Tueday 05/22/18 ... Comps / Bonus Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Requests Etc.

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

21st May 2018 by Gracenote
all the questions that were raised by the golden state warriors' lackluster performance in game 2, particularly surrounding star guard stephen curry, were answered in emphatic fashion in a dominating performance in game 3. similar questions are now surrounding the top-seeded houston rockets, who will try to bounce back from an embarrassing performance and even the western conference finals at two wins apiece when they visit the warriors for game 4 on tuesday.

curry averaged 17 points and was a combined 2-of-13 from 3-point range as the warriors split the first two games in houston but found his shot during a third-quarter outburst on sunday and finished with a game-high 35 points on 13-of-23 shooting as second-seeded golden state breezed to a 126-85 victory. "a lot of it was just talking to myself, almost like you've got to be your biggest fan sometimes," curry told reporters. "no matter what questions i was being asked over the first two games or what the expectations was, i had the highest expectations for myself. and you've just got to find whatever you want to get going. i mean, obviously, it felt good, and you want to use that energy to show your teammates that you're here, you're with them, get the crowd into it." the rockets, who scored 127 points on 51.1 percent shooting while winning game 2, suffered the worst playoff loss in franchise history in game 3. "it's just one thing led to another," houston coach mike d'antoni told reporters. "played soft, actually. i mean, you can't do that with these guys. these guys are good."
tv: 9 p.m. et, tnt
about the rockets: houston shot 39.5 percent from the floor, including 11-of-34 from beyond the arc, and committed 20 turnovers leading to 28 points on sunday. "we weren't as aggressive as we needed to be," rockets star james harden, who agreed with his coach's assessment of the team, told reporters. "we started off the game pretty solid, and then we let them gain some confidence to end the first quarter. but just defensively, they didn't feel us, and it showed tonight." harden scored a team-high 20 points in the loss but attempted just 16 field goals after averaging 24 attempts in the first two games and attempted a series-low five free throws, converting four.
about the warriors: curry went 3-of-11 from the floor in the first half on sunday but was 7-of-7 in the third quarter, sparking a run that put the game out of reach. "you know, i've seen those explosions happen here and everywhere," warriors forward draymond green told reporters of curry's third-quarter outburst. "it's not just here. nonetheless, definitely get a lot of support from the fans. his 3 is similar to some people's dunk. you go to certain arenas and a guy gets a dunk and it's just absurd. that's how his 3-ball is." green finished with 10 points, 17 rebounds and six assists while serving as the key to the team's much-improved defensive effort.
buzzer beaters
1. warriors f kevin durant is averaging 33.3 points on 52.9 percent shooting in the series.

2. rockets sg eric gordon slumped to 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting in game 3 after recording 27 points on 8-of-15 in game 2.

3. houston pg chris paul is 5-of-20 from 3-point range in the series.

prediction: warriors 116, rockets 110

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Cleveland Indians vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

21st May 2018 by Gracenote
After a successful weekend in Cincinnati, the Chicago Cubs will take on the team from the other end of Ohio when they host the Cleveland Indians for a two-game series starting Tuesday. The Cubs and Indians split a two-game series in Cleveland last month in the teams' first meetings since the 2016 World Series.

The Cubs are 1 1/2 games behind Milwaukee in the tightly-packed National League Central in spite of an inconsistent offense and underperforming pitching rotation. Chicago took three of four at Cincinnati over the weekend, outscoring the Reds 28-7. The Indians sit atop the American League Central despite a losing record (22-23). Cleveland has started 2-4 on its current eight-game road trip, dropping two of three at Detroit and Houston, and has won just one of its last six series.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Trevor Bauer (3-3, 2.59 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (3-3, 3.14)

Bauer is coming off a dominant outing at Detroit on Wednesday in which he struck out 10 and allowed four hits over eight scoreless innings. The 27-year-old has put together quality starts in seven of his nine outings this season and has allowed more than two earned runs only twice. Bauer is 2-0 with a 0.66 ERA in two regular-season starts against the Cubs.
Chatwood has won his last three decisions, including a win at Cleveland on April 24 in which he allowed one run over six-plus innings. The 28-year-old didn't factor in the decision last time out despite allowing one run and four hits over 5 1/3 frames at Atlanta. Chatwood is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in four games (three starts) against the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS

1. Indians OF Michael Brantley is 15-for-43 with four homers and 12 RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak, and OF Tyler Naquin is 10-for-24 during an eight-game streak.

2. The Cubs have hit 26 home runs in 18 games this month, including nine contests with two or more blasts.

3. Cubs INF/OF Ian Happ drew nine walks in the four-game series at Cincinnati after being walked nine times in his first 35 games of the season.

