MLB Betting News and Trends For Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Wednesday’s games
National League
Rockies (11-8) @ Pirates (11-6)
Freeland is 0-2, 4.50 in three starts this season (under 2-1).
5-inning record: 1-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Kuhl is 1-1, 6.32 in three starts this season (over 3-0).
5-inning record: 2-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Colorado won six of its last seven games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 games. Pirates lost three of their last five games; their last three home games stayed under.

Nationals (9-9) @ Mets (12-4)
Roark is 1-1, 3.50 in three starts this season (over 1-1-1).
5-inning record: 1-1-1. Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Matz is 1-1, 5.02 in his first three starts (under 2-1).
5-inning record: 1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Washington won three of its last four games; six of their last nine games stayed under. Mets lost three of their last four games; under is 6-2 in their last eight home games.

Phillies (10-6) @ Braves (9-7)
Velasquez is 1-0, 1.42 in his last two starts (over 2-1).
5-inning record: 1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-3

McCarthy is 2-0, 3.31 in his first three starts (over 2-1). His left (non-throwing) shoulder popped out during his last start, but he is said to be OK.
5-inning record: 3-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-3

Phillies won seven of their last eight games; under is 5-2 in their last seven games. Atlanta is 5-3 at home this season; eight of their last nine games stayed under.

Reds (3-14) @ Brewers (9-9)
Mahle is 0-2, 9.00 in his last two starts (under 3-0).
5-inning record: 1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Davies is 0-2, 7.31 in his first three starts (over 2-1).
5-inning record: 1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Reds lost nine of their last ten games; under is 6-2 in their last eight games. Milwaukee split its last six games, is 3-6 at home; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven home games.

Cardinals (10-7) @ Cubs (7-8)
Weaver is 2-0, 2.08 in his first three starts (under 3-0).
5-inning record: 3-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Lester is 1-0, 5.02 in his first three starts (over 2-1)
5-inning record: 2-0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

St Louis won its last five games; five of their last six games stayed under. Cubs are 2-4 at home this season; under is 9-3-1 in their last 13 games.

Dodgers (6-9) @ Padres (7-11)
Maeda is 1-1, 5.87 in his first two starts (over 1-1).
5-inning record: 1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Perdomo is 1-1, 4.91 in three starts this season (under 2-1).
5-inning record: 1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Dodgers won their last three games; their last six games went over. Padres are 4-9 at home this season; last four San Diego games went over.

Giants (6-10) @ Diamondbacks (12-4)
Stratton is 1-1, 3.12 in his first three starts (over 2-1).
5-inning record: 1-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Ray is 2-0, 6.32 in his first three starts (over 2-1).
5-inning record: 2-0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Giants lost five of their last six games; under is 6-3 in their road games. Arizona won six of its last eight games; they’re 6-1 at home. Five of D’backs’ last six games went over.

American League
Orioles (5-12) @ Tigers (5-9)
Gausman is 1-1, 6.60 in his first three starts (under 2-1).
5-inning record: 2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-3

Boyd is 0-1, 1.38 in two starts this season (under 2-0); Tigers scored one run in the two games.
5-inning record: 0-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Orioles lost six of their last seven games; over is 4-2-1 in their last seven road games. Detroit lost five of its last six games; under is 6-2 in their last eight games.

Royals (3-12) @ Blue Jays (11-5)
Kennedy is 1-1, 1.00 in his first three starts (under 3-0); Royals scored five runs in those games.
5-inning record: 1-1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-3

Happ 2-1, 4.50 in his first three starts (under 2-1).
5-inning record: 2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Royals lost their last seven games; under is 5-2 in their road games. Blue Jays won six of their last seven games; Jays’ last three games went over the total.

Indians (9-6) vs Twins (7-5) (@ Puerto Rico)
Carrasco is 3-0, 3.48 in his first three starts (under 2-1).
5-inning record: 3-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Berrios is 2-1, 2.18 in his first three starts (under 2-1)
5-inning record: 2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-3

Indians won six of their last seven games; under is 8-2 in their last ten games. Minnesota won three of its last four games. Under is 8-4 in their games. This series is in Puerto Rico.

Rangers (7-12) @ Rays (4-13)
Hamels is is 1-2, 5.32 in his first four starts (under 3-1)
5-inning record: 1-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-4

Faria is 0-0, 1.93 in his first two home starts (under 2-1)
5-inning record: 1-1–1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Rangers lost seven of their last 11 games; under is 6-3 in their road games. Tampa Bay lost 12 of its last 15 games; over is 8-2 in their last ten games.

White Sox (4-10) @ A’s (8-10)
Fulmer is 0-1, 6.52 in his first two ’18 starts (over 1-1).
5-inning record: 1-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-2

Triggs is 1-0, 2.87 in his first three starts (over 2-1).
5-inning record: 1-0-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

White Sox lost seven of their last eight games; five of their last seven road games stayed under. Oakland won its last three games, under is 5-1 in their last six games.

Red Sox (14-2) @ Angels (13-4)
Porcello is 3-0, 1.83 in his first three starts (over 1-0-1)
5-inning record: 3-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Skaggs is 2-0, 1.69 in his first three starts (under 2-1)
5-inning record: 2-0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Boston won its last five games; four of their last six road games stayed under. Angels won seven of their last eight games; under is 3-1-1 in their last five games.

