MLB Betting News and Trends For Thursday 8/30/18

National League
Brewers (74-60) @ Reds (57-76)
Miley is 0-1, 4.71 in his last four starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 6-4, 4-2 away
5-inning record: 4-5-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-9

Reed allowed five runs in three IP (73 PT) in his only ’18 start, back on April 9. Team in his starts: 0-1, 0-0 home
5-inning record: 0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-1

Brewers are 6-3 in their last nine games; they’re 16-16 vs vs lefty starters- over is 6-1 in their last seven games. Cincinnati lost six of its last seven games; they’re 17-15 vs vs lefty starters- under is 8-5 in their last 13 games.

Pirates (65-68) @ Cardinals (74-59)
Musgrove is 1-3, 3.48 in his last five starts (under 4-1). Team in his starts: 6-9, 2-4 away
5-inning record: 6-8-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-15

Gant is 2-1, 1.99 in his last four starts; under is 4-3 in his home starts. Team in his starts: 4-9, 2-5 home
5-inning record: 6-3-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-13

Pirates lost six of their last eight games; four of their last six road games went over. St Louis is 16-4 in its last 20 games; over is 7-6 in their last 13 home games.

Cubs (78-54) @ Braves (74-58)
Montgomery is 1-1, 2.82 in his last four starts; his last three stayed under. Team in his starts: 6-7, 3-4 away
5-inning record: 6-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-13

Foltynewicz is 3-1, 1.93 in his last five starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 12-13, 6-6 home
5-inning record: 11-8-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-25

Cubs won seven of their last eight games; they’re 3-6 in last nine road series openers. Under isi 7-1-1 in their last nine road games. Atlanta lost five of its last six home games; they’re 12-9 in home series openers. 19-19 vs vs lefty starters- under is 10-2 in their last 12 games.

Diamondbacks (72-61) @ Dodgers (72-61)
Ray is 0-0, 4.34 in his last seven starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six road starts. Team in his starts: 7-10, 5-4 road
5-inning record: 9-5-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-17

Hill is 4-0, 2.55 in his last seven starts (over 5-2). Team in his starts: 9-9, 3-4 home
5-inning record: 6-9-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-18

Arizona lost four of its last six games; they’re 24-20 vs vs lefty starters—seven of their last nine games stayed under. Dodgers won their last five games; they’re 1-4 in last five home series openers, 28-21 vs vs lefty starters- over is 7-3-1 in their last 11 games.

Rockies (72-60) @ Padres (52-83)
Marquez is 2-0, 1.29 in his last three starts; his last six starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 14-11, 8-4 road
5-inning record: 11-11-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 16-25

Lauer is making his first start since July 30; he is 0-2, 11.45 in his last three starts (over 2-0-1). Team in his starts: 5-13, 3-6 home
5-inning record: 7-9-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-18

Colorado is 8-4 in its last 12 games, 15-7 in road series openers, 25-21 vs lefty starters- under is 8-4 in their last 12 games. San Diego won three of its last four home games; they’re 3-18 in home series openers. Four of their last five games went over.

American League
Twins (62-70) @ Indians (75-57)
Odorizzi is 1-1, 4.21 in his last five starts; his last four stayed under. Team in his starts: 12-15, 4-9 away
5-inning record: 11-11-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-27

Clevinger is 2-0, 2.70 in his last five starts; under is 5-3 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 11-15, 6-7 home.
5-inning record: 7-12-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-26

Twins lost four of their last five games; under is 7-3 in their last ten road games. Cleveland lost five of its last seven games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 home games.

Detroit (52-81) @ New York (84-49)
Liriano is 0-4, 9.00 in his last four starts; under is 7-4 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 7-14, 3-10 away
5-inning record: 7-10-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-21

Happ is 5-0, 2.37 in his five starts for New York (over 3-1-1). Team in his starts: 5-0, 4-0 home.
5-inning record: 5-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5

Tigers lost their last five games; they’re 16-17 vs vs lefty starters- over is 4-2 in their last six road games. New York won five of its last seven games; they’re 26-10 vs vs lefty starters- their last five games stayed under.

