Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Sunday, April 29, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
Sunday’s games
National League
Brewers (16-12) @ Cubs (14-10)
Davies is 2-0, 1.46 in his last two starts; under is 3-1 in his last four starts. Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5
Chatwood is 1-3, 3.74 in four starts this year (over 2-2). Team in his starts: 1-3
5-inning record: 1-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4
Milwaukee lost its last three games; their last seven road games stayed under. Cubs won seven of their last nine games; under is 13-7-1 in their last 21 games.
Diamondbacks (19-7) @ Nationals (11-16)
Ray is 0-0, 4.70 in his last three starts (over 3-2). Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 3-0-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5
Gonzalez is 1-2, 4.70 in his last three starts; his last four starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5
Arizona is 13-5 in its last 18 games; nine of their last ten road games went over. Washington lost six of its last seven games; five of his last seven games stayed under.
Braves (15-10) @ Phillies (15-10)
McCarthy is 3-0, 4.05 in five starts this year (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5
Velasquez is 0-2, 4.15 in his last three starts (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 1-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5
Atlanta won three of its last four games; over is 7-2-1 in their last ten games. Phillies won nine of their last 12 home games; over is 4-1 in their last five games overall.
Cardinals (15-11) @ Pirates (16-11)
Weaver is 1-1, 7.36 in his last three starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5
Kingham is making his MLB debut; he is 2-1, 1.59 in four AAA starts this season, was 9-6, 4.13 in 19 AAA starts LY. Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0
Cardinals won 10 of their last 14 games; under is 4-2-1 in their last seven road games. Pittsburgh won its last four games- over is 4-1-1 in their last six home games.
Rockies (15-13) @ Marlins (8-18)
Bettis is 3-0, 2.40 in five starts this season; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 5-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5
Straily is making his first ’18 start. He was 10-9, 4.29 in 33 starts LY, is 37-30, 4.25 in 109 career starts. Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0
Rockies won eight of last 11 road games (under 8-3). Miami is 4-10 at home this season; six of their last eight games stayed under.
Mets (17-9) @ Padres (10-19)
Wheeler is 1-1, 4.24 in three starts this season (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 2-1
5-inning record: 0-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-3
Mitchell is 0-2, 5.76 in five starts this year (over 3-2). Team in his starts: 1-4
5-inning record: 0-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-5
Mets lost seven of their last 11 games; six of their last nine games went over. San Diego lost five of its last seven games; six of their last seven home games went over.
Dodgers (11-13) @ Giants (12-13)
Hill is 1-1, 6.00 in three starts this season (over 3-0). Team in his starts: 1-2
5-inning record: 1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3
Blach is 0-3, 5.47 in his last five starts (under 5-1). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 1-3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6
Dodgers won four of their last five road games; over is 6-3 in their road games. Giants won four of their last five games; under is 7-2-1 in their last ten games. xxxxxxx
American League
Tigers (10-15) @ Orioles (8-19)
Norris allowed one run in 4.2 IP (85 PT) in his first ’18 start, a 3-2 loss to Kansas City. Team in his starts: 0-1
5-inning record: 0-0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1
Gausman is 1-1, 3.24 in his last four starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-5
Tigers lost eight of their last ten road games; over is 5-2 in their last seven road games. Orioles lost 14 of their last 17 games; under is 10-4 in their home games.
Rangers (11-17) @ Blue Jays (14-12)
Perez is 1-2, 12.46 in his last three starts, all of which went over. Team in his starts: 2-2
5-inning record: 2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-4
Happ is 3-0, 3.70 in his last four starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5
Texas won its last three games; over is 4-1 in their last five road games. Toronto lost six of its last seven games; over is 6-2 in their last eight home games.
Mariners (15-11) @ Indians (14-11)
Gonzales is 2-2, 5.56 in five starts this year (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5
Tomlin is 0-2, 10.03 in three starts this year (over 2-1). Team in his starts: 1-2
5-inning record: 1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3
Mariners won eight of their last 11 road games; over is 11-5 in their road games. Cleveland lost four of its last five games; under is 13-7 in their last 20 games.
Rays (12-13) @ Red Sox (19-7)
It is a bullpen game for the red-hot Rays. Team in his starts:
5-inning record: . Allowed run in 1st inning:
Porcello is 4-0, 1.93 in five starts this year (over 2-2-1). Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5
Tampa Bay won its last eight games; they’re 6-6 on road. Over is 10-2 in their last 12 games. Red Sox lost five of their last seven games; under is 5-2 in their last seven games.
