MLB Betting Info - Friday 4/15

[NewYorkKnight]

Toronto Blue Jays (5-5) at Boston Red Sox (4-4)

DATE/TIME: Friday, April 15 - 7:10 PM EST

WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts



The Boston Red Sox were at their best offensively in a three-game series at Toronto last weekend and are hoping the bats come to life again when they host the Blue Jays in the opener of a four-game series on Friday. The Red Sox dropped two of three on their homestand-opening series against Baltimore but took the finale to climb back to .500.

Boston has received two quality starts from the rotation in the first eight games and got a much-needed break for the bullpen with Thursday’s off day. The relief corps has been solid despite its extended use, and five relievers helped close out Wednesday’s 4-2 win after starter Joe Kelly needed 116 pitches to get through five innings. That suspect staff is still searching for a way to retire reigning MVP Josh Donaldson, who went 5-for-13 with two home runs, five RBIs and five runs scored in the series last weekend. Donaldson continued his torrid pace and extended his hitting streak to 10 games to begin the season by delivering a go-ahead, three-run blast in Thursday’s 4-2 victory over the Yankees, which also extended his streak to seven straight contests with at least one run scored.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (1-1, 8.10 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (1-0, 6.00)

Dickey was a victim of Boston’s offense last Saturday, when he surrendered seven runs – six earned – on eight hits and a pair of walks in five innings to absorb the loss. The veteran knuckleballer did record nine strikeouts in the setback and has 12 in 10 total innings on the season. Dickey’s rough start last weekend came on the heels of a 2015 campaign that saw him go 0-3 with a 4.62 ERA in six starts against the division-rival Red Sox.

Porcello was the beneficiary of Dickey’s tough outing on Saturday and ended up with the win despite yielding a pair of two-run homers to Jose Bautista among seven hits. The New Jersey native struck out seven and walked one in those six innings and worked through his final three frames scoreless after the early trouble with Bautista. Porcello is 5-7 with a 5.35 ERA in 13 career games – 12 starts – against Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox placed 3B Pablo Sandoval (shoulder) on the 15-day DL and optioned OF Rusney Castillo to Triple-A Pawtucket.

2. Bautista has 21 home runs in 56 career games at Fenway Park.

3. Boston RF Mookie Betts is 7-for-14 with four RBIs and four runs scored in his last three contests after going 1-for-13 in the three-game series at Toronto.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 5

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Chicago White Sox (7-2) at Tampa Bay Rays (3-6)

DATE/TIME: Friday, April 15 - 7:10 PM EST

WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida



The Chicago White Sox look to extend their winning streak to five and continue a strong start to the season when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday to begin a three-game set. The White Sox, who opened last season 0-4, finished a sweep of the slumping Minnesota Twins with a 3-1 victory on Thursday and have allowed just six runs in their last five victories.

Chicago (7-2), which will send All-Star left-hander Chris Sale to the mound Friday, has been led by solid pitching and the offense has produced when needed with leadoff batter Adam Eaton setting the table well with 13 hits in eight games. The White Sox hope to take advantage of the offensively challenged Rays, who have dropped four of their last five while managing 10 runs in that span. Tampa Bay was held to one run over the past two games against Cleveland, falling to 3-6 overall, and manager Kevin Cash told reporters, “It looked like guys are frustrated, and that’s OK to be frustrated.” The Rays look to turn things around with right-hander Jake Odorizzi taking the mound and will likely sit struggling left-handed hitters Logan Morrison (2-for-29) and Brad Miller (2-for-26) against Sale.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Chris Sale (2-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (0-1, 3.86)

Sale has gotten enough offensive support to win his first two starts while allowing three runs in each with 13 hits given up in 14 total innings. The 27-year-old Lakeland, Fla. native has struggled in his career against the Rays, going 2-4 with a 4.62 ERA in eight appearances (six starts). Steve Pearce is 3-for-9 versus Sale, who went 13-11 with a 3.41 ERA in 2015 after an outstanding 12-4 season in 2014.