PREDICTION: Indians 3, Cubs 1

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

21st May 2018 by Gracenote
home has been very good for the philadelphia phillies, who have won 17 of their 23 games at citizens bank park this season entering tuesday's contest against the visiting atlanta braves. the phillies captured the opener of a three-game series monday in a matchup between the top two teams in the national league east, winning 3-0 to pull within one-half game of the division-leading braves and improve their record at home since sept. 12 last season to 28-11.

this week's matchup represents the fourth series between the two biggest surprises in the national league in the season's opening eight weeks, and much-improved pitching for both teams is a big reason why atlanta and philadelphia sit at or near the top of the division a week before memorial day. that good work on the mound was on display in the series opener, as phillies starter nick pivetta gave up four hits in seven shutout innings and braves starter mike foltynewicz allowed just one run on six hits in six innings. the series began with the top two hitters in the nl on the same field, as philadelphia center fielder odubel herrera finished 2-for-4 to raise his average to a league-leading .348 and atlanta right fielder nick markakis went 1-for-4 to give him the second-best average in the league at .341. the braves have defeated the phillies six times in 10 meetings in 2018, but after this series the two teams will not meet again until sept. 20 in atlanta.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, fs southeast (atlanta), nbcs philadelphia
pitching matchup: braves rh brandon mccarthy (4-2, 5.05 era) vs. phillies rh vince velasquez (4-4, 4.37)
arguably the braves best starter through the first four weeks of the season, mccarthy rebounded after two ugly starts kicked off may. the 34-year-old, who allowed 14 runs on 23 hits in just 8 1/3 innings during losses to san francisco and miami, held the chicago cubs to one run on five hits with eight strikeouts over six innings wednesday. three of mccarthy's four victories this season have come against the phillies, logging a 2.25 era in three starts with 17 strikeouts in 16 innings.
velasquez ended april with three consecutive losses, but has bounced back with three wins in a row to begin may. the 25-year-old has allowed only four earned runs on 11 hits across those three starts, striking out 21 in 17 1/3 innings - including a season-high 12 in six innings on may 10 against san francisco. velasquez has lost all three of his starts against atlanta in 2018, posting a 9.24 era with 13 earned runs surrendered in 12 2/3 innings.
walk-offs

1. philadelphia of-inf scott kingery is 3-for-7 with two doubles and a walk against mccarthy, while markakis is 6-for-16 with a double and two walks against velasquez.

2. atlanta has not scored in two of its past four contests, after being shut out just once in its first 42 games.

3. phillies rhp jerad eickhoff, out all season with a strained right lat muscle, left sunday's rehab start with triple-a lehigh valley after feeling a twinge in a couple of fingers on his right hand.

prediction: braves 5, phillies 3

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

San Diego Padres vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

21st May 2018 by Gracenote
the washington nationals got a jolt from their latest teenage sensation and will try to build off the momentum of a series-opening victory over the visiting san diego padres when the teams continue a three-game series tuesday. the franchise that brought up bryce harper six years ago when he was 19 did the same for juan soto this weekend, and the rookie slugged a three-run homer on the first pitch he saw in his first career start.

the blast sparked a 10-2 win over the padres on monday night as the nationals snapped a three-game slide. harper also went deep and mark reynolds smacked a pair of home runs to give him four long balls in his first six games with washington. franmil reyes also launched the first home run of his career to provide all the offense for san diego, which had won a season high-tying three in a row prior to the loss. jeremy hellickson dominated the padres on the road earlier in the year and will try for a similar effort opposite san diego rookie eric lauer on tuesday.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, fs san diego, masn (washington)
pitching matchup: padres lh eric lauer (1-2, 8.14 era) vs. nationals rh jeremy hellickson (1-0, 2.20)

since tossing six scoreless innings to pick up his first career win three turns ago, lauer has been tagged for 10 runs and 13 hits across seven innings over his last two outings. he is 0-1 with a 9.24 era in his first three road starts, giving up 19 hits and nine walks in 12 2/3 frames. right-handed hitters are batting .389 with five home runs in 72 at-bats against the 22-year-old lauer.
hellickson is 1-0 over his last three starts while allowing one run and eight hits in 17 1/3 dominant innings. included in that run was the outing at san diego on may 8 in which the veteran yielded two hits and struck out eight in 6 2/3 scoreless frames. despite that outstanding result, the 31-year-old has a 5.80 era in nine career starts versus the padres.

walk-offs

1. nationals ss trea turner has three doubles and a home run during a three-game hitting streak.
2. the padres recalled lhp tyler webb from triple-a el paso and optioned if carlos asuaje to el paso.

3. washington placed rhp ryan madson (pectoral) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled lhp tim collins, who worked a scoreless inning in monday's win.

prediction: nationals 7, padres 3

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Los Angeles Angels vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

21st May 2018 by Gracenote
the los angeles angels have found a safe haven on the road with wins in 14 of 18 such contests this season. los angeles (26-21) aims to continue its stellar play away from angel stadium on tuesday as it begins a 10-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series versus the toronto blue jays (22-25), who have dropped four in a row and seven of eight overall.

los angeles concluded a disappointing 11-game homestand with just four wins, including sunday's 5-2 triumph over tampa bay that ended a streak of five straight losses. mike trout answered an uncharacteristic 0-for-15 skid with three hits - including two homers - three rbis and four runs scored in his last three games and is 5-for-14 with six rbis against tuesday starter j.a. happ. while the angels are drawing rave reviews on the road, the blue jays didn't give their fans much to cheer as they committed four errors on sunday and were outscored 27-12 en route to dropping all four contests to oakland to begin their seven-game homestand. "it was ugly," manager john gibbons told reporters following sunday's 9-2 shellacking. "we're on a bad stretch right now. we're not playing real good baseball in a bunch of different areas."
tv: 7:07 p.m. et, fs west (los angeles), sportsnet (toronto)
pitching matchup: angels rh garrett richards (4-2, 3.47 era) vs. blue jays lh j.a. happ (5-3, 4.15)

