Preview: Reds at Padres
Gracenote
Jun 3, 2018
One day after getting burned by the hot bat of Jose Peraza and the even-hotter one of Scooter Gennett, the San Diego Padres discovered how much easier life can be when they keep the Cincinnati Reds' middle infielders in check at the plate. The Padres take aim at their fifth win in six contests Sunday, when they host the Reds in the rubber match of their three-game set.
Peraza recorded three hits and three RBIs while Gennett homered in Cincinnati's 7-2 series-opening victory on Friday, allowing the former to extend his multi-hit streak to four games and the latter to continue a 16-game stretch during which he has hit .400. Both players doubled but did nothing else one night later in the Padres' 8-2 triumph, as Eric Lauer and four relievers had little problem making an early four-run lead stand up. Manuel Margot is 3-for-7 in this series after entering the weekend batting .204 and sparked San Diego's four-run second inning on Saturday with a two-run double. The Reds (3-5) already are guaranteed a losing record on their nine-game road trip through the National League West, although the club can take some pride in its 18-23 mark under interim manager Jim Riggleman after beginning the season 3-15 under Bryan Price.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (4-5, 5.49 ERA) vs. Padres RH Tyson Ross (4-3, 3.29)
Castillo's three-game winning streak came to an end with Tuesday's loss in Arizona as he surrendered five runs - four earned - on four hits and three walks in five innings. The 25-year-old Dominican had yielded fewer than three earned runs in each of his previous five outings - a stretch during which he went 3-1 with a 2.83 ERA. Castillo did not factor in the decision in his only previous start versus the Padres, allowing three run over six frames in August.
Ross failed to last six innings for the first time in six May outings on Tuesday, leaving after 5 1/3 frames and 87 pitches as he gave up three runs and six hits against Miami. The 31-year-old has yielded a total of one homer over his last four starts - and five on the season, and San Diego is 8-3 with him on the mound. Ross hasn't faced Cincinnati since 2015, but he is 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) versus the Reds.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego LHP Jose Castillo struck out the side in the eighth inning in his major-league debut on Saturday.
2. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez recorded 29 RBIs in May but has driven in only run over his last seven games.
3. San Diego's 21-13 record against Cincinnati since 2013 is the club's best versus any NL opponent over that time.
PREDICTION: Padres 4, Reds 2
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Umpire Trends - Scott Barry
Road team is 4-0 in Barrys last 4 Sunday games behind home plate.
Under is 4-0 in Barrys last 4 games behind home plate.
Home team is 4-0 in Barrys last 4 games behind home plate vs. San Diego.
Road team is 7-2 in Barrys last 9 games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
Padres are 5-2 in their last 7 games with Barry behind home plate.
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Preview: Red Sox at Astros
Gracenote
Jun 3, 2018
The Boston Red Sox rallied to avoid a potential sweep Saturday and can earn a split of the four-game series between two of the top teams in the American League when they visit the Houston Astros for the finale on Sunday night. Andrew Benintendi snapped a tie with a two-run blast in the seventh inning and J.D. Martinez pushed his major league-leading total to 50 RBIs with two as the Red Sox defeated Houston 5-4 on Saturday.
Martinez owns nine RBIs in his last eight games and Benintendi is 13-for-31 with 10 runs knocked in over the same span for Boston, which has won 10 of its last 14 and is 20-11 on the road in 2018. Former Cy Young winner Rick Porcello looks to find his early-season form when he takes the mound for the Red Sox on Sunday and unbeaten Charlie Morton gets the call for the Astros in a battle of New Jersey natives. Houston, which leads the AL West, has dropped five of its last eight contests overall and saw its five-game winning streak at home come to an end Saturday. First baseman Yuli Gurriel had a pair of hits in the setback and takes a nine-game hitting streak into the series finale for the Astros, going 14-for-39 with five RBIs during the stretch.
TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (7-2, 3.65 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (7-0, 2.26)
Porcello recorded six quality starts in his first seven trips to the mound this year but has just two in five outings since, including Tuesday when he limited Toronto to two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings in a victory. The 29-year-old had a 2.23 ERA through the end of April and posted a 5.35 mark in May while winning three of five decisions. George Springer is 3-for-7 with two doubles versus Porcello, who is 1-1 in three career games against the Astros.
Morton extended his regular-season unbeaten streak to 14 games after permitting three runs on eight hits with 10 strikeouts over six innings in a no-decision against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. The 34-year-old has yielded more than three runs once in 11 starts this season and completed at least six innings in nine outings. Xander Bogaerts and Martinez are each 2-for-6 against Morton, who is 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in two career games versus Boston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros 2B Jose Altuve is 18-for-38 over his last nine games with six extra-base hits and seven RBIs - but none in the last five contests.
2. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia (left knee inflammation) returned to the 10-day disabled list Saturday after playing just three games.
3. Houston INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez left Saturday’s game in the third inning with right knee soreness and his status for Sunday is uncertain.
PREDICTION: Astros 5, Red Sox 2
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Umpire Trends - Ben May
Road team is 7-0 in Mays last 7 games behind home plate.
Under is 4-0 in Mays last 4 games behind home plate vs. Houston.
Over is 4-1 in Mays last 5 Sunday games behind home plate.
Red Sox are 4-1 in their last 5 games with May behind home plate.
Road team is 4-1 in Mays last 5 games behind home plate vs. Boston.
Home team is 7-3 in Mays last 10 Sunday games behind home plate.
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