MLB Betting Info. 5/6

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Athletics at Orioles

Current Conditions - Baltimore

CLOUDY 50 °F
Wind: E 16
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Oakland Athletics (13-16) at Baltimore Orioles (16-11)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Baltimore Orioles scored five runs in three games with the New York Yankees and still managed a series win. They will look to get the bats going when they continue a lengthy homestand with the first of three straight against the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.

Baltimore recorded just one run in the final 22 innings of their set with the Yankees but it led to a 1-0 walk-off victory in 10 innings on Thursday, giving them two of three in the series and an 11-4 record at Camden Yards. Among the many big Baltimore bats mired in a slump is slugging first baseman Chris Davis, who was 0-for-11 with six strikeouts in the Yankees series, and star center fielder Adam Jones, who was 1-for-11 in the set and hasn't homered since April 16. The Athletics have lost four straight and nine of their last 12 after being swept at home against Seattle to begin the week. They will turn to surprising veteran Rich Hill - who entered Thursday ranked fifth in the American League in strikeouts - opposite Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Rich Hill (3-3, 2.53 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Ubaldo Jimenez (1-3, 5.20)

Hill turned in his third straight quality start Sunday against Houston, dropping a tough decision despite allowing two runs in six innings. He limited the Astros to a season-low two hits but had four strikeouts after producing 34 in 23 1/3 innings over his previous four outings. The University of Michigan product, who pitched in 14 games for the Orioles in 2009, has given up 23 earned runs in 21 2/3 innings in his career at Camden Yards.

Since opening the season with a solid effort against Minnesota, Jimenez is 0-3 with a 6.53 ERA over a span of four starts. He failed to get through five innings for the first time in 2016 on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, allowing a season-high six runs on seven hits and four walks. The 32-year-old is 3-1 with a 5.28 ERA in six career starts against Oakland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore's bullpen owns a 2.45 ERA.

2. Athletics LF Khris Davis had three home runs and five RBIs in the series versus Seattle.

3. Orioles LF Hyun Soo Kim is 10-for-18 on the season.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Athletics 4

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Red Sox at Yankees

Weather information is currently unavailable. 5-Day Forecast
GAME: Boston Red Sox (17-11) at New York Yankees (9-17)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Rick Porcello and the Boston Red Sox handcuffed the New York Yankees in their last encounter in April, as the right-hander scattered five hits over seven innings to lift his team to an 8-0 rout. The 27-year-old carries a 13 1/3-frame shutout streak into Friday as the visiting Red Sox vie for their 10th win in 12 outings in the opener of a three-game series versus the Yankees.

Boston added eight more runs in their final contest against New York to outscore its American League East rival by a 20-9 margin in the series before winning two of the last three games versus the Chicago White Sox. Dustin Pedroia highlighted his three-hit performance with a solo homer in a 7-3 triumph over the White Sox on Thursday and is batting .369 over his last 14 contests. New York will open its 10-game homestand looking to find its offense, as it dropped seven of its last eight - with 14 of its 20 runs coming in two of those outings. "It's kind of been the story of the season. We haven't hit, and it's not rocket science," first baseman Mark Teixeira told reporters after the Yankees' 1-0 loss to Baltimore in 10 innings on Thursday. "We just need to execute better."

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (5-0, 2.76 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Michael Pineda (1-3, 6.33)

Porcello struck out six for the second straight outing in Boston's lopsided win over New York on Saturday, raising his season total to 36 in 32 2/3 innings. Despite the impressive numbers, the sinkerballer told CSNNE.com that he's still interested in pitching to contact as his primary means of retiring batters. "I've never been a strikeout pitcher. When we get to two strikes then we'll take our shots," he said. "It’s really more mixing speeds, changing eye levels and just trying to induce contact to get quick outs."

While Porcello has enjoyed a memorable start to the 2016 season, Pineda dropped his third straight decision on Saturday despite yielding just two runs on five hits versus the Red Sox. The 27-year-old Dominican, who hasn't won since his season-opening start on April 6, tossed 106 pitches to labor through five innings in his last outing. As for positives, Pineda did keep the ball in the park though, after allowing four homers in his previous contest.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston LF Brock Holt went 4-for-10 with four runs scored and two RBIs during last weekend's series versus New York.

