MLB Betting News and Trends For Sunday 7/1/18

National League
Nationals (42-39) @ Phillies (44-37)
Gonzalez is 0-3, 10.64 in his last three starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 9-7
5-inning record: 8-4-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-16

Arrieta is 0-4, 9.47 in his last five starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 6-9.
5-inning record: 8-5-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-15

Washington lost six of its last eight games; under is 3-1 in their last four games. Phillies lost four of last seven games; six of their last seven home games stayed under.

Mets (32-48) @ Marlins (34-50)
Matz is 1-1, 4.19 in his last three starts; under is 8-2 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 8-7.
5-inning record: 5-8-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-15

Straily is 1-3, 6.84 in his last six starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 6-5.
5-inning record: 4-6-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-11

Mets lost 10 of their last 11 games; over is 8-4 in their last 12 games. Marlins are 11-8 in their last 19 games; under is 4-1-1 in their last six games.

Brewers (48-34) @ Reds (35-48)
Peralta is 3-0, 1.59 in his first four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 4-0
5-inning record: 3-0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4

Harvey is 2-0, 2.13 in his last two starts; his last three stayed under. Team in his starts: 5-4
5-inning record: 5-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-9

Brewers are 6-8 in last 14 road games; over is 4-0 in their last four games. Reds won 10 of their last 13 games; over is 12-2-2 in their last 16 home games.

Braves (47-34) @ Cardinals (42-39)
Foltynewicz is 2-1, 1.16 in his last five starts; under is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 7-8
5-inning record: 5-4-6. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-15

Gant is 1-2, 4.91 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

Braves won three of their last four road games; over is 8-2 in their last ten games. St Louis lost its last three games; under is 8-4 in their last 12 home games.

Giants (44-40) @ Diamondbacks (47-36)
Holland is 2-1, 2.78 in his last four starts; under is 8-2 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 8-8
5-inning record: 5-7-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-16

Godley is 4-0, 3.47 in his last four starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 10-6
5-inning record: 9-7. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-16 (0 of last 5)

Giants won nine of their last 11 games; under is 5-1 in their last six games. Arizona won seven of its last ten games; under is 7-1-1 in their last nine games.

Pirates (39-43) @ Padres (37-48)
Taillon is 3-1, 2.90 in his last five starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 8-8
5-inning record: 7-7-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-16

Ross is 0-2, 2.84 in his last three starts; Phillies scored 5 runs in those games (under 3-0). Team in his starts: 10-6
5-inning record: 8-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-16

Pirates lost seven of their last ten games; over is 6-2 in their last eight road games. San Diego lost nine of its last 12 games; over is 10-4 in Padres’ last 14 home games.

Rockies (41-42) @ Dodgers (43-39)
Bettis is 1-0, 8.27 in his last six starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 9-7
5-inning record: 13-1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-16

Stripling is 6-1, 2.02 in his last eight starts (under 7-4). Team in his starts: 6-5
5-inning record: 8-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-11

Colorado won its last three games; under is 4-1 in their last five games. Dodgers lost four of their last five games; over is 5-3 in their last eight games.

American League
Angels (43-41) @ Orioles (23-59)
McGuire is 1-1, 4.33 in 12 MLB games (2 starts). He’s allowed 10 runs in 13.1 IP in six MLB relief stints this year. He was 4-2, 3.22 in eight AAA starts. Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Gausman is 0-1, 2.55 in his last three starts; his last four stayed under. Team in his starts: 4-12
5-inning record: 6-7-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-15

Angels lost seven of their last nine games; under is 7-2-1 in their last ten games. Orioles lost their last seven games; under is 7-2-1 in their last ten home games.

Red Sox (56-28) @ New York (53-27)
Price is 5-1, 3.00 in his last six starts; under is 3-0-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 11-5.
5-inning record: 7-5-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-16

Severino is 3-0, 1.31 in his last three starts; under is 4-0 in his last four. Team in his starts: 15-2
5-inning record: 13-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-17

Boston won seven of its last nine games; over is 10-5-1 in their last 16 road games. You’re reading armadillosports.com. New York won seven of its last nine home games; under is 6-2-1 in their last nine games.

Tigers (36-48) @ Blue Jays (39-43)
Zimmerman is 1-0, 1.64 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 5-4
5-inning record: 5-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-8

Happ is 6-0, 2.94 in his last eight starts; over is 5-3-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 11-5
5-inning record: 10-3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-16

Detroit lost its last 11 games; under is 5-1 in their last six games. Blue Jays won ten of their last 11 home games; over is 5-3 in their last eight home games.

