MLB Betting News and Trends For Wednesday 8/29/18

National League
Nationals (67-66) @ Phillies (70-62)
Gonzalez is 0-3, 8.04 in his last three starts; under is 7-2-1 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 11-15, 4-10 away (lost last 8 road starts)
5-inning record: 9-11-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-26

Arrieta is 0-3, 5.29 in his last three starts; under is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 12-13, 7-5 home
5-inning record: 12-9-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-25

Nationals won their last three games; over is 10-5 in their last 15 games. Phillies lost eight of their last ten games; they’re 14-13 vs vs lefty starters; Four of Phils’ last five home games stayed under.

Brewers (73-60) @ Reds (57-75)
Peralta is 2-2, 4.91 in his last four starts; over is 6-3 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 8-5, 4-4 away
5-inning record: 7-5-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-13

Harvey is 1-0, 1.45 in his last three starts; under is 4-0-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 10-8, 6-2 home
5-inning record: 10-6-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-18

Brewers are 5-3 in their last eight games; over is 5-1 in their last six games. Cincinnati lost five of its last six games; under is 8-4 in their last 12 games.

Mets (58-73) @ Cubs (77-53)
Tuesday night’s game was suspended in 10th inning; game will resume at 1:00 today.

Vargas is 2-0, 2.08 in his last three starts; four of his last five stayed under. Team in his starts: 4-11, 2-7 away
5-inning record: 5-10 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-15

Mills allowed one run in 5.2 IP (84 PT) in his first MLB start (under 1-0). Team in his starts: 1-0, 1-0 home
5-inning record: 0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1

Mets are 12-8 in their last 20 games; they’re 12-19 vs lefty starters- over is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Cubs won their last six games; they’re 18-9 vs vs lefty starters- under is 8-3 in their last 11 games.

Pirates (64-68) @ Cardinals (74-58)
Williams is 4-2, 0.86 in his last seven starts (under 6-0-1). Team in his starts: 13-12, 5-5 away
5-inning record: 8-11-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-25

Mikolas is 3-0, 3.82 in his last six starts; his last three went over. Team in his starts: 19-7, 9-4 home
5-inning record: 14-9-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-26

Pirates lost six of their last seven games; four of their last five road games went over. St Louis is 16-3 in its last 19 games; over is 7-5 in their last 12 home games.

Diamondbacks (72-60) @ Giants (67-67)
Godley is 1-1, 5.63 in his last four starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Team in his starts: 15-11, 8-5 road
5-inning record: 13-12-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-26

Rodriguez is 3-0, 1.82 in his last nine starts (under 7-2). Team in his starts: 9-4, 5-3 home
5-inning record: 8-3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-13

Arizona is 7-5 in its last 12 games; six of their last eight games stayed under. Giants won five of their last six games; six of their last seven home games stayed under the total.

American League
Chicago (52-80) @ New York (84-48)
Lopez is 0-0, 8.53 in his last three starts; over is 9-2-1 in his last 12 starts. Team in his starts: 9-17, 4-10 away
5-inning record: 11-14-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-26

Sabathia is 1-0, 1.53 in his last three starts; under is 9-3-1 in his last 13. Team in his starts: 14-9, 9-3 home.
5-inning record: 12-8-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-23

White Sox are 10-4 in their last 14 games; they’re 9-19 vs vs lefty starters- over is 5-2-3 in their last ten road games. New York won nine of its last 11 games; seven of their last 11 games went over.

Blue Jays (60-72) @ Orioles (39-94)
Borucki is 1-1, 9.82 in his last three starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 6-5, 4-2 away.
5-inning record: 4-3-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-11

Cobb is 2-1, 2.06 in his last five starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 5-19, 0-9 home
5-inning record: 6-14-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-24

Toronto won five of its last eight games; six of their last eight road games went over. Orioles lost nine of their last 12 games, are 16-24 vs lefty starters; under is 12-5 in their last 17 games.

Twins (61-70) @ Indians (75-56)
Stewart is 0-1, 6.94 in his three starts (over 2-1). Team in his starts: 1-2, 0-1 away
5-inning record: 1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Plutko is 0-3, 5.82 in his last three starts (under 3-0). Team in his starts: 4-4, 3-1 home.
5-inning record: 5-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-8

Twins lost its last four games; under is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Cleveland lost four of its last six games; under is 7-3 in their last ten home games.

