MLB Betting Info. 4/7

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Preview: Dodgers at Giants
GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (3-0) at San Francisco Giants (2-1)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 07 – 4:35 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Jake Peavy looks to continue his dominance against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday as the San Francisco Giants return to AT&T Park for their home opener. Peavy is 14-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 29 career starts against Los Angeles, which became the second team in major league history to record three shutouts to begin the season during a three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres.
The Dodgers outscored the Padres 25-0 and saw their starting pitchers set a major league record with 27 straight scoreless innings to start a season. Los Angeles should receive a much stronger test from the Giants, who opened by taking two of three in Milwaukee and boast one of the deepest lineups in the majors. New Giants center fielder Denard Span, who made a strong first impression with a home run and five RBI in the opening series, was held out of Wednesday’s lineup with the flu but appeared as a pinch-hitter and could return to the leadoff spot for the home opener. Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford is likely to sit Thursday in favor of Trayce Thompson or Scott Van Slyke as manager Dave Roberts looks to keep the oft-injured 34-year-old healthy throughout the season.
TV: 4:35 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (2015: 12-12, 3.84 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jake Peavy (2015: 8-6, 3.58)
Wood is set to make his second career start against the Giants after allowing two runs in five innings and taking the loss while pitching for Atlanta on May 4, 2014. The 25-year-old, who won a career-high 12 games last year, battled forearm soreness early in spring training before ending camp with an 0-3 record and 7.13 ERA in five starts. Span is 4-for-17 against Wood, who was acquired in an eight-player trade with the Braves in July.
Peavy owns the highest win total and lowest ERA among all active pitchers against Los Angeles, and he posted a 3.55 ERA in two starts last season. “Anytime you get a chance to start the home opener, it’s special,” Peavy told reporters. “Then to have it against the Dodgers, you can’t draw it up much better than that.” Chase Utley is hitless in 14 at-bats against the three-time All-Star, who tuned up for his season debut by pitching five shutout innings against Oakland in the Bay Bridge Series on Friday.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco has won 12 of its last 15 home openers.
2. Roberts said 3B Justin Turner could be rested Thursday, with either Kike Hernandez or Charlie Culbertson taking his spot.
3. Giants C Buster Posey is hitting .304 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI in 97 career games against the Dodgers.
PREDICTION: Giants 6, Dodgers 5

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Preview: Red Sox at Indians
GAME: Boston Red Sox (1-1) at Cleveland Indians (1-1)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 07 – 6:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Cleveland Indians are banking on a strong rotation to lead them to the playoffs this season but are so far still looking for a quality start. Danny Salazar will take his turn for the Indians when they host the rubber match of a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday.
Ace Corey Kluber was reached for four runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings in a 6-2 loss in the opener on Tuesday and Carlos Carrasco squandered a 4-0 lead before the offense and the bullpen came to the rescue in Wednesday’s 7-6 triumph. Former Boston slugger Mike Napoli was the deciding factor for Cleveland in Wednesday’s win, slugging a tie-breaking solo home run off Junichi Tazawa in the seventh inning. The Red Sox are counting on their offense to pick up a staff with plenty of question marks beyond ace David Price and David Ortiz is so far doing the job. The 40-year-old slugger and impending retiree homered in each of the first two games and nearly extended Wednesday’s contest with a drive to the wall in left in the ninth inning that ultimately found Jose Ramirez’s glove for the final out.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Joe Kelly (2015: 10-6, 4.82 ERA) vs. Indians RH Danny Salazar (2015: 14-10, 3.45)
Kelly looked ticketed for the bullpen after a rough first half of 2015 and an injury that robbed him of a month. The 27-year-old earned himself another look when he returned and ripped off eight wins in as many starts bridging August and September and solidified his spot with a strong spring. One of those eight wins came against Cleveland on Aug. 19, when Kelly scattered five hits and an unearned run over six innings.
Salazar went through his first full season as a major-league starter in 2015 and established himself as one of the better young arms in the game. The 26-year-old Dominican notched 195 strikeouts in 185 innings and limited opponents to a .226 batting average. Salazar carved up Boston twice in 2015, yielding a total of two runs and eight hits in 12 1/3 total innings while picking up a pair of wins.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Red Sox are 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
2. Cleveland LHP Ross Detwiler worked in each of the first two games and yielded a total of two runs in one inning.
3. Boston 1B Hanley Ramirez is 4-for-8 with a home run and a stolen base.
PREDICTION: Indians 5, Red Sox 2

