MLB Betting News and Trends For Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 04-03-2018

3rd April 2018 by Gracenote
Scoring runs was bound to be a problem for the Kansas City Royals this season, but the team's offensive woes have been even worse than expected during their 0-3 start. The Royals will try to get the bats going against Detroit Tigers left-hander Matthew Boyd in the second of a three-game series Tuesday in Detroit.

The Royals are hitting just .206 as a team following Monday's 6-1 loss in the series opener. No regular is hitting over .250, but Kansas City hopes to change that against Boyd - third baseman Mike Moustakas is 5-for-13 with a double and a homer against the Tigers' southpaw, while second baseman Whit Merrifield is 4-for-10 with two doubles and a triple. Detroit swung the bats well in the opener, picking up its first win of the season as Nicholas Castellanos and Victor Martinez delivered the biggest hits of the game. Castellanos is off to a hot start, as he is 7-for-17 with a double and a pair of triples through four games.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Kansas City, FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jakob Junis (2017: 9-3, 4.30 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (2017: 6-11, 5.27)

Junis put together a solid rookie campaign, especially down the stretch, as he allowed two or fewer earned runs in six of his last eight starts in 2017. The 25-year-old had an excellent spring, racking up 20 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings. Junis was 2-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three games (two starts) against Detroit last year.

Boyd took a step backward last year, as his walk rate crept up. The 27-year-old followed a strong September with a solid spring, though, giving the Tigers hope he can take the next step in his development. Boyd is 2-4 with a 7.91 ERA in nine starts against the Royals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals 1B Lucas Duda left Monday's game with a tight right hamstring after running out a grounder in the fourth inning.

2. Detroit catchers have thrown out five of seven potential base-stealers.

3. Kansas City claimed OF Abraham Almonte off waivers from Cleveland on Monday and designated RHP Miguel Almonte for assignment.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Royals 4

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 04-03-2018

2nd April 2018 by Gracenote
Yankee Stadium was shrouded in snow Monday, forcing the postponement of New York's home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. The teams are now scheduled to meet up Tuesday, although rain and cold temperatures are expected and could damper the home debut for Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton.

The 2017 Major League home run king crushed a pair of homers in his debut with New York to lift them to a season-opening win at Toronto last week, but was 1-for-9 in the next three games as the Yankees split the four-game set with the Blue Jays. New York led 4-1 into the seventh inning Sunday before the bullpen faltered for the second straight day in a 7-4 defeat. The Yankees are 16-4 in home openers since 1998 and will take on a Tampa Bay squad that managed three runs over the course of three straight losses to the Boston Red Sox. Tampa Bay was planning on using reliever Austin Pruitt as the starter before the postponement, which allows them to turn to Chris Archer on Tuesday.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (0-0, 6.00 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Jordan Montgomery (2017: 9-7, 3.88)

Archer gave up four runs and six hits with six strikeouts in six innings against the Red Sox on Thursday. He was 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA in four starts against the Yankees last season, including one outing in the Bronx in which he fanned 10 batters in six innings. The 29-year-old owns a 2.96 ERA in 17 career encounters with New York and Stanton is 0-for-6 with two strikeouts against Archer.

Montgomery struck out 144 and allowed 140 hits in 155 1/3 innings during a solid rookie campaign in 2017. He was 6-3 with a 3.43 ERA in 15 starts at Yankee Stadium, including six innings of one-run ball against the Rays on Sept. 26 to pick up his ninth and final win of the year. The 25-year-old posted a 3.43 mark in six spring training appearances to help lock down the last spot in the rotation.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York C Gary Sanchez is hitless in his last 11 at-bats.

2. Yankees 3B Brandon Drury slugged a two-run homer Sunday and is 5-for-13 with four RBIs through the first four games.

3. Rays RH Yonny Chirinos made his major league debut a memorable one with four scoreless innings of relief against the Red Sox on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Rays 3

Seattle Mariners vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 04-03-2018

2nd April 2018 by Gracenote
The San Francisco Giants play their home opener versus the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday after setting a franchise record for fewest runs scored in the first four games of a season. San Francisco, though, remarkably gained a four-game split with the Los Angeles Dodgers despite getting outscored 14-2 with the runs coming on Joe Panik home runs.

