Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for from various handicappers and websites for Wednesday 7/25/18
National League
Padres (41-62) @ Mets (41-56)
Richard is 0-3, 7.33 in his last five starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 10-11, 6-6 away.
5-inning record: 6-13-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-21
Oswalt is 0-2, 6.11 in four starts (under 2-1-1). Team in his starts: 1-3, 0-2 home
5-inning record: 1-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4
San Diego lost eight of its last ten games; over is 6-2 in their last eight games. Mets lost three of their last five games; they’re 10-15 vs lefty starters. Over is 4-2 in their last six games.
Dodgers (56-45) @ Phillies (56-44)
Buehler is 2-0, 2.76 in his last five starts (under 6-4). Team in his starts: 7-3, 3-1 away
5-inning record: 6-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-10
Arrieta is 2-0, 3.63 in his last three starts; under is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 10-9, 6-4 home
5-inning record: 10-6-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-19
Dodgers won seven of their last ten games; over is 6-1 in their last seven games. Phillies won seven of their last nine home games; over is 5-1 in their last six games.
Cardinals (51-50) @ Reds (44-57)
Flaherty is 1-0, 0.90 in his last two starts; his last three starts went over. Team in his starts: 6-9, 2-6 away
5-inning record: 9-4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-15
Romano is 1-1, 6.04 in his last four starts; over is 9-2 in his last 11. Team in his starts: 10-9, 6-5 home.
5-inning record: 4-10-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-19
Cardinals lost seven of their last 11 games; eight of last ten St Louis games went over. Cincinnati lost five of its last six games; over is 10-4 in their last 14 home games.
Diamondbacks (56-46) @ Cubs (58-42)
Ray is 0-2, 7.65 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Team in his starts: 6-5, 4-2 away.
5-inning record: 7-2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-11
Lester is 1-1, 8.59 in his last three starts; his last five starts went over. Team in his starts: 16-4, 8-2 home
5-inning record: 11-5-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-20
Arizona won its last three games; under is 11-1-1 in their last 13 road games. Cubs lost three of their last four games; nine of Chicago’s last 11 games went over.
Nationals (49-51) @ Brewers (58-45)
Roark is 0-5, 8.54 in his last five starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Team in his starts: 5-14, 3-7 road
5-inning record: 4-13-2. Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-19
Peralta is 1-1, 4.30 in his last three starts (over 3-0). Team in his starts: 5-2, 2-0 home.
5-inning record: 4-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7
Nationals are 4-8 in their last 12 games; over is 3-2-1 in their last six games. Milwaukee lost eight of its last 11 games; over is 7-4-1 in their last 12 games.
American League
Red Sox (71-32) @ Orioles (29-73)
Price is 2-0, 3.57 in his last three starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 14-6, 8-4 away
5-inning record: 9-6-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-20
Bundy is 0-2, 11.68 in his last three starts; under is 5-3 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 7-12, 4-6 home
5-inning record: 0-3-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4
Red Sox are 15-3 in their last 18 games; under is 5-2 in their last seven games. Baltimore is 6-21 in its last 27 games, 14-21 vs lefty starters- under is 4-2-1 in their last seven home games.
Twins (46-53) @ Blue Jays (46-54)
Santana is making his 2018 debut; he was 16-8, 3.28 in 33 starts LY, is 149-124 in 376 career starts. Team in his starts: 0-0 away
5-inning record:0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0
Gaviglio is 0-1, 6.00 in his last five starts (over 7-4-1). Team in his starts: 6-6, 4-2 home.
5-inning record: 5-4-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-12
Twins lost nine of their last 11 road games; under is 5-2 in their last seven road games. Toronto won three of its last five games; under is 4-2-1 in their last seven games.
New York (64-35) @ Tampa Bay (51-50)
Cessa is 1-1, 3.00 in his two starts (over 1-1). Team in his starts: 1-1, 1-1 away
5-inning record: 1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2
Eovaldi is 1-1, 2.12 in three home starts; his last three starts all over. Team in his starts: 3-7, 1-2 home.
5-inning record: 4-4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-10
New York is 6-6 in its last 12 games; over is 7-4 in their last 11 games. Tampa Bay lost six of its last nine games; over is 6-2 in their last eight games.
A’s (59-43) @ Rangers (42-60)
Jackson is 1-2, 3.23 in five starts (under 3-2). Team in his starts: 3-2, 2-1 away
5-inning record: 0-4-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5
Perez is 0-2, 6.06 in his last three starts (over 4-2-1). Team in his starts: 2-5, 1-2 home
5-inning record: 3-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-7
A’s are 19-5 in their last 24 games, 18-17 vs lefty starters. Over is 6-1-1 in their last eight road games. Texas lost nine of its last 11 games; five of their last six games went over.