Angels (64-69) @ Astros (82-51)
Heaney is 1-2, 6.67 in his last five starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 12-12, 4-8 away
5-inning record: 7-11-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-24

Verlander is 2-2, 6.98 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 16-12, 5-10 home.
5-inning record: 18-6-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-28

Angels lost their last six games; they’re 9-13 in road series openers. Over is 8-5 in their last 13 games. Houston won eight of its last ten games; they’re 9-7 vs lefty starters, 10-11 in home series openers- over is 7-2 in their last nine games. Astros are 7-1 since Altuve got back in the lineup.

Red Sox (92-42) @ White Sox (53-80)
Porcello is 1-3, 6.26 in his last four starts; over is 13-7 in his last 20 starts. Team in his starts: 17-10, 9-6 away
5-inning record: 17-9-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-21

Giolito is 3-0, 3.32 in his last three starts; over is 5-1 in his last six home starts. Team in his starts: 14-12, 4-8 home.
5-inning record: 8-15-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-26

Red Sox are 5-6 in their last 11 games, 13-9 in road series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Chicago is 11-4 in its last 15 games, 8-13 in home series openers. Under is 4-1 in their last five games.

Mariners (74-59) @ A’s (80-54)
LeBlanc is 1-1, 4.57 in his last four starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 14-7, 5-5 away
5-inning record: 12-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-21

Montas is making his first start since July 29; he is 1-2, 6.00 in his last five starts. Team in his starts: 7-3, 2-2 home.
5-inning record: 4-5-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-10

Mariners are 5-9 in their last 14 games; they’re 12-10 in road series openers. Under is 5-2 in their last seven road games. A’s are 19-8 in their last 27 games; they’re 26-18 vs lefty starters, 12-9 in home series openers— four of their last six games stayed under.

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Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 08-30-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote
Christian Yelich is tormenting Cincinnati pitching and he aims for his third straight strong outing when the visiting Milwaukee Brewers close the series against the Reds on Thursday. Yelich matched the franchise record of six hits while hitting for the team's first cycle in seven years in Wednesday's wild 13-12, 10-inning victory.

Yelich had two homers and five RBIs in Tuesday's series opener before going deep again Wednesday and driving in three more. Jesus Aguilar hit the go-ahead homer in the 10th - his 30th of the season - and Mike Moustakas was 4-for-6 with a homer and three RBI to help Milwaukee win for the sixth time in its last nine games to maintain possession of the National League's second wild-card spot. Cincinnati's Eugenio Suarez hit his 30th homer in Wednesday game, one of five the Reds belted during the slugfest. Billy Hamilton is 6-for-10 in the series for Cincinnati after going 4-for-5 with a homer on Wednesday.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Wade Miley (2-2, 2.32 ERA) vs. Reds LH Cody Reed (0-1, 3.68)

Miley is winless in his past four starts and received a no-decision against Pittsburgh in his last turn when he gave up two runs and 10 hits over five innings. The 31-year-old is 2-2 in six road starts while posting a 2.12 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Miley defeated the Reds on May 2 when he allowed one run and three hits over six innings and stands 4-2 with a 3.42 ERA in eight career outings against Cincinnati, including a 4-0 mark in five starts at Great American Ball Park.

Reed is making his second start of the season after giving up five runs (three earned) and four hits over three innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 9. The 25-year-old made a start against the Brewers on Aug. 14, 2016 when he was torched for six runs and five hits in one-plus innings. Reed has fared much better in seven career relief appearances against Milwaukee by allowing one run and six hits over 7 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 1B Joey Votto (right leg) is expected to be activated from the 10-day disabled list prior to Thursday's game.

2. Yelich is the eighth player in Milwaukee franchise history to hit for the cycle and the first since George Kottaras on Sept. 3, 2011.

3. Cincinnati placed LHP Amir Garrett (foot) on the 10-day DL and activated RHP Jackson Stephens (knee) off the same list.