A’s (14-13) @ Astros (18-10)
Cahill is 1-0, 2.25 in two starts this season (over 2-0). Team in his starts: 2-0
5-inning record: 3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5
Cole is 2-1, 1.54 in five starts this year; under is 3-0-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 2-1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5
A’s won nine of their last 12 games; over is 7-5 in their road games. Houston won eight of its last 11 games; under is 9-5 in its home games.
White Sox (8-17) @ Royals (6-20)
Volstad allowed one run in 4.1 IP (66 PT) in his first ’18 start, a 1-0 loss to Seattle. Team in his starts: 0-1
5-inning record: 0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1
Kennedy is 0-3, 7.07 in his last three starts (under 4-1). Team in his starts: 1-4
5-inning record: 1-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-5
White Sox lost 15 of their last 20 games; over is 8-4-1 in their last 13 games. Royals lost 15 of their last 18 games; under is 7-2-1 in their last ten home games.
New York (17-9) @ Angels (16-11)
Sabathia is 1-0, 3.72 in four starts this season (over 2-2). Team in his starts: 2-2
5-inning record: 2-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-4
Skaggs is 3-1, 2.96 in five starts this year (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 4-1
5-inning record: 3-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5
New York is 11-2 in its last 13 games; they’re 6-4 on road. Over is 11-4-1 in their last 16 games. Angels lost seven of their last eight home games; five of their last seven games stayed under.
Interleague
Reds (5-21) @ Twins (9-12)
Mahle is 0-3, 6.43 in his last four starts (under 4-1). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5
Berrios is 2-2, 2.84 in five starts this year (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 2-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-5
Reds lost 16 of their last 20 games- over is 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Twins lost nine of their last 11 games; over is 7-2 in their last nine games.
Umpires
Mil-Chi: Over is 5-1-2 in last eight Cederstrom games.
Az-Wsh: Five of six BWelke games this season stayed under.
Atl-Phil: Favorites won eight of last ten Barry games.
StL-Pitt: Six of last seven Hickox games went over total.
Col-Mia: Over is 5-1-2 in last eight Culbreth games.
NY-SD: Over is 4-1-1 in last six Ripperger games.
LA-SF: Under is 3-0-1 in last four Ortiz games.
TB-Bos: Underdogs are 11-10 in last 21 Wolf games.
Tex-Tor: Under is 11-7 in last 18 Timmons games.
Sea-Clev: Road team won five of last seven Reynolds games.
Det-Balt: Last three Fairchild games went over total.
A’s-Hst: Under is 12-4-1 in last 17 Segal games.
Chi-KC: Underdogs are 5-4 in last nine Barber games.
NY-LA: Seven of last eight Hernandez games stayed under.
Cin-Minn: Over is 5-3 in last eight TBarrett games.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
28th April 2018 by Gracenote
the tampa bay rays can tie the second-longest winning streak in franchise history and return to .500 when they go for a three-game sweep of the host boston red sox on sunday afternoon. the rays (12-13) have outscored opponents 63-34 during an eight-game winning streak after pounding out a season-high 18 hits, including four home runs, in a 12-6 victory saturday.
catcher wilson ramos went deep in his third straight game for tampa bay, but left in the seventh inning with a groin injury and is considered day-to-day, while matt duffy had a double and three singles to extend his hitting streak to six contests. matt andriese will get the start in a "bullpen day" for the rays on sunday and fellow right-hander rick porcello tries to win for the third time in the season series and remain unbeaten overall for the red sox. boston has dropped five of seven after a historic 17-2 start to the season, but finished with 12 hits and hanley ramirez registered a pair for his fourth multi-hit game in his last seven outings. xander bogaerts had a hit and knocked in a pair of runs for the red sox, improving to 16-for-35 with 11 rbis on the season against tampa bay.
tv: 1:05 p.m. et, fs sun (tampa bay), nesn (boston)
pitching matchup: rays rh matt andriese (0-0, 5.40 era) vs. red sox rh rick porcello (4-0, 1.93)
andriese makes his first start of the season after coming out of the bullpen seven times, including 4 2/3 innings of scoreless ball over his last two trips to the mound. the 28-year-old california native made 17 starts in 2017 and is 14-14 with a 4.55 era overall with 189 strikeouts across 223 1/3 innings in that role during his career. mitch moreland is 4-for-11 with two homers versus andriese, who is 2-2 with a 5.95 era in 11 appearances (seven starts) against the red sox after giving up four runs in two-thirds of an inning april 8.
porcello posted his fourth straight quality start last time out by limiting toronto to three runs on three hits over seven innings but settled for a no-decision after winning his first four outings of 2018. the 29-year-old new jersey native gave up four runs on 20 hits across 25 2/3 innings with 23 strikeouts and one walk in his first four starts, including two wins against the rays. brad miller is 12-for-43 with five doubles and five homers versus porcello, who is 14-8 with a 3.22 era in 25 games against tampa bay.
walk-offs
1. boston 3b rafael devers snapped out of a 3-for-22 slump with three hits saturday, including his fourth homer of the season.
