MLB Betting News and Trends For Sunday 9/2/18

National League
Brewers (76-61) @ Nationals (68-68)
Guerra is 0-2, 16.87 in his last three starts; his last four went over. Team in his starts: 12-13, 3-7 away
5-inning record: 8-14-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-25

Rodriguez is 2-0, 2.81 in his last three start (over 5-0-1). Team in his starts: 4-2, 3-1 home
5-inning record: 1-2-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Brewers are 6-3 in their last nine games; over is 6-2 in their last eight games. Washington won four of its last six games; over is 7-2-1 in their last ten home games.

Cubs (80-55) @ Phillies (72-63)
Lester is 2-0, 2.04 in his last three starts; over is 10-2 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 20-7, 10-3 away
5-inning record: 15-8-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-27

Nola is 3-0, 0.96 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 19-8, 12-1 home
5-inning record: 11-7-9 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-27

Cubs won nine of their last 11 games; under is 9-2-1 in their last 12 road games. Philly is 4-9 in its last 13 games; over is 4-3 in their last seven games.

Pirates (66-70) @ Braves (75-60)
Kingham is 0-3, 12.60 in his last three starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 4-8, 1-4 away
5-inning record: 5-6-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-12

Teheran is 1-0, 2.81 in his last four starts; under is 8-3 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 15-11, 8-5 home
5-inning record: 11-11-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 11-26

Pirates lost eight of their last 11 games; under is 14-4-1 in their last 19 games. Atlanta lost seven of its last nine home games; over is 3-1-1 in their last five games.

Reds (58-78) @ Cardinals (76-60)
DeSclafani is 2.88 in his last five starts (under 4-1). Team in his starts: 9-6, 3-2 away
5-inning record: 9-5-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-15

Weaver is 0-2, 5.84 in his last three starts; over is 7-3 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 11-13, 3-7 home
5-inning record: 11-12-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-24

Reds lost nine of their last 12 games; under is 5-2 in their last seven road games. St Louis is 18-5 in its last 23 games; under is 6-2 in their last eight home games.

Diamondbacks (73-63) @ Dodgers (74-62)
Buchholz is 6-1, 1.69 in his last eight starts; under is 7-2 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 8-6, 4-5 road
5-inning record: 11-0-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Buehler is 2-0, 1.07 in his last four starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 9-7, 5-4 home
5-inning record: 9-5-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-16

Arizona lost six of its last nine games; 10 of their last 12 games stayed under. Dodgers won seven of their last eight games; under is 4-0 in their last four games.

Rockies (73-62) @ Padres (54-84)
Freeland is 3-0, 1.65 in his last five starts; under is 12-3 in his last 15. Team in his starts: 18-9, 7-6 road
5-inning record: 13-9-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-27

Nix is 2-2, 4.05 in his four starts (under 4-0). Team in his starts: 2-2, 2-1 home
5-inning record: 2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4

Colorado is 9-6 in its last 15 games; under is 11-4 in their last 15 games. San Diego won five of its last seven home games; they’re 13-29 vs lefty starters- under is 5-1-1 in their last seven home games.

Mets (60-75) @ Giants (68-69)
Syndegaard is 1-1, 5.09 in his last three starts; under is 8-5 in his last 13. Team in his starts: 12-7, 4-5 road
5-inning record: 11-6-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-19

Stratton is 1-0, 1.26 in his last two starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 12-9, 6-3 home
5-inning record: 10-8-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-21

Mets lost four of their last six games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven road games. Giants won five of their last seven games; under is 9-0-1 in their last ten home games.

American League
Detroit (54-82) @ New York (86-50)
Boyd is 0-3, 6.62 in his last three road starts; under is 6-2-1 in his last nine starts. Team in his starts: 12-14, 3-10 away
5-inning record: 9-14-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-26

Lynn is 0-1, 7.80 in his last three starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 4-1, 3-0 home.
5-inning record: 4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Tigers lost seven of their last eight games; over is 6-3 in their last nine road games. New York won seven of its last ten games; they’re 26-11 vs vs lefty starters- six of their last eight games stayed under.

Rays (72-63) @ Indians (77-58)
Bullpen game for the Rays. Team in his starts: away
5-inning record: Allowed run in 1st inning:

Carrasco is 3-1, 2.49 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 16-9, 8-4 home.
5-inning record: 15-6-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-25

Rays won 10 of their last 12 games; over is 5-2-2 in their last nine games. Cleveland lost six of its last ten games; under is 10-3-1 in their last 14 home games.

Minnesota (63-72) @ Texas (59-77)
Gibson is 2-4, 6.43 in his last six starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 12-15, 6-9 away
5-inning record: 10-15-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-27

Colon is 2-2, 7.77 in his last four starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 10-13, 6-4 home.
5-inning record: 8-12-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-23

Twins lost six of their last eight games; under is 8-5 in their last 13 road games. Texas lost five of its last six games; over is 3-1 in their last four games.