A’s (80-53) @ Astros (81-51)
Cahill is 4-1, 4.28 in his last six starts; over is 2-0-1 in his last three starts. Team in his starts: 10-6, 4-4 away
5-inning record: 8-5-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-16

Keuchel is 1-1, 3.51 in his last four starts; under is 6-3-1 in his last ten. Team in his starts: 15-12, 5-7 home.
5-inning record: 11-13-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-27

A’s are 19-7 in their last 26 games; they’re 26-18 vs vs lefty starters- four of their last five games stayed under. Houston won seven of its last nine games; over is 6-2 in their last eight games. Astros are 6-1 since Altuve got back in the lineup.

Tigers (53-79) @ Royals (41-91)
Fulmer is 0-4, 5.00 in his last six starts; under is 6-1-1 in his last eight. Team in his starts: 12-13, 3-9 away
5-inning record: 7-9-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-20

Duffy is 0-2, 7.72 in his last three starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 9-17, 2-8 home.
5-inning record: 11-12-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-26

Detroit is 3-10 in its last 13 games; they’re 16-16 vs vs lefty starters- over is 4-3 in their last seven road games. Royals lost six of their last nine games; over is 3-2-1 in their last six games.

Interleague
Marlins (53-80) @ Red Sox (91-42)
Richards is 0-2, 5.03 in his last four starts; over is 5-3-1 in his last nine. Team in his starts: 8-11, 4-6 away
5-inning record: 7-7-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 8-19

Price is 3-0, 1.29 in his last five starts; under is 5-0-1 in his last six. Team in his starts: 19-6, 10-2 home.
5-inning record: 13-6-6 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-25

Marlins are 5-4 in their last nine games; they’re 12-19 vs vs lefty starters- under is 7-3 in their last ten road games. Boston lost six of its last nine games; under is 6-4-1 in their last 11 home games.

Rays (70-62) @ Braves (74-57)
Castillo is 0-0, 0.00 (3.1 IP) in two games as an opener (over 1-1). Team in his starts: 2-0, 1-0 away
5-inning record: 2-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Newcomb is 1-1, 5.48 in his last four starts; over is 9-5 in his last 14. Team in his starts: 14-11, 4-6 home.
5-inning record: 13-10-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-25

Rays won eight of their last nine games; they’re 19-15 vs vs lefty starters- under is 8-2 in their last ten road games. Atlanta is 6-2 in its last eight games; ten of Braves’ last 11 games stayed under the total.

Dodgers (71-61) @ Rangers (58-75)
Wood is 1-1, 3.48 in his last four starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Team in his starts: 13-12, 7-4 away
5-inning record: 10-10-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-25

Minor is 4-0, 2.55 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Team in his starts: 12-11, 6-5 home.
5-inning record: 9-10-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 9-23

Dodgers won their last four games; they’re 27-21 vs vs lefty starters; over is 7-2-1 in their last ten games. Texas lost five of its last seven games; they’re 15-23 vs vs lefty starters- four of their last six games stayed under.

Mariners (74-58) @ Padres (51-83)
Ramirez is 1-0, 2.25 in his last three starts (over 4-1) Team in his starts: 3-2, 2-2 away
5-inning record: 3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-5

Lucchesi is 1-2, 5.19 in his last five starts (over 4-1) Team in his starts: 8-12, 5-8 home.
5-inning record: 8-8-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-20

Mariners are 5-8 in their last 13 games; they’re 21-21 vs vs lefty starters- over is 6-4 in their last ten games. San Diego is 3-11 in its last 14 games; three of Padres’ last three games went over the total.

Umpires
Wsh-Phil: Favorites won eight of last nine Segal games.
NY-Chi: Underdogs are 9-9 in last 18 Scheurwater games.
Mil-Cin: Under is 14-6 in last 20 Randazzo games.
Pitt-StL: Four of last five Porter games stayed under.
Az-SF: Under is 10-2-2 in last fourteen Blaser games.

Chi-NY: Over is 5-2 in last seven Knight games.
Det-KC: Five of last six Hernandez games went over.
Tor-Balt: Four of last five Eddings games stayed under.
A’s-Hst: Underdogs are 10-8 in last 18 Wegner games.
Min-Clev: Three of last four Hickox games went over.

Sea-SD: Under is 7-0-1 in last eight Layne games.
Mia-Bos: Home side won nine of last 11 Barry games.
TB-Atl: Over is 10-2 in last dozen Danley games.
LA-Tex: Five of last six Barber games stayed under.

New York Mets vs Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote

The Chicago Cubs could wrap up a three-game sweep of the visiting New York Mets on Wednesday - but they could also end up losing the series. The teams will finish Tuesday's suspended game, which was tied at 1 in the top of the 10th when heavy rain began to fall at Wrigley Field, starting at 1 p.m. before playing the series finale.

