MLB Betting Info. 5/4

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Wednesday, May 4, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews


It's not often you would say a team is likely better off with someone making $17 million a year being lost for the season, but I'm guessing the Boston Red Sox aren't all that upset that fat man and distraction Pablo Sandoval will need season-ending shoulder surgery. What an utter bust he has been, and Boston doesn't have insurance on the five-year, $95 million free-agent deal it gave Sandoval in November 2014. Sandoval lost the third-base job this spring to Travis Shaw and hilariously snapped his belt on a big swing in his only start of the season April 9 in Toronto. The Sox were somehow hoping to trade him and eat another bad contract coming back, but no one would touch Sandoval now. How do I get one of those guaranteed contracts?




Giants at Reds (+121, 9)


A 12:35 p.m. ET start here. Cincinnati has lost catcher Devin Mesoraco to a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He's on the 15-day DL but hasn't decided whether to undergo season-ending surgery or try to play through it. Last year, Mesoraco tried to play through a hip injury that ultimately required surgery. Mesoraco had a huge 2014 season, but injuries have wrecked him since and he hasn't been very good when healthy. The Reds start Dan Straily (0-1 3.38) on the mound. He had a quality start last time out against the Pirates, allowing two runs over six innings but took the loss. Not many Giants have faced him. Hunter Pence and Buster Posey are each 0-for-3. It's Jake Peavy (1-2, 8.61) for the Reds, and as you can see he has been terrible. Peavy was shelled for six runs in two innings last time out at the Mets, walking five. He is 3-0 with a 3.16 ERA in five career starts in Cincinnati. The Reds' Brandon Phillips is 5-for-24 with three doubles off him. Joey Votto is 2-for-7 with a double.


Key trends: The Giants are 12-3 in Peavy's past 15 vs. teams with a losing record. They are 1-6 in his past seven on the road. The "over/under" is 4-1 in Peavy's past five road starts.


Early lean: Reds and over.


Cubs at Pirates (+124, 7.5)


Game on the MLB Network (out-of-market only). I'm thinking you won't see Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward here plus maybe a regular or two on each side with the 12:35 p.m. ET start. But I mention Heyward in particular because he's not just slumping but also dealing with a sore right wrist that had him on the bench Monday. That Cubs also lost outfielder Matt Szczur to a hamstring injury in Monday's game. The Cubbies go with lefty Jon Lester (2-1, 1.83) here, and that means the Pirates will be attempting as many steals as possible with Lester's shaky pickoff move. Lester has allowed exactly one earned run in four of five starts this year. He was 2-1 with a 1.57 ERA in three starts last year vs. Pittsburgh. Andrew McCutchen is 1-for-13 off him. Matt Joyce is 4-for-11 with two homers and six RBIs. Pittsburgh's Juan Nicasio (3-2, 3.33) threw seven shutout innings against Cincinnati in his last start, allowing three hits and striking out eight. The Pirates seem to always find these reclamation projects and turn them into good pitchers. Heyward, if he plays, is 6-for-16 off him with two doubles. Javier Baez is 1-for-1 with a homer and two RBIs.


Key trends: The Cubs are 11-5 in Lester's past 16 vs. the NL Central. The Bucs are 0-4 in their past four home games vs. a lefty. The under is 8-2-2 in Lester's past 12 on the road.


Early lean: Cubs and under.


Mariners at A's (+131, 7)


A 3:35 p.m. ET start here. Potentially good pitching matchup, too. It's Felix Hernandez (2-2, 1.38) for Seattle. He was dominant Friday against Kansas City, shutting out the Royals on five hits over 7.2 innings. Seattle once again gave him practically no run support, but the Mariners' one run and one hit was good enough that night. King Felix faced Oakland on April 10 and threw seven shutout innings, striking out season-high 10. Opposing batters are 1-for-31 with runners in scoring position (.032) against Hernandez this season. Oakland's Stephen Vogt is 11-for-24 career off him with three-extra base hits. Josh Reddick is 7-for-52 with 12 strikeouts. A's lefty and top pitching prospect Sean Manaea made his big-league debut on Friday vs. Houston and allowed four runs and five hits in five innings. He walked four and struck out three.


Key trends: The Mariners are 0-4 in Hernandez's past four vs. the AL West. The A's are 4-10 in their past 14 Wednesday games. The under is 10-4 in Hernandez's past 14 road starts vs. teams with a losing record.


Early lean: Mariners and under.


Yankees at Orioles (-120, 8.5)


I told you on Monday that Baltimore was concerned about the foot of shortstop J.J. Hardy after he fouled a ball of it Sunday. Those fears were justified later Monday when a hairline fracture was revealed and Hardy will likely miss six weeks. The Orioles have infield depth, so they won't make a trade to replace him. The O's face Yankees lefty CC Sabathia (1-2, 5.06). He's consistent at least, having allowed exactly three earned runs in all four starts. It's just that none have gone more than six innings and two just 4.2 innings. Sabathia was 0-1 with a 4.86 ERA in three 2015 starts vs. Baltimore. Adam Jones is a career .311 hitter off him in 61 at-bats with four homers and 14 RBIs. Chris Davis is 6-for-25 with 15 strikeouts. Baltimore's Tyler Wilson (1-0, 3.06) was limited to 4.2 innings in his last start, allowing two runs vs. the White Sox. He threw 3.1 scoreless innings last year vs. the Yankees.


