MLB Betting Info - FryDay 5/27

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: New York Yankees (22-24) at Tampa Bay Rays (21-24)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 27 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The New York Yankees are hitting a put-up-or-shut-up portion of the schedule when they kick off a 10-game road trip against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. The Yankees have dropped two straight following a six-game winning streak as they prepare to face three American League East rivals during their lengthy trek.

The Rays appeared to be turning things around after amassing 38 runs during a four-game winning streak, but they are 1-5 since while allowing a shade over six runs per game in that span. Tampa Bay dropped into the basement of the AL East -- one-half game behind New York -- after losing three of four in a home-and-home series versus Miami. The Yankees continue to receive stellar pitching with seven quality starts in their last eight games. Ace Masahiro Tanaka looks to keep the streak going when he opposes Rays right-hander Chris Archer.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (2-0, 3.24 ERA) vs. Rays RH Chris Archer (3-5, 5.16)

Tanaka halted a streak of five consecutive no-decisions in his last turn, holding Oakland to one run on five hits over seven innings. It was a much-needed bounce-back performance from Tanaka, who had served up four homers and allowed 10 runs over 12 innings in his previous two outings. Tanaka is 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA in four career starts against the Rays, although he did not factor in the decision despite seven innings of two-run ball on April 23.

Archer's five-start unbeaten string ended with a thud when he was battered for six runs on eight hits over a season-low three innings at Detroit on Sunday. It marked the fourth consecutive road start for Archer, who won his first five career decisions against the Yankees before going 0-2 in four starts against them in 2015 despite yielding a total of eight earned runs. Yankees leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury is a staggering 16-for-24 against Archer.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira will miss at least the first two games of the series after receiving cortisone shots in his neck.

2. Rays 1B Logan Morrison is 16-for-31 with three homers and 10 RBIs over the last 10 games.

3. Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez was hitless in four at-bats Thursday in his first game coming off the disabled list.

PREDICTION: Yankees 3, Rays 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Baltimore Orioles (26-19) at Cleveland Indians (25-20)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 27 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Two teams streaking in different directions square off on Friday as the Cleveland Indians host the Baltimore Orioles in the opener of their three-game series. Cleveland has sandwiched five- and three-game winning streaks around a three-game slide and enter the matchup with Baltimore having captured the final three contests of a four-game set against the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox to conclude a 6-3 road trip.

The Indians are hoping Rajai Davis breaks out of his slump as the leadoff hitter is 1-for-18 over his last six games, with the hit being a home run. Baltimore kicked off its nine-game road trip with a pair of victories over the Los Angeles Angels but has lost four in a row since, including a 4-2 setback at Houston on Thursday that completed a three-game sweep. The Orioles have struggled to score on the trek, producing three runs or fewer in each of their last five contests after beginning the trip with a 9-4 victory. Making contact at the plate will be imperative for Baltimore, which has struck out 73 times over its last five games - including 52, a dubious major-league record for a three-game series -- against the Astros.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Mike Wright (2-3, 4.97 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (3-2, 4.31)

Wright has allowed two earned runs in three of his last four starts, including a no-decision at the Los Angeles Angels on May 20 in which he gave up four runs overall on five hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old native of South Carolina has done a good job of keeping the ball in the park this season, permitting four home runs over 41 2/3 frames after serving up nine in 44 2/3 innings last year - his first in the majors. Wright, who never has faced Cleveland, is 1-1 with a 5.94 ERA in three road starts this campaign.

Bauer will be making his sixth consecutive start after beginning the season with six relief appearances in which he surrendered six runs over 11 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old Californian suffered his second straight loss Saturday at Boston, where he yielded four runs and eight hits in five frames. Bauer has yet to defeat Baltimore in his career, going 0-2 while allowing eight runs and 11 hits - four homers - over 11 1/3 innings in two starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles SS/3B Manny Machado is 2-for-5 lifetime against Bauer, with both hits being solo homers.

2. Cleveland has been red-hot at home, scoring a total of 28 runs in its last two contests at Progressive Field.

3. Baltimore SS J.J. Hardy, who hasn't played since May 1 due to a fractured left foot, has been cleared to walk on the foot.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Orioles 4

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (25-23) at New York Mets (27-19)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 27 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Youth will be served on Friday as Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed prospect Julio Urias will become the youngest pitcher to start a contest in the majors in 11 years when he faces the host New York Mets in the opener of a three-game series. The 19-year-old Urias, who has drawn early comparisons to fellow Mexican left-hander Fernando Valenzuela, will be making his major-league debut after signing with the organization three years ago.