2. New York CF Jacoby Ellsbury had two doubles among his three hits versus his former team in last weekend's series.

3. Red Sox 1B Hanley Ramirez has nine RBIs and six runs scored during his nine-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 4, Yankees 2

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Dodgers at Blue Jays

Weather information is currently unavailable. 5-Day Forecast
GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (14-14) at Toronto Blue Jays (15-15)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 7:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Toronto Blue Jays look to extend their winning streak to four games as they continue their seven-game homestand with the opener of a three-game interleague series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. After having their home skid reach four contests with a 2-1 loss to Texas on Monday, the Blue Jays captured the final three of the four-game set - including a 12-2 thrashing on Thursday in which Edwin Encarnacion went 3-for-4 with six RBIs.

Kevin Pillar went 7-for-15 in the series with the Rangers and has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 contests. Los Angeles split a two-game set at Tampa Bay following a disastrous 1-6 homestand, outscoring the Rays by a 15-13 margin. The Dodgers are hoping Yasiel Puig is turning the corner at the plate, as the 25-year-old Cuban has posted back-to-back two-hit performances after recording just one hit in his previous five games. Los Angeles' Kenta Maeda will attempt to bounce back from the worst of his five career starts as he opposes Marcus Stroman, who is unbeaten on the season but owns a 4.95 ERA in three home outings.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (3-1, 1.41 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (4-0, 3.77)

Maeda is coming off his first major-league loss, a 5-3 setback against Miami on April 28 in which he yielded four runs and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old native of Osaka, Japan surrendered a total of one run with five walks and 23 strikeouts over 25 1/3 frames in his first four starts. Maeda has yet to allow a run on the road, giving up eight hits and one walk with 12 strikeouts and a .178 opponents' batting average over 12 1/3 innings in two outings.

Stroman has not been defeated since Sept. 15, 2014, winning all four of his starts last year after returning from the torn ACL he suffered during spring training and posted his fourth victory in as many decisions this season after allowing just one run and three hits while registering a career-high nine strikeouts in eight innings at Tampa Bay on Sunday - his 25th birthday. The native of Medford, New York has posted a 0.95 WHIP and held the opposition to a .191 average in six outings this year. Stroman never has faced Los Angeles but is 3-0 with a 0.98 ERA in five career games - two starts - against National League teams.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers 2B Howie Kendrick is expected to be the team's DH in the series opener.

2. Encarnacion has gone 5-for-8 with two homers and eight RBIs over his last two games.

3. Los Angeles has not faced Toronto since 2013 but is 9-6 in the all-time series.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Blue Jays 2

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Royals at Indians

Current Conditions - Cleveland

CLOUDY 48 °F
Wind: NE 9
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Kansas City Royals (14-13) at Cleveland Indians (13-12)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The defending world champion Kansas City Royals are pitching about the same as last season, but their offense has been letting them down. The Royals are tied for 13th in the American League in runs scored and look to begin turning things around after a 2-7 swoon when they visit the Cleveland Indians to begin a three-game series on Friday.


Kansas City was sixth in the AL in scoring a year ago and has managed to post just 90 runs in its first 27 games (14-13), matching Tampa Bay while sitting just one ahead of the New York Yankees. The Royals have scored two or fewer runs in six of their last nine games, and it won’t get any easier against Cleveland’s scheduled starter Danny Salazar, who will oppose Yordano Ventura. The Indians started their homestand with a three-game sweep of Detroit, getting three RBIs each from Michael Brantley and Mike Napoli in a 9-4 victory on Thursday. Napoli recorded six of his team-high 17 RBIs in the series while Brantley, who started the season on the disabled list after shoulder surgery, went 6-for-12 in the set.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Yordano Ventura (2-1, 3.67 ERA) vs. Indians RH Danny Salazar (2-2, 2.40)

Ventura is coming off his worst start of the season, a four-inning outing at Seattle in which he allowed five runs on three hits and six walks in a 6-0 loss. The 24-year-old Dominican gave up two runs or fewer in each of his previous four starts but has issued 20 walks in 27 frames. Carlos Santana is 6-for-18 with a pair of homers versus Ventura, who is 4-1 with a 2.62 ERA in seven career turns against Cleveland.