Astros (11-7) @ Mariners (9-6)
Cole is 1-0, 1.29 in his first three starts (under 2-1).
5-inning record: 1-0-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Leake is 3-0, 3.50 in his first three starts (over 3-0). Mariners scored 23 runs in those games.
5-inning record: 1-0-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-3

Houston lost four of their last seven games; under is 10-2 in their last 12 games. Seattle won six of its last nine games; over is 9-6 in their games this season.

Umpires
Col-Pitt: Four of last five Davis games stayed under.
Wsh-NY: Over is 9-4-1 in last 14 Woodring games.
Phil-Atl: Four of last five Foster games stayed under.
Cin-Mil: Under is 4-0-1 in last five Kellogg games.
SF-Az: Eight of last nine Cuzzi games stayed under.
LA-SD: Home side won seven of last nine Wendelstedt games.

Blt-Det: Last five Rackley games went over the total.
KC-Tor: Underdogs won seven of last ten Kulpa games
Clev-Min: Home side won 10 of last 11 Cooper games
Tex-TB: Under is 10-1 in last eleven Dreckman games
Chi-A’s: Last five Wegner games stayed under total.
Bos-LAA: Home side won last five Baker games.
Hst-Sea: Three of last four Johnson games went over.

Preview: Rockies at Pirates
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

The Colorado Rockies can pick up their first series sweep of the season when they wrap up a three-game set at the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday afternoon. The Rockies dropped their first two road games of the season but are 9-2 away from home ever since, including a 6-2 win in the series opener at Pittsburgh and a 2-0 triumph in the middle game Tuesday.

Chad Bettis lowered his ERA to 1.44 as he spun 7 1/3 scoreless innings in Tuesday's win for Colorado, which has held opponents to an average of 2.5 runs through the first six games of its seven-game trip. The announced attendance was fewer than 9,000 for the game as the teams played in snowy conditions, but warmer and sunnier conditions are expected for the series finale. The Pirates hope that the improving weather helps their bats warm up as well, as they've managed nine hits and four walks through the first two games of the series. Right fielder Gregory Polanco was hitless in three at-bats Tuesday and is 1-for-19 in five games since he slugged two homers at Wrigley Field last Thursday.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (0-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (1-1, 5.74)

Freeland gave up four runs in 10 2/3 innings over his last two starts and he kept the ball in the park at Washington on Friday after giving up two homers in each of his first two appearances. The Denver native was reached for five runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 frames of a start at Pittsburgh last season. Josh Bell is 2-for-3 with a walk and David Freese is 3-for-6 with a homer and a double against Freeland.

Kuhl gave up five runs (four earned) on 11 hits over five innings of a 7-2 loss at Miami his last time out, lifting his road ERA to 6.75 through two starts. He was a bit better in his lone home start by allowing two runs in five frames while striking out seven against Cincinnati on April 7. The 25-year-old lost his first two career starts against Colorado while giving up seven runs in 11 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado serves the last game of his five-game suspension Wednesday and will be eligible to return Friday when Colorado opens a three-game series at home against the Chicago Cubs.

2. Pirates CF Starling Marte is 9-for-18 with three walks during a five-game hitting streak.

3. Rockies SS Trevor Story entered the series 11-for-62 on the season but has gone 4-for-7 with a home run, a double and a walk against Pittsburgh pitching.

PREDICTION: Rockies 5, Pirates 4
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Umpire Trends - Gerry Davis

Pirates are 4-0 in their last 4 Wednesday games with Davis behind home plate.
Home team is 5-0 in Davis' last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Home team is 4-0 in Davis' last 4 games behind home plate vs. Colorado.
Pirates are 6-1 in their last 7 games with Davis behind home plate.
Under is 5-1-1 in Davis' last 7 games behind home plate.
Home team is 21-5 in Davis' last 26 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Home team is 4-1 in Davis' last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Over is 4-1 in Davis' last 5 games behind home plate vs. Colorado.
Under is 4-1 in Davis' last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Colorado.
Under is 7-2 in Davis' last 9 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Under is 5-2-1 in Davis' last 8 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Rockies are 2-7 in their last 9 games with Davis behind home plate.
Rockies are 1-4 in their last 5 Wednesday games with Davis behind home plate.
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Preview: Rangers at Rays
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

Left-hander Cole Hamels has pitched better on the road than at home and hopes that pattern continues for at least one more start when he takes the mound for the Texas Rangers in Wednesday's rubber match against the Tampa Bay Rays. The teams have traded lopsided victories in the series, with the Rays rolling to an 8-4 win Monday before Texas responded with a 7-2 rout 24 hours later.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa entered Tuesday's game 2-for-17 with nine strikeouts and poised to make his major league debut at shortstop for the Rangers with Jurickson Profar in the concussion protocol following a collision in the series opener. Kiner-Falefa doubled his season total with four hits and was in the middle of three double plays as Texas improved to 3-2 on its six-game road trip. Tampa Bay got big production from its own shortstop as Adeiny Hechavarria collected three hits Tuesday, but it wasn't enough to prevent the team from absorbing its American League-worst 13th defeat. C.J. Cron went 2-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to seven games for the Rays, who are 2-7 at home.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Cole Hamels (1-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jake Faria (0-1, 8.18)

Hamels did not factor in the decision last time out at World Series champion Houston despite his first quality start of the season, tossing six innings of two-run ball. He is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts versus Tampa Bay, but was dominant in his lone appearance at Tropicana Field with 10 strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball in August 2016. Hamels must be wary of Hechavarria, who is 11-for-29 against him.

