MLB Betting News and Trends For Tuesday 8/28/18

National League
Nationals (66-66) @ Phillies (70-61)
Scherzer is 6-1, 2.21 in his last nine starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 18-9, 8-4 away
5-inning record: 17-8-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-27

Nola is 3-0, 0.43 in his last three starts; under is 8-2 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 19-7, 12-0 home
5-inning record: 10-7-9 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-26

Nationals lost three of their last five games; over is 9-5 in their last 14 games. Phillies lost seven of their last nine games; Phils’ last four home games stayed under.

Brewers (73-59) @ Reds (56-75)
Guerra is 0-3, 8.20 in his last seven starts; over is 6-1-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 12-12, 3-6 away
5-inning record: 8-13-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-24

DeSclafani is 2-1, 2.28 in his last four starts (under 4-0). Team in his starts: 8-6, 3-2 home
5-inning record: 8-4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-14

Brewers are 5-2 in their last seven games, 12-9 in road series openers. Over is 4-1 in their last five games. Cincinnati lost its last five games; they’re 10-11 in home series openers. Under is 8-3 in their last 11 games.

Mets (58-73) @ Cubs (77-53)
deGrom is 3-1, 1.95 in his last four starts; under is 8-2 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 11-15, 6-5 away
5-inning record: 13-6-7 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-26

Hamels is 4-0, 1.06 in his five starts for the Cubs (under 4-1). Team in his starts: 5-0, 2-0 home
5-inning record: 3-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Mets are 12-8 in their last 20 games; they’re 12-19 vs lefty starters- over is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Cubs won their last six games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 games.

Pirates (64-67) @ Cardinals (73-58)
Nova is 1-2, 2.41 in his last three starts; over is 5-3-2 in his last ten starts. Team in his starts: 13-11, 8-4 away
5-inning record: 12-7-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-24

Flaherty is 3-0, 1.08 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 10-11, 5-4 home
5-inning record: 10-10-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-21

Pirates lost five of their last six games; they’re 9-10 in road series openers- their last four road games all went over. St Louis is 15-3 in their last 18 games; they’re 11-9 in home series openers. Over is 7-4 in their last 11 home games.

Diamondbacks (72-59) @ Giants (66-67)
Buchholz is 6-1, 1.94 in his last seven starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 8-5, 4-4 road
5-inning record: 11-0-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-13

Bumgarner is 1-1, 1.71 in his last three home starts; under is 5-1-1 in his last seven starts overall. Team in his starts: 7-8, 4-3 home
5-inning record: 8-5-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-15

Arizona is 7-4 in its last 11 games, 24-20 vs vs lefty starters; five of their last seven games stayed under. Giants won four of their last five games; five of their last six home games stayed under the total.

American League
Chicago (52-79) @ New York (83-48)
Shields is 1-5, 5.84 in his last seven starts; over is 5-3-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 9-18, 2-9 away
5-inning record: 8-17-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-27

Lynn is 1-1, 4.57 in his four starts for NY (over 2-2). Team in his starts: 3-1, 2-0 home.
5-inning record: 4-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4

White Sox are 10-3 in their last 13 games; over is 4-2-3 in their last nine road games. New York won eight of its last ten games; six of their last ten games went over.

Blue Jays (60-71) @ Orioles (38-94)
Pannone blanked Orioles for seven IP in his first start (108 PT). Team in his starts: 1-0, 0-0 away.
5-inning record: 0-0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Rogers is making his MLB debut; he was 8-9, 3.54 in 24 AAA starts this year. Team in his starts: 0-0 home
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Toronto won five of its last seven games; five of their last seven road games went over. Orioles lost nine of their last 11 games, are 15-24 vs lefty starters; under is 12-4 in their last 16 games.

Twins (61-69) @ Indians (74-56)
Gibson is 2-2, 6.46 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 12-14, 6-8 away
5-inning record: 10-14-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-26

Carrasco is 3-2, 2.87 in his last five starts; over is 7-3 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 15-9, 7-4 home.
5-inning record: 14-6-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-24

Twins lost its last three games; they’re 7-14 in road series openers. Under is 6-2 in their last eight road games. Cleveland lost four of its last five games; they’re 10-11 in home series openers. Under is 7-2 in their last nine home games.

A’s (79-53) @ Astros (81-50)
Jackson is 1-1, 3.24 in his last three starts; under is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 8-3, 4-1 away
5-inning record: 3-5-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11

Morton is 1-1, 4.70 in his last four starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 15-10, 8-5 home.
5-inning record: 14-5-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-25

A’s are 18-7 in their last 25 games,; under is 8-3 in their last 11 road games. Houston won seven of its last eight games; over is 6-1 in their last seven games. Astros are 6-0 since Altuve got back in the lineup.

