MLB Betting Info. 5/2

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Preview: Braves at Mets

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GAME: Atlanta Braves (6-18) at New York Mets (15-8)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 02 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The New York Mets had an eight-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday but are in a strong position to start another with the major league-worst Atlanta Braves coming to town for the start of a three-game series on Monday. The Braves are on what constitutes as a hot streak for the team right now with wins in two of the last three games.

Atlanta snapped an eight-game slide that included three home losses to the Mets with a 5-3 win at Boston on Thursday and managed a 4-3 victory in 10 innings at Chicago on Sunday in the rain-shortened series. The punchless Braves have hit a league-low five home runs – six fewer than Colorado Rockies slugger Nolan Arenado has hit by himself – and are last in the National League in runs scored. The Mets pounded out 19 runs in taking the first two of a series from the San Francisco Giants over the weekend but could not offer the same support to Noah Syndergaard in Sunday’s 6-1 setback. New York is trying to keep pace with the Washington Nationals in the NL East and is trying to finish up its nine-game homestand strong before hitting the road for 11 straight beginning on Thursday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (2015: 4-6, 5.71 ERA) vs. Mets RH Bartolo Colon (1-1, 3.42)

Foltynewicz is being recalled to take over a rotation spot from Bud Norris, who posted an 8.74 ERA in May. Foltynewicz failed to earn a rotation spot in spring training but posted at 2.05 ERA in four starts for Triple-A Gwinnett despite issuing 14 walks in 22 total innings. The 24-year-old has made two career appearances – one start – against the Mets and allowed a total of nine runs – eight earned – and 12 hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Colon is trying to earn his 220th career win to move past Pedro Martinez and into second place among Dominican-born pitchers. The hefty veteran did not earn a decision in either of his last two outings while yielding a combined six earned runs in 11 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds. Colon is 8-2 with a 2.69 ERA in 11 career starts against Atlanta.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta is expected to add a player on Monday after playing with a 24-man roster Sunday due to a procedural error.

2. Mets LF Michael Conforto went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts on Sunday, ending a streak of six straight games with at least one extra-base hit.

3. New York has taken eight of the last 10 in the series.

PREDICTION: Mets 7, Braves 2

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Preview: Giants at Reds

Current Conditions - Cincinnati

P/SUNNY 75 °F
Wind: WSW 12
5-Day Forecast
GAME: San Francisco Giants (13-13) at Cincinnati Reds (10-15)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 02 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Cincinnati Reds began their roster turnover last summer by trading away ace Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals for a package that included left-hander Brandon Finnegan. Cueto helped the Royals to a World Series championship last fall before signing with San Francisco as a free agent and will face off against Finnegan when the Giants visit the Reds for the opener of a three-game series on Monday.

Cincinnati handed its rotation over to rookie pitchers after sending away Cueto and Mike Leake at the deadline last season and is continuing to build around young arms with varying results. The Reds lead the majors in runs allowed at 145 but got six solid innings from Tim Adleman in his first career start on Sunday and ended up beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5 in 11 innings to snap a six-game slide. The Giants turned to ace Madison Bumgarner to end a brief skid on Sunday and knocked off the Mets 6-1 to avoid a three-game sweep. San Francisco has won six of nine to get back to .500 at 13-13 after a slow start.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Johnny Cueto (4-1, 2.65 ERA) vs. Reds LH Brandon Finnegan (1-1, 3.86)

Cueto has gone at least seven innings in each of his first five starts for San Francisco and is coming off his best outing. The Dominican Republic native struck out 11 while scattering seven hits and one walk in a shutout of the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Cueto is making his first start against his former team and is 48-22 with a 2.91 ERA in 98 career starts at Great American Ball Park.

Finnegan posted a quality start in three of his first five turns as he settles into his first season as a full-time starter in the majors. The TCU product allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings at the New York Mets on Tuesday but did not factor in the decision. Finnegan faced the Giants twice in the 2014 World Series with the Royals and was lit up for five runs on as many hits and two walks in one inning in a Game 4 loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Reds are 2-10 on the road and 8-5 at home.

2. San Francisco LF Angel Pagan (strained left hamstring) will be examined on Monday and could miss the series.

3. Cincinnati SS Zack Cozart (knee tendinitis) left Sunday’s game and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Reds 2

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Preview: Angels at Brewers

Current Conditions - Milwaukee

L/FOG 37 °F
Wind: ENE 10
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Los Angeles Angels (12-13) at Milwaukee Brewers (9-15)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 02 - 7:20 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Jered Weaver's velocity has dipped to the point where fans may question whether the radar gun is functioning, but the Los Angeles Angels veteran right-hander looks to remain unbeaten when he takes the mound for Monday's series opener at the Milwaukee Brewers. The Angels avoided a three-game sweep at Texas on Sunday while the Brewers halted a four-game skid versus Miami.

