MLB Betting News and Trends For Saturday 7/14/18

National League
Brewers (55-39) @ Pirates (44-49)
Suter is 1-1, 5.50 in his last three starts; his last nine starts all went over. Team in his starts: 9-7
5-inning record: 7-7-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-16

Anderson is 1-0, 1.64 in his last four starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 10-8
5-inning record: 11-4-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-18

Holmes allowed four runs in 2.1 IP (64 PT) in his first ’18 start. Team in his starts: 0-1
5-inning record: 0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-1

Nova is 1-1, 4.74 in his last four starts; over is 2-0-1 in his last three. Team in his starts: 9-8.
5-inning record: 8-4-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-17

Brewers lost six of their last seven road games; over is 8-1 in their last nine road games. Pittsburgh won five of its last six games; they’re 10-15 vs lefty starters- under is 4-2-1 in their last seven games.

Nationals (47-47) @ Mets (37-54)
Vota is making his MLB debut; he is 4-5, 3.55 in 15 AAA starts this year. Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Wheeler is 0-1, 3.19 in his last five starts; under is 3-1 in his last four home starts. Team in his starts: 5-12.
5-inning record: 5-9-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-17

Washington is 5-15 in its last 20 road games; under is 7-2-1 in its last ten road games. Mets are 7-16 in their last 23 games; under is 8-4-1 in their last 13 games.

Phillies (53-40) @ Marlins (39-57)
Nola is 4-0, 1.30 in his last four starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 14-5.
5-inning record: 8-5-6. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-19

Richards is 1-1, 4.82 in his last four starts; under is 3-1 in his last four home starts. Team in his starts: 5-7.
5-inning record: 5-7. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-5-3

Phillies are 10-3 in their last 13 games; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight games. Miami won three of its last five games; over is 5-3 in their last eight games.

Diamondbacks (52-43) @ Braves (51-41)
Greinke is 4-0, 1.78 in his last five starts; his last three stayed under. Team in his starts: 11-8.
5-inning record: 9-9. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-18

Newcomb is 0-2, 6.52 in hi last four starts; over is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 9-9.
5-inning record: 10-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-18

Arizona lost three of its last five games; they’re 20-14 vs lefty starters- under is 8-2-1 in their last 11 road games. Braves lost seven of their last nine games; over is 6-3 in their last nine home games.

Reds (42-52) @ Cardinals (47-45)
Castillo is 0-0, 5.52 in his last three starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 9-10.
5-inning record: 9-10. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-19

Flaherty is 0-2, 8.03 in his last three starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 5-8.
5-inning record: 7-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-13

Reds are 8-4 in their last 12 games; their last six games went over. St Louis is 4-9 in its last 13 games; over is 4-2 in their last six home games.

Cubs (52-38) @ Padres (40-56)
Hendricks is 0-2, 5.82 in his last four starts; under is 8-2-1 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 6-12.

5-inning record: 4-8-6. Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-18

Perdomo is 0-2, 9.77 in his last three starts (over 3-3). Team in his starts: 1-5.
5-inning record: 1-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Cubs are 3-9 in last 12 road games; over is 10-5 in their last 15 games. San Diego lost eight of last ten home games; under is 6-3-1 in their last ten games.

American League
Rangers (41-54) @ Orioles (26-69)
Perez is making his first start since April 29; he is 2-3, 10.35 in five starts. Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Ramirez is 0-3, 6.08 in his three starts (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 0-3.
5-inning record: 0-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Rangers lost five of its last seven games; under is 6-2-1 in their last nine road games. Baltimore is 3-17 in its last 20 games; under is 8-4-1 in their last 13 home games.

New York (61-32) @ Cleveland (51-42)
Sabathia is 2-2, 3.86 in his last four starts; under is 6-0-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 9-8
5-inning record: 9-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-17

Clevinger is 2-2, 4.01 in his last four starts; over is 5-3-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 8-10.
5-inning record: 5-8-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-18

New York won seven of its last 11 games; under is 17-6 in their last 23 road games. Indians lost five of their last seven games; they’re 16-9 vs lefty starters- over is 10-2 in their last 12 home games.

Blue Jays (43-50) @ Red Sox (66-30)
Gaviglio is 0-1, 7.62 in his last three starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 5-5
5-inning record: 4-3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-10

Rodriguez is 2-0, 0.00 (11.2 IP) in his last two starts; under is 6-2-3 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 13-6.
5-inning record: 11-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-18

Blue Jays lost four of last six games; they’re 11-22 vs lefty starters- over is 6-2 in their last eight road games. Boston won 10 of its last 11 games; over is 9-4 in their last 13 games.