Red Sox (94-43) @ White Sox (54-82)
Johnson is 3-0, 5.81 in his last five starts (over 5-0); Boston scored 50 runs in those games. Team in his starts: 9-2, 3-1 away
5-inning record: 9-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11

Shields is 1-1, 5.59 in his last three starts; under is 10-3 in his last 13 home starts. Team in his starts: 9-19, 7-8 home.
5-inning record: 9-17-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-28

Red Sox won four of their last five games; over is 6-4 in their last ten games. Chicago is 12-6 in its last 18 games; they’re 10-21 vs vs lefty starters- under is 6-2 in their last eight games.

Angels (66-70) @ Astros (83-53)
Ohtani is starting for first time since June 6; he is 3-0, 2.25 in his last five starts, with last four staying under. Team in his starts: 7-2, 4-0 away
5-inning record: 6-1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-9

Cole is 2-0, 4.24 in his last three starts (over 3-0). Team in his starts: 19-8, 10-3 home.
5-inning record: 15-6-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-27

Angels lost seven of their last nine games; under is 3-1 in their last four games. Houston won nine of its last 13 games; they’re 30-20 vs vs lefty starters- over is 8-4 in their last 12 games.

Orioles (40-96) @ Royals (44-91)
Hess is 1-2, 1.42 in his last three starts (under 3-0). Team in his starts: 3-11, 1-8 away
5-inning record: 3-7-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-14

Lopez is 0-3, 7.90 in his three starts (over 2-1). Team in his starts: 0-3, 0-2 home.
5-inning record: 0-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Baltimore won three of its last five games; under is 6-2 in their last eight road games. Royals won seven of their last eight home games; over is 8-5 in their last 13 home games.

Mariners (76-60) @ A’s (81-56)
Hernandez is 0-5, 8.10 in his last seven starts; four of his last five went over. Team in his starts: 11-14, 5-7 away
5-inning record: 9-14-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 13-25

Jackson is 0-1, 5.79 in his last three starts; under is 7-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 9-3, 4-2 home.
5-inning record: 3-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-12

Mariners are 7-10 in their last 17 games; under is 5-4 in their last nine road games. A’s are 3-4 in their last seven games; over is 5-1 in their last six games.

Interleague
Blue Jays (60-74) @ Marlins (54-81)
Reid-Foley is 0-2, 10.61 in his two starts (over 1-1). Team in his starts: 0-2, 0-2 away
5-inning record: 0-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-2

Lopez is 0-3, 3.79 in his last six starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 2-8, 1-5 home.
5-inning record: 4-4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-10

Blue Jays lost five of their last six games; over is 9-2 in their last 11 road games. Miami lost four of its last five games; under is 7-3 in their last ten home games.

Umpires
NY-SF- Over is 11-2 in last 13 Danley games.
Chi-Phil- Favorites won six of last eight Ripperger games.
Mil-Wsh- Under is 7-1 in last eight Hoberg games.
Pitt-Atl- Road team is 10-3 in last 13 Randazzo games.
Cin-StL- Under is 7-3 in last ten Hickox games.
Col-SD- Over is 6-3-2 in last 11 Wegner games.
Az-LA- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Hamari games.

Det-NY- Home side won 10 of last 12 Barry games.
LAA-Hst- Underdogs are 7-6 in last 13 Scheurwater games.
Bos-Chi- Six of last seven Barber games stayed under.
TB-Clev- Over is 3-0-1 in last four Holbrook games.
Balt-KC- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Carapazza games.
Min-Tex- Five of last six Porter games stayed under.
Sea-A’s- Under is 8-1-2 in last 11 Blaser games.

Tor-Mia- Under is 5-2 in last seven Muchlinski games.

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Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 1st September 2018 by Gracenote
Tigers vs. Yankees Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/01/2018

Andrew McCutchen made his New York debut and Gary Sanchez returned to the lineup for the first time in more than a month, but one thing remained unchanged for the Yankees: Youth was served. Rookie Gleyber Torres delivered the decisive hit for the second straight day to put New York in position for a series wiin in Sunday's game against the visiting Detroit Tigers.