Weaver, who posted double-digit victories in his first nine seasons prior to his 7-12 campaign in 2015, is 3-0 despite a fastball that is averaging 82 miles per hour. With the designated hitter not available, playing time at first base could go to Albert Pujols, a career .331 hitter with 19 homers and 54 RBIs at Miller Park. Milwaukee's starting pitchers failed to go five innings in 14 of its 23 games in April and the first contest of May was not much better as Wily Peralta couldn't make it through six innings despite being staked to an early 10-run lead. Jimmy Nelson, the team's most reliable starter, will attempt to give the Brewers back-to-back victories for the first time since April 19-20.

TV: 7:20 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jered Weaver (3-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Jimmy Nelson (3-2 3.16)

Weaver managed to stay unbeaten despite a shaky six-inning performance versus Kansas City on Tuesday, when he was charged with four runs on a season-high nine hits - seven of which went for extra bases. The 33-year-old Weaver had his best outing in his previous turn, holding the Chicago White Sox to one run on three hits over seven frames. He tossed six scoreless innings to beat the Brewers in his lone start at Miller Park in August 2013.

Nelson permitted only one earned run on two hits but had his three-start winning streak halted in a 5-1 loss at the Chicago Cubs last time out as his defense and a lack or control betrayed him. It marked the third time in five starts he gave up at least four walks, but Nelson did manage to keep the ball in the park after surrendering six homers in his first four turns. Five of the six blasts have come at Miller Park, where he is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers 1B Chris Carter broke out of an 0-for-13 rut with a pair of homers among his three hits and three RBIs in Sunday's game.

2. Angels 1B C.J. Cron is 8-for-15 during a four-game hitting streak while RF Kole Calhoun was 6-for-12 versus Texas.

3. Brewers LF Ryan Braun, coming off a three-hit game, is 4-for-11 with a homer and five RBIs versus the Angels.

PREDICTION: Brewers 5, Angels 4

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Preview: Twins at Astros

Current Conditions - Houston

M/CLOUDY 84 °F
Wind: E 12
5-Day Forecast

TONIGHT	TOMORROW	TOMORROW	SATURDAY	SUNDAY	MONDAY
High: 85°F Low: 75°F	High: 85°F Low: 72°F	High: 85°F Low: 72°F	High: 80°F Low: 71°F	High: 81°F Low: 67°F	High: 79°F Low: 65°F

GAME: Minnesota Twins (7-18) at Houston Astros (8-17)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 02 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Dallas Keuchel hopes to avenge a pair of disappointing road starts on Monday when he returns to the safe haven of Minute Maid Park as the Houston Astros open a three-game series versus the Minnesota Twins. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner was blitzed for 11 runs in his last two road outings on the heels of scattering five hits over eight sterling innings of a 1-0 home victory over Detroit on April 15.

The triumph over the Tigers was just par for the course for Keuchel, who won all 15 of his home decisions and posted a 1.46 ERA in 18 starts at Minute Maid Park last season. AL West cellar-dwelling Houston is in dire need of a strong start as it narrowly avoided a three-game sweep versus Oakland on Sunday to record just its third win in 12 outings. Minnesota isn't singing a better tune in the basement in the AL Central, as it has dropped four in a row and seven of its last nine. The road has been a particularly scary place for the Twins, who enter their six-game road trip with a majors-worst 1-10 record away from home.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), ROOT (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (0-1, 11.25 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (2-3, 4.41)

With fellow hurler Kyle Gibson placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain, Berrios was summoned to make his major-league debut against Cleveland on Wednesday. The top pitching prospect struggled with both his emotions and the cold weather conditions en route to allowing five runs on six hits in four-plus innings of a 6-5 setback. The 21-year-old's fastball topped out at 97 mph, but he got into trouble quickly as the Indians' leadoff men reached base in four of the five innings he worked.

Life on the road has proven to be tough sledding for Keuchel, who yielded six runs on 13 hits in a 7-4 loss in Texas on April 21 before he allowed five runs in six innings of an 11-1 setback to Seattle five nights later. The 28-year-old Keuchel has won two of his three appearances versus Minnesota, with a 12-strikeout performance in the last encounter. Kurt Suzuki (1-for-9, .111) and Brian Dozier (2-for-8, .250) have been held in check in small sample sizes against Keuchel.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota 1B veteran Joe Mauer collected six hits in the three-game sweep by Detroit this weekend and has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 contests.

