MLB Betting Info - Saturday 5/7

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Texas Rangers (16-14) at Detroit Tigers (14-14)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Texas Rangers found an opportune time to ignite their offense while the Detroit Tigers are struggling to locate a spark when they are at the plate. The visiting Rangers vie for a series victory and look to send the tumbling Tigers to their fifth straight setback on Saturday afternoon when the clubs reconvene at Comerica Park.

Rougned Odor homered among his three hits and drove in as many runs in Friday's 5-1 triumph for Texas, which mustered just eight runs in its previous four contests (1-3). The 22-year-old Venezuelan has five multi-hit performances in his last seven outings, but is 0-for-3 in a small sample size versus struggling Saturday starter Mike Pelfrey. Detroit is singing a sour tune as it has scored just eight runs during its four-game losing skid after erupting for 35 in its previous five outings. Ian Kinsler collected both of the Tigers' hits in the series opener to improve to 23-for-60 versus his former club, but is just 2-for-13 against Saturday starter A.J. Griffin.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH A.J. Griffin (3-0, 2.32 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.68)

Griffin continues to get better with every start, allowing one earned run for the third time in four outings while scattering three hits in six innings of a no-decision versus Toronto on Monday. The 28-year-old, who also matched a career high with nine strikeouts against the Blue Jays, has struggled in a pair of starts versus Detroit. Griffin has permitted nine runs on 15 hits in 9 2/3 innings against the Tigers, but is fortunate to split his decisions despite allowing the club to bat .349 versus him.

Detroit isn't getting much bang for its buck after Pelfrey signed a two-year, $16 million deal in the offseason. The 32-year-old yielded five runs for the second straight outing in Sunday's no-decision versus Minnesota, and his lack of control (15 walks in 25 1/3 innings) is troublesome to boot. "You've got to ask yourself: first of all, do we have someone that can replace him? Someone that's better?," manager Brad Ausmus told MLive of Pelfrey. "We've seen signs of him pitching the way we thought he would, and then we've seen him struggle a little bit. So, he falls under that (inconsistent) category."

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas has won six of the last seven encounters with Detroit.

2. Tigers rookie Michael Fulmer is in line for his third start after fellow RHP Shane Greene (finger) experienced a minor setback, Ausmus told MLive.

3. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre is 2-for-19 in his last five games.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Tigers 1

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (16-13) at St. Louis Cardinals (15-15)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Pittsburgh Pirates were in a bit of a tailspin before Jung Ho Kang returned to right the ship. The third baseman will look to follow up a phenomenal 2016 debut when he and the Pirates continue a three-game series against the host St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

After missing the first 28 games of the season as he rehabbed the knee he injured late last season, Kang wasted little time making a big impact in the series opener Friday as he slugged a pair of homers and drove in three runs to lead Pittsburgh to a 4-2 victory. The win snapped the Pirates' four-game slide and gave them four consecutive wins over their National League Central rivals. The Cardinals fell back to .500 with their sixth loss in nine games after seeing their top four hitters combine to go 2-for-16 with eight strikeouts against three Pittsburgh pitchers. St. Louis has the advantage on the mound Saturday, at least on paper, as it pits veteran Adam Wainwright against Jeff Locke.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jeff Locke (1-2, 4.73 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (2-3, 6.68)

Since giving up eight runs in three innings at San Diego on April 20, Locke is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts. He lasted a season-high seven frames in a no-decision against Cincinnati last time out, allowing three runs and a season-low four hits. Matt Holliday (5-for-14, one home run, three walks) and Jedd Gyorko (3-for-6, one home run, five RBIs) have enjoyed their encounters with the 28-year-old Locke, who owns a 3.98 ERA in eight career starts versus St. Louis.

Wainwright posted just his third quality start in six turns when he gave up three runs in six frames to defeat Philadelphia on Monday. He has yet to last beyond six innings and opponents have a hearty .862 OPS against the three-time All-Star. Wainwright has a lifetime 4.30 ERA against the Pirates, higher than all but two other National League teams.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kang is a .339 career hitter versus the Cardinals.

