Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Saturday 6/2/18
Saturday’s games
National League
Cubs (31-23) @ Mets (27-28)
Montgomery blanked the Pirates for 5.2 IP (76 PT) in his only ’18 start, a 7-0 win. Team in his starts: 1-0.
5-inning record: 1-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1
deGrom is 2-0, 0.45 in his last seven starts (under 7-0). Team in his starts: 5-6.
5-inning record: 7-1-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-11
Cubs won seven of their last nine road games; under is 10-3 in their last 13 road games. Mets lost nine of their last 12 games; under is 9-5 in their last 14 games.
Pirates (30-27) @ Cardinals (30-25)
Kuhl is 1-1, 2.86 in his last five starts (over 8-2-1). Team in his starts: 7-4.
5-inning record: 6-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-11
Weaver is 0-3, 4.00 in his last three starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 4-7.
5-inning record: 5-5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-11
Pirates lost five of their last seven games; over is 6-4-3 in their last 13 road games. St Louis won four of its last seven games; under is 11-4-1 in their last 16 home games.
Nationals (32-24) @ Braves (34-23)
Gonzalez is 4-0, 1.67 in his last six starts; under is 7-2 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 6-4.
5-inning record: 7-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-11
McCarthy is 1-0, 3.71 in his last three starts (over 8-3). Team in his starts: 7-4.
5-inning record: 7-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-11
Nationals won eight of their last 11 games; last seven Washington games stayed under. Atlanta is 6-2 in its last eight home games; under is 8-3-1 in its last 12 games.
Dodgers (27-30) @ Rockies (30-27)
Buehler is 1-0, 1.29 in his last two starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 4-3.
5-inning record: 5-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7
Marquez is 2-0, 1.29 in his last two starts; under is 7-2 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 5-5
5-inning record: 4-5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-10
Dodgers won 11 of their last 15 games; under is 6-4-1 in their last 11 games. Colorado won four of its last seven games; under is 6-2 in their last eight games.
Marlins (20-37) @ Diamondbacks (29-27)
Smith is 2-0, 1.32 in his last two starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 5-6.
5-inning record: 5-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11
Greinke is 0-2, 2.64 in his last five starts (under 5-0). Team in his starts: 5-6
5-inning record: 5-3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-11
Marlins lost seven of their last eight games; over is 4-1 in their last five games. Arizona is 4-10 in its last 14 games; over is 6-2 in their last eight home games.
Reds (21-37) @ Padres (25-34)
Harvey is 1-1, 3.72 in four starts for the Reds (over 1-1-2). Team in his starts: 3-1.
5-inning record: 3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4
Lauer is 0-2, 9.39 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 1-6
5-inning record: 1-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7
Reds lost four of their last seven games; under is 7-3-2 in their last 12 games. San Diego won four of its last six home games; over is 4-1 in their last five games overall.
Phillies (31-24) @ Giants (27-30)
Velasquez is 3-1, 2.63 in his last five starts (under 3-1-1). Team in his starts: 5-6.
5-inning record: 5-6. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-11
Blach is 0-2, 9.77 in his last four starts; over is 3-0-2 in his last five. Team in his starts: 6-6.
5-inning record: 4-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-12
Phillies lost five of their last seven games; under is 8-3-1 in their last 12 games. San Francisco lost six of its last nine games; over is 10-4-2 in their last 16 games.
American League
New York (36-17) @ Baltimore (17-40)
Tanaka is 4-0, 3.83 in his last seven starts; over is 7-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 8-2
5-inning record: 8-1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11
Gausman is 0-2, 8.56 in his last three starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 4-7
5-inning record: 5-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-11
New York is 18-4 in its last 22 games; over is 5-1 in their last six road games. Baltimore is 4-12 in its last 16 games; under is 6-1 in their last seven games.
Blue Jays (25-32) @ Tigers (27-30)
Happ is 3-0, 2.18 in his last three starts; (over 4-4-3). Team in his starts: 8-3
5-inning record: 8-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-11
Boyd is 2-1, 3.00 in his last four starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 5-5.
5-inning record: 2-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-10
Blue Jays are 7-19 in their last 26 games; over is 5-2-2 in their last nine road games. Detroit won seven of its last nine games; over is 7-4-1 in their last 12 home games.
Red Sox (39-19) @ Astros (37-22)
Price is 3-0, 2.49 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 7-4
5-inning record: 4-3-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-11
Verlander is 3-0, 0.87 in his last three starts (under 10-2). Team in his starts: 8-4.
5-inning record: 8-1-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-12
Boston is 11-5 in its last 16 games, over is 4-1-2 in their last seven games. Astros lost four of their last seven games; over is 8-4-1 in their last 13 games.
Indians (30-26) @ Twins (23-30)
Bauer is 2-0, 1.69 in his last three starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 6-5.
5-inning record: 6-2-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-11
Lynn is 2-0, 1.42 in his last two starts (over 8-2). Team in his starts: 4-6.
5-inning record: 2-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-10
Cleveland won eight of its last 11 games; over is 9-0 in their last nine games. Minnesota lost seven of its last nine games; eight of Twins’ last 12 games stayed under the total.
A’s (30-28) @ Royals (20-37)
Cahill is 0-1, 1.73 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 3-4
5-inning record: 2-2-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-7
Hammel is 2-0, 0.73 in his last two starts (under 8-2-1). Team in his starts: 3-8.