Tigers (53-78) @ Royals (40-91)
Boyd is 4-2, 2.63 in his last six starts; under is 5-2-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 12-13, 3-9 away
5-inning record: 9-13-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-25

Junis is 0-2, 3.27 in his last four starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 9-15, 4-9 home.
5-inning record: 11-8-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-24

Detroit is 3-9 in its last 12 games, 5-16 in road series openers. Over is 4-2 in their last six road games. Royals lost six of their last eight games; they’re 7-15 in home series openers. Over is 3-1-1 in their last five games.

Interleague
Marlins (53-79) @ Red Sox (90-42)
Urena is 1-1, 3.14 in his last three starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 7-18, 3-7 away
5-inning record: 9-13-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-24

Johnson is 3-0, 6.55 in his last four starts; Boston scored 42 runs in those games (over 4-0). Team in his starts: 8-2, 5-1 home.
5-inning record: 8-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-10

Marlins are 5-3 in their last eight games, 6-14 in road series openers. Under is 7-2 in their last nine road games. Boston lost six of its last eight games; they’re 15-5 in home series openers. Under is 6-3-1 in their last ten home games.

Rays (70-61) @ Braves (73-57)
Stanek is 0-0, 4.00 in his last six games as an opener. Team in his starts: 8-10, 1-7 away
5-inning record: 9-7-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-18

Teheran is 1-0, 1.80 in his last three starts; under is 8-2 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 14-11, 8-4 home.
5-inning record: 10-11-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 11-25

Rays won their last eight games, are 10-11 in road series openers. Under is 8-1 in their last nine road games. Atlanta is 5-2 in its last seven games; they’re 11-9 in home series openers. Braves’ last ten games stayed under the total.

Dodgers (70-61) @ Rangers (58-74)
Buehler is 2-0, 1.07 in his last four starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 9-7, 4-3 away
5-inning record: 9-5-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-16

Jurado is 0-2, 8.64 in his last three starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 3-3, 2-0 home.
5-inning record: 2-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6

Dodgers won their last three games; they’re 14-6 in road series openers. Over is 6-2-1 in their last nine games. Texas lost four of its last six games; they’re 8-13 in home series openers. Four of their last five games stayed under.

Rockies (71-60) @ Angels (64-68)
Freeland is 2-0, 1.69 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 17-9, 6-6 away
5-inning record: 12-9-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-26

Bullpen game for the Angels Team in his starts: home.
5-inning record: Allowed run in 1st inning:

Colorado won seven of its last 11 games; under is 6-3 in their last nine games. Angels lost six of their last seven games; they’re 15-22 vs lefty starters- four of their last five home games went over the total.

Mariners (74-57) @ Padres (50-83)
Hernandez is 0-4, 9.40 in his last six starts; his last four went over. Team in his starts: 11-13, 5-6 away
5-inning record: 9-13-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 12-24

Nix is 1-2, 6.17 in his first three starts (under 3-0). Team in his starts: 1-2, 1-1 home.
5-inning record: 1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-3

Mariners are 5-7 in their last 12 games; they’re 12-10 in road series openers. Over is 6-3 in their last nine games. San Diego is 2-11 in its last 13 games, 2-18 in home series openers. Padres’ last three games all went over the total.

Umpires
Wsh-Phil: Under is 4-2-1 in last seven Holbrook games.
NY-Chi: Under is 7-2-1 in last ten DeJesus games.
Az-SF: Over is 7-3 in last ten Johnson games.

Chi-NY: Six of last seven Hoberg games stayed under.
Tor-Balt: Favorites won six of last seven Ripperger games.
A’s-Hst: Under is 10-2 in last dozen Baker games.

Col-LAA: Over is 5-0-1 in last six Hamari games.
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Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th August 2018 by Gracenote
Blue Jays vs. Orioles Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/27/2018

As bad as the Baltimore Orioles have been in 2018, it pales in comparison to how poorly they've played against the Toronto Blue Jays - at least until their series-opening win on Monday. The Orioles try to build upon one of their more impressive victories of the season Tuesday, when they host the Blue Jays for the middle contest of their three-game set with their sights set on their first winning streak in nearly a month.

Trey Mancini homered and tied a career high by driving in five runs, which proved to be more than enough offense for David Hess and three relievers as Baltimore halted its eight-game losing streak with Monday's 7-0 victory. The Orioles (38-94) also ended a 10-game slide versus Toronto, improving to 2-12 this season against their American League East rival. Kendrys Morales fell short in his quest to become only the fourth player in major-league history to homer in eight straight games, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts as the Blue Jays lost for the second straight time following a five-game winning streak. While Morales was unable to maintain his prodigious power pace, teammate Billy McKinney went 2-for-4 and has recorded four multi-hit performances in nine contests since being acquired from the New York Yankees late last month.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Thomas Pannone (1-0 1.59 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Josh Rogers (NR)

Pannone was dominant in his first major-league start Wednesday against Baltimore, allowing only a single and two walks in seven scoreless innings. The 24-year-old Rhode Islander earned the opportunity to join the rotation after holding the opposition without a run or hit in his three relief outings spanning 2 2/3 frames. Pannone sports a 30-18 record and 3.38 ERA in 111 career minor-league appearances (85 starts) but went 0-4 with a 5.36 ERA at Triple-A Buffalo this season.

