Sunday 4/30/17 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mike Rose

Cubs vs. Red Sox
Play: Cubs +105

Boston has done its best work against righties in going 10-8 and averaging 3.9 runs per game. Likewise, Chicago has terrorized left-handed pitching to the tune of 6.8 runs per game and a 5-1 record. I have more faith in Hendricks coming off his best start of the season than I do Rodriguez whose been nothing more than a mixed bag throughout his entire professional career. Hendricks has still only allowed 19 hits through 22 innings, and enters this start off tossing six innings of shutout ball at the Pirates. Rodriguez is going to tally some strikeouts, but his wildness keeps me off Boston with the Cubs fourth in the league at taking walks. Look for his inability to not issue free passes to be his and the Red Sox undoing in the finale.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Easy Money Sports

Lee's Free Sunday Selection

Arizona w/Corbin -140

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

The Last Call

Early Sunday's Bonus Play: Arizona - 140

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Free Selection from Kenny Towers

Ov 5 Anh/Edm - NHL -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Chip Chirimbes
Game Details
Apr 30 '17, 1:10 PM
MLB | White Sox vs Tigers
Play on: White Sox +102 at betonline
Game Analysis

Chip's FREE MLB Winner

Chicago White Sox at Detroit 1:10 ET

White Sox over Tigers- The White Sox have won six straight lead the AL in pitching with a team ERA of 2.92 while Detroit is last in the AL team pitching with an ERA of 5.28. Leading the way for Chicago today will be Miguel Gonzalez (3-0, 2.00 ERA) who will be opposed by Detroit's Jordan Zimmermann (2-1, 6.36) who posted a 7.43 ERA in three starts against the White Sox last season. Chicago is streaking and are the side once again. Take the WHITE SOX!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ray Monohan
Game Details
Apr 30 '17, 1:35 PM
MLB | Mets vs Nationals
Play on: Nationals +105 at GTBets
Game Analysis

Washington +108

This play just missed out on our premium card. Coming into this series the Nationals were hot, but they have lost the first two games in this series. They still have a lot of value in this game though. Noah Syndergaard is on the mound on Sunday for the Mets and although he has looked good this season, he wasn't as dominant in his last start. He gave up five runs in seven innings on the way to his first loss of the season.

The Nationals just have too much firepower in the offense and I think that will be the difference in this game. Some betting trends of note, Nationals are 4-0 in their last 4 during game 3 of a series, are 5-1 in their last 6 Sunday games, and are 10-3 in their last 13 overall. Mets are 1-6 in their last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30. The Nationals offense will be too much.

Back Washington. Good Luck, Razor Ray.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles at Yankees
GAME: Baltimore Orioles (14-8) at New York Yankees (15-7)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 1:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York

The New York Yankees' early-season dominance at home has vaulted the club into first place in the American League East, and rookie Aaron Judge is leading the way. The Yankees will try to pick up their third home sweep in April when they finish a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon.

After Friday's phenomenal 14-11 comeback win in 10 innings - which included two Judge homers - pulled New York into a tie with the Orioles, the Bronx Bombers rolled to a 12-4 victory Saturday behind two home runs by Brett Gardner and another by Judge, who has gone deep 10 times in the past 16 games. The Yankees are 10-1 at Yankee Stadium and they've hit 25 homers in that span, averaging more than seven runs per contest. The Orioles had been in first place or tied atop the division since the season began until Saturday's result. They will try to get back on track behind veteran lefty Wade Miley, whose strong start to the season includes five scoreless innings against New York on April 9, although he walked seven batters in that contest.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Baltimore), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Wade Miley (1-1, 2.08 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Jordan Montgomery (1-1, 3.78)

Miley also had control issues his last time out against Tampa Bay - walking six batters - but he continues to limit the damage by holding opponents to a .140 average and a .497 OPS. The 30-year-old also boasts 32 strikeouts through 26 innings and has allowed four extra-base hits in his four starts. Miley is 0-3 with a 4.96 ERA in eight career starts against the Yankees.

Montgomery has back-to-back quality starts after allowing two runs on seven hits in six innings of a tough loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday. He has walked exactly two batters in all three of his major-league starts but opponents are batting .306 versus the rookie. The 24-year-old will be making his third start at Yankee Stadium, where he gave up six runs (five earned) in 10 2/3 innings across two earlier outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees SS Didi Gregorius has back-to-back two-hit games since coming off the disabled list Friday.