Key trends: The Yankees are 1-5 in their past six Wednesday games. The Orioles are 8-1 in their past nine in Game 2 of a series. The under is 4-0 in Baltimore's past four on Wednesday.


Early lean: Orioles and over.


Red Sox at White Sox (+103, 8.5)


ESPN game so it should have live betting at sportsbooks. I'm assuming the White Sox will honor David Ortiz at some point in this series as it's Boston's only visit of the season. The Red Sox start Clay Buchholz (0-3, 6.51). He has been pretty terrible, allowing exactly five earned runs in four of his five starts. In his career at U.S. Cellular Field, Buchholz is 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA. Melky Cabrera is 7-for-31 off him with a homer. Brett Lawrie is 3-for-28. The Pale Hose go with lefty John Danks (0-4, 7.25). The White Sox's top four pitchers have been great, so they really need to do something with Danks. He was shelled for six runs and nine hits in Baltimore in his last start. Danks can't even hit 90 mph these days. Ortiz is 7-for-25 off him with three homers and seven RBIs. Xander Bogaerts is 4-for-9 with three RBIs.


Key trends: The Red Sox are 0-6 in Buchholz's past six starts. The White Sox are 0-7 in Danks' past seven. The over is 6-2-1 in Danks' past nine. It is 5-0-1 in his past six vs. Boston.


Early lean: Red Sox and over.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

MLB


Wednesday's games


National League games


Cubs @ Pirates
Lester is 1-1, 1.27 in his last three starts (under 3-2).


Nicasio is 2-1, 2.50 in his last three starts (under 3-2).


Cubs won eight of last ten games; over is 6-0-1 in their last seven road games. Pirates lost their last three games; over is 17-5 in their last 22 games.


Diamondbacks @ Marlins
De la Rosa is 2-0, 0.69 in his last two starts; his last three stayed under.


Fernandez is 2-1, 3.13 in his last four starts (over 3-2).


Arizona lost six of its last seven game; four of its last five games stayed under total. Marlins won seven of last eight games; over is 8-2-2 in its last 12 games.


Giants @ Reds
Peavy is 1-2, 8.61 in five starts this year (over 5-0).


Straily is 0-1, 3.45 in three starts this year (under 2-1).


Giants on eight of their last 11 games; ten of their last 12 overall went over the total. Reds lost ten of their last 12 games; over is 5-1-1 in their last seven home games.


Braves @ Mets
Chacin is 1-1, 3.68 in four starts this year (over 2-2).


Matz is 3-0, 0.93 in his last three starts (over 3-1).


Mets won nine of last 11 games; over is 11-6 in their last 17 games. Atlanta is 3-10 in its last 13 games; four of its last five games stayed under.


Phillies @ Cardinals
Morgan allowed three runs in five IP (97 PT) in his first '16 start.


Leake is 0-3, 6.75 in five starts this year; three of his last four starts went over.


Phillies won ten of last 12 games; six of their last seven games stayed under the total. Cardinals lost five of last six games (over 7-1-2 in last ten).


Rockies @ Padres
Chatwood is 2-1, 1.56 in his last three starts (under 5-0). .


Vargas is 0-1, 0.87 in two starts this year (under 1-1).


Colorado is 8-6 on the road this year; nine of its last 12 road games stayed under. San Diego won four of its last five games; five of their last seven games stayed under.




American League games


Tigers @ Indians
Sanchez is 1-2, 9.69 in his last three starts (over 4-0-1).


Kluber is 1-0, 2.40 in his last two starts; three of his last four starts stayed under.


Detroit won five of last six games; eight of its last ten games went over. Cleveland lost five of last seven games; oer is 6-3 in its home games.


Bronx @ Orioles
Sabathia is 1-2, 5.28 in his last three starts (over 2-2).


Wilson is 1-0, 4.66 in two starts this year (over 2-0).


New York lost 14 of last 18 games; six of its last eight road games stayed under the total. Orioles won five of last seven home games; four of their last five home games went over the total.


Rangers @ Blue Jays
Lewis is 2-0, 2.88 in his last four starts (over 3-2). .


Sanchez is 2-1, 2.87 in five starts this year (under 4-1).


Texas won five of its last seven games, but they've lost five of last six on road; nine of its 12 road games stayed under. Toronto is 5-8 in its last 13 games; its last six games all stayed under the total.


Red Sox @ White Sox
Buchholz is 0-3, 6.59 in five starts this year (over 3-2).


Rodon is 0-2, 8.36 in his last three starts (under 4-1). .


Boston won nine of its last 11 games; four of their last five games stayed under. the total. Chicago won 11 of last 14 games; their last eight games at home stayed under.


Twins @ Astros
Hughes is 1-4, 4.75 in five starts this month (under 3-1-1). .


Fiers is 2-0, 4.00 in his last three starts (over 3-1-1).


Twins are 2-11 on road; they lost five of last six games overall. Over is 9-3-1 in their last 13 games overall. Houston lost ten of last 14 games; over is 6-3-1 in its last ten


Mariners @ A's
Hernandez is 2-2, 1.93 in five starts this year (under 5-0).


Manaea allowed four runs in five IP (87 PT) in his MLB debut.


Mariners won ten of last 13 games; under is 7-3 in their last ten road games. A's lost eight of last 11 games; under is 9-4 in their last 13 home games.




Interleague


Dodgers @ Rays
Wood is 0-2, 10.29 in three road starts- they all went over total.


