MLB Betting Info - Sunday 5/8

[NewYorkKnight]

Preview: Rockies (14-15) at Giants (16-15)


Game: 4
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: May 08, 2016 4:05 PM EDT


San Francisco took a gamble by giving Jeff Samardzija a long-term contract in the offseason after he mostly disappointed in 2015.


So far it seems like a wise investment.


Samardzija looks to keep rolling while helping the Giants win the final three of a four-game series with the visiting Colorado Rockies on Sunday.


Samardzija (4-1, 3.32 ERA) struggled last season with the Chicago White Sox, posting a 4.96 ERA in 32 starts. San Francisco (17-15) was in desperate need of bolstering its starting staff, though, and gave him a five-year, $90 million contract.


The right-hander has lived up to it at this point. He's won three straight starts for the first time in his career and had his best of the season Tuesday, allowing one run and three hits with nine strikeouts in eight innings of a 3-1 win over Cincinnati.


His competitive nature showed through when he risked injury by snapping his bat over his leg after striking out with two runners on in the eighth.


"It's stupid," said Samardzija, who is a career .137 hitter.


Samardzija was brilliant against the Rockies on April 12, going eight innings in a 2-0 victory. He's 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four career starts against them, and Carlos Gonzalez is just 3 for 16 in their matchups.


Eddie Butler will get the ball for Colorado (14-16) in his second start since being recalled from the minors April 27. Butler (0-1, 6.75) allowed only four hits in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to San Diego, but two left the ballpark and he finished with five runs allowed in 5 2/3 innings.


"I felt good, kind of came out with a game plan and we really executed early, we ended up getting through the lineup clean and tried to continue it," said Butler, who retired the first 11 batters he faced. "We had an opportunity to get the team on the right track and end up going out like that."


The right-hander won both of his starts with a 3.18 ERA against the Giants last season, and he'll try to help the Rockies avoid a fifth loss in seven tries in this one.


Colorado took the lead Saturday in the 10th on Tony Wolters' RBI double following nine scoreless innings, but San Francisco tied it in the bottom half when Brandon Crawford singled in Brandon Belt.


The Giants won it in the 13th on Matt Duffy's RBI double, giving them a fifth victory in seven tries.


"It can be pretty demoralizing if you spend that much time, that much focus, that much energy and that much of your bullpen and then you come out with a loss," Duffy said. "That makes it all worth it when you get something out of it."


The Rockies have scored five runs over the last two games after winning Thursday's series opener 17-7.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Preview: Mets (17-11) at Padres (13-17)


Game: 4
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: May 08, 2016 4:40 PM EDT


The New York Mets' stud pitchers put in stellar work during an eight-game win streak in April, but a lack of run support since then led to some ordinary results.


The Mets regained some pop in their previous game - and even their 42-year-old starting pitcher got in on the act.


New York will try to continue scoring when Matt Harvey takes the mound Sunday looking to help the club salvage a four-game split against the San Diego Padres.


The Mets' rotation posted a 2.51 ERA during their streak April 22-30.


Harvey (2-4, 4.76 ERA), Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz led the way with two victories apiece, and Noah Syndergaard also pitched well in his one start during the surge.


Bartolo Colon has earned two wins and Matz picked up one in the seven games since the streak, but Syndergaard lost twice while Harvey and deGrom have both taken a loss.


The starters, however, shouldn't shoulder the blame because they posted a 2.84 ERA in the six games after the streak. Run support was the issue for the Mets, who scored 50 times during the eight-game run but only 16 times in the six that followed.


That dip in production appeared to end Saturday when New York (18-11) went deep four times in a 6-3 win over San Diego (13-18), including a two-run shot by Colon, who turns 43 on May 24 and became the oldest player to hit his first major league home run.


Yoenis Cespedes hit his 10th of the season and fifth in 10 games before David Wright and Michael Conforto added back-to-back solo blasts in the ninth.


New York will try to keep it up to back Harvey, who is 1-1 with a 3.50 ERA in three career starts against the Padres.


The right-hander received 10 combined runs of support in winning his previous two outings before the Mets were shut out for the second time when he starts in Tuesday's 3-0 loss to Atlanta. In two of his other starts, New York has put up one and two runs.


Despite the lack of support, Harvey is blaming his early struggles on bad mechanics and not his heavy 2015 workload in his comeback from Tommy John surgery. He was 5-1 with a 2.72 ERA after his first six starts last season.


"My body doesn't feel bad," Harvey told MLB's official website. "I don't feel tired. I don't feel any downside from the workload last year. It's just right now, I'm in a little funk with my mechanics, and we're working to get rid of that."


Opposing Harvey will be Andrew Cashner (2-2, 4.85), who has notched three quality starts in his last four outings. The right-hander tossed six resilient innings and allowed three runs and five hits in a 6-3 win over Colorado on Tuesday.


Cashner's first two innings were rough - he allowed all three runs while laboring through 57 pitches - before he bounced back to clamp it down. He'll now try to win consecutive outings for the first time since a three-start streak in September 2014.


"You never use your last start as motivation - you forget about it," Cashner said. "Today's over with, and it's on to the Mets on Sunday. Can't really look back. You've just got to keep looking forward, good or bad."


Cashner is 0-2 with a 7.88 ERA in three career starts against New York.


Padres second baseman Jemile Weeks strained his right hamstring running out a bunt in the seventh Saturday and was helped off the field. His status is unclear.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Preview: Red Sox (17-12) at Yankees (10-17)


Game: 3
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: May 08, 2016 8:05 PM EDT


There were no outward displays like in the series opener, but Boston's frustrations continued in its most recent game at Yankee Stadium.


Steven Wright will try to help the Red Sox avoid their first three-game sweep in the Bronx in four seasons in Sunday night's series finale against the New York Yankees.


Boston manager John Farrell had to restrain an incensed David Ortiz on Friday after the slugger took issue with umpire Ron Kulpa's strike zone in the ninth inning. Both were tossed in a 3-2 loss, and Farrell might get suspended for failing to leave the dugout following his ejection.


"Great finish to a game," he said. "I didn't want to miss it."


The anger subsided Saturday but the result was even more lopsided with the Yankees claiming an 8-2 victory. Didi Gregorius hit a three-run double in the fourth inning as New York (11-17) won back-to-back games for only the second time since April 12.


