MLB Betting News and Trends For Wednesday 6/6/18

Wednesday’s games
National League
Dodgers (30-30) @ Pirates (30-30)
Ferguson is making his MLB debut here; he is 0-0, 2.25 in two AAA starts, after going 3-0, 1.38 in eight AA starts. Team in his starts: 0-0.
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Williams is 0-1, 7.80 in his last three starts (under 7-4-1). Team in his starts: 6-6.
5-inning record: 4-5-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-12

Dodgers won seven of their last nine games; over is 4-1 in their last five road games. Pittsburgh lost eight of its last ten games; under is 5-1 in their last six games.

Rockies (31-29) @ Reds (21-40)
Gray is 1-3, 9.33 in his last four starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 5-7.
5-inning record: 5-6-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-12

Romano is 1-3, 11.00 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 5-7.
5-inning record: 2-5-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-12

Rockies lost four of their last five games; over is 5-1 in their last six games. Cincinnati lost six of its last eight games; over is 6-1 in their last seven games.

Phillies (32-26) @ Cubs (33-24)
Nola is 6-1, 2.15 in his last eight starts (under 9-2-1). Team in his starts: 8-4.
5-inning record: 4-4-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-12

Quintana is 2-1, 2.04 in his last three starts (under 6-5). Team in his starts: 7=4.
5-inning record: 6-5. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-11

Phillies lost six of their last nine games; under is 6-1 in their last seven games. Cubs won seven of their last nine games; under is 4-1 in their last five home games.

Marlins (21-39) @ Cardinals (32-26)
Chen is 0-1, 3.32 in his last four starts (under 4-3). Team in his starts: 2-5.
5-inning record: 4-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-7

Flaherty is 2-0, 2.89 in his last three starts (under 3-1-2). Team in his starts: 3-3.
5-inning record: 5-0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

Marlins lost six of their last seven games; over is 6-2 in their last eight games. St Louis won three of its last five games; under is 7-2 in their last nine home games.

Braves (36-25) @ Padres (28-35)
Foltynewicz is 2-1, 0.82 in his last three starts; under is 3-0-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 5-7.
5-inning record: 3-3-6. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-12

Bullpen game for the Padres. Team in his starts: 0-0.
5-inning record: 0-0. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0

Braves won four of their last six games; five of Atlanta’s last seven games stayed under. San Diego won six of its last eight games; over is 8-1 in last nine Padre games.

Diamondbacks (32-28) @ Giants (30-31)
Buchholz is 1-1, 1.50 in three starts this year (under 2-1). Team in his starts: 1-2.
5-inning record: 2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Stratton is 2-3, 4.45 in his last five starts (under 5-0). Team in his starts: 4-7.
5-inning record: 3-5-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-11

Arizona won six of its last eight games; under is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Giants won five of their last six games; five of last six SF games stayed under the total.

American League
New York (39-18) @ Toronto (26-34)
Gray is 2-1, 2.25 in his last three road starts; over is 3-1 in his last four starts. Team in his starts: 5-6
5-inning record: 5-5-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-11

Gaviglio is 1-1, 3.71 in three starts this year (over 2-0-1). Team in his starts: 1-2.
5-inning record: 2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

New York is 21-5 in its last 26 games; over is 7-3 in their last ten road games. Blue Jays lost six of their last seven games; over is 4-2-1 in their last seven games.

Tigers (29-33) @ Red Sox (42-19)
Hardy is 2-0, 2.08 in his last two starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 3-1
5-inning record: 3-0-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4

Rodriguez is 3-0, 2.00 in his last three starts; under is 3-0-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 10-1.
5-inning record: 7-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-11

Tigers won five of their last eight games; under is 6-1 in their last seven road games. Boston won six of its last eight games; over is 6-2-2 in their last ten games.

A’s (31-30) @ Rangers (26-37)
Mengden is 4-0, 1.50 in his last four starts (over 7-5). Team in his starts: 8-4
5-inning record: 8-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-12

Colon is 0-2, 8.80 in his last three starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 4-6.
5-inning record: 3-4-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-10

A’s won three of their last five games; under is 6-3-1 in their last ten games. Texas is 4-5 in its last nine games; four of Rangers’ last five games stayed under the total.

Mariners (38-22) @ Astros (37-25)
LeBlanc is 1-0, 1.72 in six starts this year (under 6-0). Team in his starts: 5-1
5-inning record: 3-1-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-6

McCullers is 2-2, 4.24 in his last four starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 7-4.
5-inning record: 4-3-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11

Mariners won 14 of their last 17 games; under is 13-2 in their last 15 games. Houston lost seven of its last ten games; over is 8-3-1 in last dozen Astro games.

White Sox (19-39) @ Twins (26-31)
Santiago is 1-1, 5.12 in his last four starts (over 4-2). Team in his starts: 2-4
5-inning record: 0-3-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-6

Odorizzi is 0-0, 5.23 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 5-7
5-inning record: 5-4-3. Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-12

White Sox lost six of their last nine games; over is 4-3 in their last seven road games. Minnesota won seven of its last ten home games; over is 4-2-1 in their last seven games.

Royals (21-41) @ Angels (35-28)
Kennedy is 0-3, 11.03 in his last five starts (under 7-5). Team in his starts: 3-9
5-inning record: 3-7-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-12

Ohtani is 2-0, 2.16 in his last four starts; his last three stayed under. Team in his starts: 6-2.
5-inning record: 6-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-8

Royals lost four of their last five games; over is 3-2-1 in their last six games. Angels won four of their last five games; six of Halos’ last eight home games stayed under the total.

