MLB Betting News and Trends For Sunday 8/26/18

National League
Reds (56-74) @ Cubs (75-53)
Bailey is 0-4, 5.96 in his last four starts; under is 6-3 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 1-16, 1-6 away
5-inning record: 2-13-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-17

Hendricks is 3-1, 3.98 in his last five starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 12-14, 7-6 home
5-inning record: 9-11-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 14-26

Reds are 3-13 in their last 16 road games; under is 7-3 in their last ten games. Chicago won six of their last seven home games; seven of their last nine games stayed under.

Nationals (64-66) @ Mets (58-71)
Rodriguez is 1-1, 7.50 in his five starts (over 4-0-1). Team in his starts: 3-2, 0-1 away
5-inning record: 1-2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Matz is 1-5, 8.04 in his last seven starts; his last six starts all went over. Team in his starts: 11-12, 5-6 home
5-inning record: 7-14-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-23 (4 of last 4)

Washington is 4-9 in its last 13 games; they haven’t scored a run in their last three games. Nationals are 12-21 vs lefty starters- nine of their last 14 games went over. Mets are 12-6 in their last 18 games; under is 6-3 in their last nine games.

Braves (72-57) @ Marlins (52-78)
Gausman is 3-0, 1.23 in his last three starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 3-1, 1-1 road
5-inning record: 3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4

Lopez is 0-2, 4.06 in his last five starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 2-7, 1-4 home
5-inning record: 4-4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-9

Braves won four of their last six games; under is 9-0 in their last nine games. Miami won five of its last seven games; under is 10-2-1 in their last 13 home games.

Pirates (64-66) @ Brewers (72-59)
Archer is 1-1, 5.89 in four starts for Pittsburgh (over 2-2). Team in his starts: 2-2, 1-1 away
5-inning record: 3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4

Anderson is 2-0, 4.40 in his last six starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 13-12, 8-5 home
5-inning record: 13-8-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-25

Pirates lost nine of their last 12 games; seven of their last nine games stayed under. Milwaukee won four of its last six games,; over is 8-2 in their last ten home games.

Cardinals (72-58) @ Rockies (71-58)
Gomber is 2-0, 1.13 in his last three starts (under 3-1-1). Team in his starts: 5-0, 4-0 away
5-inning record: 5-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5

Anderson is 0-3, 9.15 in his last four starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 10-16, 3-10 home
5-inning record: 11-7-8 Allowed run in 1st inning: 14-26

St Louis is 14-3 in its last 17 games; they’re 23-15 vs lefty starters- under is 7-3-2 in their last 12 road games. Colorado won 11 of its last 14 games; they’re 25-19 vs lefty starters- 11 of their last 14 games stayed under the total.

Padres (50-82) @ Dodgers (69-61)
Erlin is 2-0, 4.29 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 3-3, 3-1 away
5-inning record: 0-4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Ryu is 3-1, 2.27 in his eight starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 5-3, 3-1 home
5-inning record: 5-1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-8

Padres lost nine of their last 11 games; they’re 13-27 vs lefty starters- four of their last six games stayed under. Los Angeles lost four of its last seven games; they’re 27-21 vs lefty starters- under is 4-2-1 in their last seven home games.

American League
New York (82-47) @ Baltimore (37-93)
Severino is 2-2, 5.40 in his last four starts; over is 8-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 20-6, 8-4 away
5-inning record: 17-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-26

Bundy is 0-3, 10.62 in his last four starts; over is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 8-16, 4-9 home.
5-inning record: 8-12-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 10-24

New York won seven of its last eight games; six of their last eight games went over. Orioles lost eight of their last nine games; under is 9-4 in their last 13 games.

Red Sox (90-41) @ Rays (69-61)
Former Tampa Ray Eovaldi is 0-1, 10.38 in his last three starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 3-2, 1-1 away.
5-inning record: 2-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5

Snell is 3-0, 0.56 in his last three starts; his last seven starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 15-9, 7-3 home
5-inning record: 15-5-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-24

Red Sox are 4-6 in their last ten games; they’re 17-14 vs lefty starters- under is 9-5 in their last 14 games. Tampa Bay won its last seven home games; under is 5-2-1 in their last eight games.

White Sox (50-79) @ Tigers (53-77)
Kopech blanked Minnesota for two innings before the rains came in his MLB debut. Team in his starts: 0-1, 0-0 away.
5-inning record: 0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Zimmerman is 2-2, 4.18 in his last four starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 10-8, 5-5 home
5-inning record: 10-7-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-18

White Sox won eight of their last 11 games; over is 6-3-3 in their last 12 games. Detroit lost eight of its last 11 games; over is 6-3-3 in their last 12 games.

