge had his second straight two-hit game to improve to 7-for-14 with seven runs scored in four games versus the Rays this season.

3. Rays CF Mallex Smith has hit safely in eight of the last nine games.

3. Gregorius is 5-for-10 with three homers in his last three games

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Rays 1
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Umpire Trends - Jerry Meals

Home team is 4-0 in Meals' last 4 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Under is 9-1 in Meals' last 10 Saturday games behind home plate.
Rays are 7-1 in their last 8 Saturday games with Meals behind home plate.
Under is 6-1 in Meals' last 7 games behind home plate.
Home team is 6-1 in Meals' last 7 Saturday games behind home plate vs. New York.
Over is 5-1-1 in Meals' last 7 Saturday games behind home plate vs. New York.
Over is 5-1 in Meals' last 6 games behind home plate vs. Tampa Bay.
Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 games with Meals behind home plate.
Rays are 14-4 in their last 18 games with Meals behind home plate.
Under is 3-1-1 in Meals' last 5 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Home team is 6-2 in Meals' last 8 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Tampa Bay.
Under is 5-2 in Meals' last 7 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Tampa Bay.
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Preview: Tigers at White Sox
Gracenote
Jun 16, 2018

The Detroit Tigers will undoubtedly miss Miguel Cabrera at some point in the near future, but the club's knack for pulling off the late rally since his season-ending injury has the team feeling good about itself at the moment. The Tigers attempt to remain unbeaten without their 11-time All-Star on Saturday when they visit the Chicago White Sox for the middle contest of a three-game series.

Detroit erupted for four runs in the eighth inning to defeat Minnesota 5-2 on Wednesday, tallied all three of its runs in the seventh Thursday to beat the Twins again and pulled out a 4-3 victory in Friday's series opener when John Hicks scored the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice grounder in the eighth. Victor Martinez contributed a two-run double and James McCann had three hits for the Tigers, who improved to 6-1 against their American League Central rival - including 4-0 at Guaranteed Rate Field. After finishing May at 16-37, Chicago is 8-7 in June despite dropping two in a row. However, the White Sox are in danger of losing the first series of the month after splitting both of their four-game sets while taking two of three from division leaders Milwaukee and Boston.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (2-0, 4.88 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (4-7, 7.09)

Zimmermann is expected to be activated Friday in time to make his first start since landing on the disabled list on May 5 due to a right shoulder impingement. The two-time All-Star did not yield a run across 12 innings over his last two big-league outings and is coming off the best of his three turns during his rehab stint, allowing one run in 5 1/3 frames with Single-A Western Michigan on Monday. Zimmermann gave up six runs over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision April 5 at Chicago.

Giolito walked more batters (four) than he struck out (three) for the seventh time in 13 starts Monday against Cleveland, taking the loss after surrendering four runs on four hits across five innings. The 23-year-old ranks third in the majors in walks (43) and has been abysmal in six home turns this season, going 1-4 with an 11.63 ERA while allowing opponents to bat .303 in those outings. Giolito was tagged for five runs in 5 2/3 frames in a loss to Detroit on April 7.

WALK-OFFS

1. Four of the last five meetings have been decided by one run.

2. Chicago is holding opponents to a .104 batting average with runners in scoring position over the last eight contests.

3. Hicks is 6-for-12 with a triple and a home run in three starts at first base since Cabrera ruptured his left biceps tendon Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, White Sox 3
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Umpire Trends - Cory Blaser

Tigers are 4-0 in their last 4 games with Blaser behind home plate.
Over is 5-1 in Blasers last 6 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
Home team is 4-1 in Blasers last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
Under is 9-4 in Blasers last 13 games behind home plate vs. Detroit.
White Sox are 1-5 in their last 6 games with Blaser behind home plate.
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Preview: Astros at Royals
Gracenote
Jun 16, 2018

Evan Gattis is on a tremendous tear and strives to continue to torment opposing pitchers when the Houston Astros visit the Kansas City Royals on Saturday afternoon for the middle contest of their three-game series. Gattis slugged his second career grand slam in Friday's 7-3 victory, giving him six homers and 20 RBIs during the Astros' nine-game winning streak.