Astros (55-30) @ Rays (41-41)
Morton is 3-0, 1.89 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 11-5.
5-inning record: 10-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-16

Snell is 3-1, 2.52 in his last four starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 10-7
5-inning record: 11-4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-17

Houston is 18-5 in its last 23 games; under is 9-2 in their last 11 games. Rays won seven of their last eight games; under is 8-2 in their last ten home games.

White Sox (28-54) @ Rangers (38-46)
Lopez is 1-1, 6.48 in his last three starts; under is 5-3-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 5-11
5-inning record: 7-8-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-16

Hamels is 1-0, 3.50 in his last three starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 6-10
5-inning record: 5-8-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-16

White Sox lost their last three games; over is 8-2 in their last ten games. Texas won 11 of its last 13 games; over is 6-3 in their last nine home games.

Indians (44-37) @ A’s (46-38)
Clevinger is 2-1, 2.29 in his last three starts; under is 3-0-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 7-9
5-inning record: 4-7-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-16 (4 of last 5)

Montas is 1-1, 8.40 in his last three starts (over 5-1). Team in his starts: 5-1
5-inning record: 4-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Cleveland lost four of its last five games; under is 9-3 in their last 12 road games. A’s won 12 of their last 14 games; five of Oakland’s last seven home games went over total.

Royals (25-57) @ Mariners (53-31)
Keller is 1-0, 2.45 in his last three starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 3-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Paxton is 3-1, 4.97 in his last five start; over is 6-3 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 11-6
5-inning record: 7-6-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-17

Royals are 4-20 in their last 24 games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 games. Seattle won its last six games; under is 6-2 in their last eight games.

Interleague
Twins (35-44) @ Cubs (46-35)
Lynn is 4-2, 2.40 in his last seven 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: 4-15

Lester is 6-0, 1.89 in his last six starts; under is 8-4 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 13-3
5-inning record: 9-3-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-16

Minnesota lost seven of its last nine games; 39 runs scored in first two games of this series. You’re reading armadillosports.com. Cubs won four of their last five games; under is 11-4 in their last 15 games at Wrigley Field.

Umpires
NY-Mia: Over is 4-1-1 in last six Cederstrom games.
Mil-Cin: Under is 7-2-2 in last 11 Marquez games.
Wsh-Phil: Over is 10-5 in last 15 Torres games.
Atl-StL: Three of last four Morales games stayed under.
Col-LA: Under is 5-2 in last seven Barksdale games.
SF-Az: Over is 11-4-2 in Johnson games this year.
Pitt-SD: Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Tichenor games.

Det-Tor: Under is 4-1-1 in last six Hoberg games.
Clev-A’s: Under is 3-1 in Libka games the last two years.
LAA-Balt: Unde ris 9-0-1 in last ten Bellino games.
Hst-TB: Four of last five Gibson games went over.
Bos-NY: Four of last five Culbreth games stayed under.
Chi-Tex: Underdogs are 9-4 in last 13 Ripperger games.
KC-Sea: Eight of last nine Dimuro games stayed under.

Minn-Chi: Over is 6-0-1 in last seven Guccione games.

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Preview: Angels at Orioles
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

The Los Angeles Angels arrived in Baltimore mired in a six-game skid but they have found a way to halt the slide against the worst team in the major leagues. The Angels erupted for five runs in the eighth inning in Saturday's 5-2 win over the flat-lining Orioles and will look to complete a three-game sweep in Sunday's series finale.

Albert Pujols ignited the late rally with an RBI double, the 632nd two-base hit of his career to move into a tie with David Ortiz for 10th place on major league baseball's all-time list. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons added a run-scoring single to extend his hitting streak to eight games, a span in which he is 14-for-32. Mike Trout was hitless in three at bats but he's 7-for-13 with three homers off Baltimore's Kevin Gausman, who will be seeking his first win since May 11. The Orioles have three losing streaks of at least seven games since May 26 and have dropped 17 of their last 18 at Camden Yards.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Deck McGuire (0-0, 6.08 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (3-6, 4.20)

McGuire will make his third appearance and first start for the Angels in place of left-hander John Lamb, who is facing Tommy John surgery and is lost for the season. He pitched a scoreless inning versus Toronto in his Angels debut on June 24, but was rocked by Boston for three solo homers in four innings on Tuesday. McGuire has yielded five homers and 10 runs in 13 1/3 innings overall this season.

