MLB Betting News and Trends For Tuesday 5/8/18

Tuesday’s games
National League
Giants (19-16) @ Phillies (19-15)
Holland is 1-1, 6.63 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 2-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6

Nola is 3-0, 2.11 in his last three starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 4-3
5-inning record: 2-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-7

San Francisco won seven of its last nine games; over is 9-3 in their last 12 games. Phillies lost six of their last nine games; over is 9-4 in their last 13 games.

Mets (18-15) @ Reds (8-27)
Vargas is 0-2, 16.21 in two starts this year (over 2-0). Team in his starts: 0-2
5-inning record: 0-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-2

Castillo is 0-2, 7.50 in his last three starts (over 5-2). Team in his starts: 2-5
5-inning record: 2-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7

Mets lost five of their last seven games; over is 10-4-2 in their last 16 games. Cincinnati lost eight of its last nine home games; over is 10-4-1 in their last 15 games.

Marlins (13-21) @ Cubs (18-14)
Urena is 0-5, 4.50 in seven starts this year; under is 4-2 in his last six starts. Team in his starts: 0-7
5-inning record: 1-5-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7

Darvish is on DL; starter here is unknown. Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Miami is 8-4 in its last 12 games; under is 10-4 in their last 14 games. Cubs lost four of their last six games; under is 6-2 in their last eight home games.

Nationals (19-17) @ Padres (13-23)
Hellickson is 0-0, 3.00 in four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 2-2
5-inning record: 2-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4

Richard is 0-3, 7.47 in his last three starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 2-5
5-inning record: 1-6. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7

Nationals won eight of their last nine games; under is 4-2 in their last six road games. San Diego lost six of its last seven home games; over is 8-1 in their last nine home games.

Diamondbacks (23-11) @ Dodgers (15-19)
Godley is 4-2, 3.67 in six starts this year (under 3-2-1). Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 3-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Hill is 1-1, 6.00 in three starts (over 3-0). Team in his starts: 1-2
5-inning record: 1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Arizona is 7-3 in its last ten road games, 9-2 in series openers, 5-0 on road. Under is 5-0-1 in their last six games. Dodgers lost six of their last eight game; under is 6-2 in their last eight games.

American League
Red Sox (25-9) @ New York (24-10)
Pomeranz is 1-1, 6.14 in three starts this year (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 2-1
5-inning record: 1-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-3

Severino is 3-0, 1.24 in his last four starts, last three of which stayed under. Team in his starts: 6-1
5-inning record: 5-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7

Red Sox won five of last six road games; they’re 7-4 in series openers. Under is 6-3 in their last nine road games. New York won 15 of its last 16 games; they’re 7-4 in home openers- over is 7-3 in their last 10 home games.

Royals (11-23) @ Orioles (8-26)
Duffy is 0-4, 5.87 in seven starts this year; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 0-7
5-inning record: 1-5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7

Bundy is 1-4, 6.83 in his last five starts (under 5-2). Team in his starts: 2-5
5-inning record: 2-3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7

Royals are 6-4 in their last ten games, but 0-5 in road series openers. Over is 7-3 in their last ten road games. Baltimore lost their last six games; under is 11-4 in their home games.

Mariners (19-14) @ Blue Jays (19-16)
Paxton is 1-0, 3.13 in his last four starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 4-3
5-inning record: 3-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7

Stroman is 0-4, 8.07 in six starts this year (over 4-2). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 0-4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Mariners are 8-4 in last dozen games, 7-4 in series openers. Over is 7-2 in their last nine road games. Toronto lost four of their last six games; over is 6-2-1 in their last nine home games.

Tigers (14-20) @ Rangers (14-23)
Fiers is 1-2, 7.71 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 2-3
5-inning record: 2-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Minor is 3-0, 4.45 in his last five starts (over 4-2). Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 2-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Tigers lost eight of their last ten road games; under is 5-3 in their last eight. Texas lost six of its last nine games; over is 8-2-1 in their last 11 games.

Astros (22-15) @ A’s (18-17)
McCullers is 3-0, 0.90 in his last three starts (over 3-2-1). Team in his starts: 4-2
5-inning record: 2-2-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Manaea is 3-1, 1.86 in his last four starts (under 6-1). Team in his starts: 4-3
5-inning record: 3-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7

Astros lost five of their last seven games; under is 5-2-1 in their last eight games. Oakland won eight of its last ten home games; four of their last six games stayed under.

Interleague
Twins (14-17) @ Cardinals (19-14)
Odorizzi is 1-2, 5.82 in his last four starts (under 4-3). Team in his starts: 3-4
5-inning record: 3-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7

Martinez is 3-0, 0.66 in his last six starts (under 4-0-2). Team in his starts: 6-1
5-inning record: 3-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7.