Torres clubbed a two-run homer in Saturday's 2-1 win and knocked in the go-ahead runs with a two-RBI single Friday to improve to 6-for-11 with two homers and six RBIs in the series and extend his hitting streak to six games. The Yankees managed only two hits in Saturday's victory as newly acquired McCutchen went 0-for-3 and Sanchez was hitless in four at-bats in his first game since July 23. The Tigers have dropped seven of eight overall and fell to 20-48 away from home - the second-most road losses in the majors behind Baltimore. Victor Martinez drove in the lone run for Detroit on Saturday and is 8-for-20 with two homers and seven RBIs in six games versus New York this season.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (8-12, 4.22 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Lance Lynn (8-9, 4.84)

Boyd has alternated wins and losses over his last six starts, coming out on the short end of a 6-2 decision at Kansas City on Tuesday after giving up five runs and seven hits over six innings. All three losses in that span have come away from home, where he is 2-9 with a 5.75 ERA in 14 starts. McCutchen is 2-for-3 with a homer off Boyd, who owns an ugly 9.35 ERA in losing both career starts to the Yankees.

Lynn quickly endeared himself to New York fans following his acquisition from Minnesota, yielding one run in 16 2/3 innings over his first three outings, but he has tailed off in his last three starts. He has allowed 13 runs and 22 hits over 15 innings in his last three starts, going 0-1 in that stretch. Lynn has been solid in splitting a pair of decisions versus the Tigers this year, posting a 2.03 ERA and 0.90 WHIP.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees RHP Dellin Betances became the first relief pitcher in history with at least 100 strikeouts in five straight seasons.

2. Tigers LHP Daniel Stumpf has made six consecutive scoreless appearances.

3. Yankees SS Adeiny Hechavarria, acquired late Friday night from Pittsburgh, was a defensive replacement in the ninth inning Saturday.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Tigers 4
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Toronto Blue Jays vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

J.T. Realmuto has already set career highs for homers and RBIs this season with a month left in the season as his Miami Marlins host the Toronto Blue Jays in the rubber match of a three-game interleague series Sunday afternoon. Realmuto launched his career-best 18th homer in Saturday's 6-3 victory and pushed his RBI total to 68 - seven coming during his current five-game hitting streak.

Realmuto's effort was supported by veteran infielder Martin Prado, who registered a three-run double in his first game in almost three weeks after being activated from the disabled list before Saturday's contest. The Marlins will try to even their interleague record at 10-10 on Sunday when they send Jeff Brigham to the mound for his major-league debut, while Toronto (12-7 interleague) counters with fellow rookie Sean Reid-Foley in the series finale. The Blue Jays have lost five of their last six, but first baseman Justin Smoak is red-hot with homers in four straight games and nine RBIs in that span. Toronto managed just five hits Saturday and two came from Devon Travis, who is batting .344 with 55 hits (nine homers) and 32 RBIs in 44 career interleague contests.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, OMNI, TVA (Toronto), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Sean Reid-Foley (0-2, 8.68 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jeff Brigham (NR)

Reid-Foley returns to the majors for the first time since his first two big-league starts in mid-August, both ending with losses. The 23-year-old born in Guam gave up three runs over five innings in his debut on Aug. 13 before yielding eight runs (six earned) across 4 1/3 frames five days later. Reid-Foley is 12-5 with a 3.26 ERA in 24 starts at Triple-A and Double-A combined this year, striking out 150 over 129 2/3 innings.

Brigham gets the call after scheduled starter Pablo Lopez was placed on the 60-day disabled list Saturday due to a shoulder strain. The 26-year-old Washington native, who was acquired in a trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers in July of 2015, is 10-3 with a 2.36 ERA across 17 starts at three levels in the minors in 2018 - including 5-2 with a 3.44 mark at Triple-A New Orleans. Brigham has struck out 94 in 95 1/3 innings this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto OF Billy McKinney, who was rested Saturday, is 16-for-42 with 10 RBIs in 14 games since being acquired from the New York Yankees.

2. Miami CF Lewis Brinson (hip) was also activated from the DL on Saturday and went 1-for-4.

3. Blue Jays RHP Marcus Stroman (blister) threw a bullpen session Saturday and could start Monday's game against Tampa Bay.

PREDICTION: Marlins 7, Blue Jays 5
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Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Cubs vs. Phillies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Chicago Cubs' lineup is more menacing than ever, but the team will have to face one of the league's best pitchers in the finale of its three-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. Cy Young Award contender Aaron Nola will try to shut down Chicago's potent offense when he squares off against Jon Lester in a matchup of All-Stars.

Kris Bryant returned to the lineup after being sidelined since July 23 and recorded two hits to help the Cubs to a 7-1 triumph on Saturday, evening the series at one win apiece. The Cubs have captured nine of their last 11 contests as they own the best record in the National League. Chicago also owns a 4 1/2-game lead over both St. Louis and Milwaukee in the NL Central. The Phillies have gone 8-14 since Aug. 8 and slipped three games behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, TBS, WGN (Chicago), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (14-5, 3.67 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (15-3, 2.10)

Lester had a few bumpy outings coming out of the All-Star break, but he has returned to form recently, posting a 2.04 ERA over his last three starts. The 34-year-old allowed three runs over six innings in a no-decision against the New York Mets last time out. Lester is 7-0 with a 1.64 ERA in nine career starts versus the Phillies.