Rays (48-46) @ Twins (43-49)
Archer is 1-1, 2.00 in his last five starts; under is 6-1-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 7-7
5-inning record: 4-7-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-14

Berrios is 2-2, 3.55 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 11-8.
5-inning record: 7-8-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-19

Tampa Bay is 14-6 in its last 20 games, but lost last two; under is 11-5 in their last 16 games. Minnesota won nine of last ten home games; five of their last seven games went over.

Royals (26-67) @ White Sox (32-61)
Duffy is 1-1, 2.63 in his last four starts; over is 11-5 in his last 16. Team in his starts: 6-13
5-inning record: 7-9-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-19

Lopez is 2-2, 5.82 in his last four starts (over 4-0). Team in his starts: 6-12.
5-inning record: 8-9-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-18

Royals lost 12 of last 13 games; over is 8-2 in their last ten games. Chicago lost six of its last eight games; they’re 7-13 vs lefty starters. Under is 3-2 in their last five home games.

Tigers (40-56) @ Astros (63-34)
Fulmer is 0-3, 4.39 in his last four starts; his last six starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 5-13
5-inning record: 6-8-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-18

Cole is 1-1, 3.27 in his last four starts, last three of which stayed under. Team in his starts: 15-4.
5-inning record: 9-5-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-19

Tigers lost five of last six road games; under is 8-2 in their last ten road games. Houston lost three of last five games; over is 7-5 in their last 12 home games.

Interleague
Mariners (58-37) @ Rockies (49-45)
LeBlanc is 4-0, 4.25 in his last six starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 10-3
5-inning record: 9-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-13

Gray is 1-1, 6.55 in his last four starts; his last six starts went over. Team in his starts: 8-9.
5-inning record: 8-7-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-17

Mariners lost five of their last seven games; over is 4-1 in their last five games. Colorado is 10-3 in its last 13 games, 19-19 vs lefty starters. Under is 8-4 in their last 12 games.

Angels (48-47) @ Dodgers (52-42)
Heaney is 1-1, 6.23 in his last three starts; under is 10-1-1 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 6-10
5-inning record: 3-9-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-16

Wood is 4-0, 2.93 in his last five starts; over is 5-3-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 10-8.
5-inning record: 7-7-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-18

Angels won four of their last seven games, are 8-17 vs lefty starters. Under is 6-2 in their last eight games. Dodgers are 9-3 in their last 12 games, 19-14 vs lefty starters- four of their last five home games went over.

A’s (53-42) @ Giants (50-46)
Anderson is 1-2, 6.64 in five starts this year (under 4-1). Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 1-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Samardzija is 0-3, 7.59 in his last three starts (over 5-2-2). Team in his starts: 2-7.
5-inning record: 2-6-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-9

A’s are 12-4 in their last 16 games; their last four games went over. San Francisco won four of its last five games; they’re 18-18 vs lefty starters. Under is 12-6 in their last 18 games.

Umpires
Mil-Pitt: Underdogs won six of last seven Torres games. Over is 5-2 in last seven Nauert games.
Az-Atl: Under is 7-2 in last nine Estabrook games.
Cin-StL: Over is 8-0-1 in last nine Guccione games.
Phil-Mia: Under is 6-2 in last eight Cooper games.
Wsh-NY: Five of last seven Porter games went over.
Chi-SD: Over is 3-1-1 in last five Reyburn games.

Tor-Bos: Underdogs are 8-7 in Muchlinski games.
TB-Min: Over is 7-2 in last nine Hoye games.
KC-Chi: Under is 12-1 in last 13 Hamari games.
Det-Hst: Under is 4-2-1 in last seven Hoberg games.
Tex-Balt: Three of last four Fletcher games stayed under.
NY-Clev: Under is 11-2-1 in last 14 Hickox games.

LA-LA: Over is 10-3 in last thirteen Rackley games.
Sea-Colo: Under is 10-2-1 in last 13 Nelson games.
A’s-SF: Four of last five Carapazza games stayed under.

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Preview: Brewers at Pirates (1st)
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the midst of their hottest stretch in nearly two months, and they’ll try to keep it rolling when they host the Milwaukee Brewers for a doubleheader Saturday. Pittsburgh has won five of its last six, including the first two games of the five-game set against the National League Central-leading Brewers.

Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has held a powerful Milwaukee lineup to three runs in each of the first two contests. The Pirates are 5-2 against the Brewers this season, outscoring them 34-18. Milwaukee has dropped three straight and is 1-4 on its current road trip. The Brewers have struggled within the division, going 19-22 against Central opponents.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Dish455 (Milwaukee), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), AT&T SportsNet - Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Chase Anderson (6-6, 3.81 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Ivan Nova (5-6, 4.50)

Anderson has allowed a single run in each of his last four starts, posting a 1.23 ERA over that span, but he has only one win to show for it. The 30-year-old labored through 4 2/3 innings Monday at Miami, allowing eight hits and two walks but limiting the damage to one unearned run in a no-decision. Anderson is 6-3 with a 3.34 ERA in 12 starts against the Pirates, but he was tagged for five runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to Pittsburgh on May 6.

Nova bounced back from one of his worst starts of the season to beat Washington on Monday. The 31-year-old surrendered five home runs July 3 at the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he held the Nationals to three runs - including two homers - over 5 2/3 innings to earn the win Monday. Nova is 2-2 with a 3.19 ERA in five starts against the Brewers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates CF Starling Marte, who is 15-for-35 during a nine-game hitting streak, is 11-for-22 with four extra-base hits versus Anderson.

2. Brewers 3B Travis Shaw, who hit his 17th home run Friday, is 11-for-14 with two doubles and three homers versus Nova.

3. Pittsburgh has 12 stolen bases in its last seven games and has been successful in 19 of its last 21 attempts.

PREDICTION: Brewers 5, Pirates 3
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Preview: Blue Jays at Red Sox
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Boston Red Sox have not lost consecutive games at home in more than a month, a streak they hope to keep intact when they resume a four-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon. Boston, which owns the best record in the majors, had its 10-game winning streak halted with a 13-7 setback on Friday night.

Designated hitter Justin Smoak homered twice and had four RBIs and Kevin Pillar also drove in four runs as part of a four-hit night as Toronto ended a string of six straight losses to the Red Sox. Smoak extended his hitting streak to seven games, a stretch during which he's smacked five homers and had 10 RBIs. Boston's Mookie Betts, who belted a grand slam in the series opener, went 3-for-4 with a pair of triples and two RBIs to lift his major league-leading average to .357. J.D. Martinez, who is tied for the most homers in baseball with 28, has hit safely in nine games in a row and is batting .330.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Sportsnet, TVAS (Toronto), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Sam Gaviglio (2-3, 4.70 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (11-3, 3.62)

Marco Estrada, scheduled to start Saturday, was placed on the disabled list Friday with a strained glute, giving Gaviglio a chance to atone for a wretched outing at Atlanta on Wednesday. He lasted only 1 2/3 innings and was hammered for six runs on six hits to remain winless over his last eight appearances. That stretch started with a loss at Boston on May 30, when Gaviglio gave up four runs over six innings.

Rodriguez closed out June with back-to-back defeats, giving up five runs in each, but he has rebounded by tossing 11 2/3 scoreless innings over two wins this month while permitting three hits in each victory. He got the best of Gaviglio on May 30, limiting the Blue Jays to two runs on three hits over 6 2/3 innings to beat them for the second time this season. Rodriguez owns a 3-3 record with a 5.09 ERA in his career versus Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. Betts has 10 three-hit games and 33 multiple-hit contests this season.

2. Smoak has an extra-base hit in seven consecutive games.

3. Red Sox OF Andrew Benintendi was placed on the bereavement list Friday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, Blue Jays 4
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Preview: Rays at Twins
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

Former MVP Joe Mauer passed one milestone in the series and looks to add another when his surging Minnesota Twins host the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday for the third of a four-game set. Mauer homered and knocked in four runs, pushing his career total to 902 RBIs, as the Twins registered 15 hits to outlast the Rays 11-8 on Friday for their eighth victory in nine games.

Mauer has hit safely in seven consecutive games, going 13-for-29 in the process, and remains one double from breaking the tie with Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett (414) for the all-time franchise lead. All-Star Jose Berrios will try to reach double figures in wins for the second straight season as he takes the mound for Minnesota on Saturday against two-time All-Star Chris Archer, who makes his second start after a stint on the disabled list and is 6-1 in his career versus the Twins. The Rays continue to struggle on the road after recording their 16th loss in the last 21 away from home Friday, despite totaling 13 hits and battling back within 8-7 after falling behind by seven early on. All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos had a pair of hits in the setback and is 9-for-22 during a five-game hitting streak for Tampa Bay, which can improve to 9-1-2 in its last 12 season series with the Twins with a win in one of the next two contests.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (3-4, 4.41 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (9-7, 3.41)

In his first start since June 2, Archer permitted three runs on six hits and two walks over 3 1/3 innings Monday without being involved in the decision. The 29-year-old North Carolina native had held opponents to two or fewer runs in seven of nine starts before suffering an abdominal injury, including 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball against the Twins on April 20. Eduardo Escobar owns a double and a homer versus Archer, who boasts a 1.95 ERA in eight outings against Minnesota.