2. Houston mustered just 13 hits in its last three games.

3. Twins RF Oswaldo Arcia has two homers, six hits and as many RBIs in his last seven contests.

PREDICTION: Astros 2, Twins 1

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Preview: Nationals at Royals

Current Conditions - Kansas City

P/SUNNY 59 °F
Wind: W 8
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Washington Nationals (17-7) at Kansas City Royals (13-11)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 02 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Washington Nationals weren't shy about flexing their muscle en route to completing a sweep of St. Louis to begin their three-city, 10-game road trip. The Nationals hope their power surge continues against the other Show Me State representative on Monday when they open a three-game series versus the reigning World Series champion Kansas City Royals.

Clint Robinson and Danny Espinosa belted back-to-back homers in Sunday's 6-1 victory as Washington went deep six times to account for 10 of its 17 runs in the series versus the Cardinals. Daniel Murphy had an RBI double to give him at least one hit in 20 of 23 games this season and is 6-for-15 (.400) against Monday starter Edinson Volquez. While the Nationals (17-7) are off to their franchise-best start through 24 games, the Royals snapped a five-game losing skid by posting a 4-1 victory over Seattle on Sunday. Eric Hosmer homered in that contest and is 4-for-6 (.667) with two blasts and four RBIs versus Monday starter Gio Gonzalez.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (1-1, 1.42 ERA) vs. Royals RH Edinson Volquez (3-1, 3.34)

A lack of run support finally caught up to Gonzalez, who allowed just one earned run for the second time in three starts en route to a 3-0 setback to Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 30-year-old has permitted only six runs (four earned) and 18 hits in four starts (25 1/3 innings) this season. Gonzalez's last outing versus Kansas City eclipsed that run total, as he allowed seven on 10 hits in 3 1/3 frames before escaping with a no-decision.

After scattering five hits over seven scoreless innings on April 21, Volquez was shelled in his next start five days later as he allowed eight runs and a career-high 12 hits in a 9-4 setback to the Los Angeles Angels. The 32-year-old Dominican looks to rebound at home, where he is 2-0 with an 0.96 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while holding opponents to just a .214 batting average. Gonzalez owns a 2-2 mark in six career starts versus Washington, although he has kept both National League Most Valuable Player Bryce Harper (0-for-6) and Jayson Werth (1-for-6) under wraps.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City has won eight of its 11 home games this season.

2. Harper is 0-for-11 with five strikeouts in his last three contests.

3. The Royals issued 18 walks in their last three games.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, Nationals 2

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Preview: Phillies at Cardinals

Current Conditions - St. Louis

P/SUNNY 71 °F
Wind: W 13
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (15-10) at St. Louis Cardinals (12-13)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 02 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Adam Wainwright finally broke into the win column in his last outing and the St. Louis Cardinals are hoping that the longtime anchor of their staff is ready to turn things around. The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner will look to help St. Louis snap a four-game losing streak in Monday night's series opener against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.

Wainwright won 92 games over a five-year span (2009-14) for the Cardinals before he was limited to seven appearances in 2015 due to an Achilles tendon injury. St. Louis could certainly use a lift from Wainwright after it was swept by the Washington Nationals over the weekend to open a 10-game homestand. Starting pitching has fueled the surging Phillies, who are riding a six-game winning streak and are 9-1 in their last 10 games. Philadelphia took three in a row from visiting Cleveland to register back-to-back three-game series sweeps for the first time since September 2012.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phllies RH Jeremy Hellickson (2-1, 3.81 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (1-3, 7.16)

Hellickson is coming off a magnificent performance at Washington in his last start, tossing seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball while registering a season-high eight strikeouts. Hellickson had been pounded by the Nationals less than two weeks earlier and was tagged for 10 runs on 17 hits over 7 1/3 innings in his previous two turns. He has pitched much better away from home, logging a 2-0 record and 0.96 ERA in his three road starts.

Wainwright came away feeling positive about his last outing, even though he lasted only 5 1/3 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits in an 11-4 victory at Arizona. The 34-year-old Wainwright has yet to pitch beyond six innings and has permitted at least three runs in each of his five turns, although he recorded a season-high five strikeouts against the Diamondbacks. Wainwright owns a 5-2 record and 2.57 ERA in 12 appearances (10 starts) versus the Phillies.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cardinals are 1-8 against teams with winning records and have been outscored 42-19 in those contests.