The 31-year-old Gattis has been hotter than lava over his last 28 games, belting 13 shots and driving in 38 runs during the stretch. He has been especially lethal over the last four contests with four homers and 14 RBIs, including back-to-back five-RBI performances against Oakland earlier in the week. Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa belted solo homers in the series opener as Houston handed the slumping Royals their 10th loss in 11 games. Kansas City also lost right fielder Jorge Soler to a fractured left foot when he tripped while leaving the batter's box and fell after hitting a ground ball in the sixth inning, and he will undergo a CT scan on Saturday to determine the severity.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (3-8, 4.45 ERA) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (3-6, 5.28)

Keuchel has struggled over his last five outings as he is 0-3 with a 7.33 ERA during that stretch. The 30-year-old allowed six runs - five earned - and a season-high 13 hits in just 4 1/3 innings against Texas in his last turn but escaped with a no-decision. Keuchel is 3-1 with a 3.32 ERA in six career starts against the Royals and has shut down both Salvador Perez (2-for-18) and Alex Gordon (1-for-10).

Duffy put together a stellar showing while beating Oakland in his last turn as he registered a season-high 10 strikeouts while giving up just three hits over seven scoreless innings. The 29-year-old is 2-0 over his last four turns, allowing fewer than two runs in three of the outings. Duffy is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven career appearances (four starts) against Houston and has been torched by Jose Altuve (7-for-14) and George Springer (3-for-9, two homers).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros are 8-0 during their 10-game road trip that concludes on Sunday.

2. Kansas City has scored just 26 runs in 13 games this month.

3. Houston OF Tony Kemp recorded two hits on Friday and is 12-for-30 with five multi-hit efforts over his last nine appearances.

PREDICTION: Astros 10, Royals 2
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Umpire Trends - Mark Wegner

Under is 4-0-1 in Wegners last 5 games behind home plate vs. Houston.
Road team is 12-2 in Wegners last 14 games behind home plate vs. Houston.
Under is 4-1 in Wegners last 5 games behind home plate.
Royals are 4-1 in their last 5 games with Wegner behind home plate.
Road team is 4-1 in Wegners last 5 games behind home plate vs. Kansas City.
Road team is 17-5 in Wegners last 22 games behind home plate.
Royals are 0-4 in their last 4 Saturday games with Wegner behind home plate.
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Preview: Marlins at Orioles
Gracenote
Jun 16, 2018

Brian Anderson continues to make an impression in his first full season with the Miami Marlins and looks to add to his best month Saturday afternoon against the host Baltimore Orioles in the middle contest of a three-game interleague series. Anderson had two hits in Miami’s 2-0 victory on Friday and the 25-year-old is 21-for-55 in June with 10 RBIs to raise his overall batting average to .307.

Anderson, who has appeared in all 70 games, played a big role as the Marlins won four of their last five outings and 24-year-old center fielder Lewis Brinson is also warming up while going 7-for-19 with five RBIs over the past five contests. Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will try to extend Miami’s surge when he takes the mound against the team he won 46 games with from 2012-15 to start his major league career and slumping Baltimore counters with righty Alex Cobb, who has already lost eight games in his first season with the team. The Orioles own the worst record in the majors (19-49) after dropping a season-high eight straight games overall and 10 in a row at home. Adam Jones had one of three hits for Baltimore on Friday and is 8-for-25 over his last six games while star shortstop Manny Machado is struggling through a 4-for-28 stretch.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (1-3, 6.13 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Alex Cobb (2-8, 7.23)

Chen has not won since his season debut on April 28, going more than five innings just twice during his winless stretch. The 32-year-old Taiwan native gave up four runs on six hits and four walks across 4 1/3 innings Monday for a no-decision in a 7-5 victory over San Francisco. Jace Peterson is 2-for-4 versus Chen, who is 0-3 with a 10.31 ERA in five road starts this season and has issued 22 walks over 39 2/3 innings in 2018.

Cobb followed up his second win of the season by suffering through his worst start of 2018 on Sunday in Toronto when he allowed nine runs over 3 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old Boston native had posted three quality starts in four outings before yielding 11 hits - two homers - last time out against the Blue Jays. Cameron Maybin (1-for-8) has a homer against Cobb, who is 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA in four career games versus Miami.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore 1B Corban Joseph was recalled Friday and made his first major league appearance since 2013 - going 1-for-4.