"We won two out of four," Evan Longoria, who is hitless in his first 15 at-bats with the Giants, told reporters. "I guess that's what we take out it. For me, I've got a long way to go, but we've got a lot of games left." Seattle hits the road for eight games after taking two of three from Cleveland to open the season with Mitch Haniger (5-for-8, two home runs) and Robinson Cano (6-for-10) off to blazing starts. The Mariners' Marco Gonzalez opposes Ty Blach, who won on Opening Day, in a matchup of left-handers who know each other well from their travel-team days growing up in Colorado. "We have very similar pitching styles, for sure," Blach told reporters. "He's got a good changeup, good off-speed, he mixes his pitches well and swings the bat pretty well. It'll be fun to go up against him."

TV: 4:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network; ROOT Sports Northwest (Seattle), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Marco Gonzales (2017: 1-1, 6.08 ERA) vs. Giants LH Ty Blach (1-0, 0.00)

Gonzales made one start for St. Louis last season before he was traded to Seattle, when he went 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 10 games (seven starts) - all after the All-Star break. Gonzales, who appears on an Opening Day roster for the first time, went 4-2 with a 4.15 ERA in 10 games (five starts) with the Cardinals in 2014 before he missed most of 2015 with shoulder injuries and all of 2016 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Gonzales was sharp in spring training, yielding six runs and 22 hits while striking out 21 in 26 innings.

Blach yielded three hits and three walks while striking out three in five innings of a 1-0 victory over Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Thursday. "We knew he wouldn't be nervous or scared or in awe of everything," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. "We were very confident he would give us a chance to win today." Blach has been more effective at AT&T Park than on the road during his career, going 6-5 with a 3.83 in 19 home games (14 starts) versus 4-7, 4.86 in 20 outings (13 starts) in opposing ballparks.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco's Buster Posey is 4-for-13 to start the season as he bids to become the fourth catcher in baseball history to record seven consecutive years with 150 or more hits (Jason Kendall, Mike Piazza, Ted Simmons).

2. Seattle OF Ichiro Suzuki (2-for-9 this season) has 3,082 hits and needs 29 to pass Dave Winfield and move into 20th on the all-time list.

3. The Giants, who trail the Mariners 16-13 in the series, play their home opener against an American League team for the first time since interleague play began in 1997.

PREDICTION: Giants 1, Mariners 0

Boston Red Sox vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 04-03-2018

2nd April 2018 by Gracenote
The Boston Red Sox wrap up a season-opening six-game road trip Tuesday at the Miami Marlins, and strong starting pitching along with excellent defense have led them to four victories in their first five contests. Red Sox starters have posted a 0.90 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP in the early days of the season while allowing a total of three earned runs, and defensively the Red Sox have yet to commit an error, the longest Boston streak of flawless baseball to open a season since 2013.

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts continued his hot start to the season with two hits in Monday's 7-3 victory at Miami, and is hitting .455 through five games with five runs scored and five doubles. Marlins pitching has allowed six runs or more three times in five games while starting the season 2-3. Second baseman Starlin Castro finished 3-for-5 Monday and is hitting .364 through his first five games with Miami, and his next homer will give him 100 for his career. The Marlins travel to Philadelphia for three contests after wrapping up their six-game homestand, then return home for their next six against the New York Mets and Pittsburgh.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Urena (0-1, 11.25)

Sale, who led the majors with 308 strikeouts while going 17-8 with a 2.90 ERA in his first season with Boston in 2017, opened his 2018 with six shutout innings of one-hit pitching in a no-decision Thursday against Tampa Bay. The 29-year-old struggled a bit with his control on Opening Day, walking three while throwing just 54 of his 92 pitches for strikes. Sale has pitched once in Miami - for the White Sox in 2016 - giving up five runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings to take the loss.

It would be difficult for Urena's second start of the season to be worse than his first, considering he allowed five runs on six hits with four walks and three hit-batsmen in four innings of a loss to the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. The 26-year-old, who shared the major league lead by hitting 14 hitters a season ago, hit three hitters in a nightmarish first inning Thursday in which he gave up a homer on the first pitch and also walked in a run. Urena, a 14-game winner last season, makes his first career appearance against the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. After scoring 18 runs on 38 hits in splitting a four-game series against the Cubs to open the season, Miami was limited to three runs (two scoring after Boston built a 6-1 advantage) on 10 hits in the series opener Monday - finishing 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 runners on base.

2. Boston 1B Hanley Ramirez, who ranks in the top five in Marlins history in hits, runs scored, doubles and homers, slugged his first homer of the season Monday while finishing 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.