Mets vs. Cubs Preview and Predictions

The Cubs have won six straight and lead the National League Central by four games over St. Louis. They've also won 13 of their last 14 home games against the Mets. After scoring 44 runs during their six-game winning streak, the Cubs were without an extra-base hit when play was suspended Tuesday, and their only run came on David Bote's sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. New York is trying to avoid its first series loss since dropping three of four to Atlanta from Aug. 2-5.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jason Vargas (4-8, 6.96 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Alec Mills (0-0, 1.17)

Vargas has lowered his season ERA nearly two runs with three straight strong outings. The 35-year-old has allowed four runs over 17 1/3 innings across his last three starts and won the last two after holding Washington to three hits over six scoreless frames Friday. Vargas is 2-0 with a 4.35 ERA in five starts against the Cubs.

Mills earned another turn in the rotation with an outstanding effort in his first big-league start Friday against Cincinnati. The 26-year-old struck out eight and held the Reds to one run and three hits over 5 2/3 innings. Mills has 10 strikeouts and one walk over 7 2/3 innings in the majors this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs' streak of 12 consecutive games with a home run is in danger, as they have yet to go deep in the suspended game.

2. Chicago INF Javier Baez was 1-for-4 in the suspended game, extending his hitting streak to nine games.

3. Mets SS Amed Rosario had three hits before the contest was suspended, marking his third multi-hit game in his past four contests.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Mets 4

Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote

The Washington Nationals have proven to be quite the stumbling block for the Philadelphia Phillies, who are limping toward the end of August. Washington bids for a three-game sweep and its fifth win in the last six outings versus Philadelphia when the National League East rivals reconvene at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday.

Blue Jays vs. Orioles Preview and Predictions

Anthony Rendon belted a two-run homer in the ninth inning on Tuesday as the Nationals erased a three-run deficit in a 5-4 victory over the Phillies. The 28-year-old, who recorded his second three-hit performance in three days to highlight his eight-game hitting streak, is 20-for-55 with five homers, 14 RBIs and 10 runs scored against Philadelphia this season. To add salt in the wound, pinch-running pitcher Vince Velasquez was called out for leaving early while tagging up, resulting in a game-ending double play as the floundering Phillies fell for the eighth time in 10 outings and dropped 4 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta. "It's a super difficult loss to swallow. And we'll be ready to come out and fight (Wednesday)," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (7-11, 4.35 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (9-9, 3.37)

Gonzalez lost his third straight start on Friday despite allowing just one run on seven hits in as many innings of a 3-0 setback at the New York Mets. The 32-year-old will be getting his third look this season at the Phillies, against whom he permitted two hits over five scoreless frames of a 7-3 win on May 4 before walking four to drive up his pitch count in a no-decision on July 1. Gonzalez, who owns an 11-7 career mark versus Philadelphia, could be making his last start with the Nationals after clearing trade waivers to become eligible to be dealt to any team.

Arrieta dropped this third straight start on Friday after yielding four runs on six hits -- including two homers -- over six innings in a 4-2 setback at Toronto. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner has recorded a pair of no-decisions versus Washington this season despite allowing just three earned runs on six hits in 11 innings. Mark Reynolds (9-for-22, homer, four RBIs) has been a thorn in the side of Arrieta, who owns a 1-2 mark with a 4.89 ERA in 11 career encounters against the Nationals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington 1B Ryan Zimmerman is 10-for-28 with two homers in his last seven games overall and 9-for-19 with six extra-base hits versus Philadelphia this season.

2. Phillies C Jorge Alfaro and OF Odubel Herrera each went deep on Tuesday to push their hitting streaks to seven and five games, respectively.

3. Reynolds could be facing a suspension or fine from Major League Baseball after he returned to the field following a strikeout on Tuesday and threw his batting gloves in the direction of the home plate umpire.

PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Phillies 2

Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote

The Milwaukee Brewers face an uphill climb in their bid for the postseason if their play away from Miller Park doesn't improve. With eight losses in their last 11 road games, the Brewers aim to even their series with the Cincinnati Reds at one victory apiece on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park.

Christian Yelich's first career multi-homer performance and five-RBI night went for naught as Milwaukee opened its six-game road trip with a 9-7 setback on Tuesday. The 26-year-old Yelich, who has 10 of his career-high 25 homers in August, is 14-for-34 against Cincinnati this season -- although he is just 5-for-21 in his career versus Wednesday starter Matt Harvey. While the Brewers are clinging to the second wild-card spot in the National League, the cellar-dwelling Reds found their offense after getting shut out twice in a five-game stretch by scoring six runs in the first two innings Tuesday. Jose Peraza, who highlighted his four-hit performance with a two-run homer, is 3-for-6 with a double this season against Wednesday starter Freddy Peralta.