Odorizzi has given his team a chance to win in his first two starts, allowing one earned run over 5 2/3 innings before the Rays rallied for a 3-2 victory in his season debut and giving up four in six frames last time out. The 26-year-old Illinois native has 14 strikeouts and just two walks in his first two turns. Odorizzi permitted four runs in 4 1/3 innings in his lone career start against the White Sox to take the loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rays won five of six games against the White Sox last season, including a three-game sweep at home.

2. Chicago 1B Jose Abreu is batting .354 with five homers, 18 RBIs, 17 hits and seven walks in 13 career games against the Rays.

3. Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria has hit safely in seven of nine games this season with two homers and five RBIs.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, White Sox 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

New York Mets (3-5) at Cleveland Indians (4-3)

DATE/TIME: Friday, April 15 - 7:10 PM EST

WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio



Bartolo Colon takes the mound in the place he started his major league career in 1997 when his struggling New York Mets visit the Cleveland Indians on Friday to start a three-game interleague series. The 42-year-old Colon has accumulated 218 victories, including 75 with the Indians from 1997-2002, and hopes to help the Mets snap out of an early funk.

New York’s pitching staff has kept the team in games during a 3-5 start, but the Mets are batting .194 and averaging 2.5 runs per game after ending a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over Miami on Wednesday. “We’ve gotten off to a slow start,” New York manager Terry Collins told reporters. “It happens. … There’s a lot of teams that get off to great starts and falter.” The Indians have yet to lose a series and won their first by outscoring the Tampa Bay Rays 10-1 in two straight victories the past two days. Cody Anderson opposes Colon after veteran Marlon Byrd belted his first homer for the team in a 6-0 triumph on Thursday afternoon as Cleveland improved to 4-3.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Bartolo Colon (0-1, 1.23 ERA) vs. Indians RH Cody Anderson (0-0, 3.00)

Colon pitched six solid innings in his first start of the season last Saturday in a loss to Philadelphia, permitting one run on five hits with seven strikeouts. The 42-year-old from the Dominican Republic has not walked anyone in 7 1/3 innings this season, including a brief relief stint, and issued just 24 bases on balls in 194 2/3 frames in 2015. Byrd is 6-for-14 with two homers versus Colon, who is 6-4 against his former club.

Anderson allowed two runs on six hits in six innings last Saturday without factoring in the decision as the Indians lost at the Chicago White Sox 7-3 to begin his second major league campaign. The 25-year-old Californian went 7-3 (4-1 at home) with a 3.05 ERA in 15 starts last season – none of them against the Mets. Anderson, who was a 14th round pick by Cleveland in 2011, has just 46 strikeouts in his first 16 major league games.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland OF-INF Jose Ramirez has produced multiple hits in three of the five games he has played in this season.

2. New York OF Curtis Granderson is off to the worst start among the team’s regulars, going 3-for-31.

3. The teams met for a three-game interleague series in 2013 with the Indians taking two of three at home.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Mets 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Atlanta Braves (0-9) at Miami Marlins (3-4)

DATE/TIME: Friday, April 15 - 7:10 PM EST

WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida



The Atlanta Braves expected to take a step back this season in order to take steps forward in the future, but they don’t expect to go winless. The Braves will try to become the last team to earn its first victory when they visit the Miami Marlins in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.

Atlanta traded away or released most of its veterans and is having some trouble pushing runs across while its best hitter – first baseman Freddie Freeman – struggles through a 2-for-25 slump to begin the season. The Braves gave Freeman the day off on Thursday and fell 6-2 at Washington, giving them a total of three runs scored in the last three games. The Marlins only have seven games under their belts so far but have totaled seven more runs (31 to 24) than 0-9 Atlanta. Miami’s bats fell silent in a 2-1 loss to New York on Wednesday, but Christian Yelich has hit safely in each of the first seven games and Martin Prado is batting .417 with the two sandwiched around slugger Giancarlo Stanton in the lineup.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Williams Perez (0-0, 7.71 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (0-0, 9.00)

Perez actually received some run support from his offense on Sunday against St. Louis but could not find a way to earn a win while surrendering four runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Venezuela native allowed three hits and walked three while striking out four. Perez made one start against Miami in his 2015 rookie campaign and was knocked around for six runs – four earned – on nine hits in five innings to suffer the loss.

