MLB Betting News and Trends For Tuesday 9/11/18

National League
Dodgers (78-66) @ Reds (62-83)
Ryu is 2-2, 4.76 in his last four starts; his last three went over. Team in his starts: 7-4, 2-2 away
5-inning record: 6-3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-11

Castillo is 1-2, 6.00 in his last three starts; under is 5-3 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 14-14, 8-4 home
5-inning record: 12-15-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-28

Dodgers won six of their last nine road games; under is 8-4 in their last 12 games. Cincinnati lost five of its last eight games; they’re 18-19 vs lefty starters- over is 6-2-1 in their last nine home games.

Nationals (71-72) @ Phllies (74-68)
Roark is 0-3, 5.82 in his last three starts; over is 6-3 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 11-17, 6-7 road
5-inning record: 10-15-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-28

Fedde is 1-3, 6.00 in his six starts (under 3-2-1). Team in his starts: 2-5, 2-0 road
5-inning record: 1-2-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7

Pivetta is 0-2, 5.33 in his last five starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 14-14, 8-6 home
5-inning record: 10-14-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-28

Arrieta is 1-3, 5.93 in his last five starts; under is 4-3 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 14-13, 8-5 home
5-inning record: 14-9-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-27

Washington won three of its last four road games; they’re 4-9 in last 13 road series openers- over is 9-2 in their last 11 games. Phillies lost six of their last eight games; they’re 13-9 in home series openers. Over is 3-1-1 in their last five games.

Marlins (56-86) @ Mets (65-77)
Urena is 2-0, 2.45 in his last three starts; over is 6-3 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 8-19, 3-8 away
5-inning record: 10-14-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-26

deGrom is 3-1, 1.73 in his last six starts; his last four stayed under. Team in his starts: 12-16, 5-9 home
5-inning record: 13-6-9 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-28

Marlins are 2-16 in their last 18 road games; they’re 1-8 in last nine road series openers- over is 9-4 in their last 13 road games. Mets won six of their last eight games; they’re 4-10 in last 14 home series openers. Over is 4-0-1 in their last five games.

Brewers (83-62) @ Cubs (83-60)
Chacin is 1-2, 4.67 in his last three starts; over is 10-4 in his last 14. Team in his starts: 20-10, 12-6 away
5-inning record: 16-9-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-30

Quintana is 2-0, 2.38 in his last four starts; under is 6-4-1 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 16-11, 8-3 home
5-inning record: 12-11-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-27

Milwaukee won seven of its last eight games; they’re 19-16 vs lefty starters- over is 5-3 in their last eight road games. Cubs lost five of their last seven games; five of their last six games went over the total.

Pirates (71-72) @ Cardinals (80-64)
Musgrove is 2-2, 4.91 in his last five starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 7-10, 2-5 road
5-inning record: 7-9-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-17

Mikolas is 1-1, 6.06 in his last three starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 20-8, 9-5 home
5-inning record: 15-10-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-28

Pirates won five of their last six games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven road games. St Louis is 4-5 in its last nine games; under is 5-3 in their last eight home games.

Diamondbacks (76-68) @ Rockies (79-64)
Greinke is 1-1, 4.21 in his last four starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 16-13, 8-6 away
5-inning record: 17-8-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 10-29

Senzatela is 0-2, 4.79 in his last five starts (under 7-2). Team in his starts: 4-5, 3-1 home
5-inning record: 2-6-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-9

Arizona lost eight of its last ten games; their last five games went over. Colorado won seven of its last nine games; under is 11-5 in their last 16 home games.

Braves (80-64) @ Giants (68-77)
Foltynewicz is 0-2, 2.52 in his last four starts; under is 5-3 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 12-15, 6-7 away
5-inning record: 13-8-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-27

Suarez is 2-1, 1.80 in his last three starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 11-14, 5-8 home
5-inning record: 7-9-9 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-25

Braves won five of their last six road games; they’re 19-22 vs lefty starters- five of their last six games went over. Giants lost their last nine games; their last nine home games stayed under.

American League
Astros (90-54) @ Tigers (59-85)
Valdez is 2-1, 1.76 in his three starts (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 2-1, 1-0 away
5-inning record: 2-0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Zimmerman is 2-2, 5.14 in his last five starts (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 11-10, 5-5 home
5-inning record: 12-8-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-20

Astros won eight of their last nine games; over is 5-3 in their last eight road games. Detroit won four of its last six games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven home games.

A’s (87-57) @ Orioles (41-102)
Fiers is 4-0, 2.94 in six starts for Oakland; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 6-0, 1-0 away
5-inning record: 6-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Cobb is 2-0, 3.37 in his last four starts; under is 7-3 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 7-19, 2-8 home
5-inning record: 7-15-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-26

A’s won six of their last seven games; they’re 2-6 in last eight road series openers. Over is 8-1 in their last nine games. Baltimore lost eight of its last nine games; they’re 3-12 in last 15 home series openers. Last three Oriole games went over.