5-inning record: 4-7. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-11
Oakland is 5-6 in its last 11 games; under is 8-2 in their last ten games. Kansas City won three of its last five games; over is 5-1 in their last six home games.
Rangers (24-36) @ Angels (31-27)
Hamels is 2-1, 3.26 in his last three starts (under 7-4). Team in his starts: 3-8
5-inning record: 4-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-11
Richards is 0-3, 6.14 in his last three starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 6-5.
5-inning record: 5-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11
Rangers lost eight of their last 12 road games; over is 7-4 in their last ten games. Angels lost four of their last seven games; under is 4-1-1 in their last six home games.
Rays (28-28) @ Mariners (34-22)
Archer is 1-0, 0.48 in his last three starts; under is 5-0-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 6-6
5-inning record: 3-6-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-12
Gonzales is 2-0, 0.93 in his last three starts; his last four stayed under. Team in his starts: 7-4.
5-inning record: 6-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-11
Tampa Bay won five of its last seven games; under is 7-1 in their last eight games. Mariners won 13 of their last 17 games; under is 10-1 in their last 11 games.
Interleague
Brewers (36-22) @ White Sox (17-37)
Chacin is 1-0, 2.73 in his last five starts; under is 7-2 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 9-3
5-inning record: 5-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-12
Shields is 0-2, 3.54 in his last four starts; under is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 4-7.
5-inning record: 4-6-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11
Milwaukee is 11-4 in its last 15 games; over is 6-2 in their last eight road games. White Sox lost six of their last eight games; five of their last six games went over.
Umpires
Pitt-StL: Three of last four Kellogg games went over.
Wsh-Atl: Under is 8-1 in last nine Hamari games.
Chi-NY: Underdogs won five of last six TGibson games.
LA-Colo: Over is 6-4-1 in Lentz games this season.
Cin-SD: Over is 5-3 in last eight Barksdale games.
Phil-SF: Road team is 12-5 in last 17 Meals games.
Mia-Ariz: Underdogs won five of last six Danley games.
A’s-KC: Under is 5-2 in last seven Cederstrom games.
NY-Balt: Three of last four Winters games went over.
Clev-Min: Five of last six Carapazza games stayed under.
Tor-Det: Under is 3-1-1 in last five Fletcher games.
Bos-Hst: Four of last six Guccione games went over.
Tex-LAA: Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Bucknor games.
TB-Sea: Last three Wolf games went over the total.
Mil-Chi: Under is 7-4 in last 11 Gibson games.
Preview: Brewers at White Sox
Gracenote
Jun 2, 2018
The Chicago White Sox turned the tables on the visiting Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a three-game interleague set and look to clinch the series when the teams meet Saturday in the Windy City. The White Sox entered Friday with the worst record in the American League while the Brewers sported the top mark in the National League, but the hosts rallied for an 8-3 triumph Friday night to snap a four-game slide.
Each Chicago hitter had at least one hit and the club went 6-for-8 with runners in scoring position while improving to 2-8 in interleague play. The White Sox have also claimed 13 of their last 16 meetings with the Brewers, who left 10 runners on base Friday while blowing an early 3-0 lead. Ryan Braun went deep with a man on for his first home run since April 20 as Milwaukee dropped to 30-6 when scoring first. The Brewers stand 18-35 all-time at Guaranteed Rate Field and are in danger of losing their sixth straight series against the White Sox.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (3-1, 3.69 ERA) vs. White Sox RH James Shields (1-5, 4.54)
Chacin was charged with a season-high five earned runs in a no-decision against the New York Mets on Sunday. He allowed a total of four runs over his previous four starts while giving up just 11 hits in 23 1/3 innings. The Brewers have won nine of the 12 starts made by the 30-year-old, who won his only career start against the White Sox last year and is 6-6 in interleague play.
Shields has completed at least seven innings in three straight starts while posting a 2.53 ERA. He is 0-5 over a span of 11 outings (10 starts), despite recording six quality starts in that stretch. The 36-year-old spun seven scoreless innings while striking out nine in his one previous matchup with the Brewers in 2016.
WALK-OFFS
1. Brewers CF Lorenzo Cain is 1-for-15 over his last four games.
2. Milwaukee placed RHP Zach Davies (shoulder) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled 1B/OF Ji-Man Choi from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
3. White Sox SS Tim Anderson has 11 RBIs in a span of nine contests after recording 11 in his first 44 games.
PREDICTION: Brewers 5, White Sox 4
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Umpire Trends - Greg Gibson
White Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 games with Gibson behind home plate.
Home team is 8-1 in Gibsons last 9 interleague games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
Under is 7-1 in Gibsons last 8 interleague games behind home plate.
Home team is 6-1 in Gibsons last 7 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
White Sox are 5-1 in their last 6 interleague games with Gibson behind home plate.
Over is 5-1 in Gibsons last 6 games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
Under is 4-1 in Gibsons last 5 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
Over is 4-1 in Gibsons last 5 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
Home team is 5-2 in Gibsons last 7 games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
Road team is 9-4 in Gibsons last 13 games behind home plate.
Home team is 35-16 in Gibsons last 51 interleague games behind home plate.
Preview: Athletics at Royals
Gracenote
Jun 2, 2018
The Oakland Athletics continue to flourish on the road and can clinch another series win away from home when they continue a three-game set at the Kansas City Royals on Saturday. The Athletics hammered out 16 hits - including two home runs by Matt Olson - in a 16-0 rout to begin the series, improving to 7-1 in their last eight road games.
