MLB Betting News and Trends For Sunday, April 8, 2018

Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 04-08-2018

7th April 2018 by Gracenote
Rookie manager Aaron Boone didn't want to lose any sleep after watching the New York Yankees lose a 14-inning marathon and three players to injury Friday, so he decided to sleep at Yankee Stadium. Boone watched his tired club pull away for an 8-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, giving the Yankees a chance for a split of the four-game series on Sunday afternoon.

Brett Gardner, Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin had two RBIs apiece for New York, which was without three regulars in beating Baltimore for the first time this season. David Robertson, one of seven relievers to appear on Friday's game, turned in his fourth hitless outing in five appearances by striking out four of the five batters he faced Saturday. Orioles shortstop Manny Machado is 5-for-9 with two homers and four RBIs in the last two games but is 1-for-9 against left-hander Jordan Montgomery, the Yankees' scheduled starter for Sunday. Pedro Alvarez entered the series 0-for-7 on the season but followed Friday's game-winning grand slam with an RBI double Saturday.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Baltimore), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Mike Wright Jr. (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Jordan Montgomery (0-0, 1.80)

Wright pitched strictly in relief last year, making all 13 appearances out of the bullpen, but will try to build on a decent first start in his season debut. He allowed a first-inning, inside-the-park homer and wound up permitting three runs on four hits over five innings against World Series champion Houston. Wright lost his only career start against the Yankees, surrendering five runs over four innings.

The only blot on a strong opening start by Montgomery was his control as he walked four, but the 25-year-old yielded only one run on two hits over five innings. He saw plenty of the Orioles during his rookie season in 2017, making five starts and going 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA while allowing three home runs in 27 innings. Montgomery was 2-0 against Baltimore in three starts at Yankee Stadium, striking out 21 in 18 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Judge has at least one RBI in 14 consecutive home games, two shy of the league record held by Toronto's Joe Carter in 1994.

2. The Orioles placed OF Colby Rasmus on the 10-day disabled list with a left hip flexor strain.

3. New York put LHP CC Sabathia (hip) and 3B Brandon Drury (migraines) on the 10-day DL.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Orioles 3

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 04-08-2018

7th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Boston Red Sox have been lights-out on the mound en route to their 7-1 start but the bats are starting to turn on the power as they go for a three-game sweep of the struggling Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. Xander Bogaerts belted Boston's first grand slam since 2016 as part of a career-high six-RBI day in Saturday's 10-3 victory that left the Red Sox pitching staff with a 2.24 ERA -- albeit exclusively versus two of the worst teams in Tampa Bay and Miami.

Boston, which will try for the first 8-1 start in club history, has already set a team record by going eight games without an error to begin a season. J.D. Martinez is settling in nicely in his new home as he is 3-for-7 in two games at Fenway Park after delivering his first home run in a Boston uniform and just missing another while settling for a sacrifice fly. The Rays have scored 14 runs during their seven-game losing streak since defeating the Red Sox 6-4 on Opening Day in miraculous fashion with six runs in the eighth inning. Boston's Eduardo Rodriguez comes off the disabled list to make his 2018 debut and opposes rookie reliever Andrew Kittredge as Tampa Bay endures another bullpen day.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network; FS Sun (Tampa Bay), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Andrew Kittredge (0-2, 3.18 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (2017: 6-7, 4.19)

With only three healthy designated starters, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash is forced to use his bullpen exclusively for the second time in the series. Kittredge took the loss Thursday when he allowed a run, two hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings before yielding to Ryan Yarbrough, who permitted Hanley Ramirez's walk-off hit in the 12th inning. Kittredge, a 28-year-old Washington native, allowed two runs (one earned) and three hits in 3 1/3 innings of the Rays' 3-2 loss to Boston on March 31.

Rodriguez pitched six innings in a minor-league game at Boston's spring training complex in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday and is ready to go after undergoing right knee surgery during the offseason. "It's strictly his knee and his extension," Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters about the Venezuelan, who turned 25 on Saturday, prior to Tuesday's outing. "It's very important for him to be 100 percent. I think this organization has been through the path before and it seemed like it didn't work out so we have to make sure he's completely healthy." Rodriguez, who did not appear in any spring training games this season, is 6-7 with a 4.19 ERA in 66 career games (65 starts) - all with Boston - and is 0-2, 6.57 in five starts versus Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox are hitting .245 as a team with SS Bogaerts (.371) and RF Mookie Betts (.345) leading the way among regulars and LF Andrew Benintendi (.154) and CF Jackie Bradley Jr. (.115) struggling.

