MLB Betting News and Trends For Saturday 6/30/18

National League
Nationals (42-38) @ Phillies (43-37)
Hellickson is 2-0, 2.02 in his last five starts (under 7-2). Team in his starts: 6-3
5-inning record: 5-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-9

Velasquez is 1-1, 3.79 in his last three starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 6-10.
5-inning record: 7-8-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-16

Washington lost five of its last seven games; over is 5-3 in their last eight road games. Phillies lost four of last six games; five of their last six home games stayed under.

Mets (32-47) @ Marlins (33-50)
deGrom is 1-3, 2.79 in his last four starts; under is 9-3 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 6-10.
5-inning record: 9-3-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-16

Lopez is making his MLB start; he was 1-1, 3.38 in four AAA starts, 1-2, 0.62 in eight AA starts. Team in his starts: 0-0.
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Mets lost nine of their last ten games; over is 8-3 in their last 11 games. Marlins lost their last four games; under is 3-1-1 in their last five games.

Brewers (48-33) @ Reds (34-48)
Chacin is 2-2, 5.09 in his last four starts; under is 10-4 in his last 14. Team in his starts: 12-5
5-inning record: 8-6-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-17

Mahle is 3-0, 2.63 in his last five starts; under is 6-3-1 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 9-7
5-inning record: 4-11-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-16

Brewers are 6-7 in last 13 road games; under is 7-4 in their last 11 road games. Reds won nine of their last 12 games; over is 11-2-2 in their last 15 home games.

Braves (46-34) @ Cardinals (42-38)
Fried allowed two runs in five IP (81 PT) in his first ’18 start; he is 2-4, 4.29 in nine AAA starts. Team in his starts: 1-0
5-inning record: 0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-1

Weaver is 1-1, 5.19 in his last five starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 8-8
5-inning record: 8-7-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-16

Braves lost five of last eight games; over is 7-2 in their last nine games. St Louis won four of its last six games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 home games.

Giants (43-40) @ Diamondbacks (47-35)
Rodriguez is 1-0, 2.89 in his last three starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 2-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Miller allowed five runs in 3.2 IP (85 PT) in his first ’18 start. Team in his starts: 0-1
5-inning record: 0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-1

Giants won eight of their last ten games; under is 4-1 in their last five games. Arizona won seven of its last nine games; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight games.

Pirates (39-42) @ Padres (36-48)
Williams is 1-1, 2.08 in his last two starts (under 9-6-1). Team in his starts: 8-8
5-inning record: 5-7-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-16

Lucchesi is 0-3, 4.79 in his last five starts; his last three went over. Team in his starts: 4-7
5-inning record: 4-3-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11

Pirates lost six of their last nine games; over is 6-1 in their last seven road games. San Diego lost nine of its last 11 games; over is 10-3 in Padres’ last 13 home games.

Rockies (40-42) @ Dodgers (43-38)
Marquez is 1-3, 9.78 in his last four starts; his last five went over. Team in his starts: 6-9
5-inning record: 6-8-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 11-15 (4 of last 4)

Maeda is 3-1, 1.97 in his last six starts (under 6-0). Team in his starts: 7-6
5-inning record: 5-5-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-13

Colorado lost seven of its last 11 road games; over is 10-4 in their last 14 road games. Dodgers are 7-4 in last 11 home games; over is 5-2 in their last seven games.

American League
Angels (42-41) @ Orioles (23-58)
Skaggs is 3-1, 1.33 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 8-7
5-inning record: 8-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-15

Cashner is 0-3, 4.67 in his last five starts; his last eight starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 4-11
5-inning record: 4-9-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-15

Angels lost seven of their last eight games; under is 6-2-1 in their last nine games. Orioles lost their last six games; under is 6-2-1 in their last nine home games.

Red Sox (55-28) @ New York (53-26)
Sale is 2-0, 1.35 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 9-8.
5-inning record: 9-4-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-17

Gray is 1-1, 5.40 in his last three starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 7-8
5-inning record: 6-6-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-15

Boston won six of its last eight games; over is 9-5-1 in their last 15 road games. You’re reading armadillosports.com. New York won seven of its last eight home games; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight games.

Tigers (36-47) @ Blue Jays (38-43)
Boyd is 0-2, 9.75 in his last three starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 8-7
5-inning record: 3-9-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-15

Gaviglio is 0-1, 6.46 in his last three starts (over 5-1-1). Team in his starts: 3-4
5-inning record: 3-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7

Detroit lost its last ten games; under is 4-1 in their last five games. Blue Jays won nine of its last ten home games; over is 5-2 in their last seven home games.