PREDICTION: Brewers 8, Reds 7
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Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 08-30-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
The Minnesota Twins would need a magical run to even get back into striking distance of a playoff spot, but they can clinch the season series against a team likely heading to the postseason when they visit the Cleveland Indians on Thursday afternoon. Eddie Rosario recorded three hits and an RBI as the Twins rallied for a 4-3 win Wednesday to even the season series at nine wins apiece with one game left.

Minnesota, which made the playoffs as a wild card last year, trails first-place Cleveland by 13 games in the American League Central and won for the first time in five games Wednesday after being outscored 27-6 in the previous four. Jake Odorizzi gets the call in the rubber match of the season series for the Twins and he will face fellow right-hander Mike Clevinger, who has not suffered a defeat since July 28. The Indians lost for the fifth time in seven games after coughing up two leads Wednesday, but are still 10 games over .500 since July 25 at 21-11. Cleveland's All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor is 7-for-16 in his last three games and is batting .316 with 15 runs scored, six homers and 15 RBIs this season against Minnesota.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, Facebook-Watch

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (5-8, 4.38 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (9-7, 3.30)

Odorizzi suffered a hard-luck loss against Oakland last time out, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk over a season-high seven innings. It was the first quality start since July 22 for the 28-year-old Illinois native, but he owns a season-best 3.51 ERA in August. Lindor is 6-for-14 with three doubles and two homers versus Odorizzi, who is 0-2 with a 7.85 ERA in four starts against Cleveland in 2018.

Clevinger is unbeaten in his five outings during August, recording two victories along with four quality starts and registering a 2.70 ERA. The best start this month for the 27-year-old Jacksonville, Fla. native came against Minnesota on Aug. 8 when he gave up one run over seven innings in his second no-decision versus the Twins this year. Joe Mauer is 5-for-14 against Clevinger, who is 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA over nine appearances (six starts) versus Minnesota.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland LHP Andrew Miller (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day disabled list and LHP Tyler Olson got recalled Wednesday.

2. Mauer joined Hall of Famers Kirby Puckett and Harmon Killebrew as the only Twins to score 1,000 runs with one on Wednesday.

3. Indians DH Edwin Encarnacion is 5-for-14 with a homer, five RBIs and three walks during a four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Twins 3
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Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 08-30-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
J.A. Happ's fortunes changed in a big way after the New York Yankees acquired the veteran left-hander from Toronto in late July. Happ owns a 5-0 mark with a 2.37 ERA in five starts with the Yankees heading into Thursday's opener of a four-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers, who have been outscored 34-10 en route to losing five in a row.

New York rookie Gleyber Torres has been pretty good in his own right of late, going 2-for-4 in Wednesday's 4-1 setback to the Chicago White Sox to give him 17 hits to go along with eight runs scored and six RBIs since Aug. 16. The Yankees had won eight of nine before dropping two of three to the White Sox to fall 7 1/2 games behind Boston in the American League East. Detroit's Mikie Mahtook homered and drove in two runs in Wednesday's 9-2 setback to Kansas City to extend his hitting streak to six games, during which he has gone deep three times and scored five runs. The 28-year-old has failed to get going against nearly all Yankees pitchers, going 4-for-43 with 18 strikeouts overall and 0-for-3 in a small sample size versus Happ.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (3-9, 4.82 ERA) vs. Yankees LH J.A. Happ (15-6, 3.80)

Liriano, who hasn't tasted victory since April 28, fell to 0-4 with a 6.88 ERA in four starts this month on Aug. 22 after allowing four runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings of an 8-2 setback to the Chicago Cubs. The 34-year-old Dominican has struggled to keep the ball in the park of late, with five homers permitted this month. Aaron Hicks (4-for-7) and Brett Gardner (6-for-18) have gotten their licks in on Liriano, who owns a 4-4 mark with a 3.34 ERA in 12 career encounters (10 starts) versus New York.