Rookie Dustin Fowler also homered twice and drove in four runs for Oakland, which also improved to 20-9 against teams outside of its division. Whit Merrifield had three of the Royals' eight hits as they fell to 2-2 on their six-game homestand. They'll try to bounce back behind veteran right-hander Jason Hammel, who is seeking his first victory in five tries at home this year. The Athletics, who are averaging 8.6 runs during their five-game road winning streak, counter with Trevor Cahill.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Trevor Cahill (1-2, 2.25 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jason Hammel (2-5, 5.23)
Cahill has three scoreless starts out of seven overall and was unscored upon in eight frames against Tampa Bay on Monday. Opponents are hitting .194 and have drawn only nine walks against the California native, although he is 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA on the road. Mike Moustakas has two hits and a walk in three career plate appearances against Cahill, who has a 6.86 ERA in five games (three starts) at Kauffman Stadium.
Hammel will be making his 350th career appearance and is looking to stretch his winning streak to three games. He allowed one run and struck out 16 in 12 1/3 innings during the back-to-back victories, both of which came on the road. Stephen Piscotty is 4-for-13 with a home run, a triple and a double against the 35-year-old Hammel, who is 4-2 with a 4.67 ERA in his career against Oakland.
WALK-OFFS
1. Royals OF Jon Jay went 0-for-4 in the opener to snap a 12-game hitting streak.
2. Athletics RHP Frankie Montas tossed eight scoreless innings in Friday's win as Oakland's staff reduced its ERA to 2.47 over its last 14 games.
3. Oakland reinstated SS Marcus Semien from the paternity list and optioned INF Franklin Barreto to Triple-A Nashville.
PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Royals 4
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Umpire Trends - Gary Cederstrom
Home team is 5-0 in Cederstroms last 5 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Kansas City.
Athletics are 5-0 in their last 5 Saturday games with Cederstrom behind home plate.
Home team is 5-0 in Cederstroms last 5 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Oakland.
Over is 9-1-1 in Cederstroms last 11 games behind home plate vs. Oakland.
Road team is 4-1 in Cederstroms last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1 in Cederstroms last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
Over is 4-1 in Cederstroms last 5 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Kansas City.
Home team is 54-18 in Cederstroms last 72 games behind home plate.
Under is 5-2 in Cederstroms last 7 games behind home plate.
Royals are 9-26 in their last 35 games with Cederstrom behind home plate.
Royals are 1-5 in their last 6 Saturday games with Cederstrom behind home plate.
Athletics are 0-4 in their last 4 games with Cederstrom behind home plate.
Preview: Pirates at Cardinals
Gracenote
Jun 2, 2018
It was only a little over two weeks ago that the Pittsburgh Pirates were a season-high nine games over .500 and leading the National League Central, but the losses began to pile up once the consistently good pitching performances came to a halt. With two strong efforts from their rotation over the last three games, the Pirates hope to continue rediscovering their previous form when they visit St. Louis on Saturday for the third of four contests against the Cardinals.
Pittsburgh outscored the opposition 57-29 while winning eight of nine from May 6-17 to take a one-half game lead atop its division before promptly giving up 59 runs while dropping nine of its next 11 to fall as far as 6 1/2 games off the pace. The Pirates watched Joe Musgrove toss seven strong innings in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs and Jameson Taillon did him one better Friday, holding the Cardinals to three hits across eight scoreless frames in a 4-0 triumph to even the series. St. Louis has been unable to sustain much success since a five-game winning streak to begin May, failing to win more than two games in a row while going 10-13 overall. Despite Friday's result, the Cardinals have won five of their last six and 12 of their last 15 at home against Pittsburgh.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (4-3, 3.94 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (3-5, 4.63)
Kuhl turned in his third quality start in the last four outings but remained winless over that span Monday versus the Chicago, taking the loss despite permitting one run on four hits and four walks in six frames to the Cubs. The 25-year-old Delaware native has given up one run or fewer in three of his last five turns overall but has only one win to show for it. Matt Carpenter is 3-for-10 with a pair of walks versus Kuhl, who is 1-2 with a 4.03 ERA in six starts against St. Louis.
Following a three-game stretch in which he allowed four runs across 19 innings, Weaver suffered his third straight loss after he was tagged for four runs in four frames at Milwaukee on Monday. The outing may be enough to bump the Florida State product from the rotation once Carlos Martinez returns from the disabled list - likely early next week. Weaver took the loss April 29 at Pittsburgh, yielding four runs over 5 1/3 innings to fall to 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in four appearances (three starts) versus the Pirates.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pirates OF Corey Dickerson is 11-for-23 in his last six games at Busch Stadium.
2. Carpenter went 0-for-4 on Friday, ending a seven-game hitting streak during which he had four two-hit efforts.
3. Pittsburgh has tallied eight of its 18 triples this season over the last 10 contests.
PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Cardinals 3
__________________
Umpire Trends - Jeff Kellogg
Home team is 6-1 in Kelloggs last 7 games behind home plate.
Pirates are 10-3 in their last 13 games with Kellogg behind home plate.
Home team is 5-2 in Kelloggs last 7 games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
Under is 5-2-1 in Kelloggs last 8 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Pirates are 1-5 in their last 6 Saturday games with Kellogg behind home plate.