2. Gyorko is 3-for-27 in his last 10 games.

3. St. Louis is 3-7 in contests decided by fewer than three runs.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Pirates 4

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Washington Nationals (19-10) at Chicago Cubs (22-6)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A




Two of the National League’s top starting pitchers over the first month of the season square off Saturday when Washington’s Gio Gonzalez goes up against Chicago’s Jason Hammel. The Cubs have claimed the first two contests of the four-game set against the visiting Nationals.



At 22-6, the Cubs are off to the best start by an NL team since the Los Angeles Dodgers had the same record to begin the 1977 season. They’ve won five straight and nine of 10, allowing two or fewer runs in seven of those games. Red-hot Ben Zobrist homered twice for the Cubs in Friday’s 8-6 win and has four homers and 14 RBIs in his last five games. Daniel Murphy has been equally hot for the Nationals, collecting four hits in two of the past three games.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS1, MASN (Washington), CSN Chicago



PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (2-1, 1.15 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jason Hammel (4-0, 1.24)

Gonzalez has posted quality starts in all five of his outings and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs yet this season. The 30-year-old was dominant last time out at Kansas City, allowing four hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. Gonzalez is 3-2 with a 2.47 ERA in seven starts against the Cubs.

Hammel failed to record a quality start for the first time this season in his last outing, giving up two runs and five hits over five innings in a win at Pittsburgh. The 33-year-old also surrendered his first home run of the season. He hopes to continue his dominance over the Nationals, as he is 9-0 with a 3.01 ERA in 11 meetings.



WALK-OFFS

1. Zobrist has scored a run in seven straight games and has three or more RBIs in three straight, the longest streak of his career.

2. Murphy is 15-for-29 with four doubles and two homers over his past seven games.

3. Cubs OF Jason Heyward snapped an 0-for-20 skid with a double Friday.



PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Cubs 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Colorado Rockies (14-15) at San Francisco Giants (16-15)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The San Francisco Giants have serious question marks at the back end of their starting rotation, but they’re 13-6 when their top trio of Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija take the mound. Cueto looks to continue the positive trend Saturday as the Giants resume their four-game series against the visiting Colorado Rockies, who fell to 5-3 on their 10-game road trip with Friday’s 6-4 loss.

San Francisco opened the series with a 17-7 drubbing before bouncing back behind Bumgarner's solid outing and Brandon Crawford's three-run homer. Hunter Pence recorded three hits after missing one game due to back tightness while Joe Panik (groin) started for the first time in a week and was 1-for-3 with a stolen base. The Giants had two steals Friday against Colorado catcher Dustin Garneau, who was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque after Nick Hundley landed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique. The Rockies are 7-4 in their last 11 games at AT&T Park thanks in large to Nolan Arenado, who raised his average to .316 with two more hits Friday and is batting .311 with 17 home runs in 55 career contests against the Giants.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jon Gray (0-1, 7.98 ERA) vs. Giants RH Johnny Cueto (4-1, 3.61)

Gray took the loss against San Diego on Monday despite registering a career-high 11 strikeouts and yielding two runs in six innings. “Gray was outstanding,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss told reporters. “I thought he threw the ball extremely well. He doesn't have his first win yet, but if he pitches like that, he's going to get a lot of wins.” The 24-year-old is 0-3 with a 6.18 ERA in 12 major-league starts but owns a 2.77 ERA in five career outings on the road.

Cueto returned to Cincinnati on Monday and struck out eight but allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks in five frames against his former team. The 30-year-old pitched well with the exception of the third inning, when he threw 46 pitches and surrendered all six runs. Gerardo Parra is 9-for-29 with two home runs against Cueto, who is 4-2 with a 2.84 ERA in eight career starts against Colorado - including 3-0 in his last four outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco 1B Brandon Belt is 16-for-39 with six extra-base hits and 12 RBIs over his last 14 games.