Interleague
Rays (28-31) @ Nationals (34-25)
Bullpen game for Tampa Bay; lefty Yarbrough is likely to come in early. He is 2-0, 2.28 in his last four appearances. Team in bullpen games: 8-12
5-inning record: 8-8-4. Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-20

Roark is 0-3, 2.92 in his last five starts; his last seven starts stayed under. Team in his starts: 4-7
5-inning record: 3-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11

Rays lost their last five games; under is 9-2 in their last 11 games. Washington lost three of its last five games; Nationals’ last ten games stayed under the total.

Orioles (18-41) @ Mets (27-31)
Bundy is 2-2, 3.21 in his last four starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 4-8
5-inning record: 4-6-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-12

Wheeler is 0-3, 6.35 in his last six starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight starts. Team in his starts: 3-7.
5-inning record: 3-7. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-10

Baltimore lost seven of its last eight games; under is 7-2 in their last nine games. Mets lost their last seven home games; under is 7-2 in their last nine home games.

Brewers (37-24) @ Indians (31-28)
Anderson is 2-2, 6.92 in his last five starts (over 3-1-1). Team in his starts: 7-4
5-inning record: 6-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-11

Carrasco is 1-3, 6.46 in his last four starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 6-6.
5-inning record: 7-3-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-12

Brewers lost four of last five road games; under is 5-1 in their last six games. Cleveland lost three of its last four games; over is 18-2 in Indians’ last 20 home games.

Umpires
Atl-SD: Over is 3-1 in last four Lentz games.
Az-SF: Under is 8-3 in last 11 Welke games.
LA-Pitt: Under is 9-1 in last ten Dreckman games.
Col-Cin: Over is 9-2-1 in Johnson games this year.
Phil-Chi: Six of last seven Carapazza games stayed under.
Mia-StL: Three of last four Visconti games stayed under.

NY-Tor: Over is 8-1 in last nine Tichenor games.
Det-Bos: Last five Dimuro games stayed under.
A’s-Tex: Over is 5-2 in last seven Guccione games.
Sea-Hst: Underdogs won last four Nauert games.
Chi-Min: Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Bucknor games.
KC-LA: Four of last five Meals games stayed under.

TB-Wsh: Over is 5-3 in last eight TBarrett games.
Blt-NY: Under is 4-1-1 in last six Marquez games.
Mil-Clev: Four of last five Wolcott games stayed under.

Preview: Rays at Nationals
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

The Washington Nationals will be looking to get back to the .500 mark at home when they bid for a two-game interleague sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday afternoon. Washington was victorious in its return from a 10-game road trip, riding the pitching of ace Max Scherzer to a 4-2 win over the Rays, who will be playing the finale of a nine-game trek.

Matt Adams homered as the Nationals won for the 10th time in 14 games, although they enter Wednesday's matchup with only a 13-14 home mark as compared to a 21-11 record on the road. Wilmer Difo had an RBI triple and drove in two runs and rookie Juan Soto scored twice as Washington remained perfect in interleague play with a 4-0 mark. Tampa Bay's promising start to the road trip has gone off the rails -- the team has dropped five in a row and scored only 10 runs during the skid. Brad Miller's pinch-hit double accounted for the only offense for the Rays, who dipped to 0-6 in interleague action -- all against National League East opponents.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), MASN 2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Jonny Venters (1-0, 0.87 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Tanner Roark (2-6, 3.61)

Tampa Bay returns to its starter-by-bullpen rotation with Venters set to lead off in what will be to his first major league start. The 33-year-old returned to the majors last month for the first time since 2012, missing five years with multiple elbow injuries that included two Tommy John surgeries. Venters has not allowed a hit in his last five appearances, with his longest this season 1 2/3 innings.

Roark pitched at least six innings in each of his five outings in May and posted a 3.18 ERA, but he came away with an 0-3 record despite four quality starts. The 31-year-old allowed one home run during that span, but he came on in relief in the ninth inning Sunday in Atlanta and served up a walk-off, two-run blast. Brad Miller is 3-for-3 against Roark, who won his lone career start versus Tampa Bay in 2015.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals LHP Sean Doolittle has converted 15 of 16 saves chances.

2. Rays RHP Chris Archer (abdominal strain) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday.

3. The Nationals placed RHP Jeremy Hellickson (hamstring) on the 10-day DL Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Rays 3
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Umpire Trends - Ted Barrett

Road team is 4-0 in Barretts last 4 interleague games behind home plate.
Road team is 4-0 in Barretts last 4 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Washington.
Rays are 4-0 in their last 4 interleague games with Barrett behind home plate.
Home team is 5-0 in Barretts last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Tampa Bay.
Over is 4-1 in Barretts last 5 interleague games behind home plate.
Home team is 4-1 in Barretts last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Home team is 21-7 in Barretts last 28 games behind home plate vs. Tampa Bay.
Nationals are 5-2 in their last 7 games with Barrett behind home plate.
Under is 10-4-2 in Barretts last 16 games behind home plate vs. Washington.
Road team is 5-2 in Barretts last 7 games behind home plate vs. Washington.
Over is 5-2 in Barretts last 7 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Washington.
Nationals are 1-4 in their last 5 interleague games with Barrett behind home plate.
Rays are 1-4 in their last 5 games with Barrett behind home plate.
Nationals are 0-5 in their last 5 Wednesday games with Barrett behind home plate.
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Preview: Orioles at Mets
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

Baltimore Orioles star Manny Machado has been every bit as potent at the plate as his scuffling team has been dreadful in the standings. Machado, who is in the midst of a career season, has an eight-game hitting streak for the Orioles (18-41) as they bid for a sweep of an abbreviated two-game interleague series against the host New York Mets (27-31) on Wednesday afternoon.