A’s (78-52) @ Twins (61-68)
Bassitt is making his first start since July 11; he is 2.87 in his last three starts (over 3-2-1). Team in his starts: 3-3, 2-1 away
5-inning record: 2-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Berrios is 0-0, 6.39 in his last three starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 15-11, 11-3 home.
5-inning record: 9-12-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-26

A’s are 17-6 in their last 23 games; under is 8-1 in their last nine road games. Minnesota won seven of its last 12 games, but lost last two; over is 7-4 in their last 11 games.

Indians (73-56) @ Royals (40-90)
Bieber is 2-0, 3.13 in his last four starts; his last five starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 9-4, 5-2 away
5-inning record: 7-5-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-13

Lopez is 0-2, 6.52 in two starts for the Royals (over 1-1). Team in his starts: 0-2, 0-1 home.
5-inning record: 0-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Indians lost their last four games; seven of Tribe’s last ten games stayed under. Kansas City lost eight of its last 12 games; over is 5-3 in their last eight home games.

Astros (79-50) @ Angels (63-67)
Valdez is making his first MLB start; he allowed an unearned run in 4.1 IP in his MLB debut. He was 2-0, 4.15 in two AAA games (one start). Team in his starts: 0-0 away
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Pena is 0-0, 4.24 in his last three starts (under 7-3-1). Team in his starts: 5-6, 3-3 home.
5-inning record: 3-5-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-11

Houston won five of its last six games; over is 5-1 in their last six games. Angels lost seven of their last eight games; over is 3-1 in their last four games.

Interleague
Phillies (69-59) @ Blue Jays (59-69)
Velasquez is 0-1, 6.97 in his last three starts; over is 7-2 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 10-14, 3-7 away
5-inning record: 10-10-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-24

Estrada is 3-2, 5.40 in his last five starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 11-11, 6-5 home.
5-inning record: 9-9-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-22

Phillies lost six of their last seven games; over is 4-2 in their last six road games. Toronto won its last six home games; under is 6-2 in their last eight home games.

Mariners (74-56) @ Diamondbacks (71-58)
Arizona State alum Leake is 0-1, 2.77 in his last six starts (under 5-1). Team in his starts: 17-8, 9-3 away
5-inning record: 10-7-8 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-25

Greinke is 0-3, 3.55 in his last four starts; under is 8-2 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 15-11, 7-6 home.
5-inning record: 15-7-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-26

Mariners lost six of their last nine games; six of their last eight games went over. Arizona won six of its last nine games; under is 6-2 in their last eight home games.

Rangers (57-73) @ Giants (64-66)
Gallardo is 1-1, 4.70 in his last three starts (over 8-2-1). Team in his starts: 9-2, 3-1 away
5-inning record: 7-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-11

Holland is 1-0, 3.34 in his last six starts; under is 5-1-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 13-11, 6-2 home.
5-inning record: 6-9-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-22

Texas lost seven of its last ten road games; they’re 15-24 vs lefty starters- under is 5-2 in their last seven road games. Giants lost seven of their last ten games; under is 10-3-1 in their last 14 games.

Umpires
Cin-Chi: Over is 7-2 in last nine Rackley games.
Wsh-NY: Four of last five Lentz games stayed under.
Atl-Mia: Six of last eight Culbreth games went over.
Pitt-Mil: Under is 9-5-1 in last fifteen Segal games
StL-Col: Over is 10-6-1 in last 17 LBarrett games.
SD-LA: Favorites are 11-1 in Additon games this year.

NY-Balt: Over is 5-3 in last eight Marquez games.
Chi-Det: Under is 4-1-1 in last six Wendelstedt games
Bos-TB: Seven of last nine Tichenor games went over.
A’s-Min: Five of last six Visconti games went over.
Clev-KC: Over is 8-4 in last dozen Cederstrom games.
Hst-LAA: Under is 12-4-1 in last 17 Estabrook games.

Tex-SF: Under is 6-3-1 in last ten Libka games.
Phil-Tor: Nine of last ten Whitson games went over.
Sea-Az: Over is 8-2-1 in last eleven Rehak games.

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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 25th August 2018 by Gracenote
Phillies vs. Blue Jays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/25/2018

Kendrys Morales has a chance to set a franchise record for the most consecutive games with a home run when the Toronto Blue Jays go for a three-game sweep of the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday afternoon. Morales tied a club record by going deep for the sixth game in a row as Toronto extended its winning streak to five in Saturday's 8-6 victory.

