Sunday 5/14/17 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

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Sunday’s Stanley Cup Playoffs betting preview: Predators at Ducks

Anaheim is mired in a six-game power-play drought, failing on all 20 chances, including 0-for-4 in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

Nashville Predators at Anaheim Ducks (-120, 5)

Penguins are Las Vegas' big favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup: Live From Las Vegas
The Stanley Cup playoffs are down to its final four teams and the defending Cup champs, the Pittsburgh Penguins, are huge betting favorites to win it all again. We talk NHL conference finals odds with Matthew Holt of CG Technology in Las Vegas.

Predators lead series 1-0

Same opponent, same circumstances, much higher stakes. The Anaheim Ducks look to avoid falling into a deep early hole when they host the Nashville Predators on Sunday night in Game 2 of their Western Conference final. Nashville won the first two games in Anaheim a year ago en route to a seven-game series win over the Ducks in the first round of the playoffs.

The No. 8 seed in the West, the Predators stole home ice from Anaheim by squeezing out a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 1 on a goal by James Neal to win their third consecutive series opener on the road and improve to 9-2 in the postseason. "You get some momentum right away, for sure," said Nashville defenseman Mattias Ekholm, who collected a pair of assists."But we know we haven't done nothing yet. We have to stay on for Game 2, and we know now we'll have that home-ice advantage again. We're really comfortable on home ice and on the road, and it's a good feeling to get the first one." The Ducks dispatched Edmonton in a decisive Game 7 on Wednesday night and and the short turnaround showed against well-rested Nashville, which dominated play and poured 46 shots on goal. “I don’t think that we can afford to have the start that we had today,” assessed Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle for what he termed a "pretty inept" opening 20 minutes Friday. “We’ll turn the page on this one. Get ourselves prepared for Sunday afternoon.”

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET; NBC Sports Network, Sportsnet, TVAS

LINE HISTORY: The Ducks opened as -120 home favorites for Game 2 and that moneyline has yet move off the opening number. The total hit the board at 5 and will likely remain on that number.

INJURY REPORT:

Predators - LW Kevin Fiala (Out For Season, leg).

Ducks - D Kevin Bieksa (Questionable, lower body), RW Logan Shaw (Questionable, lower body), RW Patrick Eaves (Out Indefinitely, lower body), D Simon Despres (Out Indefinitely, concussion).

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (50-31-8-4, 42-40 O/U): James Neal scored 23 goals during the regular season, matching the second-lowest total of his career for a non-strike season, but he has come alive in the playoffs with four tallies in the last six games after managing one assist in a first-round sweep of Chicago. "I feel like he got a lot of chances, even in the first round, and he's a goal-scorer," Predators defenseman Roman Josi said of Neal. "You know he's going to find the back of the net. He's got a great shot. I think he's been awesome for us." Top-line center Ryan Johansen set up two goals in the opener and has two goals and 11 points in 11 playoff games.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (54-26-11-3, 34-39 O/U): John Gibson was in net for the opening two games against Nashville last year -- ironically, both 3-2 setbacks -- and never saw the ice again in the series, but no one faulted his performance Friday after he stood on his head and turned side 43 shots. "Our goaltender should get full credit for keeping us in the game," Carlyle said of Gibson, who was victimized by a deflected shot on the game-winning tally. Forward Jakob Silfverberg, who scored 23 times during the regular season, led Anaheim with five shots on net and notched his eighth goal of the postseason to tie captain Ryan Getzlaf for the team lead.

TRENDS:

* Predators are 9-2 in their last 11 overall.

* Ducks are 1-4 in their last 5 Conference Finals games.

* Under is 10-2-6 in Predators last 18 vs. a team with a winning record.

* Over is 4-1-1 in Ducks last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.