Salazar has permitted three or fewer runs in each of his starts, and two or fewer in four of the five, but still is winless in his last three outings. The 26-year-old Dominican, who has recorded 34 strikeouts in 30 innings, gave up two runs and three hits over seven frames in a loss at Philadelphia on Sunday. Eric Hosmer is 8-for-20 with two homers versus Salazar, who is 4-5 with a 4.64 ERA in nine career starts against the Royals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City SS Alcides Escobar is 9-for-17 with a pair of RBIs during his four-game hitting streak.

2. Cleveland C Chris Gimenez, who was acquired Wednesday from Texas after C Roberto Perez suffered a fractured thumb, homered in his first game Thursday.

3. The Royals won 10 of the 19 meetings between the AL Central rivals last season, including six of the 10 at Cleveland.

PREDICTION: Indians 3, Royals 2

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Rangers at Tigers

Current Conditions - Detroit

RAIN 49 °F
Wind: NE 13
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Texas Rangers (15-14) at Detroit Tigers (14-13)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Detroit Tigers parted with a pretty penny to acquire the services of Jordan Zimmermann in the offseason - and the right-hander has paid immediate dividends to begin the 2016 campaign. After earning American League Pitcher of the Month honors for April, Zimmermann hopes his good fortune extends into his first start in May as the Tigers open a three-game series versus the visiting Texas Rangers on Friday.

Signed to a five-year, $110 million deal, Zimmermann is attempting to becoming the first Detroit pitcher to win each of his first six starts of a season since George Uhle in 1929. The Tigers can sure use a strong outing from the right-hander after getting swept by AL Central-rival Cleveland for the second time in 2016. For its part, a lack of offense sent Texas tumbling to three straight losses to conclude a four-game road series versus Toronto. The Rangers have totaled just eight runs in their last four contests after averaging six in the previous five games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Cole Hamels (3-0, 3.30 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (5-0, 0.55)

After being scratched from a scheduled start due to a sore groin, Hamels kept his undefeated record intact on Sunday despite allowing four runs in a season-low five innings of a no-decision versus the Los Angeles Angels. The former World Series MVP is a blistering 10-1 in 17 regular-season starts since being acquired from Philadelphia last summer. Hamels, however, has struggled with his control of late as he yielded a season-high four walks and has allowed 15 free passes in 30 innings.

Zimmermann allowed one run on six hits in seven innings en route to a 4-1 victory over Minnesota on Saturday. The 29-year-old did not walk a batter for the first time this season, although the solo homer he allowed was the first time he has been taken deep in 2016. Prince Fielder had an RBI single in Texas' 12-2 setback to Toronto on Thursday and is the lone active member of his club to face Zimmermann in the majors, going 1-for-2.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit 3B Nick Castellanos belted a three-run homer in a 9-4 loss on Thursday to increase his RBI total to 12 in his last seven games.

2. Texas rookie RF Nomar Mazara is 9-for-29 during his seven-game hitting streak.

3. Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler is 21-for-56 with nine RBIs against Texas since being traded for Fielder following the 2013 season.

PREDICTION: Rangers 2, Tigers 1

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Brewers at Reds

Current Conditions - Cincinnati

P/SUNNY 75 °F
Wind: WSW 12
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (11-17) at Cincinnati Reds (12-17)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Cincinnati Reds look to make it three straight wins for the first time since the start of the season when they continue their four-game series against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. Cincinnati opened 2016 by sweeping a three-game set versus Philadelphia but has posted back-to-back victories for only the third time since, thanks to a 9-5 triumph over Milwaukee in Thursday's series opener.