3. Red Sox RF Mookie Betts has hit safely in 22 of his past 23 games in games at National League stadiums, including each of his past 12 games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Marlins 1

Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 04-03-2018

3rd April 2018 by Gracenote
The Chicago Cubs are expected to have one of the most potent lineups in the majors, which makes their early struggles all the more surprising. The slumping Cubs hope to break out of their offensive funk when they wrap up a two-game road set with the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.

Chicago was limited to two hits in a 1-0 loss to the Reds on Monday - the Cubs' second straight shutout loss - and has racked up a National League-record 58 strikeouts through five games, but manager Joe Maddon says the struggles are temporary. "We're going to be a really good offensive club," Maddon told reporters. "This is what is going on now." The Reds didn't have much more going at the plate Monday, but Eugenio Suarez tripled and scored on Adam Duvall's sacrifice fly for the only run of the game to give Cincinnati its first win. The running game might help the Reds get their offense going against Tuesday starter Jon Lester, who has a tough time holding runners.

TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (0-0, 8.10 ERA) vs. Reds LH Cody Reed (2017: 1-1, 5.09)

Lester struggled on Opening Day against the Marlins, lasting only 3 1/3 innings and allowing four runs (three earned) and seven hits. The 34-year-old is a notoriously slow starter, as he's 15-17 over his career in March and April but has a winning record in every other month. Lester is 5-1 with a 4.27 ERA in 13 starts against the Reds, including a 2-1 mark and 3.66 ERA in six outings at Great American Ball Park.

Reed was slated to begin the season in the bullpen, but Thursday's rainout meant the Reds needed a fifth starter sooner than expected. The 24-year-old struggled during the spring but showed signs of reining in the control problems that plagued him a year ago, when he walked 19 batters in 17 2/3 innings across 12 appearances in the majors. Reed is 0-3 with a 16.20 ERA in three starts against the Cubs, who tagged him for seven runs in two innings in his only big-league start last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds OF Billy Hamilton (7-for-19, two homers) and SS Jose Peraza (9-for-20) have enjoyed success against Lester.

2. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant (4-for-5, home run), C Willson Contreras (4-for-6, two homers) and 1B Anthony Rizzo (2-for-6, two homers) have hit Reed hard, while SS Addison Russell and CF Albert Almora Jr. also have taken him deep.

3. The Cubs are 7-for-51 with runners in scoring position through five games.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Reds 4

Chicago White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 04-03-2018

3rd April 2018 by Gracenote
The Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox rank among the major's most homer-happy teams this season, and their first meeting certainly did not disappoint in that regard. One night after the teams combined to score all six of their runs via the long ball, the host Blue Jays and White Sox hope to flex their muscles yet again in the second of three-game set Tuesday.

Russell Martin delivered a go-ahead two-run blast while Josh Donaldson and Aledmys Diaz contributed solo shots to send Toronto to a third straight victory following Monday's 4-2 triumph over Chicago. Martin's home run propelled the Blue Jays to their third consecutive comeback victory - a stretch during which they have connected on six of their eight homers. The White Sox have belted an American League-high nine home runs despite playing only three games, six of which came during their 14-run outburst in an Opening Day win over the Kansas City Royals. Welington Castillo continued to be a thorn in the side of Toronto with two solo shots Monday after going deep five times against the Blue Jays in 2017 - his highest total against any opponent.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago Plus, Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (2017: 8-13, 4.62 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (0-1, 3.86)

Gonzalez went 1-3 with a 6.45 ERA over the final five games of 2017 with the Texas Rangers after he was traded by the White Sox on Aug. 31 before returning to Chicago on a one-year deal in January. The 33-year-old did not fare much better during exhibition play despite winning both of his decisions, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in four turns. Donaldson is 4-for-12 with three RBIs against Gonzalez, who is 7-4 with a 3.63 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) versus the Blue Jays.

Happ pitched better than his final line indicated in Thursday's Opening Day 6-1 loss against the New York Yankees, as Curtis Granderson's error on the first play of the game eventually led to Giancarlo Stanton's two-run homer. The Northwestern product departed after 4 2/3 innings and 96 pitches, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out five. Happ toyed with the White Sox in two starts last season, winning both outings while posting a 2.63 ERA and striking out 19 in 13 2/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Blue Jays have scored 13 of their 19 runs this season in the seventh inning or later.

2. Chicago 1B Jose Abreu went 3-for-4 in the series opener and is batting .374 over his last 23 games.

3. After serving as the DH in each of the last four games due to a "dead arm," Donaldson is expected to return to the third base Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, White Sox 3

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 04-03-2018

3rd April 2018 by Gracenote
The New York Mets look to continue their dominance in the series when they host the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday in the opener of a two-game set, shortened by Monday's postponement due to snow. The Mets have won the last six season series with the Phillies after taking 12 of 19 contests last year and they beat the St. Louis Cardinals in two of three at home to open 2018.