2. Tampa Bay CF Kevin Kiermaier (2-for-28, 12 strikeouts this season) missed Saturday's game because of illness.

3. Sunday would have been Boston ace Chris Sale's day to pitch, but Cora decided to go with Rodriguez and save Sale for Tuesday, when the Red Sox open a three-game series against the rival New York Yankees.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 3, Rays 2

Kansas City Royals vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 04-08-2018

7th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Cleveland Indians look to get their struggling offense in gear and win a series for the first time this season when they host the Kansas City Royals on Sunday afternoon in the rubber match of a three-game set. The Indians are last in the majors with a .161 team batting average after getting blanked 1-0 on six hits Saturday by the Royals while going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

Cleveland has scored just seven times in losing three of its last four, as regulars Jose Ramirez (.067), Yan Gomes (.118), Jason Kipnis (.133) and newcomer Yonder Alonso (.167) are among those off to cold starts with the bat. Jason Hammel will attempt to keep the Indians' bats quiet when he makes his second start of the season for Kansas City and fellow right-hander Mike Clevinger gets the ball for Cleveland after a strong effort in his 2018 debut. Lucas Duda belted his second homer for the lone run and recorded his team-leading seventh RBI in Saturday's victory as the Royals won their second 1-0 game in their last three outings. Duda has the only two homers in the early going for Kansas City, which is last in the majors in RBIs with 14 and hitting .186 as a team to go along with a league-worst .250 on-base percentage.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jason Hammel (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (1-0, 0.00)

Hammel allowed just one run in the first four innings before giving four on four hits in the fifth in his season debut last Monday against Detroit in a 6-1 loss. The 35-year-old South Carolina native went 8-13 in his first season with the Royals in 2017 and finished with a 5.29 ERA - his worst since 2007 with Tampa Bay. Slugger Edwin Encarnacion is 9-for-32 with five homers and seven RBIs versus Hammel, who went 3-2 with a 4.88 ERA in five starts against the Indians last season.

Clevinger yielded four hits and two walks over 5 1/3 scoreless innings to beat the Los Angeles Angels in his season debut Monday, but his pitch count rose to 97. The 27-year-old was 5-3 with a 3.79 ERA in 15 appearances (10 starts) at home and 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA against the Royals last year. Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar each have a homer - but are 2-for-15 combined against Clevinger - who struck out 137 in 121 2/3 innings in 2017.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City OF Jon Jay leads the team in batting average (.273) and on-base percentage (.385).

2. Cleveland LF Michael Brantley is 1-for-8 with two RBIs after returning from an ankle injury and is expected to be rested Sunday.

3. The Indians were 26-12 against the Royals the last two seasons before splitting the first two in 2018.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Royals 3

Miami Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 04-08-2018

7th April 2018 by Gracenote
Jake Arrieta won 54 games, a Cy Young Award and a World Series ring the past three seasons, and now the newly signed Philadelphia Phillies ace debuts in Sunday's home contest against the Miami Marlins. One of several big-name players who did not sign until late in the offseason, Arrieta inked a three-year, $75-million deal on March 11 to join a franchise seeking its first season above .500 since 2011, and the nine-year veteran does not anticipate any issues getting ready.

"Even though I didn't have a typical spring training, I was still able to get a solid amount of throwing in, a lot of bullpens," Arrieta told reporters on Thursday, after throwing 35 pitches in a side session that day and 68 pitches in a Monday session. "I'm ready to get extended." Philadelphia blasted Miami's pitching in Saturday's contest, winning 20-1 as Maikel Franco (who finished with six RBIs and three runs scored) and Aaron Altherr each launched grand slams in the opening three innings. Miami looks to avoid the sweep and brings a four-game losing streak into the contest, having been outscored 36-6 during the skid. The Marlins have scored three runs or fewer runs five times in their first eight games, and saw 21 of their final 22 hitters retired Saturday.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), NBCS Philadelphia Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Trevor Richards (0-1, 10.38 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (2017: 14-10, 3.53)

Richards looks for better results in his second major-league appearance after taking the loss in his debut against Boston on Monday, and the Marlins need it after having the bullpen and backup catcher Bryan Holaday cover 5 1/3 innings of relief Saturday. The 24-year-old Richards gave up five runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings, striking out five while throwing 55 of his 93 pitches for strikes. Richards posted a 2.53 ERA at High-A and Double-A last season, and won a rotation spot after allowing just one earned run in 12 innings this spring.