2. tampa bay 1b c.j. cron has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games, improving his batting average from .156 to .271 in that span.
3.the red sox bullpen had allowed two runs over a stretch of 32 1/3 innings before permitting six in 3 1/3 on saturday.
prediction: red sox 6, rays 3
Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
28th April 2018 by Gracenote
miguel cabrera is showing plenty of signs of rediscovering his dominant form at the plate and will try to follow up a five-rbi performance while leading the detroit tigers to a series win when they take on the host baltimore orioles in the rubber match of a three-game set sunday afternoon. the 35-year-old was coming off a disappointing 2017 campaign in which he hit below .300 for the first time since 2008, but he has started strong this year.
cabrera homered, doubled and singled in saturday's 9-5 win over the orioles to give him 21 rbis in 24 games and boost his average to .333. detroit hammered out 13 hits - four for extra bases - in the triumph after it was shut out in consecutive games. the orioles received two more rbis from red-hot manny machado on saturday while falling for the 12th time in their last 14 games. the three-time all-star has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games and owns six home runs - three against detroit - along with 12 rbis over his last nine games.
tv: 1:05 p.m. et, fs detroit, masn2 (baltimore)
pitching matchup: tigers lh daniel norris (0-1, 4.85 era) vs. orioles rh kevin gausman (1-2, 4.66)
norris has made three relief appearances and one start thus far while recording 16 strikeouts in 13 innings. he let up one run and three hits while fanning five in 4 2/3 innings in his lone start april 20 against kansas city at home. the 25-year-old has a 1.93 era in 9 1/3 innings in his career against baltimore, all of which have come at camden yards.
gausman has three straight quality starts and lasted a season-high eight innings while allowing two runs in a hard-luck loss against cleveland on monday. home runs have been an issue for the 27-year-old, who has allowed seven of them in 29 innings on the season. victor martinez is hitless in 19 at-bats against gausman, who is 1-1 with a 3.95 era in seven career starts against detroit.
walk-offs
1. orioles lf trey mancini his batting .308 as a leadoff hitter this year after going 2-for-5 on saturday.
2. tigers rf nicholas castellanos had an rbi in saturday's win and has driven in 11 over his last seven games.
3. detroit is 9-5 in day games and 2-9 at night.
prediction: orioles 6, tigers 4
Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
29th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Texas Rangers will try to secure their first series sweep of the season when they wrap up a three-game set against the host Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. The Rangers have won a season-best three straight contests after taking the first two games from the Blue Jays.
Texas' bats have heated up even with offensive stars Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre on the disabled list. The Rangers belted three home runs in Saturday's 7-4 win, including their first back-to-back blasts of the season from Jurickson Profar and Robinson Chirinos. The Blue Jays have dropped four straight contests and six of their last seven. Toronto has lost the last three games despite scoring four or more runs after starting 13-0 when crossing the plate at least four times.
TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), Sportsnet One (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (2-2, 9.82 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (3-1, 3.72)
Perez's season had a rocky beginning, but he put together a quality start to beat Seattle last time out. The 27-year-old Venezuelan struck out four while allowing two runs and seven hits over six innings to lower his season ERA more than three runs. Perez is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in three career starts against the Blue Jays and threw five scoreless innings in his only previous outing in Toronto.
Happ put together his best performance of the season Tuesday against Boston, striking out 10 while allowing one run and four hits over seven innings in a no-decision. The 35-year-old is missing bats at a career-best rate, averaging 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings and generating swinging strikes at a rate of 14 percent. Happ is 3-2 with a 3.07 ERA in five career starts against the Rangers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Blue Jays OF Teoscar Hernandez has reached base in 12 of his 13 games this season.