Twins won their last four games; over is 9-3 in their last 12 road games. St Louis won five of its last six games; over is 13-5 in their last 18 games.

Braves (19-14) @ Rays (15-17)
Newcomb is 2-0, 2.97 in his last five starts; over is 3-0-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 3-3
5-inning record: 2-2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6

Snell is 4-0, 1.89 in his last five starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 4-3
5-inning record: 5-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7.

Braves lost their last three games; over is 11-4-2 in their last 17 games. Tampa Bay is 3-4 in its last seven games (under 5-0-2). Rays won their last five series openers.

Indians (17-17) @ Brewers (20-15)
Kluber is 5-0, 2.41 in his last five starts, last three of which went over. Team in his starts: 5-2
5-inning record: 5-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7

Miley allowed one run in six IP (97 PT) in his first ’18 start. Team in his starts: 1-0
5-inning record: 1-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1.

Indians lost four of their last five games; they’re 5-7 in series openers. Over is 11-1 in their last 12 games. Milwaukee is 4-6 in its last ten games; under is 9-3-1 in their last 13 games. Brewers are 1-4 in home series openers.

Pirates (19-16) @ White Sox (9-23)
Nova is 2-1, 3.34 in his last five starts (over 5-2). Team in his starts: 4-3
5-inning record: 4-1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7

Giolito is 1-4, 8.06 in his last five starts (under 4-2). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 1-4-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-6.

Pittsburgh lost five of its last seven games; under is 6-3-2 in their last 11 road games. White Sox are 3-12 in last 15 home games; over is 8-4-1 in their last 13.

Angels (21-13) @ Rockies (20-15)
Heaney is 1-0, 2.45 in his last two starts (over 2-1-1). Team in his starts: 2-2
5-inning record: 1-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4

Gray is 2-0, 0.69 in his last two starts (over 4-3). Team in his starts: 3-4
5-inning record: 4-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7.

Angels won five of their last six games; they’re 13-2 in last 15 road games. Four of their last five games went over. Colorado won its last five games; they’re 0-4 in home series openers. Under is 7-4 in their last 11 home games.

Preview: Twins at Cardinals
Gracenote
May 8, 2018

The Minnesota Twins attempt to extend their winning streak and complete a sweep of their two-game interleague set when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday afternoon for the series finale. Minnesota cruised past St. Louis 6-0 on Monday for its fourth consecutive victory after losing the opener of its 10-game road trip to the Chicago White Sox.

Robbie Grossman went 3-for-4 with two RBIs while Fernando Romero struck out nine while combining with two relievers on a four-hit shutout for the Twins, who have won five of six after dropping 11 of 12. Eddie Rosario is riding an eight-game hitting streak during which he is 15-for-35 with four homers and 13 RBIs after notching a pair of doubles and driving in a run in the series opener. The Cardinals were all out of late heroics as they saw their five-game winning streak come to an end Monday after posting back-to-back walk-off victories in extra innings. Paul DeJong recorded three of St. Louis' four hits in the setback after going 0-for-14 over his previous five games this month.

TV: 1:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS North (Minnesota), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (2-2, 4.10 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (3-1, 1.40)

Odorizzi has hit a rough patch, yielding four or more runs in three of his last four starts - including Thursday in Chicago, where he gave up five - (three earned) over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the White Sox. The 28-year-old native of Illinois has yet to win on the road this season, going 0-1 with a 4.87 ERA in four turns. Odorizzi is 1-1 with a 3.24 ERA in three career starts versus the Cardinals.

Martinez's disappointing season debut against the New York Mets is a distant memory, as he has allowed three runs over 40 2/3 innings in the ensuing six starts. The 26-year-old Dominican's dominance continued Wednesday as he limited the White Sox to one run and five hits in 7 1/3 frames of a victory. Martinez made his only career start against the Twins on June 17, 2015, when he suffered the loss at Minnesota despite giving up only two runs - one earned - and five hits in 6 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright (elbow) threw five scoreless innings in a rehab start for Double-A Springfield on Monday and hopes to pitch for St. Louis in San Diego on Saturday.

2. Minnesota OF Byron Buxton reported no issues after running to test his fractured toe prior to the series opener and may run the bases on Tuesday.

3. St. Louis OF Tommy Pham (groin) and RHP Bud Norris (triceps) both were unavailable on Monday while the team recalled John Gant and optioned fellow RHP Mike Mayers to Triple-A Memphis.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Twins 2

Preview: Giants at Phillies
Gracenote
May 8, 2018

Odubel Herrera and the Philadelphia Phillies look to build on a big night at the plate when they host the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday for the second of a four-game set. Herrera extended his on-base streak to 36 games - third most in franchise history - after belting two homers and knocking in five runs as the Phillies rolled over the Giants 11-0 on Monday for just their third victory in nine contests.