Nola's start was moved up a day so he could pitch at home, where he is 9-0 with a 1.94 ERA in 13 outings this season. The 25-year-old ace hasn't lost since July 14 and has allowed fewer than three runs in six straight outings. Nola is 1-0 with a 4.61 ERA in two career starts against the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Bryant went 2-for-4 with a double and scored a run in his return from a stint on the disabled list due to left shoulder inflammation.

2. Phillies C Wilson Ramos went 1-for-3 on Saturday and is 16-for-40 with eight extra-base hits in 11 games since being acquired from Tampa Bay.

3. Chicago INF Javier Baez needs one home run and one RBI to becomes the fifth Cubs player with 30 blasts and 100 RBIs in a season by the campaign during which they reach the age of 25, joining Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Ernie Banks and Ron Santo.

PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Cubs 2
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Milwaukee Brewers vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Brewers vs. Nationals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Milwaukee Brewers have been making bold deals all season in an effort to bolster the ballclub and earn a spot in the postseason, and the changes keep coming. The Brewers will try to ride the momentum wave generated by the front office to a series win when they visit the Washington Nationals in the finale of a three-game series.

Xavier Cedeno worked a perfect inning of relief in his team debut on Saturday before the rest of the bullpen imploded after a lengthy rain delay, and Curtis Granderson is expected to make his first start for Milwaukee on Sunday while Gio Gonzalez is slotted into the rotation for next week. "It's Sept. 1, and you expect changes then," Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters on Saturday. "Acquiring three players from outside the organization is a rare day for baseball, that's for sure. We felt like we've made the team better. We've added some pieces - although it's just a month left in the season - that are going to have a chance to make some pretty sizable contributions." Gonzalez came over from the Nationals (68-68), who are sitting at .500 as the National League East slips away from the preseason favorites. Milwaukee, which is a half-game behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the top NL wild-card spot, turns to Junior Guerra on Sunday while Washington counters with righty Jefry Rodriguez.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin, Dish455 (Milwaukee), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Junior Guerra (6-9, 4.09 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jefry Rodriguez (2-1, 4.54)

Guerra is trying to prove he still deserves his spot in the rotation after the addition of Gonzalez and is trying to snap a string of eight straight winless outings. He lasted just 1 1/3 innings at Cincinnati on Tuesday and was knocked around for six runs on eight hits - one homer - and a pair of walks. Guerra has allowed a total of 20 runs - 14 earned - and 27 hits in 10 1/3 innings over his last three starts.

Rodriguez is trending in the opposite direction with wins in two of his last three outings. The Dominican rookie scattered two hits and four walks across six innings without allowing a run to earn a win at the New York Mets last Sunday. Rodriguez is making his first career start against Milwaukee and is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in five home appearances - four starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Brewers are expected to recall RHP Corey Knebel from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

2. Nationals LF Juan Soto has recorded multiple hits in three straight games and five of the last seven.

3. Washington C Matt Wieters (hip, groin) sat out Saturday and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Nationals 8, Brewers 3
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Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Boston Red Sox continue to run away with the best record in baseball and own a 7 1/2-game lead over the rival New York Yankees in the American League East. The Red Sox will try to clinch another series win and subtract one from their magic number to clinch the division when they visit the Chicago White Sox on Sunday in the finale of a four-game series.

Boston did not go out and trade for a former MVP before the end of August like the Yankees and the Cleveland Indians, but the players they had coming back off the disabled list and up from the minors on Sep. 1 already proved to be a big help. Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle) made his first start since July on Saturday and struck out 12 in 5 2/3 innings, and his healthy return should help stabilize the rotation while Chris Sale (shoulder) and David Price (wrist) recover from minor injuries. The White Sox are well out of the race but are still trying to play spoiler and took two of three from New York before dropping two of the first three to the Red Sox. Chicago will send veteran James Shields to the mound on Sunday looking for a split while Boston counters with lefty Brian Johnson.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (4-3, 4.02 ERA) vs. White Sox RH James Shields (5-15, 4.54)

Johnson is keeping a rotation spot warm for Sale or Price but not working deep into games in his latest stint as a starter. The Florida native went 4 1/3 innings against Miami on Tuesday and did not factor in the decision while allowing one run on five hits and a walk. Johnson is making his first career appearance against Chicago and is 2-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 13 games - four starts - on the road in 2018.

Shields owns one win in his last eight starts and struggled with his control at New York on Tuesday when he issued four walks while allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings. The 36-year-old is having some trouble keeping the ball in the park and has yielded 12 home runs over his last seven outings. Shields owns plenty of history against the Red Sox, building up a 9-14 record with a 4.40 ERA in 28 career starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox RF Avisail Garcia (knee) left Saturday's game and is day-to-day.