Tigers (43-60) @ Royals (31-69)
Boyd is 0-5, 8.68 in his last six starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Team in his starts: 8-11, 2-7 away
5-inning record: 4-12-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-19
Duffy is 2-0, 0.45 in his last three starts; over is 12-6 in his last 18 starts. Team in his starts: 8-13, 2-6 home
5-inning record: 9-9-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-21
Detroit lost nine of its last 12 games; under is 10-4 in their last 14 road games. Royals won five of their last seven games; under is 4-0 in their last four games.
White Sox (36-64) @ Angels (50-52)
Shields is 2-2, 4.09 in his last five starts; under is 12-4-1 in his last 17. Team in his starts: 7-14, 1-7 away
5-inning record: 7-13-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-21
Skaggs is 4-2, 2.05 in his last seven starts (under 5-2). Team in his starts: 10-8, 4-4 home.
5-inning record: 9-7-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-18 (3 of last 3)
White Sox are 5-13 in their last 18 road games; under is 5-1 in their last six road games. Angels are 8-12 in their last 20 games; under is 10-3 in their last 13 home games.
Interleague
Pirates (53-49) @ Indians (54-46)
Taillon is 2-0, 1.59 in his last two starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 11-9, 6-4 away
5-inning record: 11-7-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-20
Bauer is 3-1, 2.12 in his last seven starts; under is 8-2 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 12-9, 7-3 home
5-inning record: 10-6-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-21
Pirates won their last 11 games; over is 13-3 in their last 16 road games. Cleveland lost its last three games; over is 11-4 in their last 15 home games.
Astros (67-36) @ Rockies (53-47)
Morton is 1-1, 5.40 in his last three starts; over is 6-4 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 12-7, 4-3 away
5-inning record: 12-4-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-19
Gray is 2-0, 3.44 in his last three starts; over is 6-1 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 9-9, 5-4 home
5-inning record: 9-7-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-18
Astros won five of their last seven games; under is 9-1 in their last ten road games. Colorado won seven of its last nine games; under is 8-2 in their last ten home games.
Giants (52-50) @ Mariners (60-41)
Holland is 1-1, 3.18 in his last four starts; under is 9-3 in his last 12. Team in his starts: 9-9, 4-6 away
5-inning record: 6-7-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-18
Leake is 0-2, 6.43 in his last four starts; over is 5-2-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 13-7, 6-4 home
5-inning record: 8-6-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-20
Giants lost four of their last six games; under is 11-2 in their last 13 road games. Seattle lost six of its last eight games; they’re 16-16 vs lefty starters. Five of their last six games stayed under.
Umpires
LA-Phil- Under is 13-1 in last 14 Hamari games.
StL-Cin- Last six Kellogg games went over total.
SD-NY- Under is 10-4-1 in last 15 Whitson games.
Az-Chi- Under is 8-4 in last dozen Fairchild games.
Wsh-Mil- Under is 10-0-2 in last 12 Bellino games.
Bos-Balt- Underdogs are 6-3 in last nine Culbreth games.
Min-Tor- Over os 9-2 in last eleven Barber games.
NY-TB- Under is 7-4 in last 11 Muchlinski games.
A’s-Tex- Under is 6-3 in last nine Barksdale games.
Det-KC- Over is 10-1 in last eleven Wolf games.
Chi-LA- Over is 11-4 in last 15 Knight games.
Pitt-Clev- Under is 5-1-1 in Mahrley games this season.
Hst-Colo- Last four Layne games stayed under.
SF-Sea- Four of last six Barry games went over total.
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New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 24th July 2018 by Gracenote
Yankees vs. Rays Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/24/2018
Rookie second baseman Gleyber Torres is expected to come off the disabled list but he won't be the only addition for the New York Yankees when they wrap up a three-game series at the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday afternoon. The Yankees agreed to a deal with Baltimore on Tuesday -- pending physicals -- to acquire former All-Star closer Zach Britton.
New York will send three pitching prospects in exchange for Britton, who will join a formidable bullpen that entered Tuesday's game leading the American League in ERA (2.75) and strikeouts (448). Torres, who was batting .294 with 15 homers when he strained his hip on July 4, rejoins the lineup one day after Brandon Drury was forced from Tuesday's 4-0 victory when he was struck in the hand by a pitch. Tampa Bay had won five straight against the Yankees before mustering only three hits to drop to 2-3 on its five-game homestand. Rays right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, who pitched for New York in 2015 and 2016 before undergoing Tommy John surgery, will oppose Luis Cessa in the series finale.
TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Luis Cessa (1-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Rays RH Nathan Eovaldi (3-4, 4.26)
Cessa lasted only three innings in his first start of the season, taking the loss at Philadelphia on June 27 after giving up three runs on five hits. The 26-year-old was much better in his next turn, earning his first win since 2016 by limiting Baltimore to three hits over six scoreless frames. Cessa pitched two scoreless innings versus the Rays last month and is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA against them in six appearances (two starts).
Eovaldi followed his worst start of the season with one of his best, striking out eight and holding Miami to one run over six innings in a no-decision. He was shelled for eight runs on nine hits in 2 2/3 innings at Minnesota in his previous turn -- the only time he failed to go six innings in his last seven outings. Didi Gregorius is 5-for-9 versus Eovaldi, who gave up five runs in 7 1/3 innings at Yankee Stadium on June 15.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Yankees placed C Gary Sanchez (groin) on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday.
2. Rays 1B C.J. Cron had two hits Tuesday; he was 3-for-26 with 15 strikeouts in his first seven games versus New York this season.
3. Yankees 1B/DH Greg Bird has hit safely in four straight and 12 of 13 games.
PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Rays 3
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San Diego Padres vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 24th July 2018 by Gracenote
Padres vs. Mets Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/24/2018
The two worst teams in the National League have nothing to play for, but one ugly streak will end when the New York Mets host the San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon in the rubber match of a three-game set. New York has a chance to put an end to a 17-series winless drought dating to mid-May while the Padres can snap an 0-9-1 skid in their last 10 series.
The Mets rebounded from a series-opening 3-2 loss with a 6-3 victory Tuesday as Michael Conforto swatted a two-run homer and Devin Mesoraco added a three-run double. Conforto is 7-for-14 with two homers and six RBIs since the All-Star break, production New York will need with Yoenis Cespedes (heels) going back on the disabled list and facing potential season-ending surgery. Wil Myers drove in all three San Diego runs Tuesday and is 7-for-18 with one homer and six RBIs during a four-game hitting streak since the break. Manuel Margot also had two hits and has hit safely in six straight for the Padres, who haven't won a series since taking two of three at St. Louis (June 11-13).
TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Clayton Richard (7-9, 4.82 ERA) vs. Mets RH Corey Oswalt (0-2, 5.64)
Richard has followed a four-start winning streak with a five-start drought, falling to 0-3 during that span after he was tagged for seven runs in a season-low three innings at Philadelphia last time out. He continues to battle control problems, walking 18 batters over 20 innings in four starts in July. Asdrubal Cabrera is 8-for-16 versus Richard, who tossed 6 2/3 innings of three-run ball in a loss to the Mets in April.
Oswalt is still in search of his first career win as he prepares to make his sixth major-league appearance and fifth start. The 24-year-old had to settle for a no-decision last time out despite allowing one run on two hits over five innings versus Washington, and took the loss against Philadelphia in his previous turn after yielding three runs on only one hit. Oswalt owns a 3.27 ERA in his two starts at Citi Field.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mets announced after Tuesday's game that they are awaiting a second opinion on Cespedes.
2. Padres 3B Christian Villanueva is 1-for-14 since the All-Star break.
3. Mets INF Jeff McNeil, called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, had a pinch-hit single in his first major-league at-bat.
PREDICTION: Padres 5, Mets 3
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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 24th July 2018 by Gracenote
Cardinals vs. Reds Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/24/2018
Dexter Fowler has endured a dismal campaign but will look to follow up one of his top moments of the season when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday afternoon for the finale of their three-game series. Fowler, who is batting just .179, hit the decisive two-run homer in the 11th inning on Tuesday as the Cardinals prevailed 4-2.
Jose Martinez and Yairo Munoz also delivered run-scoring hits as St. Louis won for just the fourth time in 11 games. The hot-hitting Matt Carpenter was hitless in five at-bats to end an eight-game streak during which he went 14-for-28 with eight homers, 12 RBIs and 11 runs scored. Eugenio Suarez hit a two-run blast - his second of the series - but Cincinnati registered only five hits and didn't get its first until there was one out in the seventh inning. The Reds have scored just 13 runs while losing five of their last six contests.
TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jack Flaherty (4-4, 3.15 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (5-8, 5.19)
Flaherty defeated the Chicago Cubs last time out, when he struck out nine while allowing one run and two hits in five innings. The 22-year-old is limiting opposing batters to a .207 average and owns a 1.11 WHIP with 96 strikeouts in 80 frames. Flaherty gave up two hits over five scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Reds on July 14 and is 0-1 with a 3.97 ERA in three career meetings.