The Yankees' other win streak was April 22-23 - among four victories in their last five home games. The Red Sox (17-13) had won nine of 11 before heading to New York.


The Yankees will try to add to their successful stretch at home while claiming their first three-game sweep there against their rivals since Oct. 1-3, 2012. They can also avenge last weekend's three-game sweep at Fenway Park.


"Taking two games out of three right now against them, it feels good," New York outfielder Carlos Beltran told MLB's official website. "(Sunday), we have a chance to take three out of three. That's important for us."


Wright (2-3, 1.67 ERA) just missed pitching in that series, instead drawing the club's series opener against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. He yielded two runs in six innings in that game, but Jose Quintana outdueled him in a 4-1 defeat.


The knuckleballer has received a combined two runs of support in his three losses and 13 in his two victories.


Roger Clemens is the only other Red Sox pitcher in the last 100 years to allow two runs or less and six or fewer hits in eight straight starts - a streak that began for Wright on July 30.


"He's done everything we could've asked to get deep into games and low-run situations," manager John Farrell told MLB's official website. "And not just this year, this goes back to when he was in the rotation last year."


Wright is 1-1 with a 0.69 ERA in two career starts against New York and registered a 2-1 victory at Yankee Stadium in his only one last season Aug. 5. He also earned another win there while pitching the final five of a 19-inning game in April.


As in his matchup in August, Wright will be opposed by Luis Severino (0-4, 6.31 ERA). The Yankees have lost in each of the right-hander's last six starts dating to October, including five this season.


He was charged with all of Baltimore's runs in a 4-1 defeat Tuesday and made two errors in six innings. Severino has received just four runs of support this season.


The right-hander might need a strong outing soon with general manager Brian Cashman hinting that a trip to the minors could be in his future.


"If we feel that's what has to take place, that's definitely an avenue that's open," Cashman said.


Severino gave up two runs, two hits and walked none while striking out seven in his lone start against the Red Sox. Ortiz got a solo homer off him.


Yankees outfielder and former Red Sox player Jacoby Ellsbury remains day to day because of a strained muscle in his right hip. Manager Joe Girardi is hopeful he can avoid joining Alex Rodriguez and C.C. Sabathia on the disabled list.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

MLB


Sunday's games


National League games


Nationals @ Cubs
Roark is 2-1, 2.36 in his last five starts, four of which stayed under.


Arrieta is 6-0, 0.84 in six starts (over 6-0); Cubs outscored foes 42-8 in those games. .


Washington lost four of its last five games, four of which went over. Cubs won ten of last 11 games; over is 11-3-1 in their last fifteen games.


Phillies @ Marlins
Nola is 2-0, 0.43 in his last three starts (under 5-1).


Nicolino is 2-0, 2.70 in two starts this year (over 1-1).


Phillies lost four of their last six games; under is 8-3-1 in their last 12. Marlins won ten of last 12 games; five of their last seven home games stayed under.


Diamondbacks @ Braves
Corbin is 0-2, 7.94 in his last three starts; his last four starts went over.


Foltynewicz allowed four runs in 3.2 IP (98 PT) in his first '16 start.


Arizona lost six of its last eight games but won last two; seven of its last nine games stayed under total. Braves lost 13 of last 16 games- they're 1-14 at home.


Brewers @ Reds
Guerra allowed four runs in six IP (72 PT) in his first MLB start.


Lamb allowed one run in six IP (103 PT) in his first '16 start.


Milwaukee is 4-9 on road; over is 11-3-2 in its last 16 games. Cincinnati won three of last four games; over is 8-2-1 in its last eleven at home.


Pirates @ Cardinals
Cole is 2-3, 4.94 in five starts this year, last four of which went over.


Wacha is 2-2, 1.91 in his last five starts; Cardinals got shut out in his last two starts. Three of his last four starts stayed under the total.


Pirates lost five of last six games but won seven of last nine on road; over is 10-3 in their last 13 road games. St Louis won four of its last six games.


Mets @ Padres
Harvey is 1-2, 6.06 in three road starts this year (over 3-3).


Cashner is 1-1, 9.35 in his last two starts; three of his last four went over.


New York lost three of last five games; over is 9-3 in its last 12 on the road. Padres are 6-3 in their last nine games; six of their last nine games stayed under the total.


Rockies @ Giants
Butler allowed five runs in 52 IP (80 PT) in his first '16 start.


Samardzija is 3-0, 2.95 in his last three starts; both his home starts went over.


Colorado lost four of its last six games; under is 9-4 in its last thirteen road games. Giants won seven of last nine home games; over is 13-3 in their last 16 home games.




American League games


A's @ Orioles
Graveman is 0-2, 8.18 in his last two starts (under 3-2).


Tillman is 2-0, 1.37 in his last three starts; five of his six starts stayed under.


A's lost five of their last six games; over is 10-6 in their last 16 games. Orioles lost four of their last seven games; under is 11-5-1 in their home games.


Red Sox @ Bronx
Wright is 2-3, 2.51 in five starts; three of his last four starts stayed under.


Severino is 0-4, 6.66 in five starts this year, four of which stayed under.


Boston won 11 of its last 15 games; six of their last nine games stayed under total New York won three of last four games; eight of its last 11 games stayed under total.


Rangers @ Tigers
Perez is 1-0, 1.64 in his last two starts; four of his last five starts stayed under.


Verlander is 1-2, 5.89 in his last three starts (over 4-1-1).


Texas lost seven of last ten road games, but won last two; 11 of its 16 road games stayed under total. Detroit lost its last five games; ten of its last 14 games went over.


Royals @ Indians
Volquez is 0-2, 7.11 in his last two starts (under 5-1).


Tomlin is 4-0, 3.52 in four starts this year (over 3-1).


Royals lost eight of their last 11 games; seven of their last nine road games stayed under total. Cleveland won four of its last five games; four of its last six home games went over the total.


Twins @ White Sox
Duffey is 0-1, 4.36 in two starts this year (over 1-1).


Quintana is 4-1, 1.66 in six starts this year, last five of which stayed under.


Minnesota is 2-14 on the road; over is 8-1-1 in their last ten road games. Chicago won 13 of last 18 games; nine of their last 12 home games stayed under.


Mariners @ Astros
Iwakuma is 1-1, 3.60 in his last three starts (over 4-2).