2. Orioles 3B Manny Machado is 6-for-13 with three extra-base hits over his last three games and has drawn a walk in six straight.

3. New York is 49-28 against Baltimore at the new Yankee Stadium.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Orioles 6

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays at Blue Jays
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (12-13) at Toronto Blue Jays (7-17)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 1:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario

The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to have ace Aaron Sanchez back on the mound when they try to win their first home series of the season Sunday as the Tampa Bay Rays visit for the rubber match of a three-game set. Sanchez, who went 15-2 in his first season as a full-time starter in 2016, has missed two weeks with a blister on the middle finger of his right hand and is ready to face the Rays for the second time this month.

Justin Smoak snapped out of a 1-for-11 slump by drilling a two-run homer among three hits Saturday as the Blue Jays recorded a 4-1 victory to even the series. Sanchez owns a 1.27 ERA in 12 appearances (four starts) against Tampa Bay and will oppose fellow right-hander Chris Archer, who is 6-4 with a 3.17 ERA in 20 career starts against Toronto. The Rays have won two of five contests on their eight-game road trip after going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 men on base in Saturday’s loss. Corey Dickerson continues to swing a hot bat for Tampa Bay, going 12-for-32 with three homers and four RBIs over his last eight games to raise his average to .337.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), Sportsnet One (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (2-1, 3.94 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (0-1, 4.38)

Archer has not been as sharp in his last two starts after beginning the season with three strong outings in which he allowed a combined five runs. The 28-year-old North Carolina native yielded nine runs and 13 hits over 11 2/3 innings while going 0-1 in his past two starts and boasts 32 strikeouts in 32 frames overall. Kendrys Morales is 11-for-19 with a pair of homers versus Archer, who limited the Blue Jays to two runs over 7 2/3 innings in a no-decision on April 8.

Sanchez has not pitched since April 14 when he permitted five runs on seven hits (three homers) and a walk over 5 1/3 innings in a loss to Baltimore. The 24-year-old Californian started his season with a quality outing at Tampa Bay as he gave up one run on four hits over seven frames without factoring in the decision. Sanchez has kept Evan Longoria (1-for-17) and Logan Morrison (1-for-13) in check and went 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two starts against the Rays last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay OF Steven Souza Jr. left Saturday’s game in the seventh inning after getting hit by a pitch on the left hand, but X-rays were negative and he is day-to-day.

2. Toronto C Russell Martin is rebounding from a slow start, going 9-for-22 with a pair of homers and three RBIs to raise his average from .103 to .213.

3. Rays CF Kevin Kiermaier has cooled off of late, managing just one hit in 28 at-bats over the last seven games with 10 strikeouts.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Blue Jays 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates at Marlins
GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (11-12) at Miami Marlins (10-12)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to lose bodies but they have a chance to reach the .500 mark for the first time in two weeks and post their longest winning streak of the season. Pittsburgh goes for its fourth consecutive victory and a series sweep when it wraps up a three-game set at the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon.

The Pirates scored 65 runs through their first 20 games - the fewest in the National League - but have amassed 22 during the three-game winning streak. Pittsburgh, already missing the suspended Starling Marte, placed leading hitter David Freese on the disabled list Saturday with a hamstring issues that had sidelined him since Monday. Miami dropped the final two games of a road trip that spanned 7,200 miles, but returning home has offered no respite as the Marlins have scored two runs in dropping the first two contests of the series. Right-hander Tom Koehler, who gets the nod Sunday, has never beaten the Pirates in five career starts, posting an 0-4 record and 5.14 ERA while allowing them to bat a collective .303 against him.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (1-2, 6.63 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Tom Koehler (1-1, 5.14)

Kuhl is coming off a beating against the Chicago Cubs, who have hit him hard in four career outings and pounded him for nine runs on eight hits in only 1 2/3 innings last Monday. The 24-year-old saw his ERA rise by four runs in that game, which followed a pair of quality starts in which he permitted a combined three runs on eight hits on 12 1/3 innings. Kuhl allowed two earned runs in six innings in his only start versus Miami.