Berrios held Kansas City to one run on six hits with eight strikeouts over seven innings in a 3-1 victory Monday to end a two-game slide. The 24-year-old from Puerto Rico owns quality starts in nine of his last 11 outings, going 6-3 with a 2.75 ERA in that stretch after starting with a 4.50 mark in his first eight appearances of 2018. Kevin Kiermaier is 2-for-6 with a double versus Berrios, who gave up five runs over five innings in a loss to the Rays last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay 1B/OF Jake Bauers homered Friday and is 5-for-9 with three RBIs in the series.

2. Minnesota OF Jake Cave had three hits Friday and is 13-for-25 during an eight-game hitting streak.

3. Rays INF/OF Joey Wendle belted his fourth homer last time out and has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 contests.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Twins 3
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Preview: Royals at White Sox
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Chicago White Sox have found it difficult to win inside the American League Central - or against any other division, for that matter - but beating the Kansas City Royals hasn't proven to be all that hard. Coming off consecutive victories, the White Sox look to match their longest winning streak of the season Saturday, when they host the Royals for the middle contest of their three-game series.

Chicago owns the third-worst record (32-61) in the majors, going 26-59 against non-division opponents and a combined 8-23 versus Cleveland, Detroit and Minnesota - the top three teams in the Central. However, the White Sox improved to 6-2 against Kansas City following Friday's 9-6 series-opening victory as Leury Garcia and Omar Narvaez drove in three runs apiece while slumping All-Star Jose Abreu notched two hits - including a solo blast for only his second extra-base hit this month. Kansas City continues to go nowhere fast, as Friday's result was its 12th loss in its last 13 contests. Whit Merrifield bounced back with a pair of singles in the opener after his 12-game hitting streak came to an end in the team's previous contest, improving his batting average to .409 this month.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (4-8, 4.89 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (4-6, 3.77)

Duffy has held the opposition to a total of one run over 18 innings in his last three road starts but has come away with two no-decisions, including Monday at Minnesota as struck out nine in six frames. All four of the former third-round pick's victories this season have been on the road, where he has posted a 3.89 ERA (6.75 at home). Abreu (16-for-48) and Matt Davidson (4-for-10) have each homered twice versus Duffy, who is 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA in two 2018 starts against Chicago.

Lopez threw only 53 of his 97 pitches for strikes while tying a career high with five walks and allowing three runs over 4 2/3 innings in last Friday's loss at Houston. The 24-year-old Dominican has been significantly better at home (2.72 ERA) this season than on the road (4.60), although he has posted a 5.20 ERA in his last five turns overall. Lopez matched a career high by giving up 10 hits in Kansas City on April 27 but escaped with a no-decision despite yielding four runs (two earned) over 6 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Davidson did not play Friday but is batting .462 with seven homers and 12 RBIs in seven games against the Royals in 2018.

2. Kansas City OF Jorge Bonifacio contributed a two-run double in the opener to extend his hitting streak to six games, but he has struck out 11 times in 25 at-bats over that span.

3. Abreu's homer gave him 137 blasts for his career, moving him past Jose Valentin for sole possession of 11th place on the club's all-time list.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, White Sox 3
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Preview: Brewers at Pirates (2nd)
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the midst of their hottest stretch in nearly two months, and they’ll try to keep it rolling when they host the Milwaukee Brewers for a doubleheader Saturday. Pittsburgh has won five of its last six, including the first two games of the five-game set against the National League Central-leading Brewers.

Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has held a powerful Milwaukee lineup to three runs in each of the first two contests. The Pirates are 5-2 against the Brewers this season, outscoring them 34-18. Milwaukee has dropped three straight and is 1-4 on its current road trip. The Brewers have struggled within the division, going 19-22 against Central opponents.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Dish455 (Milwaukee), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), AT&T SportsNet - Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Brent Suter (8-5, 4.53 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Clay Holmes (0-1, 7.11)

Suter (left forearm tightness) will come off the 10-day disabled list to make his first start since July 2 when he allowed five runs over five innings in a no-decision against Minnesota. The 28-year-old won three straight starts in June, but he has given up nine runs in 11 frames in his last two outings since then. Suter is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in eight games (three starts) against the Pirates.