Urias is riding a 27-inning scoreless streak into Friday's contest, when he will become the first teenager to start in the majors since Seattle ace Felix Hernandez in 2005. Los Angeles has been stingy of late, yielding just eight runs during its four-game winning streak to move into second place in the National League West. The Mets, who split a four-game set in Los Angeles on May 9-12, recently claimed two of three versus Washington and five of six overall to creep up on the Nationals. Veteran David Wright homered for the second straight contest on Wednesday and is riding a five-game hitting streak into the series with the Dodgers, against whom he went 0-for-10 two weeks ago.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Sportsnet Los Angeles, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Julio Urias (NR) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (3-1, 3.07)

Urias has handcuffed batters to the tune of striking out 44 in 41 frames en route to posting a 4-1 mark and a 1.10 ERA with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He also did a number on the Mets' Pacific Coast League representative (Las Vegas), limiting the club to three hits in six innings on May 14. Urias is being pushed into action in place of fellow southpaw Alex Wood, who was scratched from Friday's start because of soreness in his triceps.

While there's plenty of fanfare surrounding Urias, a number of questions are circling in regard to the recent pitching of deGrom. The 27-year-old has posted an 0-1 mark with a 4.63 ERA in that stretch to see his season ERA catapult from a rail-thin 1.02 to 3.07, with Saturday's four-run, three-walk stint versus Milwaukee not doing him any favors. The hurler pitched well against Los Angeles on May 10, however, permitting two runs without any free passes in seven innings of a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York RH Jeurys Familia has converted a franchise-best 32 consecutive save opportunities.

2. Los Angeles 2B Chase Utley, who is no fan of the Citi Field faithful, has six hits and four runs scored in his last three games.

3. Mets INF Wilmer Flores (hamstring) is expected to return from the disabled list and play in this series, perhaps as early as Friday.

PREDICTION: Mets 2, Dodgers 1

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Miami Marlins (25-22) at Atlanta Braves (12-34)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 27 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

With Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich nursing injuries, Marcell Ozuna and Ichiro Suzuki have picked up the slack for the Miami Marlins, who open a three-game series against the host Atlanta Braves on Friday. Ozuna leads the National League in hitting this month with a .426 average, while Suzuki has recorded 10 hits over his last five games to draw within 40 of 3,000 for his major-league career.

Miami, which won three of four against Tampa Bay thanks to a dominant 9-1 victory on Thursday, enters the weekend having captured seven of its last 12 games and will be eager to face the struggling Braves, who swept a three-game series in Miami from April 15-17. Atlanta is 9-25 since that set and 12-34 overall on the season, falling for the seventh time in 10 games with Thursday’s 6-2 loss to Milwaukee. The Braves have been abysmal at home, losing 20-of-22 contests at Turner Field this season. Tyler Flowers is batting .308 over his last 12 games and belted a two-run homer in the first inning Thursday.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Adam Conley (3-3, 4.15 ERA) vs. Braves RH Williams Perez (2-1, 3.86)

Conley’s starts have alternated between outstanding and difficult since he fired 7 2/3 hitless innings in a victory at Milwaukee on April 29, as he surrendered 10 runs over 9 1/3 frames in two losses and just one over 11 1/3 innings in two victories. Conley’s last start was his worst of the season, a setback against Washington on Sunday in which he yielded six runs on seven hits and seven walks. He is 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in two career appearances (one start - versus Atlanta.

Perez rebounded from a rough outing at Pittsburgh on May 16 to defeat Philadelphia on Saturday, when he gave up only two hits with one walk and four strikeouts in 6 1/3 scoreless innings. He opened the month by surrendering just one run and two hits over eight frames in a victory over the Phillies before Pittsburgh touched him for six runs and nine hits in six innings. Perez settled for a no-decision against the Marlins on April 15 after allowing three runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Stanton (side) missed the final two games of the series against Tampa Bay and Yelich (back) has sat out five of the team's last six contests, but the latter is expected to play this weekend.

2. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman is 5-for-39 with runners in scoring position this season.