Koehler earned his first victory by limiting San Diego to three runs on six hits over six innings while setting a season high with seven strikeouts last Sunday. The 30-year-old has struggled keeping the ball in the park, surrendering six homers in his four starts after permitting 22 in each of the past two seasons. The absence of Freese (3-for-5, two homers) helps, but Gregory Polanco is 5-for-9 against Koehler.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates SS Jordy Mercer is 5-for-14 during a four-game hitting streak.

2. Marlins 3B Martin Prado, who has hit safely in six straight overall, is 5-for-35 in his last nine games versus Pittsburgh.

3. Pirates 1B John Jaso hit his first homer and collected his first two RBIs of the season in Saturday's 4-0 win.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Marlins 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox at Tigers
GAME: Chicago White Sox (13-9) at Detroit Tigers (11-12)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan

The Chicago White Sox are winners of six straight and are tearing the cover off the ball in the process while finally getting bigger contributions from the middle of their order. The White Sox will try to make it seven in a row and polish off their second straight sweep of an American League Central rival when they visit the Detroit Tigers in the finale of a three-game set on Friday.

Chicago cleanup hitter Jose Abreu was batting .183 without a home run before going 10-for-18 over his last five games, including his first two home runs of the campaign in Saturday's 6-4, 10-inning triumph. No. 3 hitter Melky Cabrera was enduring his own struggles hitting in front of Abreu and also entered Saturday's contest without a home run before belting a tie-breaking blast in the 10th. Cabrera and Abreu will try to keep the power coming on Sunday against Detroit right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, who had some trouble with the long ball in his last start. The Tigers have totaled eight runs during a four-game slide and will try to turn things around against White Sox right-hander Miguel Gonzalez.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (3-0, 2.00 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (2-1, 6.35)

Gonzalez dominated in his last two starts, allowing a total of one earned run in 16 1/3 innings against New York and Kansas City. He scattered two hits and walked one while striking out five in a win over the Royals on Monday and enjoyed plenty of support in the 12-1 triumph. Gonzalez has not been quite as sharp against Detroit in his career, going 2-4 with a 7.43 ERA in nine games - seven starts.

Zimmermann has not been nearly as strong as Gonzalez of late and allowed five runs in each of his last three outings while failing to record an out past the sixth inning in any of those turns. The Wisconsin native struggled to keep the ball in the yard while yielding three home runs against Seattle on Tuesday but received enough support to earn a win in the 19-9 final. Zimmermann, who spent the first seven years of his career with the Washington Nationals in the National League, posted a 7.53 ERA in three starts against Chicago last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox RHP James Shields (strained lat) threw Saturday for the first time since going on the disabled list April 18.

2. Detroit SS Jose Iglesias is 0-for-11 in three games since coming off the seven-day concussion DL.

3. Chicago RF Avisail Garcia hit safely in each of the last six games while recording seven RBIs and six runs scored.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, White Sox 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners at Indians
GAME: Seattle Mariners (11-14) at Cleveland Indians (13-10)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio

The Cleveland Indians seek their fourth straight series win when they host the Seattle Mariners on Sunday in the rubber match of the three-game set. The Indians have won eight of 11 overall after picking up a 4-3 victory in Saturday's contest in which all the runs were scored in the first inning.

A fourth consecutive series victory would be the team's first such run since an identical string accomplished last June amid a historic 14-game winning streak. Veteran right-hander Josh Tomlin will try to continue his turnaround from a rocky start to the year when he gets the nod for Cleveland opposite rookie Chase De Jong, who is making his first career start. Tomlin will need to be wary of Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager, who homered Saturday and is batting .366 with five home runs, nine doubles and 15 runs scored in 21 career games at Progressive Field. Jose Ramirez delivered a two-run double in the Indians' first-inning rally in the 4-3 triumph and he is hitting .357 with five extra-base hits during a seven-game hitting streak.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ROOT (Seattle), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Chase De Jong (0-1, 5.79 ERA) vs. Indians RH Josh Tomlin (1-3, 9.33)

De Jong has made two relief appearances for Seattle, taking the loss after giving up a walk-off homer at Houston on April 5 and then dominating through four scoreless frames at Oakland on April 22. The 23-year-old, who was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers in March, has also gone 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in two starts for Triple-A Tacoma. De Jong has a 3.39 ERA in 95 career games (83 starts) at the minor-league level.