Chen started against Detroit on Apr. 5 and took a comebacker off the elbow while getting knocked around for five runs and nine hits. The Marlins elected to push back the Taiwan native’s next start and protect their investment after signing him to a five-year, $80 million contract as a free agent over the winter. Chen made one start against Atlanta as a member of the Baltimore Orioles and twirled a seven-inning gem, scattering six hits without allowing a run in the win.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Marlins claimed LHP Eric Jokisch off waivers from the Cubs and designated RHP Scott McGough for assignment.

2. One more loss would tie Atlanta’s franchise mark for worst start (0-10 in 1988).

3. Miami 2B Dee Gordon is 1-for-10 with five strikeouts in the last two games.

PREDICTION: Marlins 7, Braves 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Baltimore Orioles (7-2) at Texas Rangers (6-5)

DATE/TIME: Friday, April 15 - 8:05 PM EST

WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas



The Baltimore Orioles' red-hot bats have cooled a bit as they've followed a franchise-best 7-0 start by scoring just five runs in back-to-back losses. The Orioles look to snap their modest skid and even their four-game series with the host Texas Rangers when the clubs meet on Friday at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Offseason acquisition Mark Trumbo belted his third homer in four games in Baltimore's 6-3 setback against Texas on Thursday and is 4-for-9 with one blast in his career versus Friday starter Martin Perez. While the Orioles were hot from the start, the Rangers have heated up with five wins in their last seven contests. Elvis Andrus recorded an RBI single on Thursday as Texas claimed its seventh win in eight meetings with Baltimore and is 6-for-11 with three runs scored in his last three contests. Adrian Beltre is riding a team-best seven-game hitting streak and has reached safely in all but one game this season.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Vance Worley (0-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (0-1, 3.65)

Worley's season debut on Sunday was hardly a thing of beauty, but he was in line for the victory as he allowed three runs and seven hits before being pulled with two outs in the fifth inning versus Tampa Bay. The 28-year-old was limited to just 79 pitches in that contest but expects a longer outing on Friday. Worley had a better showing in his lone appearance against Texas on April 25, 2013, permitting two runs and six hits over five innings of a losing effort.

Perez struggled with his control in his second straight start on Sunday, following up his four-walk performance in his initial outing with five more free passes in a 3-1 setback against the Los Angeles Angels. The 25-year-old Venezuelan didn't walk a batter in his last encounter with Baltimore, retiring the first 14 hitters he faced before allowing a three-run homer. Perez overcame a bit of turbulence to pick up the win and improve to 2-1 lifetime versus the Orioles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas rookie RF Nomar Mazara recorded two hits in the series opener to improve to 8-for-20 (.400) with three RBIs and three runs scored in five contests this season.

2. Baltimore 3B Manny Machado is riding a season-opening nine-game hitting streak.

3. Rangers 2B Rougned Odor highlighted a five-run sixth inning on Thursday with a two-run double - his fourth two-base hit in the last four contests.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Rangers 4

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Los Angeles Angels (5-4) at Minnesota Twins (0-9)

DATE/TIME: Friday, April 15 - 8:10 PM EST

WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota



The Los Angeles Angels have overcome a slow start with four consecutive wins and look to record another victory when they visit the struggling Minnesota Twins in Friday's opener of a three-game series. The Angels have allowed just seven runs during their winning streak while winless Minnesota has scored just 14 runs in its first nine games.