McHugh is 2-0, 5.06 in his last two starts; over is 4-1-1 in his '16 starts.


Mariners won 13 of their last 17 games; five of their last seven road games went over the total. Houston is 6-12 in its last 18 games; over is 9-4-1 in its last 14.


Rays @ Angels
Andriese is making first '16 start; he is 3-5, 4.11 in 25 big league games (eight starts). He is 1-2, 3.41 in six AAA starts this season. .


Tropeano is 0-1, 5.17 in his last three starts (under 3-0-2).


Tampa Bay won its last three games; six of its last seven road games went under the total. Angels lost six of last eight games. Under is 8-2 in their last ten home games.




Interleague


Dodgers @ Blue Jays
Stripling is 0-2, 7.24 in his last three starts (under 4-0-1).


Estrada is 1-2, 2.64 in five starts, all of which stayed under total.


Dodgers lost eight of last 11 games; five of their last seven road games went over the total. Toronto won six of its last nine games; seven of its last ten games stayed under the total




Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:


Wsh-Chi-- Roark 2-4; Arrieta 6-0
Phil-Mia-- Nola 3-3; Nicolino 2-0
Mil-Cin-- Guerra 1-0; Lamb 0-1
Az-Atl-- Corbin 2-4; Foltynewicz 0-1
Pitt-StL-- Cole 2-3; Wacha 5-1
Col-SF-- Butler 0-1; Samardzija 4-2
NY-SD-- Harvey 2-4; Cashner 4-2


A's-Balt-- Graveman 1-4; Tillman 5-1
Bos-NY-- Wright 2-3; Severino 0-5
Tex-Det-- Perez 1-5; Verlander 3-3
KC-Clev-- Volquez 4-2; Tomlin 4-0
Minn-Chi-- Duffey 0-2; Quintana 5-1
Sea-Hst-- Iwakuma 3-3; McHugh 3-3
TB-LAA-- Andriese 0-0; Tropeano 2-3


LA-Tor-- Stripling 2-3; Estrada 2-3




Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:


Wsh-Chi-- Roark 1-6; Arrieta 0-6
Phil-Mia-- Nola 3-6; Nicolino 0-2
Mil-Cin-- Guerra 1-1; Lamb 1-1
Az-Atl-- Corbin 4-6; Foltynewicz 1-1
Pitt-StL-- Cole 1-5; Wacha 2-6
Col-SF-- Butler 0-1; Samardzija 1-6
NY-SD-- Harvey 2-6; Cashner 3-6


A's-Balt-- Graveman 1-5; Tillman 2-6
Bos-NY-- Wright 3-5; Severino 2-5
Tex-Det-- Perez 1-6; Verlander 4-6
KC-Clev-- Volquez 1-6; Tomlin 2-4
Minn-Chi-- Duffey 2-2; Quintana 1-6
Sea-Hst-- Iwakuma 1-6; McHugh 4-6
TB-LAA-- Andriese 0-0; Tropeano 2-5


LA-Tor-- Stripling 0-5; Estrada 2-5




Umpires


Pitt-StL-- Three of four Gibson games went over the total.
Wsh-Chi-- Under is 9-4 in last thirteen Reyburn games.
Col-SF-- Six of last nine Bucknor games went over total.
Mil-Cin-- Five of last six Barber games went over.
Phil-Mia-- Four of last five Davidson games stayed under.
Az-Atl-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Drake games.
NY-SD-- DeJesus' first two MLB games both went over.


A's-Balt-- Five of seven Timmons games stayed under.
Bos-NY-- Favorites won five of last six Morales games
Tex-Det-- Four of five Guccione games stayed under.
KC-Clev-- Favorites won nine of last eleven Wolcott games.
Sea-Hst-- Over is 4-1-1 in Nelson games this year.
Minn-Chi-- Four of five Hoberg games went over the total
TB-LAA-- Favorites won six of last seven Barry games.


LA-Tor-- Four of five Fairchild games went over total.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (15-15) at Toronto Blue Jays (16-16)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 1:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

After being cooled off by Clayton Kershaw, the Toronto Blue Jays look to get back on track when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday afternoon in the rubber match of a three-game set. Toronto had its four-game winning streak snapped by three-time National League Cy Young Award winner Kershaw in Saturday's 6-2 defeat.

Although the Dodgers have won only three times in the last 11 games, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez appears to have rediscovered his hitting stroke. Following a slump in which he was hitless in 20 at-bats, Gonzalez went 2-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs Saturday to run his hitting streak to four games and halt a 10-game RBI drought. Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar, who clubbed a three-run homer in the series opener, is 5-for-13 with six RBIs over the past three games. Toronto sends veteran right-hander Marco Estrada to the mound Sunday while Los Angeles counters with rookie Ross Stripling.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (0-2, 4.33 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (1-2, 2.64)

Stripling had a splashy start to his major league career, throwing 7 1/3 no-hit innings in his first outing and following that up with six innings of two-run ball against Arizona. Things have since deteriorated for the 26-year-old rookie, who was knocked around for five runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to San Diego last time out. Stripling has pitched a total of 13 2/3 innings over his last three turns, giving up 11 runs and 21 hits.

Estrada turned in his third quality start of the season last time out against Texas, but he had to settle for a no-decision despite permitting only one run on two hits over six innings. He took the loss against the Chicago White Sox in his previous turn after allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings while walking four batters for the second straight outing. Estrada has been tormented by Los Angeles' Chase Utley, who is 6-for-10 with a homer and five RBIs against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers RHP Kenley Jansen has converted all 11 saves chances this season and 23 in a row dating to last year.

2. Blue Jays SS Troy Tulowitzki is 6-for-44 with one extra-base hit over his last 12 games.

3. The Dodgers claimed RHP Casey Fien off waivers from Minnesota.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Dodgers 4

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (17-14) at Miami Marlins (16-13)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Aaron Nola looks to keep his hot streak going when he toes the rubber for the Philadelphia Phillies in the finale of their three-game series against the host Miami Marlins on Sunday. The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the top young pitchers in the game and carries a 20-inning scoreless streak into what will be his fourth straight start on the road, where he owns a sparkling 0.64 ERA.