Tomlin gave up 13 runs in 6 1/3 innings through his first two outings but has since posted back-to-back quality starts. The Texas native limited Houston to three runs on eight hits with no walks and six strikeouts in six frames Tuesday and he has walked only two batters in 18 1/3 innings on the year. Tomlin, 32, is 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA in six career starts versus Seattle, but Seager (6-for-12, five doubles) and Robinson Cano (7-for-17, two homers) have handled him well.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cano has hit safely in 18 of his last 21 games in Cleveland while batting .349.

2. Indians LHP Andrew Miller struck out four in 1 2/3 scoreless innings Saturday and has yet to allow a run in 11 2/3 frames on the year.

3. Cleveland is 0-3 on Sunday, compared to 13-7 the rest of the week.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Mariners 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets at Nationals
GAME: New York Mets (10-13) at Washington Nationals (16-8)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia

The New York Mets were having some trouble getting the hitting and the pitching on the same page during a six-game slide, but a trip to Washington is proving to be just what the team needed to find its consistency. The Mets will try to keep the home runs coming and pull off a three-game sweep when they visit the Nationals for the series finale on Sunday.

New York got two home runs from an unlikely source when Travis d'Arnaud hit a pair off Cy Young winner Max Scherzer in Friday's 7-5 triumph, and Michael Conforto took his turn on center stage in Saturday's 5-3 win. Conforto went 3-for-4 with two homers and three RBIs out of the leadoff spot in the order and Jose Reyes, who is batting .173, added a homer out of the No. 6 spot. The Mets will try to provide the same level of support on Sunday for ace Noah Syndergaard, who is returning to the rotation after having his start pushed back. The Nationals, who swept a three-game series at New York last weekend as part of a 9-1 road trip prior to returning home on Friday, will try to avoid the sweep behind righty Joe Ross.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), MASN2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (1-1, 1.73 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Joe Ross (1-0, 6.17)

Syndergaard was scheduled to go on Thursday but felt pain in his shoulder prior to the game on Wednesday and was pushed back as a precautionary measure. The Texas native, who suffered his first loss of the season while allowing five runs - three earned - despite striking out 10 over seven innings against Philadelphia on April 20, told reporters he could have made the start on Thursday and felt fine on Friday. Syndergaard is 2-3 with a 2.77 ERA in eight career starts against Washington.

Ross won his season debut at Atlanta on April 19 while scattering three runs over seven innings but was not nearly as sharp the last time out. The 23-year-old was rocked for five runs on seven hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings at Colorado on Tuesday but watched his offense pile up 15 runs to keep him out of the loss column. Ross is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three career starts against the Mets.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Nationals placed CF Adam Eaton (knee sprain) on the 10-day DL and recalled OF Rafael Bautista from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

2. New York 1B Lucas Duda (hyperextended left elbow) is playing rehab games in the minors this weekend and could come off the DL on Monday.

3. New York OF Curtis Granderson is 1-for-23 over his last six games, dropping his batting average to .133.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Nationals 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics at Astros
GAME: Oakland Athletics (11-13) at Houston Astros (15-9)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas

The Oakland Athletics ended a pair of skids behind the bats of Khris Davis and Jed Lowrie and now hope to begin a winning streak when they visit the Houston Astros on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series. Oakland had dropped five straight overall and 10 in a row versus Houston before posting a 2-1 triumph on Saturday.

Lowrie homered during a 2-for-4 performance and is 14-for-36 over his last nine games while Davis also went deep, giving him three homers in two contests following a six-game drought and an American League high-tying 10 on the season. Houston had won three straight at home before Saturday's setback, which was its third in four overall contests. The Astros won their previous three meetings with the Athletics this season, outscoring them 26-12 in the process. Jose Altuve, who has yet to go consecutive games without a hit, accounted for Houston's offense on Saturday by going 2-for-3 with a home run.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports California (Oakland), ROOT (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Jesse Hahn (1-1, 2.08 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (4-0, 1.22)

Hahn has excelled since joining the rotation, allowing four runs and nine hits over 20 innings in three turns. Three of those runs came in his first start, a loss at Kansas City on April 13, and the 27-year-old native of Connecticut is coming off his best outing yet - a no-decision at the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday in which he gave up one hit and two walks over eight scoreless frames. Hahn has made three career starts against Houston, going 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA.