Smyly is 1-1, 1.29 in his last three starts; three of his last four starts stayed under. .


Dodgers lost six of last eight games; over is 5-2-1 in their last eight road tilts. Tampa Bay lost four of its last five games; 12 of its last 15 home games stayed under.


Angels @ Brewers
Santiago is 2-1, 2.89 in his last three starts (under 4-1).


Davies is 0-3, 9.45 in three starts this year (over 1-1-1).


Angels lost nine of last 12 road games; under is 6-3-1 in their last ten road games. Milwaukee won its last three games; over is 6-0-1 in their last seven at home.


Nationals @ Royals
Strasburg is 4-0, 2.25 in five starts this year (over 3-0-1 last four).


Medlen is 0-2, 5.87 in his last three starts (under 3-1).


Washington won six of its last eight road games; under is 6-2-2 in their last ten games on foreign soil. Royals lost six of their last eight games; under is 10-3 in their last thirteen games.




Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:


Chi-Pitt-- Lester 4-1; Nicasio 3-2
Az-Mia-- De la Rosa 2-2; Fernandez 3-2
SF-Cin-- Peavy 2-3; Straily 1-2
Atl-NY-- Chacin 2-2; Matz 3-1
Phil-StL-- Morgan 1-0; Leake 1-4
Col-SD-- Chatwood 3-2; Vargas 1-1


Det-Clev-- Sanchez 3-2; Kluber 1-4
NY-Balt-- Sabathia 2-2; Wilson 2-0
Tex-Tor-- Lewis 3-2; Sanchez 2-3
Bos-Chi-- Buchholz 0-5; Rodon 2-3
Minn-Hst-- Hughes 1-4; Fiers 2-3
Sea-A's-- Hernandez 2-3; Manaea 1-0


LA-TB-- Wood 2-3; Smyly 2-3
LAA-Mil-- Santiago 4-1; Davies 0-3
Wsh-KC-- Strasburg 5-0; Medlen 1-3




Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:


Chi-Pitt-- Lester 1-5; Nicasio 1-5
Az-Mia-- De la Rosa 0-4; Fernandez 3-5
SF-Cin-- Peavy 2-5; Straily 0-3
Atl-NY-- Chacin 2-4; Matz 0-4
Phil-StL-- Morgan 0-1; Leake 3-5
Col-SD-- Chatwood 1-5; Vargas 0-2


Det-Clev-- Sanchez 2-3; Kluber 1-5
NY-Balt-- Sabathia 0-4; Wilson 0-2
Tex-Tor-- Lewis 3-5; Sanchez 1-5
Bos-Chi-- Buchholz 1-5; Rodon 2-5
Minn-Hst-- Hughes 3-5; Fiers 2-5
Sea-A's-- Hernandez 0-5; Manaea 0-1


LA-TB-- Wood 1-4; Smyly 0-5
LAA-Mil-- Santiago 2-5; Davies 1-3
Wsh-KC-- Strasburg 1-5; Medlen 0-4




Umpires


Chi-Pitt-- Over is 3-1-1 in Nelson games this season.
SF-Cin-- Four of five Joyce games stayed under total.
Atl-NY-- Over is 8-2-2 in last twelve Wolf games.
Az-Mia-- Five of last seven Gibson games went over.
Phil-StL-- Five of last seven Wolcott games stayed under.
Col-SD-- Underdogs are 9-7 in last sixteen Knight games.


Det-Clev-- Eight of last eleven Morales games went over.
NY-Balt-- Three of four Guccione games stayed under total.
Tex-Tor-- Underdogs are 9-7 in last sixteen Drake games.
Min-Hst-- Three of last four Barry games stayed under.
Bos-Chi-- Under is 8-4 in last twelve Timmons games.
Sea-A's-- Six of last nine Hamari games went over total.


LAA-Mil-- Nine of last twelve Reyburn games stayed under.
LA-TB-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight LBarrett games.
Wsh-KC-- Home side won six of last eight Bucknor games.

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Cubs at Pirates

Current Conditions - Pittsburgh

L/FOG 55 °F
Wind: E 3
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Chicago Cubs (19-6) at Pittsburgh Pirates (15-12)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 12:35 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Chicago Cubs haven’t had much trouble with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Central rivals’ first two meetings of the season, and they’ll try to keep it up in the finale of a three-game series Wednesday at PNC Park. The Cubs have outscored the Pirates 14-3 while taking the first two contests, and are trying to complete their first three-game sweep at Pittsburgh since September 2012.


The Pirates managed only three hits in Tuesday’s 7-1 loss, as the Cubs’ starting pitching continues to dominate. Chicago has 19 quality starts in 25 games and will look to star left-hander Jon Lester to continue the trend. The Cubs are a major league-best 19-6 and already have opened a five-game lead over the Pirates in the division. Pittsburgh has dropped three straight following a six-game winning streak and permitted at least six runs in every game during the skid.
TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, CSN Chicago, ROOT (Pittsburgh)


PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (2-1, 1.83 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Juan Nicasio (3-2, 3.33)
Lester is off to the best start of his career, having posted five straight quality starts to begin the season for the first time. The 32-year-old has twice hit double digits in strikeouts, including last time out against Atlanta when he allowed one run and seven hits over seven innings with 10 punchouts. Lester is 2-2 with a 1.86 ERA in four starts against the Pirates.
Nicasio has been a solid addition to the rotation thus far, posting quality starts in three of his first five outings for the Pirates. The 29-year-old Dominican turned in his best outing of the season Friday against Cincinnati, striking out eight and allowing just three hits over seven scoreless frames. Nicasio is 1-1 with a 4.32 ERA in six games (two starts) against the Cubs and hasn’t made a start against them since 2013.


WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 3B/LF Kris Bryant went 3-for-5 Tuesday and is 15-for-35 with two homers and 10 RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak.
2. PIrates CF Andrew McCutchen, whose average dipped to .221 after an 0-for-3 performance Tuesday, is 1-for-13 with four strikeouts versus Lester.
3. Chicago has won 21 of its last 24 road games dating to last season.


PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Pirates 2

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Giants at Reds

Current Conditions - Cincinnati

P/SUNNY 75 °F
Wind: WSW 12
5-Day Forecast
GAME: San Francisco Giants (15-13) at Cincinnati Reds (10-17)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 12:35 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Cincinnati Reds own the worst bullpen in the major leagues by a significant margin, and the futility of the relief corps is reaching historic levels. The San Francisco Giants will try to take advantage of the friendliness of the Cincinnati relievers for the third straight day when they visit the Reds in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon.

Cincinnati’s bullpen has allowed at least one run in each of its last 21 games – the longest such streak in major-league history. The Giants pounded the Reds bullpen for six runs in Monday’s 9-6 victory, overcoming a three-run deficit in the final three innings, and got to Caleb Cotham for two runs in the eighth inning on Tuesday in a 3-1 triumph. The latest win was the eighth in the last 11 games for the Giants, who improved to 3-2 on their six-game road trip after dropping the first two at the New York Mets over the weekend. Cincinnati dropped eight of its last nine and scored more than three runs in only two of those nine contests.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Jake Peavy (1-2, 8.61 ERA) vs. Reds RH Dan Straily (0-1, 3.38)

Peavy followed up his best start of the season on April 23 with his worst on Friday at the Mets, when he was rocked for six runs on four hits and five walks in two-plus innings. All six of those runs were scored in the third inning without the veteran managing to record an out. Peavy has never lost to Cincinnati in his career, posting a 7-0 record with a 2.38 ERA in 12 starts.

Straily began the year in the bullpen and logged his first quality start in his third chance on Friday at Pittsburgh, scattering two runs on five hits and three walks in six innings. The 27-year-old could not get enough run support and ended up with a loss in the 4-1 final. Staily faced San Francisco once as a member of the Oakland Athletics during interleague play and pulled out a win with one run allowed in six innings on May 27, 2013.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants C Buster Posey doubled three times on Tuesday and is 7-for-12 with four runs scored in the last three games.

2. Cincinnati CF Billy Hamilton was removed from Tuesday’s game with a jammed left thumb and is day-to-day.

3. San Francisco RF Hunter Pence is 4-for-12 with four runs scored and four RBIs in the last three contests.

PREDICTION: Reds 7, Giants 4

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Braves at Mets

Weather information is currently unavailable.
GAME: Atlanta Braves (7-19) at New York Mets (16-9)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The New York Mets averaged 6.3 runs while winning 11 of 12 games but are having a harder time pushing runs across in the last three contests. The Mets will try to bounce back from a shutout when they host the struggling Atlanta Braves in the rubber match of a three-game series on Wednesday.

New York dropped two of its last three games and managed a total of one run in the two losses. Matt Wisler carved up the Mets lineup on Tuesday, yielding one hit in eight scoreless innings before Arodys Vizcaino finished off the one-hit shutout with a perfect ninth. The win was the third in the last five games for the Braves, who sit last in the majors in home runs but got a solo blast from rookie Mallex Smith – the first of his career – on Tuesday in the 3-0 triumph. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman, who has half of the team’s six home runs on the season, doubled twice on Tuesday and is 13-for-30 over the last eight games to lift his average from .177 to .261.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Jhoulys Chacin (1-1, 3.27 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (3-1, 3.86)

Chacin picked up his first win and helped stop Atlanta’s eight-game slide with five strong innings at Boston on Thursday. The Venezuela native allowed two runs on six hits and a pair of walks in the win but has not completed six innings in any of his last three outings. Chacin went 5 2/3 innings at home against New York on April 23 and was reached for four runs – three earned – on seven hits and two walks in an 8-2 loss.

Matz started opposite Chacin at Atlanta on April 23 and scattered two runs and nine hits over 6 1/3 innings while striking out eight to earn the win. The 24-year-old has won three straight starts while allowing a total of two earned runs in 19 1/3 innings with 21 strikeouts. Matz battled through six scoreless innings against San Francisco on Friday and got plenty of support in a 13-1 victory.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braves OF Ender Inciarte (hamstring) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

2. New York SS Asdrubal Cabrera recorded the team’s lone hit on Tuesday and is 3-for-7 in the series.

3. Atlanta C A.J. Pierzynski is 3-for-8 with a pair of doubles in the series.

PREDICTION: Mets 6, Braves 2

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Angels at Brewers

Current Conditions - Milwaukee

L/FOG 37 °F
Wind: ENE 10
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Los Angeles Angels (12-15) at Milwaukee Brewers (11-15)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 1:40 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Chris Carter was a relative bargain-basement signing during the offseason, but the slugger continues to provide huge dividends for the Milwaukee Brewers over the first month of the season. The Brewers - buoyed by a resurgent offense - look to complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Los Angeles Angeles on Wednesday afternoon.