2. Miami placed LHP Caleb Smith on the bereavement list Friday while recalling RHPs Merandy Gonzalez and reinstating Brett Graves.

3. Orioles 3B Danny Valencia saw his six-game hitting streak (8-for-23) come to an end by going 0-for-3 in the series opener.

PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Marlins 3
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Umpire Trends - CB Bucknor

Road team is 4-0 in Bucknors last 4 interleague games behind home plate.
Under is 4-0 in Orioles last 4 interleague games with Bucknor behind home plate.
Under is 4-0 in Bucknors last 4 interleague games behind home plate vs. Baltimore.
Under is 3-0-1 in Bucknors last 4 games behind home plate vs. Miami.
Under is 5-1-1 in Bucknors last 7 Saturday games behind home plate.
Road team is 4-1 in Bucknors last 5 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Miami.
Over is 7-2 in Bucknors last 9 interleague games behind home plate.
Home team is 7-2 in Bucknors last 9 games behind home plate vs. Baltimore.
Home team is 6-2 in Bucknors last 8 games behind home plate.
Under is 28-11-3 in Bucknors last 42 games behind home plate.
Marlins are 1-4 in their last 5 Saturday games with Bucknor behind home plate.
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Preview: Reds at Pirates
Gracenote
Jun 16, 2018

The Pittsburgh Pirates have won consecutive games for the first time in nearly a month and look to make it three in a row when they continue a three-game set with the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. A run-scoring double play and two sacrifice flies gave the Pirates just enough offense in a 3-2 win to begin the series Friday night.

Pittsburgh was outhit 7-6 and committed each of the game's three errors, but its staff held the Reds to 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Starling Marte had one of the two sacrifice flies for the Pirates and he owns six hits an six RBIs during a four-game hitting streak. Cincinnati had its three-game winning streak come to an end with Friday's loss as it fell to 1-4 at Pittsburgh this year and 5-13 in one-run games. The Reds will try to bounce back behind struggling right-hander Luis Castillo, who opposes veteran Ivan Nova in Saturday's matchup.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (4-7, 5.79 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Ivan Nova (3-5, 4.68)

Castillo continues to struggle to keep the ball in the park and served up two more home runs in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals his last time out. He allowed five runs over six innings in the setback, although the 25-year-old did tie a career high with 10 strikeouts. Castillo's last win came against Pittsburgh on May 24, when he yielded two runs in six innings.

Nova returned from the disabled list to score a win at Wrigley Field on Sunday, limiting the Chicago Cubs to one run in 5 2/3 frames while striking out eight. He was the losing pitcher opposite Castillo last month after struggling through 5 1/3 innings and fell to 3-7 with a 4.67 ERA lifetime versus the Reds. Scott Schebler is 9-for-22 against Nova while Eugenio Suarez is 8-for-21 and Jesse Winker is 3-for-6 with two home runs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds RHP Homer Bailey (knee) halted his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville.

2. The Pirates reinstated INF Jung Ho Kang and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis.

3. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto has drawn 10 walks in his last seven games.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Reds 4
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Umpire Trends - Mike Muchlinski

Over is 5-1 in Muchlinskis last 6 games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
Road team is 4-1 in Muchlinskis last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1-1 in Muchlinskis last 6 games behind home plate.
Under is 8-2 in Muchlinskis last 10 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Home team is 16-5 in Muchlinskis last 21 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Road team is 5-2 in Muchlinskis last 7 games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
Pirates are 5-16 in their last 21 games with Muchlinski behind home plate.
Reds are 1-5 in their last 6 games with Muchlinski behind home plate.
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Preview: Angels at Athletics
Gracenote
Jun 16, 2018

Opponents have had no trouble scoring runs against the Oakland Athletics during their current slide, and they'll need to find a way to stop Mike Trout if they hope to end the skid. Oakland looks to halt its losing streak at four games when it hosts the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday afternoon for the middle contest of their three-game series.