Herrera passed Chase Utley (35 games in 2006) and is two behind Jimmy Rollins (38, 2005-06) for the second-longest on-base streak in the record book for Philadelphia, which finished with 12 hits Monday and improved to 12-5 at home. Right-hander Aaron Nola goes after his fourth straight win for the Phillies, who have not won back-to-back contests since a four-game run April 19-22, while veteran left-hander Derek Holland gets the call for San Francisco. The Giants registered 33 runs during a four-game winning streak before leaving nine on base in the series opener and giving up four homers to even their record at 9-9 on the road. Former MVP Andrew McCutchen is 10-for-23 during a seven-game hitting streak for San Francisco after managing a single in four at-bats Monday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Derek Holland (1-3, 5.70 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (4-1, 2.17)

Holland earned his first victory of the season Wednesday when he limited San Diego to three runs on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts over five innings in a 9-4 triumph. The 31-year-old Ohio native has allowed at least three runs in five of six outings and not completed more than six innings in 2018. Carlos Santana is 8-for-30 with a pair of homers and seven RBIs versus Holland, who faces the Phillies for the first time in his career.

Nola won his third straight decision Wednesday in Miami, permitting four hits and one walk over 7 1/3 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. The 24-year-old LSU product has strung together five straight quality starts and yielded more than two runs once in seven trips to the mound this season. Buster Posey is 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in his career versus Nola, who is 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in two career starts against the Giants.

WALK-OFFS

1. Posey is 11-for-22 during a current six-game hitting streak and is batting .397 in 40 career games against the Phillies.

2. Philadelphia 3B Maikel Franco is 8-for-20 with two homers and four RBis during a five-game hitting streak.

3. Giants SS Brandon Crawford has hit safely in six straight games, going 12-for-26 in that span.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Giants 4

Preview: Red Sox at Yankees
Gracenote
May 7, 2018

The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees resume their heated rivalry Tuesday with the first of three games at Yankee Stadium and their proximity in the standings only adds fuel to the always-burning fire. First-place Boston (25-9) leads New York (24-10) by one game in the American League East, but the Yankees have won 18 of their last 21 contests since losing two of three at Fenway Park from April 10-12.

New York's victory in the middle contest of that series was marred by a bench-clearing brawl which resulted in the Red Sox's Joe Kelly and the Yankees' Tyler Austin getting suspended six and four games, respectively, for their roles in the melee. "Look, Red Sox-Yankees is always big, and obviously they're a great team,'' New York manager Aaron Boone told reporters. "So we understand there will be a lot of excitement around it. There will be more eyes on this one and that's what you love about being a part of this." Boston burst out the gate with victories in 17 of its first 19 games but the Yankees seem unbeatable at the moment with a six-game winning streak and a 15-1 mark in their last 16 contests while winning nine straight at home - matching the longest streak at the new Yankee Stadium. New York's Luis Severino is coming off his first career shutout and opposes Drew Pomeranz, who won his last start for his first victory of the season in three turns.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Drew Pomeranz (1-1, 6.14 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (5-1, 2.11)

Pomeranz allowed three runs, eight hits and two walks while striking out three in six innings of a 5-4 victory over Kansas City on Wednesday. It was a step forward for the 29-year-old Tennessean, who yielded seven runs in 8 2/3 innings over his first two starts of the season since recovering from a forearm injury suffered in spring training. Gary Sanchez is 8-for-18 with three home runs versus Pomeranz, who is 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) versus New York and 3-2, 3.12 ERA in five appearances at Yankee Stadium.

Severino scattered five hits and a walk while striking out a season-high 10 in a 4-0 victory at Houston on Wednesday that was also his fourth consecutive quality start. "I think I’ve grown up as a pitcher,” the 24-year-old Dominican told reporters. “When I needed to throw a good pitch, it used to be a fastball to everybody. When I need to throw a slider on a 3-2 count, now I can throw it.” Andrew Benintendi (.244, one home run this season) is 8-for-16 with two home runs and nine RBIs versus Severino, who is 2-5 with a 4.82 ERA in nine games (eight starts) versus Boston after permitting five runs and eight hits in five innings of a 14-1 loss at Fenway Park on April 10.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston RF Mookie Betts, who entered Monday leading the majors in home runs (13), runs (36) and batting average (.355), is expected to play after leaving Sunday's game in Texas when he was hit in the shoulder by a thrown ball running the bases.