Milwaukee had lost four in a row before Carter clubbed a pair of homers in a 14-5 rout of Miami on Sunday to ignite a three-game winning streak in which it scored 27 runs. Carter, who was signed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract in January, belted two more homers Tuesday, including the tiebreaking blast in the 5-4 victory. The Angels had won eight straight in Milwaukee entering the series, but have dropped four of five overall and nine of their last 12 away from home. Center fielder Mike Trout has done his part in the series, going 5-for-9 with a homer and five RBIs.

TV: 1:40 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Hector Santiago (2-1, 3.34 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (0-3, 8.78)

Santiago failed to make it through six innings for the first time and consequently suffered his first defeat after giving up four runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings in a 4-2 loss at Texas. He was superb in winning his previous two outings, giving up two runs and only six hits while striking out 17 over 13 innings. The 28-year-old Santiago has never faced Milwaukee, but Carter is 5-for-14 with a pair of homers and five RBIs against him.

Davies was promoted from the minors in September 2015 and recorded four quality starts, but has been unable to carry that success over to this year. He has received only eight runs of support in his three starts and that's not cutting it given his string of shaky performances. Davies was victimized by a costly home run for the second straight start in a 6-3 loss to Miami on Friday and has permitted at least four runs in each of his outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Trout has five homers and 16 RBIs over his last 12 games.

2. Brewers RHP Jeremy Jeffress has converted all seven save opportunities.

3. Angels LF Rafael Ortega has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Brewers 4

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Nationals at Royals

Current Conditions - Kansas City

P/SUNNY 59 °F
Wind: W 8
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Washington Nationals (18-8) at Kansas City Royals (14-12)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Stephen Strasburg is finally living up to his potential and the Washington right-hander aims to improve to 5-0 this season when the Nationals complete a three-game road set against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Strasburg, who has struck out 40 and walked eight in five starts, is 12-2 with a 1.91 ERA in his past 18 starts dating back to last season.

The 27-year-old Strasburg was billed as one of the top pitching prospects of all-time after a stellar final college season at San Diego State in 2009 and is aware that many people have labeled him an underachiever. "I'd be a liar if I said it didn't bother me at some point, but now I kind of consider the source," Strasburg told USA Today. "I learned you can't let that stuff bother you because there are always going to be the naysayers and people out there are consistently going to be saying you are something different." The Nationals had a four-game winning streak halted Tuesday when the Royals scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to produce a 7-6 victory - only their second in the past eight games. Kansas City center fielder Lorenzo Cain smacked the game-winning single and had his third two-hit outing in the past five games.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Washington), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (4-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Royals RH Kris Medlen (1-2, 4.87)

Strasburg defeated St. Louis in his last outing and has given up five total runs in his four victories. He has recorded only one complete game in 137 career starts but could be on the verge of increasing that total after pitching seven or more innings in four of his first five starts. Strasburg lost his lone career start against the Royals when he allowed one run and nine hits in six innings.

Medlen allowed one hit in his last start - a homer to Seth Smith - covering 5 1/3 innings during a 1-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners. It was a big improvement over his previous showing when he was torched for seven runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings during a loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Medlen is 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA in 14 career appearances (four starts) against Washington and has fared well against right fielder Bryce Harper (2-for-13, one homer).

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals SS Alcides Escobar had a season-best four hits Tuesday and is 8-for-14 with three runs scored over the past three games.

2. Harper was hitless in five at-bats Tuesday and is 2-for-26 over the past seven games and has gone eight contests without a homer.

3. Kansas City 3B Mike Moustakas (left thumb) didn't start the first two games of the series - he hit the tying pinch-hit, two-run single in the ninth Tuesday - and manager Ned Yost will decide Wednesday if he is fit enough to start the finale.

PREDICTION: Nationals 2, Royals 1

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Mariners at Athletics

Current Conditions - Oakland

P/SUNNY 64 °F
Wind: WSW 8
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Seattle Mariners (15-11) at Oakland Athletics (13-15)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 3:35 PM EST
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Felix Hernandez looks to continue his mastery of Oakland hitters when the Seattle Mariners attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the host Athletics on Wednesday. Hernandez struck out 10 in seven shutout innings against Oakland in a no-decision earlier this season and boasts a 22-8 record and 2.58 ERA in 41 career starts versus the Athletics.

Hernandez gave up three hits and two walks in the April 10 outing in Seattle and would like to receive the same type of offensive support that occurred Tuesday when the Mariners had three homers among 13 hits in an 8-2 victory. Hernandez has notched 145 career victories and his next win would break a tie with Jamie Moyer as the winningest pitcher in the history of the Mariners, who have won each of their past six games in Oakland and are 13-5 over their past 18 games. The Athletics have dropped eight of their last overall 11 games and are a dismal 5-10 at home. Oakland left fielder Khris Davis has slugged three homers in the series and has hit six in his past 13 contests.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (2-2, 1.38 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Sean Manaea (0-0, 7.20)

Hernandez has been superb despite the lack of victories and has held opposing hitters to a .165 batting average. He has given up five or fewer hits in all five of his outings and has allowed one earned run or less in four of them. Hernandez, who has a 1.09 career WHIP against Oakland, has struggled against catcher Stephen Vogt (11-for-24, one homer) while dominating right fielder Josh Reddick (7-for-52, 12 strikeouts).