The Athletics have yielded 34 runs during their slide after dropping an 8-4 decision on Friday when Trout drove in one of those runs for Los Angeles in the series opener while going 3-for-3 and scoring twice. The 26-year-old superstar, who leads the major leagues with 23 home runs, has gone 10-for-14 with four blasts and seven RBIs over his last four contests and has reached safely in eight of his last nine plate appearances. Rookie Jose Briceno recorded his first career double while going 3-for-4 with an RBI for the Angels, who ended their four-game skid with Friday's triumph. Ian Kinsler belted his ninth homer of the season, seven of which have come in his last 16 contests.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH John Lamb (2016: 1-7, 6.43 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Sean Manaea (5-6, 3.49)

Lamb will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to make his first major-league start - and appearance - since July 16, 2016, when he was pounded for nine runs and nine hits over two-plus innings while pitching for Cincinnati in a loss to Milwaukee. The 27-year-old Californian has posted a 3.44 ERA in 13 turns for the Bees this year but has received just one decision - a victory. Lamb, who made 24 starts for the Reds from 2015-16, lost his only career start against Oakland on June 12, 2016 after yielding four runs and seven hits - two homers - in four frames.

Manaea followed a stellar April with a horrid May but appears to be on the upswing again as he has given up four runs over 12 2/3 innings in a pair of no-decisions this month. The 26-year-old native of Indiana, who is 2-4 in seven outings at home this season, has won just one of eight turns since ending April with three straight victories. Manaea fell to 1-3 with a 4.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Angels on March 30, when he suffered the loss despite allowing just one run and four hits over 7 2/3 frames in his season debut.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics DH Khris Davis was hitless in four at-bats on Friday after going 5-for-8 with three solo homers over his previous two games.

2. Los Angeles made a bevy of roster moves Friday, placing INF Zack Cozart (shoulder) and RHPs Garrett Richards (hamstring), Nick Tropeano (shoulder) and Jim Johnson (back) on the 10-day disabled list while recalling RHPs Akeel Morris, Jake Jewell, Felix Pena and Eduardo Paredes from Salt Lake.

3. Oakland 3B Matt Chapman (hand) could be headed to the DL despite having no structural damage found during an MRI exam.

PREDICTION: Athletics 7, Angels 5
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Umpire Trends - Nic Lentz

Road team is 5-0 in Lentzs last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
Road team is 4-1 in Lentzs last 5 games behind home plate vs. Los Angeles.
Over is 3-1-1 in Lentzs last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
Road team is 13-6 in Lentzs last 19 games behind home plate.
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Preview: Rockies at Rangers
Gracenote
Jun 16, 2018

Ian Desmond made his last All-Star Game in his only season with the Texas Rangers, and he wasted no time feeling right at home in his first game back in Arlington. The 32-year-old first baseman will try to build upon his most productive game of the season at the plate Saturday when his Colorado Rockies attempt to extend the Rangers' season-high seven-game skid in the middle contest of a three-game set.

Desmond batted .285 with 22 home runs to go along with 86 RBIs and stole 21 bases with the Rangers in 2016 before signing with the Rockies the following season. Despite some recent success at the plate, he was still hitting a meager .195 until Friday, when he homered in two of his first three at-bats and added a single in the ninth inning to record his first three-hit performance of 2018. The Rangers appeared to be in good shape to end their losing streak in the opener after putting up five runs in the first inning but managed only two hits thereafter as Colorado responded with six runs in the next frame. Texas, which is already 19 games out of first place in the American League West, will try to avoid its longest slide since dropping eight in a row on three separate occasions during the 2014 campaign.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (6-6, 3.68 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Mike Minor (4-4, 5.65)

Freeland fell to 5-2 since the beginning of May in Sunday's defeat versus Arizona, giving up four runs on four hits while tying season highs in walks (four) and strikeouts (eight) in six frames. The Evansville product has yielded at least three runs in each of his last four turns but logged six or more innings in eight of his last nine outings. Freeland has struggled a bit on the road (3-4, 4.15 ERA) and will face Texas for the first time but is 4-0 with a 2.03 in four career interleague starts.

Minor recorded his first quality start he's registered since May 3 in last Saturday's no-decision versus Houston, permitting three runs on six hits and a walk over six innings. The 30-year-old Tennessee native has shown good control so far (15 walks in 12 starts) but is allowing opponents to bat .281 overall and has surrendered 10 homers over his last seven turns. Desmond is 7-for-27 with two doubles and a home run versus Minor, who is 3-2 with a 5.73 ERA in eight appearances (six starts) against Colorado.