Keuchel is hoping for a repeat performance after allowing one run and four hits over seven innings in a victory at Oakland on April 14. The 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner continued his path toward a second trophy on Tuesday, recording a complete-game victory at Cleveland despite giving up a season-high two runs. Keuchel, who has worked at least seven innings in all five of his turns this season, is 3-3 with one complete game and a 2.67 ERA in 15 career appearances (13 starts) versus the Athletics.

WALK-OFFS

1. Lowrie is riding a five-game hitting streak that has featured three two-hit performances.

2. Houston OF Jake Marisnick (concussion) began a rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday and hopes to be activated on Monday.

3. Oakland MGR Bob Melvin announced RHP Sonny Gray (lat) will be activated from the disabled list and start Tuesday's series opener in Minnesota.

PREDICTION: Astros 3, Athletics 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves at Brewers
GAME: Atlanta Braves (10-12) at Milwaukee Brewers (12-13)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Atlanta Braves have their offense clicking entering Sunday’s series finale at the Milwaukee Brewers, and look to extend their winning streak to five games while continuing to pound opposing pitchers. Matt Kemp belted three homers for the first time in his career Saturday - the first Atlanta player with three in a game since Mark Teixeira in 2008 - propelling the Braves to an 11-3 victory and pushing their totals to 36 runs and 55 hits during a four-game winning streak.

Atlanta recorded a season-high 20 hits Saturday, sparked by four from Tyler Flowers and three each from Kemp, Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis. Just as important, the Braves have kept Eric Thames in check as the Brewers’ slugging first baseman is just 1-for-7 with no homers in the series after going deep 11 times in his first 21 games. Milwaukee pitching has surrendered 6.4 runs per game in its past 11 contests, giving up five runs or more eight times. Jonathan Villar continues to break out of his early-season slump, going 2-for-3 to raise his average in the past nine games to .342.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN South (Atlanta), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (0-2, 3.20 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Matt Garza (0-0, 2.25)

Foltynewicz continues lowering his ERA after giving up two runs over 3 2/3 innings in his first start of the season. The 25-year-old struck out a season-high nine in seven innings on April 23 at Philadelphia, surrendering one run on four hits with two walks in a game in which the Atlanta bullpen imploded after his exit. Foltynewicz, who allowed three runs on nine hits in 14 innings across his past two starts, is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in three games (two starts) against Milwaukee in his career.

Garza began the season on the 10-day disabled list with a right groin strain sustained in his final start of spring training, and the veteran made two minor-league appearances before his season debut Monday against Cincinnati. The 33-year-old allowed only one earned run (four in total) over four innings against the Reds, walking three and striking out four while throwing 93 pitches. Garza, who posted a 4.51 ERA in 19 starts with the Brewers last season, allowed two runs over six innings to win his only start against Atlanta in 2016.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee 3B Travis Shaw left Saturday’s game with a left hand contusion.

2. Atlanta 2B Brandon Phillips, who missed two contests with a left groin strain, went 1-for-4 Saturday to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.

3. Milwaukee did not record a homer Saturday - just the fourth time the Brewers have not hit one in the season’s first 25 games.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Brewers 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds at Cardinals
GAME: Cincinnati Reds (10-13) at St. Louis Cardinals (12-11)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

The St. Louis Cardinals hope an unexpected day off doesn’t stop their momentum. The Cardinals had the second contest of their scheduled three-game set against the visiting Cincinnati Reds rained out, meaning they’ll try to complete an abbreviated two-game sweep on Sunday afternoon.



St. Louis has won nine of its last 11 after a dreadful start, during which it dropped nine of 11 following an Opening-Day victory over the Chicago Cubs. The Reds have faded after a hot start, losing eight of their last nine to drop three games below .500. Both teams will go with Saturday’s scheduled starters in the series finale, with former Red Mike Leake set to take the mound opposite veteran Bronson Arroyo. Leake, who pitched for Cincinnati from 2010-15, is 0-3 with a 5.64 ERA in five starts against his former team.


TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (2-2, 6.86 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Mike Leake (3-1, 1.32)


After being knocked around a bit in his first two starts, including a rough four-inning stint against the Cardinals on April 8, Arroyo has won his last two outings. The 40-year-old struck out seven over six innings while limiting the Chicago Cubs to two runs and three hits last Sunday. Arroyo is 8-18 with a 4.84 ERA in 40 career games (38 starts) against St. Louis and hasn’t beaten the Cardinals since 2012.


Leake has not allowed more than two runs in any of his four turns this season and has posted quality starts each time out. The 29-year-old suffered a hard-luck loss against the Reds on April 7 but has won his last three outings and has yet to serve up a home run. Leake struck out six while allowing two runs and three hits over six innings to win at Milwaukee last Sunday.



WALK-OFFS


1. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto hit his 22nd career homer against the Cardinals in Friday’s series opener.


2. St. Louis CF Dexter Fowler is 9-for-18 with two blasts over his last four games but is just 3-for-18 lifetime versus Arroyo.


3. Reds CF Billy Hamilton is 7-for-11 with a home run against Leake, while SS Zack Cozart is 5-for-10 with two doubles.



PREDICTION: Cardinals 7, Reds 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins at Royals
GAME: Minnesota Twins (11-11) at Kansas City Royals (7-15)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Minnesota's Joe Mauer is a bona fide thorn in the side of the Royals, and he'll try to inflict more damage when the Twins visit Kansas City on Sunday afternoon for the finale of the rain-shortened series. Mauer's tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning provided Minnesota a 6-4 victory on Friday, giving him a .318 average with 39 doubles and 114 RBIs in 194 games versus the Royals, who have lost eight in a row.

Mauer and the Twins temporarily were cooled down by the weather, which forced Saturday's game to be postponed and made up as part of a day/night doubleheader on July 1. Saturday's scheduled pitchers were pushed back a day, with Minnesota's Phil Hughes (3-0 with a 3.57 ERA in three road starts this season) squaring off against fellow right-hander Jason Hammel, who still is looking for his first victory in a Kansas City uniform. The red-hot Miguel Sano is 8-for-12 with two home runs and six RBIs in his last three games after belting a two-run shot and preceeding Mauer's hit with a two-run double of his own. The Royals, who were swept in a three-game series by Minnesota to start the season and outscored 21-5 in the process, are last in the majors with 58 runs and also have the worst average with runners in scoring position at .159.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Phil Hughes (3-1, 4.71 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jason Hammel (0-2, 5.30)

Hughes allowed two runs and six hits in six innings of a 3-2 victory at Texas on Monday and also has defeated Detroit and the Chicago White Sox on the road this season. The 30-year-old Californian, who is 10-21 with a 5.53 ERA in 42 April starts, has recorded only 13 strikeouts in 21 frames this season. Hughes is 7-5 with a 4.91 ERA in 14 career games (13 starts) versus Kansas City, including 4-3, 5.49 in seven turns at Kauffman Stadium.

Hammel yielded three runs, four hits and three walks in three innings of a 5-2 loss at Texas on Sunday after his only quality start of the season versus San Francisco on April 18, when he settled for a no-decision after permitting one run in six frames of a 2-1 setback. It is an uncharacteristically slow start for the 34-year-old South Carolina native, who is 21-12 with a 3.87 ERA in 48 April appearances (45 starts). Hammel is 2-1 with a 3.98 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) versus Minnesota.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins LF Eddie Rosario owns a 10-game hitting streak during which he is hitting .368 after going 2-for-4 with a run scored in the series opener.

2. Royals 1B Eric Hosmer is 5-for-12 in his last three games, raising his average to .224, and recorded his first RBI in 11 contests on Friday.

3. Mauer ranks sixth all-time in batting average against the Royals (minimum 500 at-bats), trailing Rod Carew (.345), Ivan Rodriguez (.337), Wade Boggs (.332), Alex Rodriguez (.329) and Derek Jeter (.322).

PREDICTION: Twins 3, Royals 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels at Rangers
GAME: Los Angeles Angels (13-13) at Texas Rangers (11-13)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 3:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas

Carlos Gomez stumbled out of the blocks to begin the 2017 season, but the 31-year-old Dominican has regained his footing in a big way while keeping opposing pitchers on edge. Fresh off recording his second career cycle, Gomez looks to lead the host Texas Rangers to their seventh win in 10 contests on Sunday as they play the rubber match of their three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels.