Manaea is making his second big-league start and received a no-decision against Houston on Friday when he allowed four runs and four hits in five innings. He was acquired from Oakland in the midseason deal last season that sent infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist to the Kansas City Royals. The 24-year-old Manaea was a first-round pick (34th overall) by the Royals in the 2013 draft.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners 2B Robinson Cano homered among two hits Tuesday and is 7-for-12 with four runs scored over the past three games.

2. Reddick has failed to homer in each of the past nine games.

3. Seattle 3B Kyle Seager is batting just .181 but has four homers — including a three-run shot on Tuesday — and 11 RBIs over the past nine contests.

PREDICTION: Mariners 3, Athletics 0

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Yankees at Orioles

Current Conditions - Baltimore

CLOUDY 50 °F
Wind: E 16
5-Day Forecast
GAME: New York Yankees (8-16) at Baltimore Orioles (15-10)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

One of the reasons the New York Yankees could avoid lengthy losing streaks in the past was having CC Sabathia at the top of their rotation. Sabathia is no longer is the ace of the the staff, but the Yankees will be looking to the veteran left-hander to halt a six-game skid when they play the second of a three-game series at the Baltimore Orioles.

Mark Trumbo was acquired by the Orioles in an offseason trade with Seattle and is shaping up as one of the best additions made by any club. Trumbo clubbed a pair of homers in Tuesday's 4-1 victory to take over the team lead with eight and has reached base in 17 consecutive games. The reeling Yankees have been limited to two runs or fewer in six of their last eight games and have also dropped six in a row to Baltimore. The offense took another hit when designated hitter Alex Rodriguez injured his hamstring Tuesday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, YES (New York), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (1-2, 5.06 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Tyler Wilson (1-0, 3.06)

Although he matched his season highs with six innings and five strikeouts last time out at Texas, Sabathia took the loss after allowing three runs for the fourth consecutive start. Control continues to be an issue for Sabathia, who has walked 11 batters in 21 1/3 innings and failed to get through five frames in each of his past two starts. Sabathia owns an 18-7 career record against the Orioles, although he was 0-1 with 11 runs in 16 2/3 innings against them in 2015.

Wilson, who opened the season with three consecutive appearances out of the bullpen, came up one batter shy of earning his second straight victory after giving up two runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings versus the White Sox. He went five innings at Kansas City in his first start of the season and was charged with three runs on six hits. He allowed only one homer in nine appearances (five starts) last year, but has been taken deep in each of his two starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rodriguez, who homered and drove in four runs Sunday at Boston, will undergo an MRI exam on Wednesday.

2. With SS J.J. Hardy sidelined with a hairline fracture in his foot, 3B Manny Machado started in his spot Tuesday.

3. The Yankees are 4-15 at Camden Yards since the start of the 2014 season.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Orioles 5

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Rangers at Blue Jays

Current Conditions - Toronto

CLOUDY 45 °F
Wind: E 10
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Texas Rangers (15-12) at Toronto Blue Jays (13-15)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 7:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays continue to prove the margin separating the two clubs is razor thin. The Blue Jays, who beat the Rangers in five games in the American League Division Series last fall, will try to ride the momentum of a dramatic victory to another win when they host Texas in the third of a four-game series on Wednesday.

Rangers rookie Nomar Mazara played the hero with a go-ahead home run and an outfield assist in the eighth inning of Monday’s series-opening 2-1 win, but the Blue Jays struck back on Tuesday. Texas carried a 1-0 lead into the ninth before Justin Smoak forced extra innings with a solo blast, and the first baseman followed that up with a two-run shot in the 10th to win it. The home runs were the first two of the season for Smoak, who is 5-for-8 in the last two games after entering the series batting .189. The loss was just the second in seven games for the Rangers, who have limited opponents to three or fewer runs in six of those seven contests.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Colby Lewis (2-0, 3.19 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (2-1, 2.59)

Lewis recorded four quality starts in his first five outings and is coming off his longest outing of the season – a seven-inning stint against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. The California native surrendered two runs and nine hits without recording a strikeout in that outing. Lewis came out of the bullpen in Game 4 of the ALDS last fall and allowed one run on three hits and three walks in three innings.

Sanchez followed up his worst outing of the season with his best, scattering six hits over seven scoreless innings in a win at Tampa Bay on Friday. The 23-year-old was lit up for six runs in 4 1/3 innings against Oakland on April 22 but allowed one or zero earned runs in each of his other four outings. Sanchez appeared in all five games of the ALDS against Texas, allowing one run on a total of three hits in 5 1/3 innings, and earned the win in the decisive Game 5.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers RHP Yu Darvish (elbow) threw in the bullpen on Tuesday and is expected to make a rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

2. Toronto RF Jose Bautista is 0-for-12 with six strikeouts in the last three games.

3. Texas acquired C Bobby Wilson from the Tigers in exchange for LHP Chad Bell on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Rangers 4

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Diamondbacks at Marlins

Current Conditions - Miami

P/SUNNY 85 °F
Wind: SSE 12
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (12-16) at Miami Marlins (13-12)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Miami Marlins have slugged their way back over .500 with 15 homers during their sizzling 8-1 stretch. The red-hot Marlins look to continue their torrid ways on Wednesday when they vie for a series victory against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.