WALK-OFFS

1. Desmond is batting .298 with six home runs and 16 RBIs in his last 17 games.

2. Since joining Texas in 2011, 3B Adrian Beltre is batting .411 with five homers and 15 RBIs versus the Rockies.

3. Colorado SS Trevor Story is 15-for-30 with three home runs, 11 RBIs and six multi-hit efforts in the last seven contests.

PREDICTION: Rockies 7, Rangers 4
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Umpire Trends - Todd Tichenor

Over is 5-1 in Tichenors last 6 games behind home plate.
Road team is 5-1 in Tichenors last 6 games behind home plate.
Road team is 5-1 in Tichenors last 6 games behind home plate vs. Texas.
Under is 4-1 in Tichenors last 5 interleague games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1 in Tichenors last 5 games behind home plate vs. Colorado.
Home team is 13-5 in Tichenors last 18 games behind home plate vs. Colorado.
Rockies are 3-9 in their last 12 games with Tichenor behind home plate.
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Preview: Nationals at Blue Jays
Gracenote
Jun 16, 2018

Max Scherzer will try to rebound from a rare loss when he leads the Washington Nationals into the second of a three-game series at the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Scherzer's nine-game winning streak came to an end Sunday, although he was still solid in giving up two runs and striking out nine in seven innings against the San Francisco Giants.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner takes on a Blue Jays lineup that registered seven extra-base hits - 10 total - in a 6-5 win to begin the interleague set Friday night. Yangervis Solarte smacked a pair of homers from either side of the plate and doubled in four at-bats to pace the attack for Toronto, which has won five straight home games. Washington received three hits and an RBI from Anthony Rendon while falling to 5-7 since a 21-6 run. Marco Estrada will start for the Blue Jays opposite Scherzer as he aims to record three straight quality starts for the first time in 2018.

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), Sportsnet (Toronto), TVA (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (10-2, 2.00 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (3-6, 5.09)

Scherzer, who needs 8 1/3 innings to reach 2,000 for his career, limited the Giants to four hits in the hard-luck loss and has held opponents to a .171 average overall. He already defeated two American League East teams this year and is 16-12 with a 2.74 ERA in 32 career interleague starts. Kevin Pillar is 3-for-3 with two home runs against Scherzer, who is 3-0 with a 1.98 mark in four starts at Rogers Centre.

Estrada has seemingly turned a corner in June, going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 12 innings over two starts this month. Both runs he gave up in a win over Baltimore on Sunday came via solo home runs and the 34-year-old has surrendered 14 long balls in 70 2/3 innings on the season. The one-time National is 2-1 with a 4.34 ERA against the organization that drafted him in the sixth round of the 2005 draft.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals RHP Justin Miller gave up a run Friday after tossing 10 2/3 scoreless innings to begin his career with the team.

2. Blue Jays 1B Justin Smoak was 1-for-3 on Friday after going 0-for-20 over his previous six games.

3. Toronto is 194-195 all-time in interleague play.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Blue Jays 2
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Umpire Trends - Roberto Ortiz

Over is 4-0 in Ortizs last 4 games behind home plate.
Home team is 7-1 in Ortizs last 8 games behind home plate.
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Preview: Twins at Indians
Gracenote
Jun 16, 2018

Carlos Carrasco has won his last two starts in dominant fashion, but he gets a chance to avenge his worst outing of the year when the Cleveland Indians resume their three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon. Carrasco has allowed one run in his last two starts but was hammered by the Twins for six runs in 3 2/3 innings on June 1.

An 18-game winner in 2017, which tied for the major-league lead, Carrasco was 4-0 in his first five starts this season, including a no-decision in which he blanked Minnesota on three hits over seven innings. The Twins knocked around reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber in the series opener, getting a two-run homer and three RBIs from slumping Brian Dozier in the 6-3 victory. Joe Mauer was hitless in four at-bats in his first game since May 18 but Eddie Rosario swatted his fifth homer in seven games versus Cleveland this season. Catcher Yan Gomes homered and had an RBI single in Friday's setback for the Indians, who suffered their fourth consecutive loss to Minnesota.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS North (Minnesota), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Fernando Romero (3-2, 3.92 ERA) vs. Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (8-4, 3.90)

Romero halted a five-start winless drought Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings to earn his first victory since May 7. The 23-year-old rookie turned in a quality start in his previous turn but had to settle for a no-decision after pitching six innings of two-run ball versus the Chicago White Sox. Batters are hitting .280 against him in four road starts.