Cardinals are 0-7 in their last 7 games with Kellogg behind home plate.
Preview: Yankees at Orioles
Gracenote
Jun 2, 2018
Masahiro Tanaka has not lost in 6 1/2 weeks and will attempt to win his fifth straight decision when the New York Yankees resume their three-game series at the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday afternoon. The Japanese right-hander will get a chance to avenge one of his two defeats this season for the Yankees, who are a season-high 19 games over .500.
Aaron Judge slammed his 16th homer as New York won its third straight and moved within a half-game of first-place Boston in the American League East with a 4-1 victory in the series opener. Catcher Austin Romine matched Gleyber Torres by collecting two hits and driving in a run to give him nine RBIs in his last six games while extending his hitting streak to 10 games. Baltimore managed just a solo home run by Manny Machado among five hits in tumbling to its sixth consectuve setback. The Orioles have scored only seven runs during their current slide and have been held to three runs or fewer in 14 of their last 16 games.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, YES (New York), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (6-2, 4.62 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (3-4, 4.31)
Tanaka improved to 4-0 over his last seven starts by limiting the Los Angeles Angels to one run on three hits while striking out eight over six innings on Sunday. It marked the first time he allowed fewer than three runs in five starts but he continues to struggle with the long ball, giving up six homers in his last four turns. Tanaka has stifled Machado and Chris Davis, who are a combined 9-for-50 against him.
Gausman has been one of the few reliable options for the Orioles but he was pelted for seven runs on six hits over a season-low 2 2/3 innings in a loss at Tampa Bay on Sunday. He has allowed 34 hits in 21 innings over his last four turns but has yielded two runs or fewer in seven of his 11 starts. Judge is 7-for-14 with three homers off Gausman, who is 7-5 with a 3.53 ERA in 23 career appearances against New York.
WALK-OFFS
1. Judge has 13 homers in 30 games versus Baltimore and has hit safely in all five games this season.
2. Orioles LHP Zach Britton (Achilles) pitched a perfect inning at Double-A Bowie on Friday night.
3. Yankees LF Brett Gardner has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games.
PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Orioles 2
__________________
Umpire Trends - Mike Winters
Over is 5-1 in Winters' last 6 games behind home plate vs. Baltimore.
Over is 14-3 in Winters' last 17 Saturday games behind home plate.
Orioles are 14-3 in their last 17 games with Winters behind home plate.
Home team is 4-1 in Winters' last 5 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Baltimore.
Home team is 4-1 in Winters' last 5 games behind home plate vs. Baltimore.
Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 games with Winters behind home plate.
Home team is 4-1 in Winters' last 5 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Road team is 7-2 in Winters' last 9 games behind home plate.
Orioles are 1-4 in their last 5 Saturday games with Winters behind home plate.
Preview: Blue Jays at Tigers
Gracenote
Jun 2, 2018
The Detroit Tigers can match their longest winning streak of the season when they go for their fourth straight victory in the second of a three-game set against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers welcomed back Miguel Cabrera to the lineup for the first time in more than four weeks in Friday night's 5-2 victory.
Cabrera's return was overshadowed by the continued torrid streak of Nicholas Castellanos, who homered in his third consecutive three-hit game as Detroit improved to 7-2 in its last nine. Castellanos has multiple hits in eight of his last 12 games, a stretch in which he is 23-for-53. Teoscar Hernandez had an RBI triple among three hits and scored a run for the skidding Blue Jays, who have dropped four in a row and 14 of their last 18. Toronto has lost eight straight games against left-handed starters -- an ominous sign as they prepare to face Tigers southpaw Matthew Boyd on Saturday.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (7-3, 3.84 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (3-4, 3.00)
Happ has raised his game since he was pounded for seven runs over 3 1/3 innings by Seattle on May 10, winning his last three trips to the mound and turning in a quality start in each. The 34-year-old struck out eight and allowed two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings to win at Philadelphia on Sunday. Castellanos (7-for-13) has tormented Happ, who is 3-1 with a 3.74 ERA in eight appearances versus Detroit.
Boyd has permitted one run or fewer in five of his 10 starts, including his last outing against the Los Angeles Angeles, when he earned the win with five scoreless innings of two-hit ball. He has not surrendered a homer in six consecutive starts and has pitched at least six innings seven times. Boyd has no answers for Kendrys Morales, who is 9-for-12 with five extra-base hits and seven RBIs against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers 3B Jeimer Candelario, elevated to the leadoff spot Friday, has reached base in 26 straight games, the longest active streak in the majors.
2. Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson (calf) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday.
3. Tigers LHP Ryan Carpenter went on the DL with a right oblique strain.
PREDICTION: Tigers 4, Blue Jays 3
__________________
Umpire Trends - Andy Fletcher
Over is 5-0 in Fletchers last 5 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Detroit.
Over is 5-1-2 in Fletchers last 8 games behind home plate.
Home team is 4-1 in Fletchers last 5 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Detroit.
Home team is 4-1 in Fletchers last 5 games behind home plate vs. Toronto.
Under is 3-1-1 in Fletchers last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
Road team is 9-3 in Fletchers last 12 games behind home plate.
Under is 5-2 in Fletchers last 7 games behind home plate vs. Detroit.
Over is 9-4-1 in Fletchers last 14 games behind home plate vs. Toronto.
Tigers are 1-5 in their last 6 games with Fletcher behind home plate.