2. Philadelphia is 8-8 when it scored three runs or fewer after going 9-69 in such games in 2015.

3. Cardinals C Yadier Molina had an 11-game hitting streak and 18-game on-base string snapped in Sunday's loss to Washington.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Phillies 3

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Preview: Mariners at Athletics

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GAME: Seattle Mariners (13-11) at Oakland Athletics (13-13)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 02 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Seattle Mariners could have a little payback in mind when they kick off a seven-game road trip on Monday night with the first of three contests against the Oakland Athletics. The Mariners stumbled out of the gate this season with six losses in their first eight outings, including a three-game sweep by the Athletics in Seattle from April 8-10.

Despite a 4-1 setback to Kansas City on Sunday, the Mariners have won five consecutive series for the first time since notching six in a row in May and June 2011. It was only the third defeat in 11 games for Seattle, which is a half-game behind first-place Texas in the American League West. Oakland extended a dubious streak with Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Houston Astros, going 39 consecutive home series of at least three games without recording a sweep. Kendall Graveman starts Monday for the Athletics, who are 5-8 at home, and will be opposed by Nathan Karns.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Nathan Karns (2-1, 3.63 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Kendall Graveman (1-2 4.03)

Karns capped an inconsistent first month with a brilliant outing versus Houston on Monday, working seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball while notching seven strikeouts. Control continues to be an issue for the 28-year-old Karns, who has walked 11 batters over 17 1/3 innings spanning his last three starts. Karns has lost both career starts against the Athletics, including his season debut, when he was touched for four runs on seven hits in five innings.

After three solid outings to begin the season, Graveman turned in a clunker at Detroit in his last start, yielding six runs on 10 hits -- three homers -- over 4 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old Alabama native was solid in his previous two outings, allowing a combined two runs on only seven hits in a pair of quality starts. Graveman shut down the Mariners in his lone start against them on July 4, 2015, tossing seven scoreless innings and allowing five hits.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland's pitching held Seattle to four runs and 15 hits in the three-game sweep last month.

2. Athletics 2B Jed Lowrie has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games.

3. Mariners LF Seth Smith is 7-for-18 during a five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Athletics 2

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Preview: Rockies at Padres

Current Conditions - San Diego

CLOUDY 59 °F
Wind: WSW 12
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Colorado Rockies (12-12) at San Diego Padres (9-16)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 02 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

James Shields may want to pitch around Nolan Arenado on Monday, when the San Diego Padres open a three-game series against the visiting Colorado Rockies. Arenado leads the major leagues with 11 home runs and is 12-for-23 with four blasts in his career against Shields, who is winless in his first five starts for San Diego this season.

Arenado is hitting .305 with 25 RBI for the Rockies, who completed a three-game sweep at Arizona over the weekend to even their record at 12-12. "I think we’re playing better on the road than at home this year," Arenado told reporters. "It’s kind of weird. But it’s nice, it’s a good feeling. It’s almost like we’re back to where we need to be." Colorado is 8-4 on the road heading into Monday’s matchup with the Padres, who have lost six of their last eight games. San Diego needs more production from several starters - including catcher Derek Norris, who carries a .150 batting average into the series after recording three hits in his last 22 at-bats.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jon Gray (0-0, 11.42 ERA) vs. Padres RH James Shields (0-4, 3.55)

Gray remains optimistic despite allowing a total of 11 runs over 8 2/3 innings in his first two starts, both at Coors Field. “I’m not going to change my opinion about how I’m throwing, and I think I'm throwing the ball real well," Gray told SB Nation’s Purple Row. “It’s just about staying positive and getting through the hard times.” The 24-year-old has pitched well in two career outings against San Diego, recording a 0.90 ERA and 11 strikeouts over a total of 10 innings.

Shields was a hard-luck loser in last Tuesday’s 1-0 setback against San Francisco after allowing one run on three hits and four walks in seven innings. The Padres have scored a total of five runs in the 33 frames Shields has pitched this season. Carlos Gonzalez is 9-for-25 with three home runs against the 34-year-old veteran, who owns a 6-2 record and 4.75 ERA in nine career starts against the Rockies - including a solid outing on April 10 in which he allowed four runs over seven frames at Coors Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Padres were 7-2 against the Rockies at Petco Park last season.

2. In 12 road games this year, Colorado's starting pitchers are 6-2 with a 3.11 ERA.

3. San Diego 1B Wil Myers is batting .315 over his last 22 games.

PREDICTION: Padres 6, Rockies 4