Gomez belted a two-run homer in the seventh inning to highlight his impressive performance in Saturday's 6-3 win, improving to 11-for-25 with five RBIs and four runs scored in his last seven games. The veteran aims to continue his hit parade versus Sunday starter JC Ramirez, against whom he is 4-for-8 with an RBI. Los Angeles' Mike Trout is riding a 13-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 25 of 26 games this season entering Sunday's tilt versus Martin Perez, with the slugger mustering just a .211 batting average against the left-hander in 19 career plate appearances. Veteran Albert Pujols saw his eight-game hitting streak come to an end on Saturday but recorded his 11th RBI in nine contests to move into a tie with Ted Williams and Al Simmons (1,839) for 13th place on the all-time list.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH JC Ramirez (2-2, 4.43 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (1-3, 3.81)

Ramirez was unable to snap a two-game skid despite scattering two hits and striking out seven in seven scoreless innings against Oakland on Tuesday. The 28-year-old has fanned 19 and walked five in three starts since bolting from the bullpen, with manager Mike Scioscia telling reporters he thinks "what we're seeing from JC is hopefully the evolution of a guy that is getting comfortable with that role, getting comfortable in getting into the 90-to-100 pitch count." Ramirez will try his luck with his first career start versus the Rangers, although he has registered an impressive 1.13 ERA in seven relief appearances against the club.

Perez sustained his second straight setback on Monday despite allowing just three runs and six hits in as many innings of a 3-2 loss to Minnesota. The 26-year-old Venezuelan walked three batters in that contest, marking the fourth time in five outings he has issued as many free passes - with the exception coming in a 3 2/3-inning performance at Oakland on April 19. Perez has struggled against the likes of Yunel Escobar (.429) and Pujols (.313), although he owns a 2-3 career record with a 3.23 ERA in nine appearances versus the Angels.

WALK-OFFS

1. Escobar is mired in a 3-for-38 stretch over his last nine games.

2. Texas 1B - and former Angel - Mike Napoli is 1-for-17 with five strikeouts in his last four contests.

3. Rangers DH Shin-Soo Choo is 9-for-21 with four runs scored in his last six games.

PREDICTION: Rangers 6, Angels 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres at Giants
GAME: San Diego Padres (10-16) at San Francisco Giants (9-16)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California

The San Diego Padres are in the midst of a rebuilding project filled with uncertainty, but Wil Myers continues to show why he'll be a centerpiece of the team's plans for years to come. The 26-year-old first baseman looks to continue his hot start Sunday as the Padres visit the San Francisco Giants for the rubber match of their three-game series.

Myers went 3-for-4 with a three-run blast in Saturday’s 12-4 win and is batting .318 with six homers and 17 RBIs to lead the Padres, who have won 11 of their last 15 games against San Francisco. Ryan Schimpf added two hits and has broken out of his early-season slump with three home runs and seven RBIs over his last four contests. The Giants have not won back-to-back games since April 9-10 and continue to struggle offensively despite this week’s arrival of rookie Christian Arroyo, who has provided a spark with two home runs in his first six games. The injury-plagued Giants are using Arroyo and Eduardo Nunez at shortstop in place of Brandon Crawford, who has landed the disabled list with a strained groin but is expected to return when eligible on May 6.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, NBC Sports Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Clayton Richard (2-3, 4.45 ERA) vs. Giants LH Ty Blach (0-1, 4.22)

Richard is looking to bounce back from his worst start of the young season on Tuesday, when he allowed six runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings of a 9-3 loss to Arizona. The 33-year-old has been the Padres’ most consistent starter, working at least six innings in four of his five starts. Buster Posey is 10-for-24 with two home runs against Richard, who is 6-6 with a 4.01 ERA in 18 career games (15 starts) versus the Giants.

Blach is making his second start in place of injured ace Madison Bumgarner after allowing two runs over five innings in Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 26-year-old made his first career start last season in San Diego, yielding two runs on four hits and three walks in three innings. A fifth-round pick by the Giants in 2012, Blach has gone 1-1 with a 1.17 ERA in five career games (two starts) at AT&T Park.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego SS Erick Aybar is 9-for-26 during his seven-game hitting streak.