TV:

7:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Freddy Peralta (6-4, 4.02 ERA) vs. Reds RH Matt Harvey (6-7, 4.77)

Peralta authored one of his best starts of the season last Wednesday after scattering three hits and striking out seven in seven innings of a 4-0 victory versus the Reds. The 22-year-old Dominican wasn't as fortunate in his previous outing against Cincinnati, as he took the loss despite permitting three runs on five hits in five frames in an 8-2 setback on July 1. While Peraza and Tucker Barnhart (2-for-5) have fared well in small sample sizes versus Peralta, the hurler has limited the rest of the Reds to going 3-for-27 with 10 strikeouts.

Harvey turned in his third straight strong start on Friday against the Chicago Cubs, but left with his second no-decision in that stretch despite yielding one run in 5 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old has allowed three runs on 14 hits while striking out 18 in those three starts (18 2/3 innings). Harvey split a pair of outings against Milwaukee this season, as he permitted four runs -- including two homers -- in a 5-1 setback on April 14 while pitching for the New York Mets before tossing 5 2/3 frames in Cincinnati's 8-2 win on July 1.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee CF Lorenzo Cain has scored six runs during his 10-game hitting streak

2. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez is 13-for-35 with two homers, 11 RBIs and seven runs scored versus the Brewers this season.

3. Milwaukee has homered in 20 consecutive games at Great American Ball Park.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Reds 2

Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote

The St. Louis Cardinals used a near-perfect road trip to seize the first wild-card spot in the National League and hope to strengthen their hold with a strong homestand. St. Louis began the string with a solid victory and aim for another when it hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for the second contest of their three-game series.

The Cardinals scored twice in the first inning of the series opener and never looked back, rolling to a 5-2 triumph to move 1 1/2 games ahead of NL Central rival Milwaukee in the wild-card standings. Jose Martinez and rookie Tyler O'Neill belted two-run homers on Tuesday for St. Louis, which was back home following a 5-1 road trip. The Cardinals have won 20 of their 25 games this month after a 6-7 showing during their final 13 contests of July. Colin Moran went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the series opener for the Pirates, who have lost six of their last seven games.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (10-9, 3.44 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (13-3, 2.94)

Williams has been superb of late, allowing a total of four runs over his last seven starts and recording four scoreless outings in that span. The 26-year-old Californian is just 4-2 in that stretch, however, and is coming off a no-decision against Atlanta last Wednesday in which he gave up one run and two hits over six innings. Williams has struggled versus St. Louis, going 1-2 with a 5.85 ERA in five turns this season and 2-4 with a 6.93 mark in 10 career appearances (seven starts).

Mikolas escaped Colorado on Friday with a no-decision after surrendering five runs and 12 hits in 4 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old Floridian is riding a 10-start unbeaten streak but has recorded only five victories since losing to Atlanta on June 29. Mikolas has yet to defeat Pittsburgh this season, settling for a pair of no-decisions before suffering one of his three losses on June 1 despite allowing just two runs - one earned - and six hits in six frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cardinals placed 2B Kolten Wong (hamstring) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled 3B Patrick Wisdom from Triple-A Memphis.

2. Pittsburgh INF Josh Harrison reportedly has cleared waivers and may be traded before Friday's deadline.

3. St. Louis removed the interim tag and named Mike Shildt its permanent manager.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Pirates 3

Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
3 minutes

The Arizona Diamondbacks' offense suddenly has evaporated, and so has the team's lead in the National League West. The Diamondbacks wrap up their three-game series against the host San Francisco Giants on Wednesday after suffering back-to-back shutout losses and have fallen into a first-place tie with Colorado.

Arizona has dropped four of its last five contests, failed to score in its last 23 innings and managed just 11 hits while losing the first two games of the set by a cumulative 3-0 score. The Diamondbacks, who fell one-half game behind Milwaukee for the NL's second wild-card spot, have notched two just extra-base hits in the series. The Giants have won four straight contests to get back to the .500 mark and are receiving fine pitching as they have allowed just four runs and 22 hits during the winning streak. Pinch-hitter Gorkys Hernandez singled in the winning run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning on Tuesday for just his eighth hit in 53 at-bats this month.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Arizona, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (13-7, 4.59 ERA) vs. Giants RH Dereck Rodriguez (6-1, 2.30)

Godley gave up five runs and seven hits over five innings in a loss to Seattle in his last turn and has allowed 11 runs over 10 frames in his last two starts. The 28-year-old has fared well in his last seven outings on the road, going 5-0 with a 4.05 ERA. Godley has struggled against the Giants this season, going 1-2 with an 8.79 ERA in three starts, and is 2-3 with an 8.39 ERA in seven career appearances (five starts).