richards was outdueled by justin verlander on wednesday to fall to 1-2 in his last four outings despite allowing just two unearned runs on four hits over seven innings of a 2-0 setback to houston. the 29-year-old was taken deep for the second straight contest after keeping the ball in the park in four of his previous five. curtis granderson has shredded richards to the tune of going 4-for-6 with three homers in a small sample size, although the right-hander has flustered justin smoak (2-for-19, six strikeouts) and former angel kendrys morales (2-for-18, five strikeouts).
happ answered a horrific outing with a stellar one, as he bounced back from a seven-run effort in a 9-3 rout by seattle on may 10 with a two-hit, 10-strikeout gem six days later in a 12-1 romp at the new york mets. "it was just a fun game. ... have to feel good about that one," said the 35-year-old, who also had a pair of singles to record his first multi-hit performance since 2011. justin upton is 4-for-8 with a pair of homers and ian kinsler is 6-for-19 with two blasts against happ, who is languishing with a 1-6 mark and 6.17 era in seven career appearances against the angels.
walk-offs
1. toronto inf yangervis solarte is 7-for-18 with three extra-base hits during his last four contests.

2. los angeles of kole calhoun is 2-for-21 in his last eight games to drop his batting average to a career-worst .161.

3. blue jays 3b josh donaldson is 0-for-13 to begin the homestand.

prediction: angels 4, blue jays 2

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

21st May 2018 by Gracenote
boston expected big things from j.d. martinez when they signed him to a five-year, $110 million contract during the offseason, and he's done nothing to disappoint as the red sox hit the road for a three-game series against the tampa bay rays beginning tuesday. martinez is hitting .343 with 15 home runs and 41 rbis and, along with mookie betts (.365, 15, 32), has helped boston (32-15) garner the most victories in baseball.

"(martinez) puts himself in such a good position to hit," red sox manager alex cora told reporters. "he's ready for what he wants to hit." boston and tampa bay are quite familiar with each other as the red sox own seven wins in 10 meetings this season, but the rays have kept martinez in check as he has one home run and seven rbis with 13 strikeouts in 38 at-bats in those games. tampa bay (22-23) is experiencing a roller coaster season with a pair of eight-game streaks - one winning and one losing - and had won six in a row before sunday's 5-2 loss to the los angeles angels wrapped up a 7-4 road trip. boston's chris sale hasn't allowed more than three runs in his 10 starts this season and tuesday opposes jake faria, who is 2-0 with a 1.74 era in four home outings this season.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, nesn (boston), fs sun (tampa bay)
pitching matchup: red sox lh chris sale (4-1, 2.29 era) vs. rays rh jake faria (3-2, 5.20)

sale allowed two runs, two hits and four walks - his most since 2016 - while striking out nine in five innings of a 6-4 victory over oakland on wednesday. the 29-year-old floridian, who has struck out 36 in his last three starts, is 2-1 with a 2.48 era in six road outings this season. wilson ramos is 4-for-13 with two home runs and c.j. cron is 0-for-13 with eight strikeouts versus sale, who is 8-5 with a 3.10 era in 17 games (15 starts) versus tampa bay after earning a no-decision when he pitched six shutout innings in boston's 6-4 opening day loss at tropicana field.
faria earned a no-decision after yielding three runs, four hits and four walks while striking out two in 4 1/3 innings of the rays' 5-3 victory at kansas city on wednesday. the 24-year-old californian has permitted three or fewer runs in six of his nine starts this season, allowing eight runs, five hits and five walks in 1 2/3 innings of a 10-3 loss at boston on april 7 when xander bogaerts hit a grand slam in the second inning. faria is 1-1 with a 6.14 era in four outings (three starts) against the red sox, including 1-0, 1.38 versus boston in three home games.
walk-offs
1. martinez has 47 home runs and 116 rbis in 120 games since july 1 and joins betts as the first players in red sox history with 15 homers in the first 50 games of a season.

2. rays inf joey wendle is 8-for-19 versus boston this season while bogaerts is 16-for-35 with two home runs and 11 rbis against the rays.

3. boston lf andrew benintendi (.285) is batting .338 with four home runs and 14 rbis in 18 may games after hitting .242 with one homer and 15 rbis in his first 26 contests of the season.

prediction: red sox 3, rays 2

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

21st May 2018 by Gracenote
pittsburgh pirates right-hander jameson taillon provided the explanation point on a series victory against the cincinnati reds last month with a one-hit shutout. mired in a seven-start winless skid, taillon will take the mound as the visiting pirates (26-20) bid to snap a three-game losing streak heading into tuesday's opener of a three-game series against the reds (16-32) at great american ball park.