Carrasco was overpowering in his last start at the Chicago White Sox on Monday, striking out 11 batters while yielding two hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings. He also went seven innings in his previous turn, giving up one run on eight hits and striking out 10 to beat Milwaukee. Mauer is 12-for-30 against Carrasco, who won all three starts against the Twins in 2017 while posting a 0.92 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rosario is 12-for-30 with the five homers and nine RBIs in seven games versus Cleveland this year.

2. Indians 1B Yonder Alonso was placed on the family medical emergency list and will miss the rest of the series.

3. Dozier became the 10th player with six straight seasons of at least 10 home runs for the Twins.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Twins 3
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Umpire Trends - Jim Wolf

Over is 4-0-1 in Wolfs last 5 games behind home plate vs. Minnesota.
Home team is 5-1 in Wolfs last 6 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Cleveland.
Over is 4-1 in Wolfs last 5 games behind home plate.
Road team is 4-1 in Wolfs last 5 games behind home plate vs. Minnesota.
Over is 3-1-1 in Wolfs last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
Road team is 5-2 in Wolfs last 7 Saturday games behind home plate.
Indians are 2-5 in their last 7 games with Wolf behind home plate.
Twins are 0-4 in their last 4 games with Wolf behind home plate.
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Preview: Phillies at Brewers
Gracenote
Jun 16, 2018

The Milwaukee Brewers are having their way with Philadelphia pitchers and hope to produce another strong offensive performance when they host the Phillies on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. The Brewers scored 12 or more runs for the third time in four meetings - the first two occurring last weekend in Philadelphia - in rolling to a 13-2 victory in Friday's series opener.

Hernan Perez went 3-for-5 with a homer while Jesus Aguilar (three RBIs) and Christian Yelich also went deep as Milwaukee racked up 13 hits to improve its National League-best record to 42-27. The Brewers have allowed two runs while winning three consecutive games and have prevailed in five of their last seven contests. Philadelphia has dropped six of its last seven road games, falling to a disappointing 13-20 away from home. Leadoff hitter Cesar Hernandez went 3-for-3 with an RBI in the opener and is 8-for-14 with two three-hit performances in the four meetings with Milwaukee.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (3-2, 3.63 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Junior Guerra (3-4, 2.71)

Eflin has posted back-to-back victories - one against Milwaukee -- in which he allowed three runs and 11 hits over 13 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old defeated the Chicago Cubs on June 5, when he gave up one run and eight hits over 7 2/3 frames, and followed with the win over Milwaukee five days later in which he allowed two runs and three hits while matching his season best of nine strikeouts in six innings. Eflin has issued just one walk in each of his last four starts and has registered 40 strikeouts against just 10 free passes this season.

Guerra is winless over his last five starts despite posting a solid 2.22 ERA during the stretch. The 33-year-old settled for a no-decision in his last turn, when he gave up one run and five hits over six innings against the Cubs. Guerra is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in two career outings versus the Phillies, with both starts occurring in Philadelphia.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Brewers have outscored the Phillies 40-13 while winning three of the four meetings.

2. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera went 2-for-4 with a homer in the opener after going hitless in 13 at-bats in last weekend's series against Milwaukee.

3. Brewers 2B Jonathan Villar (calf) has missed two straight games and is questionable for Saturday.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Phillies 5
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Umpire Trends - Jeff Nelson

Under is 4-0-1 in Nelsons last 5 games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
Under is 7-1 in Nelsons last 8 games behind home plate.
Home team is 5-1 in Nelsons last 6 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
Under is 4-1-1 in Nelsons last 6 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
Home team is 4-1 in Nelsons last 5 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
Over is 3-1-1 in Nelsons last 5 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
Home team is 5-2 in Nelsons last 7 Saturday games behind home plate.
Phillies are 1-6 in their last 7 games with Nelson behind home plate.
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Preview: Padres at Braves
Gracenote
Jun 16, 2018

Freddy Galvis tormented the Atlanta Braves during his time with Philadelphia, and the San Diego Padres shortstop comes into Saturday’s third contest of a four-game road series after collecting five hits in Friday’s 9-3 road victory. Galvis blasted a three-run homer in the seventh inning Friday and raised his career average against the Braves to .284 with five homers and 30 RBIs in 80 career games to help power the Padres to their 12th victory in the past 17 games.