2. Red Sox INF Eduardo Nunez has homered in three of his last five games to bring his season total to 10.

3. Price is likely to sit out at least another four games before returning to the Boston rotation.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, White Sox 4
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Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Orioles vs. Royals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

Whit Merrifield has consistently been a bright spot in what has been an otherwise dismal season for the Kansas City Royals, although his teammates have done a solid job of following his example at the plate during the team's most successful stretch of the season. The Royals eye their seventh victory in eight tries Sunday when they attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles.

Merrifield (.311) is the only full-time Kansas City batter hitting over .266 for the season and powered his team to a 5-4 comeback victory Saturday, delivering a walk-off, two-run blast with one out in the ninth inning to help his team improve to 6-1 during its eight-game homestand. The Royals have been clicking on all cylinders over that span, averaging 6.6 runs and scoring at least five times in every game after entering the homestand with the lowest-scoring offense in the majors. Baltimore (40-96) has dropped 17 of its last 22 despite sweeping a three-game series from Toronto earlier in the week and appears destined to finish with the worst record in baseball this season after beginning the weekend with an opportunity to pass that dubious honor to Kansas City (44-91). Tim Beckham halted his slump (.206 average in August) in the loss, going 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Baltimore), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH David Hess (3-8, 5.08 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jorge Lopez (0-4, 4.86)

Hess has registered three straight quality starts, but he won for the first time over that stretch Monday against Toronto, holding the Blue Jays to four hits and two walks across six scoreless innings. The Tennessee Tech product has been considerably stingier since the All-Star break, posting a 3.41 ERA and .208 batting average against (6.06 and .282 before, respectively). Hess will try to string together two wins in a row for the first time in his career Saturday as he faces Kansas City for the first time.

Lopez fired three scoreless innings to begin his last outing, but he lasted only one more frame while taking the loss last Sunday against Cleveland after surrendering five runs on five hits and three walks. The 25-year-old Puerto Rican went 0-1 with a 2.75 ERA in 10 relief appearances this season with Milwaukee before joining Kansas City in the Mike Moustakas trade on July 27. Lopez has only 25 strikeouts versus 21 walks over 33 1/3 innings this season as he squares off with Baltimore for the first time.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals' four-game winning streak is their longest since a nine-game run from July 19-28, 2017.

2. Baltimore OF/DH Mark Trumbo (right knee inflammation) is out indefinitely after the club announced he is expected to undergo arthroscopic surgery Thursday or Friday.

3. Merrifield has reached base safely in 21 straight games to match a career high.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Royals 3
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Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Reds vs. Cardinals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The St. Louis Cardinals began their streak of winning 10 straight series immediately after dropping two of three to the Cincinnati Reds last month. The Cardinals hope to extend that run a bit longer and avoid their first losing streak in over a month Sunday when they host the Reds in the final contest of their three-game weekend set.

St. Louis (76-60) began the second half of its season by losing five of its first eight to the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati before catching fire and winning 25 of its next 33 to move atop the National League wild-card standings. The Cardinals' surge hit a bit of a speed bump Saturday, however, as Luis Castillo and two relievers combined on a two-hitter, leaving St. Louis 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Cubs in the NL Central. The Reds won for only the second time in 10 games thanks in part to Eugenio Suarez, who drove in two runs to extend his career-high RBI total to 98 - one shy of the Cubs' Javier Baez for the NL lead. Cincinnati has won six of the last nine meetings between the teams after dropping nine in a row to St. Louis to begin the season.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (7-4, 4.34 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (7-11, 4.59)

DeSclafani picked up a victory Tuesday against Milwaukee despite allowing four runs while striking out six over 6 2/3 innings. The New Jersey native has logged at least six frames in each of his last five turns, but he is 1-1 with a 5.69 ERA in his last two outings after going 2-0, 0.83 in his previous three starts. Matt Carpenter is 9-for-19 with three homers against DeSclafani, who has permitted nine runs (eight earned) over 8 1/3 innings while splitting a pair of decisions versus St. Louis this season.

Weaver returns to the rotation for the first time since Aug. 16 after earning one victory while giving up one run on five hits across three relief appearances spanning four innings in the interim. The 25-year-old has struggled in his 24 big-league starts in 2018, going 6-11 with a 4.67 ERA while posting a 1.42 WHIP (1-0, 2.25, 1.25 as a reliever). Scooter Gennett is 5-for-11 with a double versus Weaver, who is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in two starts against Cincinnati this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. With a victory Sunday, the Cardinals will break a tie with the 1944 and 2009 clubs for the longest series winning streak in team history.