Preview: Nationals at Braves
Gracenote
Jun 1, 2018
The Washington Nationals woke up Thursday holding a half-game lead in the National League East and rolling on a six-game winning streak, but now enter the third game of a four-game set at the Atlanta Braves on Saturday well aware that there is competition for the division. The Braves continue to buck expectations by taking the opening two games of the series, using Dansby Swanson’s three-run homer and an exceptional performance from Mike Foltynewicz to win Friday, 4-0.
Atlanta leads the division by 1 ½ games by virtue of the back-to-back wins, holding the Nationals to two runs on seven hits with three walks and 18 strikeouts so far in the series as Foltynewicz fired a two-hitter Friday in his first career complete game. The Nationals got an outstanding performance from Stephen Strasburg on Friday but Atlanta found a way as Swanson clubbed a homer to cap a four-run seventh. Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 14 games with two hits Friday, and is hitting .362 in his past 38 games. Washington shortstop Trea Turner extended his hitting streak to 13 games Friday by finishing 1-for-4, and is batting .281 during his streak.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FS South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (6-2, 2.10 ERA) vs. Braves RH Brandon McCarthy (5-2, 5.02)
Gonzalez continues to provide the steadiness he has delivered since joining the Nationals in 2012, posting a 1.290 WHIP while striking out more hitters per nine innings (8.8) than hits allowed per nine (7.7). The 32-year-old finished 3-0 in five May starts, allowing two earned runs of fewer in each outing and wrapping up the month with six hits allowed in a season-long 7 2/3 shutout innings Monday at Baltimore. Gonzalez makes his first appearance of the season against the Braves, against whom he is 5-11 with a 5.11 ERA in 21 career starts.
McCarthy is happy to put May behind him after posting a 7.46 ERA in going 1-2 in five starts, allowing five or more runs in three of those outings. The 34-year-old escaped with a no-decision in the second game of a doubleheader Monday against the Mets despite surrendering five runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. McCarthy, who had given up just two runs in his previous two starts after allowing 14 runs across his first two starts of May, gave up one run on four hits in five innings on April 11 in his only appearance this season against the Nationals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington RF Bryce Harper finished with one hit, a single, and enters Saturday having homered in three of his past six games.
2. Atlanta RF Nick Markakis scored his 1,000th career run Friday and is hitting .332 on the season.
3. The Braves are 24-13 against NL East teams and are 28-10 when hitting at least one homer.
PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Braves 4
__________________
Umpire Trends - Adam Hamari
Road team is 4-1 in Hamaris last 5 games behind home plate vs. Atlanta.
Home team is 5-2 in Hamaris last 7 Saturday games behind home plate.
Under is 20-8-1 in Hamaris last 29 games behind home plate.
Braves are 5-2 in their last 7 games with Hamari behind home plate.
Preview: Indians at Twins
Gracenote
Jun 2, 2018
Eduardo Escobar has followed a cold stretch with a red-hot three games, and the infielder hopes to extend that when the Minnesota Twins host the Cleveland Indians on Saturday in the third of four contests between the American League Central rivals. Escobar is 6-for-12 over his last three outings with three homers, including a pair in Friday’s 7-4 victory that ended Minnesota’s three-game slide, after a 2-for-29 slump.
Escobar boasts seven RBIs in the hot stretch and slugger Miguel Sano has knocked in 10 over the last five contests while Eddie Rosario continues to shine for the Twins, going 13-for-31 during his seven-game hitting streak. Lance Lynn goes after his third straight victory when he takes the mound for Minnesota on Saturday and the Indians will counter with Trevor Bauer, who sits inside the top 10 of AL in ERA (2.61). Cleveland saw its season-high, six-game winning streak come to an end Friday as it gave up three runs in the first inning and could never recover. Edwin Encarnacion takes an eight-game hitting streak into the third contest of the series for the Indians after launching his fourth homer and pushing his RBI total to 11 during that span Friday night.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Trevor Bauer (4-3, 2.61 ERA) vs. Twins RH Lance Lynn (3-4, 5.94)
Bauer struck out a season-high 13 over 7 1/3 innings Sunday in a no-decision against Houston as the Indians rallied for a 10-9 victory. The 27-year-old UCLA product, who has 86 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings overall in 2018, defeated Detroit and the Chicago Cubs in his previous two starts while yielding 11 hits in 14 scoreless frames. Rosario is 11-for-29 with a homer versus Bauer, who is 4-6 with a 4.85 ERA in 16 career appearances (15 starts) against Minnesota.
Lynn is beginning to recover from a rough start, winning his last two turns while permitting just two runs on 11 hits and four walks over 12 2/3 innings combined. The 31-year-old Ole Miss product managed only one victory in his first eight starts with the Twins, completing more than five innings twice in that stretch. Jason Kipnis is 1-for-2 with a double and a walk versus Lynn, who pitched six scoreless innings against Cleveland in their only meeting for a win in 2015.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland CF Greg Allen, who doubled and tripled Friday, is 11-for-27 during his seven-game hitting streak.
2. Minnesota RHP Fernando Rodney notched his 312th career save Friday to pass Tom Henke for 22nd in major-league history.
3. Indians LF Michael Brantley has gone 0-for-3 in each of the last two contests after stringing together a 19-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Indians 6, Twins 3
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Umpire Trends - Victor Carapazza
Under is 7-1 in Carapazzas last 8 Saturday games behind home plate.