Happ improved to 5-0 in pinstripes after permitting two runs on five hits while striking out nine in six innings of a 10-3 win over Baltimore on Saturday. The 35-year-old didn't fare as well while pitching for the Blue Jays in a pair of starts against Detroit, as he yielded four runs in a no-decision on June 2 and seven on 10 hits in a 9-1 romp on July 1. Nicholas Castellanos is a blistering 11-for-19 against Happ, who is 3-2 with a 4.83 ERA in 10 career appearances versus the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York OF Giancarlo Stanton is 2-for-26 in his last seven games.

2. Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire said SS Jose Iglesias' condition is "not good" as the latter is expected to undergo an MRI on his abdomen on Thursday.

3. Gardner is 1-for-13 in his last four games overall.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Tigers 2
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 08-30-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote
The St. Louis Cardinals have won nine consecutive series, a streak that is in jeopardy going into the rubber match of a three-game series with the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. The Cardinals managed five hits and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in dropping a 2-0 decision to the Pirates on Wednesday after winning the series opener.

St. Louis has been shut out five times this year and three of them have come against Pittsburgh, which utilized four pitchers in the five-hitter. The setback Wednesday left the Cardinals 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central division. Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco had RBI singles Wednesday to lead the way for the Pirates, which won for just the fourth time in their last 15 games. A pair of right-handers both with five wins and identical ERAs meet in the series finale when Pittsburgh turns to Joe Musgrove opposite John Gant for St. Louis.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Joe Musgrove (5-7, 3.56 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH John Gant (5-5, 3.56)

Musgrove had a string of five straight quality starts come to an end Friday at Milwaukee, which got to him for four runs in four innings. He had a 2.12 ERA over those previous five outings, including seven innings of one-run ball against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 18. The 25-year-old opened his season May 25 with seven scoreless innings in a win against the Cardinals.

Gant lasted a season high-tying seven innings while allowing one run in a no-decision at Colorado on Saturday. It marked the seventh time in his last eight starts that he has yielded two earned runs or fewer. The one outlier in that stretch was a rocky outing at Pittsburgh on Aug. 3, when the 26-year-old was reached for six runs and eight hits in four frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals 1B Matt Carpenter was removed from Wednesday's game in the fourth inning due to a stomach issue.

2. Polanco is 13-for-36 with seven RBIs over his last nine games.

3. St. Louis placed INF Jedd Gyorko (groin) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled OF Adolis Garcia from Triple-A Memphis.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Pirates 3
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Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 08-30-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote
The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of playing 23 games in 23 days through Sept. 12, and the Atlanta Braves will have played 38 contests in 37 days when they reach that date. But even though the two teams - who meet in Atlanta on Thursday to make up an early-season rainout - face a challenging grind as August evolves into September, neither squad is complaining as the matchup pits the National League's top two teams record-wise in a potential playoff preview.

Chicago actually played more than one game Wednesday by concluding Tuesday's suspended game against the Mets with a 2-1 victory in 11 innings, before getting crushed in a 10-3 loss in the regularly scheduled contest as manager Joe Maddon rested several of his regular starters. The defeat snapped a season-best seven-game winning streak, and the Cubs begin play Thursday 4 1/2 games ahead of second-place St. Louis in the NL Central sparked by first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who in 14 games since Aug. 15 is hitting .434 with five homers, 11 RBIs, 10 runs scored and six doubles. The Braves waited out two rain delays totaling 1 -hour, 47 minutes but fell 8-5 to Tampa Bay, and carry a 3 1/2-game advantage over Philadelphia in the NL East into Thursday's third game of a four-team, nine-game homestand. Third baseman Johan Camargo finished 3-for-4 with a three-run homer in the first for the Braves, who went 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position in losing for just the third time in their past nine games.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, WGN (Chicago), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Mike Montgomery (4-4, 3.62 ERA) vs. Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (10-8, 2.67)

Montgomery is expected to come off the disabled list (left shoulder inflammation) and make his first appearance since an Aug. 11 relief stint against Washington. The 29-year-old has made 13 starts since May 28 in helping to fill in for injured starter Yu Darvish, posting a 3.08 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in those outings. Montgomery, who gave up one run on 12 hits over 11 1/3 innings across his first two August starts, pitched two innings of scoreless relief against the Braves on May 15.