2. The Reds can beat St. Louis in three straight series for the first time since 1979 with a win Sunday.

3. Gennett (.318) singled twice in four at-bats Saturday to overtake Milwaukee's Christian Yelich (.317) for the NL lead in batting average.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Reds 4
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Minnesota Twins vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Twins vs. Rangers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Texas Rangers seek their first series win in two weeks when they host the Minnesota Twins on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game set. Texas, which has dropped three straight series since taking three of four from the Los Angeles Angels, ended its five-game slide and evened the set with Saturday's 7-4 triumph.

The Rangers belted four home runs in the victory - including one by Nomar Mazara, who had gone deep in each game of the series after hitting only two in his previous 42 contests. Adrian Beltre also homered to record his 3,143rd career hit, which moved him ahead of Robin Yount for 17th place on the all-time list. Rookie Jake Cave went 2-for-4 with a homer for the Twins, who have lost six of their last eight games. Cave also went deep in the series opener and has recorded five of his nine blasts over his last 12 contests.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Gabriel Moya (3-0, 4.73 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Yohander Mendez (0-1, 14.73)

Moya will make his first major-league start as the Twins pushed Kyle Gibson back in order to employ the new rage known as the "opener" strategy, a method in which a team utilizes a parade of relievers in order to rest its starters or compensate for injured ones. Moya, a 23-year-old Venezuelan, has made 24 relief appearances this season - with the longest being a 2 2/3-inning stint at Cleveland on Aug. 9. Right-hander Zack Littell is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Rochester and eat some innings following Moya's effort.

Mendez is slated to return from the minors and start in place of Bartolo Colon (back), who was activated from the 10-day disabled list Saturday but scratched from his scheduled turn due to a stomach virus. The 23-year-old Mendez, who also hails from Venezuela, made one relief appearance and one start for Texas this year before violating team rules and being demoted to Single-A Down East. Mendez did not fare well in his first major-league start on June 15 against Colorado, surrendering six runs and seven hits in three innings of a loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers 2B Rougned Odor collected 29 RBIs in August, tying Miguel Andujar of the New York Yankees for the most in the major leagues for the month.

2. Minnesota activated RHP Matt Belisle (knee) from the 10-day DL, recalled OF Johnny Field and RHP Tyler Duffey from Rochester and purchased the contracts of C Chris Gimenez and LHP Andrew Vasquez from the Red Wings.

3. In addition to Colon, Texas activated OF Delino DeShields (finger) from the 10-day DL and recalled LHP Zac Curtis from Triple-A Round Rock.

PREDICTION: Rangers 8, Twins 5
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New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 1st September 2018 by Gracenote
Mets vs. Giants Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/01/2018

The New York Mets have scored two runs in their last 20 innings but that was still enough to lift them to their sixth win in seven games at San Francisco's AT&T Park. The Mets can win a series from the Giants for the second time in two weeks when they send right-hander Noah Syndergaard to the mound Sunday in the finale of a three-game set.

Syndergaard will look to continue a string of strong performances from New York's starting rotation, which boasts a 1.67 ERA over its past 14 games. Catcher Tomás Nido, who entered Saturday's game hitless in his last 22 at-bats, went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and Todd Frazier delivered the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the 11th inning of Saturday's 2-1 victory. Pitching also has been a strong point for San Francisco, which has permitted a combined six runs over its last six games. Offense, though, continues to be a problem for the Giants, who mustered only three hits Saturday and have scored two runs or fewer in four of their last five games.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (9-3, 3.51 ERA) vs. Giants RH Chris Stratton (9-7, 4.99)

Syndergaard has not flashed his overpowering stuff since returning from a stint on the disabled list due to hand, foot and mouth disease, winning three of five decisions while compiling a 4.74 ERA in six starts. He beat the Giants with six innings of two-run ball on Aug. 22 before allowing four runs and nine hits over six innings at the Chicago Cuts on Monday. Brandon Belt is 0-for-9 lifetime versus Syndergaard.

Stratton ended a winless drought of more than two months last time out with a masterful outing versus Arizona on Monday, limiting the Diamondbacks to five hits over eight scoreless innings. He also turned in a quality start in his previous turn against the Mets in New York, tossing 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball in a no-decision. Rookie Jeff McNeil was 3-for-3 against Stratton, who has a 5.16 ERA at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants SS Brandon Crawford has sat out the past two games with various ailments, including a sore knee.

2. Mets SS Amed Rosario is 8-for-20 during a four-game hitting streak.

3. Giants C Nick Hundley has two singles in his last 16 at-bats over five games.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Giants 3
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Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Seattle Mariners built a large lead early in Saturday's contest and staved off a comeback attempt to remain within reach of a postseason berth. The Mariners hope to draw even closer and earn a series victory when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Sunday for the finale of their four-game set.