2. Profar has registered five RBIs in his last seven games after driving in just two runs in his first 15 contests.
3. Toronto 3B Josh Donaldson (shoulder) began a rehab assignment at Single-A Dunedin on Saturday.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Rangers 5
Colorado Rockies vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
29th April 2018 by Gracenote
the miami marlins can win back-to-back series for the first time this season when they host the colorado rockies on sunday afternoon for the rubber match of a three-game set. veteran martin prado knocked in his first two runs of the year in his second game since returning from knee and hamstring injuries as miami earned a 4-1 victory on saturday after dropping a 1-0 decision in the series opener.
j.t. realmuto and starlin castro take seven-game hitting streaks into the series finale for the marlins, who took the last two of a three-game set at the los angeles dodgers earlier in the week. caleb smith goes after his first major-league win when he takes the mound for miami on sunday against unbeaten chad bettis, who is coming off his worst start of the campaign. the rockies have managed just 11 hits in the series, including four saturday, as they wrap up the first leg of a nine-game road trip that takes them to chicago and new york for two more national league series matchups. colorado shortstop trevor story extended his hitting streak to seven games saturday as he is 9-for-25 with two homers and 10 rbis during the run.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, at&t sportsnet - rocky mountain (colorado), fs florida (miami)
pitching matchup: rockies rh chad bettis (3-0, 2.40 era) vs. marlins lh caleb smith (0-3, 5.82)
bettis allowed four runs on five hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision against san diego on monday after two straight outstanding performances. the 29-year-old texas tech product yielded one run on eight hits across 14 1/3 innings in those two outings to improve to 3-0 with a 1.40 era on the road in 2018. castro is 2-for-7 versus bettis, who is 1-0 with a 7.71 era in two appearances (one start) in his career against the marlins.
smith was pushed back a day with the return of wei-yin chen on saturday and hopes to post back-to-back quality starts after yielding two runs over a career-high six innings last sunday at milwaukee. the 26-year-old, acquired from the new york yankees in the offseason, had allowed 11 runs over 10 1/3 innings in his previous three starts. smith, who has struck out 32 and walked 15 in 21 2/3 innings overall this season, meets colorado for the first time.
walk-offs
1. colorado 2b dj lemahieu (hamstring tightness) sat out saturday and could return for the series finale.
2. miami designated c tomas telis for assignment to make room for chen on the roster.
3. rockies 3b nolan arenado is 1-for-11 in his last four games after going 9-for-16 with three homers in the previous four.
prediction: rockies 6, marlins 2
Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
28th April 2018 by Gracenote
already assured of a winning record on their 10-game road trip, the seattle mariners look to make it two series wins over the cleveland indians in the finale of a four-game set sunday afternoon. the mariners have erupted for 22 runs in taking two of the first three after racing to a seven-run lead through four innings of saturday's 12-4 romp at progressive field.
jean segura homered and tied a career high with four rbis and nelson cruz went deep as part of a four-hit day saturday as seattle's top four batters combined for 10 hits, eight rbis and eight runs scored. the mariners hit four homers and set a season high for runs scored to improve to 6-3 on their trek and 10-6 away from home. american league central-leading cleveland, which entered the series with the second-best era in baseball, has been unable to cool off seattle and will rely on josh tomlin with an era north of nine to help salvage a series split. indians 1b yonder alonso has homered in each of the three games in the series and has four blasts and 10 rbis in seven meetings versus the mariners this season.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, root sports northwest (seattle), sportstime ohio (cleveland)
pitching matchup: mariners lh marco gonzales (2-2, 5.56 era) vs. indians rh josh tomlin (0-3, 9.24)
after three consecutive abbreviated outings in which he failed to get through the fifth inning, gonzales turned in his second quality start by striking out eight and blanking the chicago white sox on five hits over six frames in a 1-0 victory. he was 0-2 in his previous three turns, allowing 11 runs on 18 hits over 10 1/3 innings. gonzales surrendered two homers in his season debut but has not allowed one since.
tomlin had another horrendous performance last time out against the visiting chicago cubs, giving up four home runs for the second time this season while lasting only 3 2/3 innings to absorb his third loss. he went 14 days between starts, with a one-inning relief appearance following five scoreless innings against detroit on april 10. robinson cano is 8-for-20 with a pair of homers off tomlin.
walk-offs
1. indians lf michael brantley is 6-for-11 in the series and has hit safely in four straight and 11 of 12 games.
2. segura has 13 rbis over the last 10 games, driving in at least one run in eight of them.