Foltynewicz struggled in July as he allowed four runs or more in four consecutive starts, but he has returned to All-Star form in August. The 26-year-old has posted a 1.38 ERA in five starts this month, allowing five earned runs across 32 2/3 innings with eight walks and 36 strikeouts. Foltynewicz, who began Wednesday fourth in the NL in ERA and sixth in strikeouts (169), struck out 10 in five innings while surrendering one unearned run against the Cubs on May 15.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 2B Daniel Murphy is hitting .355 with two homers, five RBIs and six runs scored in seven games since being traded from Washington.

2. Atlanta bolstered its bench for the stretch drive before Wednesday's game, acquiring C Rene Rivera from the Angels and 1B Lucas Duda from Kansas City in separate deals.

3. Braves 1B Freddie Freeman is 3-for-27 in his past seven games, dropping his batting average from .321 to .310.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Braves 5
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Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 08-30-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
Angels vs. Astros Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/29/2018

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander has fallen off the pace in the American League Cy Young race but will try to remain perfect against the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series. Verlander has won each of his four starts while compiling a minuscule 1.61 ERA against the Angels this season.

Houston opened its 10-game homestand by taking two of three from hard-charging Oakland, winning Wednesday's rubber match on Tyler White's walk-off homer in the ninth inning. "It felt like kind of a heavyweight battle," said Astros manager A.J. Hinch after his team opened a 2 1/2-game lead over the Athletics atop the American League West and improved to 7-1 in its last eight games. Houston also has won seven of the past eight meetings against the Angels, who will arrive at Minute Maid Park having lost nine of 11 - including a three-game sweep by the Astros last weekend. Albert Pujols, who is 10-for-36 lifetime against Verlander, is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Andrew Heaney (7-8, 4.25 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (13-8, 2.72)

Heaney has labored through five starts in August, posting a 1-2 record and 6.67 ERA after he was knocked around for five runs and eight hits over six innings in a loss to Houston on Friday. It's a marked decline from last month when he was 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in five starts and beat the Astros with six innings of one-run ball. Alex Bregman and Yuli Gurriel are both 1-for-9 against Heaney.

Verlander was 9-2 through the middle of June but is 4-6 over his last dozen starts despite winning his last two, including six innings of three-run ball against the Angels on Saturday. The long ball continues to be a thorny issue for the 35-year-old, who has yielded 15 home runs over his last eight turns. Angels center fielder Mike Trout has struggled in his career versus Verlander, going 4-for-32.

WALK-OFFS

1. Bregman is 19-for-40 during a 10-game hitting streak.

2. Angels INF David Fletcher has hit safely in three straight and 11 of his last 13 games.

3. Astros 2B Jose Altuve struck out four times in a game for the first time in his career Wednesday and has whiffed in six of his last nine at-bats.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Angels 2
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Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 08-30-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
The Boston Red Sox saw their high-octane offense kick it up a notch, igniting for 11 runs on 12 hits -- including five for extra bases (four doubles, triple) -- in the seventh inning on their way to a season sweep of Miami. The Red Sox hope that offense travels well Thursday in the opener a four-game series against the host Chicago White Sox (52-80), who took two of three from the club in June.

Eduardo Nunez joined Mookie Betts with three hits and three runs scored as Boston rode its most productive inning of the season in a 14-6 romp on Wednesday. Nunez is 11-for-27 with five RBIs and as many runs scored during a seven-game hitting streak, although he went 1-for-8 as the Red Sox mustered just six runs against Chicago from June 8-10. Boston received an assist from the White Sox on Wednesday, as the latter's 4-1 triumph over New York allowed the Red Sox to take a 7 1/2-game lead over the second-place Yankees in the American League East. Ryan LaMarre, who homered to highlight his three-hit, four-RBI performance on Wednesday, went 3-for-7 with two runs scored in a series against Boston earlier in the season while he was still with Minnesota.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (15-7, 4.18 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (10-9, 5.85)

Porcello lost for the third time in four starts on Saturday while allowing three runs in five innings of a 5-1 setback at Tampa Bay. The 2016 AL Cy Young Award winner also fell short in his last outing against Chicago on June 10, taking the loss after permitting three runs (two earned) and walking three in six frames of a 5-2 setback. Avisail Garcia is 7-for-20 versus Porcello, who owns an 11-9 mark with a 4.30 ERA in 24 career encounters with the White Sox.