The Twins continued their worst start since 1904 - when they were known as the Washington Senators and lost 13 straight - with a 3-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. "It's getting harder to kind of come up with words. It's kind of the repetitive story day to day," Twins manager Paul Molitor told reporters afterward. "We're just trying to find a way to put some numbers on the board offensively, but it's just not happening right now." Los Angeles is receiving stellar production from right fielder Kole Calhoun, who has been moved from leadoff to the middle of the order this season and is 5-of-9 over the past two games. "I thought at some point maybe it would happen, I never really thought about it to be honest with you." Calhoun, who is batting. 387, told reporters. "Just go out and play. I never wrote my own lineup, so it kind of is what it is. There's a lot of spots in the order that are fun to hit, and right now, hitting in the middle of the order is a blast."

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Garrett Richards (0-2, 3.86 ERA) vs. Twins LH Tommy Milone (0-1, 3.86)

Richards dropped his first two starts of the season despite striking out 13 in 11 2/3 innings. He lost to the Texas Rangers in his last turn when he gave up four runs (two earned) and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. Richards is 2-1 with a 2.52 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against Minnesota and has served up two homers to third baseman Trevor Plouffe in seven at-bats.

Milone lost his lone start of the season as he gave up four runs (two earned) and four hits in 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the Kansas City Royals last Saturday. He is 6-2 in 11 career starts against the Angels despite a high ERA of 4.55 and a 1.48 WHIP. Milone has been hit hard by designated hitter Albert Pujols, who is 9-for-22 with seven doubles against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels went 12-2 against the Twins over the previous two seasons.

2. Minnesota CF Byron Buxton (bruised left hand) departed Thursday after being hit by a pitch - X-rays were negative and he is considered day-to-day.

3. Los Angeles CF Mike Trout went 3-for-5 with three runs scored in Wednesday's 5-1 victory over Oakland after being just 5-for-27 over the first eight games.

PREDICTION: Angels 4, Twins 0

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Detroit Tigers (6-2) at Houston Astros (3-7)

DATE/TIME: Friday, April 15 - 8:10 PM EST

WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas



Home cookin' never tasted so good for Dallas Keuchel, who won all 15 of his decisions and posted a 1.46 ERA in 18 starts at Minute Maid Park last season. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner looks to continue his success at home on Friday when the Houston Astros host the Detroit Tigers in the opener of a three-game series.

The misfiring Astros are in need of any semblance of good news after suffering their third straight loss and seventh in nine outings with a 6-2 setback to Kansas City on Thursday. Two-time AL hits leader Jose Altuve has rebounded from a 5-for-24 start by going 8-for-17 with two homers, three doubles, four RBIs and six runs scored in his last four outings. Detroit's offense is clicking on all cylinders, scoring at least four runs in every outing this season and totaling 22 to win the final three contests of a four-game home-and-home set versus Pittsburgh. Ian Kinsler continued his stellar start to the campaign by recording his fifth multi-hit performance and is 7-for-22 (.318) with a homer in his career versus Keuchel.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Mike Pelfrey (0-1, 14.73 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (1-1, 3.55)

Pelfrey followed his strong performance in spring training by matching the cold temperatures in his season debut on Saturday, allowing six runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the New York Yankees. The 32-year-old was quick to take the blame after falling behind in the count early and often, telling MLive.com that he "was all over the place. I didn't do a whole lot of things to be successful." Pelfrey struggled out of the blocks in his last encounter with the Astros, getting blitzed for seven runs on eight hits in four innings to suffer the loss while pitching for Minnesota.

Although Keuchel split his first two road contests this season, the one common theme centered around his control issues. The 28-year-old allowed four walks in a 5-3 victory over the Yankees on April 5 before matching a career high with six free passes in 5 2/3 innings of a 3-2 setback to Milwaukee on Sunday. Keuchel had no issues taming the Tigers in his dominating home stretch last season, allowing just one run and striking out eight in seven frames in a 5-1 win on Aug. 14.