The 32-year-old Arrieta went 54-24 with a 2.71 ERA in his final three seasons with the Cubs, averaging 31.3 starts, 196.3 strikeouts and a 1.04 WHIP in that span. Arrieta faced the Marlins twice last season, winning both starts with a 2.08 ERA. He has made two career starts in Citizens Bank Park, going 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA in one of baseball's more hitter-friendly stadiums.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia 1B Carlos Santana recorded his 1,000th career base hit Saturday, a three-run homer in an eight-run fourth inning.

2. Miami OF Cameron Maybin collected one of the Marlins' five hits Saturday and is batting .321 with a .387 on-base percentage entering Sunday's series finale.

3. Philadelphia has defeated the Marlins eight times in the past nine matchups dating to last season, outscoring Miami 69-24 in that span.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Marlins 1

Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 04-08-2018

7th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Cincinnati Reds piled up 13 hits in second of their four-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates and lost by 11 runs, but Eugenio Suarez wasn't about to let their 11-hit attack Saturday go to waste. The Reds eye consecutive wins for the first time this season when they target a series split Sunday versus the host Pirates.

Cincinnati had 16 baserunners Friday, but it was mostly unable to take advantage in a 14-3 loss because it left 10 men on base and 12 of its 13 hits were singles. Suarez stepped up in a big way in Saturday's 7-4 victory, however, as his two-run single knotted the game in the sixth inning after Pittsburgh raced out to a 4-0 lead, and his three-run homer in the eighth broke the tie - the most important of six hits Cincinnati had in 14 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Pittsburgh's offense bogged down after striking for all of its runs Saturday in the first two innings, keeping the club from matching its best eight-game start since 1973. All but one starting position player got a hit in the loss for the Pirates, but Corey Dickerson's first-inning, two-run double was the only extra-base hit for an offense that entered the game second in the majors with 28 such hits.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Tyler Mahle (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (1-0, 3.38)

Mahle displayed some of the promise Monday that has made him one of Cincinnati's top prospects, holding the Chicago Cubs to one hit and two walks while striking out seven over six innings to get the victory. "I located my fastball really well. The slider and changeup came later - maybe the last couple innings," the 23-year-old told MLB.com. Mahle went 0-1 despite a 2.45 ERA in two outings versus the Pirates last season, accounting for half of his first four career starts prior to this season.

Taillon won his season debut Monday, yielding only two runs and four hits across 5 1/3 innings while tying a career high with nine strikeouts. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 draft will try to regain the form that allowed him to thrive at home as a rookie in 2016 (2-2, 2.86 ERA) after struggling in Pittsburgh last season (4-5, 5.03). Billy Hamilton (7-for-17, two homers) and Jose Peraza (8-for-11) are among the Reds who have troubled Taillon, who went 0-2 with a 6.20 ERA in five starts against Cincinnati in 2017.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates OF Gregory Polanco - tied for the NL lead with 11 RBIs - was scratched from Saturday's game with right foot discomfort. He is listed as day-to-day.

2. Reds OF Scott Schebler (right elbow) has missed the last four games.

3. Cincinnati pitchers have hit Pittsburgh batters with a pitch a league-high 65 times over the last six seasons.

PREDICTION: Reds 4, Pirates 3

Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 04-08-2018

7th April 2018 by Gracenote
The frosty conditions on their season-opening homestand are not agreeing with the Chicago White Sox, who will try to avoid a three-game sweep against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon. The White Sox squandered a four-run lead in a 10-inning loss in Thursday's home opener and saw their pitching staff unravel in 32-degree temperatures in Saturday's 6-1 setback.

Chicago has dropped four of five since opening the season with back-to-back wins in Kansas City, and Saturday's loss was especially tough to watch. White Sox pitchers combined to walk eight batters and hit four - three by starter Lucas Giolito - and the offense failed to produce a homer in one of the season's first two home games for the first time since 1992. Miguel Cabrera is tormenting Chicago whether he's in or out of the lineup, collecting three RBIs in a 6-1 victory to give him 107 in 174 games against the White Sox. Cabrera had to exit Thursday's game with a jammed hip and his replacement, Niko Goodrum, belted a two-run homer in the ninth to ignite the tying rally.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit-Plus, NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Mike Fiers (2017: 8-10, 5.22 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (0-0, 1.50)

Fiers started the season on the disabled list due to a back strain and will try to erase the memory of a rocky second half with Houston last year. The 32-year-old veteran lost six of his last seven decisions in 2017 and was hammered in his last three starts for 22 runs and 25 hits over only 12 innings. Fiers has a strong track record against Chicago with a 1-0 mark and 0.92 ERA in three career starts.

