Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 11th September 2018 by Gracenote
Rangers vs. Angels Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/11/2018
The Texas Rangers used a big second inning in the series opener to halt their four-game skid and look to put together a string of wins when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Texas scored four times in the second frame en route to a 5-2 triumph - its first win since topping the Angels last Tuesday.
Joey Gallo delivered a two-run double and Ronald Guzman followed with a two-run homer for the Rangers, who yielded at least seven runs in each game during its losing streak. Gallo added an RBI single on Monday to cap his second three-RBI performance in three games. Los Angeles' offense faltered again as the club, which has recorded a total of three runs in its last two games, suffered its first loss since the setback in Texas last Tuesday. Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, who went 2-for-4, is riding an eight-game hitting streak during which he has gone 13-for-29 with four homers and 11 RBIs after driving in one run and scoring the other in Monday's defeat.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Adrian Sampson (0-0, 54.00 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jim Johnson (5-3, 3.81)
Sampson will be making his first start of the year and the second of his career after yielding three runs - two earned - and four hits while retiring just one batter in relief at Oakland on Friday in his season debut. The 26-year-old native of Washington made his first major-league appearance on June 18, 2016 as he started for Seattle and surrendered four runs and eight hits over 4 2/3 frames in a loss at Boston. Sampson posted an 8-4 record with one save and a 3.77 ERA in 19 starts and 14 relief outings with Triple-A Round Rock this season.
Johnson is expected to make his second career start and first since his major-league debut with Baltimore on July 29, 2006 - a loss in which he was battered for eight runs on nine hits and three walks over three innings. The 35-year-old New Yorker has made 666 relief appearances between starts, including 55 this season. Johnson has allowed four runs over five frames in five games versus Texas this season and is 1-1 with a 5.48 ERA in 23 career meetings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels CF Mike Trout has posted three straight multi-hit performances, going 9-for-13 during the run.
2. Texas activated OF Ryan Rua (back) from the 10-day disabled list and sent RHP Chris Rowley outright to Round Rock.
3. Ohtani was named the AL Player of the Week for the second time during his rookie season after hitting .474 with four homers, 10 RBIs and eight runs scored in five games.
PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Angels 4
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San Diego Padres vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 10th September 2018 by Gracenote
Padres vs. Mariners Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/10/2018
The Seattle Mariners aim to finish an eight-game homestand with a flourish as they begin the final leg on Tuesday with the opener an abbreviated two-game interleague series against the San Diego Padres (57-88). The Mariners (79-64), who reside 7 1/2 games behind Oakland for the second wild card in the American League, snapped a two-game skid to split the first six contests with a 3-2 win over the New York Yankees on Sunday.
Seattle's Ryon Healy had a run-scoring single on Sunday to improve to 24-for-72 with 14 RBIs and seven scored during his last 20 games. Teammate Robinson Cano, who also drove in a run against his former team, has hit safely in nine of his last 11 contests while scoring seven times in that stretch. San Diego's Eric Hosmer continued his home-run binge by going deep for a career-best third straight game in Sunday's 7-6 win over Cincinnati. Hosmer, who has reached base in 11 consecutive appearances overall, had three hits as the Padres completed a two-game sweep of the Mariners with an 8-3 victory on Aug. 29.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Bryan Mitchell (1-3, 6.58 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Marco Gonzales (12-9, 4.32)
Mitchell fared well in his first start following a three-month absence due to an elbow impingement to his throwing arm, allowing one run on two hits through five innings of a 6-2 win at Arizona on Sept. 3. The 27-year-old savored the flavor of the victory, as it was his first since April 12, 2017. Mitchell, who struck out 28 in 28 1/3 innings with Class A Elsinore, is receiving Tuesday's start as San Diego keeps an eye on the future.
Sidelined since Aug. 22 due to a strained neck, Gonzales returns from the disabled list to make the start on Tuesday. The 26-year-old surrendered 23 earned runs over 20 innings to post an 0-4 record with a gaudy 10.35 ERA in his previous four outings before making the trek to the DL. Gonzales is ready to make his 48th career start and first versus San Diego after participating in a pair of successful bullpen sessions.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego C Austin Hedges has highlighted his career-best eight-game hitting streak with six extra-base hits (three doubles, two triples, homer).
2. Seattle's 35 one-run wins this season match a club record, set in 2009.
3. Padres OF Hunter Renfroe had a homer and five RBIs in the previous two-game series versus the Mariners.
PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Padres 2
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Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 09-11-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 11th September 2018 by Gracenote
Braves vs. Giants Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/11/2018
The Atlanta Braves are creeping closer to the National League East title and look to take advantage of a sinking team again on Tuesday, when they visit the San Francisco Giants for the middle contest of their three-game set. Atlanta posted a 4-1 victory in the series opener to increase its division lead over Philadelphia to five games.
The Braves are 4-1 on their seven-game road trip as they move closer to securing their first division crown since 2013. Kurt Suzuki went 3-for-3 with an RBI in Monday's victory and is 11-for-26 with three homers, three doubles and eight RBIs over his last 11 contests. San Francisco has suffered nine consecutive losses to match its worst skid since 2006 and has scored three runs or fewer in eight of the setbacks. The Giants notched three hits in the series opener, leaving just two runners on base.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (10-9, 2.75 ERA) vs. Giants LH Andrew Suarez (6-10, 4.33)
Foltynewicz is 0-2 with a 2.16 ERA over his last four starts despite allowing fewer than two runs three times during that stretch. The 26-year-old is 6-6 with a 2.71 ERA in 13 road starts while limiting opponents to a .208 batting average. Foltynewicz is 2-3 with a 5.35 ERA in six career starts against the Giants, including a no-decision on May 4 in which he gave up six runs and nine hits over five frames.
Suarez lost to Colorado in his last turn as he surrendered five runs and six hits - three homers by Trevor Story - over six innings. Suarez, who turns 26 on Tuesday, was superb while winning his previous two turns as he allowed five hits over 14 scoreless frames. The rookie earned his first major-league win on May 6, when he gave up one unearned run and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings against the Braves.
WALK-OFFS
1. A win on Tuesday would give the Braves a series victory in San Francisco for the first time since recording a three-game sweep from April 22-24, 2011.
2. Giants 1B Brandon Belt has gone 4-for-25 with 13 strikeouts during the team's nine-game skid.
3. Atlanta 2B Ozzie Albies has dback-to-back two-hit performances after going 3-for-22 during a five-game stretch.
PREDICTION: Braves 4, Giants 0
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