WALK-OFFS

1. With Detroit lining up RHPs Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez this weekend, Houston will have yet to face a left-handed starter in 13 games this season.

2. Houston SS Carlos Correa has five hits and three RBIs in his last four games.

3. The Tigers (4-0) are one of just four teams with a perfect road record.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, Astros 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Cincinnati Reds (5-4) at St. Louis Cardinals (5-4)

DATE/TIME: Friday, April 15 - 8:15 PM EST

WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri



The St. Louis Cardinals have managed to swing their way out of an early-season slump and look to continue the momentum when they host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday in the opener of their three-game series. Conversely, the Reds will try to regain their equilibrium after getting wiped out in a three-game sweep by the Chicago Cubs.

The Cardinals opened the season by getting swept in a three-game set at Pittsburgh, but they have amassed 52 runs in winning five of their last six contests. St. Louis piled up 20 extra-base hits in taking two of three from Milwaukee and now prepares to face a club against which it went 12-7 in 2015. Cincinnati won five of its first six to open the season before it was blungeoned in three games at Chicago, getting outscored 17-3 in the final two. Tim Melville makes his second career start for the Reds and will be opposed by Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN Midwest Plus (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Tim Melville (0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (1-0, 3.00)


Called up from the minors to make his major-league debut, Melville survived a 37-pitch first inning and last four frames against Pittsburgh, allowing one run on a solo homer among five hits while striking out five and walking four. Once listed among the top high school prospects nationally, the 26-year-old Melville underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012. Melville went 7-10 with a 4.63 ERA for Detroit's Triple-A affiliate in Toledo last year.

Martinez received plenty of run support and wasn't overly taxed in his season debut, picking up the victory by limiting Atlanta to two runs and four hits over six innings while striking out five and walking three. The 24-year-old Dominican blossomed in his first full season as a starter in 2015, compiling a 14-7 record and 3.01 ERA while striking out 184 in 179 2/3 frames. Martinez was 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA in three starts versus the Reds last season, limiting Jay Bruce to one hit in 12 at-bats.

WALK-OFFS


1. Cardinals CF Randal Grichuk was 5-for-10 with one homer, five RBIs and five runs scored versus Milwaukee.

2. Reds SS Zack Cozart (quadriceps) expects to return to the lineup after sitting out the last two games.

3. St. Louis rookie RF Jeremy Hazelbaker is riding an eight-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 7, Reds 4

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Kansas City Royals (7-2) at Oakland Athletics (4-6)

DATE/TIME: Friday, April 15 - 10:05 PM EST

WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California



The Kansas City Royals are looking every bit like reigning world champions as they continue their seven-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics on Friday. Kansas City split its season-opening two-game set with the New York Mets before sweeping a three-game series with Minnesota and taking three of four in Houston to begin its trek.

Mike Moustakas leads the Royals with three home runs and has produced three two-hit performances while hitting safely in seven of his last eight games after going 0-for-8 in his first two contests. The Athletics are hoping to reverse their fortunes at home, as they own a 1-6 record at Oakland Coliseum after suffering a three-game sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels. The club is off to its worst start at home since 2001, when it lost nine of its first 10 games, but Marcus Semien is batting .389 (7-for-18) at the Coliseum and belted three home runs in the last two contests against the Angels. Oakland scored only six runs in its series with Los Angeles and now will have to contend with Edinson Volquez, who allowed a total of two over his first two starts of the year, as it counters with veteran journeyman Rich Hill.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Edinson Volquez (1-0, 1.54 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Rich Hill (1-1, 3.12)

After yielding just two hits over six scoreless innings in a win over the Mets in his season debut, Volquez surrendered eight in 5 2/3 frames against Minnesota on Sunday. The 32-year-old Dominican allowed only two runs, however, and struck out 10 without issuing a walk but did not factor in the decision. Volquez has limited Oakland to a .213 batting average in four career starts but is 2-2 with a 1.18 WHIP.