Machado had an RBI single in the first inning of Tuesday's 2-1 victory for Baltimore, which ended its losing streak at seven games and pushed New York's skid to five overall and seven straight at Citi Field. The 25-year-old Machado is 13-for-41 with five extra-base hits and five RBIs in his last 10 games for the Orioles. The Mets' anemic offense certainly could use that type of production, as it was limited to just three hits in the opener and has mustered just seven runs during its last five games. "It's frustrating. It's so much more frustrating for every single person in this clubhouse. Individually (and) as a team, it's a frustrating situation," said Jay Bruce, who had two of his team's hits on Tuesday.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Baltimore), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (3-7, 4.46 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-4, 5.14)

Bundy's difficult season has been plagued by the home run ball, and his last outing was no different as Bryce Harper and Mark Reynolds went deep as part of the career high-tying 11 hits he allowed over six innings in a 3-2 setback to Washington. The 25-year-old has permitted 15 homers in his last seven outings to overshadow his strikeouts total of 35 in his last four trips to the mound. Bundy has yet to face the Mets in his career, but he has flustered Jose Bautista (0-for-8, six strikeouts) and Todd Frazier (0-for-8).

Wheeler saw his winless stretch extend to six starts (0-3) on Friday despite yielding just two runs in six innings of a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs. The 28-year-old hasn't given the Citi Field faithful much to cheer as he sports an 0-4 mark with a 6.43 ERA in five home starts this season. Wheeler owns a 3-4 record with a 6.26 ERA in 11 interleague starts heading into first career start versus Baltimore.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York 2B Asdrubal Cabrera is 1-for-23 in his last six games.

2. Baltimore CF Adam Jones has 15 hits and six RBIs in his last nine contests.

3. Mets CF Brandon Nimmo is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts in his last three games.

PREDICTION: Mets 3, Orioles 1
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Umpire Trends - Alfonso Marquez

Home team is 4-0 in Marquezs last 4 games behind home plate.
Over is 4-0 in Mets last 4 interleague games with Marquez behind home plate.
Under is 3-0-1 in Marquezs last 4 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Over is 4-0 in Marquezs last 4 interleague games behind home plate vs. New York.
Under is 11-1 in Marquezs last 12 games behind home plate vs. Baltimore.
Home team is 5-1 in Marquezs last 6 interleague games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1 in Marquezs last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1-1 in Marquezs last 6 games behind home plate.
Home team is 4-1 in Marquezs last 5 games behind home plate vs. Baltimore.
Home team is 13-4 in Marquezs last 17 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Orioles are 17-6 in their last 23 games with Marquez behind home plate.
Mets are 8-3 in their last 11 games with Marquez behind home plate.
Road team is 5-2 in Marquezs last 7 games behind home plate vs. New York.
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Preview: Brewers at Indians
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

Slugger Edwin Encarnacion looks to extend his hitting streak to 12 games when the Cleveland Indians go after a two-game sweep of the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday afternoon. Encarnacion had a double and scored a run as the Indians edged Milwaukee 3-2 on Tuesday and is 18-for-43 with six homers and 15 RBIs during his streak to raise his batting average from .202 to .248.

Jason Kipnis is also warming up with multiple hits in six of his last 10 games and Jose Ramirez homered in five of nine contests for Cleveland while teammate Lonnie Chisenhall (calf) had a two-run single Tuesday in his return from a near two-month stint on the disabled list. Carlos Carrasco hopes to find the form that led to a 14-strikeout, complete-game victory over the Brewers on May 9 when he takes the mound Wednesday and faces fellow right-hander Chase Anderson in the finale. Milwaukee has lost back-to-back contests for the first time since a four-game losing streak April 26-29 and is 1-3 in the middle of its current road trip. Travis Shaw launched his 14th homer in the ninth inning Tuesday for the Brewers and Lorenzo Cain added a pair of hits in the loss after managing the same amount over the previous six contests.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Chase Anderson (4-4, 4.45 ERA) vs. Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (6-4, 4.50)

Anderson has had problems in his last two starts, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits over 9 1/3 innings combined while picking up a loss and a no-decision. The 30-year-old Texan registered four quality starts in his first six trips to the mound in 2018, but accomplished that just once in his last five outings. Michael Brantley is 2-for-3 with a homer versus Anderson, who lost his only career start against the Indians while yielding four runs over five innings.

Carrasco limited the Brewers to two runs on five hits and one walk, but is just 1-3 in four starts since and struggled in the last two appearances. The 31-year-old Venezuela native had seven quality starts in his first 10 outings of 2018, but permitted 11 runs on 14 hits across 9 1/3 innings combined in the past two contests. Cain is 13-for-36 with a double and a triple against Carrasco, who owns a 5.59 ERA at home as opposed to a 3.83 mark on the road.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee OF Ryan Braun needs one stolen base to become the third player in franchise history to reach 200.