Astros (55-29) @ Rays (40-41)
Verlander is 1-1, 3.48 in his last three starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 10-7.
5-inning record: 11-2-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-17

Andriese is 0-0, 3.86 in three starts (9.1 total IP, over 2-1). Team in his starts: 2-1
5-inning record: 3-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Houston is 18-4 in its last 22 games; under is 8-2 in their last ten games. Rays won six of their last seven games; under is 7-2 in their last nine home games.

White Sox (28-53) @ Rangers (37-46)
Rodon is 1-2, 4.44 in four starts (under 2-1-1). Team in his starts: 1-3
5-inning record: 1-2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4

Colon is 2-3, 7.77 in his last five starts; under is 7-2-1 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 7-7
5-inning record: 1-14 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-6-3

White Sox are 4-3 in their last seven games; over is 7-2 in their last nine games. Texas won 10 of its last 12 games; under is 6-4 in their last ten games.

Indians (44-36) @ A’s (45-38)
Plutko is 4-1, 4.66 in five starts (over 3-2). Indians scored 35 runs in his four wins. Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Jackson allowed one run in six IP (80 PT) in his first ’18 start. Team in his starts: 1-0
5-inning record: 0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Cleveland won eight of its last 11 games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 road games. A’s won 11 of their last 13 games; five of Oakland’s last six home games went over total.

Royals (25-56) @ Mariners (52-31)
Hammel is 0-4, 7.83 in his last four start; under is 6-1-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 4-12
5-inning record: 5-9-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-16

Hernandez is 1-1, 3.50 in his last three starts; over is 7-4 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 9-8
5-inning record: 8-8-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-17

Royals are 4-19 in their last 23 games; under is 8-2 in their last ten games. Seattle won its last five games; under is 6-1 in their last seven games.

Interleague
Twins (35-43) @ Cubs (45-35)
Mejia is making his first ’18 start; he is 4-7, 4.57 in 21 MLB starts, and is 4-2, 2.74 in nine AAA starts this year. Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Chatwood is 0-1, 4.37 in his last five starts; his last three stayed under. Team in his starts: 6-8
5-inning record: 7-6-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-14

Minnesota lost six of its last eight games; under is 3-2 in their last five road games. You’re reading armadillosports.com. Cubs lost six of their last nine games; under is 11-3 in their last 14 games at Wrigley Field.

Umpires
NY-Mia: Under is 8-5 in last 13 Cooper games.
Mil-Cin: Under is 7-3 in last ten Fairchild games.
Wsh-Phil: Favorites won six of last seven Woodring games.
Atl-StL: Four of last five Segal games stayed under.
Col-LA: Five of last six Little games stayed under.
SF-Az: Under is 8-1-1 in last ten Whitson games.
Pitt-SD: Six of last eight Miller games stayed under.

Det-Tor: Over is 3-1-1 in last five Davis games.
Clev-A’s: Under is 10-4 in last 14 Randazzo games.
LAA-Balt: Under is 8-4 in Cuzzi games this season; dogs won six of his last eight.
Hst-TB: Underdogs won seven of last ten Baker games.
Bos-NY: Five of last six O’Nora games went over total.
Chi-Tex: Under is 5-2-1 in last eight West games.
KC-Sea: Over is 9-5 in Tumpane games this season.

Minn-Chi: Under is 8-2 in last ten Wendelstedt games.

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Preview: Tigers at Blue Jays
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

The Toronto Blue Jays are well out of contention in the American League at the midway point of the season, but they have managed to regain their mojo at the Rogers Centre. Toronto has won nine of its last 10 at home and looks to keep the momentum going in its four-game series against the fumbling Detroit Tigers on Saturday afternoon.

Justin Smoak ended a 20-game homerless drought with a two-run blast to put the Blue Jays ahead to stay in Friday's 3-2 victory. Toronto designated hitter Kendrys Morales has one hit in his last 11 at-bats, but he is 9-for-15 with a homer and seven RBIs against Tigers left-hander Matthew Boyd, who will oppose Toronto right-hander Sam Gaviglio. Detroit was within a game of .500 on June 17 after winning five it a row, but it has lost 10 straight - matching the team's longest skid since September 2003. Jeimer Candelario has two homers and four RBIs in four games against the Blue Jays this season after clubbing a solo shot Friday.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, TVA, Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (4-6, 4.15 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Sam Gaviglio (2-2, 3.98)

Boyd lost his second straight abbreviated start on Sunday at Cleveland, lasting only three innings while giving up six runs and eight hits. He also labored in his previous turn at Cincinnati, surrendering a grand slam among six hits and allowing five runs in four innings. Boyd did not factor in the decision versus Toronto on June 2, giving up four runs and two homers over a season high-tying seven innings.