Holmes is set to make his second big-league start, and he hopes it goes better than the first. The 25-year-old rookie was dinged for four runs in 2 1/3 innings in a loss at the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 4. Holmes, a ninth-round draft pick in 2011, is 6-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) at Triple-A Indianapolis this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates CF Starling Marte, who is 15-for-35 during a nine-game hitting streak, is 0-for-3 with three strikeouts versus Suter.

2. Brewers RF Eric Thames left Friday’s game with right hamstring tightness.

3. Pittsburgh has 12 stolen bases in its last seven games and has been successful in 19 of its last 21 attempts.

PREDICTION: Brewers 8, Pirates 4
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Preview: Tigers at Astros
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman looks to add to his career-high total of 20 homers when the American League West-leading Houston Astros host the struggling Detroit Tigers on Saturday afternoon for the middle contest of their three-game set. Bregman, who will participate in the Home Run Derby on Monday, went deep to help the Astros win the series opener 3-0 and extend his hitting streak to five games.

Jose Altuve, who has hit safely in his last 21 starts at home, and Yuli Gurriel each went 2-for-4 in Friday’s victory and carry 10-game hitting streaks into the second game of the series as Houston goes for its ninth win in 12 contests. All-Star Gerrit Cole looks for his 10th victory of the season when he takes the mound for the Astros on Saturday opposite Michael Fulmer, who has nothing to show for posting two straight quality starts. The Tigers were shut out Friday for a major league-high 12th time - and second during their current five-game losing streak - as they went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Nicholas Castellanos recorded one of Detroit's seven hits in the setback to extend his hitting streak to five games (7-for-18) while rookie Ronny Rodriguez added a pair of singles.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Detroit, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (3-8, 4.11 ERA) vs. Astros RH Gerrit Cole (9-2, 2.57)

Fulmer is winless in his last four starts but gave the Tigers a chance in all of them, allowing only 12 earned runs in 26 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old Oklahoman is 2-2 on the road as opposed to 1-6 at home and has posted just one victory since May 23. Josh Reddick is 2-for-4 against Fulmer, who lost his only career start versus the Astros despite yielding just one run over seven frames.

Cole is expected to return from the bereavement list and attempt to end a three-game winless streak after going 7-0 with seven quality starts in his previous 11 outings. The 27-year-old UCLA product held Oakland to three hits over six scoreless frames on Monday while registering 11 strikeouts and three walks but was not involved in the decision. Castellanos is 5-for-10 with four RBIs versus Cole, who is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in four career meetings with Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit SS Jose Iglesias, who is 20-for-56 lifetime against Houston, could return Saturday after missing two games with a hand injury.

2. Houston C-DH Evan Gattis, who is second on the team with 62 RBIs, is hitless in his last 17 at-bats and was rested in the series opener.

3. Tigers RHP Shane Greene allowed two hits in a scoreless inning Friday in his first outing since July 1 due to a shoulder injury.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Tigers 2
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Preview: Nationals at Mets
Gracenote
Jul 13, 2018

After an offensive breakout near the end of their last homestand, the Washington Nationals are once again searching for some offense. They'll try to get the bats going Saturday at New York when they continue a four-game series with the hometown Mets.

Washington was 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position in a 4-2 loss to New York on Friday night, falling to 2-4 in a six-game stretch during which the club has averaged 2.8 runs. Noah Syndergaard was solid through five innings in his return from the disabled list and Brandon Nimmo was 3-for-5 with a run scored for the Mets in his first multi-hit effort since June 23. He and his teammates will get their first look at Nationals right-hander Austin Voth, who will be promoted from the minors to make his major-league debut after not appearing in a game during his first three call-ups. Zack Wheeler will try to get his first win in 10 home starts when he gets the nod for New York.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Washington), WPIX (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Austin Voth (NR) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-6, 4.42)

Voth will be making his debut after 129 games (126 starts) in the minors - all with Washington, which drafted him in the fifth round in 2013. The 26-year-old is 4-5 with a 3.55 ERA in 15 starts this season for Triple-A Syracuse this year. He allowed six earned runs over 33 1/3 innings in his last five outings.

Wheeler worked at least six innings in four straight starts before being knocked out after 4 2/3 in a no-decision against Philadelphia on Monday. He did manage to strike out eight batters in the abbreviated outing and has fanned 35 in 31 innings over a span of five starts. He got the loss despite a quality start against Washington on April 17 and is 2-8 with a 4.81 ERA in 11 career starts versus the Nationals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals RF Bryce Harper is 2-for-16 with eight strikeouts over his last four games.