Giolito won his third straight start and improved to 5-1 in his last eight trips to the mound on Saturday after yielding one run on three hits in seven innings of a 6-1 romp over Detroit. "It was definitely the best fastball command I've had all season. Warming up in the bullpen, I was hitting both sides of the plate super consistently," the 24-year-old said. Giolito, who will face Boston for the first time this season, has recorded three consecutive quality starts and four in his last five outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston 2B Ian Kinsler has four multi-hit performances in his last six outings.

2. Chicago 2B Yoan Moncada has six hits, six RBIs and four runs scored in his last six games.

3. The White Sox announced a special online charity auction in honor of Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy, who went on medical leave to focus on his treatment after recently being diagnosed again with cancer.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, White Sox 2
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Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 08-30-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 08/29/2018

The Seattle Mariners are slumping and in danger of falling out of postseason contention, but they have a chance to climb back into the race when they open a four-game series at the Oakland Athletics on Thursday night. The Mariners have dropped nine of their last 14 and trail Oakland by 5 1/2 games for the American League's second wild card.

Seattle has scored only six runs during a three-game skid and absorbed a costly two-game sweep in San Diego, the worst team in the National League. Mariners shortstop Jean Segura, batting a team-leading .317, had to exit Wednesday's loss after fouling a ball off his shin and is listed as day-to-day. Oakland had a chance to pull within a half-game of first-place Houston in the American League West but lost to the Astros 5-4 on a walk-off homer Wednesday to drop 2 1/2 games off the pace. Athletics slugger Khris Davis is mired in a 1-for-24 slump with 12 strikeouts over the past six games but he is 3-for-4 with a homer off Wade LeBlanc, Seattle's scheduled starter.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (7-3, 3.92 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Frankie Montas (5-3, 3.75)

LeBlanc did not factor in the decision last time out at Arizona on Saturday despite yielding one run on four hits over six innings, marking his fourth quality start in seven appearances since the All-Star break. He surrendered three homers in a loss to the Los Angels Dodgers in his previous turn - the third three-homer game in a span of eight starts. LeBlanc pitched four-innings of three-hit ball versus Oakland on May 3.

Montas will be summoned from Triple-A Nashville to make his first start since July 29, when he lasted 4 1/3 innings and gave up three runs and eight hits in a loss at Colorado. He was hit hard in three straight starts at Nashville, permitting 16 runs over 14 2/3 innings, before tossing five innings of one-run ball on Saturday. Montas has made four home starts, compiling a 2-2 record and 4.01 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle is 7-5 versus the Athletics this year and has won 20 of the past 28 meetings in Oakland.

2. Athletics 3B Matt Chapman has multiple hits in five of his last seven games, doing 13-for-32.

3. Mariners LHP James Paxton (forearm) is expected to come off the disabled list to start Saturday's game.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Mariners 4
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Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 08-30-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
Rockies vs. Padres Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/29/2018

The Colorado Rockies begin a 23-game stretch against the National League West when they kick off a four-game series against the Padres in San Diego on Thursday. Colorado is one-half game behind first-place Arizona in the NL West and is also in the thick of the wild-card race, one game behind Milwaukee for the second and final spot.