Under is 7-1 in Carapazzas last 8 games behind home plate vs. Cleveland.
Indians are 6-2 in their last 8 games with Carapazza behind home plate.
Under is 19-7-1 in Carapazzas last 27 games behind home plate.
Preview: Red Sox at Astros
Gracenote
Jun 2, 2018
A pair of former American League Cy Young winners will face off when the Houston Astros host the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night in a battle of division leaders. Houston’s Justin Verlander, who leads the majors in ERA (1.11) for the AL West’s top dogs, will take the mound in the third of a four-game series, while Boston counters with veteran left-hander David Price as he goes for his fourth straight win.
Verlander will try to clinch a series victory for the Astros, who took the first two after Friday’s 7-3 triumph as star shortstop Carlos Correa homered for the second straight night to improve his batting average to .418 in his career against the Red Sox. Houston won’t have to face the majors' top hitter in this series as All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts (left abdominal strain) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday, retroactive to May 29. Boston received back-to-back homers Friday from Mitch Moreland and J.D. Martinez, who has gone deep four times with seven RBIs in his last seven contests. Jackie Bradley Jr. takes a seven-game hitting streak into Saturday’s contest for the AL East-leading Red Sox, going 8-for-22 during the stretch, and needs one double to reach 100 in his career.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH David Price (5-4, 4.04 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (7-2, 1.11)
Price is unbeaten in his last four starts, giving up a total of seven runs on 17 hits and 10 walks across 25 1/3 innings. The 32-year-old Vanderbilt product was 2-4 with a 5.11 ERA through his first seven outings of 2018 but allowed opponents a .217 batting average in May. Jose Altuve is 7-for-19 against Price, who is 5-2 with a 2.79 ERA in 10 career appearances (eight starts) versus the Astros.
Verlander has permitted one or fewer earned runs in six straight starts and nine of 10, including Monday when he held the New York Yankees to one run over 6 2/3 innings. The 35-year-old Virginia native has struck out 98 and walked just 15 across 81 1/3 innings - second in the majors through Thursday - while surrendering only five homers. Moreland is 10-for-29 with six doubles and six RBIs against Verlander, who is 5-5 with a 2.88 ERA in 17 career starts versus the Red Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. Houston C Evan Gattis has recorded four of eight homers and nine of 26 RBIs this season in his last five contests.
2. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia (knee) missed his second straight game Friday and is questionable for Saturday.
3. Astros 1B Yuli Gurriel is 12-for-35 during an eight-game hitting streak after going 2-for-3 and knocking in a pair of runs Friday.
PREDICTION: Astros 4, Red Sox 2
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Umpire Trends - Chris Guccione
Under is 6-0-1 in Gucciones last 7 games behind home plate vs. Boston.
Astros are 7-1 in their last 8 games with Guccione behind home plate.
Red Sox are 6-1 in their last 7 Saturday games with Guccione behind home plate.
Over is 4-1 in Gucciones last 5 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Boston.
Home team is 11-4 in Gucciones last 15 games behind home plate vs. Boston.
Red Sox are 2-5 in their last 7 games with Guccione behind home plate.
Astros are 0-5 in their last 5 Saturday games with Guccione behind home plate.
Preview: Cubs at Mets
Gracenote
Jun 2, 2018
A red-hot start provided a big cushion between the New York Mets and the .500 mark, but it’s all gone. The Mets are below the break-even mark for the first time all season and have dropped nine of their last 12 heading into the third of a four-game series against the visiting Chicago Cubs on Saturday.
New York’s bullpen has been a disaster of late, as the Mets have allowed 31 runs in the seventh inning or later over their past nine contests - seven losses. That included five runs in Friday’s 7-4 defeat, when Zack Wheeler left with two runners on and a 2-0 lead but the bullpen couldn’t hold on. The Cubs have won five of their last six overall and six of seven on the road. They have 76 hits over their past six contests, including 24 for extra bases.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Mike Montgomery (1-1, 4.35 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (4-0, 1.52)
Montgomery allowed two hits and struck out five over 5 2/3 scoreless innings to beat Pittsburgh in his first start of the season on Monday. The 28-year-old Californian had yielded six runs across 2 1/3 innings in his previous appearance out of the bullpen against Cleveland. Asdrubal Cabrera is 1-for-1 versus Montgomery, who is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two career games (one start) against the Mets.
DeGrom has not received a decision in his last two trips to the mound despite permitting one run on nine hits and five walks over 14 innings with 16 strikeouts. The 29-year-old Floridian has surrendered one run or fewer in seven consecutive outings and eight of 11 this year overall. Kris Bryant is 3-for-7 with two homers against deGrom, who is 2-2 with a 3.99 ERA in five career contests versus the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York RF Jay Bruce left Friday’s game after the fourth inning with lower back discomfort.
2. Cubs OF Ben Zobrist is 8-for-15 with three doubles, two homers, and five RBIs over the past four contests - including back-to-back three-hit games.
3. Mets OF Brandon Nimmo homered for the second straight game Friday and has 11 extra-base hits along with nine RBIs over his past 11 games.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Mets 2
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Umpire Trends - Tripp Gibson III
Home team is 8-1 in Gibson IIIs last 9 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
Over is 6-1 in Gibson IIIs last 7 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Under is 6-1 in Gibson IIIs last 7 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
Road team is 14-3 in Gibson IIIs last 17 games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1 in Gibson IIIs last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
Home team is 7-2 in Gibson IIIs last 9 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Home team is 14-6 in Gibson IIIs last 20 Saturday games behind home plate.