Indians (81-63) @ Rays (79-64)
Bieber is 3-1, 4.72 in his last six starts; over is 2-0-1 in his last three. Team in his starts: 11-5, 4-3 away
5-inning record: 10-5-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-16

Glasnow is 0-3, 7.45 in his last four starts (under 4-2-1). Team in his starts: 3-4, 3-0 home
5-inning record: 2-4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-7

Indians won four of their last seven games; over is 10-6 in their last 16 road games. Tampa Bay won eight of its last nine games; over is 7-1-1 in their last nine home tilts.

Toronto (65-78) @ Boston (98-46)
Borucki is 1-1, 4.76 in his last three starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 6-7, 4-3 away
5-inning record: 4-5-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-13

Sale has allowed one run in his last 44 IP, but this is his first start since August 12. Under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 15-8, 6-3 home
5-inning record: 15-4-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-23

Blue Jays are 5-9 in their last 14 games, 7-10 in last 17 road series openers, 14-32 vs lefty starters. Over is 9-3 in their last 12 road games. Boston won five of its last seven games; they’re 16-6 in home series openers, 18-16 vs lefty starters. Over is 5-2 in their last seven home games.

New York (90-54) @ Minnesota (65-78)
Gray is 4-1, 3.55 in his last five starts; under is 6-3 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 11-11, 6-5 away
5-inning record: 10-9-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-22

Duffey has made 36 MLB starts; last one was in 2016. He’s allowed 21 runs in 19 IP in 14 relief stints this year, and was 4-4, 2.90 in 31 minor league games this year (59 IP). Team in his starts: 0-0 home
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

New York is 8-3 in its last 11 road games; under is 4-1-1 in their last six games. Minnesota lost seven of its last nine games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven home games.

White Sox (56-88) @ Royals (48-95)
Covey is 0-5, 9.51 in his last five starts; over is 7-3 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 5-12, 2-6 away
5-inning record: 4-10-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-17

Keller is 3-1, 2.53 in his last five starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 8-9, 6-3 home
5-inning record: 7-6-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-17

White Sox lost their last six games; under is 5-1 in their last six road games. Kansas City lost four of its last six games; over is 4-3 in their last seven home games.

Rangers (62-82) @ Angels (71-73)
Sampson started one game for Seattle in 2016; he allowed three runs on 0.1 IP in his Texas debut LW. He is 8-4, 3.77 in 33 AAA games this year (19 starts). Team in his starts: 0-0 away
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Bullpen game for the Angels, too. Jim Johnson will be the “opener”. Team in his starts: 0-0 home
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Texas lost nine of its last 12 road games; four of their last five games went over. Angels won five of their last seven games; under is 9-3 in their last 12 games.

Interleague
Padres (57-88) @ Mariners (79-64)
Mitchell is 1-1, 6.17 in his last five starts (over 4-1). Team in his starts: 3-5, 2-1 away
5-inning record: 1-5-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-8

Gonzales is 0-4, 10.35 in his last four starts; his last six starts went over. Team in his starts: 15-10, 9-3 home
5-inning record: 14-10-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-25

Padres are 7-5 in their last 12 games, 7-2 in last nine road series openers, 13-30 vs left starters- over is 2-0-1 in their last three games. Seattle split its last ten games; they’re 15-8 in home series openers— their last six games stayed under.

Umpires
LA-Cin: Over is 7-3 in last ten Visconti games.
Mil-Chi: Under is 5-2 in last seven Cooper games.
Pitt-StL: Underdogs are 11-3 in last 14 Nelson games.
Az-Colo: Over is 7-3 in last ten Culbreth games.
Atl-SF: Under is 16-2 in last 18 Reynolds games.

Hst-Det: Six of last seven Ortiz games went over.
Clev-TB: Over is 5-0-1 in last six Carlson games.
NY-Min: Over is 10-4 in last fourteen Hoye games.
Chi-KC: Five of last six Randazzo games stayed under.
Tex-LAA: Three of last four Gorman games went over.

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Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 11th September 2018 by Gracenote
The Washington Nationals are enduring a remarkable run of weather-related issues, the latest of which forced the postponement of a series opener at Philadelphia due to lousy infield conditions. The teams will allow the grounds crew to get to work before taking part in a doubleheader Tuesday to begin a three-game set.