Morales' power surge, which enabled him to match Jose Cruz Jr. (2001) for the team record, also marked the fourth straight season in which he's reached 20 home runs. Billy McKinney also swatted a two-run homer for the second straight day as the Blue Jays erased an early five-run deficit to set a season high for most wins in a row. Rhys Hoskins drove in three runs to help the Phillies build a 5-0 lead but they were unable to hold it in losing for the sixth time in the last seven games. Shortstop Asdrúbal Cabrera, who broke out of a 2-for-23 funk with three hits, has homered twice off Marco Estrada, Toronto's scheduled starter for Sunday.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, Sportsnet, TVA (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (8-9, 4.06 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (7-9, 4.88)

Velasquez should be well-rested -- he's failed to pitch beyond four innings in each of his last three starts, although a lengthy rain delay limited him to four innings of one-run ball at Washington on Tuesday. The current three-start drought preceded a superb stretch in which he was 3-0 with two runs and 12 hits permitted in his previous four starts. Morales is 2-for-6 with a home run against Velasquez.

Estrada hasn't been especially sharp but he won his last two starts against Baltimore and Kansas City -- the two worst teams in the majors -- despite giving up seven runs and 13 hits in 12 innings. He has struggled with the long ball over his last three outings, surrendering five homers. Carlos Santana is 4-for-7 with a home run off Estrada, who is 3-5 with a 4.91 ERA in 11 starts at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays RH Ken Giles has converted all 18 of his save chances this year.

2. Phillies LF Roman Quinn has hit safely in five games in a row, including four straight with multiple hits.

3. McKinney has three homers and seven RBIs during a four-game stretch.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Blue Jays 4
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Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 26th August 2018 by Gracenote
Braves vs. Marlins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/26/2018

Brian Anderson may be the forgotten man when it comes to the National League Rookie-of-the-Year race, but the Miami Marlins outfielder is making his mark entering the finale of a four-game home series Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. Anderson came off the bench to blast a two-run, pinch-hit homer in Saturday's 3-1 victory over the NL East-leading Braves, who blew a chance to gain ground on Philadelphia and Washington by scoring only on a Dansby Swanson homer.

Anderson's homer, his 10th of the season and first since July 30, raised his average to .279 with a .765 OPS while pushing the Marlins to a second consecutive victory over an Atlanta team that had won 13-of-16 meetings with Miami before Friday. The Braves offense has faltered in back-to-back losses, finishing with just 12 hits while leaving 14 runners on base in the two defeats, and enters Sunday having scored just one run in the past 22 innings in the series. Outfielder Ronald Acuna, one of the frontrunners for Rookie of the Year honors along with Washington outfielder Juan Soto, finished with two hits Saturday and is hitting .338 with 12 extra-base hits in 18 games against Miami this season. Sunday marks the 22nd game in 20 days for the Braves, who will enjoy Monday off and have a three-game lead over Philadelphia with an 8 1/2-game advantage over Washington in the NL East race.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kevin Gausman (8-9, 3.99 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Pablo Lopez (2-3, 4.42)

Gausman has won his last three starts after losing his Atlanta debut, giving up three runs with four walks and 15 strikeouts in 22 innings and holding opponents to a .179 batting average. The 27-year-old, who went 5-8 with a 4.43 ERA with Baltimore before being acquired at the trade deadline, pitched eight shutout innings Tuesday at Pittsburgh with four hits allowed and five strikeouts. Gausman gave up two runs on four hits across six frames in a victory over Miami on Aug. 15.

Lopez struggled at times through his first five starts, but has posted a 3.33 ERA and 1.07 WHIP while going 0-1 in four starts during August. The 22-year-old rookie pitched well in a no-decision Tuesday against the New York Yankees, giving up one run on seven hits with four strikeouts over six innings. Lopez has allowed two runs or fewer in three of four outings this month, the one exception Aug. 13 in Atlanta when he surrendered five earned runs across 5 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta RHP Anibal Sanchez, who was left in the game Saturday to hit in the top of the sixth with two runners on despite not having a hit all season, left in the bottom half of the inning with right hamstring tightness.

2. Marlins C J.T. Realmuto snapped a 0-for-17 skid with a bloop single in the first inning Saturday.

3. Braves C Kurt Suzuki, who missed the past three games with a bruised left triceps, finished 2-for-4 Saturday.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Marlins 2
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Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 26th August 2018 by Gracenote
Red Sox vs. Rays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/26/2018

The Boston Red Sox were bound to go through a lull at some point this season, and the dog days of August appear to be catching up to the major's best team. The Red Sox will try to avoid a sweep when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays in the finale of a three-game series on Sunday.