Gaviglio's winless drought reached five starts last time out after he gave up three runs and five hits over 4 2/3 innings of a no-decision at the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. It marked the third consecutive start that he failed to get through five innings, a stretch in which he's allowed 11 runs and 18 hits across 12 innings. Gaviglio pitched five innings of two-run ball in his lone start versus Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers DH Victor Martinez was 2-for-4 Friday but has gone 11 games without an RBI or extra-base hit.

2. Blue Jays RF Randal Grichuk is 6-for-17 during a four-game hitting streak.

3. The Tigers have scored two runs or fewer in six of their last eight games.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Blue Jays 4
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Preview: Twins at Cubs
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

The boom-or-bust nature of the Chicago Cubs’ offense persists, and at this moment their bats are booming. The Cubs have hit double digits on the scoreboard in consecutive games - giving them a major league-best 12 this year - and they'll try to stay hot in the second of a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Saturday.

Addison Russell’s grand slam in the fifth inning gave the Cubs the lead for good in a 10-6 victory in the series opener, while Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, and Kyle Schwarber also went deep. It was Chicago’s 22nd comeback victory - tied with Philadelphia for the most in the majors. Minnesota has lost six of its last eight overall and 12 of 17 on the road, and the Twins are turning to young left-hander Adalberto Mejia to take on the unenviable task of trying to slow down the Cubs’ potent lineup. The Cubs were hoping to have star right-hander Yu Darvish back in the rotation Saturday, but he will receive a cortisone shot for a right elbow impingement and inflammation and will not be able to resume throwing for three to five days, so Tyler Chatwood takes his turn in the rotation.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS North (Minnesota), ABC 7 (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Adalberto Mejia (2017: 4-7, 4.50 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (3-5, 3.95)

Mejia will be called up from Triple-A Rochester to make his first big-league appearance of the season. The 25-year-old made 21 starts for the Twins a year ago and held his own, pitching at least five innings and allowing three or fewer runs 10 times. Mejia has pitched well at Triple-A this season, going 4-2 with a 2.74 ERA in 11 games (nine starts).

After missing his last start to attend the birth of his first child, Chatwood returns to the rotation for his first outing since June 19. The 28-year-old is winless in seven starts since May 11, and he hasn’t posted a quality start since April 29 - largely because his control problems have prevented him from pitching deep into games. Chatwood has issued 63 walks over 68 1/3 innings and has handed out at least five free passes in nine of his 14 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Russell is the first Cubs player with at least four RBIs in consecutive games since Zobrist from May 5-6, 2016.

2. Twins 1B/DH Joe Mauer is 9-for-18 with two homers and nine RBIs in four career games at Wrigley Field.

3. Schwarber has homered in three consecutive home games.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Twins 5
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Preview: Angels at Orioles
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

Former MVP Mike Trout helped his team snap a demoralizing six-game losing streak in the series opener, and the Los Angeles Angels look to build off that effort when they visit the major league-worst Baltimore Orioles on Saturday afternoon. Trout, who returned to center field Friday after being relegated to designated hitter duties by a sprained finger for more than a week, homered and scored twice in the 7-1 victory for the Angels.

Trout was just 6-for-28 during his nine-game stretch as the DH but went deep Friday for the first time since June 12 to spark Los Angeles (42-41), which was limited to two runs or fewer four times during its slide that ended at the .500 mark. Red-hot lefty Tyler Skaggs will try to give the Angels two straight victories when he takes the mound in the middle contest of the three-game set, while Baltimore counters with veteran right-hander Andrew Cashner. The Orioles, winners of just 23 of 81 games, have dropped six in a row and scored three runs or fewer five times during that stretch. Manny Machado had a pair of singles in the series opener for Baltimore - his team-leading 27th multi-hit game - while Trey Mancini registered three hits and is 7-for-16 while hitting safely in four straight contests.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (6-5, 2.69 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (2-8, 4.70)

Skaggs has been outstanding in each of his last four starts, including Monday when he gave up one run over seven innings despite taking the loss at Kansas City. The 26-year-old, who owns 94 strikeouts across 87 innings, won his previous three starts while yielding a total of three runs (one earned) on 16 hits over 20 innings combined. Danny Valencia is 0-for-3 with two walks against Skaggs, who pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his only previous meeting with the Orioles in 2014.