Romano is back in the starting rotation after throwing 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief against the Cardinals on the final day prior to the All-Star break. The 24-year-old did not factor in the decision against St. Louis on April 12, when he gave up four runs and six hits in 4 1/3 frames. Romano is 4-4 with a 4.98 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 11 home starts this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett (illness) was back in the starting lineup but went 0-for-5 as his average dropped to .313.
2. St. Louis optioned RHP Daniel Poncedeleon to Triple-A Memphis a day after he pitched seven perfect innings in his major-league debut and recalled LHP Austin Gomber, who worked 6 1/3 frames before giving up a hit as Tuesday's starter.
3. Cincinnati placed Jackson Stephens (knee) on the 10-day disabled list and activated fellow RHP Homer Bailey, who pitched 6 2/3 innings on Tuesday.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Reds 2
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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 25th July 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Phillies Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/25/2018
The Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers won't have much time to recharge their batteries on the heels of their marathon contest that spanned 16 innings and ended with a position player on the mound. The first-place clubs will reconvene at Citizens Bank Park a shade over 11 hours after the final out was recorded for the rubber match of the three-game series on Wednesday afternoon.
Trevor Plouffe launched a walk-off three-run homer off Enrique "Kike" Hernandez in the 16th inning for Philadelphia (56-44), which has won 15 of 23 to regain sole possession of first place in the National League East. Nick Williams also went deep and Jorge Alfaro belted a two-run shot to tie the contest in the seventh inning to hit safely for the seventh time in eight outings. Los Angeles' Yasmani Grandal went deep for the third time this series following his 10th career multi-homer performance on Tuesday. Grandal has a seven-game hit streak and is batting 20-for-49 in July for the NL West-leading Dodgers (56-45), who fell for the third time in 10 outings.
TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet Los Angeles, NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (4-2, 3.45 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (7-6, 3.47)
The well-traveled Buehler is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to get the start on Wednesday afternoon. Manager Dave Roberts, who reportedly is contemplating a six-man rotation through the current 17-game stretch, said he expects the 23-year-old prized pitching prospect "to stick around for a while." Buehler, who has limited the opposition to a .228 batting average, overcame a pair of solo homers in five innings to settle for a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels on July 13.
Arrieta was roughed up in his first post-All-Star break start on Friday, allowing five runs on six hits with three walks over 3 1/3 innings of a no-decision versus San Diego. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner pitched significantly better in his last meeting with the Dodgers, scattering six hits over seven scoreless innings in a 6-1 triumph on May 29. Former Phillie Chase Utley (1-for-16) and Joc Pederson (0-for-7, four strikeouts) have struggled in their careers against Arrieta.
WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia LF Rhys Hoskins has six hits, including three homers, eight RBIs and five runs scored in his last five contests.
2. Pederson is 8-for-14 with a homer and four runs scored in his last four outings.
3. Phillies 3B Maikel Franco is 5-for-9 with two homers, three RBIs and as many runs scored in the series.
PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Dodgers 3
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 24th July 2018 by Gracenote
Pirates vs. Indians Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/24/2018
The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to put up big numbers on the scoreboard and can match the longest winning streak in the majors this season when they go for a three-game sweep of the host Cleveland Indians on Wednesday afternoon. Starling Marte extended his career-high hitting streak to 17 games with a two-run homer among a pair of hits as the Pirates rolled to a 9-4 victory Tuesday night for their 11th straight win.
Josh Bell (9-for-16, last four games) and Gregory Polanco (nine-game hitting streak) also homered for Pittsburgh, which last won 11 in a row in 1996 and has tied a club record for consecutive interleague victories (eight) while scoring 56 runs in its last seven contests overall. Jameson Taillon takes the ball for the Pirates in the finale as they attempt to tie Houston's 12-game win streak last month and Cleveland counters with All-Star Trevor Bauer. The inconsistent Indians, who lead the American League Central by 7 1/2 games, have dropped three straight after scoring 25 runs in their first two contests after the All-Star break. Slugger Edwin Encarnacion homered Tuesday after missing two games with a hand injury and is 8-for-16 in his past four outings for Cleveland, which leads the majors with 122 runs in July despite going just 10-9.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (7-7, 3.80 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (8-6, 2.44)
Taillon has been outstanding in his last two trips to the mound, allowing two runs on 10 hits and three walks over 11 1/3 innings with 16 strikeouts combined. The 26-year-old Floridian has limited 16 opponents to three or fewer runs in his 20 starts and is 5-3 with a 3.02 ERA since the beginning of June. Taillon faces Cleveland for the first time and is 4-2 with a 3.38 ERA in nine interleague career starts.