Preview: Dodgers at Rockies
Gracenote
Jun 2, 2018
With Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw landing on the disabled list for the second time this season, Walker Buehler quickly has assumed a major role in the team’s injury-plagued rotation. The star rookie takes the mound again Saturday as the Dodgers continue their three-game road series against the National League West-leading Colorado Rockies.
The Dodgers won for the 11th time in 15 games on Friday as Matt Kemp, Chris Taylor and Yasiel Puig each homered en route to an 11-8 victory. Puig collected four hits and Taylor recorded four RBIs for Los Angeles, which will be without Kershaw for the next 4-5 weeks as the three-time Cy Young Award winner went down Thursday with a lower back strain. Colorado fell to 4-3 on its nine-game homestand despite another strong performance from Nolan Arenado, who belted his 12th home run and is 9-for-26 with four blasts and nine RBIs over his last seven games. DJ LeMahieu returned from the disabled list and tied a career high with four hits in his first game since May 14.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (3-1, 2.20 ERA) vs. Rockies RH German Marquez (4-5, 4.21)
Buehler has been as good as advertised, allowing fewer than three earned runs in six of his seven starts while recording 48 strikeouts over 41 innings. The 23-year-old earned the victory against San Diego on Sunday, allowing one run and four hits with eight strikeouts over seven frames. Buehler was equally dominant in his previous start against Colorado on May 21, when he gave up one run and two hits in seven innings.
Marquez won his second straight start on Sunday against Cincinnati, allowing one run and five hits with six strikeouts in an 8-2 victory. The 23-year-old Venezuelan has posted a 2.06 ERA in six road turns compared to a 7.54 mark in five outings at Coors Field. Cody Bellinger is 1-for-9 against Marquez, who produced a 3.34 ERA in five starts last month and has gone 1-0 with a 3.18 mark in three career outings against the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers recalled RHP Brock Stewart from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill Kershaw’s roster spot.
2. Colorado placed OF David Dahl on the disabled list with a broken right foot.
3. Kemp leads all active players with 43 home runs, 196 hits, 43 doubles, 111 runs scored and 145 RBIs against the Rockies.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 8, Rockies 5
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Umpire Trends - Nic Lentz
Road team is 4-0 in Lentzs last 4 Saturday games behind home plate.
Road team is 11-5 in Lentzs last 16 games behind home plate.
Rockies are 0-4 in their last 4 games with Lentz behind home plate.
Preview: Reds at Padres
Gracenote
Jun 2, 2018
The Cincinnati Reds have racked up seven runs in each of their last two outings and look to stretch their winning streak to three games when they visit the San Diego Padres on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Jose Peraza went 3-for-4 with three RBIs as Cincinnati posted a 7-2 victory in Friday's series opener.
Peraza has recorded four consecutive multi-hit performances and has gone 10-for-21 during a five-game hitting streak to raise his batting average to .265. Joey Votto drew three walks but was hitless in two at-bats to halt a six-game hitting streak in which he went 11-for-25. San Diego failed to win a fourth straight game for the first time all season but received a two-run triple from Freddy Galvis with two outs in the ninth inning to avoid being shut out. Eric Hosmer was hitless in four at-bats after going 8-for-11 over his previous three games.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Matt Harvey (1-3, 5.63 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Lauer (1-3, 7.67)
Harvey is 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA in four starts since being acquired from the New York Mets. The 29-year-old served up two homers while allowing four runs and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings in a loss to Colorado in his last turn. Harvey is 3-1 with a 3.48 ERA in seven career appearances (five starts) against the Padres and has struggled with Hosmer (4-for-4).
Lauer was roughed up by Miami for five runs and seven hits in his last turn, when he pitched just 2 1/3 innings for the second time in his seven major-league starts. Lauer, who turns 23 on Sunday, has allowed five or more runs three times and sports a porous 2.08 WHIP along with an opponents' batting average of .359. Lauer has struggled at pitcher-friendly Petco Park, giving up 11 runs and 14 hits - including four homers - in 4 2/3 innings over two starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Reds C Tucker Barnhart recorded two RBIs in the series opener following a 12-game drought.
2. San Diego INF Corey Spangenberg struck out three times in four hitless at-bats on Friday and is 5-for-36 with 14 strikeouts over his last 15 contests.
3. Cincinnati 3B Eugenio Suarez is 9-for-16 with a homer, three RBIs and six runs scored over his last four games.
PREDICTION: Padres 5, Reds 4
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Umpire Trends - Lance Barksdale
Under is 2-0-2 in Barksdales last 4 Saturday games behind home plate.
Home team is 6-1 in Barksdales last 7 games behind home plate vs. San Diego.
Padres are 4-1 in their last 5 games with Barksdale behind home plate.
Home team is 43-16 in Barksdales last 59 Saturday games behind home plate.
Under is 40-18-6 in Barksdales last 64 games behind home plate.
Preview: Rangers at Angels
Gracenote
Jun 2, 2018
The Los Angeles Angels appear to have put their troubles at home behind them as they enter the middle contest of their three-game set against the visiting Texas Rangers on Saturday. Los Angeles dropped five in a row at Angel Stadium before winning its last two, including Friday's series-opening 6-0 triumph.