Boston (90-41) has dropped five of its last seven games, including three to the Rays, and watched its lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East shrink to seven games. The Red Sox still lead the majors in runs scored with 705 but totaled four runs in their last three games against Tampa Bay and dropped Saturday's contest 5-1 after going 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Boston isn't the only team being flummoxed lately by the Rays, who are winners of seven in a row and are allowing an average of 1.6 runs in that span. Tampa Bay will try to keep that run of strong pitching performances going behind ace Blake Snell on Sunday while the Red Sox counter with former Ray Nathan Eovaldi.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, TBS, NESN (Boston), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Nathan Eovaldi (5-5, 3.81 ERA) vs. Rays LH Blake Snell (15-5, 2.07)

Eovaldi won his first two starts after coming over in a trade from Tampa Bay prior to the July 31 deadline, scattering a combined seven hits across 15 scoreless innings against Minnesota and New York. The veteran Texan was not nearly as strong in his next three turns, when he yielded a total of 15 runs - nine earned - in 13 innings against Baltimore, Philadelphia and Cleveland. Eovaldi went 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA in three starts at Tropicana Field prior to the trade.

Snell is making a run at the AL Cy Young Award and has earned the win in each of his last three starts while allowing one run and six hits in 16 total innings. The 25-year-old struck out 11 in six frames against Kansas City on Tuesday. Snell had little trouble in his first three starts this season against Boston, allowing two runs in 19 innings while going 2-0.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox are assured of their first losing series since June 29-July 1 at New York.

2. Tampa Bay OF Tommy Pham homered Saturday for the first time since being acquired at the trade deadline.

3. Boston LHP Chris Sale (shoulder) could resume throwing when the team returns home on Monday.

PREDICTION: Rays 2, Red Sox 1
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Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 25th August 2018 by Gracenote
Nationals vs. Mets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/25/2018

The last time the Washington Nationals saw Steven Matz, they sent the New York Mets left-hander to the shortest start of his career en route to setting a franchise scoring record on July 31. That lopsided 25-4 romp must feel like years ago for the reeling Nationals, who haven't scored in 27 innings entering Sunday's series finale at the Mets.

Since Ryan Zimmerman delivered a walk-off homer in Wednesday's 8-7 win over Philadelphia, Washington's bats have gone silent -- the team has been shut out in three straight games for the first time since April 2004, when the franchise was located in Montreal. The Nationals hope their stagnant offense will find some life against Matz, who is 0-2 with a 7.31 ERA in four starts against Washington this season. Amed Rosario and Todd Frazier clubbed solo homers Saturday as New York posted its second straight 3-0 victory over the Nationals to improve to 4-1 in its last five games. Rookie Jeff McNeil went 2-for-4 and is batting .337 after extending his hitting streak to a career-high 10 games for the Mets.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jefry Rodriguez (1-1, 5.46 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (5-10, 4.55)

Rodriguez will make his sixth major-league start and eighth career appearance but he yet has to retire a batter in the sixth inning. The 25-year-old Dominican worked five-plus innings in a no-decision versus Miami last time out, giving up four runs (two earned) and five hits. Rodriguez tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in his major-league debut but has allowed at least four runs in four of his five starts.

Matz was rocked for six runs in two innings by Philadelphia in his return from the disabled list on Aug. 16, but he bounced back by limiting San Francisco to two runs and two hits in a no-decision on Tuesday. Matz lasted only two-thirds of an inning in the debacle against the Nationals on July 31 and gave up seven runs on eight hits. Anthony Rendon has been a nemesis for Matz, going 6-for-19 with three homers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Frazier has three homers and four RBIs during a four-game hitting streak.

2. Nationals RF Bryce Harper is 0-for-11 over the past three games.

3. McNeil had multiple hits six times during his current hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Nationals 3
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Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 25th August 2018 by Gracenote
White Sox vs. Tigers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/25/2018

Rain put a damper on Michael Kopech's much-anticipated debut for the Chicago White Sox, but the hard-throwing right-hander will get another chance to show his stuff Sunday in the finale of a four-game series at the Detroit Tigers. A 52-minute rain delay ended Kopech's debut after two scoreless innings with four strikeouts against Minnesota on Tuesday.