Cashner has posted three quality starts in his last four outings but is winless over his past five trips to the mound. The 31-year-old TCU product, who has served up 14 homers in 15 starts, has allowed nine runs on 25 hits and seven walks over 22 innings in his past four appearances. Andrelton Simmons (4-for-10) and Luis Valbuena (3-for-8, homer, five RBIs) have performed well versus Cashner, who is 1-0 with a 3.94 ERA in five career outings (two starts) against the Angels.

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles DH/OF Mark Trumbo went 0-for-4 on Friday to end a 12-game hitting streak in which he had five homers and 12 RBIs.

2. Simmons had four hits in the series opener and is 13-for-29 with three RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.

3. Baltimore recalled RHP Ryan Meisinger and LHP Paul Fry and both made their major-league debuts on Friday.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Orioles 3
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Preview: Indians at Athletics
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

The Oakland Athletics attempt to extend their season-high winning streak to six games when they host the Cleveland Indians on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. After sweeping a four-game set in Detroit, the Athletics began their five-game homestand Friday with a 3-1 triumph over Cleveland.

Jed Lowrie belted his 14th homer of the season while Khris Davis and Marcus Semien each recorded two hits and an RBI for Oakland, which moved a season-best seven games over .500. Lowrie is 10-for-21 with three home runs and six RBIs during his five-game hitting streak and is two homers shy of matching the career mark he set in 2012 with Houston. Cleveland managed only six hits on Friday as it fell to 1-3 during its nine-game road trip. Francisco Lindor, who went 2-for-4 and drove in the Indians' lone run with a double in the eighth inning, has registered 10 multi-hit efforts this month.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Adam Plutko (4-1, 4.65 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Edwin Jackson (0-0, 1.50)

Plutko is coming off a victory over Detroit on Sunday in which he gave up two runs and six hits over six innings. The 26-year-old Californian did not allow a home run in the triumph after serving up a total of seven in his first four starts of the season - and his career. Plutko, who never has faced Oakland, has held right-handed hitters to a .197 batting average while lefties are hitting .322 against him.

Jackson made his first start for his 13th major-league team on Monday and was superb but came away without a decision in Detroit. The German-born 34-year-old worked six strong innings, allowing one run and six hits while registering seven strikeouts without issuing a walk. Jackson has had Cleveland's number over his career as he is 9-1 with a 2.76 ERA in 13 starts and two relief appearances against the Indians.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Athletics are 15-4 against the American League Central this year.

2. Oakland 3B Matt Chapman (thumb) hit off a tee on Friday and will take batting practice on Sunday, which could lead to his return from the disabled list next week.

3. Cleveland RHP Carlos Carrasco (elbow) will make what could be his final rehab appearance Saturday for Double-A Akron.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Athletics 3
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Preview: Brewers at Reds
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

The Milwaukee Brewers attempt to defeat the Cincinnati Reds for the eighth consecutive time when they visit their National League Central rivals on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series. Cincinnati won the season's first matchup, but the Brewers have won the rest - including Friday's 8-2 triumph.

Keon Broxton drove in four runs while going deep twice for his third career multi-homer performance and Milwaukee scored five runs in the ninth inning to turn a close game into a blowout. Ryan Braun departed the contest with lower back stiffness and isn't expected to be available on Saturday. The Reds have allowed 14 runs while losing the first two games of the series and have been outscored 34-18 during their seven-game skid against Milwaukee. Joey Votto recorded a single on Friday for his lone hit in 12 at-bats over his last four contests.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (6-3, 3.82 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tyler Mahle (6-6, 3.98)

Chacin was roughed up for eight runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings of a loss to St. Louis in his last turn. The 30-year-old has dropped back-to-back outings after winning his previous three starts, as well as six straight decisions. Chacin gave up four runs and five hits over 4 1/3 frames in a no-decision against the Reds on April 30 and is 2-3 with a 4.08 ERA in nine career appearances (seven starts) versus Cincinnati.

Mahle has gone 3-0 over his last six starts, allowing two runs in four of the outings. The 23-year-old did not factor in the decision against Atlanta in his last turn after giving up three runs and five hits over five innings. Mahle lost to the Brewers on April 18, when he gave up two runs and seven hits over five innings - with the runs coming on a homer by Eric Thames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers CF Christian Yelich (back) is expected to miss his second straight game on Saturday.