Faria allowed only one run in four innings in his season debut versus Boston, but he was pummeled by the Red Sox in the rematch six days later, lasting 1 2/3 innings and getting rocked for eight runs. He rebounded with a strong effort last time out, shaving six runs off his ERA by limiting Philadelphia to one run on two hits while striking out seven in 5 1/3 innings. Faria is 3-2 with a 2.88 ERA in nine home appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre needs five RBIs to tie Tony Perez for 30th (1,652) on the all-time list.

2. The Rays placed 3B Matt Duffy (hamstring strain) on the 10-day disabled list.

3. Rangers RHP Tony Barnette went on the 10-day DL due to right shoulder tightness.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Rays 3
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Umpire Trends - Bruce Dreckman

Under is 6-1 in Dreckmans last 7 games behind home plate vs. Texas.
Road team is 10-2 in Dreckmans last 12 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Under is 13-3 in Dreckmans last 16 games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1 in Dreckmans last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Home team is 4-1 in Dreckmans last 5 games behind home plate vs. Tampa Bay.
Rays are 6-2 in their last 8 games with Dreckman behind home plate.
Rangers are 2-5 in their last 7 games with Dreckman behind home plate.
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Preview: Orioles at Tigers
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

Left-hander Matthew Boyd is getting plenty of rest due to the weather woes that have engulfed the Detroit Tigers this season, but he'll hope to finally get some run support when he makes his third start Wednesday against the visiting Baltimore Orioles in the second of a three-game set. Boyd is winless despite allowing one run in each of his first two starts.

The Tigers snapped a five-game skid with a 4-2 victory in the series opener, but with six postponents already and more bad weather forecast for Wednesday, the starting time was move up from 6:40 to 1:10 p.m. ET. Detroit designated hitter Victor Martinez belted his first homer of the season Tuesday to improve to 5-for-8 in his last two games, but he is hitless in 16 at-bats against Kevin Gausman, Baltimore's scheduled starter for Wednesday. The Orioles, who had the finale of their four-game set at Boston rained out Monday, have dropped four in a row to fall to 3-8 on the road. Baltimore is 1-6 in its last seven games overall and has scored a combined 11 runs in those six defeats.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (1-1, 6.60 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (0-1, 1.38)

Gausman earned his first win and his first quality start of the season last time out by going six innings against Toronto and permitting three runs and six hits while striking out seven. Gausman did not factor in the decision in a superb effort versus Detroit last season, allowing one run on three hits over seven innings while striking out eight. Gausman has limited Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera to two singles in 13 at-bats.

Boyd surrendered a first-inning home run and nothing else in seven stellar innings, permitting three hits while not factoring in the decision at Cleveland. He went six innings of one-run ball in his season debut to become the first Detroit lefty to pitch six innings and allow one run or less in the first two starts of a season since Kenny Rogers in 2007. Adam Jones is 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles against Boyd.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera exited the series opener due to back tightness but is expected to play Wednesday.

2. Orioles 1B Chris Davis is batting .125 after striking out three times for the third time in four games.

3. Tigers CF Leonys Martin is 8-for-17 in the last four games.

PREDICTION: Tigers 3, Orioles 2
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Umpire Trends - David Rackley

Home team is 4-0 in Rackleys last 4 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Over is 4-0 in Rackleys last 4 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Home team is 4-0 in Rackleys last 4 games behind home plate vs. Detroit.
Under is 7-0-1 in Rackleys last 8 games behind home plate vs. Baltimore.
Home team is 6-2 in Rackleys last 8 games behind home plate vs. Baltimore.
Over is 20-8-1 in Rackleys last 29 games behind home plate.
Tigers are 5-2 in their last 7 games with Rackley behind home plate.
Under is 5-2 in Rackleys last 7 games behind home plate vs. Detroit.
Orioles are 5-2 in their last 7 games with Rackley behind home plate.
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Preview: Reds at Brewers
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

Eric Thames owns the first month of the season, and his power is keeping the Milwaukee Brewers in the win column. Thames will try to continue another solid April when the Brewers host the Cincinnati Reds for the rubber match of a three-game series on Wednesday.

Thames clubbed 11 home runs in the first month of the 2017 season after spending the previous four years playing in Japan but tapered off the rest of the way and finished with 31 homers. The 31-year-old is hoping that doesn't become a pattern after getting off to another hot start in 2018 that includes his sixth home run on Tuesday - a two-run blast that provided the difference in a 2-0 triumph and came after he sat out Monday to rest a groin injury. The Reds snapped an eight-game slide with a 10-4 victory in the series opener, but that offensive performance looks like the outlier for a team that is averaging 3.2 runs. Cincinnati will try to get the bats hot on Wednesday against struggling right-hander Zach Davies while countering with Tyler Mahle.