He has good reason to expect plenty of run support, as the White Sox have scored at least six runs in every win during an 8-3 stretch. Eight players had at least one hit for Chicago in Saturday's 6-1 victory, its fourth in the last five meetings with the Tigers. Jose Iglesias had three of Detroit's four hits Saturday to extend his hitting streak to a season-high eight games. Jordan Zimmermann, who has walked just one batter in 17 1/3 innings over his last three outings, gets the start for the hosts Sunday.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Michael Kopech (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (6-5, 4.18)

Kopech allowed three hits with one hit batter and no walks in a 52-pitch performance in his debut, and he hopes to be a bit more efficient the second time around. "I'm a little bummed out," he told reporters. "I wanted to go a little deeper in the game. I didn't realize my pitch count was as high as it was." The 22-year-old has 174 strikeouts in 128 1/3 innings between Triple-A and the majors.

Zimmermann has three quality starts in his last four outings, including six innings of one-run ball in a win over the Chicago Cubs his last time out. He was reached for 10 runs (nine earned) in 9 1/3 innings over two matchups with the White Sox - both on the road - earlier in the year. Matt Davidson is 6-for-12 with two home runs against the veteran from Wisconsin.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers LF Mikie Mahtook is 4-for-10 with two home runs during a three-game hitting streak.

2. White Sox OF/DH Daniel Palka is 17-for-45 in 11 career games against the Tigers.

3. Detroit will retire Hall of Famer Alan Trammell's No. 3 in a pregame ceremony Sunday.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Tigers 4
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Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 26th August 2018 by Gracenote
Athletics vs. Twins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/26/2018

The Oakland Athletics have lost just one of their last 20 series and can win their 17th during that stretch when they visit the Minnesota Twins for the finale of a four-game set on Sunday. Jonathan Lucroy belted a three-run homer - the 1,300th blast in franchise history - and finished with four RBIs as the Athletics earned a 6-2 victory on Saturday, improving to 44-16 in their last 60 contests.

Oakland has won two of three in the series despite watching major-league home run leader Khris Davis (39) go 1-for-16 in his last four contests, and sits 1 1/2 games behind first-place Houston in the American League West while holding a four-game lead for the AL's second wild card. Chris Bassitt is expected to be summoned from the minor leagues to make the start for the Athletics on Sunday while the Twins send ace Jose Berrios to the mound. Minnesota, which is 39-28 at home, has managed just three runs in its last two games after averaging six over the previous 10 contests. Veteran Joe Mauer, who is 6-for-16 in his last four games, needs one run to join Hall-of-Famers Kirby Puckett and Harmon Killebrew as the only players in Twins history to score 1,000 times.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Chris Bassitt (2-3, 3.38 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (11-8, 3.69)

Bassitt will be recalled to make the start as manager Bob Melvin pushes his rotation back a day to give all the starters rest for the stretch run. The 29-year-old native of Ohio won his last two decisions in the majors, including a triumph on July 11 in which he tossed five innings of three-run ball at Houston, before returning to the minors. Bassitt, who has gone 5-5 with a 4.35 ERA in 17 appearances (13 starts) at Triple-A Nashville, worked two scoreless frames of relief the last time he met Minnesota in 2015.

Berrios limited the Chicago White Sox to one run on four hits and two walks over five innings without receiving a decision last time out after two rough outings. The 24-year-old Puerto Rican began his four-game unbeaten streak by limiting Kansas City to two runs in seven frames before giving up eight over 7 2/3 innings in his next two outings. Berrios, who will face Oakland for the first time, is 8-2 with a 3.13 ERA at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota 3B-DH Miguel Sano broke out of a 0-for-18 slump with a solo home run in Saturday's setback.

2. The Athletics are 23-10 and own a 2.96 ERA since the All-Star break, which leads the majors.

3. Lucroy is 43-for-126 with six homers and 27 RBIs in 36 career games against the Twins.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Athletics 3
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 25th August 2018 by Gracenote
Pirates vs. Brewers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/25/2018

The Milwaukee Brewers go after a second straight series victory in their battle for a National League playoff spot Sunday afternoon when the Pittsburgh Pirates pay a visit the finale of a three-game set. The Pirates evened the series after pounding out 14 hits in a 9-1 triumph Saturday as the Brewers fell 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and into a virtual tie with Colorado for the second wild card.

Milwaukee's Christian Yelich homered for the third straight contest Saturday and has gone deep five times in his last seven outings to push his career-best total to 23 while extending his hitting streak to 11 games. Chase Anderson gets the call in the rubber match for the Brewers and Pittsburgh counters with fellow right-hander Chris Archer, who goes for his second win in his fifth start since being acquired. The Pirates, who won for just the third time in 12 games Saturday, scored 15 times in the last two contests after managing just seven runs in the previous seven encounters. Versatile Adam Frazier has helped lead the way for Pittsburgh in its offensive revival while going 4-for-9 with five RBIs - three coming on a homer Saturday - and three runs scored in the series.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chris Archer (4-6, 4.41 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Chase Anderson (8-7, 3.92)

Archer was pulled from his last start on Monday due to discomfort in his left leg after limiting Atlanta to one run on five hits and a walk across four innings. The 29-year-old has not completed more than five innings in his first four starts with the Pirates, going 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA since coming over from Tampa Bay. Lorenzo Cain is 7-for-13 with a homer and four RBIs versus Archer, who gave up one run over six innings in his only career outing against Milwaukee.