2. Indians CF Bradley Zimmer was optioned to Triple-A Columbus to make room for Chisenhall on the roster.

3. Brewers 1B Eric Thames (thumb) is slated to continue his rehab assignment with Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Brewers 2
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Umpire Trends - Quinn Wolcott

Over is 4-0-1 in Wolcotts last 5 interleague games behind home plate.
Under is 5-0 in Wolcotts last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Under is 3-0-2 in Wolcotts last 5 games behind home plate.
Home team is 6-0 in Wolcotts last 6 games behind home plate vs. Cleveland.
Under is 4-1 in Wolcotts last 5 games behind home plate vs. Cleveland.
Home team is 18-6 in Wolcotts last 24 Wednesday games behind home plate.
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Preview: Braves at Padres
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

The Atlanta Braves got rid of a lot of frustration with a rare dominating performance at Petco Park. Atlanta looks to follow up its third win in its last 18 contests in San Diego with another strong showing when it closes a three-game set against the Padres on Wednesday.

The Braves racked up 18 hits in Tuesday's 14-1 romp over San Diego as Freddie Freeman (4-for-4, two RBIs), Dansby Swanson (3-for-4, three RBIs) and Nick Markakis (2-for-5, three RBIs) each homered during the offensive assault. Atlanta sends right-hander Mike Foltynewicz to the mound in the finale and he is fresh off a stellar outing against the Washington Nationals when he tossed a two-hit shutout and matched his career high of 11 strikeouts. The setback was only the second in the past eight games for the Padres, who had scored 47 runs over the previous seven games. San Diego rookie Franmil Reyes homered in the ninth on Tuesday for his sixth blast in 18 games.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Southeast (Atlanta), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (5-3, 2.22 ERA) vs. Padres LH Matt Strahm (1-2, 2.92)

Foltynewicz has won back-to-back starts in which he has allowed one run and five hits with 18 strikeouts over 16 innings. The 26-year-old has been superb over his last five outings, compiling a 3-1 mark and 0.56 ERA during the stretch. Foltynewicz is 1-0 with a 6.17 ERA in two career starts against the Padres.

Strahm will be the first pitcher to take the mound for the Padres, who are making this a "bullpen game." The 26-year-old pitched two scoreless innings in a similar situation against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 27. "I'd do my starting routine," Strahm said prior to Tuesday's game before he was tabbed the starter. "But once I get on the mound, it's as if I'm relieving, because that's what I'm built up for right now - attack, attack, attack."

WALK-OFFS

1. Braves C Kurt Suzuki had three hits on Tuesday for his fourth multi-hit outing in his past six starts.

2. San Diego 1B Eric Hosmer was removed after two hitless at-bats on Tuesday - he was 15-for-27 over the previous seven contests.

3. Atlanta placed RHP Julio Teheran (right thumb) on the 10-day disabled list after he was injured while batting during Monday's game.

PREDICTION: Braves 7, Padres 4
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Umpire Trends - Nic Lentz

Under is 3-0-1 in Lentzs last 4 games behind home plate vs. San Diego.
Braves are 6-0 in their last 6 games with Lentz behind home plate.
Over is 3-1-1 in Lentzs last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Road team is 5-2 in Lentzs last 7 games behind home plate.
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Preview: Diamondbacks at Giants
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

Mired in a season-long slump, Arizona Diamondbacks star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt appears to warming up with the weather. One day after recording his first three-hit game since April 26, Goldschmidt looks to build on the performance Wednesday when the Diamondbacks face the host San Francisco Giants in the rubber match of the three-game series.

Goldschmidt has raised his average to .220 by reaching base safely in 14 of his last 15 games for the Diamondbacks, who spoiled the season debut of Madison Bumgarner with Tuesday’s 3-2 victory. Infielder Ketel Marte doubled during the team’s two-run second inning and is 7-for-17 with three doubles, two triples, two homers and six RBIs during his five-game hitting streak. The Giants saw their five-game winning streak come to an end despite a strong outing from Bumgarner, who allowed two runs over six innings in his first game since breaking the pinkie on his pitching hand during spring training. Center fielder Gorkys Hernandez went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and is 3-for-25 over his last seven games.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, Facebook Watch

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Clay Buchholz (1-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. Giants RH Chris Stratton (7-3, 4.50)

Buchholz recorded his first win since Sept. 21, 2016 by holding Miami to one run with nine strikeouts over seven innings last Friday. The 33-year-old native Texan signed with the Diamondbacks in May and has pitched at least five innings and allowed one run in each of his first three starts. Evan Longoria has 11 hits in 50 at-bats with 17 strikeouts against Buchholz, who is making his second career appearance against San Francisco.

Stratton completed six innings for the first time since May 4 with a strong outing last Friday, giving up four hits over six scoreless innings in a 4-0 win over Philadelphia. The 27-year-old native of Mississippi had allowed 24 earned runs over 27 innings in his previous six starts but only allowed two runners to reach second base in last Friday’s victory. Jake Lamb is 0-for-7 with three strikeouts against Stratton, who is 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA in four career starts against Arizona.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco starting pitchers haven't allowed more than two runs in the last five games.