Lopez deserved a better fate at Toronto on Monday, but he was forced to settle for a no-decision despite allowing a solo homer among two hits while striking out six in six innings. The hard-throwing Dominican earned the victory in his lone start versus the Tigers in Detroit last season, giving up four runs on seven hits over seven innings. James McCann has a double and triple off Lopez in three at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox 2B Yoan Moncada had two hits Saturday after going 1-for-13 with eight strikeouts in his previous three games.

2. Tigers 2B Dixon Machado is 4-for-10 with three doubles three RBIs in the series, giving him six doubles and seven RBIs on the year.

3. Chicago RHP Juan Minaya was sent to Triple-A Charlotte after walking four batters and failing to retire one.

PREDICTION: White Sox 5, Tigers 3

Seattle Mariners vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 04-08-2018

7th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Seattle Mariners hope to follow up their best offensive output of the season with another big effort when they visit the Minnesota Twins on Sunday afternoon for the rubber match a three-game set. The Mariners, who were held to a total of three runs in their previous two contests, recorded five extra-base hits among their 12 overall in an 11-4 victory over the Twins Saturday in frigid conditions.

Kyle Seager belted his first homer of the season and added a single for his 1,000th hit later in the game to break out of a 3-for-21 slump for Seattle and teammate Ryon Healy, who came in 1-for-18, doubled home three runs Saturday. Lance Lynn will try to cool off the Mariners' bats and rebound from a poor debut for the Twins when he takes the ball Sunday against Seattle's Marco Gonzales, who won his first start earlier in the week. Minnesota lost for the second time in six games Saturday as the bullpen gave up five runs in the eighth, allowing the Mariners to turn a close contest into a rout. Twins infielder Eduardo Escobar (8-for-20, four doubles, one homer) has hit safely in all five contests he has played, while slugger Miguel Sano owns a six-game hit streak while leading the club with eight RBIs.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports Northwest (Seattle), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Marco Gonzales (1-0, 4.26 ERA) vs. Twins RH Lance Lynn (0-1, 11.25)

Gonzales gave up three runs on six hits (two homers) and did not walk a batter over 6 1/3 innings - a career high - in his season debut to defeat San Francisco on Tuesday. The 26-year-old Gonzaga product went 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA and a .343 batting average against in 10 appearances (seven starts) with Seattle after coming over from St. Louis in a trade July 21. Gonzales faces Minnesota for the first time and is 4-2 with a 6.20 ERA on the road in his career as opposed to 2-1 and 4.42 at home.

Lynn struggled with control in his first start with the Twins on Monday against Pittsburgh, allowing five runs on three hits and six walks with three strikeouts over four innings. The 30-year-old Ole Miss product walked a career-high 78 in 186 1/3 innings with St. Louis last year when he went 11-8, including just one victory in his last 10 appearances despite five quality starts in that span. Jean Segura is 10-for-29 with a double, a triple and two RBIs versus Lynn, who faces Seattle for the first time in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota 1B Joe Mauer had a double and a single Saturday to extend his hitting streak against the Mariners to 18 games.

2. Seattle 2B Robinson Cano is 11-for-25 to start the season but has yet to register a home run.

3. Twins 2B Brian Dozier has hit safely in all seven games this season, including four solo homers.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Mariners 4

Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 04-08-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Chicago Cubs have endured their share of offensive struggles early in the season, but former National League MVP Kris Bryant is pulling his weight. Bryant looks to stay hot as the Cubs face the host Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday in the finale of their four-game series.

Bryant went 3-for-5 with a homer in Chicago's 5-2 win on Saturday, raising his average to .364 - highest among the team's everyday players. The Cubs won two of the first three games of the series, which has had two straight contests decided in the final inning. Milwaukee missed injured closer Corey Knebel (hamstring) on Saturday, as Chicago rallied for four runs in the ninth with the help of the Brewers' sloppy defense. "This is fun baseball," Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters. "You enjoy it. It was a great ballgame, an entertaining game. We didn't make a couple plays in the end and they didn't make a couple plays that almost cost them. We'll come back tomorrow."

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Chase Anderson (0-0, 3.60)

Quintana's season debut consisted of five strong innings and one disastrous one - a five-run fifth - in a loss at Miami. The 29-year-old Colombian was hurt by an uncharacteristic four walks - he averages 2.4 per nine frames in his career - thanks to a tight strike zone. Quintana has dominated the Brewers in four career meetings, going 2-1 with a 0.90 ERA.