Hill also is coming off a 10-strikeout performance as he allowed one run on five hits and a walk over six innings en route to a victory at Seattle on Saturday. The 36-year-old Boston native, who will be making just his seventh major-league start since 2009, lasted only 2 2/3 frames versus the Chicago White Sox in his season debut as he was reached for four runs (two earned). Hill has yet to lose to Kansas City, going 2-0 despite posting a 5.91 ERA in 11 career contests (two starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals LF Alex Gordon has had 30 at-bats and has been retired 22 times — 14 via the strikeout.

2. Oakland 2B Jed Lowrie leads the team with seven RBIs despite recording only one extra-base hit — a double — in 10 games.

3. Kansas City won five of its six meetings with Oakland last season.

PREDICTION: Royals 6, Athletics 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

San Francisco Giants (6-4) at Los Angeles Dodgers (6-4)

DATE/TIME: Friday, April 15 - 10:10 PM EST

WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California



Madison Bumgarner and Clayton Kershaw face off for the second time in less than a week and ninth time overall Friday as the San Francisco Giants visit the Los Angeles Dodgers for the start of a three-game series. Bumgarner homered off the Dodgers’ ace for the second time in his career Saturday as the Giants won 3-2 in 10 innings.

The Giants enter the series bruised and battered after losing two of three in Colorado and will be without reliever Sergio Romo for at least the next three weeks because of a right flexor strain. Second baseman Joe Panik and shortstop Brandon Crawford are each battling hip injuries but could be in the starting lineup Friday, while reserve infielder Ehire Adrianza is listed as day-to-day with a left foot injury. The Dodgers followed a series-opening loss to Arizona with two straight wins and continue to experiment with different lineups. Howie Kendrick has played second base, third base and left field over the last three games while catcher Austin Barnes made a rare start at second base in Thursday’s 5-2 comeback win over the Diamondbacks.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (1-0, 3.27 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 1.20)

Bumgarner tossed six innings of one-run ball against Los Angeles on Saturday and is 13-7 with a 2.41 ERA in 23 career games (22 starts) against the Dodgers. Enrique Hernandez is 7-for-13 with a home run against the three-time All-Star, who is 4-2 with a 2.45 ERA in his previous eight meetings against Kershaw. Bumgarner has been especially tough at Dodger Stadium, where he went 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA in two starts last season.

Kershaw received a no-decision Saturday against the Giants despite allowing two runs on four hits in eight innings. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is 16-7 with a 1.57 ERA in 31 career starts against the Giants, including six complete games and five shutouts. Kershaw has dominated San Francisco regulars such as Crawford (1-for-21), first baseman Brandon Belt (3-for-40 with 22 strikeouts) and right fielder Hunter Pence, who has five hits in 58 at-bats along with 16 strikeouts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez has reached base safely in each of the team’s first 10 games.

2. The Giants were 11-8 against the Dodgers last season and won three of four last week at AT&T Park.

3. The Dodgers placed RHP Chris Hatcher on the paternity list and recalled LHP Adam Liberatore from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Giants 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Arizona Diamondbacks (3-7) at San Diego Padres (3-7)

DATE/TIME: Friday, April 15 - 10:40 PM EST

WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California



Struggling Arizona ace Zack Greinke would appear to have an excellent chance to get untracked Friday as the Diamondbacks head to San Diego to begin a three-game series against the light-hitting Padres. Greinke signed a six-year, $206.5 million contract in December but opened the season by losing back-to-back starts for the first time since August 2014.

Greinke is 6-1 with a sterling 1.56 ERA in 12 career starts against San Diego, which has dropped three straight while becoming the first team in major league history to be shut out five times in their first 10 games. “I think it’s time for adjustments,” Padres manager Andy Green told reporters. “You can talk about whatever sample size you want to talk about; it’s time for us to make mental and physical adjustments in the box and just refuse to get beat. It’s just time for us to get it done.” Arizona dropped two of three against the Dodgers but continue to be encouraged by the play of rookie center fielder Socrates Brito, who raised his average to .304 with two hits in Thursday’s 5-2 loss. Brito has been sharing time in center with the versatile Chris Owings, who has struggled both offensively and defensively early this season.