Gausman is mired in an eight-start winless drought despite a strong outing last time out against Seattle, when he went six innings and held the Mariners to one run and five hits. Over his last four turns, he has allowed eight runs and notched three quality starts but is 0-1 with three no-decisions. Luis Valbuena has four homers in nine at-bats versus Gausman, who is 1-3 with a 5.97 ERA against the Angels.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Orioles are 0-15 against the American League West this season.

2. Angels DH Shohei Ohtani (elbow) hit in a simulated game Saturday and could return to the lineup next week.

3. Orioles RHP Darren O'Day will have season-ending surgery to repair a left hamstring injury.

PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Angels 5
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Preview: Tigers at Blue Jays
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

Toronto's J.A. Happ won't be pitching north of the border for much longer if he continues his tear as contending teams are sure to line up for the talented left-hander prior to the July 31 trade deadline. Happ tries to further enhance his resume when he vies for his seventh straight victory Sunday as the Blue Jays host the Detroit Tigers on Canada Day in the third contest of their four-game series.

The New York Yankees are among the clubs rumored to be interested in Happ, who is 1-1 with 3.72 ERA in 10 postseason games (three starts) with Philadelphia (2008-09) and Toronto (2016). Happ will be opposed Sunday by Jordan Zimmermann, who has pitched five innings in each of his two starts since returning from the disabled list (right shoulder) with both resulting in no-decisions. Zimmermann will try to help Detroit snap an 11-game losing streak -- its longest since 2003 -- after Justin Smoak led off the ninth inning with a home run in the Blue Jays' 4-3 victory Saturday, giving them 10 wins in their last 11 home games. Nick Castellanos (.309, 12 home runs, 49 RBIs) hit a two-run homer Saturday and is 11-for-27 with three home runs, eight RBIs and six runs scored in his last seven games for the Tigers, who last lost 12 straight in 1996.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (2-0, 4.35 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (10-3, 3.62)

Zimmermann allowed four hits, one walk and struck out three while not yielding a run in Detroit's 5-4 loss to Oakland on Monday. The 32-year-old Wisconsin native permitted four runs (three earned) and four hits with four strikeouts in the Tigers' 7-5 victory over the White Sox in Chicago on June 16 in his first start since May 5. Zimmermann is 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA in three starts versus Toronto but will be pitching at Rogers Centre for the first time.

Happ allowed three runs, seven hits and two walks while striking out four in six innings of a 6-3 victory at Houston on Monday. The 35-year-old Illinois native is 6-0 with a 2.60 ERA in his last eight starts, including a no-decision when he yielded four runs and struck out eight in five innings of the Blue Jays' 7-4 loss at Detroit on June 2. Castellanos is 9-for-16 and Victor Martinez 2-for-16 against Happ, who is 3-1 with a 4.10 ERA in nine games (eight starts) versus the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit RHP Alex Wilson (0-3, 3.94 ERA) left Saturday's game in the eighth inning because of a sore left calf.

2. Toronto placed RHP Ryan Tepera (right elbow inflammation) on the disabled list Saturday and recalled RHP Jake Petricka from Triple-A Buffalo. Tepera blew saves in his last two appearances.

3. Tigers RHP Buck Farmer (3-3, 4.74 ERA) hasn't allowed a run in his last nine appearances, winning twice and yielding four hits and eight walks while striking out eight during that span.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 3, Tigers 2
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Preview: Astros at Rays
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

The Tampa Bay Rays have battled their way back to the .500 mark despite a difficult schedule over the last few weeks and hope to keep it going when they host the Houston Astros on Sunday for the finale of a four-game set. The Rays have won nine of their last 12 contests while facing the American League West-leading Astros six times, the powerful New York Yankees for four more and beating Max Scherzer during a two-game sweep of Washington.

Tampa Bay has been outstanding on the mound while giving up just five runs over its last five games, including a 5-2 win Saturday, and will send ace left-hander Blake Snell to the mound Sunday in search of the team’s 11th win in 12 home games. Snell has been one of the best starting pitchers in the AL most of this season and he takes on right-hander Charlie Morton in a matchup of two 10-game winners who could end up in the All-Star Game in a few weeks. Houston has dropped consecutive games for the first time since losing three in a row from June 2-5 and have scored four times in the last two against the Rays - all on a pair of two-run homers by red-hot Alex Bregman, who is 12-for-25 during a six-game hitting streak with five blasts. All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa (back) was placed on the disabled list Friday, but the Astros could see the return of first baseman Yuli Gurriel from the paternity list Sunday after he missed three straight games.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Charlie Morton (10-1, 2.54 ERA) vs. Rays LH Blake Snell (10-4, 2.31)

Morton rebounded from two straight tough outings to win his last three starts while allowing four runs (three earned) on 10 hits and 10 walks over 19 innings combined. The 34-year-old New Jersey native permitted one unearned run on two hits over six innings to beat Tampa Bay on June 20 and struck out 13 in seven scoreless frames in 7-0 win against Toronto six days later. Carlos Gomez is 6-for-18 with a homer versus Morton, who is 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA in his career against the Rays.