Bauer struggled in his first start after the All-Star break, permitting four runs on nine hits and five walks across four innings of a no-decision at Texas. The 27-year-old UCLA product had strung together eight consecutive quality starts before his last outing and he walked 10 in his past three appearances. Bauer yielded two runs over 6 1/3 innings to earn the win in his only career start versus Pittsburgh.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland claimed OF Johnny Field on waivers from Tampa Bay on Tuesday and sent him to Triple-A Columbus.
2. Pittsburgh OF Corey Dickerson, who is 13-for-27 in his last six games, left Tuesday's contest with discomfort in his left hamstring.
3. Indians UTIL Yandy Diaz, who went 7-for-14 with three runs scored in four games after his recall, was optioned to Columbus on Tuesday.
PREDICTION: Indians 6, Pirates 3
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Washington Nationals vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 25th July 2018 by Gracenote
Nationals vs. Brewers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/25/2018
The Milwaukee Brewers welcomed two important players back to the lineup and may have received the spark they needed with a 5-4, 10-inning victory on Tuesday to clinch the series win against the struggling Washington Nationals. The Brewers look to complete the sweep and solidify their National League wild-card spot when they host the Nationals for the finale on Wednesday afternoon.
Eric Thames notched an RBI in his return from the disabled list and All-Star Jesus Aguilar (hamstring) was back from a two-game absence while Christian Yelich extended his hitting streak to eight games, a stretch during which he is 17-for-33 with eight RBIs. Rookie Freddy Peralta will try to help the Brewers finish the sweep on Wednesday while Washington hopes to begin turning around its fortunes with Tanner Roark on the mound. The Nationals have dropped five of their last seven contests as they fade further out of contention in the NL East and wild-card races. Former MVP Bryce Harper was relegated to a pinch-hitting role due to the stomach flu on Tuesday while Anthony Rendon extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Tanner Roark (3-12, 4.87 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Freddy Peralta (4-1, 2.65)
Roark has recorded just one victory since the beginning of May and is 0-3 with a 9.56 ERA while allowing 28 hits over 16 innings in three starts this month. The 31-year-old Illinois product gave up four runs on eight hits and two walks over five frames in a loss to the New York Mets in his last outing. Brad Miller is 5-for-6 with a pair of doubles against Roark, who is 3-1 with a 2.72 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) versus Milwaukee.
Peralta looks to rebound from his shortest appearance in the majors last time out at Miami, where he was touched for three runs in 3 2/3 innings. The 22-year-old Dominican had posted three quality starts in his previous four outings, with three wins and a loss in which he gave up three runs over five frames. Peralta has been dominant in his first two starts at home this season, going 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 13 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington OF Adam Eaton is 16-for-39 with six runs scored over his last 10 contests.
2. Milwaukee optioned RHP Brandon Woodruff and INF Nate Orf to Triple-A Colorado Springs while activating Thames (hamstring) and RHP Junior Guerra (forearm) from the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday.
3. Nationals 1B Ryan Zimmerman (oblique) recorded three hits and an RBI on Tuesday after going 0-for-4 in his first two games since spending two months on the DL.
PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Nationals 3
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Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 25th July 2018 by Gracenote
Tigers vs. Royals Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/25/2018
Mike Moustakas returned to the Kansas City Royals by default as interest for his services was lukewarm when he hit the free-agent market. But the 29-year-old third baseman is adding to his franchise laurels as Kansas City concludes its three-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon.
Moustakas belted his 20th homer in Tuesday's 5-4 victory to become just the seventh player in club history to post four or more 20-homer campaigns. All-Star Salvador Perez also stood out by going 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs as the Royals won for the fourth time in five games. Detroit has dropped eight of its last 10 road contests and is a porous 17-35 away from home this season. Victor Martinez hit a three-run homer for the Tigers, the 39-year-old's first blast since May 19.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (4-9, 4.62 ERA) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (6-8, 4.40)
Boyd has dropped three straight starts and is 0-5 over his last seven outings. The 27-year-old has allowed five or more runs on four occasions during the winless stretch and has worked five or fewer innings five times. Boyd has gone 0-2 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts against Kansas City this year to fall to 2-6 with a 6.79 ERA in 11 career meetings.