Rogers is set to make his first major-league start just over a month after being acquired along with two other prospects from the Yankees for Zach Britton. The Louisville product earned his promotion by going 1-0 with a 2.07 ERA in his last three turns with Triple-A Norfolk, although he is 8-9 with a 3.54 ERA in 24 overall starts for the Tides this season. Rogers has been particularly tough on left-handed hitters this year, holding them to a .167 average.

WALK-OFFS

1. McKinney has recorded five extra-base hits and is batting .462 during his four-game hitting streak.

2. Baltimore CF Cedric Mullins went 1-for-4 with a run scored in his return to the lineup after missing Sunday's game with a sore hip.

3. Toronto RHP Murphy Smith worked 1 1/3 perfect innings Monday as he became the oldest Blue Jay to make his major-league debut - doing so two days after his 31st birthday.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Orioles 3
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Chicago White Sox vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th August 2018 by Gracenote
The Chicago White Sox have won a season-best four consecutive games for the second time this month and seek their 11th victory in 14 contests when they visit the New York Yankees on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. The White Sox recorded a 6-2 victory in Monday's series opener, winning at Yankee Stadium for just the fourth time in their last 17 visits.

The setback was only the second in 10 contests for the Yankees, who fell 6 1/2 games behind first-place Boston in the American League East. New York registered just three hits in the opener, with Gleyber Torres' 20th homer accounting for both runs and making him and Miguel Andujar (21) the team's first pair of rookies to hit 20 or more blasts in the same season. New York slugger Giancarlo Stanton struck out twice in four hitless at-bats on Monday and is 1-for-19 with 10 strikeouts over his last five games. Chicago's Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada each drove in two runs in the opener while Adam Engel notched three hits to improve to 15-for-35 over his last 10 contests.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH James Shields (5-15, 4.59 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Lance Lynn (8-9, 4.84)

Shields surrendered seven runs and 10 hits - three homers - over 6 2/3 innings in a loss at Detroit in his last turn to drop to 0-8 with a 6.13 ERA in his last 11 road appearances (10 starts). The 36-year-old, who is 12-16 with a 4.08 ERA in 33 outings against the Yankees, will be making his 400th career start and is closing in on his 10th 200-inning campaign. "I've proven that I can eat innings up and post every five days," Shields told reporters. "That's been the story of my career. I feel like I always had to prove myself no matter what, even in the minor leagues when I was coming up. I never was that prospect guy. And when I got to the big leagues, I never was that power guy. It was my job to go out there and try to save the bullpen."

Lynn allowed five runs and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings in a loss to Miami in his last turn. The 31-year-old is 1-1 with a 3.81 ERA in five appearances (four starts) since being acquired from Minnesota - with the victory coming against the White Sox on Aug. 6, when he allowed two hits and struck out nine over 7 1/3 scoreless frames. Lynn is 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA in three starts versus Chicago this season and 3-1 with a 2.15 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in six career turns.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees C Gary Sanchez (groin) homered Monday in a rehab game at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and is expected to return to the majors later this week.

2. Chicago C Omar Narvaez has recorded two hits in each of his last three contests and is batting .300 in 50 at-bats this month.

3. New York signed OF Quintin Berry to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

PREDICTION: White Sox 8, Yankees 6
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Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
The Philadelphia Phillies quickly are losing ground in the National League East due in no small part to their recent lack of success against the Washington Nationals. The Phillies attempt to put an end to their recent struggles Tuesday, when they host the middle contest of their three-game series versus the division-rival Nationals.

Philadelphia owned a 1 1/2-game lead over Atlanta as recently as Aug. 7 after opening the month by winning five of its first six contests, but it has gone just 6-12 since and finds itself trailing the Braves by 3 1/2 games following Monday's series-opening 5-3 loss. Rhys Hoskins has been one bright spot of late with homers in back-to-back contests for the Phillies, who also fell 2 1/2 games behind Milwaukee for the second wild-card spot in the NL. Washington sits eight games back in the East but has been a bit of a thorn in the side of the Phillies recently, winning three of four meetings between the teams over the last week. Philadelphia's lone victory in the four contests came when Aaron Nola outdueled fellow Cy Young Award candidate Max Scherzer - a matchup that will take place again on Tuesday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN2 (Washington), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.13 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (15-3, 2.13)

Scherzer issued a season-high four walks and suffered a hard-luck loss against Philadelphia on Thursday after yielding two runs while striking out 10 over seven innings. The outing marked the first time in three turns the three-time Cy Young Award winner allowed a run and ended a six-game winning streak during which he posted a 2.00 ERA. Odubel Herrera (13-for-39, one homer) is one of the few Phillies to enjoy much success versus Scherzer, who is 5-0 with a 2.06 ERA in six career starts at Citizens Bank Park.