Rodriguez has won five consecutive decisions and is in the mix for National League Rookie of the Year honors despite not reaching the majors until late May. The 26-year-old has allowed just 19 hits in 39 1/3 innings since the All-Star break while going 2-0 with a 1.60 ERA during that span. Rodriguez allowed six hits over 6 1/3 scoreless frames while defeating the Diamondbacks on June 30.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks CF A.J. Pollock went 0-for-4 with a walk on Tuesday and is just 3-for-24 over his last seven games.

2. San Francisco OF Steven Duggar (shoulder), who was injured while diving into second base in the ninth inning on Tuesday shortly before scoring the winning run, will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.

3. Arizona recalled 1B-OF Christian Walker from Triple-A Reno and optioned RHP Matt Andriese to Single-A Visalia.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 2, Giants 1

Oakland Athletics vs Houston Astros Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
3-4 minutes

The Oakland Athletics moved closer to first place in the American League West and look to really tighten the race when they conclude their three-game road series against the division-leading Houston Astros on Wednesday afternoon. Nick Martini delivered a tiebreaking RBI double in the ninth inning as Oakland posted a 4-3 win on Tuesday to move within 1 1/2 games of Houston.

Tigers vs. Royals Preview and Predictions

Matt Olson crushed a three-run homer to help the Athletics improve to 17-7 this month and extend their lead over Seattle for the AL's second wild card to 5 1/2 games. Rookie Ramon Laureano reached base three times on two hits and a walk as he recorded his fourth multi-hit performance since being recalled from the minors earlier this month. The Astros had their six-game winning streak halted on Tuesday but are 11-7 against Oakland entering Wednesday's final regular-season meeting. Alex Bregman went 2-for-4 with a two-run double on Tuesday and is 17-for-37 with two homers and 10 RBIs during his nine-game hitting streak.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Trevor Cahill (5-3, 3.44 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (10-10, 3.54)

Cahill defeated the Astros on Aug. 18, when he gave up one hit over seven scoreless innings, but was battered by Minnesota in his following outing as he yielded five runs and eight hits in five frames. The 30-year-old, who needs six strikeouts to reach 1,000 for his career, has struggled on the road this season with a 1-3 record and 6.92 ERA in eight turns. Cahill is 1-1 with a 3.24 ERA in three starts against the Astros this season and is 2-1 with a 4.13 ERA in five career appearances (four starts).

Keuchel ended his three-start winless streak by giving up two runs and five hits over seven innings of a victory over the Los Angeles Angels in his last turn. The 30-year-old was roughed up for five runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 frames in a loss opposite Cahill on Aug. 18 and is 1-2 with a 5.23 ERA in three starts against the Athletics this year. Keuchel has posted a 6-6 record and 2.99 ERA in 21 career appearances (19 starts) against Oakland and held slugger Khris Davis (3-for-24, one homer) in check.

WALK-OFFS

1. Davis is hitless in six at-bats in the series and 1-for-20 with 10 strikeouts over his last five contests.

2. Houston 2B Jose Altuve went 0-for-4 on Tuesday after recording two hits in four of his previous five games.

3. Oakland placed LHP Brett Anderson (forearm) on the 10-day disabled list, recalled RHP Ryan Dull from Triple-A Nashville and learned LHP Sean Manaea was diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinitis and is shut down indefinitely.

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Athletics 2

Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
3-4 minutes

The Kansas City Royals' normally punchless offense has picked it up in the last four contests and looks to continue that trend when the Detroit Tigers visit for the finale of their two-game set on Wednesday afternoon. The Royals, who have scored a major league-low 489 runs in 2018, took two of three from American League Central-leading Cleveland this past weekend and used a 10-hit attack to defeat the Tigers 6-2 in Tuesday's series opener.

Mets vs. Cubs Preview and Predictions

Kansas City's Adalberto Mondesi has registered four hits in his last two games, including a homer on Tuesday, and Whit Merrifield added a pair of singles in the victory to improve his lifetime batting average against Detroit to .333. Danny Duffy is 0-2 with an 11.32 ERA against the Tigers this year as he gets the call Wednesday opposite Michael Fulmer, who gave up two runs over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Royals on April 20. Detroit has dropped four straight contests and is just one game ahead of the fourth-place Chicago White Sox in the AL Central. JaCoby Jones homered on Tuesday in his first game since Aug. 12 due to a stint on the disabled list and Jim Adduci has registered multiple hits in three of his last five contests.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (3-9, 4.32 ERA) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (7-11, 4.85)

Fulmer was limited to 77 pitches in his first start after returning from the DL on Friday and held the White Sox to two hits over 4 2/3 scoreless frames. The 25-year-old native of Oklahoma City, who was sidelined with an oblique strain since July 14, struck out four and walked one in that outing. Merrifield is 7-for-16 with a homer versus Fulmer, who is 2-4 with a 3.23 ERA in eight career appearances against the Royals.