taillon struck out seven as pittsburgh breezed to a 5-0 romp of cincinnati on april 8, claiming three of four in the series while outscoring its national league central rival by a 28-12 margin. josh harrison went 6-for-15 with four runs scored in that series and returned from over a month-long absence due to a hand injury to collect three hits in sunday's 8-5 setback versus san diego. pittsburgh aims to continue its dominance against its own division as it sports a 10-3 mark heading into tuesday's tilt with cincinnati, which is at the other end of the spectrum with a 4-18 record versus nl central rivals. the reds didn't help themselves in that regard as they were outscored 16-1 over the final two games of a series in which they dropped three of four versus the chicago cubs.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, at&t sportsnet pittsburgh, fs ohio (cincinnati)
pitching matchup: pirates rh jameson taillon (2-3, 3.97 era) vs. reds rh matt harvey (0-2, 6.17)

taillon was open to suggestion as he works his way through a recovery from a lacerated middle finger, so much so that he told the pittsburgh tribune-review that he would let teammates urinate on the digit if it served to help the cause. while there was no immediate word on whether that situation occurred, the 26-year-old saw his winless skid extend to seven outings (0-3) on wednesday after allowing a pair of solo homers and three walks over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision versus the chicago white sox. scott schebler (1-for-13), eugenio suarez (2-for-15) and joey votto (3-for-19) have been flummoxed by taillon, although scooter gennett (8-for-22) and billy hamilton (7-for-20) have flustered the right-hander.
harvey has worked a pair of four-inning outings since being acquired from the new york mets, but saw his run of no-decisions extend to six on wednesday after allowing three runs on seven hits at san francisco. "it's been a while since i've felt stronger throughout a game, so getting up toward 80 pitches and still feeling strong and noticing the ball coming out the way it was it's definitely a big positive," the 29-year-old told reporters. harrison (5-for-8) and josh bell (3-for-6, homer) have gotten their licks in on harvey, who has split a pair of decisions despite posting a robust 5.46 era in five career meetings with pittsburgh.
walk-offs
1. votto had two of his team's three hits on sunday after being mired in a 2-for-14 stretch with five strikeouts over his previous five games.

2. pittsburgh cf austin meadows acquitted himself well in his first major league series, going 5-for-11 with a homer and two rbis.

3. reds lf adam duvall went just 1-for-15 in the previous series versus the pirates, albeit the hit left the park.

prediction: pirates 5, reds 1

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

21st May 2018 by Gracenote
the new york mets have utilized a dominant stretch on the mound to win four straight games and they will try to continue the surge in the second of three straight games against the visiting miami marlins on tuesday. jason vargas and five relievers combined on a five-hitter in monday's 2-0 win in the series opener.

the mets have given up a total of six runs during the winning streak, their longest since a nine-gamer early in the year. asdrubal cabrera had a pair of hits and an rbi for new york, and the veteran infielder is 6-for-16 with two home runs, three rbis and four runs scored in four games - all wins - against the marlins this year. miami has dropped six of its last seven on the road after going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and leaving eight runners on base in the loss. it will aim to provide more support for left-hander caleb smith, who starts tuesday opposite zack wheeler for the mets.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, fs florida (miami), sny (new york)

pitching matchup: marlins lh caleb smith (2-5, 4.22 era) vs. mets rh zack wheeler (2-3, 5.92)
opponents are hitting just .204 against smith, but a lack of command hurt him thursday against the los angeles dodgers, who had only two hits but drew four walks and scored four runs in smith's 3 2/3 innings. that outing snapped a four-start string in which the 26-year-old had allowed two runs or fewer. smith gave up three runs while striking out seven over five innings in a no-decision against the mets at home april 10.

wheeler has given up 14 runs in 10 innings over his last two home starts after a rocky showing against toronto at citi field on wednesday. the former first-round pick opened the year by tossing seven innings of one-run ball in a win at miami, improving to 3-1 with a 2.15 era in eight career encounters. the marlins are batting a measly .171 in those matchups with wheeler, whose lone career shutout came at miami in 2014.
walk-offs

1. new york's bullpen has tossed 13 scoreless innings with 17 strikeouts during the four-game winning streak.
2. miami activated rhp odrisamer despaigne (forearm) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned lhp dillon peters to triple-a new orleans.

3. mets c devin mesoraco has three home runs, five rbis and eight runs scored in his last six games.

prediction: mets 5, marlins 4

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

22nd May 2018 by Gracenote
the milwaukee brewers are enjoying their perch atop the national league central and look to clinch a fourth straight series win when they host the slumping arizona diamondbacks on tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. lorenzo cain, travis shaw and domingo santana homered as the brewers beat the diamondbacks 4-2 on monday for their eighth victory in 11 contests.

milwaukee holds a 1 1/2-game lead in the central while going 9-2 against teams from the nl west in the early going and owns four more victories (29) than it had at this point last season. jhoulys chacin will try to improve on that win total and keep his individual hot streak going when he takes the mound for the brewers on tuesday against matt koch, who hopes to rebound from his worst start of the year last time out versus milwaukee. the diamondbacks struggled offensively again on monday as they registered just three hits and have managed to score a total of 24 runs during a baffling 1-11 stretch that has wasted a strong start to the campaign. arizona third baseman jake lamb homered in the series opener for his second hit in 10 official at-bats since returning from a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined more than six weeks.
tv: 7:40 p.m. et, fs arizona, fs wisconsin (milwaukee)
pitching matchup: diamondbacks rh matt koch (2-2, 4.06 era) vs. brewers rh jhoulys chacin (3-1, 3.63)

koch was pounded for eight runs and nine hits - four homers - over 4 1/3 innings against the brewers on wednesday after producing five outstanding outings. the 27-year-old louisville product allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over 33 1/3 frames in five straight quality starts and a scoreless relief appearance to open the season. shaw is 2-for-3 with a double and a homer versus koch, who owns a 4.55 era at home compared to 2.25 on the road.
chacin is coming off his best start of the season but did not receive a decision despite limiting arizona to one run on two hits and two walks over a season-high seven innings last tuesday. the 30-year-old venezuelan has permitted fewer than three runs in six of his last seven turns after failing to do so in his first three starts of 2018. david peralta is 4-for-12 with a homer against chacin, who is 6-4 with a 3.33 era in 18 career appearances (17 starts) versus the diamondbacks.
walk-offs

1. arizona 1b paul goldschmidt went 0-for-3 on monday and has recorded just four hits in 32 at-bats over his last nine games.