Nola earned his third victory in as many starts Thursday after permitting five hits and a walk while registering nine strikeouts in eight scoreless innings at Washington. The LSU product is 9-0 with a 2.00 ERA in 12 home outings this season and has been particularly dominant since June 23, going 7-1 with a 1.59 ERA over his 11 turns. Bryce Harper (9-for-27, two home runs) has fared well against Nola, who is 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three 2018 starts versus the Nationals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies 1B Carlos Santana's next home run will give him 20 for the season, which would mark only the 10th time in club history four players reached the plateau in a season.

2. Washington C Matt Wieters has collected three homers and 11 RBIs in 68 at-bats this month. Entering August, he had recorded three blasts and 10 RBIs over his first 111 at-bats.

3. Philadelphia OF Roman Quinn is batting .452 in 10 games since Aug. 16.

PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Nationals 1
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Miami Marlins vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th August 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 08/27/2018

The Boston Red Sox are 48 games over .500 and own a 6 1/2-game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East, but a bad stretch is making things a little more interesting with September approaching. The Red Sox will try to bounce back when they return home and host the Miami Marlins in the opener of a two-game interleague series Tuesday.

Boston leads the majors in runs (706), batting average (.268) and OPS (.793) but watched the offense go silent with a total of five runs while being swept for the first time this season in a three-game series at Tampa Bay over the weekend. "Sometimes you go through tough times," infielder Eduardo Nunez told mlb.com. "Off-day (Monday) and start all over again. This happens in a long season. We know it's not going to be easy all the way through. At some point you're going to have tough times. It was a very tough week for us. Turn the page and keep going. We're in first place for a reason." The Marlins are in last place in the National League East but are not laying down and earned a split in their last two series against potential playoff teams the Yankees and the Atlanta Braves. Miami will try to continue that trend behind right-hander Jose Urena while the Red Sox send lefty Brian Johnson to the mound Tuesday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Urena (4-12, 4.50 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (4-3, 4.12)

Urena is coming off a six-game suspension for intentionally hitting Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. with a pitch and is working for the first time since tossing a gem against Washington on Aug. 19. The Dominican Republic native scattered one run and two hits across nine innings in his first career complete game and earned the win. Urena was sharp against Boston on April 3, when he allowed one run in seven innings without factoring in the decision.

Johnson was solid in his last two starts but is not working deep into games as he keeps a rotation spot warm for one of the team's injured starters. The Florida native allowed three runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings against Cleveland on Wednesday but did not factor in the decision in a game the Red Sox went onto win. Johnson made his first start of the season at Miami on April 2 and yielded one run in six frames to pick up a win.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins 2B Starlin Castro is 3-for-19 in six games since going 5-for-6 against Washington on Aug. 19.

2. Red Sox RF Mookie Betts is 7-for-40 over the last 10 games, dropping his batting average from .352 to .336

3. Boston LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle) is scheduled to throw six innings in a rehab game for Double-A Portland on Monday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 10, Marlins 4
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Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th August 2018 by Gracenote
Brewers vs. Reds Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/27/2018

The Milwaukee Brewers didn't receive any help from the Cincinnati Reds in the latter's last series, as they were outscored 29-9 by the National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs en route to a four-game sweep at Wrigley Field. The Brewers (73-59) hope to improve their standing Tuesday as they begin a six-game road trip with the first of three contests against the cellar-dwelling Reds (56-75).

Mike Moustakas homered for the second time in three outings in Sunday's 7-4 win over Pittsburgh, helping Milwaukee to its fifth victory in seven contests as it resides five games behind Chicago but 1 1/2 games ahead of Colorado for the second wild-card spot. While his recent fortune has been positive, the 29-year-old is a disastrous 0-for-20 versus Cincinnati this season heading into an encounter against Tuesday starter Anthony DeSclafani. The Reds have bookended shutouts during their five-game losing skid, starting with a 4-0 setback to the Brewers in the series finale on Wednesday. Tucker Barnhart, who had two of his team's three hits in Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Cubs, is 11-for-39 against Milwaukee this season.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Junior Guerra (6-8, 3.72 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (6-4, 4.26)

Guerra will have an opportunity to exact revenge against Cincinnati following a dismal performance in his last trip to the mound, as he surrendered seven runs on 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings of a no-decision on Aug. 21. The 33-year-old Venezuelan has been blitzed for 14 runs on 19 hits in his last two outings as he continues to search for his first win since July 8. Eugenio Suarez (4-for-9, three doubles, homer) and Billy Hamilton (5-for-13) have gotten under the skin of Guerra, who is 1-0 in three appearances against the Reds this season and 2-1 in seven career matchups.

DeSclafani suffered his first loss in over a month on Thursday after allowing five runs on eight hits - including two homers - in six innings of a 7-1 setback to the Cubs. The 28-year-old pitched significantly better in his previous three August starts, as he surrendered just two runs on 15 hits across 21 2/3 frames. DeSclafani wasn't as fortunate in his last encounter with Milwaukee, against which he permitted for runs on five hits over 6 1/3 innings of a no-decision on June 28.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee 2B Jonathan Schoop is 5-for-12 with two solo homers and four runs scored in his last five contests.

2. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto (lower right leg) is expected to return from the 10-day disabled list in the series opener.

3. Brewers Manny Pina is 8-for-24 with four RBIs and four runs scored versus the Reds this season.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Reds 3
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Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th August 2018 by Gracenote
Twins vs. Indians Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/27/2018

The Cleveland Indians have plenty of breathing room in the American League Central due in large part to their sheer dominance versus the division rivals, against whom they've posted a 38-19 mark. The Minnesota Twins (61-69), however, have hung tough by splitting the first 16 contests with the Indians (74-56) heading into Tuesday's opener of a three-game series at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Struggling Jason Kipnis showed a rare positive in what has been a disastrous season, recording an inside-the-park homer to highlight a four-hit performance in Sunday's 12-5 victory versus Kansas City. "It (the four-hit game) gives me a breath of fresh air. I'm excited to see where it goes from here," said the 31-year-old Kipnis, who is 13-for-31 in his career against Tuesday starter Kyle Gibson. Minnesota's Tyler Austin posted his third multi-homer performance this season - and first since May 20 - in Sunday's 6-2 setback to Oakland and is 14-for-42 with six blasts and nine RBIs since Aug. 11. Joe Mauer is 7-for-21 during a five-game hitting streak heading into a tilt with Tuesday starter Carlos Carrasco, against whom he is 14-for-39 in his career.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (7-10, 3.63 ERA) vs. Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (15-7, 3.55)

Gibson is headed into his fifth start this season versus Cleveland, against which he owns a 1-2 mark with a 3.80 ERA to fall to 3-8 with a 5.28 ERA in 17 career encounters. The 30-year-old was taken deep twice in his last matchup versus the Indians - a 10-0 setback on Aug. 6 - and surrendered three homers over 4 2/3 innings of a 7-3 setback at the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Those two outings were sandwiched around a pair of sterling seven-inning efforts as Gibson owns a 2-2 record with a 4.56 ERA this month.

Carrasco will one-up Gibson as he will make his sixth start of the season versus Minnesota, against which he has posted a 1-3 record with a 4.56 ERA this year to drop to 6-9 with a 4.00 ERA in 22 career appearances. The 31-year-old Venezuelan answered a 10-strikeout performance over 7 1/3 frames of a 2-0 win over the Twins on Aug. 1 with a three-run, 10-hit effort six days later in a 3-2 setback. Like Mauer, Logan Forsythe (6-for-15) and Eddie Rosario (8-for-21) have flustered Carrasco throughout the years.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland DH Edwin Encarnacion has three homers, six RBIs and four runs scored during his last five games.

2. Minnesota SS Jorge Polanco has reached base safely in 41 of 49 starts this season.

3. Indians C Yan Gomes is 9-for-15 in his last four games.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Twins 2
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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th August 2018 by Gracenote
Rays vs. Braves Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/27/2018

The Tampa Bay Rays are 8 1/2 games back in the American League wild-card race and buried in the AL East, but they carry an eight-game winning streak and plenty of momentum into Tuesday's series opener at the Atlanta Braves. The Rays capped a three-game sweep of Boston over the weekend with a 9-1 victory Sunday, pushing Tampa Bay's record to 70-61 and reaching nine games above .500 for the first time since 2015.

Designated hitter Ji-Man Choi is one of several Rays who is hot in August, collecting hits in 12 of his past 13 games while batting .348 with a 1.064 OPS in that span to help Tampa Bay go 13-4 over the last 17. The Braves enjoyed a day off Monday after going 13-9 during a 22-game stretch since Aug. 7, and hold a 3 1/2-game advantage over second-place Philadelphia in the National League East. Atlanta wrapped up a 5-2 road trip by beating Miami 4-0 on Sunday, and while the Braves hit .200 as a team during visits to Pittsburgh and the Marlins, their pitching staff posted a 0.89 ERA while allowing six runs in seven games. Outfielder Ronald Acuna is emerging as the front-runner for NL Rookie of the Year, hitting .343 with a .737 slugging percentage and 10 homers in 26 games during August.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Ryne Stanek (2-3, 2.53 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (9-7, 4.09)

Stanek has been one of several relief arms Tampa Bay has used as an "opener" this season, a reliever who begins the game and typically pitches one-to-two innings. The 27-year-old makes his 22nd start of the season and while throwing just 31 2/3 innings in his first 21 starts, he is holding opponents to a .168 batting average while posting a 2.84 ERA in those assignments. Stanek pitched two perfect innings in his last start Wednesday against Kansas City, then earned the victory with a scoreless inning of relief Saturday against Boston.

Teheran has pitched very well since July 30, recording a 2.93 ERA and holding opponents to a .155 opponents batting average with 16 hits allowed in 30 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old snapped a string of three consecutive no-decisions Wednesday at Pittsburgh, surrendering one run on two hits with one walk and five strikeouts over seven innings to get the victory. Teheran beat the Rays in Tampa on May 9, allowing four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts in six scoreless frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braves SS Dansby Swanson has hits in 11 of his past 14 games, posting a 1.01 OPS in that span.