Duffy has won back-to-back outings and allowed just one run in 20 innings over his last three turns. The 29-year-old gave up one run and five hits over seven innings against Minnesota in his last start as he ended an eight-start home winless streak. Duffy was roughed up for six runs and 10 hits over 4 2/3 frames in a loss to the Tigers on April 21 and is 7-9 with a 4.32 ERA in 23 career appearances (20 starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Royals 1B Lucas Duda went 0-for-3 on Tuesday to halt his five-game hitting streak.
2. Detroit CF Leonys Martin is hitless in seven at-bats in the series and 0-for-11 with five strikeouts in his last three games.
3. Kansas City reinstated INF Adalberto Mondesi from the family medical emergency leave list and optioned OF Paulo Orlando to Triple-A Omaha.
PREDICTION: Royals 5, Tigers 1
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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 25th July 2018 by Gracenote
Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/25/2018
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been tough to beat on the road lately, and especially at Wrigley Field. The Diamondbacks will try for their fifth consecutive victory at Wrigley when they face the host Chicago Cubs for the third of a four-game series Wednesday.
Arizona is 16-5 over its last 21 road games after outscoring Chicago 12-2 in the first two contests. The Cubs have lost back-to-back games for the first time in a month after a second consecutive quiet night from the offense. Jason Heyward's home run was the only extra-base hit for Chicago on Tuesday, and Ian Happ's double was the Cubs' only extra-base knock in the series opener. Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has enjoyed facing the Cubs, as he is 9-for-21 with six homers and nine RBIs in his past six games against Chicago.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (3-2, 5.37 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (12-3, 3.14)
After a breakout season in 2017, Ray has struggled this year. The 26-year-old has only three quality starts in 11 outings this season, and he has posted a 7.65 ERA over his last four starts. Ray is 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA in two starts against the Cubs.
Lester stumbled a bit in his last couple of starts before the All-Star Game, and he was hit hard in his first outing coming out of the break. The 34-year-old was tagged for eight runs over three-plus innings in a loss to St. Louis on Friday - his first defeat since May 23. Lester is 2-1 with a 4.86 ERA in six starts against Arizona.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant got the day off Tuesday to rest his sore left shoulder, and manager Joe Maddon told reporters the slugger might be held out of the lineup again Wednesday.
2. Goldschmidt has reached base in 24 consecutive road games.
3. Diamondbacks RF Steven Souza Jr. is 13-for-30 over his past nine games, lifting his average from .148 to .242.
PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Diamondbacks 3
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Minnesota Twins vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 24th July 2018 by Gracenote
Twins vs. Blue Jays Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/24/2018
Ervin Santana has traveled a winding road in his bid to return from a lengthy absence due to surgery to remove calcium deposits from his right middle finger in February. The veteran right-hander will be activated off the disabled list to make his season debut on Wednesday as the Minnesota Twins (46-53) bid for a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays (46-54) at Rogers Centre.
"It was a lot of ups and downs, but the good thing is I kept my mind positive," Santana said. "It's crazy. But at the same time, it was a surgery. You can't predict when you're coming back because you didn't know how the finger was going to react and all that." Eduardo Escobar, who is riding a five-game hitting streak, belted a three-run homer in Tuesday's 5-0 romp to improve to 4-for-7 with three extra-base hits and five RBIs in the series. While Minnesota has answered a three-game slide with back-to-back victories, Toronto has mustered just three runs in consecutive losses after erupting for 17 in a three-game sweep of Baltimore. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. carries a streak of seven straight multi-hit performances into Wednesday's series finale.
TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), Sportsnet (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Ervin Santana (2017: 16-8, 3.28 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Sam Gaviglio (2-3, 4.59)
Santana is expected to give Minnesota a jolt after allowing one run over six innings in a rehab start on Friday to drop his ERA to 3.72 in seven starts at three levels in the minors. "I would think that Ervin walking into a clubhouse would be a lift, just in itself," Twins manager Paul Molitor said of the 35-year-old. Santana, who owns a 6-7 mark with a 3.84 ERA in 19 career starts against Toronto, has flustered Yangervis Solarte (1-for-15) and Kendrys Morales (4-for-19, four strikeouts).
Gaviglio saw his winless skid reach 10 outings on Friday after allowing four runs on seven hits over a career-high 7 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Orioles. The 28-year-old was taken deep on two occasions versus Baltimore and 12 times in his last 11 outings. Joe Mauer is 3-for-5 in his career against Gaviglio, but the hurler has limited the rest of the current crop of Twins to just a 3-for-28 performance at the plate.
WALK-OFFS
1. Solarte is 4-for-11 with three extra-base hits (two doubles, homer) and four RBIs in his last three games after going 0-for-18 in his previous four.