2. milwaukee 1b jesus aguilar went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the series opener after belting four homers in his previous three contests.
3. diamondbacks of steven souza jr. struck out as a pinch-hitter on monday after missing two straight games with a strained right pectoral.

prediction: brewers 4, diamondbacks 3

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

22nd May 2018 by Gracenote
gleyber torres has joined legendary company just 25 games into his major-league career, and the new york yankees have used his powerful bat to make some history of their own. with the help of their exciting rookie second baseman, the yankees aim for a fourth consecutive victory tuesday as they continue their three-game series against the host texas rangers.

torres went deep in the second and sixth innings of monday's 10-5 victory over texas to become the second-youngest player (21 years, 159 days) in club history to hit at least two home runs in one game, trailing only hall-of-famer mickey mantle (20, 296). new york belted five shots in all, marking the first time in team history it has connected on at least four long balls in three straight contests and the first time since the 2011 rangers any team had done so. texas managed to get three homers from the bottom of its lineup, but that production was not nearly enough to keep it from falling to 7-17 at home. the rangers, who have dropped three straight and seven of nine, already have lost 12 games by at least five runs.
tv: 8:05 p.m. et, yes (new york), fs southwest (texas)
pitching matchup: yankees rh domingo german (0-1, 4.26 era) vs. rangers lh cole hamels (2-4, 3.48 era)

german will make his first career start on the road after producing two drastically different results at home over his last two turns. the 25-year-old dominican struck out nine over six hitless innings against cleveland on may 6 before surrendering six runs on six hits and three walks in another no-decision on may 12 versus oakland. german, who did not give up a run in two road relief appearances spanning seven innings, is holding left-handed hitters to a .163 average as he faces texas for the first time.
hamels was scratched from his last scheduled start due to neck stiffness but is expected to take the mound for the first time since may 11, when he yielded one hit and three walks over six scoreless innings in a win at houston. the four-time all-star seemingly has settled into a bit of a groove after beginning the season 1-3 with a 4.76 era, as he has gone 1-1 with a 1.93 over his last four outings. giancarlo stanton is 13-for-51 with three homers against hamels, who is 1-2 with a 3.24 era in four career starts versus new york.
walk-offs

1. the yankees have connected on 14 homers over the last three games to increase their major league-leading total to 72.

2. nine of texas' 18 wins this season have come in the second game of the series (9-6).
3. new york ss didi gregorius halted a 1-for-48 slide with an rbi double in the sixth inning on monday.

prediction: rangers 5, yankees 3

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Baltimore Orioles vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

22nd May 2018 by Gracenote
the baltimore orioles used the long ball to help avoid a third straight loss and look to even their record on their 11-game road trip when they visit the chicago white sox on tuesday. baltimore began its trek by dropping three of four in boston but belted three homers at chicago on monday to post a 3-2 victory in the opener of the four-game series.

manny machado, mark trumbo and adam jones went deep in consecutive innings as the orioles improved to 2-3 on this trip after going a combined 0-12 on their previous two treks. machado, who has been the subject of trade rumors, launched a solo shot in the fourth to extend his hitting streak to five games. chicago reached double digits in hits but was unable to match its season high of three straight wins. jose abreu and leury garcia each went 2-for-4 with an rbi, giving the former three multi-hit performances in his last four games and the latter back-to-back two-hit efforts.
tv: 8:10 p.m. et, masn2 (baltimore), nbcs chicago

pitching matchup: orioles rh kevin gausman (3-3, 3.88 era) vs. white sox rh james shields (1-4, 4.88)
after allowing fewer than three runs in six of his previous seven starts, gausman was tagged for six on eight hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings in a loss at boston on thursday. the 27-year-old native of colorado has been hit hard of late, yielding 19 hits over 12 frames in his last two starts after giving up 11 over 22 2/3 innings in his previous three turns. gausman has permitted three runs - two earned - and five hits over eight frames in one start and two relief appearances against chicago in his career.
shields looks to put together back-to-back strong starts for the first time this season after limiting texas to one run and three hits over 7 1/3 innings in a no-decision on thursday. despite his struggles, the 36-year-old californian has kept the ball in the park this year, serving up only four home runs in 55 1/3 frames. shields owns an 11-8 record with one complete game and a 3.90 era in 27 career starts against baltimore.
walk-offs

1. jones, who left sunday's loss in boston with an illness, has hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games.

2. chicago signed of michael saunders to a minor-league contract and assigned him to triple-a charlotte.