The tarp at Citizens Bank Park was not down for the entirety of a rainy weekend in Philadelphia and the infield dirt was left in unplayable conditions Monday, prompting the third postponement in five days for the Nationals, who also may need to move a home game with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday due to Hurricane Florence. More rain is in the forecast for Tuesday but if and when the teams are able to play it is expected to still be Washington's Erick Fedde against Jake Arrieta in the opener and Tanner Roark for the visitors versus Nick Pivetta in the nightcap. The Phillies are trying to snap a string of seven straight series losses, two of which came at the hands of Washington, which took two of three from its National League East rivals twice last month. Philadelphia sits 4 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta in the division and five games out in the race for the second wild-card in the NL.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Erick Fedde (1-3, 6.00 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (10-9, 3.61)

Fedde will be making his second start since being recalled earlier in the month. He gave up four runs in five innings during a no-decision against St. Louis last Tuesday, striking out a season-high seven. The Las Vegas native went 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA in back-to-back starts against the Phillies in June.

Arrieta gave up exactly four runs for the third straight time last Tuesday at Miami, but he lasted 7 1/3 innings and struck out 11 while picking up his first win since July 31. His prior outing saw him last just three frames against the Nationals while tying season highs with three walks and two home runs allowed. The former Cy Young Award winner has had his issues with veteran slugger Mark Reynolds, who is 9-for-22 with a home run against Arrieta.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies 1B Carlos Santana has four home runs and nine RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak.

2. Harper has 12 walks, two home runs, two doubles and seven RBIs over his last six games.

3. Philadelphia LF Rhys Hoskins has homered in three straight games.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Nationals 4
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Houston Astros vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 10th September 2018 by Gracenote
Astros vs. Tigers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/10/2018

The Houston Astros are rounding into form for another postseason run with eight wins in their last nine games and look to continue the surge Tuesday when they visit the Detroit Tigers for the second of three contests in the Motor City. Tyler White had a pair of hits, improving to 6-for-13 in his last four outings, and knocked in a run as the Astros pulled out a 3-2 victory Monday to increase their lead in the American League West to three games over Oakland.

Alex Bregman (team-high 30 homers, 97 RBIs) was hitless Monday but worked a walk to extend his on-base streak to 37 games, the longest by a Houston player since Lance Berkman reached the same figure in 2004. The Astros will attempt to clinch the season series with rookie left-hander Framber Valdez on the mound Tuesday and Detroit counters with veteran righty Jordan Zimmermann, who is 1-1 with a 1.40 ERA against AL West foes this season. Nicholas Castellanos had a pair of hits Monday and is 9-for-16 with three doubles and four RBIs during a five-game hitting streak for the Tigers, who have lost two in a row after winning four straight. Detroit, which sits in third place in the AL Central, is 10-22 against the AL West - 1-3 versus Houston - and 18-18 against left-handed starters.

TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Framber Valdez (3-1, 1.37 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (7-6, 4.03)

Valdez has been solid in his first three major league starts, allowing three runs on nine hits and nine walks across 15 1/3 innings combined. The 24-year-old Dominican Republic native began his career on Aug. 21 with 4 1/3 innings of relief to win at Seattle while yielding one unearned run. Valdez was 6-5 with a 4.11 ERA in 22 games (14 starts) at Triple-A and Double-A before being recalled by the Astros.

Zimmermann limited the Chicago White Sox to two hits and one walk over five scoreless innings to earn the victory last time out - his third in the last five decisions. The 32-year-old Wisconsin native permitted one or fewer earned runs in four of his last six starts, walking just three total in that stretch. Josh Reddick is 3-for-6 versus Zimmermann, who is 2-3 with a 3.09 ERA in seven career starts against the Astros.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit C James McCann is 17-for-50 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 16 career games against the Astros.

2. Houston 1B Yuli Gurriel, who was rested in the series opener, is 7-for-22 with two homers and six RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

3. Tigers OF Christin Stewart, a first-round pick in 2015, notched his first major league hit Monday with a single.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Tigers 4
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a strong push to temporarily climb atop the National League West during a recent two-week stretch, but their up-and-down play over the last week isn't helping their cause to win a sixth straight division title. Their lack of success this season against the Reds hasn't helped matters either - something the Dodgers hope to change in Cincinnati on Tuesday when the teams meet for the middle contest of their three-game set.

Los Angeles won eight of nine from Aug. 24 to Sept. 2 to turn a 4 1/2-game deficit in the West to a one-half game edge, but last year's NL pennant winner has alternated wins and losses in seven games since. After taking two of three at division-leading Colorado over the weekend, the Dodgers fell 1 1/2 games behind the Rockies and lost for the fifth time in as many tries to the Reds this year on Monday after falling behind by four runs in the first inning en route to a 10-6 setback in the series opener. Scooter Gennett (.320) took the lead in his pursuit of the NL batting crown and continued tormenting the Dodgers, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs to improve to 14-for-19 against them this season. Cincinnati has won each game with Los Angeles this season by at least two runs after losing eight in a row to the Dodgers entering 2018.

TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-2, 2.16 ERA) vs. Reds RH Luis Castillo (8-12, 4.79)

Ryu collected his third quality start in his last five outings in bizarre fashion while taking the loss Wednesday at New York, giving up five runs (one earned) on 10 hits to the Mets while striking out eight over six innings. The 31-year-old hasn't pitched on the road in any of his five turns since coming off the disabled list in mid-August. Joey Votto (4-for-11, two doubles) and Scott Schebler (2-for-5) each have one home run against Ryu, who is 3-1 with a 4.30 ERA in five starts versus Cincinnati.

Castillo was unable to follow up a dominant 11-strikeout performance against St. Louis on Sept. 1, surrendering a career-high three homers among the five runs (two earned) he allowed across five frames in a loss to San Diego on Thursday. He has yielded multiple home runs in three of his last five outings, raising his total for the season to 27 (tied for seventh-most in the majors). David Freese is 4-for-8 with a homer versus Castillo, who allowed three runs (two earned) over six innings to beat Los Angeles on May 13.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Reds' winning streak is their longest against the Dodgers since a seven-game run in 1976.

2. Gennett leads the NL with 18 three-hit games and ranks second with 51 multi-hit efforts.

3. Los Angeles 2B/OF Chris Taylor is 7-for-14 with two homers and five RBIs over his last five games.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Reds 4
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Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 11th September 2018 by Gracenote
Nationals vs. Phillies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/11/2018

The Washington Nationals are enduring a remarkable run of weather-related issues, the latest of which forced the postponement of a series opener at Philadelphia due to lousy infield conditions. The teams will allow the grounds crew to get to work before taking part in a doubleheader Tuesday to begin a three-game set.

The tarp at Citizens Bank Park was not down for the entirety of a rainy weekend in Philadelphia and the infield dirt was left in unplayable conditions Monday, prompting the third postponement in five days for the Nationals, who also may need to move a home game with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday due to Hurricane Florence. More rain is in the forecast for Tuesday but if and when the teams are able to play it is expected to still be Washington's Erick Fedde against Jake Arrieta in the opener and Tanner Roark for the visitors versus Nick Pivetta in the nightcap. The Phillies are trying to snap a string of seven straight series losses, two of which came at the hands of Washington, which took two of three from its National League East rivals twice last month. Philadelphia sits 4 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta in the division and five games out in the race for the second wild-card in the NL.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Tanner Roark (8-15, 4.23 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (7-11, 4.66)

Roark is 0-3 with a 5.82 ERA over his last three starts, allowing six home runs in 17 innings along the way. Prior to that stretch, he pitched three scoreless innings against the Phillies on Aug. 21 before being lifted following a rain delay. The 31-year-old, who has a 3.31 ERA on the road this year, is 3-6 with a 4.91 ERA in his career at Philadelphia.

Pivetta is 1-4 since the All-Star break and took the loss after allowing two runs in four innings at Miami on Wednesday. He picked up a win in relief against the Nationals on July 1 but was rocked for 15 runs in just 7 2/3 innings in three starts versus Washington earlier in the year. Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon, Trea Turner, Ryan Zimmerman and Juan Soto are a combined 21-for-41 with nine home runs against the 25-year-old Pivetta.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies 1B Carlos Santana has four home runs and nine RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak.

2. Harper has 12 walks, two home runs, two doubles and seven RBIs over his last six games.

3. Philadelphia LF Rhys Hoskins has homered in three straight games.

PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Phillies 5
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Oakland Athletics vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 10th September 2018 by Gracenote
Athletics vs. Orioles Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/10/2018

The Oakland Athletics capped a successful 10-game homestand with four straight victories to keep the heat on in the American League West. The Athletics (87-57), who reside three games behind first-place Houston, head east to begin a six-game road trip with the first of three contests against the Baltimore Orioles (41-102) on Tuesday.

"We know we want to take the division. That's where our goals are set, because that seems to be the easiest path to the World Series. But whatever happens, happens. We can't really control that now with Houston anymore," Oakland outfielder Stephen Piscotty told reporters. The 27-year-old, who is 0-for-11 against the Orioles this season, extended his hitting streak to 11 games with his career-best 23rd homer in Sunday's 7-3 victory against Texas. The Athletics aim to continue their good fortune versus Baltimore, against which it recorded a three-game sweep from May 4-6. The Orioles are hemorrhaging runs, as they dropped an 8-3 decision at Tampa Bay on Sunday to push their runs allowed total to 65 during their current 1-8 stretch.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Mike Fiers (11-6, 3.36 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Alex Cobb (5-15, 4.97)

Fiers improved to 4-0 with a 2.94 ERA in six starts since being acquired by Oakland after allowing two runs on three hits over six innings in Wednesday's 8-2 triumph over the New York Yankees. The 33-year-old wasn't as fortunate against Baltimore on April 27, as he permitted three runs - including two homers - in six frames of a 6-0 loss while pitching for Detroit. Fiers has flustered Adam Jones (1-for-11, four strikeouts) and Trey Mancini (1-for-6, three strikeouts).