2. Cincinnati 2B Scooter Gennett is hitless in eight at-bats in the series to drop his NL-best batting average to .327.

3. Milwaukee 1B Jesus Aguilar is 8-for-15 with three homers over his last four games and is batting .329 with 10 blasts and 24 RBIs this month.

PREDICTION: Brewers 7, Reds 4
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Preview: Mets at Marlins
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

Jacob deGrom has not allowed at least three runs in consecutive starts since mid-April, a streak he hopes to keep intact when the New York Mets continue their three-game series at the Miami Marlins on Saturday afternoon. DeGrom initially was scheduled to start the series opener but was pushed back one day to deal with some family issues.

The slumping Mets have done little to help deGrom, who is 1-3 in his last seven outings - all quality starts - despite giving up a total of nine earned runs in that span. New York edged closer to the National League East basement with an 8-2 drubbing at the hands of the last-place Marlins - its ninth loss in 10 games. JT Riddle belted a three-run homer and Lewis Brinson came up a triple shy of the cycle as Miami halted a three-game slide in the series opener. One night after Sandy Alcantara made his first major-league start, the Marlins will sent right-hander Pablo López to the mound to make his major-league debut against deGrom.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (5-3, 1.69 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Pablo López (NR)

DeGrom is coming off what counts as a poor start for him, allowing three runs and five hits over six innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. That snapped a string of 11 straight starts in which the major-league ERA leader allowed two or fewer earned runs. DeGrom had a no-decision against Miami on May 23 despite scattering four hits and striking out eight over seven scoreless innings.

Lopez will be recalled from Triple-A New Orleans to make his major-league debut after pitching at two levels of the minor leagues this season. The 22-year-old Venezuelan was 1-2 with a microscopic 0.62 ERA in eight starts at Double-A Jacksonville, striking out 51 against only eight walks over 43 2/3 innings. Lopez made four starts for New Orleans, posting a 1-1 mark with a 3.38 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins 2B Starlin Castro is 8-for-19 during a five-game hitting streak.

2. Mets RF Jose Bautista has hit safely in three straight and six of seven games.

3. Marlins LHP Caleb Smith will undergo what is expected to be season-ending surgery on July to repair a Grade 3 lat strain.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Marlins 2
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Preview: Astros at Rays
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

The American League West-leading Houston Astros hope to begin another road winning streak when they visit the surging Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday for the third of a four-game series. The Astros managed just three hits during a 3-2 loss Friday night to end an 11-game run away from home and will seek their 31st win in 43 contests on the road as ace Justin Verlander takes the mound.

Verlander is 8-3 in 17 career outings against Tampa Bay and looks to get some more offensive support from red-hot third baseman Alex Bregman, who is 11-for-21 with five doubles, four homers and eight RBIs during a five-game hitting streak. Verlander will oppose reliever Ryne Stanek, who has struck out 19 in 12 2/3 scoreless innings at home this season, as the Rays continue to battle through a stretch of injuries to their starting pitchers. Tampa Bay lost another starter Friday as right-hander Wilmer Font suffered a right lat strain after pitching five innings of one-hit ball to get the victory. The Rays (40-41) have still won eight of their last 11 contests to pull within one victory of the .500 mark, and Matt Duffy has been one keys as the third baseman is 10-for-31 during an eight-game hitting streak.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet - Southwest (Houston), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Justin Verlander (9-3, 1.82 ERA) vs. Rays RH Ryne Stanek (1-1, 1.85)

Verlander gave up season highs in earned runs (four) and hits (seven) across 6 2/3 innings Monday in a 6-3 setback against Toronto. The 35-year-old former MVP, who boasts 136 strikeouts in 113 2/3 frames overall, was unbeaten over his previous seven starts while allowing two or fewer runs in five of them. C.J. Cron homered June 19 against Verlander, who gave up one run over 6 2/3 innings with 10 strikeouts in a no-decision against the Rays in that outing.

Stanek will open the game for the ninth time this season and has been outstanding in the role, permitting just two runs over 11 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old Kansas native, who is unscored upon in 10 outings at home this season, has not given up a run in 14 2/3 innings during June while striking out 17 and walking seven. Stanek has faced Houston three times in the last two weeks, striking out four and walking two in 4 1/3 scoreless frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay INF/OF Daniel Robertson has hit safely in five straight games, going 6-for-18 in that span.