2. Weiss said Garneau will share time behind the plate with Tony Wolters while Hundley is out.

3. The Giants recalled Albert Suarez from Triple-A Sacramento and designated fellow RHP Vin Mazzaro for assignment.

PREDICTION: Giants 7, Rockies 4

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Kansas City Royals (14-14) at Cleveland Indians (14-12)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Cleveland Indians have climbed into second place in the American League Central with a four-game winning streak and look to keep moving forward when they host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday. The Indians have outscored opponents 27-8 during a perfect four-game homestand after rolling over the Royals 7-1 on Friday with the aid of five RBIs from Jose Ramirez.

Free-agent signing Mike Napoli is 6-for-15 with eight RBIs during the winning streak for Cleveland, which shut out Kansas City until the ninth inning on Friday. The Royals have been held to two runs or fewer seven times during a 2-8 slump that has seen them fall back to .500 (14-14). Kansas City will send right-hander Ian Kennedy to the mound to try and end its swoon, which includes just one win in its last nine road contests. Alcides Escobar has hit safely in five straight games (10-for-21) and Lorenzo Cain owns multiple hits in four of his last seven outings for the Royals.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (3-2, 2.61 ERA) vs. Indians RH Cody Anderson (0-1, 7.65)

Kennedy has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his five starts, including last time out when he gave up one in a five-inning stint at Seattle. The 31-year-old USC product boasts 29 strikeouts in 31 innings and opponents are batting .218 combined against him. Marlon Byrd is 10-for-25 with two homers and 11 RBIs versus Kennedy, who is 0-0 with a 4.85 ERA in two career outings against the Indians.

Anderson is expected to return to the rotation for the first time since April 26 and has yielded five runs in each of his last three starts. The 25-year-old Californian was 7-3 with a 3.05 last season despite getting pounded by Kansas City for seven runs in 5 2/3 innings of a loss. Eric Hosmer is 2-for-3 with a homer versus Anderson, who has allowed 34 hits – including six homers -- in 20 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians SS Francisco Lindor is 12-for-33 with six RBIs – 3-for-4 on Friday -- over the last eight contests.

2. Kansas City 3B Mike Moustakas was scratched from the lineup Friday due to a sore left thumb and his status is uncertain.

3. Cleveland OF Michael Brantley has scored a run in three straight games while going 5-for-10 with four RBIs in the same span.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Royals 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Oakland Athletics (13-16) at Baltimore Orioles (16-11)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 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 against the New York Yankees and still managed to win the series. After rain postponed the opener of a three-game set with the Oakland Athletics, the host Orioles will look to get the bats going in a day-night doubleheader on Saturday.

Baltimore recorded just one run in the final 22 innings of their set with the Yankees, but it led to a 1-0 victory in 10 innings on Thursday - giving the club two of three in the series and an 11-4 record at home. Among the many Orioles mired in a slump are slugger Chris Davis, who was 0-for-11 with six strikeouts versus New York, and Adam Jones, who went 1-for-11 in the series and hasn't homered since April 16. The Athletics have lost four straight and nine of their last 12 after being swept at home by Seattle earlier this week. Jesse Hahn looks to follow up a solid 2016 debut when he gets the nod in the nightcap for Oakland opposite Baltimore veteran Ubaldo Jimenez.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Jesse Hahn (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Ubaldo Jimenez (1-3, 5.20)

Hahn allowed four runs over 23 2/3 innings in the minors before dominating Houston in his season debut last Saturday, limiting the Astros to three hits in 6 2/3 scoreless frames. The effort gave the Virginia Tech product a 14-9 record and 3.06 ERA in 29 career starts in the major leagues. None of those have been against the Orioles and the only Baltimore hitter who has faced Hahn is Pedro Alvarez, who is 1-for-2 with a home run.