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Preview: Twins at Orioles
GAME: Minnesota Twins (0-2) at Baltimore Orioles (2-0)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 07 – 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Baltimore Orioles built a slugging lineup in an effort to provide plenty of runs for a pitching staff that had some question marks, but so far it’s the pitching that is leading the way. The Orioles will try to coax a third straight strong start out of the rotation and polish off a three-game sweep when they host the Minnesota Twins in the series finale on Thursday.
Chris Tillman struck out five in two perfect innings before rain wiped out the rest of his season debut in Baltimore’s 3-2 win on Monday and Yovani Gallardo allowed two hits in five innings in his team debut as the Orioles grabbed a 4-2 victory on Wednesday. The Baltimore staff totaled 23 strikeouts in the first two games while issuing six walks. Twins phenom Byron Buxton is responsible for five of those strikeouts but managed to grab his first hits of the season with a pair of doubles on Wednesday. Fellow former top prospect Miguel Sano has yet to record a hit and is 0-for-6 with three strikeouts and a pair of walks for Minnesota.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Phil Hughes (2015: 11-9, 4.40 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Ubaldo Jimenez (2015: 12-10, 4.11)
Hughes won 16 games, pitched a career-high 209 2/3 innings, walked just 16 batters and posted a 3.52 ERA in his first season in Minnesota in 2014 but took a step back last season. The California native maintained his strong control with 16 walks allowed in 155 1/3 frames but allowed batters to hit .293 against him and served up 29 home runs. Hughes made one start against Baltimore last season and was reached for two runs on nine hits – two homers – in 6 1/3 innings without factoring in the decision.
Jimenez went the opposite way, posting a solid 2015 after disappointing in his first season with the Orioles the previous year. The Dominican Republic native allowed three earned runs or fewer in five of his final six starts despite dealing with control issues that led to 18 walks in that span. Jimenez issued three walks and allowed seven hits in five innings at Minnesota on July 8 last season but somehow kept a run from scoring and did not factor in the decision.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tillman and Twins RHP Ervin Santana were moved up in their respective rotations and will each pitch Friday after going only two innings apiece on Monday.
2. Orioles LHP Brian Matusz (ribs) is expected to pitch for Triple-A Bowie this week.
3. Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier is 0-for-7 with a pair of strikeouts.
PREDICTION: Twins 6, Orioles 5

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Preview: Cubs at Diamondbacks
GAME: Chicago Cubs (2-0) at Arizona Diamondbacks (1-2)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 07 – 9:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Some of the game’s brightest young stars will be on display when the Arizona Diamondbacks host the Chicago Cubs for a four-game series starting Thursday. The Diamondbacks have won six of their past seven home games against the Cubs, but Chicago won four of six overall meetings last season.
The Cubs’ lineup is loaded with blossoming stars, and Chicago routed the Los Angeles Angels by a combined 15-1 in sweeping a two-game set to start the season. Chicago smacked four home runs in Anaheim, and none came from star third baseman Kris Bryant, who is 2-for-4 with a homer against scheduled starter Rubby De La Rosa. Among the Diamondbacks’ talented young anchors are two players who have had success against starter John Lackey – first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (2-for-3, HR) and second baseman Jean Segura (8-for-19). Arizona, which lost two of three to Colorado to start the season, is without one of its top young players for the foreseeable future after center fielder A.J. Pollock had surgery Tuesday on his fractured right elbow.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago Plus, FSN Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH John Lackey (2015: 13-10, 2.77 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Rubby De La Rosa (2015: 14-9, 4.67)
Lackey enjoyed a resurgence last season in St. Louis, posting a career-best 2.77 ERA while logging his highest innings total since 2007. The 37-year-old tossed quality starts in seven of his last eight outings in 2015. Lackey is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks and has allowed one earned run over 14 innings in two outings at Chase Field.
De La Rosa has electric stuff but has been inconsistent early in his career, a trend that held during spring training. The 27-year-old won 14 games a year ago despite a lofty 4.67 ERA in large part because of 63 walks in 188 2/3 innings. The Cubs roughed up De La Rosa in two meetings last season, tagging him for seven runs over 11 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs (2-0) have not started 3-0 since winning their first four games in 1995.
2. Goldschmidt was 7-for-18 with two homers and six RBIs in five games against Chicago last season.
3. The Cubs have won 11 straight regular-season road games dating to Sept. 15 of last season, one shy of matching the club record of 12 straight in 1945.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Diamondbacks 3