"The guy is just a really good pitcher," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin told reporters following Nola's most recent gem - a 1-0 win over St. Louis. "You can't sit on one side of the plate because he's so good locating to both sides." Nola's effort versus the Cardinals preceded a three-game losing streak for the Phillies, who ended the skid with a comeback 4-3 win on Saturday. Odubel Herrera recorded an RBI single and scored a run in the pivotal three-run eighth inning, keeping alive a six-game hitting streak during which he has gone 10-for-23 to raise his average to .330. The budding star from Venezuela now is hitting .384 in 21 career games against the Marlins, who lost for just the second time in 13 games Saturday.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (2-2, 2.93 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Justin Nicolino (2-0, 2.70)

Nola has worked exactly seven innings in each of his last three starts, recording seven strikeouts every time. The former first-round pick has yielded a scant eight hits in that stretch and is limiting opponents to a .176 average, which is even more impressive when one considers the fact he has issued only seven walks in 40 frames overall. Nola tossed eight scoreless innings in his lone start against the Marlins last season, limiting them to three hits.

After blanking the Los Angeles Dodgers in his season debut on April 27, Nicolino gave up four runs in six frames against Arizona on Tuesday but still managed to pick up his second win in as many tries. He has recorded just two strikeouts against five walks in those two outings. The 24-year-old allowed four runs and 11 hits over 14 2/3 innings in two starts against the Phillies in 2015.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia is 10-3 in one-run games.

2. Miami LF Christian Yelich is 4-for-8 in the series and is batting .333 in 32 career games against the Phillies.

3. Marlins CF Marcell Ozuna has recorded four straight two-hit performances and belted four homers in his last seven contests.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Marlins 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (12-18) at Cincinnati Reds (13-18)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

After ending their three-game slide in emphatic fashion, the Milwaukee Brewers attempt to earn a split of the four-game series when they visit the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. Milwaukee recorded a total of six runs in losing the first two games of the set before scoring seven in the 10th inning en route to a 13-7 triumph on Saturday.

Aaron Hill is riding an eight-game hitting streak that featured his first career three-homer performance Saturday in which he belted a tiebreaking grand slam in the 10th to match the franchise record for RBIs in a game with seven. Hill, who drove in eight runs in his first 28 games of the season, is 12-for-29 during his hitting streak. Cincinnati squandered a pair of four-run leads Saturday as it had its string of three straight wins halted and fell to 3-3 on its 10-game homestand. Brandon Phillips has been on a tear for the Reds as he enters the series finale with a six-game hitting streak and home runs in each of his last four contests.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Junior Guerra (1-0, 6.00 ERA) vs. Reds LH John Lamb (0-0, 1.50)

Guerra came away with the victory in his first major-league start Tuesday despite surrendering four runs and seven hits in six innings against the Los Angeles Angels. The 31-year-old Venezuelan issued one walk and struck out three while throwing 72 pitches - six more than his total in three relief appearances with the Chicago White Sox last season. Guerra, who has not faced any member of the Reds, recorded 23 strikeouts over 23 1/3 frames in four starts for Triple-A Colorado Springs before being recalled but went 0-2 with a 4.63 ERA.

Lamb pitched well in his season debut Tuesday but settled for a no-decision against San Francisco after allowing one run and six hits over six innings. It was a strong showing by the 25-year-old Californian, who began the campaign on the disabled list due to offseason back surgery and posted a 9.22 ERA in three rehab starts for Triple-A Louisville. Lamb made two starts versus Milwaukee last year, going 0-1 while yielding eight runs and 14 hits over 11 2/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Drew Hayes and Steve Delabar pitched for the Reds on Saturday after being summoned from Louisville to replace fellow RHPs J.J. Hoover, who was optioned to Triple-A, and Jon Moscot, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder inflammation.

2. Brewers LF Ryan Braun, who is on a seven-game hitting streak, ended his homer drought at nine games Saturday with the 19th of his career at Great American Ball Park - his highest total at a road stadium.

3. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto and 2B Phillips have played 1,000 games together on the right side of the team's infield, the most in team history and the eighth-highest total in the majors since 1900.

PREDICTION: Reds 7, Brewers 4

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Texas Rangers (17-14) at Detroit Tigers (14-15)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Texas Rangers are getting well at the expense of Detroit's pitching staff and look to compete a three-game sweep of the host Tigers in Sunday afternoon's series finale. The Rangers have bounced back from losing three straight in Toronto by belting six home runs, including five Saturday to send the Tigers to their fifth straight defeat.

Detroit right-hander Justin Verlander made headlines earlier in the week when his engagement to model/actress Kate Upton became public, but his immediate concern is quieting a lineup that has produced 20 hits in the past two games. Former Cy Young Award winner Verlander is off to a rocky start, owning the highest ERA (6.49) among starters in the American League entering the weekend. Rangers leadoff hitter Rougned Odor has homered in each of the last two games and is 5-for-10 with four RBIs and three runs scored in the series. Opposing Verlander is left-hander Martin Perez, who has an ERA of nearly 10.00 in three career starts against the Tigers.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (1-2, 3.60 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (2-3, 6.49)

Perez blanked Toronto on four hits over five innings Tuesday but did not factor in the decision after walking three batters and throwing 90 pitches. The 25-year-old Venezuelan notched his only win of the season in his previous start by limiting the New York Yankees to two runs on six hits over six innings. Tigers DH Victor Martinez is 3-for-6 with a home run and Miguel Cabrera is 2-for-3 with four walks versus Perez, who is 0-2 with a 4.24 in three road starts.

Verlander's up-and-down - mostly down - season continued in his last outing when he was shelled for seven runs on eight hits over five innings in a 7-3 setback at Cleveland. Verlander, who has alternated losses and wins over his last five turns, rode an offensive eruption to a 9-4 victory over Oakland on April 27, allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings. He is 9-5 lifetime against the Rangers and went 1-1 against them last year with 13 strikeouts and two earned runs allowed in 13 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera collected four hits Saturday to boost his career batting average versus Texas to .389 in 74 games.

2. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre ended a 14-game homer drought by going deep twice Saturday.

3. Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler is 4-for-8 with a homer in the series and 25-for-64 lifetime against the Rangers.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Rangers 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Kansas City Royals (15-14) at Cleveland Indians (14-13)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The defending World Series champion Kansas City Royals are having trouble keeping the momentum moving in a positive direction so far in 2016. The Royals will try to avoid their fourth straight series loss when they visit the Cleveland Indians in the rubber match of a three-game set on Sunday.