Jean Segura (three) and Ben Gamel combined for five of Seattle's 12 hits and drove in two runs apiece in an 8-7 triumph, which pulled the club within 4 1/2 games of Oakland for the second wild-card spot in the American League. James Paxton (forearm) returned from a stint on the disabled list to combine with five relievers for 18 strikeouts as the Mariners remained seven games behind first-place Houston in the AL West. Mark Canha and Khris Davis homered for the Athletics, who fell 2 1/2 games behind the Astros as they came within one run of bouncing all the way back from an 8-1 deficit. Davis, who leads the major leagues in blasts, joined Jimmie Foxx as the only players in Athletics history to hit 40 homers in three consecutive seasons.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (8-12, 5.49 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Edwin Jackson (4-3, 3.03)

Hernandez is coming off one of his best starts of the year, a seven-inning outing at San Diego in which he suffered a hard-luck loss after giving up two runs and four hits while registering a season-high nine strikeouts. It was the second turn for the 32-year-old Venezuelan since he temporarily was taken out of the rotation and made his first career relief appearance - a 5 2/3-inning effort in Oakland that saw him get saddled with the loss despite yielding just two runs and five hits. The setback dropped Hernandez to 1-3 with a 4.13 ERA in four meetings with the Athletics this year and 26-12 lifetime versus the club.

After winning three consecutive starts, Jackson has gone 0-1 over his last three - including a no-decision at Houston on Tuesday in which he allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old journeyman has not worked more than five frames during his drought, which has followed a road triumph over the Los Angeles Angels in which he scattered three hits over a season-high 7 1/3 scoreless innings. Jackson has been superb against Seattle in his career, going 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA in four starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Segura (shin) returned to the lineup Saturday after missing two games with a bruised left shin.

2. Oakland added newly acquired RHP Cory Gearrin to the roster and activated OF Matt Joyce (lumbar) from the 10-day disabled list while recalling LHP Danny Coulombe and 2B Franklin Barreto from Triple-A Nashville and purchasing the contracts of RHPs Liam Hendriks - who started Saturday's contest - and Chris Hatcher, LHP Dean Kiekhefer and C Beau Taylor from the Sounds.

3. Seattle recalled RHPs Chasen Bradford and Ryan Cook, LHP James Pazos and C David Freitas from Triple-A Tacoma while purchasing the contracts of 2B Kristopher Negron and RHP Justin Grimm from the Rainiers.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Mariners 3
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Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Rockies vs. Padres Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Colorado Rockies were happy to turn the calendar after closing the month of August with four frustrating losses in their final five games. The Rockies look to build on an encouraging start to September on Sunday as they aim for a split of their four-game series against the host San Diego Padres, who saw their season-high four-game winning streak come to an end Saturday.

DJ LeMahieu homered and Jon Gray tossed six strong innings in Saturday's 4-2 win as Colorado pulled within one-half game of National League West co-leaders Arizona and the Los Angeles Dodgers and trail Milwaukee by 2 1/2 for the second wild-card spot. Nolan Arenado snapped an 0-for-19 slump with two hits while Matt Holliday reached base four times as he improved to 7-for-17 in seven games since rejoining the Rockies. San Diego fell to 27-44 at home despite two solo blasts by Hunter Renfroe, who is 14-for-29 with five homers during his career-high nine-game hitting streak. The 26-year-old Renfroe led the NL with 27 RBIs in August and has solidified his role in the Padres' rebuilding effort with his play this season.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (12-7, 2.90 ERA) vs. Padres RH Jacob Nix (2-2, 4.05)

Freeland entered the Cy Young Award discussion on Tuesday after allowing one run over six innings in a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. The 25-year-old native of Denver improved to 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 32 1/3 frames over his last five starts, and the Rockies have gone 10-1 in his last 11 outings. Manuel Margot is 2-for-16 against Freeland, who is 1-2 with a 3.94 ERA in seven career games (five starts) versus San Diego.

Nix won for the second time in four starts on Tuesday, allowing one run and eight hits over 8 1/3 innings against Seattle. "He's smart. He's confident, too," San Diego manager Andy Green told reporters. "If you want to succeed in this league, those are two really great attributes to have." The 22-year-old rookie faced Colorado at Coors Field on Aug. 22, giving up three runs and five hits in five frames of a 6-2 loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. LeMahieu has hit 11 of his career-high 13 home runs on the road.

2. San Diego is looking to record its first home series victory against Colorado since June 3-5, 2016.

3. The Rockies recalled OF Noel Cuevas, INF Pat Valaika, C Tom Murphy, LHP Harrison Musgrave and RHP Yency Almonte from Triple-A Albuquerque.