3. cleveland's mike napoli will undergo season-ending knee surgery on friday.
prediction: mariners 6, indians 4
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
28th April 2018 by Gracenote
the arizona diamondbacks are tied for the best record in baseball for a reason, becoming the first team in 17 years to win their first nine series of a season. the diamondbacks made it two straight one-run decisions over washington on saturday to clinch their latest series win and go for a three-game sweep of the nationals in sunday afternoon's finale of the three-game set.
david peralta clubbed a pair of solo homers as part of a 3-for-4 day to help arizona erase an early two-run deficit en route to improving to 19-7, tied with the boston red sox for the best mark in the majors. a.j. pollock drove in the tying and go-ahead run in saturday's 4-3 victory and is 4-for-8 with a home run, four rbis and three runs scored in the series. the nationals fell to 3-9 at home despite the second homer in as many days from howie kendrick, who is riding a six-game hitting streak. washington will try to avert the sweep when it sends gio gonzalez to the mound to face fellow left-hander robbie ray, who has lost all four career starts against the nationals.
tv: 1:35 p.m. et, mlb network, fs arizona, masn (washington)
pitching matchup: diamondbacks lh robbie ray (2-0, 5.13 era) vs. nationals lh gio gonzalez (2-2, 3.04)
ray is still piling up some impressive strikeout numbers but he failed to go past five innings for the third time in five starts last time out, taking his third straight no-decision after fanning 11 in 4 2/3 frames at philadelphia. he struck out nine in his previous start, permitting two runs on six hits while matching his season high with six innings. ray did pitch well at washington last may, striking out 10 in a 2-1 defeat.
gonzalez yielded more than two earned runs for the first time in five starts this season and took the loss last time out at san francisco, giving up three runs on four hits over five innings. it marked the fourth straight time he has failed to pitch beyond 5 1/3 innings since working six frames in his season debut at cincinnati. paul goldschmidt is 9-for-14 versus gonzalez, who is 2-1 with a 3.23 era against the diamondbacks.
walk-offs
1. nationals rf bryce harper drew another walk on the sixth anniversary of his major league debut and is four shy of tying barry bonds' record (39) for the most in april.
2. arizona's bullpen has tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings in the first two games of the series.
3. nationals 1b ryan zimmerman homered among two hits saturday to lift his batting average to .200 for the first time this season.
prediction: diamondbacks 4, nationals 3
Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
28th April 2018 by Gracenote
there is plenty of buzz surrounding the atlanta braves' young core of talent, but entering sunday's series finale at the philadelphia phillies it warrants mentioning that two veterans are helping drive one of baseball's best offenses. first baseman freddie freeman tripled home a run in saturday's 4-1 victory and brings a seven-game hitting streak into sunday, while right fielder nick markakis homered and walked three times in extending his hitting streak to six contests.
atlanta, which started saturday leading the national league in runs, hits, doubles, batting average and slugging percentage, saw its shaky bullpen walk three hitters in three innings but escape to beat the phillies for the fifth time in eight matchups this season. phillies third baseman maikel franco finished with two hits, including a solo homer, and is batting .357 with three homers in 12 home games this season. philadelphia center fielder odubel herrera, who homered twice in friday's victory in the series opener, extended his streak of reaching base to 28 games and also robbed freeman of a two-run homer with an outstanding catch in the third inning. as has been the case in the first two games of the series, sunday's pitching matchup is a rematch of the final contest of the two previous series with brandon mccarthy going for the braves against vince velasquez.
tv: 1:35 p.m. et, fs south (atlanta), nbcs philadelphia
pitching matchup: braves rh brandon mccarthy (3-0, 3.38 era) vs. phillies rh vince velasquez (1-3, 4.50)
mccarthy is 2-0 with a 2.53 era in his two starts against the phillies this season, giving up three runs on 11 hits over 10 2/3 innings. the 34-year-old received a no-decision in his last start tuesday against cincinnati, surrendering five runs (three earned) with a season-low one strikeout in five innings and two homers allowed. mccarthy has given up four homers in 26 2/3 innings, three coming by left-handed batters.
velasquez has lost both starts to atlanta this season, posting a 7.27 era and allowing 16 hits in 8 2/3 innings. his other defeat came in his last start tuesday against arizona, in which he allowed four runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings with six strikeouts and two homers allowed. the 25-year-old has held right-handed batters to a .214 average, but left-handers are hitting .311 with three homers and six extra-base hits in 61 at-bats.
walk-offs
1. philadelphia ss j.p. crawford left saturday's game in the fifth with a right elbow strain, two innings after making an awkward throw on an infield single.