Anderson is unbeaten in his last six starts after limiting Cincinnati to two runs on two hits over six innings to win 5-2 on Monday. The 30-year-old Texan permitted eight runs across 8 2/3 innings without being involved in the decision in his previous two starts, but has held opponents to two runs or fewer in nine of his past 11 outings. Starling Marte is 12-for-25 with two homers against Anderson, who is 6-4 (0-2 in 2018) with a 3.34 ERA in 13 career games versus Pittsburgh.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marte has 16 hits against Milwaukee this year, including five home runs, and owns 11 RBIs in the season series.

2. Cain is 12-for-31 during his eight-game hitting streak, raising his batting average to .308.

3. Pirates C Francisco Cervelli (8-for-24) and RF Gregory Polanco (10-for-24) own six-game hitting streaks.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Brewers 3
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Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 26th August 2018 by Gracenote
Indians vs. Royals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/26/2018

The Cleveland Indians own the biggest division lead in baseball, giving them some leeway while they struggle through the end of a seven-game road trip. The Indians will try to snap their slide at four games and avoid a sweep when they visit the Kansas City Royals in the finale of a three-game series on Sunday.

Cleveland started out hot on the trip with a pair of wins at Boston but dropped the last two games of that series and carried the slump into Kansas City, where it fell in the ninth inning on Friday and was routed 7-1 on Saturday. The Indians aren't hitting much during the slump but most of the blame goes to the pitching staff, which allowed a total of 29 runs in the four contests. The Royals dropped five in a row before welcoming Cleveland and are looking for their first series sweep since taking three in a row from Minnesota coming out of the break. After watching ace Corey Kluber get knocked around on Saturday, the Indians will send rookie Shane Bieber to the mound against Royals right-hander Jorge Lopez.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Shane Bieber (7-2, 4.36 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jorge Lopez (0-3, 3.99).

Bieber is 2-0 in his last five starts and earned a win at Boston on Tuesday when he allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings. The 23-year-old has surrendered three or fewer runs in each of his last four starts. Bieber earned the win at Kansas City on July 3 despite giving up four runs and nine hits across six frames.

Lopez is making his third start and will try to go a little longer this time after topping out at five innings on Monday at Tampa Bay. The Puerto Rico native could not get any run support against the Rays and absorbed a loss despite surrendering one run and five hits in five innings. Lopez made a relief appearance against Cleveland on May 9 as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers and yielded one run and two hits in two innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals 1B Lucas Duda bashed his 150th career home run on Saturday.

2. Indians 3B Jose Ramirez is 5-for-34 over the last 10 games.

3. Kansas City 1B Ryan O'Hearn is 4-for-7 with two doubles, a homer and four RBIs in the first two games of the series.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Royals 1
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Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 26th August 2018 by Gracenote
Reds vs. Cubs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/26/2018

The Chicago Cubs have done a great job thus far of taking advantage of a seven-game homestand against struggling opponents, and they'll try to complete a four-game sweep of the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The Cubs are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory as they attempt to pad their four-game lead over St. Louis in the National League Central.

After scoring a single run in five straight contests, the Cubs have hammered out 28 runs during their four-game winning streak. Daniel Murphy, Kyle Schwarber and Javier Baez all belted homers in a 10-6 win Saturday as the Cubs took an 8-7 lead in the season series against the Reds. Chicago has won five straight meetings - its longest streak against Cincinnati since 2016. The last-place Reds dropped five of their last six overall and have not won a series on the road since before the All-Star break.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (1-11, 6.21 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (9-10, 4.04)

Bailey's only win this season came May 12 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Reds are 1-16 in his starts. The 32-year-old has posted quality starts in three of his last five outings, though, including one Monday at Milwaukee where he allowed three runs over six frames but lost his fourth straight start. Bailey is 8-4 with a 4.83 ERA in 19 starts against the Cubs, who touched him up for six runs over 4 2/3 innings in a loss May 18.
Hendricks took a tough-luck loss last time out, as he allowed two runs over seven innings in a 2-1 loss at Detroit - the 10th time this season the Cubs have scored only one run when he starts. The 28-year-old has pitched to a 3.62 ERA with 54 strikeouts and seven walks over his last nine starts. Hendricks is 4-2 with a 3.80 ERA in 12 starts against the Reds, but he has been tagged for eight runs (seven earned) over 10 2/3 innings across two meetings this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Murphy, who is 7-for-19 with two homers and five RBIs in four games since joining the club, is 6-for-10 with two doubles and two homers versus Bailey.