San Diego's Jose Pirela belted a two-run homer in the first inning - his first home run in his 268th at-bat of the season, after hitting 10 longballs in 312 at-bats last season. Atlanta starter Brandon McCarthy settled down and did not give up another run in 5 2/3 innings after Pirela's blast, but the Padres scored seven against the Braves' bullpen. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to nine games with a fifth-inning homer that put Atlanta ahead 3-2. Freeman finished 1-for-3 with a walk to exit Friday with a .342 batting average and 15 homers - six in his past nine games - but it was not enough as the National League East leaders lost for just the second time in their past six contests.

TV: 5:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jordan Lyles (2-3, 4.83 ERA) vs. Braves LH Sean Newcomb (7-2, 2.92)

Lyles moved into the starting rotation in early May and pitched well in his first five starts, striking out 31 in 29 2/3 innings while posting a 3.64 ERA. But the 27-year-old has been hammered in losing his first two starts of June, giving up 12 runs on 22 hits - including four homers - in just 10 1/3 innings. The Braves bashed him for eight runs on 11 hits across 4 1/3 innings on June 5, and Lyles followed up by giving up four runs on 11 hits in six innings Monday at St. Louis.

Newcomb looks to shake off one of his rougher starts of the season after allowing five runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings Sunday in Los Angeles, suffering his first loss since April 2. The 25-year-old is emerging as a potential All-Star candidate in his first full major-league season, posting a 1.96 ERA and holding opponents to a .195 average with 29 walks and 62 strikeouts in his 11 starts before Sunday. Newcomb held the Padres to three hits over six scoreless innings in a victory June 5.

WALK-OFFS

1. Galvis is hitting .415 in his past 11 road games against the Braves.

2. The Braves announced RHP Julio Teheran would start Sunday’s series finale, while the Padres are leaning toward a bullpen game in the series finale.

3. San Diego won for just the third time in its past 16 games at Atlanta.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Padres 2
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Umpire Trends - Doug Eddings

Home team is 5-1 in Eddings' last 6 games behind home plate.
Padres are 5-1 in their last 6 Saturday games with Eddings behind home plate.
Home team is 5-1 in Eddings' last 6 Saturday games behind home plate vs. San Diego.
Over is 5-1-1 in Eddings' last 7 games behind home plate vs. San Diego.
Braves are 4-1 in their last 5 games with Eddings behind home plate.
Road team is 4-1 in Eddings' last 5 games behind home plate vs. Atlanta.
Under is 19-6-1 in Eddings' last 26 games behind home plate.
Braves are 5-2 in their last 7 Saturday games with Eddings behind home plate.
Road team is 5-2 in Eddings' last 7 games behind home plate vs. San Diego.
Under is 5-2-1 in Eddings' last 8 Saturday games behind home plate vs. San Diego.
Under is 37-17-2 in Eddings' last 56 Saturday games behind home plate.
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Preview: Giants at Dodgers
Gracenote
Jun 16, 2018

San Francisco first baseman Brandon Belt is expected to return Saturday when the Giants continue their three-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers, who have won four straight games and 10 of their last 12. The Giants went 7-6 without Belt, who was the team’s hottest hitter before landing on the disabled list two weeks ago with appendicitis.

The Dodgers opened the series with Friday's 3-2 victory behind solo homers from Enrique Hernandez and Matt Kemp, who has gone deep in back-to-back games and leads the team in batting average (.335), hits (71) and RBIs (42). Kenley Jansen converted his 14th straight save opportunity for the Dodgers, who have gone 20-6 since May 17 with 32 home runs in 12 games this month. The Giants have lost five of their last seven games and will be without third baseman Evan Longoria for several weeks due to a fractured fifth metacarpal bone on his left hand. Most of Longoria’s playing time figures to go to Pablo Sandoval, who belted a two-run blast on Friday and is hitting .354 with three homers and 11 RBIs over his last 16 games.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (0-1, 4.76 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Alex Wood (1-5, 4.43)

Bumgarner missed the first 60 games of the season with a broken finger on his pitching hand and struggled in his second start last Monday against Miami, giving up four runs in 5 1/3 innings. “He’s only going to get better,” manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. “He needs to pitch. He'll get to where he needs to be.” The four-time All-Star is 15-9 with a 2.53 ERA in 29 career games (28 starts) against the Dodgers but has struggled against Hernandez (14-for-30, three homers).