2. Mets 3B/OF Jose Bautista is 3-for-7 with a home run and three RBIs in the series.

3. New York optioned LHP P.J. Conlon to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room on the roster for Syndergaard.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Nationals 4
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Preview: Diamondbacks at Braves
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Arizona Diamondbacks enter the middle contest of a three-game series Saturday at the Atlanta Braves following a much-needed victory in the series opener, after a strange week that saw their bullpen stretched to the breaking point. Arizona slid past the Braves on Friday 2-1, getting the go-ahead hit from shortstop Nick Ahmed as starting pitcher Zack Godley and three relievers combined to hold one of the National League’s top offenses to just six hits.

Right fielder Steven Souza finished with two hits for the second consecutive game, while first baseman Paul Goldschmidt extended his hitting streak to seven games as Arizona boosted its road record to 26-20 on the season and won for just the fifth time in 12 games in July. Atlanta dropped 1 ½ games behind Philadelphia in the NL East after Sam Freeman allowed the go-ahead run in the seventh, raising the Braves’ bullpen ERA to 5.12 this month. Right fielder Nick Markakis finished with two hits, raising his average to .324 after his team-leading 39th multi-hit game of the season. The loss dropped Atlanta to 13-8 in one-run games and 21-17 in games decided by two runs or fewer.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Arizona, FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (9-5, 3.39 ERA) vs. Braves LH Sean Newcomb (8-4, 3.44)

Greinke struggled at times in April but is rolling along, having allowed just four runs across 22 innings in his last four starts with four walks and 22 strikeouts. The 34-year-old gave up two runs in 4 1/3 innings Sunday against San Diego, ending a streak of four consecutive victories, but he is 6-1 with a 3.04 ERA in his past eight outings. Greinke, whose road ERA is 4.31 in nine starts, is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in eight career starts against Atlanta.

Newcomb makes his 19th start of the season, which matches the total he made in the majors as a rookie in 2017, and he looks to shake off a rough beginning to July. The 25-year-old posted a 2.71 ERA while going 8-2 through the end of June, but has allowed five runs in each of his first two outings this month while walking nine hitters and allowing three homers in just 6 1/3 total innings. Newcomb, who makes his first career appearance against Arizona, is 3-1 with a 2.98 ERA in seven home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta 2B Ozzie Albies finished hitless in four at-bats Friday, the second time in 21 games he has not recorded a hit.

2. Arizona RHP Archie Bradley pitched a scoreless eighth inning Friday, the 20th time in his past 22 outings in which he has not allowed an earned run (0.89 ERA in that span).

3. The Braves recalled OF Preston Tucker from Triple-A Gwinnett before Friday’s game.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 3, Braves 2
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Preview: Reds at Cardinals
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

If there was any doubt whether or not the Cincinnati Reds removed the monkey from their back the last time they beat the St. Louis Cardinals, they cleared it up Friday. The Reds set their sights on winning their first series in seven tries against St. Louis on Saturday when they visit the Cardinals for the second contest of their three-game set.

Cincinnati put an end to a 13-game losing streak to its division rival on June 10 with a 6-3 victory over St. Louis, getting plenty of help as Cardinals' pitchers issued 11 free passes in the contest. The Reds let their bats do the talking in Friday's series-opening 9-1 triumph, getting three-hit efforts from Jose Peraza, Jesse Winker and first-time All-Star Eugenio Suarez to complement five strong innings from resurgent starting pitcher Matt Harvey in the rout. The Cardinals scored a season-high 14 runs on 16 hits against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday but have mustered only one run on eight hits in a pair of losses since. Despite Friday's result, St. Louis needs only one more victory over its final eight meetings with Cincinnati to win the season series for the seventh straight year.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (5-8, 5.58 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Jack Flaherty (3-4, 3.34)

Castillo hasn't surrendered a home run over his last three starts after giving up 18 over his first 16 outings, but he hasn't factored into the decision in any game over that stretch after allowing three runs in four frames Sunday at the Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old is winless in his last five road turns and 2-5 with a 6.71 ERA in 11 away games overall. Castillo has enjoyed similar luck in three career starts versus St. Louis, going 0-3 with a 5.71 ERA - including 0-2, 6.55 in two turns this season.