New York scored 15 times to win the first two games before losing 5-1 on Sunday and center fielder Juan Lagares has led the way with five hits in nine at-bats, while Yoenis Cespedes hit safely in all three games with four RBIs. Matt Harvey hopes for a healthy season as he takes the mound for the Mets on Tuesday against Ben Lively in a battle of right-handers who were both scheduled to pitch Monday. The Phillies dropped two of three at Atlanta to open the season and gave up 27 runs total to the Braves, including a 15-2 loss on Saturday before taking a much-needed day off after using 22 pitchers in their first series. Last year's rookie sensation Rhys Hoskins has picked up where he left off with five hits, including two doubles and a homer, in 10 at-bats over the first three contests.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Ben Lively (2017: 4-7, 4.26 ERA) vs. Mets RH Matt Harvey (2017: 5-7, 6.70)

Lively posted quality starts in five of his first six outings in the major leagues after being recalled last June, including 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball in a tough loss at New York on June 30. The 26-year-old Florida native allowed five runs in 19 1/3 frames spread over three solid matchups with the Mets on the season. Jose Reyes has a triple and a homer against Lively, who posted a 3.13 ERA in six Grapefruit League appearances to earn a spot in the rotation.

A broken bone in his shoulder limited Harvey - who missed all of 2014 and much of 2016 because of injury - to 19 games (18 starts) last year, as he sat out all of July and August. The one-time All-Star returned to go 1-4 with an 11.28 ERA in six appearances in September, ending the season with a loss at Philadelphia in which he was tagged for four runs in four frames. Maikel Franco is 3-for-8 with two homers against Harvey, who is 7-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 11 career starts versus the Phillies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia's rookie INF/OF Scott Kingery has registered two hits in each of his first two major-league games, including a pair of doubles.

2. New York 2B Asdrubal Cabrera is 4-for-9 over the last two games and batted .406 with four homers and 13 RBIs against the Phillies in 2017.

3. Monday's game was rescheduled for July 9 as part of a single-admission doubleheader that opens a four-game series.

PREDICTION: Mets 6, Phillies 3

Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 04-03-2018

2nd April 2018 by Gracenote
The Washington Nationals are off to a 4-0 start for the first time and look to continue their strong early-season showing in Tuesday's middle contest of a three-game set against the host Atlanta Braves. The Nationals, who scored 21 runs in a season-opening sweep at Cincinnati, scored five times in the first two innings Monday en route to an 8-1 victory over the Braves as Bryce Harper continued his opening-week assault on opposing pitchers.

Harper slugged his third homer in two days and drew four walks Monday, driving in three runs and scoring three times as he enters Tuesday hitting .417 through four games. Atlanta, which won two of three against Philadelphia to begin the season, had its hot offense snuffed out in the series opener. Entering the night hitting .325 after scoring 27 runs against the Phillies, the Braves collected just four hits off Washington pitching. Third baseman Ryan Flaherty, signed late in spring training to fill in while Johan Camargo recovers from an oblique injury, finished 1-for-3 in the series opener and is batting .500 through four games with a 1.217 OPS and five runs scored.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Washington), FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH A.J. Cole (2017: 3-5, 3.81 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (0-0, 6.35)

The pitching-rich Nationals think they have a solid backup in Cole, who overcame a rough August in 2017 to post a 3.00 ERA while going 2-1 in six appearances (three starts) in September. The 26-year-old posted a 4.85 ERA in 13 innings in spring training but struggled with his control, issuing as many walks (seven) as runs allowed. Cole has made two career appearances against the Braves (one start), giving up seven earned runs in four innings.

Teheran, who went 3-10 with a 5.86 ERA and 17 homers allowed in 17 home starts a season ago, pitched marginally better in the season opener at home Thursday against Philadelphia. The 27-year-old surrendered four runs on four hits with three walks and one homer allowed in 5 2/3 innings, getting a no-decision as the Braves rallied late. Teheran did some of his best work last season against the Nationals, going 3-1 with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in four starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals OF Adam Eaton, the reigning National League player of the week after hitting .615 with two homers, five RBIs and seven runs scored last week, did not play Monday.

2. Atlanta added RHP Anibal Sanchez and C Carlos Perez to the 25-man roster Monday, designating RHP Miguel Socolovich for assignment and placing RHP Josh Ravin (viral infection) on the disabled list.