TV: 1:40 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Tyler Mahle (1-2, 5.63 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (0-2, 6.75)

Mahle worked six scoreless innings and struck out seven while surrendering one hit against the Chicago Cubs on April 2, but wasn't nearly as sharp in his last two outings. The 23-year-old was roughed up for a total of 10 runs and 18 hits over 10 innings by the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. Mahle is making his first career start against the Brewers and will try to keep the ball in the yard after surrendering two homers in each of the last two turns.

Davies sandwiched a quality start on April 7 around a pair of losses and was reached for five runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings at the New York Mets on Friday. The 25-year-old is struggling with the long ball as well and served up a pair of home runs to the Mets to bring his season total to four in 16 innings. Davies was solid in four starts against Cincinnati last season while posting a 1-1 record with a 3.20 ERA and two home runs allowed in 19 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds C Devin Mesoraco left Tuesday's game with a bruised right wrist and is day-to-day.

2. Milwaukee activated OF Christian Yelich (oblique) from the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday but he did not get into the game.

3. Cincinnati RF Scott Schebler (right ulnar nerve) is on a rehab assignment but could rejoin the team as early as Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Brewers 7, Reds 4
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Umpire Trends - Jeff Kellogg

Under is 5-0 in Kelloggs last 5 games behind home plate.
Road team is 5-0 in Kelloggs last 5 games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
Road team is 10-1 in Kelloggs last 11 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Brewers are 5-1 in their last 6 Wednesday games with Kellogg behind home plate.
Home team is 22-7 in Kelloggs last 29 games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
Under is 3-1-1 in Kelloggs last 5 games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
Under is 3-1-1 in Kelloggs last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
Brewers are 19-7 in their last 26 games with Kellogg behind home plate.
Under is 21-8 in Kelloggs last 29 games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
Home team is 5-2 in Kelloggs last 7 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
Reds are 1-5 in their last 6 Wednesday games with Kellogg behind home plate.
Reds are 1-5 in their last 6 games with Kellogg behind home plate.
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Preview: Cardinals at Cubs
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

Runs can be tough to come by at Wrigley Field this time of year, and that’s bad news for a Chicago Cubs team that has struggled at the plate. The Cubs face the tall task of getting their offense going against promising right-hander Luke Weaver when they wrap up a two-game set against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday afternoon.

The Cubs have only one victory when scoring fewer than five runs and are averaging 1.75 in their eight losses compared to 8.7 in their seven wins. That includes a 5-3 defeat on Tuesday that pushed the Cardinals’ winning streak to five games and snapped their five-game skid at Wrigley. Javier Baez recorded three of the Cubs’ six hits in the loss, including a two-run homer in the eighth inning. Ten of Baez’s 12 hits have gone for extra bases, and his 16 RBIs are twice as many as any one else on Chicago's roster.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Midwest (St. Louis), ABC 7 (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (2-0, 2.08 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (1-0, 4.40)

Weaver is showing why he was one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, as he has followed an outstanding spring with three strong starts to begin the regular season. The 24-year-old has allowed four runs over 17 1/3 innings and has struck out seven in each of his last two turns. Weaver is 0-1 with a 12.86 ERA in two starts against the Cubs.

Lester is off to a bumpy start with one excellent outing sandwiched between two subpar efforts. The 34-year-old allowed four runs and seven hits over five innings in a no-decision against Pittsburgh last time out, but he generated 14 swinging strikes. Lester is 5-4 with a 2.30 ERA in 14 career starts versus St. Louis.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals CF Tommy Pham is 11-for-23 during his six-game hitting streak, but he’s 3-for-14 lifetime versus Lester.

2. The Cubs have been hit by a pitch in seven straight games – the club’s longest streak since at least 1908 – and lead the league with 17 hit batters this season.

3. St. Louis INF Matt Carpenter notched two hits on Tuesday to snap a 1-for-14 skid, but he is 5-for-34 with 11 strikeouts against Lester.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Cubs 2
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Umpire Trends - Jeff Nelson

Cubs are 4-0 in Lesters last 4 starts with Nelson behind home plate.
Home team is 4-1 in Nelsons last 5 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
Cubs are 7-2 in their last 9 games with Nelson behind home plate.
Under is 3-1-2 in Nelsons last 6 games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
Home team is 6-2 in Nelsons last 8 games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
Over is 3-1-1 in Nelsons last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
Home team is 9-4 in Nelsons last 13 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Over is 9-4-1 in Nelsons last 14 games behind home plate.
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Preview: White Sox at Athletics
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

The Oakland Athletics have revved up their offense in their series against the visiting Chicago White Sox and look to keep it in high gear as they go for a three-game sweep on Wednesday afternoon. Oakland has outscored Chicago 18-3 in capturing the first two games of the set and has given up a total of four runs during its three-game overall winning streak.

The bottom of the Athletics' batting order did most of the damage in Tuesday's 10-2 victory as Mark Canha, Stephen Piscotty and Jonathan Lucroy combined to go 8-for-11 with eight RBIs and five runs scored while Trevor Cahill tossed seven scoreless innings in his season debut after being recalled from the minors. Jed Lowrie celebrated his 34th birthday by going 2-for-4 with a solo homer, giving him 11 RBIs over his last six games. Chicago's bats have yet to thaw following last weekend's blizzard in Minnesota as the team has produced a total of three runs in losing its last three contests. After Jose Abreu homered in the ninth inning of the series opener to avoid a shutout loss for the White Sox, Yoan Moncada launched a two-run shot in the eighth on Tuesday to prevent a similar fate as the club fell for the 10th time in 12 games.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Carson Fulmer (0-1, 4.66 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Andrew Triggs (1-0, 2.87)

Fulmer hopes to bounce back from a disappointing outing against Tampa Bay on April 10, when he surrendered four runs - three earned - on five hits and six walks in 4 2/3 innings of a loss. The 24-year-old Floridian issued only one free pass over five frames in his season debut at Toronto but did not factor in the decision after yielding three runs - two earned - and four hits. Fulmer will be facing Oakland for the first time in his career.