2. Tampa Bay 3B Matt Duffy is hitting .476 during his current five-game hitting streak, and has collected multiple hits four times in that span - including a three-hit effort Sunday.

3. Atlanta swept a two-game series at Tampa Bay on May 8-9, getting a homer from Acuna in the first game and a three-run shot from RF Nick Markakis in the finale.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Rays 2
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th August 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Rangers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/27/2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers were the favorites to win the National League West and make a second consecutive trip to the World Series but living up to those expectations is proving to be difficult. The Dodgers will try to take the momentum gained over the weekend out on the road and hope to cut into their two-game deficit in the NL West when they visit the Texas Rangers on Tuesday for the opener of a two-game series.

Los Angeles was swept at home in a head-to-head showdown with another potential playoff participant last week but overcame the losses to the St. Louis Cardinals by beating up on the San Diego Padres over the weekend. "Coming down this last stretch, the personal numbers, stats, don't mean anything as long as we figure how to win a game," Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner told reporters after driving in five runs Sunday. The Rangers occupy the basement in the American League West and are resigned to playing spoiler over the final month of the season. Texas, which dropped four of its last six games, will send rookie right-hander Ariel Jurado to the mound Tuesday opposite Los Angeles righty Walker Buehler.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet Los Angeles, FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (6-4, 2.96 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Ariel Jurado (2-3, 6.40)

Buehler allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last five starts and breezed through seven scoreless innings on three hits against the Cardinals on Wednesday without factoring in the decision. The 24-year-old rookie struck out nine in that outing and owns 38 Ks in 32 1/3 innings over his last five turns. Buehler is seeing Texas for the first time and is 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA in three career interleague starts.

Jurado got off to a solid start with wins in two of his first three turns but has since fallen on tough times. The 22-year-old Panama native was ripped for a total of 16 runs and 26 hits in 16 2/3 innings against the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics in his last three outings. Jurado will get his first look at an NL opponent Tuesday and is 1-0 with a 6.55 ERA in two starts at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus is 2-for-25 over his last six games.

2. Dodgers OF Joc Pederson (knee) was limited to pinch hitting Saturday and Sunday and is day-to-day.

3. Turner went 7-for-15 with nine RBIs in the three games over the weekend.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Rangers 2
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New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
Mets vs. Cubs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/28/2018

Less than a week removed from an alarming offensive outage, the Chicago Cubs are playing arguably their best baseball of the season. The Cubs will aim for a season-high seventh consecutive victory when they continue a three-game series against the visiting New York Mets on Tuesday.

The Cubs improved to 5-0 against the Mets this season with a 7-4 win Monday - their 13th in their last 14 home games against New York -- to increase their National League Central lead to 4 1/2 games over St. Louis. After five straight games scoring a single run, Chicago has put up 44 runs during its six-game winning streak. One of the offensive leaders during that stretch has been former Met Daniel Murphy, who is 11-for-27 with five multi-hit games in his first six contests since joining the Cubs and has at least one hit and one run in every game since joining the club. The Mets are trying to avoid their first series loss since dropping three of four to Atlanta from Aug. 2-5.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (8-8, 1.71 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Cole Hamels (9-9, 3.82)

The lack of run support that has plagued deGrom all season cropped up again last time out, as he found himself on the wrong end of a 3-1 loss. The 30-year-old allowed two runs (one earned) over six innings in the loss to San Francisco, and he struck out 10 - his fifth straight start with at least nine strikeouts. In six career starts against the Cubs, deGrom is 2-2 with a 3.47 ERA.

Hamels has been nothing short of dominant since joining the Cubs, going 4-0 with a 0.79 ERA in five starts. The 34-year-old is coming off a complete-game win against Cincinnati in which he allowed one run and eight hits with seven strikeouts. Hamels is 9-14 with a 3.99 ERA in 32 career starts against the Mets.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs have homered in 12 consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 5-18, 2006.

2. Mets SS Amed Rosario has recorded multiple hits in two of his past three games and has 10 stolen bases since the All-Star break.

3. Cubs INF Javier Baez is 15-for-36 with six multi-hit games during an eight-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Cubs 3, Mets 2
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Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
Athletics vs. Astros Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/28/2018

The Houston Astros delivered the opening salvo in a pivotal three-game series with the Oakland Athletics and look for their seventh consecutive triumph when they host the middle contest on Tuesday. Alex Bregman and Tyler White each recorded a homer and four RBIs as Houston posted an 11-4 victory on Monday to expand its lead over Oakland in the American League West to 2 1/2 games.