Marcell Ozuna homered in his third straight contest and Christian Yelich also went deep in Tuesday's 7-4 triumph, which marked Miami's third win in 10 home outings. Batting in the leadoff position for the suspended Dee Gordon, J.T. Realmuto added a first-inning double to extend his hitting streak to eight games and is 2-for-6 with a homer versus Wednesday starter Rubby De La Rosa. Rookie Brandon Drury, who went deep in four of his previous five outings, collected a pair of singles as Arizona suffered its fourth straight loss and sixth in seven outings. The Diamondbacks will have a tough time getting back on track against right-hander Jose Fernandez, who carries an 18-1 mark at Marlins Park into Wednesday's tilt.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Rubby De La Rosa (3-3, 4.18 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Fernandez (2-2, 4.08)

De La Rosa rebounded from a disastrous start to record wins in each of his last three trips to the mound. The 27-year-old Dominican struck out the side in one inning of relief on April 18, allowed just three hits in 7-1 triumph over Pittsburgh five nights later and scattered two more and struck out 10 in a 3-0 victory over St. Louis on Thursday. Although his team has enjoyed road success (7-4), De La Rosa has not - posting a 1-2 mark with an inflated 5.68 ERA in three outings away from Chase Field.

Fernandez has been slow out of the blocks by yielding a total of five runs on eight hits in the initial inning this season. The 23-year-old Cuban flamethrower allowed two runs in the first frame in his last outing before handcuffing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the following five for a 5-3 win on Thursday. Fernandez has struggled with his control, however, issuing at least three walks in each of his last four outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona C Welington Castillo belted a two-run homer on Tuesday and has 15 hits in his last 10 contests.

2. Former Diamondback 3B Martin Prado is 18-for-37 (.486) during his eight-game hitting streak for the Marlins.

3. Miami has won six of its eight contests versus National League West representatives.

PREDICTION: Marlins 4, Diamondbacks 2

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Dodgers at Rays

Current Conditions - St. Petersburg

SUNNY 86 °F
Wind: SW 12
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (14-13) at Tampa Bay Rays (11-14)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Los Angeles Dodgers hope to build off one of their best offensive outbursts of the season when they go for a sweep of a two-game interleague series with the host Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. The Dodgers belted three homers, including a three-run blast by Yasiel Puig, in a 10-5 victory over the Rays on Tuesday for their second straight win after a six-game slide.

Howie Kendrick snapped out of a season-long slump with four hits and two RBIs for Los Angeles, which posted 13 hits to allow Scott Kazmir to earn his 100th career victory. The Dodgers send Alex Wood to the mound against Drew Smyly in a battle of southpaws in the series finale as Los Angeles goes for its fifth straight win over Tampa Bay. The Rays matched their season high with a three-game winning streak late in April, but have lost four of five since to sink to 8-9 at home. Evan Longoria boasts four RBIs in his last three games for Tampa Bay, which is tied for the least runs in the American League with 82.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet LA (Los Angeles), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (1-2, 4.82 ERA) vs. Rays LH Drew Smyly (1-3, 2.60)

Wood is winless in three consecutive starts, but produced his best performance of the season last time out while limiting San Diego to one run over seven innings with nine strikeouts. The 25-year-old Charlotte native has struggled with control, walking 12 in 28 innings and posting a 1.54 WHIP. Wood faces Tampa Bay for the first time and is 0-2 with an 8.36 ERA in three road starts.

Smyly has allowed two or fewer earned runs in his last four starts while striking out 36 combined, but managed just one victory in that span. The 26-year-old Arkansas product has issued six walks in 34 2/3 innings during his first five starts of the season, permitting only 18 hits. Kendrick is 3-for-9 with a homer against Smyly, who yielded one hit in a three-inning stint against the Dodgers in 2014.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay OF Brandon Guyer went 2-for-4 on Tuesday and has four multi-hit games in his last nine outings.

2. Los Angeles OF Trayce Thompson had four RBIs on Tuesday and is 7-for-22 with four extra-base hits in his last seven games.

3. The Rays dropped to 6-1 when they score more than three runs with the loss in the opener of the series.

PREDICTION: Rays 3, Dodgers 2

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Red Sox at White Sox

Weather information is currently unavailable. 5-Day Forecast
GAME: Boston Red Sox (15-11) at Chicago White Sox (19-8)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Jose Abreu is streaking along and the American League-leading Chicago White Sox are following suit, having won three in a row and nine of their last 11. After driving in three runs in the series opener, Abreu carries a seven-game hitting streak into the second contest of a three-game set versus the visiting Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.

Abreu ripped an RBI triple in the first inning and added a two-run double in the eighth as Chicago recorded a 4-1 triumph on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Cuban has five straight two-hit performances and is 13-for-29 in his last seven contests, but is 0-for-6 versus Wednesday starter Clay Buchholz. Hanley Ramirez belted a solo homer to extend his hitting streak to eight games, but the Red Sox mustered just three more hits - all singles - en route to suffering their second loss in nine outings. Xander Bogaerts has hit safely in five straight games and 11 of his last 12.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, NESN (Boston), WPWR (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (0-3, 6.51 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (1-3, 4.33)

Buchholz allowed five runs for the second straight start and fourth in five turns on Thursday in a 5-3 loss to Atlanta. The 31-year-old hopes to bounce back versus Chicago, against which he owns a 2-2 mark with a 3.38 ERA at U.S. Cellular Field. Buchholz's last meeting with the White Sox didn't go so well as he saw two balls leave the yard and permitted four runs in seven innings to take the loss.