2. Sanchez is hitting .198, but his nine home runs and 28 RBIs are each second on the club to SS Didi Gregorius (10, 30).

3. The Red Sox began their 10-game road trip by winning the last three contests of a four-game set with the Rangers over the weekend.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Red Sox 5

Preview: Royals at Orioles
Gracenote
May 7, 2018

The Baltimore Orioles are hardly world-beaters at Camden Yards, but they likely will embrace a return home with open arms after going 0-6 on their second consecutive road trip. The American League cellar-dwelling Orioles aim to pick themselves off the mat Tuesday as they begin a nine-game homestand with the opener of a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals.

"Getting your brains beaten in every night stinks. We've got to do better, do the fundamentals correctly, clean it up. All aspects," said catcher Caleb Joseph, who saw Baltimore strike out 40 times in a three-game series sweep at the hands of Oakland. Pedro Alvarez belted a homer in the second inning of Sunday's 2-1 setback for just his second hit this month (2-for-19) for the Orioles (8-26), who have been outscored 35-17 in May. Kansas City (11-23) has taken steps to turn its season around with victories in six of its last nine, including three of four versus Detroit to snap a 10-series winless skid. "We've been going out and grinding and playing good baseball," Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas said. "... Lately we've been playing great ball. Things are starting to fall for us."
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Kansas City, MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (0-4, 5.63 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (1-4, 3.76)

Duffy had kept the damage done by the long ball to a minimum since being taken deep three times in his season opener before getting drilled for four homers and five runs total in 6 2/3 innings of a 5-4 setback at Boston on Wednesday. The 29-year-old has allowed 15 runs on 26 hits in his last three outings after striking out eight and scattering two hits over six scoreless innings in a no-decision against Toronto on April 17. Jonathan Schoop and Mark Trumbo are each batting .400 versus Duffy, but the right-hander has flummoxed Chris Davis (.077) and Adam Jones (.087, nine strikeouts) while posting a 2-2 career mark with a 2.23 ERA versus Baltimore.

Bundy has been blitzed for 15 runs (12 earned) and 18 hits - including five homers - in his last two outings (nine innings), including being taken deep a career high-tying three times in a 10-7 setback at the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. The 25-year-old didn't receive any favors from his defense, either, as costly errors from Chris Davis and Manny Machado contributed to his undoing. Bundy's track record against Baltimore suggests a strong chance for a rebound, as he has kept Alcides Escobar (0-for-7) and Salvador Perez (0-for-6) hitless while recording a 1-0 career mark with a 1.76 ERA and 0.91 WHIP versus the club.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City 2B Whit Merrifield has nine hits and five runs scored in his last seven games.

2. Baltimore expects to activate Schoop (strained oblique) from the disabled list prior to the series opener and could have OFs Adam Jones (wrist) and Trey Mancini (knee) back in the lineup.

3. Kansas City RF Jorge Soler has three homers, 10 RBIs and eight runs scored while hitting safely in 11 of his last 12 contests.

PREDICTION: Orioles 4, Royals 1

Preview: Mariners at Blue Jays
Gracenote
May 7, 2018

James Paxton was left with a sour taste in his mouth after striking out a career-high 16 batters only to walk away with a no-decision in his last outing. The 29-year-old British Columbia native will look for a better result on Tuesday as the Seattle Mariners begin a seven-game road trip with the opener of a three-game set versus the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ryon Healy homered in Sunday's 8-2 setback to the Los Angeles Angels, marking the fifth time in eight outings that he has gone deep while boosting his RBI and runs scored totals to 11 and eight, respectively, in that stretch. Kyle Seager has reached base in 10 of his last 13 games with four multi-hit performances in that run for the Mariners (19-14), who have answered a 6-1 stretch by dropping three of their last five. While Seattle is a solid 11-6 on the road this season, Toronto (19-16) posted a 4-4 mark on its recent trek and returns home where it has lost four of its last five. Kevin Pillar had a pair of doubles in Sunday's 2-1 triumph over Tampa Bay to give him 17 hits in his last dozen contests heading into a tilt with Paxton, against whom he is 2-for-9 with two doubles.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), Sportsnet-1 (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH James Paxton (1-1, 4.19 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (0-4, 7.52)

Paxton overpowered Oakland batters with a fastball that he kept up in the zone on Wednesday to record 16 of his 21 outs via strikeout while allowing five hits in seven scoreless frames. "I'm not going to go out and strike out 16 every time, but just the approach," the southpaw said. "I think I've found a good way to approach the game for me, and that's what I'll be focusing on." Paxton, who was denied a victory after the bullpen imploded over the last two frames, owns a 2-1 mark with a 6.32 ERA in his three previous starts in Toronto.