Brandon Phillips joined Jay Bruce with a homer and three RBIs to improve to 6-for-15 with two blasts and four RBIs over his last four contests. Milwaukee has dropped two straight following a season-high three-game winning streak to start the month after ending April with four consecutive defeats. Ryan Braun is riding a five-game hitting streak after going 1-for-4 on Thursday but had his RBI run halted at four contests and hasn't homered in eight games. Friday's contest features a pair of pitchers seeking their first major-league victory as Milwaukee's Tyler Cravy squares off against Cincinnati's Tim Adleman, who will be making just his second career start.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Tyler Cravy (0-0, 3.18 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tim Adleman (0-0, 3.00)

Cravy returns to Milwaukee from Triple-A Colorado Springs to start in place of Wily Peralta, who was placed on the paternity list following the birth of his daughter. The 26-year-old Cravy allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings in five relief appearances last month after going 0-8 with a 5.70 ERA in 14 games (seven starts) last season - his first in the majors. The native of California went 0-1 while yielding four runs and eight hits over four frames in three relief outings versus Cincinnati in 2015.

Adleman made his major-league debut on Sunday in place of the injured Raisel Iglesias, allowing two runs and three hits over six innings of a no-decision at Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old native New Yorker posted a 2-0 record and 4.24 ERA in three starts for Triple-A Louisville prior to his recall. A 24th-round draft pick of Baltimore in 2010, Adleman never had pitched above Double-A prior to this year and spent two seasons in independent leagues after being released by the Orioles in 2012.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers OF Domingo Santana has been kept out of the starting lineup in three of the last four games due to discomfort behind his right shoulder.

2. Bruce has hit nine home runs in his last 21 games against the Brewers and has belted 34 versus Milwaukee over his career - his most against any team.

3. Milwaukee claimed RHP Michael Kirkman off waivers from San Diego after the 29-year-old allowed four runs and six hits over 1 1/3 innings in his lone relief appearance for the Padres this year.

PREDICTION: Reds 6, Brewers 4

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Phillies at Marlins

Weather information is currently unavailable. 5-Day Forecast
GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (16-13) at Miami Marlins (15-12)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Miami Marlins are riding an impressive power surge to win 10 of their last 11 games while the Philadelphia Phillies benefited from some better-than-expected pitching to emerge victorious in 10 of 12 before dropping their final two contests. The National League East rivals look to continue their ascent within the division on Friday when they open a three-game series in South Florida.

Christian Yelich went deep for the second time in three outings on Thursday as Miami extended its home run total to 17 in the last 11 contests by completing a sweep of Arizona. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton has six homers in his last 10 games and is 14-for-35 with 12 RBIs and nine runs scored in that span. While Miami extended its winning streak to three contests with a 4-0 triumph on Thursday night, Philadelphia was limited to just five hits in a 4-0 setback to St. Louis earlier in the afternoon. Leadoff batter Odubel Herrera has hit safely in four straight and 24 of 29 games this season for the Phillies.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (4-1, 1.44 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (2-1, 4.26)

Velasquez continued to fluster his opponents on Sunday by scattering two hits over six scoreless innings en route to a 2-1 victory over Cleveland. The 23-year-old has kept his foes' bats at bay as opponents are hitting just .164 against him. Velasquez has struggled with his control, however, issuing four walks versus the Indians and seven in his last two outings.

Chen has distanced himself from a disastrous opening day start, posting a 2-1 mark after allowing just 10 runs on 20 hits in 26 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old Taiwan native kept the ball in the park in his last outing versus Milwaukee on Saturday after permitting four homers over his previous four starts. Chen certainly enjoyed his lone career outing versus Philadelphia, against which he scattered four hits and struck out nine over eight scoreless innings to pick up the win.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia veteran 1B Ryan Howard is just 17-for-88 on the season, but his last three hits have left the park.

2. Miami 1B Justin Bour (finger) is expected to perform baseball activities on Friday and is listed as day-to-day by the team.

3. Phillies OF/1B Darin Ruf is 0-for-13 in his last five contests.

PREDICTION: Marlins 3, Phillies 1

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Diamondbacks at Braves

Current Conditions - Atlanta

P/SUNNY 83 °F
Wind: SW 14
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (12-18) at Atlanta Braves (7-20)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Atlanta Braves on Friday to open a three-game weekend set between two teams whose struggles on the field have placed their managers in the spotlight. The Diamondbacks have lost six in a row after Thursday’s 4-0 defeat at Miami as speculation has started on Chip Hale’s future at the helm for Arizona, while Atlanta skipper Fredi Gonzalez’s days seem numbered with the Braves off to a 7-20 start.