Triggs has allowed fewer than three runs in each of his first three starts this season but has just one victory to show for his efforts. The 29-year-old native of Tennessee settled for a no-decision at Seattle on Friday after giving up two runs and five hits over five innings. Wednesday's start will be the first of Triggs' career against the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Piscotty is 11-for-25 with a homer and six RBIs during his seven-game hitting streak.

2. Chicago hopes to put the ball in play more often in the series finale after striking out 14 times on Tuesday.

3. In addition to Cahill, Oakland recalled RHP Lou Trivino from Triple-A Nashville, designated OF Trayce Thompson for assignment and placed RHP Yusmeiro Petit on the family medical emergency list on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Athletics 4
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Umpire Trends - Mark Wegner

Road team is 4-0 in Wegners last 4 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Under is 7-0 in Wegners last 7 games behind home plate.
Road team is 11-1 in Wegners last 12 games behind home plate.
Home team is 8-1 in Wegners last 9 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
Over is 4-1 in Wegners last 5 games behind home plate vs. Oakland.
Home team is 4-1 in Wegners last 5 games behind home plate vs. Oakland.
Over is 4-1-1 in Wegners last 6 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Oakland.
White Sox are 4-1 in their last 5 Wednesday games with Wegner behind home plate.
Over is 4-1 in Wegners last 5 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
White Sox are 9-3 in their last 12 games with Wegner behind home plate.
Over is 8-3-1 in Wegners last 12 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Athletics are 1-4 in their last 5 games with Wegner behind home plate.
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Preview: Royals at Blue Jays
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

The Toronto Blue Jays had to wait a few days to get in a game, but once they got their roof patched up and returned to the field they managed to secure a pair of wins. The Blue Jays will try to pull off a three-game sweep when they host the Kansas City Royals in the series finale on Wednesday.

Toronto was rained out in Cleveland on Saturday and Sunday and had Monday's home game postponed when a chuck of ice ripped through the roof at Rogers Centre, but Tuesday's doubleheader gave it a chance to get the bats back in gear. The Blue Jays pounded out 13 hits in an 11-3 drubbing in the opener on Tuesday and added nine more in the nightcap for a 5-4 triumph in 10 innings, which gives the team 11 wins in 14 games since beginning the season with back-to-back losses. The Royals are winless in seven straight and the setback in the nightcap marked just the fourth time in 15 games that they managed to score at least four runs. Kansas City will try to find a way to push runs across on Wednesday against veteran left-hander J.A. Happ, who opposes Ian Kennedy.

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, No TV

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (1-1, 1.00 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (2-1, 3.94)

Kennedy has allowed a total of two runs in 18 innings to begin the season but only owns one win in that span while getting little help from his offense or bullpen. The 33-year-old yielded one run and seven hits in six innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday but ended up with a loss in a game Kansas City went on to lose 7-1. Kennedy lost his lone start against Toronto last season and is looking for his first career win in his fourth start versus the Blue Jays.

Happ turned in his first quality start of 2018 when he held the Baltimore Orioles to one run on five hits while striking out nine in six innings on April 9. The 35-year-old owns 23 strikeouts and five walks over 16 total innings but also surrendered four home runs. Happ allowed two runs in 13 1/3 total innings over two starts against Kansas City last season but ended up 0-1 in those turns.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals RHP Justin Grimm allowed a total of seven runs in two innings over his last three appearances.

2. Toronto C Luke Maile hit safely in each of his five games this season and scored a run in each of the last four.

3. Kansas City 3B Mike Moustakas went 5-for-9 in the doubleheader and hit safely in each of his last nine games.

PREDICTION: Royals 3, Blue Jays 2
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Umpire Trends - Ron Kulpa

Under is 5-1 in Kulpas last 6 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Kansas City.
Home team is 13-3 in Kulpas last 16 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Blue Jays are 4-1 in their last 5 games with Kulpa behind home plate.
Royals are 4-1 in their last 5 Wednesday games with Kulpa behind home plate.
Road team is 7-2 in Kulpas last 9 games behind home plate vs. Kansas City.
Home team is 6-2 in Kulpas last 8 games behind home plate.
Road team is 6-2 in Kulpas last 8 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Kansas City.
Under is 9-4-2 in Kulpas last 15 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Royals are 1-4 in their last 5 games with Kulpa behind home plate.
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Preview: Nationals at Mets
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

The Washington Nationals were left with a bitter taste in their mouths earlier this month after the New York Mets sauntered into the nation's capital and recorded a three-game sweep. The Nationals look to return the favor at Citi Field on Wednesday, two days removed from overcoming a five-run deficit in the opener before posting a 5-2 triumph the following night.