3. baltimore lhp zach britton (achilles) is expected to throw simulated games of one inning on tuesday and two frames on saturday.

prediction: white sox 5, orioles 3

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

San Francisco Giants vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

21st May 2018 by Gracenote
the san francisco giants found their offense in the last two games and bashed their way to a pair of wins over the colorado rockies. that offense could have a harder time finding runs when it visits the best pitching staff in the majors for the start of a two-game interleague series at the houston astros on tuesday.

the astros own the best era in the majors at 2.43 - nearly a run better than the next-best team - and will throw the top two starters in the american league in terms of era at the giants with gerrit cole starting the series opener and justin verlander closing out the brief set wednesday. houston's staff allowed three or fewer runs in 12 of the last 13 games and one or zero runs in seven of those contests, including a 3-1 triumph over the cleveland indians on sunday that gave the team its fourth straight series win. san francisco (24-24) moved back to .500 by pounding out nine runs in back-to-back games against the rockies, and brandon belt continued his tear by homering sunday to give himself five blasts in the last seven contests. the giants will try to match cole on tuesday by sending rookie lefty andrew suarez to the mound in search of his second career win.

tv: 8:10 p.m. et, nbcs bay area (san francisco), at&t sportsnet southwest (houston)
pitching matchup: giants lh andrew suarez (1-3, 4.88 era) vs. astros rh gerrit cole (4-1, 1.75)
suarez earned his first win by not allowing an earned run over 5 1/3 innings at atlanta on may 6 but struggled to find that same form over his last two outings. the 25-year-old florida native was ripped for a total of 10 runs (nine earned) on 15 hits in 10 innings against cincinnati and pittsburgh in his last two turns. suarez owns 28 strikeouts and just five walks in 27 2/3 innings this season but has been reached for six home runs.
the giants could be catching cole at the right time with the veteran coming off his worst outing of the season after allowing three runs on five hits in a season-low five innings at the angels last tuesday. cole still notched seven strikeouts in that out to boost his al-leading total to 93 in 61 2/3 innings, and his .166 batting-average against ranks second in the majors behind verlander. the ucla product is 4-1 with a 3.18 era in six career starts against san francisco.
walk-offs

1. the astros placed of derek fisher (stomach) on the 10-day dl sunday and recalled 3b j.d. davis.

2. san francisco rf andrew mccutchen (knee) sat out sunday and is day-to-day.

3. houston of josh reddick (leg infection) started sunday and went 1-for-4 with an rbi double.

prediction: astros 6, giants 2

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

22nd May 2018 by Gracenote
the minnesota twins attempt to clinch just their second full series win at home this season when they host the detroit tigers on tuesday for the second contest of their three-game set. minnesota, which took two of three from houston at target field from april 9-11, improved to 3-4 on its nine-game homestand with a 4-2 triumph in monday's series opener.

after max kepler forged a 2-2 tie with a two-run double in the fifth inning, the twins used a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly in the eighth to put themselves in position to end an 0-3-1 slide in home series not abbreviated by inclement weather. kepler has been producing of late as he enters tuesday with seven rbis in his last five contests. detroit managed only three hits as it suffered its fourth consecutive loss after beginning its seven-game road trip with a victory in seattle. nicholas castellanos provided the offense for the tigers on monday, belting a solo homer and adding an rbi single for his second straight two-hit performance and third in five games.
tv: 8:10 p.m. et, fs detroit, fs north (minnesota)
pitching matchup: tigers lh matthew boyd (2-3, 3.19 era) vs. twins rh lance lynn (1-4, 7.47)

a native of washington, boyd has made each of his last two starts against the team from his home state. the 27-year-old defeated the mariners at home on may 12, allowing three runs and three hits in six innings, before settling for a no-decision in seattle on thursday after giving up two runs and six hits over six frames. boyd has made 11 career starts versus minnesota, going 5-2 with a 3.98 era and 60 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings.
lynn is coming off his shortest outing of the season, a three-inning effort against his former st. louis club in which he took the loss after yielding three runs on four hits and four walks. the 31-year-old native of indiana has struggled with his control this year, issuing at least four free passes in five of his eight turns. lynn has surrendered six runs and 15 hits over 12 1/3 innings while going 1-1 in two career starts versus detroit.
walk-offs

1. twins rhp ervin santana (finger) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with double-a chattanooga on wednesday after his scheduled start in extended spring training on monday was rained out.

2. detroit 1b miguel cabrera (hamstring), who is on the 10-day disabled list, took batting practice monday but has yet to run the bases or do agility work.

3. minnesota 3b miguel sano (hamstring) is on a rehab assignment with triple-a rochester and is likely to rejoin the club for its road trip that begins friday in seattle.

prediction: tigers 6, twins 4

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Kansas City Royals vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

22nd May 2018 by Gracenote
the st. louis cardinals started off the i-70 series in good fashion and look to defeat the visiting kansas city royals again on tuesday. tyler o'neill homered and drove in four runs as st. louis cruised to a 6-0 victory on monday.