Stroman's disastrous season continued on Wednesday as he lost his third straight start despite allowing just two runs on six hits over seven innings in a 4-0 setback at Minnesota. The 27-year-old, who surrendered fewer than four runs for the first time in six trips to the mound this season, plans to use his cut fastball between 20-25 times per outing. "It's a pitch I'll start to use effectively going forward," said Stroman, who owns a 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two career appearances versus Seattle.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto, which opens a six-game homestand on Tuesday, plays 13 of its next 15 at Rogers Centre.

2. Seattle CF Dee Gordon has hit safely in seven consecutive starts and is 18-for-32 with seven runs scored in his those contests.

3. Blue Jays 1B Justin Smoak, who is a former Mariner, has a homer, three RBIs and three runs scored during his four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Blue Jays 2

Preview: Mets at Reds
Gracenote
May 8, 2018

As has been the case all too often for the Cincinnati Reds this season, Great American Ball Park has been cure for whatever was ailing the other team's offense prior to that series. The New York Mets were the latest team to catch fire at the venue versus the Reds on Monday, and they'll look for more of the same Tuesday when they continue a three-game set in Cincinnati.

New York scored in only six of the 54 innings it played and was shut out three times during a winless six-game homestand last week, totaling 11 runs - seven of which came in one game - while getting swept by Atlanta and Colorado. The Mets pushed across at least one run in each of the first five innings of their series-opening 7-6 victory, however, taking advantage of two solo shots from Adrian Gonzalez as well as one homer apiece from former Red Jay Bruce and Michael Conforto. No major-league team has yielded more long balls at home than the 37 surrendered by the Reds, who are allowing a National League-worst 5.7 runs per game in those contests. Eugenio Suarez and Scooter Gennett each connected on a solo blast to make things interesting late for Cincinnati, as the duo finished with two hits and two runs scored apiece.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jason Vargas (0-2, 16.20 ERA) vs. Reds RH Luis Castillo (1-4, 7.01)

Vargas got a late start to the season due to a fractured right hand he suffered in mid-March and has yet to be effective in any of his three outings in the majors or minors, giving up a total of 15 runs - including five homers - in two turns with the Mets spanning 8 1/3 innings. The Long Beach State product was tagged for six runs on 11 hits in Thursday's loss to Atlanta. Right-handed hitters are batting .500 with three homers in 30 at-bats against Vargas, who last faced Cincinnati in 2006.

Castillo will make his second straight start at home after five consecutive road turns but is coming off a loss to Milwaukee on Wednesday in which he yielded two runs on nine hits while striking out seven in six frames. The outing was an encouraging one for the 25-year-old, who mustered only one quality start over his first six appearances. Castillo is 1-6 with a 4.02 ERA in nine career starts at Great American Ball Park entering his first matchup against the Mets.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets are 19-3 in their last 22 meetings against the Reds, outscoring them 119-74.

2. Cincinnati's 8-27 mark through 35 games is the worst start in the majors since Detroit had the same record in 2003.

3. New York OF Yoenis Cespedes went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a sacrifice fly in the opener after leaving early Sunday due to right hip tightness.

PREDICTION: Reds 7, Mets 5

Preview: Braves at Rays
Gracenote
May 7, 2018

Maybe the road is a good place for the Atlanta Braves, the surprising leader of the National League East, who open a six-game trip Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays after being swept at home over the weekend by San Francisco. The Braves are 11-7 on the road overall, winning five straight before they returned home and saw their starting pitching shelled for 18 runs on 28 hits in 12 1/3 innings, after Atlanta starters had posted a 2.41 ERA in its previous 25 games.

“We’ve just got to stay consistent,” Atlanta center fielder Ender Inciarte told the media after Sunday’s 4-3 loss, in which the Braves battled back with two runs in the ninth. “It’s a long season. We’ve just got to play hard and hopefully keep winning games.” The Rays lost 2-1 to Toronto at home on Sunday but have won 11 of their past 15 overall to pull within two games of .500, after losing eight in a row in early on. “We’ve been playing really, really good baseball the past two weeks,” Tampa Bay pitcher Chris Archer told reporters after Sunday’s loss. “Even a couple of losses we’ve had, we’ve played great baseball.” Right fielder Carlos Gomez collected three hits Sunday and is hitting .273 over his past 11 games, after batting just .158 in his opening 19 games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Sean Newcomb (2-1, 3.38 ERA) vs. Rays LH Blake Snell (4-1, 2.55)

Newcomb has experienced the ups and downs common with any young pitcher through the first 25 starts of his big-league career, but two of his past five outings have been among the very best of his first 12 months in the majors. He shut out Colorado over six innings on April 8 with nine strikeouts, then Wednesday in New York held the Mets to two hits with one walk and eight strikeouts in seven innings. The 24-year-old has posted a 2.37 ERA with 36 strikeouts and two homers allowed over his last 30 1/3 innings.