Trea Turner has reached base 13 times in his last five games, answering a two-hit performance in the series opener with a three-hit effort on Tuesday to raise his batting average 31 points to .250. Bryce Harper opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the third inning, marking his seventh RBI versus the Mets this season. While Washington has won three of four to even its record at 9-9 and improve to 6-2 on the road, New York (12-4) saw its streak of five series victories come to an end on Tuesday with its third loss in four games. "We had a few opportunities where we were one swing away a few times. We just didn't get it done," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said after seeing his team go 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position on Tuesday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Tanner Roark (1-1, 3.50 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (1-1, 3.77)

Roark, who owns a 7-2 mark with a 3.13 ERA in 18 career meetings with the Mets, was able to walk away with a no-decision on April 8 despite allowing five runs on as many hits while issuing four free passes. The 31-year-old pitched significantly better five days later but was saddled with his first loss after permitting two runs on three hits in six innings of a 2-1 setback to Colorado. Roark has enjoyed the upper hand versus Yoenis Cespedes (2-for-16), Wilmer Flores (2-for-13) and Juan Lagares (3-for-17).

Matz surrendered two homers for the second time in three outings but escaped with a victory versus Milwaukee on Friday. The 26-year-old, who owns a 1-2 career mark with a slim 1.85 ERA against Washington, kept the ball in the park and struck out eight in a no-decision against the Nationals on April 7. Matz has flustered Harper (2-for-11) and Ryan Zimmerman (0-for-11) while limiting the current roster to a .196 batting average with 23 strikeouts in 97 at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York OF Jay Bruce is 1-for-15 with five strikeouts in his last seven games.

2. Washington OF Michael Taylor has scored five times in his last four contests.

3. Mets SS Jose Reyes is 0-for-17 with four strikeouts this season.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Nationals 2
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Umpire Trends - Tom Woodring

Home team is 6-1 in Woodrings last 7 games behind home plate vs. New York.
Home team is 4-1 in Woodrings last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Over is 10-3-3 in Woodrings last 16 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Over is 10-3 in Woodrings last 13 games behind home plate.
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Preview: Indians vs. Twins
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

The Cleveland Indians took a liking to historic Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico on Tuesday with a win over the Minnesota Twins and they'll try to make it a two-game sweep when the teams meet again in San Juan on Wednesday night. Jose Ramirez and Michael Brantley had three hits apiece and slugged two of the Indians' four home runs in the series-opening 6-1 triumph.

One of the other blasts came off the bat of Puerto Rico native Francisco Lindor, who has broken out of a slump with eight hits in 19 at-bats over a four-game stretch. "These people need to cheer," Lindor told reporters in a nod to the catastrophic Hurricane Maria that hit the island last September. The fans will have another chance to cheer their local favorites Wednesday with Jose Berrios, who was born in nearby Bayamon, getting the start for Minnesota. Mayaguez native Roberto Perez is set to catch Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (3-0, 3.48 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (2-1, 2.18)

After tying for the major league lead with 18 wins last season, Carrasco has picked up right where he left off with victories in each of his first three starts. He notched his ninth career complete game his last time out while allowing a run and three hits in a 5-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. Joe Mauer is 12-for-27 with a home run and four doubles against the 31-year-old Carrasco, who is 5-6 with a 3.83 ERA in his career versus the Twins.

Two starts after posting his first career shutout, Berrios spun seven scoreless innings while striking out 11 in a win over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He has 24 strikeouts against one walk and is holding opponents to a .164 batting average through his first three outings. The 23-year-old has a 5.31 ERA in four career matchups with Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins DH Logan Morrison went 0-for-3 on Tuesday and is 3-for-37 on the season.

2. Brantley is 7-for-13 over his last three games after going 2-for-13 in his first four contests to begin the year.

3. Cleveland LHP Andrew Miller and RHP Cody Allen, the back end of the Indians' bullpen, have combined for 14 1/3 scoreless innings this year.

PREDICTION: Twins 3, Indians 2
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Umpire Trends - Eric Cooper

Under is 5-0 in Coopers last 5 games behind home plate vs. Minnesota.
Twins are 5-1 in their last 6 Wednesday games with Cooper behind home plate.
Home team is 5-1 in Coopers last 6 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Cleveland.
Under is 8-2 in Coopers last 10 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Over is 4-1 in Coopers last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Minnesota.
Road team is 4-1 in Coopers last 5 games behind home plate vs. Cleveland.
Home team is 22-7 in Coopers last 29 games behind home plate.
Road team is 12-4 in Coopers last 16 games behind home plate vs. Minnesota.
Under is 5-2 in Coopers last 7 games behind home plate vs. Cleveland.
Home team is 44-18 in Coopers last 62 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Twins are 1-8 in their last 9 games with Cooper behind home plate.
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Preview: Phillies at Braves
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

The Philadelphia Phillies were expected to parlay a busy offseason into a modest improvement in 2018, not exactly a massive accomplishment given that they won just 66 games last season. Although the calendar reads mid-April, the Phillies (10-6) have won seven of eight to ascend into sole possession of second place in the National League East heading into Wednesday's series finale against the host Atlanta Braves.