Since posting a 3-2 record with a 2.50 ERA in his first 10 trips to the mound in 2018, Flaherty has struggled over the next three - going 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA. The 2014 first-round pick needed 69 pitches to navigate through 2 1/3 innings Sunday, permitting three runs (two earned) without factoring into the decision at San Francisco. Flaherty made back-to-back starts against Cincinnati last September, giving up five runs over 6 1/3 frames while picking up a loss and a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett homered for the third time in 10 July contests in the opener, matching the number he hit in 25 games last month.

2. St. Louis C Yadier Molina celebrated his 36th birthday Friday by starting his 1,800th game behind the plate (including postseason), tying former Cardinal Tony Pena for eighth place on the all-time list.

3. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto needs to draw one more intentional walk to pass Johnny Bench (135) for the most in team history.

PREDICTION: Reds 7, Cardinals 5
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Preview: Phillies at Marlins
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Philadelphia Phillies look to win another series and continue their hot streak into the All-Star break when they visit the Miami Marlins for the middle contest of a three-game set Saturday afternoon. The Phillies maintained their lead atop the National League East with a 2-0 victory in Friday’s game and can improve to 9-1-1 in 11 series with All-Star right-hander Aaron Nola taking the mound.

Nola goes for his fifth victory in as many starts Saturday as Philadelphia attempts to even its record against NL East foes at 19-19, and third baseman Maikel Franco hopes to keep his power surge going after belting his third homer in six games Friday. The Phillies, who are 6-3 with two contests left on their road trip, lead the East by 1 1/2 games over Atlanta and will face Miami rookie right-hander Trevor Richards on Saturday. The Marlins had scored 23 runs while going 3-1 in the previous four games before managing just three hits in Friday’s setback, getting shut out for the third time this year by Philadelphia and falling back into the division cellar. All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto, who is batting .312 with 12 homers, 20 doubles and 44 RBIs, returned to the lineup Friday after spending time in the paternity list and went 0-for-4.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (12-2, 2.27 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Trevor Richards (2-5, 5.24)

Nola gave up one hit over seven scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts on Monday against the New York Mets to win his fourth straight start and sixth decision in a row. The 25-year-old LSU product has given up four runs on 17 hits across 27 2/3 innings with 32 strikeouts and eight walks in his last four outings. Nola tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings to beat Miami on May 2 and improve to 3-3 with a 3.88 ERA lifetime against the Marlins.

Richards struggled with control at Washington last Sunday, walking a season-high seven over 3 2/3 innings of an eventual 10-2 triumph for the Marlins. The 25-year-old rookie managed to complete six innings just twice in his past nine turns, winning both of those outings. Odubel Herrera is 2-for-2 with a double versus Richards, who gave up three runs and six hits over four innings in a no-decision with the Phillies on April 8 in his second major-league start.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami OF/3B Brian Anderson has 22 doubles, second only to MIke Jacobs (24, 2006) all-time among Marlins rookies before the All-Star break.

2. The Phillies have registered at least one extra-base hit in 89 straight contests - the fourth-longest streak in franchise history.

3. Marlins 2B Starlin Castro is batting .360 in July despite going 0-for-4 on Friday and is 6-for-20 against the Phillies in 2018.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Marlins 1
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Preview: Angels at Dodgers
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers attempt to extend their winning streak to four games Saturday as they continue their three-game interleague series against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. The Dodgers wrapped up a 4-3 road trip with back-to-back wins in San Diego before edging the Angels 3-2 on Friday behind a 2-for-4, two-RBI performance by Max Muncy.

The 27-year-old Muncy, who will participate in the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break, went deep in the first inning of the series opener before adding a run-scoring single in the seventh to give him six RBIs during his four-game streak. Justin Turner (adductor) was kept out of the starting lineup by the Dodgers on Friday and is day-to-day. Kole Calhoun provided the offense for the Angels on Thursday with a pair of solo homers, giving him five RBIs over his last four games. Andrelton Simmons enters Saturday with a four-game hitting streak during which he has gone 7-for-17.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Andrew Heaney (5-6, 3.84 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Alex Wood (5-5, 3.88)

Heaney looks to put an end to his woes on the road this season as he has gone 0-4 with a 5.56 ERA in eight starts away from home. The 27-year-old Oklahoman is hoping to duplicate his success from his last turn on Sunday, when he allowed three runs and three hits over seven innings in a home win over the Dodgers while registering 10 strikeouts for the second straight outing. With the triumph, Heaney improved to 1-2 with a 5.19 ERA in three career starts against the Dodgers.