Wood took the loss against Atlanta last Saturday and has allowed a total of 13 earned runs in his last three starts covering 12 innings. “It’s been a tough three starts for me, probably the toughest of my career,” Wood told reporters. “Just grinding really hard. Got to think one of these next few has got to turn, but definitely frustration.” Brandon Crawford is 6-for-15 with two home runs against Wood, who is 2-3 with a 4.53 ERA in 11 career games (seven starts) versus the Giants.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers LHP Rich Hill (blister) is expected to be activated from the disabled list to start Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.

2. The Giants have scored two runs or fewer in each of their last 10 games at Dodger Stadium.

3. The Dodgers placed RHP Pedro Baez on the 10-day disabled list with right biceps tendinitis and recalled C/INF Kyle Farmer from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Dodgers 4
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Umpire Trends - Dan Bellino

Giants are 5-0 in Bumgarners last 5 starts with Bellino behind home plate.
Road team is 6-1 in Bellinos last 7 games behind home plate vs. San Francisco.
Road team is 9-2 in Bellinos last 11 Saturday games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1 in Bumgarners last 5 starts with Bellino behind home plate.
Under is 19-7-1 in Bellinos last 27 Saturday games behind home plate.
Giants are 10-4 in their last 14 games with Bellino behind home plate.
Home team is 9-4 in Bellinos last 13 games behind home plate.
Under is 31-14-6 in Bellinos last 51 games behind home plate.
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Preview: Red Sox at Mariners
Gracenote
Jun 16, 2018

The Seattle Mariners are feeling energized by their latest comeback victory and look to slay Boston for the second straight night when they host the Red Sox on Saturday. Seattle recovered from a three-run deficit to post a 7-6 victory on Friday for its 12 win in 15 games.

Recent acquisition Denard Span delivered the go-ahead, two-run double in the eighth inning as the Mariners improved to 22-10 in one-run games. "No matter what the situation is, I've been here for almost three weeks now, and that is kind of the mood and tone of this team," Span said of the team's latest rally in a postgame television interview. "We pick each other up, and that is what happened (Friday)." The Red Sox fell for just the ninth time in 29 contests as they scored six runs in the third inning, with Xander Bogaerts hitting a three-run homer as he went deep for the second straight game. Boston scheduled starter Steven Wright hasn't allowed a run in 22 2/3 innings, the longest active scoreless streak in the majors and fourth-longest of the season.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Steven Wright (2-0, 1.21 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (2-0, 3.00)

Wright is making his third straight start, and his first two were stellar as he gave up just six hits in 13 2/3 scoreless innings. The 33-year-old blanked Detroit on two hits over seven frames in a victory on June 5 and followed up by scattering four hits over 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision against Baltimore six days later. Wright is 2-1 with a 1.32 ERA in three career appearances (one start) against Seattle.

LeBlanc is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in eight starts and has allowed fewer than three runs in seven of them. The 33-year-old has served up four homers over his last three outings but won his last start against the Los Angeles Angels despite serving up two solo shots in five innings. LeBlanc has a 9.00 ERA in two career starts against Boston, including the most recent outing in which he gave up three runs and five hits over six innings on Aug. 2, 2016.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners 1B Ryon Healy is 9-for-18 with four homers and five RBIs during his five-game hitting streak.

2. Boston 3B Rafael Devers has gone 4-for-9 in the series to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.

3. Seattle RHP Juan Nicasio (knee) threw a bullpen session and is on track to being activated from the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Red Sox 4
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Umpire Trends - Lance Barrett

Home team is 4-0 in Barretts last 4 games behind home plate.
Under is 5-0 in Barretts last 5 games behind home plate vs. Seattle.
Under is 4-1-1 in Barretts last 6 Saturday games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1-1 in Barretts last 6 games behind home plate vs. Boston.
Over is 5-2 in Barretts last 7 games behind home plate.
Home team is 5-2 in Barretts last 7 games behind home plate vs. Seattle.
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