St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 08-21-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 21st August 2018 by Gracenote
Cardinals vs. Dodgers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/21/2018
After spoiling Kenley Jansen's return from the disabled list with back-to-back home runs, the St. Louis Cardinals continue their three-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. Jedd Gyorko and Matt Carpenter each homered off the Dodgers' closer to begin the ninth inning on Monday as the surging Cardinals improved to 15-4 in August with the 5-3 victory.
Jansen missed two weeks due to an irregular heartbeat and struggled in his first game back against the Cardinals, who pulled within 3 1/2 games of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and even with Philadelphia and Colorado for the second wild card spot. Matt Carpenter snapped a 1-for-20 slump with three hits while Jose Martinez (tight right hip) had two hits and two RBIs in his first start since last Friday. Justin Turner extended his hitting streak to 14 straight games for the Dodgers, who fell 2 1/2 games behind first-place Arizona in the NL West and two back in the race for the NL's second wild card. Cody Bellinger saw his 12-game hitting streak come to an end, but Manny Machado started at third base and went 1-for-3 after leaving Sunday's contest with a sore left wrist.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Midwest (St. Louis), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Daniel Poncedeleon (0-0, 2.04 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (3-0, 1.77)
Poncedeleon is joining the rotation in place of Luke Weaver, who has been moved to the bullpen after losing four of his last five decisions. A Southern California native, the 26-year-old Poncedeleon threw seven no-hit innings at Cincinnati in a start on July 23 and has allowed a total of four runs in five relief appearances. "We're looking at creating opportunities for guys and he's more than earned the opportunity," interim manager Mike Shildt told reporters.
Making his first start since early May, Ryu tossed six scoreless innings last Wednesday and recorded six strikeouts against San Francisco. The 31-year-old native of South Korea had been sidelined by a groin injury but appeared fully healthy in his return, allowing three hits while throwing 89 pitches. Gyorko is hitless in 12 at-bats against Ryu, who owns a 1-1 record and 1.50 ERA in four career games (three starts) versus St. Louis.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers are 36-12 when hitting two or more home runs.
2. St. Louis C Yadier Molina is hitless in his last 17 at-bats.
3. The Dodgers placed LHP Zac Rosscup on the 10-day disabled list with a left calf strain.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Cardinals 3
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Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 08-21-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 21st August 2018 by Gracenote
Astros vs. Mariners Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 08/21/2018
Three-time American League batting champion Jose Altuve will return from a 21-game absence when the Houston Astros visit the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. The reigning AL MVP injured his right knee on July 25 and Houston went just 8-13 during his time on the shelf.
Altuve is looking forward to getting back into the lineup after being on the disabled list for the first time in his eight-year career. "I'm excited," Altuve told reporters prior to Monday's 7-4 loss to the Mariners. "This is a great team. I know you guys know I love every single part about this team and the way they play. We're in first place and most likely we're going to be in the playoffs, and I have a lot of confidence in my teammates, and I just want to be a part of this." The Astros are tied for first place in the AL West with Oakland while the Mariners are just 3 1/2 games back after defeating Houston for the fifth straight meeting. Robinson Cano recorded three hits - including a tiebreaking three-run homer in the eighth inning - and is 9-for-26 in seven contests since returning from an 80-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's performance-enhancing substances policy.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Brad Peacock (2-4, 3.19 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Mike Leake (8-7, 3.90)
Peacock will be starting for the first time this season after making 49 appearances out of the bullpen. The 30-year-old has made 67 career starts - including 21 last season, when he went a career-best 13-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 34 total contests. Peacock has registered 11 strikeouts over 5 1/3 scoreless innings in four appearances against Seattle this season and is 5-4 with a 4.42 ERA in 15 career games (nine starts) versus the club.
Leake has gone 0-3 over his last nine starts, last winning on June 23 against Boston. The 30-year-old was superb in his last outing as he allowed only two hits over eight scoreless innings against Oakland but settled for a no-decision. Leake is 0-2 with a 5.00 ERA in three starts against Houston this season and 6-6 with a 3.67 ERA in 15 career appearances (13 starts) versus the team.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners RHP Edwin Diaz recorded his 48th save in the series opener to match the single-season franchise record set in 2014 by Fernando Rodney.
2. Houston All-Star OF George Springer (quadriceps) was scratched from the opener but could be available on Tuesday.
3. Seattle activated SS Jean Segura from the paternity list and recalled OF Ben Gamel from Triple-A Tacoma while optioning OF Guillermo Heredia to the Rainers and RHP Matt Festa to Double-A Arkansas.
PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Astros 3
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