2. Houston OF George Springer did not start in Friday’s contest and is just 3-for-45 over his last 12 games.

3. Rays SS Adeiny Hechavarria, who knocked in a run Friday, has not committed an error in his last 94 contests.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Rays 1
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Preview: Nationals at Phillies
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

Juan Soto is fresh off a legendary performance and the Washington Nationals look for a second straight offensive splurge when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series. The 19-year-old Soto became the first teenager in major-league history with a four-hit, two-homer performance as the Nationals annihilated the Phillies 17-7 on Friday.

Soto, who drove in five runs, was the leader of an offense that erupted for a season-best seven homers after producing just three runs during a three-game slide. Bryce Harper belted his 20th of the season, a three-run shot that is just his second this month. Rhys Hoskins launched a two-run homer for the Phillies - his third straight game with a blast - and is batting .324 with eight shots and 22 RBIs in 19 contests since returning from a broken jaw. Carlos Santana hit a two-run shot, giving him four homers and 10 RBIs over his last 10 games.

TV: 6:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 2.28 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (5-8, 4.69)

Hellickson will be activated from the disabled list to make his first start since injuring his hamstring in the first inning of his outing on June 3. The 31-year-old was torched for 11 runs and nine hits over 4 2/3 innings in a rehab appearance for Single-A Potomac on Sunday. Hellickson won his lone career start against his former Philadelphia team when he gave up one unearned run and seven hits over eight innings on August 11, 2015 while pitching for Arizona.

Velasquez has dropped four of his last five decisions after falling to the New York Yankees in his last turn. The 26-year-old yielded two runs and three hits over six innings and has allowed just eight hits over 19 frames in his last three starts. Velasquez defeated the Nationals on May 5, when he gave up one hit - a solo homer by Wilmer Difo - in five innings, and is 2-2 with a 5.33 ERA in five career outings versus Washington.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon went 3-for-6 with a homer and three RBIs on Friday and has gone deep in four of his last eight contests.

2. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera is hitless in eight at-bats in the series and 0-for-19 over his last five games.

3. Washington INF Ryan Zimmerman (oblique) took batting practice on Friday and could start a rehab assignment as soon as Monday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 8, Phillies 6
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Preview: Rockies at Dodgers
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is playing with a sense of urgency during this weekend’s three-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers and imploring his teammates to do the same. The three-time All-Star set the tone with a solo homer in Friday’s 3-1 victory and will be in the spotlight again Saturday night.

Pat Valaika and Chris Iannetta also homered while Tyler Anderson tossed eight shutout innings as the Rockies won their second straight following a four-game losing streak. “You can’t continue to say we’ve got a lot of games left,” Arenado told reporters. “We were saying we have a lot of games left in April, we were saying we have a lot of games left in May and we’re about to be in July. We’ve got to start winning ballgames. It starts with looking ourselves in the mirror and trying to make a change.” The Rockies are in fourth place in the National League West, seven games back of the first-place Dodgers, who set a franchise record for home runs in a single month with 54 when Justin Turner went deep in the ninth inning Friday. Turner is 5-for-10 with two homers in his last three games, but second baseman Logan Forsythe is hitless in his last 23 at-bats.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (5-8, 5.53 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (5-4, 3.44)

Marquez’s dismal month continued last Sunday when he allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits over 3 1/3 innings in a loss to Miami. The 23-year-old has given up a total of 25 runs (24 earned) in five starts in June covering 25 1/3 innings this month, and his ERA has climbed from 4.21 to 5.53 during that span. Cody Bellinger is 1-for-12 with three strikeouts against Marquez, who has gone 1-0 with a 3.91 ERA in four career starts versus the Dodgers.

Maeda bounced back from a rough outing against the Chicago Cubs by holding them scoreless over seven innings in last Monday’s rematch. The 30-year-old native of Japan recorded nine strikeouts in the 2-1 victory and has fanned 80 batters in 68 innings. Maeda owns a 5-2 record and 2.11 ERA in eight career games (six starts) against Colorado but has struggled to keep catcher Chris Iannetta (3-for-8, two home runs) in the ballpark.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has converted his last 19 save opportunities.