Wood pitched opposite Heaney on Sunday but came away with a no-decision after giving up three runs and five hits over six innings. That outing was the first of the 27-year-old native of North Carolina's career against the Angels, although he is 2-6 against the American League. Wood is unbeaten in his last five turns, going 4-0 with a 2.64 ERA, 29 strikeouts and five walks over 30 2/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers 2B Chase Utley announced before the series opener that he will retire at the end of the season.

2. The Angels placed DH-1B Albert Pujols (knee), who pulled even with Ken Griffey Jr. (630) for sixth place on the all-time home run list on Thursday, on the 10-day disabled list and optioned OF Michael Hermosillo to Triple-A Salt Lake while recalling 1B Jose Fernandez and OF Jabari Blash from the Bees.

3. The Dodgers activated RHP Walker Buehler (ribs), who allowed two runs in five innings, from the 10-day DL on Friday and optioned SHP Pat Venditte to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Angels 4
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Preview: Yankees at Indians
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The host Cleveland Indians broke a long losing streak against the New York Yankees stretching back to their encounter last October and they'll try to make it two wins in a row when the teams play the third of four games on Saturday. Including three straight losses to close out an American League Division Series collapse, the Indians had lost seven in a row to the Yankees before Friday's 6-5 win.

All-Stars Michael Brantley and Jose Ramirez drove in two runs apiece for Cleveland, which won for just the second time in its last seven games overall. Ramirez is 8-for-14 with four home runs, one triple, one double, 10 RBIs and five runs scored during a four-game hitting streak. New York fell for just the third time in 15 games against the American League Central this season, stranding the tying run in the ninth inning. The Yankees turn to one-time Indians great CC Sabathia on Saturday opposite Mike Clevinger for the hosts.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (6-4, 3.34 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (7-4, 3.34)

Sabathia is tied with Hall of Famer Juan Marichal for 53rd on the all-time list with 243 wins but he lost his last time out, giving up five runs in five frames at Baltimore. The 37-year-old spun six scoreless innings against Cleveland at home earlier this season and owns 3.36 ERA in 12 career starts against his former team. Francisco Lindor is 6-for-12 and Ramirez is 5-for-10 against Sabathia, who has 51 career wins at Progressive Field.

Clevinger tied a season high with 11 strikeouts Monday against Cincinnati but he was reached for five runs in six innings in a loss. The Florida native limited the Yankees to one hit while striking out 10 over 7 1/3 innings in a meeting at Yankee Stadium on May 6. Aaron Judge has a home run in three at-bats against Clevinger, but the rest of the current Yankees are a combined 2-for-20.

WALK-OFFS

1. Lindor scored six runs and drove in five in his last four games.

2. Yankees OF/DH Giancarlo Stanton homered Friday while also finishing without a strikeout for the first time in 12 games.

3. Cleveland is 16-9 against left-handed starters.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Yankees 4
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Preview: Rangers at Orioles
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

After getting beat up by the best team in baseball, the Texas Rangers managed to get back on track against the worst team in the majors. The Rangers rebounded from a three-game sweep in Boston by holding on for a 5-4 victory in Friday's series opener in Baltimore and have a chance to hand the Orioles their 70th loss of the season on Saturday night.

Ryan Rua had been 0-for-18 as a pinch hitter in his career but he broke the drought in memorable fashion with a three-run homer as Texas won for only the third time in 11 games this month. Shin-Soo Choo celebrated his 36th birthday by reach base for the 49th consecutive game, the second-longest streak in baseball since 2007. The beating goes on for Baltimore, which wasted Caleb Joseph's three-run double in losing for the 17th time in 20 games. Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop went 2-for-5 in the loss, the seventh time he has collected multiple hits in the past 11 games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (2-3, 9.67 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Yefry Ramirez (0-3, 3.93)

Perez has been sidelined since the end of April, when he was placed on the disabled list due to discomfort in the surgically repaired elbow on his non-pitching arm. He failed to pitch beyond four innings in three of his five starts this season and has surrendered seven home runs in only 22 1/3 innings. Perez was battered for 13 runs and 16 hits over 10 1/3 innings in a pair of losses to Baltimore last July.

Ramirez remains in search of his first major-league win entering his fifth career appearance and fourth start, as the Orioles have scored only six runs in his four appearances this season. The 24-year-old Dominican was tagged for four runs and nine hits in a season-low four innings versus the New York Yankees on Monday. Ramirez is limiting right-handed batters to a collective .205 average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers RH Keone Kela has converted all 23 save opportunities.

2. Baltimore is 1-16 against AL West opponents.

3. Rangers CF Delino DeShields cleared his concussion protocol and entered as a defensive replacement Friday.

PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Rangers 5
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