Rodon moves up one day to take the ball in place of veteran left-hander John Danks, who was released by Chicago on Tuesday after going 0-4 with a gaudy 7.25 ERA. The 23-year-old Rodon looks to bounce back from his second subpar performance in three outings, as he yielded six runs on eight hits in seven innings of a 6-3 setback to Baltimore on Friday. Rodon, who has yet to face Boston in his career, has fanned seven batters in each of his last two outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston 3B Pablo Sandoval underwent surgery on his left shoulder on Tuesday and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

2. Chicago has allowed one or fewer runs in 13 of 27 games this season.

3. The White Sox have posted a 16-6 mark against right-handed pitchers this season.

PREDICTION: White Sox 2, Red Sox 1

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Twins at Astros

Current Conditions - Houston

M/CLOUDY 84 °F
Wind: E 12
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Minnesota Twins (8-19) at Houston Astros (9-18)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Houston Astros are once again in position to record back-to-back victories when they close a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. The Astros (9-18) have failed to win consecutive games in each of their eight opportunities this season and make another attempt after winning Tuesday for only the fourth time in 14 games.

Right fielder George Springer homered in each of the first two games of the series, including a two-run blast in Tuesday's 6-4 victory that caromed off the railroad tracks beyond left field and out of the ballpark. Springer had gone 11 contests without a homer and eight without an RBI prior to the series. Minnesota (8-19) owns the worst record in the American League, is 2-11 on the road and has lost five of its last six overall games. Twins second baseman Brian Dozier has gotten his bat going and is 5-for-8 in the series after reaching base three times Tuesday on two singles and one walk.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Phil Hughes (1-4, 4.45 ERA) vs. Astros RH Mike Fiers (2-1, 4.97)

Hughes lasted only five innings against the Detroit Tigers in his last start while allowing a season-worst four earned runs. He hasn't walked more than two batters in any of his five outings but he has issued six overall after walking 16 hitters in each of the past two seasons. Hughes is 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA in two career outings against the Astros and has held left fielder Colby Rasmus to a 1-for-14 effort - the one hit being a homer.

Fiers is coming off his best outing of the season when he gave up two runs in seven innings against the Oakland Athletics in a no-decision. He has a solid strikeouts-to-walks ratio of 22 to 3 but has served up seven homers in 29 innings. Fiers is 2-1 with a 1.65 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) versus the Twins and has fared well against catcher Kurt Suzuki (1-for-7) and third baseman Trevor Plouffe (1-for-6).

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros CF Carlos Gomez (ribcage) went 2-for-3 on Tuesday after missing the previous three games.

2. Plouffe (intercostal strain) went hitless in four at-bats on Tuesday in his first game since being activated from the disabled list.

3. Rasmus, who is hitless in eight at-bats in the series, is 1-for-18 over the past five contests.

PREDICTION: Twins 7, Astros 4

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/4

Preview: Phillies at Cardinals

Current Conditions - St. Louis

P/SUNNY 71 °F
Wind: W 13
5-Day Forecast

TODAY	TONIGHT	TOMORROW	SATURDAY	SUNDAY	MONDAY
High: 73°F Low: 54°F	High: 73°F Low: 54°F	High: 72°F Low: 60°F	High: 79°F Low: 57°F	High: 71°F Low: 50°F	High: 67°F Low: 51°F

GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (16-11) at St. Louis Cardinals (13-14)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 04 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

All Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard needed was a visit to his hometown to break out of a brutal slump. Howard's solo homer accounted for the lone run Tuesday and put the visiting Phillies in position to notch their fourth straight series win in Wednesday's rubber match against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Howard was in an 0-for-12 rut with nine strikeouts before his decisive blast as Philadelphia rebounded from a 10-3 thrashing in Monday's series opener to improve to 10-2 over its last 12 games. Pitching has been the difference for the Phillies, who have won seven of eight despite not scoring more than four runs in that span. After clubbing five homers Monday night, the St. Louis' offense returned to its doldrums, held to one run or fewer for the fourth time during its 1-5 slide. The Cardinals' Mike Leake, the marquee free-agent signing during the offseason, remains in search of his first win as he opposes Adam Morgan in the series finale.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Adam Morgan (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Mike Leake (0-3, 5.83)

Morgan was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take the rotation spot of Charlie Morton, who is out for the season after undergoing surgery for a torn hamstring. Morgan struck out seven and was charged with three runs on five hits over five innings in a no-decision against Cleveland. The 26-year-old Florida native was 5-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 15 starts as a rookie last year, but he beat the Cardinals with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball.

Leake, who won 64 games over his first six seasons - 62 with Cincinnati, matched his season high with seven innings but surrendered a pair of home runs in a 5-4 loss to Washington. Leake has permitted at least four runs in each of his five starts and faces an opponent that he has struggled against over his career, logging a 2-3 mark and 6.00 ERA in eight starts against Philadelphia. Howard is 7-for-21 with a pair of homers and Maikel Franco is 4-for-6 versus Leake.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies RHP Jeanmar Gomez is 9-for-9 in save opportunities, including five in the past eight games.

2. Cardinals C Yadier Molina has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games.

3. Phillies CF Odubel Herrera also had at least one hit in 13 of the last 14 contests.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Phillies 3