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. A's LF Khris Davis registered 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 6, Athletics 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Minnesota Twins (8-21) at Chicago White Sox (20-10)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Chris Sale aims to become the first seven-game winner in the major leagues this season when the Chicago White Sox host the Minnesota Twins on Saturday in the middle contest of their three-game series. Sale, who owns a 1.66 ERA and 0.81 WHIP, is tied for the major-league lead in victories with Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta.

Sale looks to pitch the White Sox to their 13th victory in 18 games as they continue to own the best record (20-10) in the American League. Melky Cabrera went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and Chicago recorded 14 hits overall as it won Friday's series opener 10-4. Minnesota owns the AL's worst record (8-21) and has lost seven of its last eight games - allowing a whopping 59 runs during that stretch. Joe Mauer was hitless in four at-bats on Friday to end his streak of reaching base to start the season at 28 games - five short of the franchise record set in 1982 by Kent Hrbek.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN North (Minnesota), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Ervin Santana (0-1, 3.15 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Chris Sale (6-0, 1.66)

Santana (back) was activated from the disabled list Friday and will make his first start since April 19. He fared well in a 30-pitch simulated game on Tuesday and struck out 18 batters in 20 innings prior to the injury. Santana lost to the White Sox on April 14, when he gave up three runs and seven hits in seven frames to drop to 6-7 with a 3.84 ERA in 19 career appearances (18 starts) against Chicago.

Sale is limiting opposing hitters to a .171 batting average and has allowed just 26 hits in 43 1/3 innings. He has issued only nine walks, but four came in his last outing as he gave up one run and five hits in 5 1/3 frames in a victory over Baltimore. Sale is 7-5 with a 4.15 ERA in 22 career appearances (14 starts) against the Twins and has handled Mauer (8-for-37) while experiencing issues with Trevor Plouffe (12-for-37).

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu homered Friday for the second time in three games and has driven in 10 runs over his last seven contests.

2. Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier (hamstring) sat out the series opener, while SS Eduardo Escobar departed in the third inning with a groin injury.

3. Chicago 3B Todd Frazier went 0-for-5 on Friday and is hitless in 19 at-bats over his last five contests.

PREDICTION: White Sox 9, Twins 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Seattle Mariners (17-12) at Houston Astros (11-19)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel isn't handling the rising expectations well this season and strives to halt a three-game losing streak when the Houston Astros host the Seattle Mariners on Saturday. Keuchel has been torched for 16 runs and 26 hits in 16 1/3 innings during the slide and his season ERA is an uninspiring 5.11.

Keuchel is notoriously tough on himself, and his lackluster performances - combined with the team's dreadful start - has contributed to his poor showing. "When you want to be perfect and you want to be so good, sometimes that kind of overcompensates and you backtrack, and that's what I've been doing," Keuchel told reporters. "I'm putting pressure on myself." Houston will be looking for its fourth victory in five games after posting a 6-3 win on Friday to halt the Mariners' four-game winning streak. Seattle's Robinson Cano had his stretch of multi-hit performances end at five, and his 1-for-4 effort on Friday leaves him 9-for-21 against the Astros this season.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ROOT (Seattle, Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Nathan Karns (3-1, 3.81 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (2-4, 5.11)

Karns is seeking to win his fourth consecutive decision as he hasn't lost since April 9. His best outing came at home against the Astros on April 26, when he gave up just two hits over seven scoreless innings of an 11-1 victory. Karns has posted a 0.69 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 13 career frames against Houston, which does not have a player with more than one career hit against him.

Keuchel also is bemoaning his control issues as he has walked 18 in 37 innings - a ratio of 4.38 per nine frames after he sported a 1.98 rate last year. One of the defeats during his skid came when he was matched against Karns in Seattle, where he allowed five runs and six hits in six innings. Keuchel is 4-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 10 career appearances (nine starts) against the Mariners and has been hit hard by Nelson Cruz (8-for-17, two homers).