3. Braves 1B Freddie Freeman tied a franchise record (held by Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews in 1955) with eight walks in the first four games of a season.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Nationals 4

Baltimore Orioles vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 04-03-2018

3rd April 2018 by Gracenote
The Houston Astros' pregame ceremony to unveil their World Series flag did not go according to plan Monday, but that snag was about the only thing that didn't go right in their home opener. The Astros set their sights on a fourth straight victory Tuesday, when they continue their three-game set against the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

Houston resorted to using a leaf blower on Monday to aid in the lifting of the fabric that was covering the championship pennant when the ropes failed to do the job during a windy night in Houston before Alex Bregman doubled home George Springer to send the Astros to a 6-1 win. The rotation has been up to the task in the team's 4-1 start, posting a 1.78 ERA and 36 strikeouts. Justin Verlander set the tone for the starting pitchers with his Opening-Day victory and attempts to keep his perfect regular-season record as an Astro intact against the Orioles, who are batting .129 and have been outscored 19-3 during their three-game losing streak. Manny Machado (.231) is the only Baltimore regular hitting over .200, and he only has one hit in nine at-bats since going 2-for-4 in the season opener.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Baltimore), AT&T Sportsnet-Southwest Plus (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Mike Wright (2017: 0-0, 5.76 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (1-0, 0.00)

Wright won a rotation spot in spring training despite a less-than-impressive showing, surrendering 15 runs - 14 earned - on 26 hits and five walks across 19 innings while dropping both of his decisions. The native of South Carolina made all 13 of his appearances last season out of the bullpen, and he is 3-4 with a 6.22 ERA in 21 career starts (12 in 2016). The Astros tagged Wright for five runs in as many innings to give him a loss the only time they faced him in 2015.

Verlander improved to 10-1 with a 1.53 ERA in 13 starts (including playoffs) since he was acquired from Detroit last August with Thursday's victory over Texas, striking out five over six scoreless frames. The 2011 American League Cy Young Award winner has been even more dominant in his regular-season starts with the Astros, winning each of his six turns while posting a 0.90 ERA. Verlander won his only start against the Orioles last year, allowing two runs and fanning 10 over seven innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros SS Carlos Correa departed after the second inning Monday with discomfort in his left big toe and is day-to-day.

2. Baltimore has dropped 12 of the last 14 meetings in this series, including all seven at Minute Maid Park.

3. Houston pitchers have struck out 49 batters, a club record through the first five games.

PREDICTION: Astros 8, Orioles 2

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 04-03-2018

3rd April 2018 by Gracenote
Shortstop Paul DeJong looks to continue his red-hot start with the bat when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night for the middle contest of a three-game series. DeJong belted a three-run homer for his third blast in two days as the Cardinals knocked off Milwaukee 8-4 on Monday afternoon for their second straight win after starting the season with two setbacks.

DeJong, who hit .285 with 25 homers and 65 RBIs in his first full season in the majors last season, launched a pair of solo homers in Sunday's win over the New York Mets and is 7-for-15 with four runs scored in the early going. Chase Anderson, who was outstanding in the season opener last week for Milwaukee, will try to cool off DeJong while Jack Flaherty makes his season debut for St. Louis. The Brewers swept three games at San Diego to start the season before suffering the loss in the franchise's 50th home opener Monday despite hitting three homers. Center fielder Lorenzo Cain, a major free-agent signing in the offseason, hit one of the blasts and is off to a scorching start with the bat while going 9-for-18 with four RBIs, three steals and no strikeouts.

TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jack Flaherty (2017: 0-2, 6.33 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Chase Anderson (0-0, 0.00)

Flaherty was recalled to take the spot on the roster of Adam Wainwright after the two-time 20-game winner went on the disabled list before the season with a hamstring injury. The 22-year-old Californian went 14-4 with a 2.18 ERA in 25 starts at Triple-A and Double-A combined last season before struggling in six appearances (five starts) with the Cardinals. Flaherty gave up four runs on five hits in five innings to lose against Milwaukee on Oct. 1.

Anderson threw the ball well last Thursday while allowing one hit over six scoreless innings with six strikeouts and three walks in 97 pitches, but did not get a decision in a 2-1 win. The 30-year-old Texas native is coming off his best of four major-league seasons when he went 12-4 with a 2.74 ERA after going 5-1 in the last seven starts. Marcell Ozuna is 6-for-14 with a double against Anderson, who went 2-0 with a 3.04 ERA in four starts against the Cardinals last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis C Yadier Molina is 5-for-16 with two homers to start the season and has hit safely in nine straight games against the Brewers.