2. Reds C Curt Casali is 8-for-17 with seven RBIs in his past five starts.

3. Baez is 12-for-26 with three home runs and eight RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Reds 4
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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 26th August 2018 by Gracenote
Cardinals vs. Rockies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/26/2018

The St. Louis Cardinals have been baseball's best team by a wide margin for the majority of August, but their red-hot ways came to an emphatic halt in one of their worst losses of the season on Saturday. The Cardinals look to make up for a rare poor performance and secure a ninth straight series victory Sunday, when they visit the Colorado Rockies for the rubber match of their three-game set.

St. Louis entered Saturday with an 18-4 record this month behind the National League's best pitching staff (2.57 ERA), but Colorado laid waste to it by exploding for eight runs in the eighth inning of a 9-1 rout. The defeat was the first in 10 road games for the Cardinals (72-58), who fell four games behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and saw their lead for the first wild-card spot shrink to one-half game. Colorado has been on a roll for nearly two months, posting an NL-best 33-16 record since June 28 while also winning 19 of its last 26 contests at Coors Field. Nolan Arenado continues to haunt St. Louis, as the four-time All-Star is batting .400 against the club this season after going 2-for-3 with an RBI on Saturday.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals LH Austin Gomber (3-0, 2.98 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (6-6, 4.45)

Gomber fell short of notching a third win in as many starts Monday in Los Angeles, settling for a no-decision against the Dodgers after yielding two runs on five hits and four walks over five innings. The Florida Atlantic product held the opposition scoreless in 11 frames over his previous two outings, but he has issued 23 walks in his first 42 1/3 innings in the majors. Gomber's last relief appearance before joining the rotation on Aug. 4 came three days earlier, when he worked a scoreless frame against Colorado.

Anderson lost his second consecutive start despite registering eight strikeouts against San Diego on Tuesday, giving up four runs and 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings. The native of Las Vegas was pummeled for a career-high nine runs and seven hits - all for extra bases - in his previous turn at Houston on Aug. 15 and has surrendered five homers over his last two outings. Matt Carpenter (4-for-7) and Jedd Gyorko (3-for-5, home run) have fared well versus Anderson, who settled for a no-decision after permitting three runs in six frames at St. Louis on July 30.

WALK-OFFS

1. Saturday's setback was the Cardinals' first by more than one run since a 6-3 loss to Colorado on July 31.

2. Rockies OF Matt Holliday connected on a pinch-hit home run - his first with the club since 2008.

3. St. Louis has not had a left-hander win a game at Coors Field since 1999.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Rockies 3
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Texas Rangers vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 25th August 2018 by Gracenote
Rangers vs. Giants Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/25/2018

The San Francisco Giants aim to pick up consecutive home wins for the first time since before the All-Star break when they take on the Texas Rangers in the rubber match of a three-game series Sunday afternoon. Brandon Crawford slugged a three-run homer to support seven scoreless innings by Andrew Suarez as the Giants picked up a 5-3 win Saturday.

San Francisco catcher Buster Posey was on deck when the bottom of the eighth inning came to an end, which also finished the year for the former MVP, who leaves the team Sunday to have season-ending hip surgery. Rougned Odor accounted for the Rangers' offense with a three-run homer in the eighth, his second of the series. He also has a home run in four career at-bats against Derek Holland, who starts Sunday for the Giants against his former team. Texas, which is 3-11 all-time at AT&T Park, counters with veteran Yovani Gallardo.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (7-2, 6.06 ERA) vs. Giants LH Derek Holland (6-8, 3.75)

Gallardo's 300th career start last Sunday was a pretty good one, as he held the Los Angeles Angels to two runs over six innings. He is 4-1 with a 3.66 ERA over his last six starts, the last four of which took place at home. Andrew McCutchen is batting .345 with four home runs, three doubles and two triples in his career against the 32-year-old Gallardo, who is 6-4 with a 3.21 ERA in 10 matchups with the Giants.

Holland won 62 games over eight seasons with the Rangers and is 13-22 in two years since he left the organization. He allowed one run while striking out 12 in 9 2/3 innings combined over his last two starts but received a no-decision both times. The Ohio native faced the Rangers twice in 2017 and was rocked for 12 runs across eight innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Posey will have the surgery in Colorado and is expected to miss 6-8 months.