o'neill, a 22-year-old outfielder, has gone deep in three straight games and is 7-for-12 in four contests since being recalled from triple-a memphis last week. matt carpenter continued his recent surge by going 3-for-4 with a homer and has recorded three three-hit performances while going 13-for-24 over his last six games. st. louis has won three of its last four while struggling kansas city is in a deep decline with eight losses in its last nine contests. the royals have scored fewer than three runs on five occasions during the stretch and are a major league-worst 19 games below .500.
tv: 8:15 p.m. et, fs kansas city, fs midwest (st. louis)

pitching matchup: royals rh jason hammel (0-5, 6.28 era) vs. cardinals rh luke weaver (3-3, 4.37)

hammel is winless in his last 13 starts, including nine this season, and has given up five or more runs on four occasions this year. the 35-year-old has been roughed up in his last two outings, surrendering 14 runs and 16 hits - four homers - in 9 2/3 innings. hammel is 4-6 with a 5.51 era in 13 career starts against the cardinals but has shut down carpenter (3-for-27, homer, 11 strikeouts).
weaver dropped his last outing despite giving up just one run and four hits over seven innings against philadelphia. the 24-year-old has allowed just one run in 12 frames over his last two starts after giving up 18 earned runs in 18 innings over his previous four turns. weaver, who never has faced the royals, is 0-1 with a 4.09 era in four home starts this season.
walk-offs

1. cardinals rf marcell ozuna went 2-for-3 with a walk on monday after entering the contest in an 0-for-22 funk.

2. kansas city lf alex gordon was hitless in three at-bats in the opener and is 4-for-40 over his last 12 games.

3. st. louis ss greg garcia (lower back tightness) departed the opener and will be re-evaluated on tuesday.

prediction: cardinals 5, royals 2

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

21st May 2018 by Gracenote
the american league west is the most competitive division in the american league with four teams at least three games above .500, including the oakland athletics and the seattle mariners. one winning streak is set to come to an end tuesday, when the mariners visit the athletics for the opener of a three-game series.

seattle earned its third straight victory sunday by tying the game on mitch haniger's two-run homer in the ninth and pushing across the game-winner in the 11th to wrap up a 4-2 homestand. "the heart this club has is pretty, pretty impressive," mariners manager scott servais told reporters. "these guys just keep battling through adversity. one thing after another. we've had some injuries, some guys out of the lineup, guys hobbling around out there." oakland capped a 7-3 road trip through the al east with a four-game sweep at toronto by bashing its way to a 9-2 victory sunday behind a homer and three rbis from shortstop marcus semien. seattle will try to slow semien and company with veteran righty mike leake while the athletics counter with trevor cahill on tuesday.

tv: 10:05 p.m. et, root northwest (seattle), nbcs california (oakland)
pitching matchup: mariners rh mike leake (4-3, 6.00 era) vs. athletics rh trevor cahill (1-2, 2.79)
leake followed up one of his best outings of the season with one of the worst in his last two turns. the arizona state product scattered two earned runs and six hits across seven innings to earn a win at toronto on may 10 but was lit up for six runs - five earned - on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings against texas last tuesday. leake turned in a quality start at home against oakland on april 13, allowing three runs and seven hits in six innings, but did not factor in the decision.
cahill has yet to allow more than three runs in an outing but could not find the win column in any of his last four turns (0-2). the 30-year-old struck out 12 and scattered four hits in six scoreless innings against baltimore on may 5 only to settle for a no-decision and absorbed a loss at boston on wednesday while yielding three runs in five frames. cahill owns 32 strikeouts and seven walks in 29 innings this season and will be seeing seattle for the first time in 2018.
walk-offs

1. athletics of khris davis left sunday's game with a right groin strain and could be placed on the 10-day dl.

2. seattle dh nelson cruz (elbow) sat out sunday but is expected to be back in the lineup tuesday.

3. oakland 3b matt chapman recorded multiple hits in four of the last seven games and is 11-for-24 in that span.

prediction: athletics 7, mariners 4

bmd1803 · May 22, 2018

Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 05-22-2018

22nd May 2018 by Gracenote
the colorado rockies reside in first place after a series-opening victory and look to stay there when they visit the los angeles dodgers on tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. colorado only registered three hits in monday's 2-1 triumph as it moved one-half game ahead of arizona in the national league west.

the rockies are 4-3 on their nine-game california trip, and monday's victory was their major league-best 19th in 30 road games. nolan arenado was hitless in three at-bats in the opener to extend his home-run drought to 14 games after starting the month by belting four in four contests. los angeles had its four-game winning streak halted on monday and is just one game ahead of last-place san diego in the nl west. the dodgers are having severe issues in their home park, posting an 8-14 record after being a major league-best 57-24 at dodger stadium last season.
tv: 10:10 p.m. et, espn, at&t sportsnet-rocky mountain (colorado), sportsnet la (los angeles)

pitching matchup: rockies rh chad bettis (4-1, 3.27 era) vs. dodgers rh brock stewart (0-0, 3.18)
bettis has been involved in back-to-back no-decisions in which he has allowed 10 runs over 11 innings. the 29-year-old has given up just three runs in his four victories and has issued fewer than three walks in seven of his nine overall starts. bettis is 2-2 with a 4.89 era in 10 career appearances (seven starts) against the dodgers and has experienced difficulties with justin turner (8-for-15, five rbis) and yasmani grandal (5-for-14).
dodgers manager dave roberts said stewart will be recalled from triple-a oklahoma city prior to tuesday's contest but declined to reveal if he will be the starter. los angeles is in need of a hurler as roberts said kenta maeda is being pushed back to wednesday after working eight innings in his last outing, while stewart was slated to take the mound tuesday for oklahoma city. the 26-year-old has made nine major-league starts - none this season - and has struggled mightily against the rockies, going 0-1 with a 15.63 era in four career appearances (one start).
walk-offs

1. the rockies are 11-9 versus the defending nl-champion dodgers since the start of the 2017 season.