The American League Central rivals traded strong pitching performances in the first two games of the series, with the Indians riding Danny Salazar to a 7-1 victory in Friday’s opener and Kansas City getting seven strong innings from Ian Kennedy in Saturday’s 7-0 win. The seven-run outburst was a rarity for the Royals, who are operating without their leading home run hitter after third baseman Mike Moustakas was placed on the disabled list with a fractured thumb. Cheslor Cuthbert went 1-for-4 with an RBI single in his season debut while starting in place of Moustakas on Saturday. Cleveland had a four-game winning streak come to an end with the loss and is looking for a second straight series win against a division opponent after sweeping the Detroit Tigers during the week.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Edinson Volquez (3-2, 3.13 ERA) vs. Indians RH Josh Tomlin (4-0, 3.13)

Volquez surrendered two or fewer runs in five of his six starts and bounced back from his worst outing by holding the Washington Nationals to two runs in 7 2/3 innings on Monday. The Dominican Republic native could not get any support and absorbed the loss in that outing, giving him two straight setbacks after a debacle at the Los Angeles Angels on April 26 in which he was reached for eight runs in five innings. Volquez doesn’t quite have a handle on how to pitch to Cleveland and is 2-4 with an 8.01 ERA in seven career starts against the Indians.

Tomlin is undefeated in four starts and has issued a total of two walks in 23 innings. The 31-year-old Texan yielded nine hits in six innings against Detroit on Tuesday but limited the damage to two runs while striking out five. Tomlin is 6-4 with a 5.11 ERA in 16 career games – 12 starts – against the Royals but held Kansas City to two runs in a complete-game effort at home last season on Sept. 15.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals DH Kendrys Morales homered on Saturday – his first blast since April 11.

2. Cleveland SS Francisco Lindor is 12-for-27 with six runs scored in the last seven games.

3. Moustakas is expected to miss two-to-three weeks with the fractured left thumb.

PREDICTION: Royals 6, Indians 5

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Oakland Athletics (14-17) at Baltimore Orioles (17-12)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Slugger Chris Davis looks to build off a potential slump-breaking blast when his Baltimore Orioles host the Oakland Athletics on Sunday afternoon in the rubber match of their three-game series. Davis belted his eighth homer of the campaign and first in eight contests to break out of an 0-for-16 funk and aid a 5-2 victory in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Manny Machado endured one four-game slump for the Orioles but has produced multiple hits in six of nine contests since to raise his average to .345. The Athletics have lost five of their last six since finishing 13-12 in April and send Kendall Graveman to the mound in the finale against Baltimore’s Chris Tillman. Oakland has won only twice in nine games against the Orioles over the last two seasons and will look to the red-hot Josh Reddick, who is 9-for-14 in his last three contests, to help turn the tide Sunday. Coco Crisp recorded three hits to raise his career average at Camden Yards to .364 as the Athletics posted an 8-4 triumph in Saturday's opening game.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Kendall Graveman (1-3, 4.40 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Chris Tillman (3-1, 2.81)

Graveman struggled en route to losses in his last two starts, allowing 10 runs and 20 hits over 11 innings, after beginning the season with three solid outings. The 25-year-old Mississippi State product has surrendered five home runs, including three against Detroit on April 25. Graveman permitted nine runs and 14 hits over nine innings in two starts against Baltimore last season.

Tillman yielded a total of three runs in his last three outings, recording 22 strikeouts and nine walks while earning two victories. The 28-year-old Californian has been better at home this season, going 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in four starts. Khris Davis is 2-for-2 with a double and a homer versus Tillman, who is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in five career starts against Oakland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland CF and leadoff batter Billy Burns is 7-for-18 during his four-game hitting streak.

2. Baltimore 2B Jonathan Schoop struck out four times in Saturday’s doubleheader but extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

3. Athletics 3B Danny Valencia (hamstring) returned to the lineup Saturday for the first time since April 20 and hit safely for the 12th time in 15 games this season.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Athletics 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (14-18) at Atlanta Braves (7-22)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Atlanta Braves’ start to the 2016 season has been one for the record books, but not the kind of historical accomplishments anybody wants to claim. The Braves host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of a three-game series Sunday while looking to avoid a sweep, and after losing the first two contests they sit at 1-14 at home -- the first team since the 1913 New York Yankees to open a season by losing 14 of its first 15 contests in their own stadium.

The Diamondbacks gave up 5.8 runs per game during a six-game losing streak entering the weekend, but have surrendered just four tallies in 18 innings in taking the first two games of the series -- rallying from a 2-0 deficit to beat Atlanta 4-2 on Saturday. Closer Brad Ziegler breezed through the ninth Saturday for his sixth save of the season and his 34th consecutive successful save opportunity, the longest streak in the majors. Arizona second baseman Jean Segura recorded his 13th multi-hit game of the season Saturday, going 2-for-5 to raise his average to .344. Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman hit his fourth homer of the year, just the seventh by a Braves player this season.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (1-3, 4.91 ERA) vs. Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (0-1, 9.82)

Corbin made an impressive return from Tommy John surgery last year, going 6-5 with a 3.60 ERA in 16 starts, but has given up almost as many homers through six starts in 2016 (eight) as he did last year (nine). The 26-year-old gave up three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings of a no-decision Tuesday at Miami, rebounding somewhat after allowing seven runs in 5 2/3 frames on April 27 against St. Louis. Corbin, a 2013 National League All-Star, has not allowed a run to the Braves in 16 2/3 innings across three career appearances.

The long ball hurt Foltynewicz in his season debut Monday at New York as the 24-year-old allowed three first-inning homers while giving up four runs on five hits in the frame. But Foltynewicz surrendered no runs on three hits the rest of the way before being lifted after 3 2/3 innings, and looks to Sunday’s start as a chance to grab hold of a spot at the back of Atlanta’s rotation. Foltynewicz made 18 appearances (15 starts) for the Braves last season, going 4-6 with a 5.71 ERA with 17 homers allowed in 86 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks OF Yasmany Tomas has not played in the first two games of the series while dealing with a stiff neck and manager Chip Hale told reporters before Saturday’s game he may return to the lineup as early as Sunday.

2. Atlanta OF Ender Inciarte returned from the disabled list Saturday, going 0-for-3 with a walk in his first game since April 8.