Anderson was excellent on Opening Day, picking up where he left off in last year's breakout season with six innings of one-hit ball at San Diego. The 30-year-old only last four frames in his second turn as he surrendered three home runs in a no-decision against St. Louis. Anderson is 3-2 with a 3.79 ERA in seven career starts versus the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo has missed two straight games with tightness in his lower back and might not be in a hurry to rush back to the lineup as he is 1-for-12 with three strikeouts lifetime against Anderson.

2. Brewers 3B Travis Shaw is 1-for-14 with four strikeouts versus Quintana.

3. Bryant (6-for-15, three homers) and 2B/OF Ben Zobrist (7-for-14, two) have hit Anderson hard.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 4

San Diego Padres vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 04-08-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Houston Astros won six of their first seven games in large part because they scored 41 runs in that stretch, but the San Diego Padres have quickly proven to be the kryptonite to their high-powered offensive attack. After scoring one run for the second straight game, the Astros hope to jump-start their offense Sunday when they host the Padres in the rubber match of their three-game set.

Houston managed a mere four singles in Friday's 4-1 series-opening defeat and have yet to record an extra-base hit through two games in this series. The defending World Series champions compounded those struggles by coming up empty on their first nine opportunities with runners in scoring position until Alex Bregman got the Astros' first hit in such a situation with two outs in the 10th inning of Saturday's 1-0 victory on an infield pop-up misplayed by San Diego first baseman Eric Hosmer, scoring pinch runner Derek Fisher from second base. The Padres squandered plenty of opportunities prior to that defensive miscue, as they couldn't score despite getting the leadoff runner on base five times - three times on doubles. Hosmer, who has yet to hit a homer and hasn't plated a run in his last six games, is still holding his own offensively, however, batting .314 overall after going 4-for-8 with two doubles in this series.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tyson Ross (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (1-0, 0.00)

Ross tallied only two strikeouts over six innings Tuesday, but his return to San Diego was still a successful one after holding the Colorado Rockies to three runs on five hits and three walks to get the win. The 30-year-old, who spent last season with the Texas Rangers after playing the previous four years with the Padres, recorded only three swinging strikes in his season debut. Ross won his only start versus the Astros last season, allowing three runs in 5 2/3 frames.

Morton was sharp en route to winning his fourth consecutive regular-season start Monday, limiting the Baltimore Orioles to three hits and two walks while fanning six over as many innings. The New Jersey native induced 17 swinging strikes in the effort and has performed well in 22 regular-season turns at Minute Maid Park, going 12-7 with a 3.99 ERA. Hosmer is 2-for-2 with a home run against Morton, who is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in eight starts versus the Padres.

WALK-OFFS

1. Saturday marked the second straight victory in which Bregman singled home Fisher from second base with two outs for the winning run.

2. San Diego RHP Kirby Yates was removed after one pitch in the eighth due to right ankle inflammation.

3. Hosmer is batting .392 during his 12-game hitting streak at Minute Maid Park.

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Padres 2

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 04-08-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
Getaway day has been good so far to the St. Louis Cardinals, who host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series. The Cardinals have won the finale of each of their first two sets this season and will try to continue that trend with the series on the line.

St. Louis evened the set with a 5-3 win on Saturday behind a huge performance by Jose Martinez, who homered and drove in four runs. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Diamondbacks, who have the second-best record in the National League despite a slow start from Paul Goldschmidt. The Cardinals' bullpen came through with four strong innings on Saturday despite being put to the test in the early stages of the season. St. Louis' rotation has recorded just one quality start, putting extra work on the relievers, but newly signed closer Greg Holland is expected to join the club Monday to help alleviate some of that stress.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Taijuan Walker (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (1-0, 1.80)

With some better luck, Walker might have had a breakout season in 2017, when he suffered six losses in which he allowed three or fewer earned runs. The 25-year-old opened this campaign against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing three runs and eight hits over five innings with two walks and four strikeouts. Walker is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Cardinals, both of which took place last year.

Weaver entered his first full season in the majors with huge expectations after a strong showing in 13 appearances last year. The 24-year-old Floridian didn't disappoint in his first start of 2018, holding the New York Mets to one run and five hits over five frames in a 5-1 win. He only generated two swinging strikes and recorded two strikeouts but didn't allow much hard contact.

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis 3B Matt Carpenter has reached safely in all eight games this season.