Snell held Washington to one hit and worked around four walks across seven scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts last Monday for his sixth win in his last seven decisions. The 25-year-old Seattle native limited Houston to one run on three hits and a season-high seven walks to earn the win on June 19, improving to 1-1 with a 5.21 ERA in four career starts versus the Astros. Jose Altuve is 3-for-7 with two homers against Snell, who is 5-1 with a 0.81 ERA in seven home starts this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston OF George Springer is 0-for-13 in his last four contests and 3-for-49 during a 13-game span after striking out three times Saturday.

2. Tampa Bay 3B Matt Duffy is 13-for-35 during his current nine-game hitting streak after posting three hits Saturday.

3. Altuve had a pair of hits Saturday to raise his batting average to a major league-leading .342.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Astros 2
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Preview: Brewers at Reds
Gracenote
Jul 1, 2018

The Cincinnati Reds haven’t been playing like a last-place club recently, holding their own against a spate of National League contenders. Winners of 10 of their last 13, the Reds will try to salvage a split of their four-game series against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

Cincinnati hammered the Brewers 12-3 on Saturday, trying to once again play spoiler after sweeping four games from the Chicago Cubs and taking two of three at Atlanta in its previous two series. Milwaukee is trying to avoid splitting a fourth consecutive series. The Brewers are short-handed in the outfield, as Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun are nursing stiff backs and hoping to avoid joining Lorenzo Cain (groin) on the disabled list. The bullpen also was undermanned Saturday, with Jeremy Jeffress and Josh Hader needing days off, and the Reds took advantage by hammering Milwaukee’s less-productive relievers.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Freddy Peralta (3-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. Reds RH Matt Harvey (3-5, 5.28)

Peralta is in his second stint with the big-league club, and he’s making a strong case to stick in the rotation. The 22-year-old Dominican has thrown 13 scoreless innings over two starts since being recalled June 19. He has racked up 17 strikeouts over that span while allowing just three hits and one walk.

Harvey has won back-to-back starts for the first time since May of 2017. The 29-year-old former ace has allowed three runs and 11 hits over 12 2/3 innings across his last two outings - wins over the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta - a pair of National League contenders. Harvey is 0-2 with a 5.63 ERA in three starts against Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Reds have hit a major league-leading eight grand slams, including five in June.

2. The Brewers have hit a home run in 18 consecutive games at Great American Ball Park - the longest streak by an opponent and tied for the longest overall with the Reds.

3. Milwaukee LF/1B Eric Thames has 14 homers in 22 games against the Reds, including seven in 12 contests at Great American Ball Park.

PREDICTION: Brewers 7, Reds 5
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Preview: Mets at Marlins
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

The New York Mets set a franchise record for the best start in history by ripping off 11 wins in their first 12 contests, including a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins. It's been a long slide since for New York, which has tumbled from first to worst in the National League East entering the finale of a three-game set at Miami on Sunday.

The Marlins, despite trotting out two pitchers making their first major-league starts, have won the first two games of the series to pull percentage points ahead of the Mets and out of last place in the division. Brian Anderson started Miami's comeback on Saturday by belting a two-run homer and J.T. Realmuto capped it with a two-run double as the Marlins won for the 11th time in 19 games. Meanwhile, ace Jacob deGrom was unable to protect a 2-0 lead for New York, which has the worst record in the NL after dropping its third in a row and 10th in 11 games. "That was not the goal when we came in. The goal was to have the best winning percentage," deGrom told reporters. "This is the complete opposite. Nobody is happy with that."

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (3-5, 3.69 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Dan Straily (3-3, 4.82)

Matz tied season highs for strikeouts and innings pitched on Tuesday against Pittsburgh but came away with a no-decision after fanning seven in seven frames of three-run ball. He has permitted three runs or fewer in six of his last seven outings, registering five quality starts in that span. Matz has fared well away from home, compiling a 2-2 record and 2.60 ERA in seven starts.