Rhys Hoskins and Maikel Franco each had a two-run double with two outs in the 10th inning of Tuesday's 5-1 victory for Philadelphia, with the former going 7-for-16 with one homer and five RBIs in five encounters with Atlanta this season. Hoskins' 16 hits have him tied for second on the team with Cesar Hernandez, who has walked a club-best 15 times - including twice on Tuesday - to raise his on-base percentage to .443. Ender Inciarte had three hits on Tuesday and scored a run for the second straight contest for the Braves (9-7), who saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. Inciarte is 9-for-24 with five RBIs and four runs scored in five contests versus Philadelphia this season, as opposed to 5-for-41 with 10 strikeouts in the other 11 games.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (1-1, 3.52 ERA) vs. Braves RH Brandon McCarthy (2-0, 3.31)

Velasquez's season began on a rocky note in Atlanta, which erupted for seven runs on nine hits in 2 2/3 innings of a 15-2 shellacking on March 31. The 25-year-old has pitched significantly better in his last two outings, permitting one run on four hits in both to pick up the win versus Miami on April 7 before settling for a no-decision six days later at Tampa Bay. Velasquez has struck out 13 against two walks in his last two trips to the mound overall, but owns an 0-2 mark in five career games against Atlanta while allowing the club to bat .363 versus him.

McCarthy benefited from Atlanta's offensive uprising versus Velasquez to walk away with the victory in his Braves' debut, although the 34-year-old described his performance as "rocky" after allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings. He won his next start and was in good shape last Wednesday before grabbing his non-throwing shoulder after reaching back for a throw at first base. McCarthy exited with a partial dislocation and even had salt rubbed in the wound via social media from his wife, but proclaimed himself no worse for wear to start against the Phillies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman is 0-for-6 with two strikeouts in this series after going 3-for-9 with a homer, four RBIs and five runs scored in the first set versus Philadelphia.

2. Phillies CF Odubel Herrera has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games.

3. Braves RF Nick Markakis is 0-for-7 in this series and gone hitless in four of his last six games.

PREDICTION: Braves 7, Phillies 2
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Umpire Trends - Marty Foster

Over is 7-1 in Fosters last 8 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Road team is 5-1 in Fosters last 6 games behind home plate.
Phillies are 5-1 in their last 6 games with Foster behind home plate.
Over is 5-1 in Fosters last 6 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
Under is 4-1 in Fosters last 5 games behind home plate.
Home team is 4-1 in Fosters last 5 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
Under is 7-2 in Fosters last 9 games behind home plate vs. Atlanta.
Over is 7-2-1 in Fosters last 10 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
Road team is 5-2 in Fosters last 7 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Atlanta.
Braves are 14-6 in their last 20 games with Foster behind home plate.
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Preview: Giants at Diamondbacks
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been tremendous at home thus far this season, going 6-1 overall while winning four straight. Arizona looks to extend the winning streak on Wednesday as it hosts the San Francisco Giants for the middle contest of their three-game series.

Robbie Ray has a tough act to follow as the Diamondbacks received an outstanding pitching performance in the opener from Patrick Corbin, who kept San Francisco hitless until Brandon Belt recorded an infield single with two outs in the eighth inning and registered his first career shutout - and first complete game since 2013. Corbin also helped manufacture the game's lone run in the bottom of the eighth with a sacrifice as Arizona improved to 3-1 against the Giants this season. David Peralta delivered an RBI single to extend his hitting streak to six games, a stretch during which he has gone 9-for-24. San Francisco has lost four in a row after opening its 10-game road trip with a 7-0 victory in San Diego, scoring fewer than two runs in three of the setbacks.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chris Stratton (1-1, 2.60 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (2-0, 5.74)

Stratton has pitched well with Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija sidelined with injuries, allowing three runs or fewer in each of his first three starts. The 27-year-old Stratton is coming off an outstanding performance at San Diego on Thursday, when he yielded just one hit over seven scoreless innings en route to his first win of the season. The native of Mississippi has made three career starts against Arizona, going 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA.

Ray has yet to lose this year despite a pair of subpar efforts, including a no-decision at San Francisco last Wednesday in which he gave up three runs on five hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old from Tennessee was tagged by Colorado for seven runs - six earned - on seven hits (three homers) and three walks over five frames in his season debut - and lone turn at home thus far - but still came away with the victory. Ray has been excellent against San Francisco in his career, going 4-1 with a 2.82 ERA in nine starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Peralta has hit safely in nine of his 10 games this month and 11 of 13 overall this season.

2. San Francisco 3B Evan Longoria (ankle) was scratched from the lineup for the series opener and also is expected to miss Wednesday's contest.

3. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo stated that RHP Taijuan Walker is headed to New York for a second opinion after an MRI exam showed he has an ulnar collateral ligament injury.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Giants 2
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Umpire Trends - Phil Cuzzi

Under is 5-1 in Cuzzis last 6 games behind home plate.
Home team is 4-1 in Cuzzis last 5 games behind home plate vs. Arizona.
Under is 7-2 in Cuzzis last 9 games behind home plate vs. Arizona.
Under is 6-2-1 in Cuzzis last 9 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. San Francisco.
Giants are 8-3 in their last 11 games with Cuzzi behind home plate.
Home team is 36-16 in Cuzzis last 52 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Home team is 37-18 in Cuzzis last 55 games behind home plate.
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Preview: Red Sox at Angels
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

Rick Porcello won the American League Cy Young Award two seasons ago when he had a 5-0 record in April. The right-hander is off to another strong start as he looks to post his fourth straight win of the current campaign when the Boston Red Sox visit the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday.