Snell is solidifying himself as a key part of Tampa Bay’s rotation through his first seven starts, allowing two runs or fewer six times and starting the week in the top 10 in the AL in victories and WHIP (0.94). The 25-year-old, who won five times with a 4.04 ERA in 24 starts a year ago, closed April with four consecutive victories and struck out 34 with only six walks in 26 2/3 innings in that stretch. Snell opened May with a no-decision Wednesday at Detroit, giving up two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk over 6 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Braves are hitting .360 with a 1.089 OPS in the first inning this season, scoring 36 runs on 54 hits in 33 games.

2. Atlanta 3B Jose Bautista, who went 3-for-10 with two walks in his debut series over the weekend, will DH in the two games at Tampa Bay.

3. Tampa Bay C Wilson Ramos is batting.315 in 25 games with five doubles, four homers and 16 RBIs, and has hit safely in 14 straight contests.

PREDICTION: Braves 3, Rays 2

Preview: Indians at Brewers
Gracenote
May 7, 2018

The Cleveland Indians hope to begin turning their pitching fortunes around when two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber gets the ball Tuesday night to start a two-game interleague series against the host Milwaukee Brewers. The Indians have allowed 36 runs in the last five games, including seven in the final two innings of a 7-4 loss to the New York Yankees on Sunday, while Kluber is tied for the American League lead with five wins.

Cleveland’s bullpen has been the biggest problem since All-Star left-hander Andrew Miller (hamstring) went on the disabled list April 26, posting an ERA over 10.00 in that stretch, but the Indians (17-17) still hold a lead in the AL Central. “This game is not easy. Sometimes it can be a lot harder and that’s just how it feels right now,” Cleveland closer Cody Allen told the Plain Dealer after Sunday’s loss. “It was the perfect storm this weekend. We’re not playing our best baseball and our bullpen, we’re not throwing the ball very well right now. … We’re just hoping to get out of here, flush it, get into Milwaukee and start fresh.” The Brewers (20-15) dropped two of three at home to Pittsburgh over the weekend, managing just two hits in a 9-0 loss Sunday afternoon. Milwaukee right fielder Domingo Santana had one of the two singles in the setback to extend his hitting streak to five games, during which he is 8-for-18 with four RBIs.

TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Wisconsin

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (5-1, 2.41 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Wade Miley (1-0, 1.50)

Kluber has begun the season with seven consecutive quality starts, going at least seven innings in six of them, and is riding a five-game winning streak. The 32-year-old Alabama native allowed three runs on solo homers Wednesday, giving up six hits overall across seven frames to beat Texas, and owns 53 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings in 2018. Travis Shaw is 4-for-11 with a homer versus Kluber, who faces Milwaukee for the first time and is 12-4 with a 2.19 ERA in interleague play.

Miley was victorious in his first start with the Brewers, holding Cincinnati to one run on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts over six innings Wednesday. The 31-year-old Louisiana native went 8-15 with a 5.61 ERA with Baltimore in 2017, failing to reach the 10-win mark for the second straight year, and is pitching for his fifth team. Edwin Encarnacion is 7-for-16 with two doubles and three homers against Miley, who is 1-3 with a 5.33 ERA in five career games versus Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee OF/1B Ryan Braun is 1-for-10 with six strikeouts - three in Sunday’s loss - over his last four games.

2. Cleveland SS Francisco Lindor has hit safely in nine straight games, going 18-for-43 with four homers and 10 RBIs.

3. The Brewers, who visit Cleveland June 5-6, host the Indians for the first time since 2015 when they split a pair of games.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Brewers 2

Preview: Marlins at Cubs
Gracenote
May 8, 2018

The Chicago Cubs hope their outburst at the plate in the series opener is a sign of things to come rather than an outlier, especially with uncertainty about who will be on the mound for them next time out. After breaking out of a prolonged offensive slump, the Cubs aim for their second straight victory when they host the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.

The Cubs totaled 14 runs during a five-game losing streak before pounding four homers in Monday's 14-2 triumph. It’s been that way all season for Chicago, which has scored 10 or more runs six times but also has been shut out or held to one run on eight occasions. The loss prevented a three-game winning streak for the Marlins, who have won four consecutive series and eight of their last 12 contests. The Cubs could be without Javier Baez, the National League’s RBI leader with 32, as the flashy second baseman left the opener with tightness in his right groin after homering for the third straight game.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Urena (0-5, 4.28 ERA) vs. TBD

Urena has posted two straight quality starts, allowing two earned runs over 14 innings, but has found himself on the wrong end of shutouts in both cases. The 26-year-old is winless in nine straight turns dating to last season, and the Marlins have lost all seven of his starts this year. Urena is 2-2 with a 4.71 ERA in four career starts against the Cubs, including a loss on Opening Day.