Duffy gave up two runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in five innings of a no-decision at Tampa Bay on Thursday following a brief stint on the DL. The 29-year-old Californian has permitted six or more runs in three of his last five outings, including an 8-4 loss to Detroit on July 25. Victor Martinez is 18-for-45 with three homers against Duffy, who is 7-10 with a 4.63 ERA versus the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit RF Nicholas Castellano leads the major leagues in batting average (at least 50 at-bats) against left-handed pitchers at .408.

2. Kansas City 1B-3B Hunter Dozier has registered a pair of homers and six RBIs in his last six contests.

3. Tigers OF Mikie Mahtook is 7-for-16 with a pair of homers during his five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, Royals 5

Chicago White Sox vs New York Yankees Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
3-4 minutes

The New York Yankees used the long ball to even the series and now look to claim the three-game set when they host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Pinch-hitter Neil Walker's walk-off homer in the ninth inning was New York's third blast in four frames as the team rallied from a four-run deficit to post a 5-4 win on Tuesday.

Nationals vs. Phillies Preview and Predictions

Miguel Andujar hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning and Aaron Hicks belted a game-tying, two-run shot in the eighth before Walker provided the heroics in New York's ninth victory in 11 games. The Yankees have scored five or more runs eight times in those 11 contests as they have climbed within 6 1/2 games of American League East-leading Boston. The White Sox fell for just the fourth time in 14 contests and have dropped 14 of their last 18 visits to Yankee Stadium. Nicky Delmonico, who went 2-for-5 with a two-run single in the sixth inning that gave Chicago a 4-0 lead, has recorded four homers and 11 RBIs over his last 10 games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (4-9, 4.66 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (7-4, 3.30)

Lopez is 0-4 with a 6.70 ERA and 12 homers allowed in his last nine outings, with his last victory occurring on July 1 against Texas. The 24-year-old has given up five or more runs on four occasions during the stretch but showed progress by allowing two runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against Detroit in his last turn. Lopez produced a solid effort against the Yankees on Aug. 7, when he permitted one run and four hits over seven frames of a no-decision in his first career start versus the club.

Sabathia gave up two runs and five hits over six innings in a no-decision against Baltimore in his last turn after a brief stint on the disabled list due to right knee soreness. The 38-year-old experienced issues with the knee while blanking the Rangers on one hit over six innings on Aug. 12. Sabathia struck out a season-best 12 while allowing one run and four hits over 5 2/3 frames in a no-decision while opposing Lopez on Aug. 7 and is 19-6 with a 3.73 ERA in 36 career starts against Chicago.

WALK-OFFS

1. Hicks has gone 7-for-19 with two homers and five RBIs over his last five contests.

2. Chicago SS Tim Anderson (ankle) departed in the ninth inning and will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.

3. New York RF Aaron Judge (wrist) told reporters on Tuesday that progress is slow - he was injured on July 26 and expected to miss three weeks - and he remains hopeful of returning prior to mid-September.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, White Sox 4

Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
2-3 minutes

The Baltimore Orioles are taking out some frustration on the visiting Toronto Blue Jays and have a shot at their first three-game sweep of the season when the teams meet Wednesday. The Blue Jays won 10 straight meetings between the American League East rivals before falling 7-0 in the series opener and then 12-5 in the second game Tuesday night.

Trey Mancini is one of several Baltimore hitters doing damage, as he is 4-for-8 with a home run, two doubles, one triple and six RBIs in the series. Jonathan Villar is 5-for-7 with four runs scored during the set and the speedster has a stolen base in three consecutive contests for the Orioles, whose only prior series sweep was a two-game set at the New York Mets in June. Alex Cobb has turned around a dismal start to the season while lowering his ERA over two runs in just over two months for Baltimore. He'll get the start Wednesday opposite rookie Ryan Borucki as Toronto looks to snap a three-game slide.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Toronto), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Ryan Borucki (3-3, 4.12 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Alex Cobb (4-15, 5.00)

Borucki rebounded well from a disastrous outing two turns ago at Yankee Stadium to stifle the Philadelphia Phillies his last time out. He allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings in the victory, his third in five starts in August. The 24-year-old, who is facing Baltimore for the first time, is 1-2 with a 5.86 ERA on the road.

Cobb allowed two runs or fewer in all five of his August starts while limiting opponents to 26 hits in 35 innings. He had a no-decision after yielding two runs and three hits in six frames versus the New York Yankees on Friday. The 30-year-old was rocked for 13 runs (10 earned) in 8 2/3 frames over two previous meetings with the Blue Jays this year and has a 4.34 ERA in 10 career matchups.