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Preview: Rangers at Angels
GAME: Texas Rangers (1-2) at Los Angeles Angels (0-2)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 07 – 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Los Angeles Angels were outscored 15-1 while losing their first two games of the season and aim to display improvement on Thursday when they open a four-game home series against the Texas Rangers. The Angels had just seven hits while losing consecutive games against the Chicago Cubs and center fielder Mike Trout and designated hitter Albert Pujols are looking for their first hits.
Los Angeles wanted to start strong in the highly competitive American League West but the opening series ranked as a disaster. “Obviously, we’re not off on the right foot,” right fielder Kole Calhoun told reporters. “But there’s a lot of baseball still to play.” The Rangers won their opener against the Seattle Mariners before losing the next two due to bullpen collapses, including allowing five runs in the ninth during Wednesday’s 9-5 loss. “I’d hope that we wouldn’t panic in two games,” Texas manager Jeff Banister said afterward. “You give hitters multiple at-bats, long looks, they become better hitters.”
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (2015: 4-3, 4.91 ERA) vs. Angels LH Hector Santiago (2015: 9-9, 3.59)
Holland is hoping for an injury-free season after making just 16 appearances (15 starts) over the past two seasons due to knee and shoulder injuries. He has a winning record against the Angels but has also struggled as he is 9-6 with a 5.52 ERA in 23 career appearances (20 starts). Pujols is batting .348 with three homers in 23 at-bats against Holland, while Trout is batting .313 with two homers in 32 at-bats.
Santiago set career bests for starts (32), innings (180 2/3) and strikeouts (162) last season while holding opposing batters to a .227 average. He typically doesn’t work into the later innings and he also is plagued by the long ball as he gave up a career-worst 29 homers last season. Santiago is 6-2 with a 3.36 ERA in 16 career appearances (13 starts) against the Rangers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Texas hit one homer – by DH Prince Fielder – and allowed nine in the three-game set against Seattle.
2. The Angels batted .115 in the two games against the Cubs as Trout was hitless in eight at-bats and Pujols was 0-for-7.
3. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus, who averaged 157.8 games played over the past four seasons, was rested in Wednesday’s series finale against the Mariners.
PREDICTION: Angels 3, Rangers 1

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National League games
Phillies @ Reds
Morton is 1-5, 8.29 in his last seven starts; his last four starts went over the total. He is 6-7, 4.04 in 17 career starts against the Reds, 4-2, 3.83 in nine starts in this park.
Stephenson is making his MLB debut here.
Philly lost six of last eight games with Cincinnati.
Marlins @ Nationals
Strasburg is 3-0, 0.93 in his last four starts; three of his last four starts stayed under. Strasburg was 2-0, 0.00 (11 IP) against the Braves LY.
Roark is 0-3, 4.28 in his last five starts; four of his last six starts stayed under total. He is 2-4, 3.32 in 12 games against Miami (six starts).
Washington won its first two games this season, allowing four runs. Marlins lost their first two games, allowing 15 runs.
Dodgers @ Giants
Wood is 2-3, 6.35 in his last five starts; he is 0-1, 7.27 in three games (one start) against the Giants. Four of his last five starts went over the total.
Peavy is 4-0, 1.96 in his last six starts; he is 14-3, 2.38 in 29 starts against LA.
Dodgers outscored San Diego 25-0 in a brutal three-game beatdown at Petco. Giants won two of three games in their series in Milwaukee.
Cubs @ Diamondbacks
Lackey is 3-1, 2.34 in his last seven starts; he is 2-0, 1.80 in three starts vs Arizona.
de la Rosa is 2-3, 7.59 in his last five starts; four of his last five starts went over. He is 0-1, 5.73 in two starts against the Cubs.
Chicago swept two games in Anaheim, allowing one run. Arizona lost two of three to Colorado in its first series this week.
American League games
Astros @ Bronx
Fiers is 0-1, 4.75 in his last five starts (over 3-1-1). This is his first start against the Bronx Bombers.
Eovaldi is 5-1, 3.73 in his last eight starts; three of his last four starts stayed under the total. He is 1-0, 0.90 in three starts against the Astros.
Astros are 5-4 in their last nine games Bronx.
Red Sox @ Indians
Kelly is 7-0, 2.74 in his last eight starts; over is 8-1-1 in his last ten. He is 1-0, 0.82 in two career starts vs Cleveland.
Salazar is 2-2, 2.66 in his las four starts; six of his last seven starts stayed under the total. He is 2-0, 1.46 in two career starts against Boston.
Boston is 3-5 in its last eight games with Cleveland.
Rangers @ Angels
Holland is 1-3, 8.90 in his last six starts; four of his last five starts went over total. He is 9-6, 5.52 in 20 career starts against the Halos.
Santiago is 2-0, 5.72 in his last six starts. is 6-2, 3.36 in 13 career starts against Texas.
Angels scored one run in losing their first two games, against the Cubs. Rangers lost to Seattle the last two days, allowing 19 runs.
White Sox @ A’s
Latos makes his Wite Sox debut here; he is 0-2, 11.48 in his last four starts; four of his last five starts went over. He hasn’t allowed a run in 9.1 IP in two games (one start) vs Oakland.
Graveman is 0-5, 6.52 in his last eight starts; three of his last four starts went over the total. He has never pitched against the White Sox. .
Chicago won seven of last ten games against the A’s.
Twins @ Orioles
Hughes is 1-3, 7.02 in his last four starts; he is 8-5, 4.57 in 20 career starts against the Orioles.
Jimenez is 1-1, 3.75 in his last four starts; fourof his last five starts stayed under the total. He is 4-3, 2.72 in eight career starts against Minnesota.
Orioles won their first two games with Minnesota this week, allowing four runs.