Yu Darvish was scheduled to start the second game of the series for the Cubs, but he landed on the disabled list Monday due to illness. Right-hander Jen-Ho Tseng was scratched from his start at Triple-A Iowa on Monday and is likely to be called up to make his second career start. The 23-year-old native of Taiwan escaped with a no-decision in his major-league debut against the New York Mets on Sept. 14 after yielding five runs in only three innings but picked up a win two weeks later, when he worked three scoreless frames of relief at St. Louis without giving up a hit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs OF Ian Happ, who homered from both sides of the plate on Monday, is 4-for-8 with a double and two homers versus Urena.

2. The Marlins have lost eight of their last nine games at Wrigley Field.

3. Chicago 3B Kris Bryant has homered in consecutive games and is sitting on 99 career blasts.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Marlins 6

Preview: Tigers at Rangers
Gracenote
May 8, 2018

Nomar Mazara is swinging a hot bat and the slugger will look to go deep once again when the Texas Rangers host the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Mazara went 2-for-3 with a homer as Texas prevailed 7-6 in Monday's opener and has hit five shots in seven contests this month.

Mazara has collected 12 RBIs over his last eight games, a stretch during which he also has recorded four two-hit performances. Jurickson Profar delivered a tiebreaking RBI triple in the seventh inning on Monday as the Rangers won for just the third time in nine contests. Detroit has lost four of five on its seven-game road trip, and Monday's contest marked the second setback on the trek in which it has scored six runs. Nicholas Castellanos recorded three hits for the third time in five games to raise his batting average to .324.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Mike Fiers (2-2, 5.00 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Mike Minor (3-1, 4.36)

Fiers surrendered five runs and six hits - two homers - over four innings against Kansas City in his last turn but escaped with a no-decision. The 32-year-old endured major problems with Texas last season while pitching for Houston, going 0-2 with a 12.21 ERA while giving up seven homers in 14 innings over three starts. Overall, Fiers is 0-3 with an 8.90 ERA in six appearances (five starts) against the Rangers and has been touched up for two homers by Joey Gallo in six at-bats.

Minor has won back-to-back starts and each of his last three decisions. The 30-year-old defeated Boston in his last turn as he gave up three runs and seven hits over six innings. Minor has posted a 6.75 ERA in seven career appearances against the Tigers and lost his one start against them on April 28, 2013, when he gave up six runs in 6 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rangers have won five straight games against the Tigers and 15 of the last 19 meetings.

2. Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera (hamstring) jogged for the first time since being injured on Thursday and hopes to come off the 10-day disabled list on the first day he is eligible.

3. Texas 2B Drew Robinson (hip) was scratched from Monday's lineup and placed on the 10-day disabled list, while INF Eliezer Alvarez was recalled from Double-A Frisco.

PREDICTION: Rangers 8, Tigers 5

Preview: Pirates at White Sox
Gracenote
May 7, 2018

The Pittsburgh Pirates have taken advantage of some struggling American League opponents early in the season and they'll get a chance to pick on another one when they visit the last-place Chicago White Sox for the opener of a two-game Interleague set Tuesday night. The Pirates own six Interleague wins - three more than any other team in the majors - after early-season encounters with the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins.

They enter this next chapter on a good note after taking two of three in Milwaukee over the weekend, capped by Sunday's resounding 9-0 win behind a combined two-hitter and a 13-hit attack. "We had it all going today, everything," shortstop Jordy Mercer - who had three hits and two RBIs - told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It was really cool to see. That might be one of the most complete games we've played this year, all the way through, and shows you what kind of talent we have, shows you what we're capable of, and just got to continue to be consistent that way." The White Sox have some of that talent, but wins have been hard to come by and they've dropped seven of eight. The latest setback was tough to swallow after starter James Shields took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before the Twins rallied in the final three frames for a 5-3 win Sunday afternoon.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Ivan Nova (2-2, 4.01 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (1-4, 7.03)

Nova finished April with eight scoreless innings against Detroit before heading to Washington on Wednesday and giving up eight runs (five earned) over 4 2/3 innings of a loss to the Nationals. He went four straight starts - all of the quality variety - without allowing a walk before issuing two free passes in the loss. The 31-year-old is 4-1 with a 2.42 ERA in seven career starts against the White Sox.