Straily, who returns after serving a five-game suspension, ended a six-start winless drought on Monday by limiting Arizona to three runs and four hits over 6 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old was 0-3 over his previous five starts, giving up 17 runs over 20 innings. Straily is 1-1 with a 3.04 ERA in five starts versus the Mets but he pitched six innings of one-run ball against them on May 23.

WALK-OFFS

1. Realmuto, who returned to the lineup Friday after missing four games, has hit safely in his last eight contests.

2. The Mets finished the month with a 5-21 record, the worst June in franchise history.

3. Marlins 2B Starlin Castro is 11-for-23 during a six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Mets 4
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Preview: Nationals at Phillies
Gracenote
Jul 1, 2018

The Washington Nationals appeared to be breaking out of their offensive funk with a strong performance on Friday, but another lackluster effort followed a night later. The Nationals will try to push across some runs and earn a split of their four-game series when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies for the finale on Sunday.

Washington totaled three runs in three straight losses before exploding with seven home runs in a 17-7 rout on Friday. That heat wave did not last into the weekend, however, as the Nationals went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position while stranding eight baserunners in Saturday's 3-2 setback to fall five games behind first-place Atlanta in the National League East. Stuck between Washington and Atlanta are the Phillies, who have captured three of four and won on Saturday despite losing starter Vince Velasquez after two innings when he was hit by a comebacker. Philadelphia will try to get some innings out of Jake Arrieta on Sunday as he opposes Gio Gonzalez.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN2 (Washington), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (6-5, 3.68 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (5-6, 3.54)

Gonzalez should be happy to begin a new month after going 0-3 with an 8.44 ERA in five starts during June. The Floridian lasted just one inning at Tampa Bay on Monday as he was rocked for six runs on three hits and five walks in a game Washington went on to lose 11-0. Gonzalez was much stronger against Philadelphia at home on May 4, when he yielded two hits and two walks in five scoreless frames to register the win.

Arrieta was nearly as bad in June as he went 0-4 with a 6.66 ERA over five starts. The TCU product allowed at least one home run in each of those five starts and served up a pair of blasts while surrendering six runs - three earned - on nine hits and a walk in five innings against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. Arrieta got the start at Washington on May 4 and did not factor in the decision despite allowing one run and two hits in six frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Nationals optioned LHP Sammy Solis to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

2. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera went 1-for-4 with a home run on Saturday, snapping his five-game hitless streak.

3. Washington 3B Anthony Rendon has gone 5-for-10 with two homers, four RBIs and four runs scored over his last two games.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Nationals 4
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Preview: Braves at Cardinals
Gracenote
Jul 1, 2018

The Atlanta Braves stumbled through a homestand against two last-place teams, but the National League East leaders enter Sunday’s series finale at the St. Louis Cardinals aiming for a sweep to start their 10-game road trip. The Braves pounded St. Louis for the second consecutive night Saturday, getting a grand slam and five RBIs from Nick Markakis and three hits from Ozzie Albies en route to a 11-4 victory as Atlanta maintained a three-game lead over Philadelphia in the division.

Markakis, who looks like he will be an All-Star selection for the first time in his 13-year career, finished 2-for-3 and is hitting .326 while leading the NL with 104 hits on the season as the Braves scored 10-plus runs for the 11th time in 81 games. The Cardinals have hit a dry spell offensively after winning four games in a row, collecting just six runs on 19 hits in losing their past three games. St. Louis center fielder Tommy Pham finished hitless in three at-bats Saturday and is mired in a 0-for-29 skid. Harrison Bader finished 2-for-3 and is 8-for-17 in his past six games for the Cardinals.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS South (Atlanta), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (5-4, 2.14 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH John Gant (2-2, 3.48)

Foltynewicz struggled with his control in his first start after coming off the disabled list with right forearm tightness Monday against Cincinnati, walking four hitters but allowing one run on one hit in five innings. The 26-year-old is a big reason why the Braves have surpassed expectations, entering Saturday third in the NL in ERA and ninth in strikeouts (98). Foltynewicz seeks a good outing against the Cardinals, as he is 1-2 with a 9.95 ERA in three career starts against St. Louis.

Gant has split time between St. Louis and Triple-A Memphis, and currently is on his third stint this season with the big-league club. The 25-year-old, who had marginal success in three starts earlier this season, walked five hitters Monday against Cleveland but allowed only one hit in seven shutout innings to earn the victory. Gant, who went 1-4 with a 4.86 ERA in 20 games as a rookie with Atlanta in 2016, is 1-2 with a 4.09 ERA in 22 innings as a starter in 2018.