2. Arizona optioned Jake Barrett to Triple-A Reno and recalled fellow RHP Silvino Bracho.

3. The Giants optioned RHP Pierce Johnson to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Bumgarner.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Diamondbacks 2
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Umpire Trends - Bill Welke

Home team is 7-1 in Welkes last 8 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Arizona.
Under is 5-1 in Welkes last 6 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. San Francisco.
Road team is 4-1 in Welkes last 5 games behind home plate vs. Arizona.
Under is 6-2 in Welkes last 8 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Arizona.
Over is 8-3 in Welkes last 11 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Giants are 4-10 in their last 14 games with Welke behind home plate.
Diamondbacks are 2-5 in their last 7 games with Welke behind home plate.
Diamondbacks are 1-7 in their last 8 Wednesday games with Welke behind home plate.
Giants are 0-4 in their last 4 Wednesday games with Welke behind home plate.
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Preview: Dodgers at Pirates
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers aim to move over .500 for the first time since they were 11-10 when they play the second of a three-game series at the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. Five pitchers combined to scatter seven hits and three players went deep in the Dodgers' 5-0 victory to begin the series, their 14th win in the last 18 games.

The surge includes eight consecutive road wins for Los Angeles (30-30), which is 7-1 against the Pirates since the start of last year. The Dodgers will give the ball Wednesday to promising prospect Caleb Ferguson for his major-league debut after just 47 innings above Single-A ball. "I think I'm ready," Ferguson told reporters Tuesday. "But the game is going to tell me if I'm ready or not." Pittsburgh, which has lost three in a row and 13 of 17 to fall to .500 for the first time, counters with Trevor Williams.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Caleb Ferguson (NR) vs. Pirates RH Trevor Williams (5-3, 3.84 ERA)

Ferguson was 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA in eight starts for Double-A Tulsa before making a pair of starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to his call-up. He allowed two earned runs and six hits in eight innings over those two outings. The 21-year-old, who was a 38th-round selection in 2014, has 271 strikeouts in 250 1/3 innings in his career in the minors.

Williams went 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA through his first nine starts but he's hit a snag of late, going 0-1 with a 7.80 mark over his last three outings. He went three straight starts without issuing a walk before handing out two and allowing nine hits across five rocky frames at St. Louis on Thursday. The 26-year-old is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig has all seven of his home runs over his last 19 games.

2. Pirates 1B Josh Bell is hitless in 13 at-bats over his last four contests.

3. Los Angeles 3B Justin Turner (wrist) was given Tuesday off and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Pirates 4
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Umpire Trends - Bruce Dreckman

Under is 4-0 in Dreckmans last 4 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Home team is 4-0 in Dreckmans last 4 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Under is 6-0 in Dreckmans last 6 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Home team is 5-0 in Dreckmans last 5 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Under is 21-5-1 in Dreckmans last 27 games behind home plate vs. Los Angeles.
Under is 20-6 in Dreckmans last 26 games behind home plate.
Home team is 6-2 in Dreckmans last 8 games behind home plate.
Road team is 10-4 in Dreckmans last 14 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Road team is 5-2 in Dreckmans last 7 games behind home plate vs. Los Angeles.
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Preview: Yankees at Blue Jays
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

Rookie Miguel Andujar is adding quite a bit of pop near the bottom of the lineup for the New York Yankees, who also haven't been shy about flexing their muscles in the opposing team's ballpark. Andujar and the Yankees (39-18) aim to continue their good fortune on Wednesday in the finale of an abbreviated two-game series against the host Toronto Blue Jays (26-34), who are just 12-18 at Rogers Centre.

Andujar belted his first career grand slam to highlight his 20th multi-hit performance in Tuesday's 7-2 triumph, giving him 13 extra-base hits, 13 RBIs and 12 runs scored in his last 18 games. Aaron Hicks added a three-run blast for New York, which has won six of its last seven while launching 30 homers in its last 10 road contests. Teoscar Hernandez homered for the second time in four outings with a solo shot, and the 25-year-old Dominican had a two-run blast in his last encounter versus Wednesday starter Sonny Gray on April 20. Kevin Pillar also went deep on Tuesday to improve to 9-for-30 with two homers against the Yankees this season.

TV:: 7:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), Sportsnet (Toronto), TVA Sports

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Sonny Gray (4-4, 5.50 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Sam Gaviglio (2-1, 3.32)

Gray has allowed five runs in two of his last four outings, only to answer those subpar performances with a one-run, four-hit effort to even his record both times. The 28-year-old also permitted five runs on as many hits in just 3 1/3 innings of a no-decision against Toronto on April 20. Gray owns a 4-3 mark versus the Blue Jays despite allowing the club to bat .300 against him.

Gaviglio tasted defeat for the first time this season last Wednesday after yielding four runs on seven hits in six innings of a 6-4 setback at Boston. The 28-year-old allowed two homers for the second straight contest after keeping the ball in the park in his other three appearances (9 2/3 innings). Gaviglio will make his 22nd career appearance and 17th start on Wednesday, albeit his first against New York.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York 2B Gleyber Torres has cooled off since being named the American League Player of the Week, going 1-for-14 with four strikeouts in his last four games.

2. Toronto DH Kendrys Morales answered a 6-for-13 stretch by going 0-for-13 with six strikeouts in his last three contests.