Cobb allowed just one earned run for the fourth time in his past seven outings last Tuesday, improving to 3-1 in that stretch after scattering four hits over six innings in a 5-3 win at Seattle. The 30-year-old is receiving a bit of extra rest for this start, however, as his scheduled turn in the rotation was put on pause due to a blister on his throwing hand. Cobb, who has surrendered five homers in his last three starts, sustained a hard-luck 2-1 setback in Oakland on May 6 despite yielding two runs on five hits in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore has been battered from the start this season, getting outscored 115-61 during the first inning.

2. Athletics LF Khris Davis is 5-for-15 with four extra-base hits (three doubles, one homer) and five runs scored during his last four games.

3. Baltimore C Caleb Joseph has answered an 0-for-13 stretch by going 4-for-7 with an RBI in his last two contests.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, Orioles 2
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Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 10th September 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 09/10/2018

The Boston Red Sox got a taste of playoff baseball over the weekend with three straight against the defending-champion Houston Astros and needed a walk-off hit on Sunday to avoid a sweep. The Red Sox will try to get back to the business of securing the American League East title and ensuring themselves the top seed in the AL postseason when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game set.

Boston entered play on Monday with an 8 1/2-game lead over the New York Yankees and a magic number of 11 to clinch the AL East title, and the team admits to checking the out-of-town scoreboard occasionally. "It's always good to win," Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters after Mitch Moreland delivered the walk-off hit on Sunday. "We know what happened today throughout the league. Just another day and we won. Tomorrow is an off-day, so in two days, we get to the next series." The Blue Jays are 32 1/2 games behind Boston but are doing their best to make things interesting and split a four-game series at home against AL Central-leading Cleveland over the weekend. Toronto will have to deal with the return of Red Sox ace Chris Sale on Tuesday while countering with rookie lefty Ryan Borucki.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Ryan Borucki (3-4, 4.39 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Chris Sale (12-4, 1.97)

Borucki was a tough-luck loser against Tampa Bay last Tuesday, when he allowed two runs and three hits over six innings but came out on the wrong end of a 4-0 final. The 24-year-old rookie is struggling to find consistency and failed to post a quality start in four of his last six outings. Borucki earned a win over Boston at home on Aug. 9 while surrendering four runs in five frames but was lit up for seven runs - four earned - on eight hits and four walks over three innings at Fenway Park on July 13.

Sale is coming off the disabled list but will be limited to about 40 pitches before yielding to Nathan Eovaldi. Sale, who leads the AL in ERA and WHIP (0.85), is making his first appearance since Aug. 12, when he struck out 12 and yielded one hit without walking a batter in five scoreless innings at Baltimore. The Florida native did not allow a run six of his last seven turns and struck out 15 at Toronto on May 11.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays OF Randal Grichuk was placed in the concussion protocol after colliding with a security guard's chair while chasing a foul ball on Sunday.

2. Red Sox RHP Matt Barnes (hip) is day-to-day.

3. Boston SS Xander Bogaerts went 7-for-8 with three RBIs on Saturday and Sunday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 1
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Cleveland Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 10th September 2018 by Gracenote
Indians vs. Rays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/10/2018

The Tampa Bay Rays may have too steep a climb to reach the postseason, but they are making things awfully interesting as they prepare to host the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night after another inspiring victory. Ji-Man Choi's two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Rays a 6-5 victory in the series opener Monday, and broke the franchise record for consecutive home wins with their 12 straight.

Tommy Pham extended his hitting streak to 14 games (24-for-59) with two singles, including one in the ninth that set up Choi's blast, as Tampa Bay won its fourth straight (38 runs combined) and 17th in the last 20 contests. Tyler Glasnow will try to rebound from his worst performance with the Rays and match his last effort against the Indians (one run, two hits, seven innings), while Cleveland counters with rookie Shane Bieber. While Tampa Bay is 7 1/2 games out of the American League's second wild card spot, the Indians' magic number to clinch the AL Central sits at four despite losing three of their last four. Former MVP third baseman Josh Donaldson, who was acquired in a trade from Toronto on Aug. 31, is ready to go after a rehab assignment and could make his Cleveland debut Tuesday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Shane Bieber (9-3, 4.63 ERA) vs. Rays RH Tyler Glasnow (1-5, 4.64)

Bieber continues adding to his win total with consistent efforts and strong run support as the Indians scored 27 times in his last three victories. The 23-year-old Californian gave up 15 runs across 23 1/3 innings while going 3-1 in his past four starts, including last Thursday when he surrendered four across 6 1/3 frames at Toronto. Bieber pitched five scoreless innings before permitting four runs against the Rays on Sept. 1, allowing a pair of doubles to Choi in the contest.