3. Braves RHP Arodys Vizcaino gave up one run on two hits Saturday and has allowed a tally in three of his past four appearances.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Braves 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Seattle Mariners (18-12) at Houston Astros (11-20)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The first-place Seattle Mariners try for their seven consecutive series victory when they conclude a seven-game road trip against the last-place Houston Astros on Sunday. Seattle's Robinson Cano (.306, 11 home runs, 32 RBIs) continues to torment Houston as he went 4-for-5 with a pair of solo home runs in Saturday's 3-2 victory and is batting .451 with four blasts, 19 RBIs and five runs scored during his 12-game hitting streak versus the Astros.

After starting the season 3-6, the Mariners (18-12) won five straight three-game series 2-1 before sweeping Oakland earlier this week to begin their road trip. Seattle is second in the American League in ERA (3.03), runs scored (4.5 per game) and run differential (plus-30) while leading the AL West by 1 1/2 games over Texas. Houston (11-20) showed signs of life with four wins in its six games prior to Saturday and tied the contest 2-2 on Luis Valbuena's home run in the ninth inning before Cano's second blast came with one out in the 10th. Seattle's Hisashi Iwakuma is coming off his first victory of the season after being roughed up by the Astros in his previous start and opposes Collin McHugh, who has won two straight - including a 7-4 victory against Iwakuma and the Mariners on April 27.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle, Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (1-3, 4.03 ERA) vs. Astros RH Collin McHugh (3-3, 6.59)

Iwakuma allowed one run and four hits in seven innings of an 8-2 victory in Oakland on Tuesday to snap a seven-start slide which included a career-worst four straight no-decisions dating to last season. “I had a lot of life on my fastball, especially down in the zone,” the 35-year-old Tokyo native told reporters. “I was able to get strike one, get ahead of the hitters.” Iwakuma is 4-5 with a 4.18 ERA in 11 starts versus Houston after yielding five runs in five innings two starts ago, but he struggles mightily with Jose Altuve (13-for-30, home run, seven RBIs).

McHugh permitted four runs and seven hits while striking out six in 5 2/3 innings of a 6-4 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday. The 28-year-old Illinois native has yielded four or more runs in four of his six starts this season and has a 1.83 WHIP and .358 batting average against after posting 1.28 and 2.63 numbers during his 19-win season in 2015. McHugh is 6-3 with a 5.30 ERA in nine starts versus Seattle after allowing two runs and five hits in five innings on April 27 and has some trouble with Cano (8-for-25), who went 2-for-2 with a solo home run and RBI single against him two starts back.

WALK-OFFS

1. Altuve (.317, nine home runs, 19 RBIs) did not start Saturday for the first time this season (sore left index finger) but entered as a pinch runner and grounded out in his only plate appearance.

2. Mariners 3B Kyle Seager (.232) went 3-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday and is 15-for-33 with three blasts and nine RBIs during his eight-game hitting streak, raising his average 93 points.

3. Houston RHP Will Harris hasn't allowed a run in 13 straight appearances (13 1/3 innings) and has permitted eight hits and one walk during that span.

PREDICTION: Astros 3, Mariners 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Minnesota Twins (8-22) at Chicago White Sox (21-10)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Chicago White Sox need to look no further than Chris Sale and Jose Quintana as to why they are off to their best 31-game start in 10 years. After Sale became only the franchise's fifth pitcher to win his first seven starts of a season since 1913 on Saturday, the AL-best White Sox attempt to improve to 13-1 in games started by one of their two dominant left-handers and try to complete their second sweep of the season of the Minnesota Twins at home Sunday.

Quintana (1.40) and Sale (1.79) rank third and seventh, respectively, in the majors in ERA, allowing Chicago (21-10) to boast an American League-low 2.84 ERA. A good part of that success has come at the expense of the Twins, whom the White Sox have outscored 27-8 en route to their best start since the 2006 club went 22-9. On the other hand, Minnesota (8-22) has dropped four straight overall and is the only AL club with fewer than 10 victories, going a major-league worst 2-14 on the road. The Twins don't appear poised to change their downward spiral anytime soon either as first baseman Byung Ho Park (foot) and catcher Kurt Suzuki (neck) left Saturday's game with injuries, joining second baseman Brian Dozier (hamstring), who missed his second straight game, on the bench.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), CSN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Tyler Duffey (0-1, 1.74 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Jose Quintana (4-1, 1.40)
Duffey took his first loss of the season on April 30 against Detroit, yielding four runs - one earned - on five hits while striking out seven over 6 1/3 innings. The effort was a slight improvement for the Rice product, who allowed a run in four frames in his first outing of the season at Washington. Duffey was a bit unlucky in his only career start against the White Sox last season, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision.
Quintana allowed only one runner to get past first base en route to his third victory in as many tries Tuesday against Boston, yielding only a run on four hits across eight innings. The 27-year-old Colombian has been dominant during his winning streak, giving up that one run on a solo shot from Hanley Ramirez while fanning 19 over 21 innings. Quintana, who has yet to allow more than two earned runs in any of his six starts this season, collected his first win of the season at Minnesota on April 11 after permitting one run in six frames.

WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago 2B Brett Lawrie went 1-for-5 on Saturday and is batting .343 during his 16-game hitting streak against Minnesota.
2. The Twins on Saturday placed SS Eduardo Escobar on the disabled list with a strained groin.
3. White Sox starting pitchers have allowed two runs or fewer in 18 of 31 games.

PREDICTION: White Sox 5, Twins 1

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (16-14) at St. Louis Cardinals (16-15)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Pittsburgh Pirates have dropped five of their last six contests but still have a shot at a series win when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals in the rubber match of a three-game set on Sunday. The Pirates snapped a four-game slide with a 4-2 win in the opener but were let down by the bullpen in Saturday’s 6-4 setback.

Pittsburgh is surrendering an average of 6.4 runs in its last five losses, four of which have come against the two teams it figures to be battling in the National League Central all season – the Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. Jeff Locke turned in six solid innings on Saturday and the Pirates missed out on a chance to take the lead when a ground-rule double forced the potential go-ahead run to stay at third, and St. Louis walked off with the win on Matt Carpenter’s home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Cardinals are winners of four of their last six games and are starting to get more production from Carpenter, who is 5-for-14 in the last three games. A win in Sunday’s finale would vault St. Louis (16-15) over Pittsburgh (16-14) for second place in the Central behind Chicago (23-6).