3. Yankees LHP Jordan Montgomery is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow Thursday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Blue Jays 4
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Umpire Trends - Todd Tichenor

Over is 4-0 in Tichenors last 4 games behind home plate.
Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 games with Tichenor behind home plate.
Road team is 8-1 in Tichenors last 9 games behind home plate vs. Toronto.
Under is 7-1 in Tichenors last 8 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Home team is 5-1 in Tichenors last 6 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Under is 4-1 in Tichenors last 5 games behind home plate vs. Toronto.
Over is 20-8 in Tichenors last 28 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Blue Jays are 1-4 in their last 5 games with Tichenor behind home plate.
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Preview: Rockies at Reds
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

The Colorado Rockies rode Carlos Gonzalez's hot bat to a slump-busting win and look to make it two in a row when they continue a three-game series at the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. The Rockies had lost a season-high four straight before toppling the Reds 9-6 in the series opener Tuesday, as Gonzalez went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs.

The veteran outfielder is 14-for-32 with two homers and nine RBIs over an eight-game stretch to raise his average from .214 to .264. Colorado improved to 20-13 on the road with the victory while dropping the Reds to 9-20 at home. Cincinnati rallied from a 9-1 deficit to make it interesting and it finished with 17 hits, but 10 men were left on base - including two to end the contest. The hosts will try to bounce back behind Sal Romano, who opposes Jon Gray for the Rockies in a matchup of struggling right-handers.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jon Gray (5-6, 5.68 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (3-6, 6.00)

Gray's issues continued last Wednesday against San Francisco at home, as he gave up four runs in a season-low 3 1/3 innings. It was his fourth straight non-quality start, during which the Oklahoma native has an ERA of 9.33. The best outing of that stretch was a win over the Reds in which Gray gave up four runs over six innings while improving to 3-0 lifetime versus Cincinnati.

Romano is also suffering through a difficult four-start swoon in which he's given up 22 runs in 17 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old served up four home runs over the last three outings, although he did manage to pick up a win at Arizona last Wednesday despite serving up two homers in five innings of four-run ball. Charlie Blackmon is 3-for-5 with a double against Romano, who lost opposite Gray at Coors Field last month.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blackmon was 3-for-5 on Tuesday and is batting .396 during a 12-game hitting streak.

2. Colorado recalled OF Mike Tauchman from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned INF Daniel Castro.

3. Reds OF Scott Schebler has three home runs during his five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Rockies 7, Reds 5
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Umpire Trends - Adrian Johnson

Over is 6-1 in Johnsons last 7 games behind home plate.
Road team is 5-1 in Johnsons last 6 games behind home plate.
Over is 13-3-1 in Johnsons last 17 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Under is 7-3 in Johnsons last 10 games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
Reds are 0-4 in their last 4 Wednesday games with Johnson behind home plate.
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Preview: Tigers at Red Sox
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

The Detroit Tigers are well aware of the kind of damage that can be inflicted by slugger J.D. Martinez, who swatted 99 home runs during 3 1/2 seasons in the Motor City. Martinez haunted his former teammates in the opener of a three-game series and looks to continue his power binge for the Boston Red Sox against the visiting Tigers on Wednesday night.

Martinez became the first player in the majors to reach 20 homers with a two-run shot -- his fifth in 10 games -- that propelled major league-best Boston to a 6-0 rout on Tuesday night and its third straight win. Martinez's bat also hurt the Tigers literally as he ripped a line shot off the hand of Jeimer Candelario that forced the third baseman to exit the game with a jammed middle finger. X-rays were negative, but Candelario has been an integral part of Detroit's turnaround, putting together a 28-game on-base streak that was snapped in Monday's doubleheader loss to the New York Yankees. Nicholas Castellanos has multiple hits in six of the last eight games for the Tigers, who have dropped three of four following an 8-2 stretch.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Blaine Hardy (2-0, 2.77 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (6-1, 3.88)

Hardy never started a game in the majors in his first four seasons but he is making a bid to earn a permanent start in Detroit's rotation after winning his last two outings in impressive fashion. The 31-year-old limited the Chicago White Sox to one run on three hits over seven innings on May 27 and followed that up with six innings of two-run ball versus Toronto. He has split two relief appearances versus Boston.

Since escaping with two no-decisions despite giving up 10 runs in 10 innings, Rodriguez has surrendered a combined seven runs while going 3-1 over his last five starts. He won his third straight start -- striking out seven in all three -- by limiting Toronto to two runs on three hits over a season high-tying 6 2/3 innings. James McCann is 3-for-7 with two homers off Rodriguez, who is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA versus Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox 2B Eduardo Núñez, who has hit safely in six straight games, and 1B Mitch Moreland are each 5-for-8 in the last two contests.

2. Castellanos leads the American League with 26 multiple-hit games, including 11 in the last 17 contests.

3. Boston placed LH Drew Pomeranz (biceps tendinitis) on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 4, Tigers 3
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Umpire Trends - Mike DiMuro

Under is 5-0 in DiMuros last 5 games behind home plate.
Home team is 7-1 in DiMuros last 8 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Under is 6-1 in DiMuros last 7 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Red Sox are 4-1 in their last 5 Wednesday games with DiMuro behind home plate.
Road team is 4-1 in DiMuros last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Boston.
Tigers are 4-1 in their last 5 games with DiMuro behind home plate.
Road team is 6-2 in DiMuros last 8 games behind home plate vs. Detroit.
Home team is 20-7 in DiMuros last 27 games behind home plate.
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Preview: Athletics at Rangers
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

The Texas Rangers hope to pick up where they left off in the series opener when they conclude their two-game set against the visiting Oakland Athletics on Wednesday. Texas trailed by two runs on Tuesday before scoring twice in the seventh inning and three times in the eighth en route to a 7-4 victory.