2. atlanta cf ender inciarte stole two bases saturday to give him 12 for the season through 25 games, the most steals before may 1 in franchise history.
3. philadelphia hitters, which were third in the majors in strikeouts entering saturday, fanned 11 times in the loss and with 262 strikeouts are averaging 10.1 per game.
prediction: braves 5, phillies 3
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
29th April 2018 by Gracenote
after about 1 1/2 weeks of being able to seemingly do nothing right, the pittsburgh pirates are in the middle of a stretch during which they can seemingly can do no wrong. the pirates eye a fifth straight victory and their first home sweep of the season on sunday, when they complete a three-game weekend series against the st. louis cardinals.
pittsburgh lost seven of eight to ruin an 11-4 start, mustering more than two runs only twice during its dismal stretch. the offense has been clicking recently, however, as the pirates have pushed across six runs four times during their 4-1 homestand - including saturday's 6-2 victory in which francisco cervelli hit a solo homer and drove in another run with a sacrifice fly to continue his hot start. conversely, st. louis entered pittsburgh with wins in 10 of its previous 12 and on the brink of taking a lead atop the national league central before watching the pirates do so instead. the cardinals could manage only five hits on saturday, although marcell ozuna and tommy pham both were able to keep alive modest hitting and rbi streaks.
tv: 1:35 p.m. et, mlb network, fs midwest (st. louis), at&t sportsnet-pittsburgh
pitching matchup: cardinals rh luke weaver (2-1, 4.85 era) vs. pirates rh nick kingham (nr)
weaver struggled again in tuesday's no-decision against the new york mets, issuing a career-high six walks while yielding four runs and two hits across 4 2/3 innings. the florida state product was tagged for six runs over four frames five days earlier, ruining a solid three-game start to the season during which he went 2-0 with a 2.08 era. josh bell and jordy mercer are both 2-for-4 against weaver, who is 1-0 with a 1.54 era in three career outings (two starts) versus the pirates.
kingham is expected to make his major-league debut sunday to keep the rest of pittsburgh's rotation on schedule after the team played a doubleheader on wednesday. considered the organization's no. 13 prospect by mlb.com, the 26-year-old has lived up to his advanced billing so far this season at triple-a indianapolis, going 2-1 with a 1.59 era in four turns. kingham is 43-41 with a 3.37 era in 138 appearances (133 starts) during his minor-league career.
walk-offs
1. with his fourth homer of the season on saturday, cervelli has two fewer blasts in 22 contests this year than he did in 182 games over his last two injury-plagued seasons combined.
2. st. louis clubbed 31 homers over its first 22 games but has been held to two over its last four - both from 3b jedd gyorko.
3. mercer went 1-for-4 on saturday and has hit safely in all 12 of his home games this season.
prediction: cardinals 4, pirates 3
Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
29th April 2018 by Gracenote
the oakland athletics attempt to bounce back from a thorough trouncing and win their fourth straight series when they visit the houston astros on sunday for the finale of their three-game set. oakland won nine of its previous 11 contests before suffering an 11-0 defeat on saturday, evening this series at one victory apiece.
the athletics were unable to solve lance mccullers jr., who was perfect through five innings before mark canha led off the sixth with one of the team's three singles. marcus semien's six-game hitting streak came to an end as he went 0-for-4, while oakland dropped to 3-2 on its nine-game road trip. three-time american league batting champion jose altuve continued his wizardry at the plate in saturday's triumph, going 4-for-5 with a double, a homer and two rbis. the reigning al mvp has been held without a hit in only four of his 28 games this year.
tv: 2:10 p.m. et, nbcs california (oakland), at&t sportsnet-southwest (houston)
pitching matchup: athletics rh trevor cahill (1-0, 2.25 era) vs. astros rh gerrit cole (2-1, 1.29)
after recording a victory with a stellar effort in his season debut, cahill was not as sharp at texas on monday and settled for a no-decision. the 30-year-old californian, who scattered five hits over seven scoreless innings against the chicago white sox on april 17, yielded three runs and four hits over five frames versus the rangers. cahill has notched a victory while giving up six runs (five earned) and 12 hits over 7 1/3 innings in two career appearances against houston, including one start.
cole is coming off his first loss of the season, a setback against the los angeles angels on monday in which he gave up only two runs and four hits over seven innings. the 27-year-old, who also hails from the golden state, has worked exactly seven frames and allowed fewer than three runs in each of his first five turns this year. cole made his only career start against oakland while with pittsburgh on july 9, 2013, when he suffered a loss despite yielding only two runs and five hits in seven innings.
walk-offs
1. astros ss carlos correa has gone 18-for-43 during his 12-game hitting streak.