Glasnow suffered through his worst outing since coming to the Rays, yielding seven runs over two-thirds of an inning at Toronto last Wednesday after the strong start at Cleveland. The 25-year-old Californian gave up one run in four of his seven starts since being acquired by Tampa Bay from Pittsburgh, but has yet to earn a victory. Edwin Encarnacion homered earlier this month against Glasnow, who owns a 3.75 ERA in three games at Tropicana Field this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland LHP Andrew Miller (shoulder) struck out two in a scoreless inning Monday after being activated from a two-week stint on the disabled list.

2. Tampa Bay CF Kevin Kiermaier (illness) and 3B Matt Duffy (back tightness) both missed Monday's game and are day-to-day.

3. Indians LF Michael Brantley is 6-for-12 with three walks over his last three games to raise his team-best batting average to .307.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Indians 3
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Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 11th September 2018 by Gracenote
Marlins vs. Mets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/11/2018

Rain is wreaking havoc on Jacob deGrom's ability to bolster his Cy Young Award resume, but the New York Mets' ace hopes to get his next opportunity against the visiting Miami Marlins on Tuesday. DeGrom was moved out of Sunday's start against Philadelphia so that he could avoid pitching in sloppy conditions and his scheduled outing against the Marlins on Monday was rained out, making Tuesday the new opener for a condensed four-game set.

The majors' top ERA man by a comfortable margin, deGrom has been somewhat human against the Marlins, sporting a 0-1 record and a 3.32 ERA in three meetings this year. Monday's rainout will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader Wednesday. The Mets are aiming to win their fourth straight series after taking two of three against the Phillies, and they can clinch a season series victory against the Marlins for the fourth time in five years with a strong showing this week. Miami has dealt with back-to-back rainouts and will turn to Jose Urena on Tuesday pitching on a week's rest.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Urena (5-12, 4.41 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (8-8, 1.68)

Urena is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA over his last three starts against Washington, Boston and Philadelphia. He tied a season high with seven strikeouts in seven innings of one-run ball against the Phillies on Sept. 3. The 26-year-old is 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA in four career games (two starts) at Citi Field.

The 30-year-old deGrom's ERA over his last four starts is 0.93, a stretch that began with a complete game at Philadelphia on Aug. 18 in which he allowed one unearned run. He received another hard-luck no-decision at the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 3, giving up a run and two hits in six innings of a game the Mets would win 4-2. The Stetson University product, who needs nine strikeouts to match his career high of 239, has a 1.59 ERA in 14 home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets OF Michael Conforto has four home runs and 10 RBIs in his last seven games.

2. Marlins third basemen have not committed an error over their last 83 games, the longest streak at the position in franchise history.

3. New York 2B Jeff McNeil is 9-for-18 during a four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Marlins 2
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Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 11th September 2018 by Gracenote
Brewers vs. Cubs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/11/2018

The National League Central title won't be decided this week, but there's no underestimating the importance of the current three-game series between the Milwaukee Brewers and host Chicago Cubs, which continues Tuesday at Wrigley Field. Milwaukee's bullpen came up big in Monday's 3-2 victory as the Brewers won for the seventh time in eight contests and pulled within one game of the first-place Cubs.

Lorenzo Cain had four hits while Orlando Arcia and Jonathan Schoop each drove in a run for the Brewers, who have won six of their last eight matchups against the Cubs. The Brewers (83-62) moved a season-high 21 games over .500 with Josh Hader striking out all six batters he faced in relief and Jeremy Jeffress recording his 11th save. Chicago (83-60) lost for the fifth time in seven games and was held to five hits - including two from Ben Zobrist, who is 11-for-32 with four multi-hit games in his last 10 contests. The Cubs are in the middle of 30 straight game days and looking to get untracked following a lost weekend against Washington which included two losses in a doubleheader Saturday before Sunday's series finale at Washington was rained out and rescheduled for this Thursday.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Wisconsin, Dish455 (Milwaukee), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (14-6, 3.59 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jose Quintana (12-9, 4.14)

Chacin is facing the Cubs for the second straight start after allowing five runs (three earned) over 4 2/3 innings in a 6-4 loss on Friday. The 30-year-old native of Venezuela is 4-5 with a 3.09 ERA in 10 career games (nine starts) against the Cubs - including 2-1 with a 1.53 ERA in three outings across 17 2/3 innings this season. Daniel Murphy is 8-for-18 with two home runs against Chacin, who owns a 1-4 record and a 3.77 mark in five career starts at Wrigley Field.