3. The Marlins placed Bryan Morris on the disabled list Thursday with a lumbar disc herniation and recalled fellow RHP Nick Wittgren from Triple-A New Orleans.

PREDICTION: Marlins 4, Braves 1

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (27-19) at Texas Rangers (27-20)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 27 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Rookie outfielder Nomar Mazara is off to an impressive start and gets his first look at National League pitching when the Texas Rangers host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday to open a three-game interleague set. Mazara belted his eighth homer Wednesday as Texas won for the fifth time in six games and is 8-for-16 with three blasts and eight RBIs over the last four contests.

“I know I have to make adjustments,” Mazara, who leads the team with eight homers and a .320 batting average, told reporters. “They’re not going to keep pitching me the same way, so I have to be prepared.” Pittsburgh starter Jonathon Niese must tackle a Rangers lineup coming off season highs for runs (15) and hits (18) in its last game while fellow lefty Cole Hamels tries to stay unbeaten for Texas. The Pirates are playing some of their best baseball of the season as well with a four-game winning streak and victories in nine of the last 11 as they begin a seven-game road trip. Gregory Polanco has hit safely in five straight contests (9-for-21) and Josh Harrison is 6-for-11 during a four-game hit streak.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jonathon Niese (4-2, 4.75 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Cole Hamels (5-0, 2.83)

Niese goes for his fourth straight quality start after allowing six runs over 19 2/3 innings in his last three starts while managing just one victory. The 29-year-old completed at least five innings in each of his nine starts, but has surrendered 11 homers overall. Adrian Beltre homered in three at-bats versus Niese, who is 1-0 in two outings with a 4.50 ERA against the Rangers.

Hamels yielded two runs (one earned) over eight innings to win at Houston last Sunday while improving to 12-1 since being acquired from Philadelphia last season. The 32-year-old has given up three or fewer earned runs in eight of nine starts in 2016. Andrew McCutchen is 7-for-24 with a homer against Hamels, who is 3-2 with a 2.43 ERA in nine career games versus Pittsburgh.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas manager Jeff Banister spent 29 years in the Pirates organization as a player or coach before being hired by the Rangers before last season.

2. McCutchen needs three hits to become the first player in franchise history with at least 150 homers, 150 stolen bases and 1,200 hits.

3. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus takes an 11-game hitting streak into the series and OF Ian Desmond is 10-for-19 in his last four contests.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Pirates 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Cincinnati Reds (15-32) at Milwaukee Brewers (21-26)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 27 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

It was on a visit to Milwaukee late last season when the Cincinnati Reds began what would become a 13-game losing streak, their longest since 1945. They return to Miller Park on Friday for the opener of a three-game series against the Brewers carrying with them another double-digit slide, this time a 10-gamer that has seen the club falter in virtually every department.

"None of you guys can imagine what it's like to lose 10 straight games," Reds manager Bryan Price told reporters after a 3-1 loss to the host Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. "So I'll tell you: It's miserable." Cincinnati is batting .187 during its skid, and its staff has produced an ugly 6.85 ERA, even after Dan Straily put forth a nice effort in Wednesday's loss. Ryan Braun and Jonathan Villar homered to help the Brewers to a 6-2 triumph in Atlanta on Thursday that completed a three-game sweep. Milwaukee is seeking its first four-game winning streak since a six-game run from Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2015.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds LH John Lamb (0-2, 5.40 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (1-3, 5.75)

Lamb fell to 1-7 in his career after allowing four runs (three earned) in six innings of a 4-0 setback against Seattle on Saturday. The 25-year-old limited the Brewers to a run and two hits in four frames on May 8 before departing that start with a sprained thumb. He yielded two runs over six innings while striking out a career-high eight in his only career start at Milwaukee last August.

Davies went 1-0 with a 3.12 ERA in this first three starts this month but was knocked around for four runs in 5 1/3 innings by the host New York Mets on Saturday. The one-time Baltimore product has lasted beyond six frames just once in seven appearances this season. He posted a quality start in his only encounter with the Reds last season, serving up a solo homer to Jay Bruce.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braun has belted 32 career homers versus the Reds - his highest total against any team.

2. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto is a .337 hitter in 55 career games at Miller Park.