The Rangers belted a season-high five home runs in the triumph, including Adrian Beltre's leadoff shot in the eighth that snapped the 4-4 tie and Joey Gallo's two-run blast - his 16th of the year - later in the frame that sealed the win in the opener of their six-game homestand. Beltre's homer was just his second in 33 contests this season while Shin-Soo Choo's two-run shot in the seventh extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Oakland, which fell to 2-2 on its five-game road trip, received five of its 10 hits in the loss from Matt Olson (three) and Khris Davis (two). Each player drove in two runs, with Olson raising his RBI total to 11 over his last five games and Davis ending a seven-game drought with his 14th homer of 2018 - which gave the Athletics a blast in 18 straight road contests.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Daniel Mengden (6-4, 2.91 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Bartolo Colon (2-3, 4.21)

Mengden is riding a winning streak that reached four starts on Thursday, when he allowed three runs and six hits over eight innings against Tampa Bay. The 25-year-old Texan has worked at least seven frames in each of his last three turns and tossed 16 scoreless innings in two outings before facing the Rays. Mengden fell to 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA in four career starts against Texas after yielding four runs - three earned - in 5 1/3 frames on April 5.

Colon makes his fourth attempt at career victory No. 243, which will tie him with Juan Marichal for most by a pitcher from the Dominican Republic. The 45-year-old lasted only three innings against the Angels in Los Angeles on Friday as he was battered for six runs and eight hits - two homers - en route to his third loss in four decisions. Colon is 9-6 with one shutout and a 3.33 ERA in 22 career starts and one relief appearance versus Oakland, including a no-decision in his season debut on April 2 in which he gave up one run over six frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Athletics sent RHP Santiago Casilla (shoulder) to Single-A Stockton on a rehab assignment.

2. Texas parted ways with veteran RHP Tim Lincecum (finger), who was activated from the 60-day disabled list and released on Tuesday.

3. Oakland activated RHP Liam Hendriks (groin) from the 10-day disabled list and recalled C Josh Phegley from Triple-A Nashville while placing Daniel Gossett (elbow) on the 10-day DL and optioning fellow RHP Josh Lucas to the Sounds.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Rangers 3
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Umpire Trends - Chris Guccione

Road team is 7-1 in Gucciones last 8 games behind home plate vs. Oakland.
Under is 6-1 in Gucciones last 7 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Oakland.
Road team is 5-1 in Gucciones last 6 games behind home plate vs. Texas.
Under is 4-1 in Gucciones last 5 games behind home plate vs. Oakland.
Under is 7-2 in Gucciones last 9 games behind home plate vs. Texas.
Road team is 6-2 in Gucciones last 8 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Oakland.
Over is 5-2 in Gucciones last 7 games behind home plate.
Rangers are 7-17 in their last 24 games with Guccione behind home plate.
Athletics are 1-4 in their last 5 games with Guccione behind home plate.
Rangers are 1-5 in their last 6 Wednesday games with Guccione behind home plate.
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Preview: Phillies at Cubs
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

If legendary manager Earl Weaver’s saying that momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher is to be believed, the Philadelphia Phillies have it on their side Wednesday. Budding ace Aaron Nola takes the mound for the Phillies for the second of a three-game road series against the Chicago Cubs.

Nola looks to pick up where rookie Zach Eflin left off after Eflin and two relievers cooled the Cubs’ bats in a 6-1 win in Tuesday’s series opener. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Chicago, which remained two games behind Milwaukee in the National League Central. The Phillies also are two games back of Atlanta in the NL East after ending a three-game skid. Every starter had a hit and six different players scored runs in the opener for Philadelphia, which had totaled only five runs in its previous five contests.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (7-2, 2.18 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jose Quintana (6-4, 4.30)

Nola has been the model of consistency, posting quality starts in nine of his last 10 outings and allowing one or zero runs in five of his last six. The 25-year-old has been especially dominant over his past two starts, allowing a total of two runs and three hits over 13 2/3 innings with 17 strikeouts. Nola has faced the Cubs only once, allowing four runs over 7 2/3 innings in a win in 2015.

Quintana has been up-and-down through his first 11 starts, but when he has been good, he has been very good. The 29-year-old was in control last time out, holding the New York Mets to three hits over six scoreless innings and recorded six strikeouts – his fourth straight start with at least that many. Quintana is 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA in two starts against the Phillies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 23-for-65 with 16 RBIs in his last 16 games with a plate appearance.

2. Philadelphia RHP Seranthony Dominguez retired all three batters he faced Tuesday and has sat down 43 of 46 since making his major-league debut May 7, including 16 by strikeout.

3. Chicago 3B Kris Bryant recorded his team-leading 18th multi-hit game Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Cubs 2
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Umpire Trends - Victor Carapazza

Road team is 4-0 in Carapazzas last 4 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Under is 4-0-1 in Carapazzas last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Road team is 5-1 in Carapazzas last 6 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
Under is 4-1 in Carapazzas last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
Under is 20-7-1 in Carapazzas last 28 games behind home plate.
Cubs are 5-15 in their last 20 games with Carapazza behind home plate.
Phillies are 2-14 in their last 16 games with Carapazza behind home plate.
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Preview: White Sox at Twins
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

The Minnesota Twins were fortunate to earn a split in the series-opening doubleheader and look to re-ignite their offensive surge Wednesday, when they continue their four-game home set against the last-place Chicago White Sox. The Twins, who scored 21 runs in winning their previous three contests against American League Central-leading Cleveland, rallied with four runs in the eighth inning to win Tuesday's first game 4-2 before dropping the nightcap.