Quintana flashed a dazzling fastball and earned the win in Wednesday's 6-4 victory against Milwaukee, allowing two runs in 6 2/3 innings. "It was his best fastball of the year," manager Joe Maddon told reporters. "He primarily could have pitched with his fastball - it was that good." Quintana is 5-2 with a 1.78 ERA in nine career starts versus the Brewers, including 3-1 with a 2.64 mark in five outings this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs LHP Jon Lester exited Monday's contest in the sixth inning with lower back tightness but is expected to make his next start.

2. Brewers OF Christian Yelich has reached base in 26 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NL.

3. Chicago closer Brandon Morrow (right biceps inflammation) played catch Monday and hopes to return by the end of the month.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Brewers 4
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New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 11th September 2018 by Gracenote
Yankees vs. Twins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/11/2018

The New York Yankees have been perfect in the season series and look to improve to 6-0 when they visit the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. The Yankees have outscored Minnesota 40-13 this season after posting a 7-2 victory on Monday and have won 19 of the last 23 regular-season meetings.

New York has beaten the Twins nine straight times - including last season's American League wild-card game - and the latest victory included Gary Sanchez's 460-foot homer. Sanchez was 3-for-5 in Monday's triumph after going just 3-for-25 in his first seven contests since returning from a groin injury. The Yankees moved within eight games of idle Boston for first place in the AL East and increased their lead over Oakland for the first wild-card spot to three games. The Twins have dropped 12 of their last 16 games and have scored fewer than three runs in each of their last five setbacks.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Sonny Gray (10-8, 4.96 ERA) vs. Twins RH Tyler Duffey (1-2, 9.00)

Gray is making his first start since scattering three hits over 6 1/3 innings against Baltimore on Aug. 25. The 28-year-old pitched four innings of relief versus Detroit on Sept. 2 in his most recent appearance, giving up one run and four hits. Gray is 2-3 with a 5.23 ERA in six career appearances against the Twins, including a no-decision on April 25 in which he permitted three runs and six hits over 4 2/3 innings.

Duffey will be the first pitcher to take the mound as Twins manager Paul Molitor said the 28-year-old will serve as the club's "opener." Duffey has made 14 relief appearances this season and served up six homers in just 19 innings. Kohl Stewart figures to be one of the pitchers who takes the mound Tuesday as he hasn't pitched since Sept. 4, when he was the second pitcher used and tossed five scoreless innings against Houston.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees 3B Miguel Andujar recorded a two-run double in the series opener to join Hall-of-Famer Joe DiMaggio as the lone rookies in franchise history to register 20 homers and 40 doubles.

2. Minnesota 3B Miguel Sano (leg) is progressing slowly, according to Molitor, but there currently isn't talk of shutting him down for the season.

3. New York RF Aaron Judge (wrist) took a step toward his return by taking live batting practice on Monday and hitting several homers.

PREDICTION: Yankees 8, Twins 1
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 11th September 2018 by Gracenote
Pirates vs. Cardinals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/11/2018

The St. Louis Cardinals increased their lead in the National League wild-card race by winning the series opener and strive to take another step on Tuesday, when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates for the middle contest of their three-game set. St. Louis posted an 8-7 victory on Monday and owns a two-game lead over Los Angeles for the second wild card after the Dodgers lost to Cincinnati.

Matt Adams drilled a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning, giving the 30-year-old - who was acquired from Washington three weeks ago - has recorded three blasts and seven RBIs over his last four contests. The hot-hitting Marcell Ozuna went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored and is 12-for-26 with five homers and seven RBIs during his six-game hitting streak. Pittsburgh had its five-game winning streak halted as it allowed two four-run innings on Monday after giving up a total of 10 runs during its string of victories. Starling Marte hit a two-run homer for the Pirates to equal his career high of 19 while Josh Harrison and Colin Moran belted solo shots.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Joe Musgrove (6-8, 3.75 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (14-4, 3.06)

Musgrove defeated Cincinnati in his last turn as he gave up two runs and five hits with eight strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old has issued just two walks in 36 1/3 frames over his last six starts while recording 34 strikeouts. Musgrove is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts against St. Louis this season and has struggled with Ozuna (3-for-6).

Mikolas gave up 12 hits for the second time in three starts when he defeated Washington in his last turn after allowing four runs over 6 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old has won six of his last seven decisions, with the loss coming against the Pirates on Aug. 29 as he gave up two runs and eight hits over five innings. Mikolas is 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA in four starts against Pittsburgh this year and 1-2 with a 3.04 ERA in six career appearances, including two in relief.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals 2B Kolten Wong has gone 3-for-9 with two walks, two runs scored and one RBI in three games since returning from a hamstring injury.