2. Minnesota LF Eddie Rosario has scored at least one run in 10 straight contests.
3. Blue Jays SS Aledmys Diaz is considered day-to-day despite missing his last two games with a left thumb injury.
PREDICTION: Twins 4, Blue Jays 2
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San Francisco Giants vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 25th July 2018 by Gracenote
Giants vs. Mariners Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/25/2018
The Seattle Mariners attempt to break out of their funk when they host the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday afternoon for the finale of their two-game interleague series. Seattle dropped a 4-3 decision to the Giants on Tuesday for its sixth setback in eight contests.
The Mariners once were battling Houston for first place in the American League West and now are just 1 1/2 games ahead of Oakland, which also is challenging for an AL wild-card spot. A throwing error by second baseman Dee Gordon allowed the Giants to push across the winning run in the ninth inning of the series opener as they moved two games above .500. Brandon Belt struck out four times in five hitless at-bats on Tuesday and is just 1-for-29 over his last seven games as his batting average has fallen 25 points to .277. Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz is homerless in his last 14 games and has gone deep just once this month after belting 11 shots in June.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Facebook Watch
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Derek Holland (5-8, 4.06 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Mike Leake (8-6, 4.22)
Holland draws the start after it was determined Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) isn't ready to be activated from the disabled list. The 31-year-old Holland last started on July 10, when he gave up one run and five hits with eight strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings of a 2-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Holland is 13-6 with a 3.73 ERA in 27 career appearances (23 starts) against the Mariners.
Leake has gone 0-2 over his last four starts, lasting only four innings on two occasions during the slump. The 30-year-old is 3-4 with a 4.45 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 10 turns at home this season. Leake is 5-2 with a 4.81 ERA in 10 career appearances (nine starts) against the Giants, the team for which he made nine starts during the 2015 season.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mariners are just 2-7 in interleague play this season.
2. San Francisco 2B Joe Panik (groin) will begin a rehab stint at Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.
3. Seattle LHP James Paxton (back) was not activated to make Tuesday's start after he reported soreness, and the new timetable calls for a return early next week.
PREDICTION: Mariners 3, Giants 2
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Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 24th July 2018 by Gracenote
Red Sox vs. Orioles Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/24/2018
The Boston Red Sox will try to rebound from a rare loss in Baltimore when they play the Orioles in the rubber match of a three-game set Wednesday night. A Red Sox rally in the rain fell short in a 7-6 setback Tuesday, snapping their nine-game winning streak at Camden Yards.
Brad Brach got the save for Baltimore while regular closer Zach Britton was kept in the bullpen amid reports he had been shipped to the New York Yankees, giving Boston some work to do to keep up with its rival on the trade front. The Yankees also won in Tampa Bay on Tuesday to trim their deficit behind the first-place Red Sox to five games - three in the loss column - in the American League East. Jonathan Schoop homered for the third straight game and drove in three runs to lead the way for Baltimore, which snapped a four-game slide. Lefty David Price will try to build on a solid outing last time out when he gets the ball for the Red Sox in the finale opposite Dylan Bundy.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, NESN (Boston), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH David Price (11-6, 4.17 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (6-9, 4.57)
Price had two bad starts to open July but has rebounded to go 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA over his last two outings. He limited the Detroit Tigers to four hits over 6 1/3 scoreless innings last Friday to improve to 6-4 on the road. The 32-year-old spun his 17th career complete game in a win over the Orioles earlier in the season and is 13-5 with a 2.77 ERA in 26 career meetings.
Bundy allowed five earned runs in each of his last three starts while serving up five home runs in that span. He has just one quality start in his last five turns since tossing eight scoreless against Boston on June 11 at home. Andrew Benintendi is 8-for-23 and Brock Holt is 6-for-11 against the 25-year-old Bundy, who is 3-6 with a 4.24 ERA in his career versus the Red Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox OF/DH J.D. Martinez homered twice Tuesday to regain the major-league lead in the category with 31.
2. Schoop is batting .367 in 20 games this month.
3. The Orioles are reportedly receiving three minor leaguers for Britton - starters RHP Dillon Tate and LHP Josh Rogers, and reliever RHP Cody Carroll.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Orioles 4
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Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 25th July 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 07/25/2018
The Oakland Athletics have taken advantage of a battered pitching staff in their previous two games to extend their winning streak and increase their major-league lead in homers on the road. Oakland seeks its fifth consecutive victory when it visits the Texas Rangers on Wednesday for the third contest of their four-game series.