2. Rangers INF Hanser Alberto (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day disabled list and the club purchased the contract of C Carlos Perez from Triple-A Round Rock.

3. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre is 0-for-1 with a walk in the series and remains one hit shy of matching Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn (3,141) for 18th on the all-time list.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Rangers 4
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Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 26th August 2018 by Gracenote
Astros vs. Angels Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/26/2018

The Houston Astros begin a crucial series against Oakland on Monday, but first they'll look to complete a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. The Astros maintained their 1 1/2-game lead over the Athletics in the American League West and improved to 5-3 on their nine-game road trip with Saturday's 8-3 win over the Angels, who have lost five in a row.

Marwin Gonzalez homered for the second straight contest and Yuli Gurriel drove in two runs Saturday as the Astros cruised to their fourth straight win. Outfielder George Springer missed his fifth consecutive game with a sore left quadriceps but could be available to pinch-hit on Sunday and hopes to return to the starting lineup for Monday's series opener versus Oakland. Shohei Ohtani gave the Angels a spark on Saturday by going 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, but Albert Pujols was hitless in four at-bats and is 0-for-16 over his last five games. Mike Trout contributed two hits for the Angels, who fell four games under .500 for the first time this season.

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Framber Valdez (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Angels RH Felix Pena (1-3, 4.53)

Valdez is making a spot start in place of Gerrit Cole, who was given an extra day of rest and will start Monday's contest against Oakland. The 24-year-old Dominican impressed in his major-league debut on Tuesday, allowing two hits over 4 1/3 innings of relief versus Seattle. Valdez earned the call to Houston after posting a 4.11 ERA in 22 games (14 starts) in the minors this season.

Pena is facing Houston for the first time after recording another solid performance on Tuesday, when he allowed four runs over six innings against Arizona. "You look on the board, four runs, but he threw the ball much better than that," Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters. "He's throwing the ball much more consistently right now." The 28-year-old has allowed three runs or fewer in nine of 11 starts since joining the Angels' rotation in mid-June.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros have gone 17-5 in 22 games in California this season - including 6-2 against the Angels.

2. Angels OF Kole Calhoun is hitting .304 with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs over his last 38 contests.

3. Houston 3B Alex Bregman has reached base safely in 44 consecutive road games, the longest active streak in the majors.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Astros 4
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Seattle Mariners vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 08-26-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 26th August 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 08/26/2018

No team has performed better in tight situations this season than the Seattle Mariners, who proved it again with yet another nail-biting, extra-inning victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday. The Mariners attempt to pull off their second sweep in their last three road series Sunday, when they visit Arizona for the finale of their three-game set.

Kyle Seager's two-run double with two outs in the top of the ninth - Seattle's only hit in 12 at-bats with runners in scoring position - sent Saturday's game to extra innings before Denard Span clubbed his 10th home run of the season one frame later for a 4-3 triumph. The Mariners posted their major league-best 33rd one-run win and improved to 13-1 in extra-inning affairs, staying 5 1/2 games behind first-place Houston in the American League West and 4 1/2 games back of Oakland for the second wild card. The Diamondbacks fell back into a first-place tie atop the National League West with Colorado following their second straight defeat - only the second time this month they have dropped consecutive games. Nick Ahmed continued his recent torrid offensive pace with two hits Saturday and is batting .305 over his last 30 games.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Mike Leake (8-7, 3.90 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (12-8, 3.06)

Leake was scratched from his last scheduled start due to illness, but he was brilliant in a no-decision in his last trip to the mound on Aug. 15, when he fired eight scoreless innings at Oakland. The former eighth overall draft pick hasn't received much help from his offense this month, failing to earn a victory despite posting a 2.18 ERA . A.J. Pollock (6-for-12, home run) has thrived against Leake, who is 5-3 with a 4.96 ERA in 11 starts versus Arizona.

Greinke's winless streak reached four starts following last Sunday's no-decision at San Diego, giving up three runs and five hits while fanning seven in six frames. The five-time All-Star has suffered three straight losing decisions and permitted seven runs over his last two outings after yielding a total of five over his previous five starts. Robinson Cano has fared well versus Greinke, who owns a 5-1 record and 2.24 ERA in 12 career appearances (10 starts) against Seattle.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners OF Mitch Haniger has homered in three straight games after doing so only once over his previous 35 contests.

2. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt needs one more home run to post back-to-back 30-homer seasons for the first time in his career.

3. Seattle RHP Edwin Diaz became the 17th pitcher in major-league history to reach 50 saves in a season on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Mariners 3, Diamondbacks 2
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