WALK-OFFS

1. Villar is 21-for-23 in stolen base attempts, including 7-for-7 in 25 games since being traded to Baltimore.

2. Blue Jays OF Randal Grichuk is batting .380 with five homers in 14 career games against the Orioles.

3. Toronto 1B Justin Smoak launched his 20th homer Tuesday to reach that mark for the third time in his career.

PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Blue Jays 4

Minnesota Twins vs Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
3-4 minutes

Michael Brantley is healthy after two injury-plagued seasons and the All-Star outfielder is warming up again as his Cleveland Indians try to clinch the season series with the visiting Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night. Brantley was 3-for-5 with a run scored in Tuesday's 8-1 victory over the Twins and boasts multiple hits in six of his last eight games, going 13-for-35 in that stretch to raise his batting average to .304.

Jason Kipnis is 6-for-8 with four RBIs and four runs scored while teammate Francisco Lindor went 6-for-11 - scoring three times - in the last two games for the American League Central-leading Indians, who own a 9-8 edge in the season series. Adam Plutko hopes to snap out of a rough stretch when he takes the mound for Cleveland in the middle contest of the three-game set Wednesday against fellow rookie Kohl Stewart, who is looking for his first major league victory. Joe Mauer extended his hitting streak to six games (9-for-25) on Tuesday for the Twins, but remains one run shy of becoming the third player in franchise history to reach 1,000. Minnesota has lost four straight overall, scoring six runs total, and has dropped six of the last seven against the Indians after leaving nine runners on base in the latest setback.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kohl Stewart (0-1, 6.94 ERA) vs. Indians RH Adam Plutko (4-4, 5.09)

Stewart has yet to finish five innings in his first three major league starts, although he has not given up more than three runs in any of them. The 23-year-old Texan, who was picked fourth overall in the 2013 draft, allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision with Oakland last Thursday. Stewart served up 18 hits over 11 2/3 innings since being recalled from the minors, but just one home run.

Plutko is winless in his past five trips to the mound and yielded eight runs on eight hits and six walks over 11 1/3 innings combined to lose his last two. The 26-year-old UCLA product permitted five runs on five hits and as many walks across 4 1/3 innings in a 7-0 loss at Boston on Thursday. Eddie Rosario homered against Plutko, who allowed one run on two hits over two innings of relief versus Minnesota on June 16.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota 1B-3B-DH Miguel Sano worked a pair of walks Tuesday to extend his on-base streak against the Indians to 15 games.

2. Cleveland C Yan Gomes is 10-for-19 with a homer during a five-game hitting streak that raised his batting average to .260.

3. Rosario notched his 150th hit of the season Tuesday, leaving him seven away from his career high in 2017.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Twins 4

Seattle Mariners vs San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
3-4 minutes

Things were looking up for the Seattle Mariners when they swept a four-game series against American League West-leading Houston earlier this month, but they have since lost eight of 13 contests. Seattle looks to maintain its fading hopes for a playoff position when it visits the San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon for the finale of their two-game interleague series.

Marlins vs. Red Sox Preview and Predictions

The Mariners made a late attempt in the series opener but dropped a 2-1 decision to fall seven games behind the Astros and 5 1/2 in back of division-rival Oakland for the second AL wild-card spot. Nelson Cruz helped Seattle avoid being shut out by belting his team-leading 32nd home run in the ninth inning, but the club went on to fall to 2-2 on its nine-game road trip. Travis Jankowski belted a solo homer and Hunter Renfroe added an RBI single for the Padres, who halted their five-game side with just their third win in 14 contests. Renfroe has gone 8-for-21 with two homers and four RBIs during his five-game hitting streak while Wil Myers has posted back-to-back two-hit performances after notching two of San Diego's five hits on Tuesday.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Erasmo Ramirez (1-2, 4.56 ERA) vs. Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (6-7, 3.74)

Ramirez is coming off his first win in five outings this season, a victory at Arizona on Friday in which he allowed three runs - one earned - and six hits over six innings. The 28-year-old Nicaraguan, who is on his second tour of duty with Seattle after spending the first three seasons of his career with the club, has made four of his five starts on the road. Ramirez is 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts and one relief appearance against San Diego.

Lucchesi settled for a no-decision at Colorado on Thursday after giving up just two runs and five hits in six innings. The 25-year-old Californian rookie has allowed fewer than three earned runs in three of his last four turns but has recorded just one victory in that span. Lucchesi, who has yet to face Seattle, has gone 0-1 while yielding four runs over 5 2/3 frames in two interleague starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres 2B Luis Urias, one of the top prospects in baseball, went 0-for-3 with a walk on Tuesday in his major-league debut.