Arizona chief baseball officer Tony LaRussa did his part to reiterate Hale’s job is safe Thursday, citing a difficult early-season schedule in saying, “no, the issue is not Chip Hale.” Predicted to contend in the National League West, the Diamondbacks are 12-18 and their revamped starting rotation – highlighted by newcomers Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller, who start the opening two games this weekend – has struggled. Expectations were low for the Braves entering the season but Atlanta has been terrible, and despite going 3-4 on a seven-game road trip that ended with Wednesday’s 8-0 loss to the New York Mets, rampant speculation continues to swirl around Gonzalez. “We just haven’t done our job the first 27 games,” Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman told reporters late Wednesday, “and we need to get better at it.”

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (2-2, 5.50 ERA) vs. Braves RH Aaron Blair (0-1, 3.18)

Greinke pitched well Saturday against Colorado, giving up two runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts in seven innings in a no-decision. The 32-year-old has struggled with consistency in his first six starts with Arizona, allowing a league-high 47 hits in 37 2/3 innings after surrendering only 148 in 222 2/3 innings while going 19-3 for the Dodgers last season. Greinke is 1-1 with a 2.53 ERA in five career starts against Atlanta.

Blair has impressed in his first two major-league starts, no-hitting the Cubs Friday for four innings and allowing just two hits in six frames with one run allowed. He gave up three runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings in his major-league debut April 24 against the Mets, taking a 3-2 loss. The 23-year-old was a first-round pick of Arizona in the 2013 draft, coming to Atlanta from Arizona in the Shelby Miller trade on Dec. 9, 2015.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona INF-OF Brandon Drury went hitless in four at-bats Thursday, but is batting .358 with four homers, five doubles and seven RBIs in his past 13 games.

2. The Braves are a major-league worst 1-12 at home and have been outscored 75-40.

3. Atlanta RF Nick Markakis – who leads the Braves in batting (.281), doubles (11) and RBIs (20) – missed Wednesday’s game due to a family emergency, but is expected to return to the lineup Friday.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Braves 2

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Twins at White Sox

Current Conditions - Chicago

CLOUDY 51 °F
Wind: NE 12
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Minnesota Twins (8-20) at Chicago White Sox (19-10)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Mat Latos experienced his first bumpy start in his last turn and looks to recapture his early-season form when the Chicago White Sox open a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Friday. Latos gave up a total of only two runs while winning his first four starts of the season before being touched for four and 11 hits over five innings in a no-decision against Baltimore on Saturday.

Latos was at a crossroads in his career after going 4-10 with a 4.95 ERA while toiling for three different teams last season. There wasn't much interest in his services in the offseason, so he signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the White Sox in hopes of reviving his career. Chicago fell 7-3 to Boston on Thursday and has lost consecutive games after winning 11 of its previous 14, while the Twins (8-20) have dropped six of their last seven contests and are saddled with the American League's worst record. Minnesota's Joe Mauer has reached base in 28 consecutive games to open the season and is closing on the club mark of 33 set in 1982 by Kent Hrbek.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Ricky Nolasco (1-0, 4.05 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Mat Latos (4-0, 1.84)

Nolasco is coming off his worst outing of the season as he gave up five runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings while receiving a no-decision against Detroit on Sunday. He has surrendered four or more runs in three of his five starts and allowed just one in each of the other two. Nolasco is 1-2 with a 5.83 ERA in five career outings against the White Sox and has struggled to retire Dioner Navarro (7-for-15, one homer) and Melky Cabrera (9-for-22, one homer).