3. Bruce is 2-for-21 over a six-game span.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Reds 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Chicago White Sox (27-21) at Kansas City Royals (24-22)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 27 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Kansas City Royals likely will be without third baseman Mike Moustakas for the remainder of the season after learning he has a torn ACL in his right knee. Kansas City received the unwelcome news on Thursday, the same day the scheduled opener of its series with the visiting Chicago White Sox was postponed due to rain.

Cheslor Cuthbert likely will start at third for the Royals on Friday, when the American League Central rivals hope to start what has been reduced to a three-game series, while Moustakas told reporters he will seek a second opinion. "We're still talking with the doctor, get a second opinion, see where we're at," Moustakas said. "You can't rule anything out. I just want to go out there and be healthy and get prepared to play baseball again. That's where I'm at right now." Chicago leads the division but has lost 11 of its last 15 games as its offense is on a deep slide, scoring three runs or fewer in eight of the last nine contests. Kansas City is on the upswing by winning four straight series, including a set at Chicago last week in which it took two of three.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (0-1, 4.57 ERA) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (0-0, 2.13)

Gonzalez lost to the Royals on Saturday, when he gave up two runs and six hits in six innings while recording a season-high eight strikeouts. He is 1-4 with a 3.66 ERA in five career starts against Kansas City and has been unable to contain Jarrod Dyson (7-for-8). Gonzalez is 0-7 over his last 12 major-league starts dating back to a win on July 25, 2015 while with Baltimore.

Duffy pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings - allowing four hits - when matched up against Gonzalez last weekend. He is making his third start since returning to the rotation and will be limited to 70-75 pitches on Friday. Duffy is 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in 12 career appearances (10 starts) against the White Sox and has struggled with Jose Abreu (7-for-19, one homer) and Austin Jackson (8-for-25, one homer).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals announced Thursday's postponed contest will not be made up during this series.

2. Abreu is 6-for-8 over his last two games after going through a 2-for-20 slump.

3. Kansas City C Salvador Perez is 9-for-12 over his last three contests and is batting .432 during an 11-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, White Sox 1

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: San Francisco Giants (30-19) at Colorado Rockies (22-24)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 27 - 8:40 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The San Francisco Giants look to remain the hottest team in baseball as they seek their 14th victory in 15 contests when they open a three-game series against the host Colorado Rockies on Friday. The Giants' impressive run has allowed them to open a 4 1/2-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, and they aim to continue the success on a 10-game road trip that begins in Denver.

San Francisco has won its last five games, with the most recent victory being Wednesday's 4-3, 10-inning triumph over San Diego - its major league-leading fifth walk-off win of the season. "When you're going well, these games tend to go in your favor," Giants third baseman Matt Duffy told reporters. "A big reason they go in our favor is we're playing good baseball, for the most part - making the routine plays, making the other team beat themselves. They're a ton of fun, which is a big thing." Colorado has won just two of its last eight games after rolling to an 8-2 victory in Boston on Thursday. Dustin Garneau, Carlos Gonzalez and Trevor Story each hit a two-run homer as the Rockies ended a stretch in which they scored three or fewer runs in six of their previous eight contests.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, NBC Bay Area (San Francisco), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Matt Cain (1-5, 5.37 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (5-3, 3.02)

Cain was winless through his first eight starts before beating the Chicago Cubs in his last turn, when he gave up one run and six hits in six innings. He got off to a rocky start this season by allowing six runs in three of his first six outings but has posted a superb 1.71 ERA over his last three turns. Two of the poor outings came in losses to the Rockies (14 runs - 12 earned - in 8 2/3 innings) as he dropped to 17-10 with a 3.58 ERA in 37 career starts against Colorado.

Chatwood allowed one run and six hits over six innings in a no-decision against Pittsburgh in his last turn to mark the fifth time in nine starts he has given up fewer than two earned runs. All of the stellar outings came on the road as he is 1-3 with a porous 6.65 ERA in four starts at Coors Field. Chatwood lost at home to the Giants on April 12, when he surrendered five runs and 11 hits in six frames to fall to 3-3 with a 4.00 ERA in nine career outings (eight starts) against San Francisco.