2. Seattle purchased the contract of Shawn Armstrong from Triple-A Tacoma and optioned fellow RHP Nick Rumbelow to Double-A Arkansas.

3. In addition to purchasing the contract of Urias from Triple-A El Paso, San Diego activated RHP Colten Brewer (oblique) from the 10-day disabled list while placing LHP Clayton Richard (knee), who requires season-ending surgery, on the 10-day DL and optioning 2B Carlos Asuaje to the Chihuahuas.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Padres 3

Florida Marlins vs Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 28th August 2018 by Gracenote
3 minutes

David Price will try to extend his phenomenal run for the Boston Red Sox when he gets the start Wednesday in the finale of a two-game series with the visiting Miami Marlins. Price won his last five decisions and the Red Sox have claimed a victory in each of his last eight starts, the latest of which saw him spin eight scoreless innings against the Cleveland Indians.

White Sox vs. Yankees Preview and Predictions

Price's club opened the interleague set with a wild walk-off win that saw the teams combine for 10 runs over the final two innings, with a throwing error in the ninth giving Boston the 8-7 victory and snapping its three-game slide. J.D. Martinez had two hits to raise his league-leading average to .338 and scored the game-winning run after singling with one out in the ninth. The Red Sox remained the only team in the majors without a four-game losing streak and they maintained a 6 1/2-game lead on the New York Yankees in the American League East. They've also won six straight at home against the Marlins, who send rookie right-hander Trevor Richards to the mound on Wednesday.

TV: 6:35 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Trevor Richards (3-7, 4.23 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH David Price (14-6, 3.50)

Richards is winless in his last six starts and has yet to post a quality start in four attempts this month. He received a no-decision after allowing two runs while striking out nine in 5 1/3 solid innings at Yankee Stadium last Wednesday. The 25-year-old opened his career with a loss to the Red Sox on April 2, allowing five runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Price has a 1.50 ERA during a seven-start span while recording 48 strikeouts against seven walks. He limited the Indians to three hits while fanning seven in his most recent outing to improve to 7-2 with a 2.87 ERA at home. Starlin Castro is 8-for-20 against Price, who is 15-12 with a 3.32 ERA in his interleague career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley Jr. has multiple hits in eight of his last 15 games while raising his average from .206 to .227.

2. Marlins LF Derek Dietrich was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Tuesday to end his eight-game hitting streak.

3. Boston SS Xander Bogaerts is batting .329 with 20 RBIs in 22 games in August.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, Marlins 2

Tampa Bay Rays vs Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions
MLB Previews 29th August 2018 by Gracenote
3 minutes

Ozzie Albies took the baseball world by storm in the first half of the season, and following a prolonged slump the Atlanta Braves second baseman is starting to produce again entering Wednesday's home contest against the Tampa Bay Rays. Coming in with a .232 batting average in August, Albies collected three hits in Tuesday's 9-5 victory that snapped Tampa Bay's eight-game winning streak and pushed the Braves lead in the National League East to 4 1/2 games.

Atlanta also received four hits - including a homer - from center fielder Ender Inciarte in building its largest lead in the division this season. Tampa Bay came in nine games over .500 this late in the season for the first time since 2013, and had not allowed more than three runs in any contest during the run before giving up four runs in the fifth inning. Left fielder Tommy Pham finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored in the series opener, and is batting .500 during his four-game hitting streak. The Rays recorded 12 hits in beginning a three-city, eight-game road trip, the sixth time in the past seven games Tampa Bay has finished with 10 or more.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.23 ERA) vs. Braves LH Sean Newcomb (11-6, 3.57)

Castillo gets his third opportunity to serve as Tampa Bay's "opener," the first two coming against the Red Sox in the past two weeks. The 24-year-old rookie lasted 1 2/3 innings in both outings, giving up a total of three hits, and struck out four Red Sox in his last start Friday. Castillo last pitched Sunday in relief against Boston, firing a perfect seventh inning on just eight pitches.

Newcomb rebounded from two rough starts in a row to beat Miami on Thursday, earning his first victory since his near no-hitter July 29 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 25-year-old gave up two hits with eight strikeouts in six shutout innings, after allowing a combined 12 runs in his previous two outings. Newcomb beat the Rays on May 8, allowing two hits and no runs over six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays OF Mallex Smith worked out Tuesday in Tampa Bay, and the team is hopeful he can return from a viral infection by late next week.

2. Atlanta signed C Tyler Flowers to a one-year, $4 million contract for 2019, with a $6 million club option for 2020.

3. Tampa Bay CF Kevin Kiermaier has hits in five of his past nine official at-bats over a three-game span.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Rays 3