"It's going to be fun," Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez told reporters after hitting a two-run homer in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. "It's going to be a big month ahead of us and every team in this division. We're going to face each other a lot and it's going to be a long stretch facing division rivals. We're excited and ready for the challenge." Gonzalez (.294, 15 home runs, 56 RBIs) is a big part of Colorado's success, going 11-for-26 with four RBIs during a six-game hitting streak and batting .323 since the All-Star break. The Padres (52-83) completed a two-game sweep of Seattle 8-3 on Wednesday as rookie Luis Urias, the No. 32 prospect in all of baseball entering 2018 according to Baseball America, recorded his first three major league hits in his second game. The Rockies' German Marquez tries for his seventh straight quality start and 10th in 11 outings and opposes rookie Eric Lauer, who returns after a stint on the disabled list with a strained left forearm.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (11-9, 4.21 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Lauer (5-7, 5.30)

Marquez earned a no-decision after allowing three hits and one walk while striking out nine in seven shutout innings of Colorado's 9-1 victory over St. Louis on Saturday. The 23-year-old Venezuelan is 6-1 with a 2.57 ERA in his last 10 starts, lowering his ERA by 1.32. Eric Hosmer is 3-7 with a home run while Wil Myers is 2-for-10 with five strikeouts against Marquez, who is 2-2 with a 5.14 ERA in seven games (five starts) versus San Diego - 0-1, 2.25 in two turns this season.

Lauer struggled in three starts after the All-Star break, going 0-2 and yielding 14 runs over 11 innings before sustaining the injury while earning a no-decision in San Diego's 5-3 loss to San Francisco on July 30. The 23-year-old Ohio native and 25th overall pick in the 2016 draft was solid in eight starts prior to the break, going 4-2 with a 2.33 ERA. Lauer was hit hard in his major league debut, permitting seven runs (six earned), six hits and four walks in three innings of an 8-0 loss at Colorado on April 24.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rockies have a minus-13 run differential while Arizona is plus-84 and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are one game behind in the NL West, plus-127.

2. Padres CF Manuel Margot (.253) is 8-for-16 in his last five games after going 3-for-4 with a home run and double Wednesday.

3. Colorado has won nine of the 15 meetings in 2018, including four of six in San Diego, as it tries for its third straight season series victory over the Padres.

PREDICTION: Padres 3, Rockies 2
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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 08-30-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote
Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/30/2018

The suddenly hot Los Angeles Dodgers look to post a season-best sixth consecutive victory when they open a crucial four-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. The Dodgers have outscored their opponents 34-13 during the winning streak to move within one game of the first-place Diamondbacks in the National League West.

Cody Bellinger, Yasmani Grandal and Manny Machado all hit solo homers in Wednesday's 3-1 triumph over the Texas Rangers as Los Angeles remained 1 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second wild-card spot. "I think we're cooking as a whole team right now," Bellinger told reporters. "It's just a matter of producing on the field. It's just a matter of time until the talent takes over." Arizona salvaged the finale of a three-game set against the San Francisco Giants by recording a 3-1 win Wednesday to move a half-game ahead of the Colorado Rockies. Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock is 3-for-28 over the last eight games but has tormented the Dodgers this season by batting .348 with seven homers, four doubles and 12 RBIs in 12 games.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (3-2, 4.73 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Rich Hill (6-4, 3.50)

Ray has received seven consecutive no-decisions and is 0-2 over his last 10 turns. The 26-year-old allowed one run and five hits and struck out seven over five innings against the Seattle Mariners in his last outing. Ray is 2-0 with an 0.89 ERA in his last three starts against the Dodgers and is 6-3 with a 2.69 ERA in 13 career outings against Los Angeles.

Hill is 0-5 in seven starts against Arizona since joining the Dodgers - including 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA in two 2018 outings - and stands 1-6 with a 5.90 ERA in 11 career turns against the Diamondbacks. The 38-year-old defeated the San Diego Padres in his last turn when he gave up two hits and struck out eight over six scoreless innings. Hill is 4-0 with a 2.13 ERA over his last seven starts and has allowed two or fewer runs in six of them.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Diamondbacks are 8-4 versus Los Angeles this season, including 3-2 at Dodger Stadium.

2. Struggling Los Angeles RHP Kenley Jansen (heart issues) is expected to be available for closing duties Thursday, though manager Dave Roberts opted to use RHP Kenta Maeda to close out Wednesday's win.

3. Arizona had three runs on 16 hits in the three-game series with the Giants and had gone 25 innings without a run until RF Steven Souza Jr. led off the third inning Wednesday with his first homer since Aug. 5.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 4
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