WALK-OFFS

1. Gonzalez is 8-for-16 over his last four games but just 8-for-52 lifetime versus Cain.

2. Giants 1B Brandon Belt (ankle) is questionable after leaving Wednesday's victory over San Diego.

3. Colorado 3B Nolan Arenado is just 1-for-20 over his last five contests and has homered just once in 12 games.

PREDICTION: Giants 9, Rockies 5

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: San Diego Padres (19-29) at Arizona Diamondbacks (21-28)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 27 - 9:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Two teams sitting at the bottom of the National League West that need to turn their fortunes around meet Friday when the San Diego Padres visit the Arizona Diamondbacks to begin a three-game set. The Padres have dropped four straight and eight of 10 while Arizona has lost five of seven and is struggling at home (7-17), where it plays the next five contests.

The Diamondbacks, who won two of three at San Diego in mid-April, allowed 25 runs in a three-game sweep at Pittsburgh to start the week and 40 in six contests on their road trip. Paul Goldschmidt is starting to pick it up with nine RBIs in the last 10 games and Chris Owings takes an eight-game hit streak into the series for Arizona. San Diego is a season-high 10 games under .500 and has scored two runs or fewer six times in the past 10 contests. The Padres need to get more production from slugger Matt Kemp, who is struggling through a 3-for-33 slump with 12 strikeouts during an eight-game stretch.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Christian Friedrich (0-1, 2.89 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (2-3, 4.18)

Friedrich yielded three total runs in his first two starts of the season, but walked nine to elevate his pitch count. The former first-round pick in 2008, who spent his first three major league seasons with Colorado, lost 1-0 in a six-inning effort before completing just 3 1/3 frames last time out. Rickie Weeks is 4-for-7 with a homer versus Friedrich, who is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in 13 games (one start) against Arizona

Ray comes in off two straight solid starts, allowing four runs (three earned) combined in 12 innings while posting a win and a loss. The 24-year-old Tennessee native boasts 20 strikeouts in his last three outings overall, but has struggled at home with a 6.30 ERA in four starts despite a 1-1 record. Kemp is 3-for-8 with a home run against Ray, who is 0-3 with a 4.96 ERA in three career games versus the Padres.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego 1B Wil Myers (forearm), who is 7-for-14 against Arizona this season, could return Friday after being out of the starting lineup the last two games.

2. Arizona OF Yasmany Tomas went 7-for-14 with a pair of homers against the Padres during the three-game series in April.

3. San Diego 3B Yangervis Solarte belted his first homer in his 10th outing of the season on Wednesday and recorded his second multi-hit game.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Padres 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Detroit Tigers (23-23) at Oakland Athletics (20-28)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 27 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Slugger Miguel Cabrera looks to turn up the heat on his already white-hot play at the plate on Friday when the Detroit Tigers begin a six-game road trip through California with the opener of a three-game series versus the host Oakland Athletics. Cabrera is hitting a robust .452 (19-for-42) with seven homers and 15 RBIs in last 11 games, helping the Tigers to an 8-3 mark in that stretch.

The two-time American League MVP also aided Detroit in winning three of four when the teams met at Comerica Park on April 25-28, going deep twice and collecting five RBIs in the series. While the Tigers (23-23) have crawled back into the thick of it in the AL Central, Oakland (20-28) dropped two in a row to West-leading Seattle and six of seven overall to fall eight games under .500. Khris Davis belted a homer in the Athletics' 13-3 setback to the Mariners on Wednesday and also went deep to highlight a 6-for-17 performance versus the Tigers last month. Detroit right-hander Michael Fulmer and fellow rookie Sean Manaea will be making their respective sixth major-league starts in this one.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (3-1, 5.13 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Sean Manaea (1-2, 7.62)

Fulmer was dazzling in his last start on Saturday, striking out a career-best 11 and allowing just Evan Longoria's solo homer among four hits in a 5-4 victory over Tampa Bay. The lone blemish has provided cause for concern, however, as the 23-year-old has yielded five homers in as many major-league starts. His seven-inning outing was also the longest for Fulmer, who was a key cog in last year's deal that sent Yoenis Cespedes to the New York Mets.

While Fulmer's last outing was a personal best, Manaea struggled for the second time in three outings in Saturday's 5-1 setback to the New York Yankees. The 24-year-old was blitzed for five runs in 6 2/3 innings just 11 days after getting shredded for eight runs on 10 hits in 2 2/3 frames in a rout by Boston. Manaea's best start of his young career was sandwiched in between the disastrous outings, as he allowed one run on four hits to record his first major-league victory in a 3-1 triumph over Texas on May 16.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers veteran 1B Victor Martinez has rebounded from his recent 2-for-20 slump, going 7-for-16 with a homer and five RBIs in his last four games.