2. canha has hit safely in 12 of his 15 contests this season.
3. houston of george springer has recorded at least one hit in nine of his last 10 games and has yet to be held without one in back-to-back contests this year.
prediction: astros 6, athletics 2
Cincinnati Reds vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
28th April 2018 by Gracenote
with an eight-game losing streak a thing of the past, the minnesota twins can get behind their ace when they aim for a series win over the cincinnati reds on sunday. mitch garver homered to back jake odorizzi and the bullpen in the twins' 3-1 victory over the reds on saturday, their first win since april 18.
"it's a tough stretch, definitely. i've been in worse, but it's still april," odorizzi told reporters of the team's eight-game slide. "when you have these stretches in april, it's a lot better than having them in august or september." the twins aim for their first winning streak since a three-gamer april 10-12 behind jose berrios, the 23-year-old who entered saturday leading all qualified major leaguers with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 12. he will face a cincinnati lineup that produced 15 runs in a series-opening win before being limited to six hits in saturday's loss. scott schebler provided the only run for the reds with his third homer of the season and he is 9-for-26 with two home runs and eight rbis over his last seven games.
tv: 2:10 p.m. et, fs ohio (cincinnati), fs north (minnesota)
pitching matchup: reds rh tyler mahle (1-3, 5.00 era) vs. twins rh jose berrios (2-2, 2.84)
mahle struck out a career-high 11 batters and allowed three runs on three hits in six innings against atlanta on tuesday. the 23-year-old has given up seven home runs, one triple and four doubles through his first five starts. mahle, who will be making his first career interleague appearance, has a 3.65 era in five career road starts.
berrios has three scoreless outings thus far - including his first career shutout at baltimore on april 1 - but he's been knocked around in his other two outings. he was pounded for five runs in four innings at yankee stadium on tuesday, serving up two home runs after giving up just one through his first four starts. the puerto rico native is 3-3 with a 2.31 era in six career interleague starts and will be facing the reds for the first time.
walk-offs
1. twins 3b miguel sano (hamstring) was out of the lineup saturday and is day-to-day.
2. reds 1b joey votto saw his six-game hitting streak come to an end saturday but drew his 14th walk in the past 11 contests.
3. minnesota ss eduardo escobar doubled saturday and has seven extra-base hits (two homers, five doubles) over an eight-game stretch.
prediction: twins 6, reds 3
Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
29th April 2018 by Gracenote
the kansas city royals decided they had finally had enough of tim anderson having fun at their expense and halted their struggles against the chicago white sox in the process. the american league-worst royals attempt to win consecutive games for the first time this season when they wrap up their five-game home series against the white sox on sunday.
following chicago's 8-0 victory in the first game of saturday's doubleheader, things got a bit heated between the two worst teams in the al central in the nightcap when royals catcher salvador perez took exception with anderson's celebration around the bases following his leadoff home run, prompting both benches to clear. "i don't have a problem when a guy hits a homer and takes a step or two and keeps running. but when you start to get loud and say some words, i don't like that," perez told reporters afterward. the royals (6-20) countered with three runs in the bottom of the first inning en route to a 5-2 triumph over the white sox (8-17), who are 5-1 versus kansas city and 3-16 against every other opponent. anderson has been a thorn in kansas city's side in 2018, as three of his four home runs have come against the royals.
tv: 2:15 p.m. et, wgn (chicago), fs kansas city
pitching matchup: white sox lh hector santiago (0-0, 3.38 era) vs. royals rh ian kennedy (1-3, 3.46)
after making seven appearances out of the bullpen, santiago is expected to get the nod versus the team he hasn't faced since july while with minnesota. the native of new jersey threw a season-high 59 pitches in long relief tuesday versus seattle, permitting two hits and a walk across 3 1/3 scoreless innings. alcides escobar is 10-for-28 against santiago, who went 1-1 with a 5.40 era in three starts versus the royals in 2017.
kennedy has been cleared to return after his shortest outing of the season on tuesday, yielding four runs in three frames against milwaukee before departing in part because he took a line drive off his right foot. the 33-year-old opened the season allowing a total of two runs over his first three turns spanning 18 innings but has since given up eight earned runs over eight frames. jose abreu is 9-for-21 with three home runs against kennedy, who held chicago to one run in six innings of a no-decision on march 31.
walk-offs
1. the royals have allowed an average of 1.5 runs in their six wins and 6.9 in their 20 losses.