Bregman matched his career best of four hits in the series opener and is 15-for-33 with two homers and eight RBIs during his eight-game hitting streak. White is 9-for-22 with two blasts and eight RBIs during his five-game run and has recorded six homers and 19 RBIs in August. The Athletics are 16-7 this month despite the series-opening setback and hold a 4 1/2-game lead over Seattle for the AL's second wild-card spot. Marcus Semien and Matt Chapman hit two-run homers in the opener, and the latter has registered four shots and seven RBIs over his last four games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Edwin Jackson (4-3, 2.97 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (13-3, 3.05)

Jackson lost to Texas in his last turn as he gave up four runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. The 34-year-old has surrendered four homers - and six runs - over 9 1/3 frames in his last two starts after not allowing an earned run over 19 1/3 innings in his previous three outings. Jackson settled for a no-decision against the Astros on Aug. 17, when he gave up two runs and five hits in five frames, and is 2-2 with a 4.11 ERA in nine career appearances (eight starts) versus the team.

Morton picked up a win against Seattle in his last outing despite allowing a season high-tying six runs and seven hits over five innings. The 34-year-old has thrived at home, going 8-2 with a 3.00 ERA while registering 100 strikeouts in 78 frames. Morton has posted a 2.89 ERA in two no-decisions against the Athletics this season and is 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA in four career meetings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros OF George Springer (quadriceps) went 1-for-3 with two walks on Monday after missing six consecutive starts.

2. Oakland recalled Daniel Mengden from Triple-A Nashville and optioned fellow RHP Chris Bassitt to the Sounds.

3. Houston C Brian McCann (knee) is finishing a rehab assignment and slated to be activated by Saturday at the latest.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Athletics 3
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Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th August 2018 by Gracenote
Tigers vs. Royals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/27/2018

Detroit's Victor Martinez may be 39 years old and on the downside of a productive major league career while playing his final season, but his bat still has some hits in it as the Tigers begin a nine-game road trip with the first of two contests against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. Martinez (.250, six home runs, 43 RBIs in 115 games) is batting .289 in August - his highest average for any month this season - after going 2-for-5 with an RBI double Sunday.

"I'm pretty sure this is going to be it," Martinez, who is eighth among Venezuelans in career hits with 2,137, told reporters earlier this month. "This is going to be it. I'm just enjoying these last six weeks and then finally go home." Detroit is coming off a 2-4 homestand that included a three-game sweep at the hands of the Chicago White Sox over the weekend while Kansas City began its eight-game homestand by taking two of three from Cleveland, the runaway leader of the American League Central. The Royals (40-91) have the worst home record in baseball (20-45) while the Tigers (53-78) are 19-44 on the road - only Baltimore is worse away from home (16-50). Detroit's Matthew Boyd is 4-2 with a 2.63 ERA in his last six starts - a stretch that began with a victory at Kansas City - and opposes Jakob Junis, who is 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in three outings versus the Tigers this season.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (8-11, 4.09 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jakob Junis (6-12, 4.70)

Boyd has lowered his ERA by 0.53 during his hot streak, which included six shutout innings with six strikeouts in Detroit's 7-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. "The way things have gone, the growth that's happened, it's good to see the fruits of that in that sense (being among the league leaders)," the 27-year-old Washington native recently told the Detroit Free Press. "At the same time, I'm looking ahead, at the next few years. I realize I can be even better and I know how to do that. That's my goal and I am excited about what's to come." Whit Merrifield is 8-for-19 and Salvador Perez has two home runs in 24 at-bats versus Boyd, who is 3-6 with a 6.40 ERA in 12 starts versus Kansas City - 1-2, 3.32 in three outings this season after allowing two runs over six innings of an 8-4 victory July 25 at Kauffman Stadium.

Junis yielded four runs (two earned) and nine hits while striking out five across 5 2/3 innings of a 6-3 loss at Tampa Bay on Wednesday. It was the fourth straight outing that the 25-year-old Illinois native yielded two or fewer earned runs - a stretch in which the Royals scored only nine runs as he went 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA during that span. Nicholas Castellanos is 0-for-10 versus Junis, who is 5-1 with a 3.44 ERA in six games (five starts) versus the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit CF JaCoby Jones is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday after missing 13 games with a right hamstring strain.

2. Merrifield (.307, 10 home runs, 47 RBIs) recorded his second straight two-hit game Sunday and is hitting .347 in August.

3. Kansas City has won seven of the 13 meetings this year, including four of seven at Kauffmann Stadium, as it bids for its fourth straight season series victory over the Tigers.

PREDICTION: Royals 3, Tigers 2
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th August 2018 by Gracenote
Pirates vs. Cardinals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/27/2018

It's not like the St. Louis Cardinals need much help these days but they'll begin a 15-game stretch playing teams out of postseason contention when they host a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates beginning Tuesday. St. Louis, which is 4 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central but two games clear of third-place Colorado in the wild-card race, is 19-5 in August and has won nine straight series after taking two of three at fellow wild-card contender Colorado over the weekend.