WALK-OFFS

1. Albies extended his hitting streak to 10 games Saturday while 3B Johan Camargo pushed his hitting streak to seven games.

2. After Sunday, the Cardinals play 17 of their next 20 games on the road - where they are 19-18 on the season.

3. Atlanta designated OF Peter Bourjos for assignment in advance of Saturday’s game, clearing a roster spot for RHP Max Fried.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Cardinals 2
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Preview: Twins at Cubs
Gracenote
Jul 1, 2018

The only thing rivaling the heat in the Windy City this weekend has been the Chicago Cubs’ bats. The Cubs have scored 35 runs during a three-game winning streak, and they’ll look to continue their hot hitting Sunday when they try to finish off a three-game sweep of the visiting Minnesota Twins, who have lost seven of their last nine.

The offense often picks up when it warms up on the north side of Chicago, and that certainly has been the case for the Cubs in the first two games of the series. With the heat index at 101 at first pitch and reaching as high as 107 later Saturday, four players - Minnesota’s Eddie Rosario, Bobby Wilson, and Max Kepler, along with Chicago’s Albert Almora Jr. - all left the game with heat-related ailments. The Cubs will try to keep the run support coming for left-hander Jon Lester, who is 4-1 with a 1.25 ERA in seven home starts. He will face right-hander Lance Lynn, who hasn’t beaten the Cubs - a familiar foe during his tenure in St. Louis - since 2013.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Lance Lynn (5-6, 4.81 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (10-2, 2.18)

After a disastrous start to the season, Lynn has posted quality starts in five of his last seven outings to lower his ERA from 7.47 to 4.81. The 31-year-old lost for just the second time during that stretch when he gave up five runs (four earned) over five-plus innings against the Chicago White Sox last time out. Lynn is 6-6 with a 4.06 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) against the Cubs.

Lester looks to continue the dominant form he showed throughout June, when he was 5-0 with a 1.13 ERA in five starts and held opponents to a .155 batting average. The 34-year-old has won six straight starts and eight of his last nine, with the only loss during that stretch coming in a 1-0 defeat against Cleveland. Lester is 3-4 with a 3.66 ERA in 12 games (11 starts) against the Twins, but he hasn’t faced them since 2015.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs have scored in double digits in three straight games for the first time since April 15-17, 2003, and they lead the majors with 13 games this season with at least 10 runs.

2. Twins 1B/DH Joe Mauer was 2-for-5 with three RBIs Saturday and is now 11-for-23 with two homers and 12 RBIs in five career games at Wrigley Field.

3. Cubs RF Jason Heyward went 4-for-6 Saturday for his third four-hit game of June. Prior to June, his last four-hit contest was April 24, 2016.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Twins 3
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Preview: White Sox at Rangers
Gracenote
Jul 1, 2018

Having already clinched their fifth straight series victory, the surging Texas Rangers aim for a sweep of the visiting Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Cole Hamels takes the mound for the Rangers, who have won 11 of their last 13 games and outscored the White Sox 24-7 over the first two contests of the set.

Joey Gallo and Ryan Rua homered for the Rangers in Saturday’s 13-4 victory while Robinson Chirinos extended his hitting streak to six games with two hits, including a three-run double. Shin-Soo Choo, who has a major league-best on-base streak of 41 games, was held out of the contest due to right quadriceps soreness and is listed as day-to-day. The White Sox dropped their fifth straight road game despite a solo homer from Avisail Garcia, who has three blasts in his last five contests and is 10-for-37 during his eight-game hitting streak. Matt Davidson entered Saturday in a 9-for-44 slump but went 3-for-4 with a double, a solo homer and two runs scored in his first three-hit performance since April 28.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (3-5, 3.73 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Cole Hamels (4-6, 3.61)

Manager Rick Renteria remains high on Lopez, who has allowed nine runs - eight earned - over 10 2/3 innings in his last two starts but has worked at least six frames in four of his last five outings. “He continues to improve and grind out innings and give us some starts that give us a chance,” Renteria told reporters. “He’s continuing to trust and know what he’s capable of doing.” The 24-year-old is 1-1 with a 4.38 ERA in two career starts against Texas.

Hamels escaped with a no-decision against San Diego on Monday after yielding four runs and nine hits over five innings. The 34-year-old Californian allowed two homers in the contest and has served up a total of 20 in 16 starts covering 97 1/3 frames. Hamels has posted one victory in his last six outings but owns a 2-0 record and 2.86 ERA in four career starts against the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago is 6-13 against American League West opponents this season, including 0-5 on the road.