2. chicago's starting pitchers own a 2.53 era over the last eight games after posting a 22.24 era in their previous four contests.
3. kansas city of jorge soler has drawn a walk in nine consecutive games, which is the longest such streak in the majors this season and the longest by a royal since 2000.
prediction: royals 4, white sox 3
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
28th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Chicago Cubs seem to have found the solution to their spotty offensive production - playing the Milwaukee Brewers. After winning two straight low-scoring affairs, the Cubs will try to continue their dominance of the visiting Brewers in the third of a four-game series Saturday.
Chicago's pitching has been outstanding in six games against Milwaukee, allowing only eight earned runs and posting a 1.35 ERA, after limiting the Brewers to four hits in a 3-2 win Friday. Left-hander Jose Quintana will try to shut down Milwaukee again after throwing six innings of three-hit ball in a 3-0 win April 8 in Milwaukee. The Brewers had won eight straight entering the series, but they're 1-5 against Chicago and 15-6 against everyone else. The Cubs are still awaiting the return of star third baseman Kris Bryant, who has missed four straight games since being hit in the helmet with a pitch Sunday at Colorado.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), ABC 7 (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Junior Guerra (2-0, 0.56 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jose Quintana (2-1, 7.78)
Guerra began the season in the minors but has given the Brewers three solid outings since being recalled. The 33-year-old Venezuelan has allowed only two runs (one earned) in 16 innings, but he has yet to get through six innings. Guerra is 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA in six games (three starts) against the Cubs but is making his first start at Wrigley Field.
Quintana has put together only one strong performance in his first four outings of the season, but the Cubs have won three of his four starts. The 29-year-old Colombian commanded the strike zone better than he has all season Sunday, issuing only one walk after allowing 10 in his first three starts, but he gave up four runs over 5 1/3 innings in a win at Colorado. Quintana is 3-1 with a 0.75 ERA in five starts against the Brewers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago 2B Javier Baez (19-for-46) and CF Albert Almora Jr. (16-for-43) are riding career-high 10-game hitting streaks - the first Cubs teammates with simultaneous double-digit streaks since Aramis Ramirez and Starlin Castro in 2011.
2. Milwaukee relievers have not allowed an earned run in 32 innings.
3. The Cubs have scored multiple runs in the first inning in five of their last eight games.
PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Cubs 3
New York Mets vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018
29th April 2018 by Gracenote
christian villanueva was part of a crowded mix at third base for the san diego padres in spring training, but he's quickly emerged as the unquestioned starter. villanueva leads all rookies with eight home runs and is riding an 11-game hitting streak for the padres, who host the new york mets on sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series.
villanueva and franchy cordero each homered while austin hedges drove in a career-high five runs in saturday's 12-2 victory, but the win may have come at a cost. wil myers, who missed 15 games earlier this month with an irritated nerve in his right arm, exited the contest in the fifth inning with a left oblique strain and is listed as day-to-day. the mets lost for the fourth time in six games and need more production from their first basemen, especially with adrian gonzalez hitting .200 with two homers and 12 rbis. right fielder jay bruce could start receiving occasional starts at first base as soon as this week, which would allow manager mickey callaway to get hot-hitting outfielder brandon nimmo into the lineup more frequently.
tv: 4:10 p.m. et, wpix (new york), fs san diego
pitching matchup: mets rh zack wheeler (1-1, 4.24 era) vs. padres rh bryan mitchell (0-2, 5.76)
wheeler lasted a season-low four innings on tuesday as he gave up four runs and six hits against st. louis. the 27-year-old native of georgia began the season with triple-a las vegas before earning a promotion to new york, where he recorded quality starts in each of his first two outings. wheeler is 0-1 with a 3.18 era in three career starts against san diego, including a 1.50 era in two outings at petco park.
mitchell still is seeking his first win with the padres after allowing five runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings against colorado on monday. san diego remains committed to keeping the 27-year-old in the rotation despite his early struggles, as he has registered nine strikeouts and 19 walks over 25 frames in five starts. acquired from the new york yankees during the offseason, mitchell is making his first career start against the mets.
walk-offs
1. mets starting pitchers other than noah syndergaard or jacob degrom have a collective 6.11 era.
2. cordero has homered four times in his last seven games.
3. mets rhp jeurys familia will not be with the team sunday as he attends a memorial service for his recently deceased father-in-law.
prediction: mets 7, padres 4