2. Each of the Giants’ last four wins have been by one run.

3. Padres OF Hunter Renfroe was 0-for-5 with three strikeouts on Saturday and has recorded three hits in his last 21 at-bats.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Padres 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies at Dodgers
GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (11-11) at Los Angeles Dodgers (13-12)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California

The Los Angeles Dodgers look to extend their winning streak to four games Sunday as they attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Los Angeles opened the ninth inning on Saturday with three straight homers to erase a three-run deficit and Adrian Gonzalez delivered a two-out RBI single for a 6-5 victory.

The Dodgers belted a total of five home runs in the triumph, with Cody Bellinger hitting the first two of his major-league career to improve to 4-for-7 in the series and Justin Turner launching a pinch-hit shot to tie the contest and extend his hitting streak to 15 games. Andrew Knapp went 3-for-4 with his first career homer as Philadelphia pounded out 13 hits but suffered its second straight loss following a string of six victories in a row. Freddy Galvis had his stretch of three consecutive two-hit performances halted Saturday but singled in the sixth inning to run his hitting streak to 11 games.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, SportsNet LA, KTLA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (NR) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (0-4, 4.64 ERA)

Pivetta, who was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley when Aaron Nola went down with a back injury, finally will be making his major-league debut as his originally scheduled turn during the week was delayed by a rainout. The 24-year-old Canadian has been outstanding for the IronPigs this season, going 3-0 with one complete game and a 0.95 ERA in three starts. Pivetta was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft by Washington, which traded him to Philadelphia in July 2015 for Jonathan Papelbon.

Ryu deserved a better fate Monday as he was saddled with the loss at San Francisco despite allowing just one run and five hits in six innings. The 30-year-old South Korean has not recorded a victory since Aug. 31, 2014 as he has been limited to five starts since that season due to shoulder and elbow injuries. Ryu has yielded four runs over 13 frames in two career turns versus Philadelphia but has not recorded a decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nola will not be activated from the 10-day DL on Monday as he complained of symptoms after his bullpen session on Friday.

2. Los Angeles LHP Rich Hill (blister) threw a three-inning simulated game on Saturday and is expected to make a rehab start for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday.

3. Turner has recorded six multi-hit performances during his streak and hasn't been held without a hit since April 12 in Chicago.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Phillies 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies at Diamondbacks
GAME: Colorado Rockies (16-9) at Arizona Diamondbacks (15-11)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 30 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona

The Colorado Rockies have won two in a row against the best home team in the National League and look to complete a three-game sweep against the host Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon. Colorado erased a five-run deficit Saturday night, pushing across three runs in the ninth to open a 1 1/2-game lead over Arizona atop the National League West.

Free agent acquisition Ian Desmond could make his season debut Sunday for Colorado after suffering a broken hand in spring training. Expected to be the starting first baseman, Desmond could start in left field and leave first to red-hot Mark Reynolds, who has four homers and 11 RBIs in the past four games. Arizona has dropped two straight at home and suddenly has issues at the back end of the bullpen as closer Fernando Rodney was torched for his second straight appearance. Left-hander Patrick Corbin, owner of a 5-2 record versus the Rockies, will be on the hill Sunday against rookie German Márquez, who will make his second career start.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (0-1, 18.00 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (2-3, 2.79)

Marquez had a forgettable major league debut for Colorado, forced to wait out a rain delay of more than an hour and pitching in temperatures that hovered around 40 degrees at game time. The 22-year-old Venezuelan lasted four innings against the Washington Nationals and was tagged for eight runs on nine hits and three walks. He had 18 strikeouts and zero walks at Triple-A Albuquerque before his promotion.

Since losing his season debut with a four-inning stint against NL West rival San Francisco, Corbin has pitched at least six innings in his last four turns. The 27-year-old Corbin struck out a season-high nine while allowing two runs over seven innings to beat San Diego last time out, avenging a 4-1 loss to the Padres in his previous start. Charlie Blackmon (7-for-18) and DJ LeMahieu (10-for-27) have haunted Corbin.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blackmon is riding a 14-game hitting streak and has multiple hits in five of his last eight contests.

2. Arizona pitching has registered at least 11 strikeouts in six straight games, becoming the first NL team to do so.

3. Rockies SS Trevor Story has homered in back-to-back games and has seven blasts in eight games at Chase Field.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 4