TV: 10:40 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (0-2, 9.90 ERA) vs. Padres RH James Shields (0-2, 4.85)

Greinke followed up his rough Diamondbacks debut against Colorado by yielding four runs over six innings Saturday in a 4-2 loss to the Cubs. “Too many mistakes, getting hit early and then started pitching better later,” Greinke told reporters. “I’ve got to start pitching better here on out.” Melvin Upton is 4-for-31 with 18 strikeouts against the 32-year-old, who was 9-2 with a 1.88 ERA in 15 road starts last season while pitching for the Dodgers.

Shields was tagged with his second consecutive loss to open the season Sunday after yielding four runs over seven frames at Colorado. The 34-year-old allowed three homers in the contest, including back-to-back shots to Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado in the first inning. Paul Goldschmidt is 4-for-8 with a home run against Shields, who is 3-3 with a 5.30 ERA in six career starts against Arizona, including 2-2 with a 4.97 ERA in four outings last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona closer Brad Ziegler has six saves and a 1.06 ERA in his last 16 games against the Padres.

2. San Diego SS Alexei Ramirez is hitting .176 with no extra-base hits in 34 at-bats.

3. Diamondbacks INF Jean Segura is 12-for-34 during his nine-game hitting streak against San Diego.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Padres 4

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Alex Avila is starting at catcher and batting eighth for the White Sox in Friday's game against the Rays.

Dioner Navarro and Avila have rotated the catching duties evenly in the early going this season. Avila has three hits in his first 17 at-bats.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Mets - Yoenis Cespedes, Knee - is in the starting lineup Friday (4/15) at Cleveland

 

[NewYorkKnight]

The under has gone 9-0 in Twins games this year ...


which helps explain why 66% of bettors are taking the under tonight

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Devin Mesoraco (quad) remained out of the Reds' lineup Friday.

Mesoraco had hoped to be ready for this one, but he'll miss a third straight game with a sore right quad. Tucker Barnhart is behind the dish in his place.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Michael Conforto is starting in left field and batting third for the Mets in Friday's game against the Indians.

Conforto has been in the sixth spot all season, but the Mets are switching things up. Yoenis Cespedes has moved down a spot to cleanup, while Lucas Duda is batting fifth and Neil Walker sixth. Alejandro De Aza is starting in center field, while Cespedes is in the designated hitter spot.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Jacob deGrom (lat) is expected to throw a bullpen session Friday in St. Lucie.

The rest of the team is on its way to Cleveland but deGrom is still in Florida where his wife gave birth two days ago. According to beat writer Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, deGrom will be placed on the disabled list if Friday's session doesn't go well. He's already missed one start because of lat tightness. Logan Verrett would take deGrom's place in the starting rotation.

deGrom (lat) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Friday.


He'll throw another one on Sunday with more intensity before the Mets decide whether he'll make his next scheduled start. If the Mets decide that deGrom needs a disabled list stint, Logan Verrett will fill in again.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Byron Buxton (hand) is not in the Twins' lineup on Friday.

Buxton exited Thursday's game after being hit on the left hand by a pith, although X-rays were negative. It's unclear whether he's still sore or if the Twins are just shaking things up with Eddie Rosario in center field and Oswaldo Arcia in left. It's possible Buxton could be send down when David Murphy comes up.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Twins - Brian Dozier, Rest - is not in the starting lineup Friday (4/15) vs. Los Angeles Angels

 

[NewYorkKnight]

White Sox can match their 1982 start for their best since going 11-2 in '57.


They're also 5 over .500 for 1st time since the end of 2012.