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros SS Carlos Correa went 3-for-3 with a home run on Friday and is 6-for-11 with two blasts over his last three games after going 24 contests without a homer.

2. Seattle 3B Kyle Seager has recorded two hits in each of his last four contests and is 12-for-29 during his seven-game hitting streak.

3. Houston INF Marwin Gonzalez hit a two-run homer Friday - the first multi-run blast of his career after 25 solo shots.

PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Astros 4

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (13-18) at Atlanta Braves (7-21)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Shelby Miller riding a winless streak is nothing new to Braves fans, but Miller takes the mound Saturday at Turner Field wearing an Arizona uniform looking for his first victory with the Diamondbacks. Miller has yet to win in six starts for the Diamondbacks – who acquired the right-hander from Atlanta in an offseason trade after Miller endured a 24-start winless streak for the Braves a season ago.

Saturday could be Miller’s night to get his first Arizona win, after the Diamondbacks snapped a six-game losing streak in a 7-2 series-opening victory Friday. The loss dropped Atlanta to a major-league worst 7-21 on the season, the Braves committing two more errors Friday (giving them 24 on the season). The Braves are 1-13 at home this season and have dropped their past eight home contests, allowing 5.9 runs per game while surrendering four or more runs nine times. First baseman Freddie Freeman finished with two hits Friday and is batting .432 in his past 10 games after batting .177 in his first 17 games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Shelby Miller (0-3, 8.49 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (0-3, 3.72)

Miller’s one season with Atlanta bordered on the bizarre: he made the All-Star team and nearly threw a no-hitter, but did not win for almost five months despite posting a 3.83 ERA during the win drought before beating the Cardinals in his final Braves’ start Oct. 4. He has struggled with his new team, giving up three runs or more four times and has pitched more than five innings just once. Miller lasted only 3 2/3 innings Sunday against Colorado, giving up three runs on four hits.

Teheran was in line for his first victory of the season after an outstanding performance Sunday against the Cubs, giving up just two hits with nine strikeouts in seven shutout innings before the Atlanta bullpen blew the lead in the late innings. It marked the second straight great start for Teheran, who has given up one run on eight hits with 17 strikeouts in his past 14 innings. He is 3-1 with a 2.17 ERA in five career starts against Arizona.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braves LHP Hunter Cervenka has not allowed a run in his first 13 appearances this season with one hit allowed in 8 1/3 innings.

2. Arizona RF David Peralta collected three hits Friday, improving to 18-for-44 in 11 career games against Atlanta.

3. The Braves are expected to activate CF Ender Inciarte for Saturday’s game; Inciarte, acquired from Arizona in the Miller trade, went on the disabled list April 10 with a strained left hamstring.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 3, Braves 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (16-14) at Miami Marlins (16-12)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich are having a fun time testing the limits of the park, and the Miami Marlins are benefiting from the power display. The white-hot Marlins vie for their fifth straight victory and 12th in 13 outings on Saturday when they continue their three-game series versus the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.

Stanton belted a mammoth two-run shot that traveled a staggering 475 feet in Friday's 6-4 triumph for his seventh homer in 11 games while raising his RBI total to 14 in that stretch. Yelich also went deep for the third time in his four-game hitting streak, during which he has seven RBIs and five runs scored. While homer-happy Miami has 19 blasts in the last 12 contests, Philadelphia has cooled considerably by losing three in a row after winning 10 of its previous 12. Maikel Franco is showing signs of possibly breaking out of his pronounced funk, homering among his two hits in the series opener following a 1-for-17 slump.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jeremy Hellickson (2-2, 4.88 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Tom Koehler (2-3, 7.25)

Hellickson allowed six runs for the second time in four starts on Monday and issued a season-high four walks in a 10-3 setback at St. Louis. The 29-year-old was taken deep on three occasions versus the Cardinals and seven times in his last 25 1/3 innings after permitting 22 in 27 starts with Arizona in 2015. That's a troubling trend for Hellickson, who has been taken deep by Stanton on one occasion in four career at-bats.