Eduardo Escobar rescued Minnesota in the opener with a three-run homer to continue a red-hot stretch during which he has recorded multiple hits in five of his last seven games, recording four blasts and 13 RBIs in that span. Jake Odorizzi hopes to give the Twins another solid outing when he gets the start Wednesday against Hector Santiago, who posted a record of 7-14 with Minnesota from 2016-17. The White Sox have picked it up offensively since the calendar turned to June, scoring at least six runs in three of their five games after winning the nightcap 6-3 with the aid of Jose Abreu’s 10th homer of the season in the first inning. Yolmer Sanchez registered a pair of doubles and two RBIs in Tuesday’s second contest to boost his hitting streak to nine games, a stretch during which he has gone 12-for-36.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Hector Santiago (1-2, 5.10 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (3-2, 4.14)

The White Sox were 0-13 in Santiago’s first 13 appearances this season, but they have posted victories in two of his last three. The 30-year-old native of New Jersey’s worst performance of the year came versus the Twins on May 5, when he allowed eight runs over 3 1/3 innings against his former team. Logan Morrison has homered twice and Eddie Rosario is 3-for-3 with a blast versus Santiago, who is 3-3 with a 5.73 ERA in his career versus Minnesota.

Odorizzi is unbeaten in his last seven starts but avoided a loss Thursday, when he permitted eight runs - seven earned - across 3 2/3 innings against Cleveland. The 28-year-old from Illinois has not completed more than six frames in an outing this season but has given up fewer than two runs in six of his 12 turns. Avisail Garcia and Daniel Palka have homered against Odorizzi, who allowed five runs - three earned - in 5 1/3 innings of a no-decision versus the White Sox on May 3.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago INF Matt Davidson (back) went 1-for-4 on Tuesday in his first game since May 22.

2. Morrison missed the doubleheader due to back issues and is questionable for Wednesday.

3. White Sox CF Adam Engel has recorded multiple hits in six of his last 13 games, raising his average from .183 to .231.

PREDICTION: Twins 5, White Sox 4
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Umpire Trends - CB Bucknor

Under is 3-0-1 in Bucknors last 4 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Road team is 4-0 in Bucknors last 4 games behind home plate vs. Minnesota.
Under is 3-0-1 in Bucknors last 4 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
Over is 8-1 in Bucknors last 9 games behind home plate vs. Minnesota.
Twins are 6-1 in their last 7 games with Bucknor behind home plate.
Home team is 5-1 in Bucknors last 6 games behind home plate.
Home team is 5-1 in Bucknors last 6 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
Under is 26-11-3 in Bucknors last 40 games behind home plate.
White Sox are 0-5 in their last 5 games with Bucknor behind home plate.
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Preview: Mariners at Astros
Gracenote
Jun 6, 2018

The red-hot Seattle Mariners aim for their sixth consecutive victory when they conclude their two-game series with the host Houston Astros on Wednesday. Seattle rolled to a 7-1 victory in Tuesday's opener to increase its lead over Houston in the American League West to two games.

Kyle Seager, Jean Segura and Mike Zunino all homered in the opener as the Mariners moved 16 games over .500 for the first time since the 130th game of the 2007 season. Nelson Cruz continued his surge by going 2-for-4 and is 13-for-31 with two homers and eight RBIs over his last eight contests. The Astros, who have lost three straight, had their streak of 12 consecutive games with at least one homer snapped as seven of their nine hits in the series opener were singles. Lance McCullers Jr. traditionally has fared well against Seattle and matched his career best of 11 strikeouts while beating the Mariners on April 17, when he allowed just one hit - a first-inning homer by Robinson Cano.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (1-0, 2.60 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (7-3, 3.89)

LeBlanc picked up his first win in six starts this season when he allowed one run and four hits over five innings against Texas in his last turn. The 33-year-old has posted a 1.72 ERA as a starter and allowed four hits or fewer five times but typically doesn't pitch deep into games. LeBlanc owns a 5.00 ERA in six career appearances (two starts) against the Astros and has struggled with Jose Altuve (4-for-6).

McCullers defeated Boston in his last turn as he gave up two runs and four hits over six innings. The 24-year-old served up three homers in his previous outing, when he was torched by Cleveland for seven runs in 4 1/3 frames. McCullers is 6-2 with a 2.75 ERA in 10 career starts against the Mariners and has silenced Cruz (3-for-20, 10 strikeouts) and Segura (3-for-18) but has issues retiring Seager (8-for-24, homer).

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros LF Marwin Gonzalez fell a home run shy of the cycle in the series opener.

2. Tuesday's victory was the Mariners' second in their last 11 contests against the Astros.

3. Houston RF Josh Reddick (knee infection) played a rehab game at Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday and could rejoin the Astros for the series finale.

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Mariners 2
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Umpire Trends - Paul Nauert

Road team is 5-1 in Nauerts last 6 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Houston.
Under is 5-1 in Nauerts last 6 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Houston.
Road team is 4-1 in Nauerts last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Over is 3-1-1 in Nauerts last 5 games behind home plate vs. Houston.
Under is 20-7 in Nauerts last 27 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Home team is 35-17 in Nauerts last 52 games behind home plate.
Mariners are 1-5 in their last 6 games with Nauert behind home plate.
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