Latos has allowed 18 hits over his last two starts after giving up a total of six in his first three outings. One of the strong starts came on April 14, when he yielded one run and three hits over six innings in his lone career turn versus Minnesota. Latos is 2-0 with a 0.73 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in two home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox C Alex Avila (hamstring) is set to being a rehab stint at Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

2. The Twins have allowed 49 runs over their last seven games, including 16 in Wednesday's loss to Houston.

3. Chicago 3B Todd Frazier was hitless in three at-bats Thursday and is 0-for-14 over his last four games.

PREDICTION: White Sox 9, Twins 5

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Mariners at Astros

Weather information is currently unavailable. 5-Day Forecast
GAME: Seattle Mariners (17-11) at Houston Astros (10-19)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Seattle Mariners star Robinson Cano didn't record his 30th RBI last season until July 9, but he has reached that mark more than two months sooner this year. Cano drove in four runs in the Mariners' 6-3 victory over the host Houston Astros on Thursday to take over the major-league lead and attempts to remain hot when the American League West rivals meet again on Friday.

Cano has recorded five straight multi-hit performances, going 12-for-22 during the stretch. He is 8-for-17 against Houston this season after delivering a tiebreaking three-run double in the top of the ninth inning of the opener to make it nine wins in 11 games for the Mariners, who are 4-0 on their seven-game road trip. Houston had its first two-game winning streak of the season halted despite the hot bat of Jose Altuve, who recorded four hits - including his ninth homer - for the 13th time in his career. "That little second baseman (Altuve) is a pretty good player," Seattle manager Scott Servais told reporters. "It's not a good feeling to see him walking to the plate."

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle, Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Taijuan Walker (2-1, 1.80 ERA) vs. Astros RH Doug Fister (2-3, 4.60)

Walker matched his career high of 11 strikeouts while giving up one run and six hits over seven innings to defeat Houston on April 25. He is 5-1 with a 3.96 ERA in nine career starts against the Astros but is one of several Seattle pitchers to struggle against Altuve (8-for-22, one homer). Walker lost to Kansas City in his last turn, when he gave up three runs (two earned) and seven hits in five innings.

Fister issued a career-high seven walks when he was matched against Walker and lost to his former team in Seattle on April 25. He gave up three runs and four hits in six innings to fall to 2-1 with a 2.93 ERA in four career starts versus the Mariners. Fister bounced back to defeat Oakland in his last outing as he gave up one run and seven hits in 6 2/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Altuve has hit six leadoff homers this season - tying the Astros' record set by Hall-of-Famer Craig Biggio in 2006.

2. Seattle 3B Kyle Seager has produced three consecutive two-hit performances and has gone 10-for-25 during his six-game hitting streak to inch his batting average up to .202.

3. Houston recalled LF Jake Marisnick from Triple-A Fresno and optioned RHP Michael Feliz to the same club.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Astros 3

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Pirates at Cardinals

Weather information is currently unavailable. 5-Day Forecast
GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (15-13) at St. Louis Cardinals (15-14)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Pittsburgh Pirates were sandblasted in a three-game sweep at the hands of the National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs and must try to regroup against another division opponent that appears to be finding its stride. The Pirates, losers of four in a row, open a three-game series at the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

Pittsburgh had won six in a row prior to its skid but was outscored 20-5 in the mauling by visiting Chicago to fall six games behind the Cubs. "It's disappointing to get swept but we're good about getting past things," Pirates outfielder Josh Harrison told reporters after Wednesday's 6-2 setback. "We came in, took a shower and now we're moving on." The Cardinals were in a tailspin of their own, dropping four straight before taking three of four from Philadelphia, including their first walk-off win of the season. St. Louis right-hander Carlos Martinez opposes Pittsburgh left-hander Francisco Liriano, who dominated the Cardinals as part of a season-opening three-game sweep.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Francisco Liriano (2-1, 3.86 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (4-1, 2.60)

Liriano had been in a funk since striking out 10 over six scoreless innings against the Cardinals on April 3, giving up 11 runs and surrendering five homers while going 0-1 over his next three starts - all on the road. The 32-year-old Dominican bounced back with a strong effort last time out, limiting Cincinnati to one run on five hits over 6 2/3 innings. Liriano is 6-2 with a 2.40 ERA in 13 starts versus St. Louis and has stymied leadoff hitter Matt Carpenter (5-for-28).