Ian Kinsler continued swinging a hot bat by belting a two-run homer and Albert Pujols also launched a two-run shot for the Angels, who returned home from a 4-6 road trip to see every member of the lineup record a hit. Kinsler is riding a five-game hitting streak during which he has gone 10-for-19 with three doubles, two homers and five RBIs. Texas fell to 2-3 on its seven-game road trip, scoring a total of two runs in the losses and 16 in the victories. Adrian Beltre was rested Friday after going 2-for-4 a day earlier in his return from a stint on the disabled list due to a strained left hamstring but figures to be in the lineup Saturday.
TV: 9:07 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Cole Hamels (3-5, 3.74 ERA) vs. Angels RH Garrett Richards (4-4, 3.67)
Hamels was unable to notch his third straight victory Sunday as he surrendered five runs on eight hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings of a loss to Kansas City. The 34-year-old from San Diego gave up a total of five runs over his previous four turns, and registered a season-low two strikeouts in the setback. Hamels has pitched well against the Angels in his career, going 4-2 with one complete game and a 2.82 ERA in 10 starts.
Richards' losing streak reached three starts on Sunday, when he yielded three runs on three hits and five walks in 2 1/3 innings against the Yankees in New York. The 30-year-old, who hails from Riverside, has posted a 2.51 ERA during his slide and a 2.39 mark over his last five turns overall. Richards is 9-4 with a 3.11 ERA in 18 starts and four relief appearances against Texas in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels 2B Zack Cozart (forearm) missed his third consecutive game Friday and is slated to undergo an MRI exam.
2. Texas RHP Tim Lincecum (finger) allowed an unearned run over two innings for Triple-A Round Rock in the latest outing of his rehab assignment, which expires on Tuesday.
3. Los Angeles optioned Akeel Morris to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday and activated fellow RHP Oliver Drake, who was claimed off waivers from Cleveland a day earlier.
PREDICTION: Rangers 6, Angels 3
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Umpire Trends - CB Bucknor
Home team is 5-0 in Bucknors last 5 games behind home plate.
Angels are 5-0 in their last 5 Saturday games with Bucknor behind home plate.
Under is 5-0-2 in Bucknors last 7 games behind home plate vs. Los Angeles.
Rangers are 4-0 in their last 4 Saturday games with Bucknor behind home plate.
Rangers are 6-1 in their last 7 games with Bucknor behind home plate.
Road team is 5-1 in Bucknors last 6 games behind home plate vs. Texas.
Under is 4-1-1 in Bucknors last 6 Saturday games behind home plate.
Over is 4-1-1 in Bucknors last 6 games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1-2 in Bucknors last 7 games behind home plate vs. Texas.
Angels are 25-10 in their last 35 games with Bucknor behind home plate.
Preview: Phillies at Giants
Gracenote
Jun 2, 2018
Joe Panik is back at the top of the batting order for the San Francisco Giants, who continue their three-game series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. On the disabled list since April 28 due to a torn ligament in his left thumb, Panik made an immediate impact in his return Friday by reaching base four times in the Giants’ 4-0 victory.
The Giants also activated reliever Mark Melancon (forearm) from the DL before Friday’s contest, but the former closer wasn’t needed as Tony Watson, Sam Dyson and Hunter Strickland each tossed one scoreless inning to secure the win. The Giants have posted back-to-back wins after losing six of seven and plan to have former Phillie Hunter Pence (right thumb sprain) available Saturday for the first time since April 19. Philadelphia has dropped four of its last six games and struck out 13 times in Friday’s loss. Carlos Santana bounced back from a dismal April by recording 22 RBIs last month but is 0-for-8 with three strikeouts in his last two games.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Philadelphia Plus, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (4-5, 4.08 ERA) vs. Giants LH Andrew Suarez (1-4, 5.65)
Velasquez closed out a stellar month by allowing two runs and three hits over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. The 25-year-old Californian posted a 3-1 record and 2.30 ERA with 36 strikeouts over 27 1/3 frames in five starts last month. Velasquez made his second career start against San Francisco on May 10 and allowed three runs with 12 strikeouts over six innings in a 6-3 victory.
Suarez’s winless streak reached four games Monday, when he came away with a no-decision after giving up four runs - three earned - in five innings against Colorado. The 25-year-old rookie likely needs a strong outing to maintain his rotation spot after allowing a total of 19 runs - 17 earned - over 19 frames in his last four starts. Suarez owns a 4.91 ERA in three home turns compared to a 6.38 mark in four outings away from AT&T Park.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants optioned INF Kelby Tomlinson to Triple-A Sacramento in order to make room for Panik.
2. Phillies OF Rhys Hoskins (broken jaw) could return from the disabled list as soon as June 9.
3. San Francisco 1B Brandon Belt is listed as day-to-day after leaving Friday’s game in the third inning due to a stomach illness.
PREDICTION: Phillies 7, Giants 3
__________________
Umpire Trends - Jerry Meals
Under is 8-1 in Meals' last 9 Saturday games behind home plate.
Over is 5-1 in Meals' last 6 games behind home plate vs. San Francisco.
Over is 21-7-2 in Meals' last 30 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
Home team is 9-3 in Meals' last 12 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
Phillies are 22-8 in their last 30 games with Meals behind home plate.
Road team is 5-2 in Meals' last 7 games behind home plate.
Giants are 2-5 in their last 7 Saturday games with Meals behind home plate.