2. colorado of carlos gonzalez delivered a tiebreaking, pinch-hit single in the eighth inning of monday's game but is batting just .189 this month.

3. los angeles lhp clayton kershaw (left biceps tendinitis) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on wednesday and a simulated game three days later, but there is no firm timetable for his return.

prediction: rockies 6, dodgers 4

mcmister · May 22, 2018

Todays Free Picks Selection

Paul Leiner - Pleiner	Date: 5/22/2018 12:00:00 AM
Sport: Baseball	Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -110	Units: 100*
Notes:

Mike Stone	Date: 5/22/2018 12:00:00 AM
Sport: MLB	Pick: New York Mets -110	Units: 1000
Notes: 1492-1211-44 in Bonus Plays

mcmister · May 22, 2018

[h=3]Houston at GOLDEN STATE (224'un, -110)[/h][h=4]By Jeff Benton, Featured Handicapper[/h]Benton Zone back for Tuesday baseball action.

5-2 MLB run over the past 10 days, including Saturday's 50 Dime N.L. Total of theMonth - Diamondbacks-Mets Over the Total that you got for $7.77.

For Tuesday, 50 Dime A.L. Total of the Month - Game has not started.

Let's cash this total in.

Your Tuesday freebie is the Under in the Rockets-Warriors game.

While I do not feel the Houston Rockets will score just 85-points this Tuesday night, I also do not feel like we are going to head Over the total in this 4th game of the Western Conference Finals at Oracle Arena.

2 of the first 3 played in this series have stayed Under the total, and there are a bunch of other Under trends I am going to spell out that will have you of an Under mindset as well.

6 of the last 9 overall series meetings between these teams have indeed held Under the total, and the Rockets have played 5 of their last 8 this postseason - including each of their last 3 on the road - Under the posted total.

The Warriors have now played 5 of their last 6, and 7 of their last 10 overall this postseason Under the total.

With a total this high, all it takes is one quarter where defense is actually played, and then you are facing an uphill battle when it comes to the points adding up.

Play Game 4 Under the total.

3* HOUSTON-GOLDEN STATE UNDER

mcmister · May 22, 2018

[h=3]Miami at NY METS (-110)[/h][h=4]By Eric Schroeder, Featured Handicapper[/h]My $10 bettors have made $18,922 in 133 Days.

That's nearly $19 Grand in roughly four months.

Let's parlay that money into dividends, with my A.L. Central Underdog of the Year.

Winning Day # 24 of 40

$10 bettors have made $18,922 in 133 Days

Top-Rated
100 Dime
Winner # 28 of 41

A.L. CENTRAL DOG OF THE YEAR

Detroit - Minnesota

It's either the Tigers +140, or the Twins Run Line +135

Just as strong as the NBA 100 Dimers I'm on a 9-3 run with

$10 bettors have made $6,187 in MLB since arriving at this site

On to my complimentary winner...

My Bonus Play is the New York Mets over the Miami Marlins in National League East action in Queens.

Talk about a wacky division, the East has taken on a new complexion with the Washington Nationals sitting in fourth place in the division, and the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies atop it.

Right in the middle is New York, which has won four in a row and is now 12-11 at home after a 2-0 win over the Miami Marlins yesterday. For as sad as this team has been playing, the Mets have looked much better of late, and are surging a bit all of a sudden.

Derek Jeter's Marlins are in the cellar with a 17-30 record, they have a 7-15 road mark, they've lost three straight and they arrived after a gut-wrenching 10-9 loss in Atlanta on Sunday, then fell yesterday.

They won't respond tonight, not against a hot Mets team.

4* METS

mcmister · May 22, 2018

[h=3]Arizona at MILWAUKEE (-140)[/h][h=4]By Jack Brayman, Featured Handicapper[/h]Posted by 3 p.m. eastern on weekdays; 10 a.m. eastern on weekends.

I will get to my analysis in just a moment, but first...

My $10 bettors up $18,680 over the last 75 days. Not bad for 10 1/2 weeks.

Tonight the Western Conference gets back underway, and I love the total between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors.

My 60 Dime Winner # 6 of 8 is the easiest total of this series.

My Western Conference Final Total of the Year Part 2.

$10 Bettors have made $18,680 the last 75 Days

60 Dime
Winner # 6 of 8

Western Conference Final
Total of the Year, Part 2

Rockets-Warriors Over/Under

Matches my 60 Dime Winners the last two nights:

Celtics-Cavaliers Over on Monday
Rockets-Warriors Under on Sunday

# # # # # # # # # #

My Bonus Play is on the Milwaukee Brewers, as I like them to take advantage of the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Snakes arrived after being swept by the New York Mets, and then lost the series-opener. I told you yesterday Arizona was in jeopardy of falling out of first place in the National League West. They've lost 10 of 11, and have fallen behind the Colorado Rockies, who now lead the division by a half game.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee is atop the N.L. Central, leading the clogged division by 1 1/2 games over the St. Louis Cardinals, and 2 games over the Chicago Cubs and and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Brewers have won eight of 11 and are two games above .500 at home.

Play the Brewers here, as they returned home after losing in Minnesota yesterday, looking for redemption and got it. Now they carry the momentum into tonight's game against the troubled Snakes.

5* BREWERS