2. Texas LHP Martin Perez (elbow) tossed six scoreless innings for Double-A Frisco in his second rehab start on Saturday.

3. White Sox 3B Yolmer Sanchez returned to the lineup Saturday after missing the series opener with a bruised left quad and went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

PREDICTION: Rangers 7, White Sox 4
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Preview: Indians at Athletics
Gracenote
Jun 30, 2018

The Cleveland Indians were rolling along with seven straight wins before heading out onto the road for a nine-game trip to start the week. The American League Central-leading Indians have dropped four of five on their trek and attempt to avoid a three-game sweep against the surging Oakland Athletics on Sunday afternoon after managing just three runs in the first two contests of the series.

Cleveland coughed up a two-run lead, giving up seven in Oakland’s final three at-bats of a 7-2 decision Saturday, and totaled three hits - two of them solo homers by Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor. Mike Clevinger will try to stop the bleeding for the Indians when he goes after his seventh victory of the season while the Athletics counter with fellow right-hander Frankie Montas, who has been up and down in his first six major league starts. Oakland, which visits Cleveland from July 6-8, has strung together six straight wins to creep closer in the race for an AL wild-card spot and move to a season-high eight games over .500 at 46-38. Mark Canha had an RBI double in Saturday’s contest for the Athletics to extend his hitting streak to a career-high nine games, going 11-for-33 during that stretch.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Mike Clevinger (6-3, 3.03 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Frankie Montas (4-1, 3.68)

Clevinger saw a five-game unbeaten streak come to an end last Monday when he allowed two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings in a loss at St. Louis. The 27-year-old Citadel product, who lost his lone career start against Oakland last year, has yielded seven runs (six earned) across 26 1/3 innings in his last four trips to the mound with 30 strikeouts. Chad Pinder is 2-for-3 with two homers versus Clevinger, who is 3-2 with a 2.39 ERA in eight road starts in 2018.

Montas has suffered his worst two outings of the season within his past three starts, allowing six runs over three innings in a no-decision at Detroit on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Dominican also allowed seven runs across 5 1/3 innings in a loss to Houston on June 14, but surrendered only four runs combined in his other four starts outside of the two poor performances. Rajai Davis is 2-for-2 versus Montas, who is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA in three career relief appearances against the Indians.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland INF Jed Lowrie was 0-for-2 with a pair of walks Saturday, but is 10-for-23 with three homers and six RBIs over his last six contests.

2. The Indians are just 17-24 on the road and have scored 10 times during the first five games of their trip.

3. The Athletics belted three homers Saturday to reach 40 at home while leading the majors with 72 on the road.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Athletics 3
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Preview: Royals at Mariners
Gracenote
Jul 1, 2018

The Seattle Mariners aim for a series sweep and a seventh straight win overall when they host the Kansas City Royals on Sunday for the finale of their three-game set. Seattle scored all of its runs on Saturday over the first three innings and went on to defeat Kansas City 6-4 for its fourth win in five home games.

Mitch Haniger went 3-for-4 with an RBI for the Mariners but was upstaged by Ryon Healy, who recorded a career high-tying four hits and drove in three runs. Haniger has registered multi-hit performances in five of his last nine contests, with each of the last two being three-hit efforts. Mike Moustakas was the hitting star for the Royals, going 2-for-4 with a three-run homer as the club suffered its third loss in four games. Moustakas has notched three straight two-hit performances, going 6-for-12 with two blasts and five RBIs during the streak.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Brad Keller (2-2, 2.25 ERA) vs. Mariners LH James Paxton (7-2, 3.65)

Keller is coming off his first major-league win as a starter, a triumph over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday in which he allowed two hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings. The 22-year-old rookie from Georgia has increased his innings pitched in each outing since working only three frames against Minnesota on May 30 in his first turn in the rotation. Keller made his first career appearance versus Seattle on April 11, when he gave up one hit in 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Paxton bounced back from a pair of rough outings on Tuesday as he registered 10 strikeouts while allowing two runs and six hits over seven innings of a victory at Baltimore. The 29-year-old Canadian worked only 7 1/3 frames over his previous two turns, surrendering 10 runs and 14 hits in a no-decision against Boston and a road loss to the New York Yankees. Paxton is 2-0 with a 2.54 ERA in five career starts against the Royals, including a no-decision at Kansas City on April 11 in which he gave up two runs and six hits with 10 strikeouts in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners RHP Edwin Diaz notched his 31st save of the year on Saturday, which is the franchise record for most prior to the All-Star break.

