Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 09-01-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 1st September 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 09/01/2018
The Oakland Athletics hope to continue their climb toward first place in the American League West when they host the Seattle Mariners on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series. Oakland bounced back from a series-opening beatdown to post a 7-5 win on Friday and get within 1 1/2 games of division-leading Houston.
The Athletics produced a five-run first inning that was highlighted by Stephen Piscotty's two-run homer but squandered the sizeable lead before Ramon Laureano lifted a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the fifth. Matt Olson went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Matt Chapman homered as Oakland improved to a major league-best 47-19 since June 16 and 1-1 on its 10-game homestand. Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano and Ryon Healy went deep during a four-run fourth inning for Seattle, which has lost six of its last nine contests. The Mariners fell 5 1/2 games behind Oakland for the second AL wild-card spot but meet the Athletics five more times.
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH James Paxton (10-5, 3.68 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Daniel Mengden (6-6, 4.28)
Paxton will be making his first start since suffering a forearm injury at Oakland on Aug. 14. The 29-year-old Canadian retired only one batter in that outing but registered 16 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Athletics on May 2. Paxton has yet to lose to Oakland in his career, going 3-0 with a 3.50 ERA eight starts.
Mengden has not started for Oakland since June 23, when he was tagged for five runs over two innings in a no-decision against the White Sox in Chicago. The 25-year-old Texan surrendered 21 runs over 16 1/3 frames in four turns in June after ending May with four consecutive victories. Mengden lost both of his career starts against Seattle, yielding six runs on 10 hits and five walks in 11 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Athletics acquired Cory Gearrin from Texas on Friday for fellow RHPs Teodoro Ortega and Abdiel Mendoza.
2. Cruz needs 18 RBIs to reach the century mark for the third consecutive season.
3. Oakland recalled OF Dustin Fowler from Triple-A Nashville and optioned RHP Frankie Montas to the Sounds.
PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Athletics 2
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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 09-01-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 1st September 2018 by Gracenote
Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/01/2018
Clayton Kershaw looks to win his fourth straight decision as well as pitch his team into a first-place tie in the National League West when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series. Justin Turner hit the tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning on Friday as Los Angeles pulled within one game of the first-place Diamondbacks with a 3-2 victory.
Kershaw is aiming for a strong stretch drive after going 2-0 with a 2.06 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 33 strikeouts against three walks over 35 innings in five starts during August. Arizona counters with Patrick Corbin, who has been superb against the Dodgers this season as he is 1-0 with a 0.98 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 24 strikeouts over 18 1/3 frames in three starts. The Diamondbacks have scored just eight runs while going 2-3 over their last five games as the Dodgers and Colorado, which is 1 1/2 games back, remain in close pursuit. Los Angeles also received a pinch-hit homer from Enrique Hernandez in Friday's contest while remaining 2 1/2 games behind Milwaukee for the NL's second wild-card spot.
TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (10-5, 3.15 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (6-5, 2.39)
Corbin won four consecutive decisions before losing to San Francisco in his last outing despite a strong effort. The 29-year-old registered nine strikeouts while allowing two runs and four hits over seven innings in the 2-0 setback. Despite the strong 2018 showings, Corbin is just 4-9 with a 3.78 ERA in 19 career appearances (17 starts) against the Dodgers.
Kershaw did not factor in the decision against San Diego in his last turn, when he gave up three runs - two earned - and seven hits over eight innings. The 30-year-old is 1-1 with a 2.37 ERA in three starts against the Diamondbacks this season and 15-9 with a 2.53 ERA in 29 career meetings. Kershaw has had success against A.J. Pollock (8-for-40, one homer) and has struck out Paul Goldschmidt (11-for-52) 19 times despite serving up three homers.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers acquired 3B David Freese from Pittsburgh for INF Jesus Manuel Valdez, obtained Ryan Madson from Washington for fellow RHP Andrew Istler and designated LHP Adam Liberatore for assignment.
2. Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer on Friday, extending his franchise-record streak to 43 consecutive road games in which he has reached base.
3. Los Angeles RHP Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 33rd save after allowing seven runs over his previous four appearances in the aftermath of some heart-related issues.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Diamondbacks 1
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