The Athletics have scored a total of 28 runs in winning the first two contests of the set and rallied from an eight-run deficit on Tuesday, scoring 11 unanswered runs over their final four frames to post a 13-10 win in 10 innings. Stephen Piscotty launched a solo homer in the ninth to forge a tie and Khris Davis belted Oakland's fourth shot of the contest in the 10th, a three-run blast that gave the club 93 home runs away from home this season. Davis, who has hit four of his team-leading 25 homers over the last three games, joined Jed Lowrie - who also went deep - and Marcus Semien with three RBIs as Oakland handed Texas its ninth loss in 11 contests. Elvis Andrus belted his first career grand slam and Joey Gallo also homered in his return to the lineup after missing the series opener with an ankle injury for the Rangers, who squandered a 10-2 lead and have allowed a total of 53 runs in their last four losses.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Edwin Jackson (1-2, 2.93 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (2-4, 8.05)
Jackson is coming off his second straight loss, both of which came against San Francisco. The 34-year-old journeyman allowed more than two earned runs for the first time on Friday, yielding three along with four hits over 6 1/3 innings at home, but still registered a quality start. Jackson owns a 2-3 record with one shutout and a 4.02 ERA in seven career starts against the Rangers.
After returning from a 2 1/2-month layoff due to an injury to his non-throwing elbow on July 14 with a superb performance in a hard-luck loss at Baltimore, Perez was battered by Cleveland for six runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings but escaped with a no-decision. The 27-year-old Venezuelan has been pounded in two of his three turns at home this year, surrendering 14 runs on 19 hits and six walks over 8 1/3 frames in those outings. Despite yielding 10 hits for the first of three times in his seven turns in 2018, Perez improved to 8-7 with a 5.23 ERA in 17 career starts against the Athletics on April 5, when he limited the damage to three runs over 5 1/3 innings in his season debut.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Athletics recalled RHP Frankie Montas, who allowed four runs in five innings on Tuesday, from Triple-A Nashville and optioned 2B Franklin Barreto to the Sounds.
2. Texas recalled LHP Brandon Mann from Triple-A Round Rock and optioned OF Delino DeShields to the Express.
3. Oakland announced on Tuesday that RHP Kendall Graveman, who last pitched for the team on May 11 before being sent to the minors, will undergo Tommy John surgery and be sidelined for at least a year.
PREDICTION: Athletics 7, Rangers 2
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Houston Astros vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 07-25-2018 in MLB
MLB Previews 25th July 2018 by Gracenote
Astros vs. Rockies Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 07/25/2018
Houston Astros outfielder George Springer showed signs of breaking out of a lengthy slump with a solo blast at last week's All-Star game and hasn't slowed down since. Springer has eight RBIs in his last four contests for the Astros, who conclude their brief two-game interleague series against the host Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.
Springer and Alex Bregman each homered in Tuesday's 8-2, 10-inning victory as the Astros improved to a major league-best 35-15 on the road. The 28-year-old Springer snapped a homer drought of 22 games with a grand slam in last Friday's win over the Los Angeles Angels and has reached base safely in nine of his 19 plate appearances since the break. Colorado lost its second straight following a seven-game winning streak when the Astros scored six runs in the 10th inning against Wade Davis and Yency Almonte. Rookie second baseman Garrett Hampson started his third straight game in place of DJ LeMahieu (oblique) and went 1-for-3 with a walk while batting seventh.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Charlie Morton (11-2, 2.96 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Gray (8-7, 5.44)
Morton stumbled into the All-Star break after allowing a total of eight runs on 11 hits over his last two starts covering 10 innings. The first-time All-Star had been dominant before the rough stretch, and his 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings rank third among American League pitchers. Carlos Gonzalez is 7-for-21 with a home run against the 34-year-old Morton, who is 2-2 with a 4.53 ERA in eight career starts versus Colorado, including 1-1 with a 6.97 ERA in four outings at Coors Field.
Making his first start since being optioned to Triple-A on June 30, Gray yielded one run over 7 1/3 innings in a 4-1 win over Seattle on July 14. "I saw so much negative for a while that it was hard to see positives," Gray told reporters. "But I've seen a lot of positives lately, and it's been easier to believe in it. And when I believe in my stuff, I feel like I'm going to win." The 26-year-old native of Oklahoma is facing Houston for the first time and owns a 5-1 record and 3.42 ERA in nine career interleague starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Colorado RHP German Marquez (paternity leave) is set to return to the starting rotation Sunday against Oakland.
2. Bregman is hitting .328 with 13 home runs and 35 RBI in his last 33 games.
3. The Rockies activated Harrison Musgrave from the 10-day disabled list and placed fellow LHP Chris Rusin on the DL with left plantar fasciitis.
PREDICTION: Astros 7, Rockies 4
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