2. Colorado has won six of its past eight games at Dodger Stadium.

3. The Dodgers optioned RHP Walker Buehler to High-A Rancho Cucamonga so he can be stretched out as a starter following a stint on the disabled list.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Rockies 4
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Preview: Braves at Cardinals
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

The Atlanta Braves know how important their current 10-game road trip is as the surprising National League East leaders look to stay in first place, and they enter Saturday’s contest at the St. Louis Cardinals hoping to build off a solid start. Atlanta won the opening game of its three-city swing Friday, getting three hits each from Dansby Swanson and Johan Camargo in a 5-1 victory that extended the Braves' division lead to three games over Philadelphia.

Camargo is hitting .357 during his season-long six-game hitting streak and Ozzie Albies extended his hitting streak to nine games (.429 in that span) for the Braves, who began a stretch Friday of facing teams with winning records in 16 of their next 18 games. The Cardinals began the weekend leading the majors with 64 errors and added three more Friday in losing for the 10th time in their last 16 games. Right fielder Harrison Bader doubled Friday and has reached base 10 times (six hits, four walks) over his last 18 plate appearances, but St. Louis was limited to just four hits in the opener. Friday’s victory marked only the fourth time Atlanta defeated the Cardinals in the last 13 meetings.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Max Fried (0-2, 4.09 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (4-6, 4.59)

Atlanta will rely on one of its top prospects to fill in for Brandon McCarthy (right knee tendinitis) on Saturday as Fried takes his second big-league turn of the season. The 24-year-old started against the New York Mets on May 28, allowing only one earned run on four hits with four walks and six strikeouts. Fried, who made four relief appearances earlier this season, went 2-4 with a 4.65 ERA in nine starts before being summoned from Triple-A Gwinnett.

Weaver earned his first victory since mid-May on Sunday, striking out a season-high nine hitters in 5 2/3 innings to beat Milwaukee. The 24-year-old is winless at home in seven starts but owns a lower ERA in St. Louis (4.12) than in road contests (5.00). Weaver is holding right-handed batters to a .235 average but has surrendered four runs in three of his past four starts entering his first career appearance against the Braves.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cardinals dropped to 1-21 this season when scoring two runs or fewer.

2. Atlanta C Tyler Flowers left Friday’s game after a sixth-inning at-bat with a cramp in his right hamstring.

3. St. Louis SS Paul DeJong (1-for-3) and RHP Matt Bowman (one perfect inning, two strikeouts) each started rehab assignments Friday with Triple-A Memphis.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Braves 3
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Preview: Red Sox at Yankees
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

The New York Yankees entered the weekend as baseball's most homer-happy team and the Boston Red Sox entered as the majors' highest-scoring offense, but only one of them showed up in the series opener. After pulling into a virtual tie with Boston atop the American League East with a resounding victory Friday, the Yankees attempt to regain the division lead Saturday when they host the second of three games against the Red Sox.

In a battle between the two teams with the best records in baseball, New York (53-26) connected on four home runs in an 8-1 victory - including two solo shots from Greg Bird after belting three in his first 28 games - stymying a Boston offense averaging a league-best 5.1 runs. Miguel Andujar and Aaron Judge also got in on the fun with two-run blasts to help CC Sabathia improve to 12-0 in his last 18 regular-season starts following a Yankees' loss. The Red Sox (55-28) struggled to find any offense in the first contest to begin a nine-game road trip after averaging 7.4 runs over their previous seven outings. J.D. Martinez - the majors' leader in homers (25) and RBIs (64) - went 0-for-4 in the opener and is hitless in his last two contests after going 13-for-26 with three home runs and nine RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (7-4, 2.56 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Sonny Gray (5-5, 4.93)

Sale was about as dominant as he has been all season in Sunday's win against Seattle, allowing four hits and a walk while fanning 13 across seven scoreless innings. The six-time All-Star threw 71 of his 93 pitches for strikes and hasn't given up a homer over his last four outings, yielding a total of four runs and striking out 43 in 28 frames over that span. Judge is 3-for-15 with a homer and 10 strikeouts against Sale, who tossed six innings of one-run ball in a win versus the Yankees on April 10.

Gray is enjoying easily his best month of the season (2-1, 3.23 ERA), but he is coming off his first loss in five trips to the mound after permitting four runs over 6 2/3 frames at Tampa Bay last Saturday. The Vanderbilt product has struggled mightily at home in 2018, going 2-2 with a 7.22 ERA while allowing opponents to bat .309 in those seven turns. Mitch Moreland (8-for-27, four homers) has been a thorn in the side of Gray, who surrendered six runs over three innings in a loss at Boston on April 12.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Yankees boast a 2.30 team ERA in June - the best in the majors.