Martinez struck out a season-high eight over 6 2/3 innings but suffered his first loss last time out against Washington, permitting four runs on seven hits, including two homers. He turned in a pair of stellar efforts in his previous two turns, giving up a combined one run on six hits in victories over Arizona and the Cubs. Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco (8-for-13) has tormented Martinez, who is 2-3 with a 4.71 ERA in 14 appearances (five starts) versus the Pirates.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals RF Stephen Piscotty is riding a four-game hitting streak and has 11 RBIs in his last 11 contests.

2. Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen was 5-for-11 in last month's sweep of St. Louis.

3. Cardinals 1B Matt Adams, 8-for-19 in his last seven games, is day-to-day after banging his knee and exiting Thursday's 4-0 victory.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Pirates 3

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Rays at Angels

Current Conditions - Anaheim

M/CLOUDY 67 °F
Wind: S 9
5-Day Forecast

TONIGHT	TOMORROW	TOMORROW	SATURDAY	SUNDAY	MONDAY
High: 71°F Low: 52°F	High: 73°F Low: 54°F	High: 73°F Low: 54°F	High: 71°F Low: 55°F	High: 73°F Low: 53°F	High: 77°F Low: 52°F

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (12-14) at Los Angeles Angels (13-15)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Star center fielder Mike Trout is heating up and that alone is enough to boost the hopes of the Los Angeles Angels as they return home from a 2-4 road trip. Trout looks to continue his red-hot tear when the Angels kick off a six-game homestand Friday with the first of three against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Trout was 8-for-18 with nine RBIs over the final four games of Los Angeles' trek and has six homers and 18 RBIs while hitting safely in 13 of the past 14 contests. "He's locked in, man," Angels pitcher Hector Santiago said of Trout. "He's unbelievable. And you can tell. He's hitting the ball over the wall, he's on base all the time, he's driving in guys. You can definitely tell when he's hot." Tampa Bay's sputtering offense produced four homers Wednesday to earn a two-game split with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the Rays now begin a brutal stretch with 14 of their next 17 games on the road. Chris Archer gives Tampa Bay an edge on the mound in the series opener after the Angels scratched scheduled starter Garrett Richards.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (1-4, 5.01 ERA) vs. Angels RH Cory Rasmus (0-1, 4.40)

Richards did not throw his planned bullpen session in Milwaukee, saying he still felt "fatigued" after leaving his last start due to dehydration and cramping. Rasmus has made all eight appearances out of the bullpen, the longest being 3 2/3 innings, so Angels manager Mike Scioscia will likely be forced to also use fellow relievers A.J. Achter and Jose Alvarez. Rasmus, who made six starts in 2014, is 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in four relief appearances versus the Rays.

Archer is turning things around after losing his first four starts and failing to go beyond 5 1/3 innings in any of them. Although he walked four batters, he permitted only one hit - a two-run homer -- over six innings in a no-decision against Toronto on Saturday after striking out 10 over 6 2/3 innings versus Baltimore in his previous turn. Trout has four hits in 13 at-bats against Archer, who is 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA in five career starts against Los Angeles.

OVERTIME

1. Los Angeles' starting pitchers have failed to go at least six innings in seven straight games.

2. Rays 1B Steve Pearce was 4-for-8 with two homers versus the Dodgers, but DH Corey Dickerson is hitless in the last seven games (0-for-20).

3. The Angels on Friday are expected to activate OF Daniel Nava, who is 6-for-12 against Archer.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Angels 3

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Rockies at Giants

Current Conditions - San Francisco

SUNNY 72 °F
Wind: NW 12
5-Day Forecast
GAME: Colorado Rockies (14-14) at San Francisco Giants (15-15)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 10:15 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

San Francisco second baseman Joe Panik and right fielder Hunter Pence might return to action Friday when the Giants continue their four-game series against the visiting Colorado Rockies, but Vin Mazzaro likely will be unavailable. The beleaguered Giants reliever recorded one out while yielding nine runs (seven earned) in Thursday’s 17-7 loss as Colorado set a team record with 13 runs in the lengthy fifth inning.

