Preview: Rangers at Mariners
Gracenote
May 30, 2018
James Paxton aims to continue his string of stellar performances when the Seattle Mariners host the Texas Rangers on Wednesday in the third contest of a four-game set. The left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.64 over his last six appearances, a stretch that includes a no-hitter against Toronto and a 16-strikeout performance against Oakland.
Paxton has allowed just 12 total hits in 31 innings over his past four starts and will look to stymie a Texas squad that had 12 hits - six for extra bases - in Tuesday's 9-5 triumph. Rougned Odor had a three-run tiebreaking double in the ninth inning and Ronald Guzman went 4-for-4 with three RBIs as the Rangers won for the fifth time in their past eight games. Texas handed Seattle only its second setback in its past 11 games and the Mariners' pitching fell apart - the carnage included eight walks and two hit by pitches - after allowing just 20 runs over the previous 10 games. Seattle shortstop Jean Segura (concussion) returned from a two-game absence to go 3-for-5 and he is a stellar 10-for-17 over his past four contests.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), ROOT Sports Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Matt Moore (1-5, 7.99 ERA) vs. Mariners LH James Paxton (4-1, 3.10)
Moore will be activated from the disabled list prior to Wednesday's outing after being sidelined with right knee soreness. The 28-year-old is winless over his last five starts and pitched four innings or fewer in three of them. Moore is 1-1 with a 2.03 ERA in five career starts against Seattle and has kept Kyle Seager (3-for-14) in check.
Paxton allowed one run, three hits, walked none and struck out 11 in seven innings while defeating the Minnesota Twins in his last turn. The 29-year-old has struck out 90 and allowed just 47 hits over 69 2/3 innings while sporting a stellar 0.96 WHIP. Paxton is just 2-4 with a 5.10 ERA in 11 career starts against the Rangers and his worst outing of this season came against Texas on April 21 when he gave up five runs and six hits over four innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners DH Nelson Cruz went 2-for-4 with a homer on Tuesday but is batting just .185 in May.
2. Texas DH Shin-Soo Choo homered on Tuesday and is 8-for-22 with three homers and 11 walks during a seven-game hitting streak.
3. Seattle 2B Dee Gordon (fractured right big toe) is expected to come off the disabled list on Thursday.
PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Rangers 1
Preview: Phillies at Dodgers
Gracenote
May 30, 2018
The Los Angeles Dodgers could use a lengthy outing Wednesday from starter Ross Stripling when they continue their four-game series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. The team’s injury-plagued rotation took another hit Tuesday when Kenta Maeda exited in the second inning with a strained right hip.
Maeda is expected to land on the disabled list, joining fellow starters Clayton Kershaw (biceps tendinitis), Rich Hill (blister) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (groin injury). The Dodgers were forced to use six relievers in Tuesday’s 6-1 loss, while Philadelphia starter Jake Arrieta cruised through seven scoreless innings to help the Phillies even the series. Philadelphia left fielder Nick Williams belted his fifth home run while right fielder Rhys Hoskins delivered a pinch-hit double in the ninth inning, one day after being hit in the face with his own foul ball and passing the required concussion tests. The Phillies collected seven extra-base hits in Tuesday’s victory but will need to add an infielder to the roster after Pedro Florimon suffered a broken right foot in the first inning.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (1-1, 3.27 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (2-1, 1.74)
Eflin is looking to bounce back from a rough outing against the Toronto Blue Jays last Friday, when he allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old native of Florida has given up a total of 10 runs (seven earned) over his last two outings after giving up only one run in 12 1/3 innings during his first two starts. Eflin has struggled in two previous starts against the Dodgers, going 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA across 10 innings.
Stripling recorded his second straight victory last Friday, allowing one unearned run in 6 2/3 innings with 10 strikeouts in a 4-1 win over San Diego. The 28-year-old has bounced between the bullpen and rotation this season but has settled in as a starter, going 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in five outings. Stripling has posted a 6.14 ERA in three career games (one start) covering 7 1/3 innings against Philadelphia.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal has a .314 average with eight homers and 17 RBIs in 26 career games against Philadelphia.
2. The Phillies starting rotation has posted a combined 1.98 ERA in 21 games since May 5.
3. Dodgers optioned RHP Brock Stewart to Triple-A Oklahoma City and recalled INF/OF Breyvic Valera.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Phillies 2