2. Friday marked the end of Martinez's nine-game road hitting streak in this rivalry and also halted a seven-game run-scoring streak overall.

3. New York is a league-best 19-5 against left-handed starters, winning each of its last seven games against southpaws.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Yankees 3
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Preview: White Sox at Rangers
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

While any chance they had of challenging for a playoff spot likely fell by the wayside once they dropped 17 games under .500 in mid-June, the Texas Rangers knew taking advantage of a favorable schedule over the rest of the month could give them an opportunity to get back to the even mark. The Rangers hope to secure a fifth straight series victory Saturday, when they continue a three-game home series against the Chicago White Sox.

Texas (37-46) appeared to be in danger of vying for the worst record in the majors only two weeks ago following a seventh straight loss on June 15, but the club has played very well since a 27-44 start, winning 10 of its first 13 during a 15-game stretch against sub-.500 opponents. The Rangers belted five homers on their way to an 11-3 rout in Friday's series opener and are averaging six runs while allowing three or fewer nine times during their surge. After seemingly finding their offense over the previous five contests, the White Sox struggled to put enough runs on the board for a second consecutive game en route to their fourth straight road defeat. Tim Anderson went hitless in three at-bats Friday as Chicago managed only five hits, but he still is batting .423 over his last seven contests.

TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (1-2, 3.70 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Bartolo Colon (4-5, 4.72)

Rodon worked eight innings for only the fourth time in 67 career starts in Sunday's victory against Oakland, yielding two runs and seven hits. The North Carolina State product has allowed no more than two earned runs in three of his four turns since returning from the 60-day disabled list following shoulder surgery. Rougned Odor is 4-for-8 with a double, but Adrian Beltre is 1-for-6 versus Rodon, who is 1-0 with a 3.91 ERA in four career starts against Texas.

Colon continued his pattern of alternating wins and losses over the last five outings with a hard-luck defeat Sunday in Minnesota, permitting two runs in seven frames. The 45-year-old former Cy Young Award winner has struggled progressively more each and every month, sporting a 7.77 ERA in June after entering the month with a 3.55 mark. Colon has faced Chicago only once since 2013 but owns an 11-8 record and 3.84 ERA in 24 career starts versus the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers OF Shin-Soo Choo hit a two-run homer in the series opener to extend his on-base streak to 41 games - the longest run in the majors since Freddie Freeman reached base in 46 straight contests in 2016.

2. Chicago is 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position over its last two games.

3. Texas batters have been hit by a pitch 22 times in June, matching the club record for any month.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, White Sox 4
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Preview: Royals at Mariners
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

The Seattle Mariners look to register their sixth consecutive victory when they host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Mitch Haniger hit a two-run homer and Mike Zunino belted a solo shot as Seattle posted a 4-1 victory in the series opener.

Jean Segura recorded two hits on Friday for his major league-leading 35th multi-hit performance as he raised his batting average to .338 - third-best in the American League. Segura is 8-for-18 with six runs scored over his last four games while Haniger broke a 14-game power drought with the homer that was his career-best 17th of the season. Kansas City is a porous 5-20 this month and was one out away from being blanked on Friday until Mike Moustakas delivered an RBI single. Royals outfielder Jorge Bonifacio went 0-for-3 in his season debut after completing his 80-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jason Hammel (2-9, 5.34 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (7-6, 5.10)

Hammel has lost four consecutive starts and is winless in his last five outings. The 35-year-old had a tough time against Houston in his last turn, when he gave up nine runs - seven earned - on six hits and a season-high five walks in four innings. Hammel is 3-3 with a 3.53 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) against the Mariners as he has shut down Denard Span (5-for-29) and Jean Segura (4-for-23).

Hernandez defeated Baltimore in his last turn as he gave up three runs and four hits over six innings. The 32-year-old has allowed three runs or fewer in four of his last five starts but still hasn't been able to get his ERA below 5.00. Hernandez defeated the Royals on April 10, when he gave up three runs and six hits over 5 2/3 innings, and is 6-6 with a 3.15 ERA in 15 career starts versus Kansas City.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners 3B Kyle Seager (toe) was back in the starting lineup Friday and reached base three times on a single and two walks.

2. Kansas City LF Alex Gordon, who is 4-for-27 lifetime versus Hernandez, will be back in the lineup Saturday after getting the opener off.

3. Seattle 1B Ryon Healy went 0-for-4 in the series opener and is just 1-for-22 over his last five games.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Royals 4
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