2. Pittsburgh 1B Josh Bell is 5-for-10 with three walks, two homers, four RBIs and four runs scored over his last three games.

3. St. Louis RHP Michael Wacha (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list and is done for the season.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Pirates 3
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Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 11th September 2018 by Gracenote
White Sox vs. Royals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/11/2018

The Kansas City Royals haven't created many great memories with their performance for most of the season, but their play over the bulk of the last two-plus weeks should give them some optimism heading into 2019. Coming off only their fourth extra-inning victory in 10 tries, the Royals attempt to improve to 6-4 this month when they continue their three-game home series against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.

Kansas City fell as far as 35 1/2 games out of first place in the American League Central following a fifth straight loss on Aug. 23, but it has won 10 of 15 despite losing four of five last week. The Royals (48-95) are unlikely to catch the White Sox (56-88) for fourth place in the division with fewer than 20 games remaining for both teams, but Monday's 4-3, 10-inning victory gave them their seventh win in their last 12 meetings with Chicago after dropping the first five. Jose Abreu went 3-for-4 in his return from a three-week stint on the disabled list and is batting .438 during his eight-game hitting streak. The White Sox have been held to three runs or fewer in every contest during their six-game losing streak, scoring a total of 13.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Dylan Covey (5-12, 5.44 ERA) vs. Royals RH Brad Keller (7-6, 3.14)

Covey will return to the rotation after making six relief appearances to take the place of the injured Michael Kopech, who is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery in the coming weeks. A product of the University of San Diego, Covey has thrived as a reliever (1-2, 2.25 ERA) after going 4-10 with a 5.87 ERA in 17 starts this season. Alex Gordon is 6-for-15 with a pair of homers and seven RBIs versus Covey, who is 0-6 with a 5.87 ERA in seven career turns against Kansas City.

Keller's four-game unbeaten streak came to an end Wednesday in Cleveland after he permitted three runs - one earned - on a season-high 11 hits and a walk in seven innings. The 23-year-old rookie has yielded fewer than three earned runs in five straight outings and is 6-5 with a 3.40 ERA in 17 starts since joining the rotation in late May. Daniel Palka is 3-for-4 against Keller, who went 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA in two turns versus Chicago last month.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals 1B Ryan O'Hearn has homered 10 times in his first 30 games since making his major-league debut against the White Sox on July 31.

2. Palka belted his 22nd homer on Monday, tying Pete Ward's club record for most by a rookie left-handed hitter.

3. Kansas City's rotation, which has recorded a 5.04 ERA this season, has posted a 3.11 mark over the last 17 games.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, White Sox 2
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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 11th September 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 09/11/2018

Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story has entered the National League's Most Valuable Player race with a huge second half, but he'd much rather see his team clinch its first division title. Story looks to maintain his torrid pace Tuesday when the Rockies continue their crucial four-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, who have lost three in a row and eight of their last 10.

Story hit a three-run homer and German Marquez struck out 11 over seven strong innings in Monday's 13-2 win as the Rockies increased their lead to 1 1/2 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers and 3 1/2 games over the Diamondbacks. Story has 32 homers and 99 RBIs for the Rockies, who sealed Monday's win with David Dahl's first career grand slam in the seventh inning. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo is searching for answers and said Monday that he will play the matchups in the ninth inning instead of relying solely on closer Brad Boxberger, who has given up six runs over two innings across his last four appearances. Archie Bradley, Yoshihisa Hirano, Brad Ziegler and Andrew Chafin could all receive save opportunities for the Diamondbacks, who play 12 of their final 18 games against NL West opponents.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (13-9, 3.08 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Antonio Senzatela (4-5, 4.92)

Greinke is looking to bounce back from a rough outing last Thursday, when he allowed five runs (four earned) across 5 1/3 innings against Atlanta. The five-time All-Star is 11-5 with a 3.75 ERA in 28 career games (27 starts) versus Colorado - including 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA in three outings this season. Carlos Gonzalez is 16-for-51 with five homers and 14 strikeouts against Greinke, who owns a 4-1 record and 4.20 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) at Coors Field.

Senzatela received a no-decision last Wednesday after allowing three runs on nine hits over five frames against San Francisco. The 23-year-old native of Venezuela has gone winless since July 28 and posted a 20-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last five starts. Paul Goldschmidt is 2-for-8 with five strikeouts against Senzatela, who is 0-3 with an 8.27 ERA in six career games (two starts) versus Arizona - including 0-2 with a 6.75 mark in two games (one start) this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. This is the latest the Rockies have been alone atop the division since 1995.

2. Goldschmidt has reached base in a club-record 46 straight road games.

3. The Rockies are 28-12 over their last 40 games at Coors Field.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 7, Rockies 3
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