The Giants don’t expect left fielder Angel Pagan (hamstring) to return this weekend, but Pence (back) and Panik (strained groin) hope to play Friday against the Rockies, who moved into a three-way tie atop the National League West with the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers with Thursday’s victory. Panik reached base safely in 15 straight games before missing the past week for the Giants, who could use a strong outing from ace Madison Bumgarner after Matt Cain lasted just four innings in Thursday’s rout. Bumgarner might be advised to tread lightly around Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, who continued his dominance of the Giants with his major-league leading 12th home run, three runs scored and three RBI in the series opener. Arenado homered six times at AT&T Park last season and is batting .307 with 17 home runs in 54 career games against the Giants.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Chad Bettis (3-1, 3.89 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (3-2, 3.03)

Bettis turned in his fourth quality start of the season Sunday by allowing three runs with four strikeouts and no walks over six innings in a 6-3 win over Arizona. “He was pounding the strike zone all day,” manager Walt Weiss told reporters. “He did an outstanding job. He’s done that pretty much every time out.” Brandon Belt is 7-for-12 against Bettis, who is 2-3 with a 5.16 ERA in eight career appearances (four starts) against San Francisco.

Bumgarner earned his second straight victory Sunday as the 2014 World Series MVP struck out seven over six shutout innings against the Mets. The Giants are 14-8 in his starts against Colorado, including an 8-2 record at AT&T Park. Carlos Gonzalez is 16-for-46 with five home runs against Bumgarner, who is 11-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 22 career outings against the Rockies while limiting second baseman DJ LeMahieu to three hits in 22 at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado C Nick Hundley suffered an oblique strain before Thursday’s game and is listed as day-to-day.

2. The Giants are 12-6 in games started by Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija but 3-9 in games started by Jake Peavy and Matt Cain.

3. The Rockies have won three of the first four meetings against the Giants this season by a 40-26 margin.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Rockies 2

[Satch]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 5/6

Preview: Mets at Padres

Weather information is currently unavailable. 5-Day Forecast Weather information is currently unavailable.

GAME: New York Mets (17-10) at San Diego Padres (12-17)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 06 - 10:40 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The San Diego Padres cooled off New York in the opener of a four-game set and look to post another victory over the visiting Mets in Friday's encounter. New York had won 13 of 16 games before being mesmerized by San Diego right-hander Colin Rea, who didn't allow a hit until two outs in the seventh inning and took a shutout into the ninth before needing bullpen help to finish off a 5-3 victory.

Rea gave up three hits and departed after right fielder Curtis Granderson slugged a leadoff homer in the ninth, and New York made things interesting when red-hot center fielder Yoenis Cespedes hit a two-run blast off reliever Brad Hand. San Diego reclamation project Fernando Rodney retired the final two hitters for his seventh consecutive save and the 39-year old, who lost his closer's job with the Seattle Mariners last season, has yet to allow an earned run in 11 appearances this season. The Padres have won five of their last seven games as they continue to attempt to recover from a poor start. The Mets (17-10) have the fourth-best record in the majors but trail the Washington Nationals by 1 1/2-games in the National League East.

TV: 10:40 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (2-1, 2.51 ERA) vs. Padres LH Drew Pomeranz (2-3, 2.48)

Syndergaard lost his last outing when he allowed four runs and five hits in 5 2/3 against the San Francisco Giants. He has given up seven runs in his last two starts after allowing just two total runs in his first three turns. Syndergaard is 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts against the Padres and has struck out 19 in 12 innings.

Pomeranz lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers despite a stellar outing in which he gave up one run and three hits in seven innings. The Padres were blanked 1-0 by Clayton Kershaw, marking the second time in five starts that Pomeranz was on the wrong end of a shutout defeat. Pomeranz lasted just four innings in his one career start against the Mets, giving up two runs (one earned) and five hits on April 27, 2012, as a member of the Colorado Rockies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cespedes has eight homers and 24 RBIs over his last 15 games.

2. San Diego C Derek Norris went 3-for-3 with a homer in the opener after being 3-for-38 over his previous 11 games.

3. New York 2B Neil Walker was hitless in four at-bats Thursday and is 0-for-13 over the past four games.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Padres 2