Koehler saw his modest two-game winning streak snapped in emphatic fashion on Sunday, allowing eight runs on as many hits in 2 1/3 innings of a 14-5 loss to Milwaukee. The 29-year-old didn't strike out a batter during his short stint, but has fanned 46 in 11 career appearances (53 2/3 innings) versus Philadelphia. Leadoff batter Odubel Herrera, who is 3-for-8 in his career versus Koehler, had three singles in the series opener to improve to 9-for-20 during his five-game hitting streak.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami CF Marcell Ozuna has collected two singles in each of his last three contests and is 10-for-26 with six runs scored during his six-game hitting streak.

2. Philadelphia SS Freddy Galvis has eight hits and six RBIs in his last seven games.

3. The Marlins also won 11 of 12 during the 2009 season.

PREDICTION: Marlins 6, Phillies 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (11-18) at Cincinnati Reds (13-17)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Cincinnati Reds attempt to extend their winning streak to a season-high four games when they host the Milwaukee Brewers for the third contest of their four-game series on Saturday. Cincinnati, which opened the season with three consecutive victories, matched that run with Friday's 5-1 triumph in which it produced a total of six hits - and none after the third inning.

Brandon Phillips is riding a five-game hitting streak and has homered in each of his last three contests, collecting seven RBIs in the process. Friday's setback was the third in a row and seventh in the last 10 games for the Brewers, whose only run came on Alex Presley's third blast of the season. Ryan Braun has hit safely in six straight contests but is in the midst of a nine-game home run drought after going deep in back-to-back meetings with Philadelphia on April 22 and 23. Milwaukee is hoping Jimmy Nelson can help end its slide while Cincinnati turns to Brandon Finnegan, who - like his counterpart - leads his team with four quality starts.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jimmy Nelson (4-2, 3.05 ERA) vs. Reds LH Brandon Finnegan (1-1, 3.97)

Nelson is coming off a strong outing against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, when he allowed two runs and four hits over seven innings en route to victory. The 26-year-old native of Oregon has had control issues at times, issuing four walks in three of his six starts, but has given up more than two earned runs once and failed to work six frames on only one occasion. Nelson has not performed well against Cincinnati, going 1-2 with a 6.21 ERA in seven overall games (five starts) while posting a 10.38 ERA in three turns at Great American Ball Park.

Finnegan's winless streak reached three starts on Monday as he did not factor in the decision against San Francisco after yielding three runs and six hits in six innings. The 23-year-old Texan, who dealt with a sore hamstring in that outing, has surrendered three or more runs in each of his last four outings after giving up two in each of his first two turns this year. Finnegan has allowed one run and three hits over six frames in two career contests - one start - versus Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Reds' bullpen worked four scoreless innings Friday, ending its major league-record streak of 23 straight games with at least one run allowed.

2. Milwaukee 1B Chris Carter homered in his only career at-bat against Finnegan.

3. Cincinnati C Devin Mesoraco will undergo surgery on his left shoulder Tuesday and likely will miss the remainder of the season.

PREDICTION: Brewers 8, Reds 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: New York Mets (17-11) at San Diego Padres (13-17)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 8:40 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The San Diego Padres are enjoying their best stretch of the season and attempt to defeat the visiting New York Mets for the third consecutive time when the teams continue their four-game set on Saturday. The Padres have allowed just three runs in the series - all in the ninth inning of Thursday's contest - and have won six of their last eight games.