2. Kansas City is happy to begin a new month as it finished with a 5-21 record in June.

3. Seattle is 22 games over .500 for the first time since the last game of the 2003 season.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Royals 3
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Preview: Pirates at Padres
Gracenote
Jul 1, 2018

The San Diego Padres hope for another strong performance at the plate from Wil Myers when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game set. Myers has been swinging a hot bat in the series, going 4-for-9 with a home run and three RBIs, and has recorded three two-hit performances in his last four overall contests.

Myers was an integral part of Saturday's 4-3 victory, belting a solo homer in the third inning before delivering a two-run double in the fifth as the Padres posted their third win in 13 contests. Gregory Polanco was the hitting star for Pittsburgh in the loss, going 2-for-2 with a double, a triple, two walks and an RBI. It was the fourth consecutive two-hit effort by the 26-year-old Dominican, who has gone 9-for-16 with two homers and seven RBIs over his last five contests. David Freese also notched a pair of hits Saturday as the Pirates fell to 3-2 on their nine-game road trip.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (5-6, 3.96 ERA) vs. Padres RH Tyson Ross (5-5, 3.32)

Taillon is coming off a victory over the Mets in New York on Monday, when he allowed two runs and four hits over six innings. The 26-year-old Floridian has alternated wins and losses during his five turns this month, posting a 3-2 record after going nine starts without a triumph. Taillon has given up two runs and eight hits with four walks and 12 strikeouts over 14 1/3 frames while going 1-0 in two career starts against San Diego.

Ross' winless streak reached four starts on Tuesday as he settled for a no-decision at Texas after giving up two runs and five hits in six innings. All four turns by the 31-year-old Californian during his drought came on the road, as he hasn't pitched at home since June 3, when he allowed two runs over five frames in a victory over Cincinnati. Ross evened his career record against the Pirates at 2-2 in six starts after yielding two runs and five hits in six innings of a win at Pittsburgh on May 18.

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres 3B Christian Villanueva has hit safely in six of his last seven games.

2. San Diego may recall RHP Luis Perdomo from Triple-A El Paso to start Wednesday's contest versus Oakland.

3. Pittsburgh is likely to recall RHP Nick Kingham from Triple-A Indianapolis in time to start against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Monday.

PREDICTION: Pirates 6, Padres 1
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Preview: Giants at Diamondbacks
Gracenote
Jul 1, 2018

Shortstop Brandon Crawford always has been known for his glove, but he’ll likely be an All-Star starter in a few weeks due in part to his impressive numbers at the plate. Crawford is putting together his best offensive season for the San Francisco Giants, who aim for a sweep of their three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Crawford recorded a solo home run, two walks and two runs scored in Saturday’s 7-0 victory and begins the month of July with a .313 average, 10 blasts and 38 RBIs. Andrew McCutchen and Joe Panik also homered for San Francisco, which has won nine of its last 11 games to pull into a tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers for second in the National League West, 3 1/2 games behind first-place Arizona. Ketel Marte gave the Diamondbacks a scare Saturday, when he exited in the seventh inning with a right hamstring injury, but manager Torey Lovullo was optimistic about his prognosis after the game. The Diamondbacks have been outscored 9-1 in the first two games of the series but hope to have outfielders A.J. Pollock (thumb) and Steven Souza Jr. (strained pectoral) back as soon as next week.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NBC Bay Area (San Francisco), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Derek Holland (5-7, 4.24 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (9-5, 4.58)

Holland turned in another strong outing on Tuesday, matching his season high with eight strikeouts while pitching a season-long 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision against Colorado. The 31-year-old native of Ohio has gone 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA over his last six starts covering 31 2/3 innings. Jeff Mathis is 3-for-15 with five strikeouts against Holland, who is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in two career starts versus Arizona.

Godley set a new career high with his ninth victory on Tuesday, when he allowed two runs over five innings against Miami. The 28-year-old began June with a 10-3 loss to San Francisco but has gone 4-0 with a 3.09 ERA over his last four starts covering 23 1/3 frames. Panik is 1-for-11 against Godley, who is 2-2 with a 6.97 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Giants - including 1-1 with a 6.10 ERA in two outings this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt is batting .425 with two homers and seven RBIs in 11 games against the Giants this season.

2. San Francisco LHP Tony Watson has tossed 14 1/3 straight scoreless innings over his last 15 appearances.

3. The Diamondbacks placed INF Deven Marrero on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left oblique and recalled RHP Jimmy Sherfy from Triple-A Reno.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Giants 5
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