Porcello had a 4.66 ERA through three starts in 2016 and certainly has been stingier this season with a 1.83 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and .182 batting average against. The 29-year-old took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his last start before giving up two hits and exiting after the frame in a 6-3 win over the New York Yankees. Mookie Betts belted three homers for the third time in his career to tie Ted Williams' club mark as the Red Sox trounced the Angels 10-1 on Tuesday. Boston went deep six times in the contest and owns a major league-best 14-2 record while ending the seven-game winning streak of the also-hot Angels, who are a franchise-best 13-4 through 17 games.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (3-0, 1.83 ERA) vs. Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (2-0, 1.69)

Porcello's strong start includes 17 strikeouts against just one walk in 19 2/3 innings. He is 6-7 with a 5.67 ERA in 16 career turns against Los Angeles but has tossed back-to-back complete games at Angel Stadium despite being just 1-4 with a 5.82 ERA in six career outings at the ballpark. Porcello routinely struggles with Ian Kinsler (9-for-20, seven RBIs), Albert Pujols (9-for-26, one homer) and Kole Calhoun (7-for-19, two homers) and also has served up two blasts to Mike Trout (7-for-29).

Skaggs already has equaled his victory total from last season, when he went 2-6 with a 4.55 ERA in 16 starts. The 26-year-old struck out seven in five innings while beating Texas in his last turn as he gave up one run and five hits. Skaggs struck out eight and allowed four hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings in his lone career start against Boston in 2016.

WALK-OFFS

1. Betts was back in the Red Sox's lineup Tuesday after missing one game with a foot injury.

2. Los Angeles RHP-DH Shohei Ohtani (blister on throwing hand) departed Tuesday's game after two innings and said in his postgame press conference that he will take it "day by day" per his availability as a hitter.

3. Boston has scored 75 runs over its past nine games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 9, Angels 4
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Umpire Trends - Jordan Baker

Home team is 4-0 in Bakers last 4 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Home team is 5-0 in Bakers last 5 games behind home plate.
Under is 4-0 in Bakers last 4 Wednesday games behind home plate vs. Boston.
Red Sox are 5-1 in their last 6 games with Baker behind home plate.
Angels are 4-1 in their last 5 games with Baker behind home plate.
Under is 8-2 in Bakers last 10 games behind home plate vs. Boston.
Under is 18-5-2 in Bakers last 25 Wednesday games behind home plate.
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Preview: Astros at Mariners
Gracenote
Apr 18, 2018

Gerrit Cole has been sensational in his first three outings with the Houston Astros, but the right-hander has just one win to show for his efforts. Cole looks to continue his hot start when he faces the host Seattle Mariners on Wednesday in the third contest of a four-game series.

Cole, who was acquired from Pittsburgh in mid-January, has struck out 36 batters in 21 innings while allowing just 10 hits and four walks. He is hoping to register his fourth straight 10-strikeout performance and become the first Houston hurler to accomplish the feat since Randy Johnson (1998), who shares the franchise mark of five straight such efforts with J.R. Richard. Brian McCann hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in Tuesday's 4-1 victory as the Astros defeated the Mariners for the seventh time in eight meetings. Seattle's Robinson Cano drilled his first homer of the season and the 302nd of his career, passing Rogers Hornsby for second place on the all-time list for second basemen.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (1-0, 1.29 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Mike Leake (2-0, 3.50)

Cole recorded 11 strikeouts in each of his first two starts and then increased the total to a career-best 14 over seven innings of a no-decision against Texas on Friday. The 27-year-old is aiming to bounce back from a poor 2017 season with the Pirates in which he posted a career-worst 4.26 ERA and served up a whopping 31 homers, well above his previous career high of 11. Cole stood out in his lone career outing against Seattle by allowing one run and three hits on July 27, 2016 in his only complete game in 130 major-league starts.

Leake did not factor in the decision against Oakland in his last turn after giving up three runs and seven hits over six innings. The 30-year-old has limited opposing batters to a .221 average in three starts but also has served up three homers. Leake is 6-4 with a 3.29 ERA in 12 career appearances (10 starts) against the Astros and will try to silence Jose Altuve (5-for-16, one triple, one double).

WALK-OFFS

1. Altuve went 1-for-5 on Tuesday while playing in his 1,000th career game.

2. Seattle batters struck out 14 times on Tuesday and the club has scored just four runs in its last three contests.

3. Houston CF Jake Marisnick is 0-for-13 with 10 strikeouts over his last four appearances after fanning in all four at-bats on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Astros 2, Mariners 1
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Umpire Trends - Adrian Johnson

Mariners are 8-1 in their last 9 games with Johnson behind home plate.
Home team is 4-1 in Johnsons last 5 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Over is 12-3-1 in Johnsons last 16 Wednesday games behind home plate.
Over is 4-1 in Johnsons last 5 games behind home plate.
Home team is 4-1 in Johnsons last 5 games behind home plate vs. Seattle.
Astros are 4-1 in their last 5 games with Johnson behind home plate.
Over is 9-3 in Johnsons last 12 games behind home plate vs. Houston.
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