Giolito shares the AL lead in walks issued with 23 entering Monday, although he's handed out just two in each of his last two starts. He struck out a season-high seven and allowed three runs and four hits across 6 1/3 innings of a tough loss at St. Louis on Wednesday. That outing left the former first-round selection - who is facing Pittsburgh for the first time - with an 0-2 record and a 4.63 ERA in two Interleague starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates LF Corey Dickerson has three homers and nine RBIs over his last seven games.

2. Chicago is 3-14 against opponents outside of its division.

3. The Pirates swept four games from the White Sox when they last played in 2015.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, White Sox 4

Preview: Angels at Rockies
Gracenote
May 7, 2018

The Los Angeles Angels regained first place in the American League West over the weekend, while the Colorado Rockies are inching closer to the top spot in the National League West. The two early contenders kick off an intriguing two-game Interleague series at Colorado on Tuesday, with the host Rockies aiming for their sixth straight win.

Colorado swept three straight at the New York Mets, riding Ian Desmond's two homers and a franchise record-tying eighth consecutive quality start - this one by Kyle Freeland - to a 3-2 victory in Sunday's finale. "We're feeding off each other big time," Freeland told reporters of the starting rotation. "It's like every single day someone is trying to one-up the next guy from the night before, and that's going to create a lot of very good winning atmosphere and it's going to generate a lot of wins." The Angels received a solid start of their own with Shohei Ohtani's six solid innings in an 8-2 win at Seattle on Sunday, their fifth victory in the last six games. Mike Trout homered among three hits and he should be excited about returning to Coors Field, where he is 12-for-21 with three home runs in five career games.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Andrew Heaney (1-1, 5.31 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Gray (3-4, 4.99)

Heaney gave up 10 earned runs through his first two starts but rebounded to allow one in each of his next two outings. He lasted a season-high six innings to pick up his first win of the season against Baltimore on Wednesday. The 26-year-old won his only prior matchup with the Rockies in 2015, yielding two runs in 7 1/3 innings while striking out five.

Gray bounced back from a rocky stretch in the middle of April to spin six scoreless in a win over San Diego and then limit the Chicago Cubs to a run in seven frames last Tuesday at Wrigley Field. He has 17 strikeouts against two walks while allowing just six hits in that span. Gray has never faced the Angels and is 3-1 with a 3.75 ERA in six career Interleague starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels won the last nine meetings overall and they've taken eight in a row at Coors Field dating to their last loss there in 1999.

2. Los Angeles INF Zack Cozart has two homers and five doubles over his last seven games while raising his batting average from .211 to .237.

3. Rockies RHP Adam Ottavino struck out three in a scoreless inning Sunday and he has 35 Ks while allowing one run in 19 innings this year.

PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Angels 5

Preview: Astros at Athletics
Gracenote
May 8, 2018

After taking out the frustrations in the series opener, the Houston Astros hope to have something left in the tank when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Houston began the month by losing five of its first six games but used a 20-hit attack to roll to a 16-2 victory on Monday.

George Springer was the star for the Astros, becoming the second player in franchise history to record a six-hit performance and first to do it in a nine-inning game. The 28-year-old fell a triple shy of the cycle as he matched the hit total from his previous five contests while scoring four runs and driving in three more. Oakland recorded only two more hits than Springer as it had its three-game winning streak come to an end. Jonathan Lucroy went 2-for-3 with an RBI as the Athletics lost for the first time in six home games.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (4-1, 3.73 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Sean Manaea (4-3, 1.63)

McCullers won three straight starts before a no-decision against the New York Yankees on Thursday, when he gave up three runs on five hits and three walks in seven innings. The 24-year-old Floridian has allowed a total of five runs over 27 frames in his last four turns after being tagged for eight in 3 2/3 innings at Minnesota on April 11. McCullers improved to 2-1 lifetime against Oakland on April 28, when he yielded two hits and struck out seven in seven scoreless innings.

After surrendering a total of four runs in his previous four starts, Manaea matched that in six innings of a loss at Seattle on Thursday. It marked the first time this season the 26-year-old native of Indiana gave up more than two runs in an outing, although he did not issue a walk for just the second time in seven turns this year. Manaea lowered his career ERA against the Astros to 2.12 but is just 2-3 in nine starts, including a win at Houston on April 27 in which he allowed an unearned run and four hits over seven frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros OF Marwin Gonzalez homered and drove in five runs during a 3-for-6 performance on Monday, surpassing his RBI total from his previous nine games (four).

2. Lucroy has gone 8-for-16 during his five-game hitting streak.

3. Houston 2B Jose Altuve has been held hitless twice in seven games this month after going without a hit in only four of his first 30 contests this year.

PREDICTION: Astros 3, Athletics 2