2. Milwaukee LF Ryan Braun is 1-for-12 to start the season but leads the team with five RBIs - three coming on a homer Friday.

3. Cardinals 3B Jedd Gyorko went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI Monday before leaving the game with a right hamstring strain.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Cardinals 2

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 04-03-2018

3rd April 2018 by Gracenote
One of the most reliable closers in the game, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Kenley Jansen is facing questions about his decreased velocity after struggling in his first two appearances. Jansen quickly has become a major source of concern for the Dodgers, who continue their three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Jansen allowed a total of five home runs in 68 1/3 innings last year but gave up his second in two appearances this season on Monday, when Chris Owings belted a game-tying three-run blast with two outs in the ninth. Arizona finally prevailed 8-7 as Nick Ahmed and Jeff Mathis each drove in a run off Wilmer Font in the bottom of the 15th inning after the Dodgers had taken a one-run lead in the top half. Ahmed continued his hot start with three hits and Ketel Marte went 3-for-7 with two triples for the Diamondbacks, who have won their last seven regular-season meetings with the Dodgers. Both teams will be looking for their starting pitchers to go deep into the game Tuesday after combining to use 15 relievers in Monday's contest, which lasted nearly six hours.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (0-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (2017: 8-9, 3.37)

Kershaw made his franchise-record eighth consecutive Opening Day start on Thursday and lost for the first time, giving up one run over six innings in a 1-0 loss to San Francisco. After tossing 21 1/3 scoreless frames across six spring starts, the three-time Cy Young Award winner was nearly as impressive in the opener, striking out seven while walking two. Paul Goldschmidt is 10-for-44 with two home runs versus Kershaw, who is 14-8 with a 2.55 ERA in 26 career starts against Arizona.

Godley appears primed to build on last season's breakout performance, when he set career highs in starts (25), wins (eight), innings (155) and strikeouts (165). "I'm looking for everything to continue," manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. "He came into camp in very good shape and very ready for every challenge that's going to be put before him this year." Godley owns a 1-1 record and 3.38 ERA in eight career games (four starts) against the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Goldschmidt's 28 home runs and 90 RBIs are the most by an active player against the Dodgers.

2. Dodgers C Yasmani Grandal went 3-for-6 with a two-run homer Monday and has recorded seven hits in his first 16 at-bats.

3. Arizona OF Yasmany Tomas cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Diamondbacks 1

Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 04-03-2018

3rd April 2018 by Gracenote
The Oakland Athletics attempt to hand the Texas Rangers a fourth straight loss when they host their American League West rivals on Tuesday in the second contest of their four-game series. Oakland ended a three-game skid of its own on Monday as Jed Lowrie delivered a two-run double in the seventh inning to snap a tie and lead the club to a 3-1 victory.

Matt Chapman provided the other run for the Athletics, going deep in his second consecutive game to help the team post its first win since Opening Day. Matt Joyce likely will be rested Tuesday after serving as the designated hitter due to left ankle soreness. Texas was unable to record an extra-base hit in the series opener, collecting seven singles en route to its third defeat in a row. Shin-Soo Choo recorded two of them for the Rangers as he registered his second multi-hit performance in three contests.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Cole Hamels (0-1, 4.76 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Kendall Graveman (0-0, 9.00)

Hamels took the loss on Opening Day, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings against Houston. The 34-year-old native of San Diego served up a pair of homers but did record seven strikeouts, which was one shy of his season high in 2017. Hamels has made seven career starts against Oakland, going 2-3 with a 4.39 ERA.

Graveman escaped with a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels in the season opener after surrendering five runs and seven hits - three homers - in five-plus innings. The 27-year-old from Alabama did not issue a walk but struck out only one batter. Graveman has posted a 4-2 record and 4.11 ERA in eight career starts against the Rangers.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rangers optioned Nick Gardewine to Triple-A Round Rock, placed Rocky Rodriguez (biceps) on the 60-day disabled list and purchased the contract of fellow RHP Bartolo Colon, who started and pitched well in the series opener.

2. Athletics C Jonathan Lucroy is 6-for-15 with a homer and three RBIs against Hamels in his career while OF Khris Davis has belted three shots and driven in five runs versus the southpaw.

3. Texas OF Delino DeShields underwent surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his left hand Monday and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Athletics 3