2. Oakland C Josh Phegley is expected to be activated for Friday's contest after being sidelined for the past two weeks due to a strained right knee.

3. Detroit manager Brad Ausmus will miss Friday's contest to attend his daughter's high school graduation.

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Tigers 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Houston Astros (20-28) at Los Angeles Angels (21-26)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 27 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Matt Shoemaker attempts to follow up one of the best starts of his career when the Los Angeles Angels host the Houston Astros on Friday in the opener of their three-game series. Shoemaker struck out a career-best 12 batters and gave up just three hits over 7 1/3 scoreless innings in a no-decision against Baltimore on Saturday.

The superb outing gives the Angels hope that Shoemaker is close to regaining the form that saw him go 16-4 in 2014 and provide a boost to their beleaguered rotation. Los Angeles has lost staff ace Garrett Richards for the season and veteran C.J. Wilson has yet to return from last year's shoulder injury. Houston is fresh off a sweep of the Orioles in which its pitching staff recorded 52 strikeouts - a major-league record for a three-game series. George Springer belted a pair of solo shots in Thursday's 4-2 victory for his third career multi-homer performance and went 6-for-12 with two walks in the series after being moved into the leadoff spot.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Mike Fiers (3-2, 4.35 ERA) vs. Angels RH Matt Shoemaker (2-5, 6.81)

Fiers won three straight decisions before losing to Texas in his last outing, when he gave up two runs and six hits in seven innings. He has a solid 37-to-7 strikeouts-to-walk ratio but has served up nine homers in just 51 2/3 innings. Fiers has a 3.95 ERA in two career no-decisions versus the Angels but has struggled against C.J. Cron (3-for-6, two homers).

Shoemaker had worked five or fewer innings in four consecutive starts - allowing 20 earned runs in 14 1/3 innings - before the dominant start against the Orioles. He only struck out 22 batters in seven starts prior to facing Baltimore and opponents have a .292 batting average against him. Shoemaker is 1-1 with a 5.59 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) against Houston and has experienced issues retiring Jose Altuve (4-for-9, one homer).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels have won 14 of their last 19 home games against the Astros.

2. Altuve, dropped to second in Houston's batting order, is 1-for-21 over his last five games.

3. Los Angeles DH Albert Pujols has hit 50 career homers against the Astros, more than any player in baseball history (Hall-of-Famer Hank Aaron is second with 46).

PREDICTION: Angels 4, Astros 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Minnesota Twins (12-34) at Seattle Mariners (28-18)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 27 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Pitchers with a sizable difference in their number of career starts will take the mound on Friday when Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez faces Minnesota Twins left-hander Pat Dean in the opener of a three-game set at Safeco Field. The 2010 American League Cy Young Award winner has logged considerable mileage on the rubber as he will record his 344th major-league start against Dean, who made his first on Sunday.

Hernandez also has seen his team crank up the offense as AL West-leading Seattle has scored 55 runs en route to winning seven of its last nine games. Adam Lind highlighted the onslaught with two homers and a season-best six RBIs in the Mariners' 13-3 rout of Oakland on Wednesday and carries a .317 career batting average versus Minnesota into Friday's tilt. The tumbling Twins posted just their second win in 10 outings to salvage the finale of a three-game set with Kansas City on Wednesday. Joe Mauer crowned the Royals by going 6-for-13 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the series and is 14-for-41 (.341) with six extra-base hits in his career versus Hernandez.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Pat Dean (0-1, 3.86 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (4-3, 2.21)

Dean's lone blemish in his first major-league start came in the form of Jose Bautista's two-run homer as he exited with a no-decision after six strong innings versus Toronto . With the Twins struggling mightily, the 27-year-old may be in line for a longer leash as the club determines whether to keep in him in the back end of the rotation or opt for a stint in the bullpen. Dean permitted a combined four runs on 14 hits in eight innings in a pair of relief appearances before being shipped to Triple-A Rochester.

Hernandez enters this contest with momentum as he improved to 3-1 in his last five outings with a dominating performance versus Cincinnati on Saturday. The 30-year-old recorded his second scoreless stint in that stretch by scattering four hits - all singles - while working around three walks. Hernandez throttled the Twins in his last outing, improving to 8-5 with a slim 1.93 ERA in 17 career encounters after yielding just five hits in a shutout on April 24, 2015.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle 2B Robinson Cano is 6-for-17 (.353) with two homers, six RBIs and three runs scored during his four-game hitting streak.