"I don't know why it shouldn't last the rest of the year," Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter told reporters about the successful run. "I don't see why it couldn't." Carpenter knows a thing - or two - about getting hot after tying a major league record with four doubles in Sunday's 12-3 victory, giving him a share of the NL lead in two-baggers with Atlanta's Nick Markakis (38) to go along with a league-high 34 home runs. Pittsburgh (64-67) has won only three of its last 13 games after a 7-4 loss at Milwaukee on Sunday. St. Louis rookie Jack Flaherty hasn't lost in four August starts and opposes Ivan Nova, who has a 2.41 ERA in his last three outings since beginning the month with a loss to St. Louis on Aug. 4.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Ivan Nova (7-8, 4.20 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Jack Flaherty (7-6, 2.97)

Nova has suffered from a lack of run support (one run) in his last two starts, allowing a combined three runs and 11 hits over 12 2/3 innings in losses to Atlanta on Aug. 21 and the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 16. The 31-year-old Dominican has yielded three or fewer earned runs in seven of his last eight starts, going 3-2 with a 3.63 ERA during that span. Yadier Molina is 6-for-10 with a home run against Nova, who is 1-2 with a 4.88 ERA in five starts versus St. Louis after permitting four runs in four innings of an 8-4 loss to the Cardinals Aug. 4.

Flaherty is 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA in August after receiving a no-decision at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, when he allowed only one hit - a solo home run to Joc Pederson - and two walks while striking out 10 across six innings of St. Louis' 3-1 victory. The 22-year-old Californian, who leads rookies with 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings, has struck out a minimum of seven in his last seven starts and is tougher on left-handed batters (.183 batting average) rather than righties (.205). Francisco Cervelli is 1-for-9 with five strikeouts versus Flaherty, who is 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA in four starts versus Pittsburgh - all this season - after recording six shutout innings in a 2-1 road victory Aug. 5.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals 2B Kolten Wong did not play Sunday after leaving Saturday's game after straining his left hamstring.

2. Pirates 2B-OF Adam Frazier (.282) went 6-for-13 with two home runs, seven RBIs and four runs scored in the three-game Milwaukee series over the weekend and is batting .354 with four home runs and 17 RBIs since being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on July 25.

3. St. Louis is trying to win its fifth straight season series versus Pittsburgh, winning seven of the first 13 games in 2018 - including 3-1 at Busch Stadium where the clubs will reconvene Sept. 10-12.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 3, Pirates 2
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Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 08-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th August 2018 by Gracenote
Tigers vs. Royals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/27/2018

Detroit's Victor Martinez may be 39 years old and on the downside of a productive major league career while playing his final season, but his bat still has some hits in it as the Tigers begin a nine-game road trip with the first of two contests against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. Martinez (.250, six home runs, 43 RBIs in 115 games) is batting .289 in August - his highest average for any month this season - after going 2-for-5 with an RBI double Sunday.

"I'm pretty sure this is going to be it," Martinez, who is eighth among Venezuelans in career hits with 2,137, told reporters earlier this month. "This is going to be it. I'm just enjoying these last six weeks and then finally go home." Detroit is coming off a 2-4 homestand that included a three-game sweep at the hands of the Chicago White Sox over the weekend while Kansas City began its eight-game homestand by taking two of three from Cleveland, the runaway leader of the American League Central. The Royals (40-91) have the worst home record in baseball (20-45) while the Tigers (53-78) are 19-44 on the road - only Baltimore is worse away from home (16-50). Detroit's Matthew Boyd is 4-2 with a 2.63 ERA in his last six starts - a stretch that began with a victory at Kansas City - and opposes Jakob Junis, who is 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in three outings versus the Tigers this season.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (8-11, 4.09 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jakob Junis (6-12, 4.70)

Boyd has lowered his ERA by 0.53 during his hot streak, which included six shutout innings with six strikeouts in Detroit's 7-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. "The way things have gone, the growth that's happened, it's good to see the fruits of that in that sense (being among the league leaders)," the 27-year-old Washington native recently told the Detroit Free Press. "At the same time, I'm looking ahead, at the next few years. I realize I can be even better and I know how to do that. That's my goal and I am excited about what's to come." Whit Merrifield is 8-for-19 and Salvador Perez has two home runs in 24 at-bats versus Boyd, who is 3-6 with a 6.40 ERA in 12 starts versus Kansas City - 1-2, 3.32 in three outings this season after allowing two runs over six innings of an 8-4 victory July 25 at Kauffman Stadium.

Junis yielded four runs (two earned) and nine hits while striking out five across 5 2/3 innings of a 6-3 loss at Tampa Bay on Wednesday. It was the fourth straight outing that the 25-year-old Illinois native yielded two or fewer earned runs - a stretch in which the Royals scored only nine runs as he went 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA during that span. Nicholas Castellanos is 0-for-10 versus Junis, who is 5-1 with a 3.44 ERA in six games (five starts) versus the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit CF JaCoby Jones is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday after missing 13 games with a right hamstring strain.

2. Merrifield (.307, 10 home runs, 47 RBIs) recorded his second straight two-hit game Sunday and is hitting .347 in August.

3. Kansas City has won seven of the 13 meetings this year, including four of seven at Kauffmann Stadium, as it bids for its fourth straight season series victory over the Tigers.

PREDICTION: Royals 3, Tigers 2
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