PREDICTION: Rockies 5, Padres 3
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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Rays vs. Indians Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

Joey Wendle looked as though he was merely a depth addition to the Tampa Bay Rays in the offseason, but the versatile 28-year-old is enjoying a breakout year while playing five different positions. Wendle looks to extend his hitting streak to eight games when the Rays visit the American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians on Sunday for the rubber match of a three-game set.

Wendle is batting .296 in 115 games playing the infield and outfield after recording multiple hits in five of his last six contests, including a 2-for-5 performance Saturday in Tampa Bay's come-from-behind 5-3 victory to even the series. The Rays will go with a bullpen day in the finale while facing Cy Young candidate Carlos Carrasco, who goes for his 17th victory of the season and 35th in the last two campaigns. Cleveland coughed up an early 2-0 lead Saturday to open September after going 19-9 last month, but Michael Brantley recorded multiple hits for the eighth time in his last dozen contests. Jason Kipnis, who could lose some playing time after the acquisition of former MVP Josh Donaldson late Friday night, homered for the third time in six games Saturday - a stretch in which he is 10-for-19 with six extra-base hits and eight RBIs.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.73 ERA) vs. Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (16-7, 3.38)

Castillo gave up three runs on three hits over two innings Wednesday at Atlanta in his third start before the Rays went on to earn an 8-5 victory. The 24-year-old Dominican did not give up a run in his previous seven appearances, including two starts against Boston in which he allowed three hits and struck out four across 3 1/3 innings combined. Castillo faces Cleveland for the first time and is 1-0 with a 3.71 ERA on the road.

Carrasco is 8-2 since the beginning of July, including 4-2 last month with a 1.85 ERA after registering 7 2/3 scoreless frames to beat Minnesota on Tuesday. The 31-year-old Venezuelan recorded 50 strikeouts over 39 innings in August to push his total to 178 in 154 2/3 frames overall. Kevin Kiermaier is 1-for-11 with a homer against Carrasco, who is 4-3 with a 2.77 ERA in nine career appearances (eight starts) versus Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians activated OF Rajai Davis (illness) from the 10-day disabled list, but he did not play Saturday.

2. Tampa Bay OF Tommy Pham is 13-for-31 with six RBIs during his current seven-game hitting streak.

3. Kiermaier left Saturday's contest with back spasms but told reporters he could be able to play Sunday.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Rays 2
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 09-02-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 2nd September 2018 by Gracenote
Pirates vs. Braves Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/02/2018

The Pittsburgh Pirates conclude a three-game series Sunday at Atlanta and center fielder Starling Marte will not be happy to leave town, considering the damage he has inflicted on Braves pitching recently. Marte finished 2-for-4 in Saturday's 5-3 loss to raise his career average against the Braves to .333, and a third multi-hit game in a row extended his overall hitting streak to eight contests - a span during which he is hitting .400.

Pittsburgh continues trying to be a playoff spoiler by splitting the last two games, but after allowing just three runs over 16 innings to open the series it gave up four in the bottom of the eighth inning Saturday. Charlie Culberson's miscue led to two unearned runs in the middle game of the series, and the Braves have committed five errors in the past four contests - leading to seven unearned runs. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman, who came into Saturday batting .143 in a nine-game stretch, brought home the go-ahead run with an eighth-inning double. Shortstop Dansby Swanson added a solo homer among two hits for the Braves, who lead second-place Philadelphia by three games in the National League Central.

TV: 5:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet (Pittsburgh), FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Nick Kingham (5-6, 4.92 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (9-7, 4.18)

Kingham gets the start for Ivan Nola, who left the team Saturday to attend for a personal issue, and the rookie will make his 13th start of the season. The 26-year-old struggled in his last two starts on July 26 (six runs allowed in three innings against the New York Mets) and Aug. 1 (one inning, two earned runs allowed on three hits against the Chicago Cubs). Kingham has pitched twice out of the bullpen since Aug. 26, logging three innings while permitting one run on one hit with two strikeouts.

Teheran has not lost in his past six starts, going 2-0 with a 3.47 ERA and a .179 opponents batting average while striking out 33 in 36 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old gave up four runs Tuesday against Tampa Bay, the most he's allowed since surrendering seven on July 24, but for the second consecutive outing walked just one hitter. Teheran beat the Pirates on Aug. 22 in Pittsburgh, giving up one run on two hits with five strikeouts over seven innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta 1B Lucas Duda delivered a pinch-hit double in the eighth inning in his third at-bat since being acquired from Kansas City.

2. Pittsburgh's bullpen, which posted a 2.93 ERA in August, gave up four runs on four hits over two innings Saturday.

3. Saturday's victory bolstered Atlanta's record to 36-31 at home and the Braves are 39-29 on the road.

PREDICTION: Braves 7, Pirates 2
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