2. Arizona OF Chris Owings is 10-for-24 during his seven-game hitting streak.

3. Cardinals OF Marcell Ozuna went 3-for-4 on Saturday and is 11-for-26 during his six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Diamondbacks 4

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 04-08-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
Moving down in the batting order seems to agree with Texas Rangers first baseman Joey Gallo, who snapped out of an early-season slump with a key two-run double Saturday. Gallo figures to be in the fifth spot in the order again Sunday as the Rangers face the visiting Toronto Blue Jays in the rubber match of a three-game series.

After batting second and hitting .184 in his first nine games of the season, Gallo drew two walks and scored twice while batting fifth in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jays. "This was a case of me thinking, maybe we can back off the flame a little bit right now and allow Joey to get in more of a comfort zone," manager Jeff Banister told reporters. The frigid weather in Arlington took its toll on the Blue Jays, who were limited to two hits and saw Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak go hitless in seven at-bats with five strikeouts. Toronto shortstop Aledmys Diaz returned after missing two games due to back spasms and went 0-for-3, while left fielder Steve Pearce belted his first home run of the young season.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Jaime Garcia (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Cole Hamels (1-1, 3.38)

Making his first start for the Blue Jays, Garcia tossed six innings of one-run ball against the Chicago White Sox last Monday and drew high praise from catcher Russell Martin. "He has nasty stuff," Martin told reporters. "When he's able to command the strike zone and get some early strikes, it's really tough on those hitters." The 31-year-old is facing Texas for the first time after spending the majority of his career with St. Louis, where he went 62-45 in eight injury-plagued seasons.

Hamels bounced back from an Opening Day loss to Houston by allowing one run with 11 strikeouts over five innings in Tuesday's 4-1 win at Oakland. The 34-year-old native of San Diego has seen his velocity drop in his first two starts, causing him to rely more on changeups and sliders. Hamels is 0-2 with a 6.97 ERA in four career starts against Toronto but owns a 17-5 record in 36 career outings at Globe Life Park, including 7-2 in 12 starts last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto is 23-12 against the Rangers since the start of the 2013 season.

2. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre is expected to return to the starting lineup Sunday after being held out Saturday due in part to the cold weather.

3. Blue Jays closer RHP Roberto Osuna has not allowed a run in his last nine games dating back to last season.

PREDICTION: Rangers 6, Blue Jays 4

Atlanta Braves vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 04-08-2018

8th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Colorado Rockies feature one of the best lineups in the major leagues, and after a strong showing last time out, they hope those hitters come through in Sunday's series finale against the Atlanta Braves. The Rockies won for the third time in four games on Saturday as they posted a 3-2, 10-inning victory in which they held Atlanta's offense in check while Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu and Nolen Arenado combined to go 4-for-12 with two walks and an RBI.

Offense primarily steals the headlines in games played at Coors Field, but Saturday's contest featured great defense and solid pitching. The Rockies turned three double plays and their bullpen allowed just one run over 4 1/3 innings. Atlanta, which entered the day leading the majors in runs scored with 56, only plated two - including one in the ninth to force extra innings. Ryan Flaherty, who singled home the game-tying run, finished 2-for-4 to raise his average to .414.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Sean Newcomb (0-1, 10.38 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (0-1, 6.75)

Newcomb's initial start of 2018 displayed some of the same traits of his rookie season - good power pitching (six strikeouts), command issues (four walks) and the inability to wiggle out of jams as he yielded six runs (five earned) and five hits in 4 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old recorded 108 strikeouts in 100 innings but posted a 1.57 WHIP over 19 starts last season. Newcomb made two starts against the Rockies in 2017 but did not receive a decision while striking out 13 and registering a 5.91 ERA over 10 2/3 innings.

Freeland emerged as one of the driving forces behind Colorado's run to a wild-card berth last season, winning 11 games as a rookie while posting a 4.10 ERA and finishing seventh in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. The 24-year-old opened 2018 on Tuesday by giving up four runs and five hits - two homers - in 5 1/3 frames of a loss at San Diego on Tuesday. Freeland did not receive a decision in two starts against the Braves last year as he gave up seven runs in 12 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado C Tony Wolters finished 2-for-3 and drew the game-winning, bases-loaded walk in the 10th inning on Saturday.

2. Atlanta closer Arodys Vizcaino issued three walks in the bottom of the 10th, including the one to Wolters, and has walked six batters in 3 2/3 innings.

3. Colorado LF Gerardo Parra, who collected only two hits in his previous 13 at-bats, went 2-for-4 with a walk on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Rockies 7, Braves 5