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Gerrit Cole (2-3, 3.95 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (2-2, 2.65)

Cole has yet to go past six innings in five starts and is coming off his worst outing of the season after serving up six runs – five earned – on six hits and a season-high four walks over 4 2/3 innings against the Cubs. The former No. 1 overall pick has only yielded one home run in 27 1/3 total innings but has issued 10 walks in that span. Cole is 4-3 with a 2.91 ERA in eight career starts against St. Louis, including a pair of wins last September.

Wacha put together his longest start of the season last time out but could not get any support and ended up with a loss against Philadelphia. The Texas A&M product surrendered one run and five hits in eight innings with eight strikeouts but came out on the wrong end of a 1-0 decision. Wacha is 3-1 with a 3.73 ERA in eight career games – seven starts – against the Pirates but was lit up for five runs and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings at Pittsburgh on April 5.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates 3B-SS Jung Ho Kang went 0-for-3 on Saturday after homering twice in his season debut on Friday.

2. St. Louis SS-2B Jedd Gyorko is 3-for-31 in his last 11 games.

3. Pittsburgh 3B and former Cardinal David Freese received a standing ovation from the crowd when he appeared as a pinch hitter on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 3, Pirates 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Washington Nationals (19-11) at Chicago Cubs (23-6)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 2:20 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Chicago Cubs own the best record through 29 games since 2003 and the top mark among National League clubs since 1977, and they don’t appear to be slowing down. The Cubs will send ace Jake Arrieta to the mound in search of another series sweep when they host the NL East-leading Washington Nationals in the series finale on Sunday.

Chicago has won six straight and 10 of its last 11 games and owns a plus-101 run differential – by far the best in the majors – after slugging its way past the Nationals 8-5 in the third of a four-game set on Saturday. The offense leads the league with 180 runs scored but the pitching staff, led by reigning Cy Young Award winner Arrieta, has been just as dominant. The Nationals are proving to be as tough on that pitching staff as any team with a total of 13 runs scored in the first three games of the series but can’t seem to get the outs it needs on the other side of the ball. Washington held a 4-2 lead after the top of the sixth inning on Saturday only to watch the Cubs put up six runs in their final three chances.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN2 (Washington), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Tanner Roark (2-2, 2.35 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (6-0, 0.84)

Roark did his best Arrieta impression in consecutive starts to end April, notching a total of 21 strikeouts while yielding four hits in 14 scoreless innings against the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies. The 29-year-old did not have it quite so easy in his first May outing, allowing four runs – three earned – and six hits over 7 1/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday without factoring in the decision. Roark is 3-2 with a 5.33 ERA in five career games – four starts – against the Cubs and has served up a pair of home runs to Anthony Rizzo.

Arrieta set a historic pace in the second half of last season and has not slowed down in 2016, allowing a total of four runs in 43 innings over his first six starts. The 30-year-old followed up a no-hitter on April 21 by allowing a rare run in five innings at Milwaukee on April 28 but was back to his stingy stuff with two hits allowed in seventh scoreless innings at Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Arrieta struck out eight and yielded one run and six hits over six innings in a win at Washington on June 4.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs SS Addison Russell is 3-for-8 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs in the series.

2. Washington RF Bryce Harper is 1-for-4 with seven walks in the series.

3. Chicago 2B Ben Zobrist has hit safely in six straight games and has 15 RBIs in that span.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Nationals 0

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (14-14) at Los Angeles Angels (13-17)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 3:35 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Tampa Bay Rays vie for their first series sweep of the season when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday for the finale of their three-game set. Tampa Bay extended its road winning streak to four games and overall run to three contests as it rallied for two runs in the sixth inning and two in the ninth Saturday to post a 4-2 triumph.

Logan Forsythe's tiebreaking two-run single in the victory gave him back-to-back multi-hit performances and five in his last nine contests. Los Angeles has dropped six of its last eight games but looks to avoid being swept for the second time this season after losing three straight at Minnesota from April 15-17. Mike Trout had his five-game RBI streak halted Saturday but has registered seven multi-hit performances in his last 16 contests. Trout (two) and C.J. Cron combined for five of the Angels' seven hits Saturday, with the latter recording his third three-hit effort of the year and second in six games.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Matt Andriese (2015: 3-5, 4.11 ERA) vs. Angels RH Nick Tropeano (1-1, 3.42)

Andriese will be recalled from Triple-A Durham to make a spot start as Matt Moore receives an extra day of rest. The 26-year-old Andriese posted a 1-2 record with one complete game and a 3.41 ERA in six outings with the Bulls prior to the promotion. The Californian, who recorded 44 strikeouts over 34 1/3 innings for Durham, surrendered 32 runs - 30 earned - and struck out 49 over 65 2/3 frames in 25 games (eight starts) with Tampa Bay last season - his first in the major leagues.

Tropeano look to bounce back from his worst outing of the year - a five-inning effort at Milwaukee on Tuesday in which he yielded five runs on five hits and as many walks en route to the loss. The 25-year-old New Yorker allowed a total of five runs in his first four turns this season but has yet to last six innings. Tropeano, who never has faced Tampa Bay, has given up four runs and struck out 11 over 10 2/3 frames in two home starts this campaign.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays OF Brandon Guyer has been hit by a pitch a major league-leading nine times in 17 games this season.

2. Angels OF Daniel Nava has gone 1-for-8 in two games since returning from a knee injury.

3. Tampa Bay 1B Steve Pearce was rested Saturday after going 5-for-12 over his last three games.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Rays 3

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Colorado Rockies (14-16) at San Francisco Giants (17-15)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


San Francisco's Matt Duffy tries to continue his hot hitting at home when the Giants face the Colorado Rockies on Sunday in the finale of their four-game series. Duffy is hitting .379 at AT&T Park compared to .140 on the road and added a flare for the dramatic Saturday when his two-out RBI double in the 13th inning gave San Francisco a 2-1 victory - its fifth win in the last seven games.