New York recorded only three hits in Friday's 2-0 loss and has notched seven in the series as its bats have gone quiet. The Mets are 2-4 this month and have scored 16 runs in six games, half of which came in a victory over lowly Atlanta on Wednesday. San Diego's Jon Jay registered his second three-hit performance of the season on Friday while scoring the team's first run and driving in the other with a single. The Padres have been blanked eight times this season, with both losses in their last eight contests being shutout defeats.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, MLB Network, WPIX (New York), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Bartolo Colon (2-1, 2.56 ERA) vs. Padres RH James Shields (1-4, 3.23)

Colon defeated the Braves in his last outing, when he scattered seven hits over eight scoreless innings while striking out seven. He has issued only three walks and fanned 28 while giving up three or fewer runs in each of his five starts. Colon is 2-3 with a 4.13 ERA in six career outings against San Diego and has struggled with Melvin Upton Jr. (10-for-33) while dominating Alexei Ramirez (0-for-15).

Shields was winless over his first five starts before beating Colorado in his last turn, when he gave up one run and nine hits in six innings. He has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his last four outings and has given up as many as four just once this season. Shields is 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA in three career starts against New York and has had a lot of success against Curtis Granderson (8-for-64, two homers).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets are 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position over the first two contests of the four-game series.

2. San Diego RHP Fernando Rodney saved each of the first two games and hasn't allowed an earned run in 12 appearances.

3. New York SS Asdrubal Cabrera recorded two of his team's three hits Friday and is 6-for-18 with a homer over his last five games.

PREDICTION: Padres 4, Mets 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (13-14) at Los Angeles Angels (13-16)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 07 - 9:05 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Tampa Bay Rays attempt to record their third consecutive road victory when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Tampa Bay had dropped three of four away from home before rolling to an 8-1 victory over the New York Yankees on April 24 and made it two straight with Friday's 5-2 triumph in which Corey Dickerson highlighted a four-run first inning with a three-run homer.

Steve Pearce is 5-for-12 over his last three games and has hit safely in all but four of his 16 contests this season. Los Angeles has lost five of its last seven contests after having its three-game winning streak at home snapped. Mike Trout has gone hitless in only two of his last 15 games, recording six multi-hit performances in that span. The former American League Most Valuable Player drove in a run Friday for the fifth consecutive game, registering 10 RBIs during the streak.

TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (0-1, 3.12 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jered Weaver (3-1, 5.40)

Odorizzi remains in search of his first victory of the season despite having allowed fewer than two earned runs in four of his six starts. The 26-year-old native of Illinois worked seven strong innings against Toronto on Sunday but settled for a no-decision after giving up one run and two hits with six strikeouts. Odorizzi has yet to defeat Los Angeles, going 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in two career outings.

Weaver looks to rebound from a disastrous start at Milwaukee on Monday in which he was tagged for seven runs and 11 hits over five innings. The 33-year-old Californian has been hit or miss this season, allowing one run in two outings and four or more in his other three. Weaver is 5-5 with a 3.81 ERA in 12 career starts against Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels placed RHP Garrett Richards (elbow), who likely needs Tommy John surgery, on the 15-day disabled list and recalled RHP Javy Guerra from Triple-A Salt Lake while transferring LHP Andrew Heaney (elbow) to the 60-day DL.

2. Tampa Bay will recall RHP Matt Andriese from Triple-A Durham to start Sunday's series finale.

3. Los Angeles' Daniel Nava (knee) was activated from the DL and went 1-for-4 while fellow OF Rafael Ortega was optioned to Salt Lake.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Angels 4

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Yankees-Red Sox games have gone over the total 56% of the time since 2005.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Yankees Andrew Miller, Rest - is doubtful Saturday (5/7) vs. Boston

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Most Lopsided Public Bet MLB Games Today ...


Red Sox -130 72%
White Sox -210 67%
O's *GM 1* -133 65%

 

[NewYorkKnight]

David Price has a 6.14 ERA since joining the Red Sox. Over is 5-1 in his 6 starts.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Nats - Daniel Murphy, Rest - is not in the starting lineup Saturday (5/7) at Chicago Cubs

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Indians - Michael Brantley, Rest - is not in the starting lineup Saturday (5/7) vs. Kansas City

 

[NewYorkKnight]