2. Minnesota SS Eduardo Nunez has made himself at home on the road, going 23-for-63 (.365) with 12 RBIs.

3. Veteran RF Nelson Cruz went 6-for-11 with one homer and three RBIs to help the Mariners take two of three from Oakland this week.

PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Twins 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Cards are 0-5 in the last 5 vs. Nats & Under is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings in Washington

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Phillies are 1-4 in Morgans last 5 road starts

Cubs are 7-2 in their last 9 games vs. a left-handed starter

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Hottest team: Giants (8-0 last last eight, 13-1 last 14)

San Francisco became just the second team to 30 wins behind the Cubs after Wednesday's win over San Diego and has held opposing lineups to three runs or fewer in 13 of its last 14. The pitching has been fantastic, helping mask hamstring injuries to outfielders Hunter Pence and Angel Pagan. Pence is questionable tonight, as is 1B Brandon Belt, who suffered an ankle injury last time out.

Matt Cain (1-5, 5.37 ERA) will look to get the Giants off on the right foot as they begin a 10-game road trip in Colorado. He's given up just two runs in the last 13 innings, shaking off a terrible start.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Coldest team: Reds (0-10 last 10, 1-13 last 14)

The Reds haven't won a series outright since taking two of three from the Rockies on April 20. They've scored more than two runs only once in their last five games, and you have to figure manager Bryan Price has to be on the hot seat with his team sporting baseball's third-worst record. Since taking over for Dusty Baker, he's 61 games under .500 over the last two-plus years. Cincinnati is 12-15 at home as opposed to 3-17 on the road, so we'll see if getting back into town helps its cause. Lefty John Lamb (0-2, 5.40) takes the mound and has pitched in just two Reds wins over his 14 career starts.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Hottest pitcher: Felix Hernandez (4-3, 2.21 ERA)

King Felix has won three of his last four decisions and blanked Cincinnati over six innings in his last outing, an eventual 4-0 win. Since opening the month with a rocky start where he gave up eight runs (four earned) in just four innings at Oakland, Hernandez has allowed just five runs in the last 20.1. He's been great a Safeco Field this season, going 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA and a WHIP of 0.97, striking out 27 batters over 29 innings while walking only five.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Coldest pitcher: Sean Manaea (1-2, 7.62 ERA)

The 24-year-old lefty came into the season as one of Oakland's most prized prospects, but he's yet to get comfortable at the big league level. He's surrendered fewer than four runs only once in his five major-league starts and comes off a 5-1 home loss to the Yankees last weekend. On the bright side, Manaea hasn't given up a homer in his last 13 innings-plus, a positive sign since he surrendered four in his first 12.2.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Biggest UNDER run: Brewers (11-2-1 last 14)

Milwaukee pushed across a pair of runs in the top of the 9th on a Hernan Perez triple, but wound up stranding him and getting the final outs to push on last night’s total (8) in a 6-2 win over the Braves at Turner Field. Since May 11, there’s only been one instance where the Brewers and their opponent have combined for over 10 runs. In contrast, either Milwaukee or its opponent have come up with two runs or fewer on 11 occasions in that same span. The Brewers return home from a six-game road trip to welcome the Reds into town this weekend. The teams split a four-game set in Cincinnati early this month and saw three of the matchups soar ‘over’ the posted total. Zach Davies (1-3, 5.75) takes the mound for Milwaukee. Only two of his seven starts this season have gone ‘under.’

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Biggest OVER run: Cardinals (6-2 last 8)

The Cardinals only managed an Aldemys Diaz fourth-inning home run against Joe Ross and the Nationals bullpen in last night’s series opener, but have been involved in games where there have been 15 or more runs scored in four of the last eight. They’ll look to fare better against Max Scherzer (5-3, 3.80) than they did the first time they saw him this season since he blanked them over seven innings in a 6-1 loss on May 1. With St. Louis sending Jaime Garcia (3-4, 3.59) to the mound as he looks to end a personal two-game losing streak, that looks like the night’s top pitching matchup, so we’ll see if the high-scoring games continue or follow last night’s lead with runs drying up.