The Giants are also receiving solid production from Brandon Belt (.317, four home runs, 21 RBIs), whose .443 on-base percentage is among the highest in baseball as he's reached base in 15 straight games and has drawn 17 walks in his last 14 contests. Colorado is 5-4 on its 10-game road trip and continues to receive solid pitching away from the unfriendly confines of Coors Field as its 3.57 road ERA attests compared to its 5.13 overall number. Jeff Samardzija rides his first career three-game winning streak in his initial season with San Francisco and opposes Eddie Butler, who makes his third start since being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. It would benefit each team more than usual if its starter when deep into Sunday's game as the clubs used six relievers apiece Saturday.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Eddie Butler (0-1, 6.75 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (4-1, 3.32)

Butler retired the first 11 Padres before allowing five runs and four hits (two home runs) in 5 2/3 innings of a 6-3 loss Tuesday. "I felt strong and I strung together a lot of good pitches, but four or five changed the outcome of the game," the 25-year-old Virginian told reporters. "I thought we executed the game plan ... But I didn't finish it." Butler is 4-12 with a 6.10 ERA in 21 career games (20 starts), but 2-0, 3.18 in two turns versus San Francisco - both in April 2015.

Samardzija allowed one run and three hits while striking out nine in eight innings of a 3-1 victory in Cincinnati on Tuesday. The 31-year-old Indiana native, who averages 105 pitches after throwing 115 versus the Reds, lowered his WHIP to 1.13. Samardzija is 3-0 with a 2.06 ERA in eight games (four starts) against Colorado after yielding two runs in eight innings of a 7-2 victory at Coors Field on April 12, striking out rookie phenom Trevor Story three times.

WALK-OFFS

1. Ten of Duffy's 13 multi-hit games this season have come at home.

2. Story (.273, 11 home runs, 24 RBIs) went 2-for-6 on Saturday and snapped a string of 24 games with a strikeout. Story has fanned 45 times this season, tied for the most in the majors with Detroit's Justin Upton.

3. Giants SS Brandon Crawford went 2-for-5 on Saturday and is 5-for-14 with a home run and five RBIs in the series.

PREDICTION: Giants 3, Rockies 2

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: New York Mets (18-11) at San Diego Padres (13-18)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 4:40 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Given their propensity for hitting home runs recently, it seemed only a matter of time before the New York Mets started to flex their muscles again. Coming off a four-homer effort in their last time out, the Mets attempt to complete the first leg of their 11-game road trip on a high note and split a four-game series with the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

New York was limited to three runs on seven hits over the first two contests of this series, generating all of those runs in the ninth inning of the opener after it was unable to get a hit over the first 7 2/3 innings. The Mets returned to their homer-happy ways with four in a 6-3 victory Saturday, and lead the majors with 46 - including 44 over the last 21 games after opening the season with two home runs in its first eight outings. The Padres have still won six of nine despite their most recent setback and would like nothing more than to wrap up their seven-game homestand with another victory before opening a three-game series in Chicago against the red-hot Cubs on Monday. San Diego's pitching has been a key part of its recent success over its last nine contests, posting a 2.14 ERA and .186 batting average against despite Saturday's outcome.
TV: 4:40 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Matt Harvey (2-4, 4.76 ERA) vs. Padres RH Andrew Cashner (2-2, 4.85)

Harvey continued to perform well below the standards he set over his first three seasons in Tuesday's loss to Atlanta, giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings. The 2013 All-Star has logged a quality start only two times and failed to pitch into the seventh inning in six tries while permitting at least eight baserunners in every turn. Harvey has struck out 21 Padres over 18 frames in three outings against them, but is 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two starts in San Diego.

Cashner notched his second victory in three outings Tuesday, overcoming a rocky first two innings to yield three runs on five hits and three walks across six frames at home versus Colorado. The 29-year-old TCU alum has yielded three earned runs or fewer in five straight trips to the mound since getting roughed up in his season debut, although he has logged six innings only three times over that span. Cashner is 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA in eight appearances (three starts) versus New York, allowing the Mets to bat .292 against him.

WALK-OFFS
1. The Mets, who are 16-3 when scoring first, plated two runs in the first inning Saturday and have outscored their opponents 23-5 in the opening frame.
2. The Padres are 28-15 against the Mets at home since Petco Park opened in 2004, either winning or tying 13 of the 14 series played at the venue.
3. New York has scored 56.9 percent (74 of its 130 runs) via home run, including all six runs Saturday - the highest such percentage in the majors.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Padres 4

 

[NewYorkKnight]

GAME: Boston Red Sox (17-13) at New York Yankees (11-17)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 08 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The New York Yankees were swept in Boston last weekend but have a chance to turn the tables on their bitter rivals when they host the Red Sox on Sunday night in the finale of a three-game series. After losing seven of their previous eight, the Yankees made it two straight wins over Boston by pummeling ace David Price in Saturday's 8-2 rout.

New York received great offensive production from the bottom of the order as Didi Gregorius and backup catcher Austin Romine combined for five hits and five RBIs while No. 7 hitter Chase Headley contributed a pair of hits and scored twice. It was an encouraging performance from Headley, who entered Saturday's game batting .151 and in a 5-for-43 rut. Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is 9-for-22 and has hit safely in all five games against the Yankees. Boston, which had its string of four straight series victories snapped, sends knuckleballer Steven Wright to the mound against New York's Luis Severino, who's still in search of his first win.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Steven Wright (2-3, 1.67 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (0-4, 6.31)

Wright turned in his fifth quality start in as many trips to the mound last time out but was a hard-luck loser after giving up two runs on three hits over six innings in a 4-1 defeat to the Chicago White Sox. Wright posted victories over Atlanta and Houston in his previous two turns and has surrendered only three earned runs and 10 hits in 19 2/3 innings spanning his last three starts. He is 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in three appearances (two starts) versus New York.

Severino yielded three runs or fewer in 10 of his 11 starts as a rookie last year, but permitted at least four runs for the third time in four outings in a 4-1 loss at Baltimore on Tuesday. The 22-year-old Dominican, who has received a mere six runs of support in his five starts, lasted only three innings at Texas on April 26 and was battered for six runs on seven hits. He lost his major-league debut versus Boston despite giving up two runs on two hits and striking out seven in five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York's pitching staff has turned in five straight quality starts for the first time since Aug. 12-16, 2013.

2. Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley Jr. homered Saturday to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 13 games.

3. Yankees CF Jacoby Ellsbury sat out Saturday because of a hip injury sustained in the series opener and is expected to miss Sunday's game.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Red Sox 5

 

[XSPower]

Good luck today my friend!!!