CONSENSUS: 67 percent of the public is siding with the home chalk Ducks on the moneyline and 58 percent are on the Over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL
Dunkel

Sunday, May 14


Nashville @ Anaheim

Game 5-6
May 14, 2017 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Nashville
12.307
Anaheim
11.443
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Nashville
by 1
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
Nashville
(+100); Under

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL
Long Sheet

Sunday, May 14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NASHVILLE (50-31-0-12, 112 pts.) at ANAHEIM (54-26-0-14, 122 pts.) - 5/14/2017, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 54-40 ATS (+12.9 Units) in all games this season.
ANAHEIM is 36-20 ATS (+4.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 26-16 ATS (+8.7 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
ANAHEIM is 29-19 ATS (+6.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ANAHEIM is 19-11 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NASHVILLE is 30-17 ATS (+11.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NASHVILLE is 22-10 ATS (+11.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 9-8-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+5.3 Units)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Sunday, May 14

Nashville has won four of last six games vs Anaheim after an OT win in Game 1; Predators are 2-3 in last five games in this building. Home side won five of last seven Anaheim-Nashville games. Over is 2-0-2 in last four series games. Predators are 9-2 in playoffs, 4-2 on road; under is 4-0-1 in their last five games overall- they allowed seven goals in the five games. Anaheim won four of last six games after losing Games 1-2 at home to Edmonton; over is 4-1-1 in their last six games. Ducks are 0-20 on power play in their last six games, Nashville is 0-9 in its last two games.

Conference finals
Ottawa-Pittsburgh
Ottawa 2-1 OT

Nashville-Anaheim
Nashville 3-2 OT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Sunday, May 14

Trend Report

7:30 PM
NASHVILLE vs. ANAHEIM
Nashville is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Anaheim's last 12 games when playing at home against Nashville
Anaheim is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DAVE COKIN

PREDATORS VS. DUCKS
PLAY: PREDATORS +105

Quick analysis: Nashville was the better team in Game One, and Pekka Rinne is showing absolutely no signs of cooling off. Anaheim has been insanely tough at home off a loss, so I’m not going full bore on this one. But the Predators have been the best team in this NHL post-season, and I’m willing to bounce right back with them for a piece at plus money. Half unit play on Nashville in Game Two.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bruce Marshall

Dodgers at Rockies
Pick: Under

Dodger starter Julio Urias enters Sunday's game at Denver with a 1.06 ERA in his three previous starts. This time, however, Urias pitches at Coors Field, where he was shelled in his only outing last season when allowing 3 runs and 6 hits in just 3 IP. Meanwhile it's now six quality starts in a row for Colorado rookie Anthony Senzatela, with a 3-1 mark at home and overall 2.86 ERA. This has also been a lower-scoring series so "under" also worth a look.

 

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The Last Call

Early Sunday's Bonus Play: Baltimore - 128

 

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Free Selection from Kenny Towers

Ov 5 Nsh/Anh - NHL -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Easy Money Sports

Lee's Free Sunday Selection

Seattle w/Miranda +130

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners at Blue Jays
GAME: Seattle Mariners (17-20) at Toronto Blue Jays (16-21)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 14 - 1:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario

Right-hander Aaron Sanchez will come off the disabled list for the second time this season for the Toronto Blue Jays as they aim for a four-game sweep of the visiting Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Sanchez initially was sidelined in April with a finger issue and was able to get through just one inning in his return to the mound April 30 before the injury resurfaced.

The 24-year-old, who pitched in an extended spring training game in Florida on Tuesday, hopes to help the Blue Jays continue their longest winning streak of the year, which reached four games with Saturday's 7-2 triumph. Marcus Stroman threw six solid innings and Jose Bautista homered for the third time in four games in the win, which was also Toronto's sixth victory in its last seven games. The Mariners played their third straight contest without star second baseman Robinson Cano (quadriceps) and have fallen to 7-15 on the road. Their ravaged pitching staff will hope for some length out of lefty Ariel Miranda after fill-in starter Ryan Weber could only get through 3 2/3 frames in Saturday's loss due to shoulder tightness.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Seattle), Sportsnet One (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Ariel Miranda (3-2, 5.20 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (0-1, 4.05)

Miranda has been inconsistent from start to start and he was not sharp his last time out at Philadelphia, getting tagged for eight runs in 3 1/3 innings. That outing left the Cuba native with an 8.10 ERA through four road starts, during which he has given up 20 hits - seven home runs - and eight walks in 16 2/3 innings. Miranda, 28, has never faced the Blue Jays.

Sanchez gave up five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings in his last full start April 14 against Baltimore, serving up three home runs. He is 2-0 with a 1.72 ERA in five career games (two starts) against the Mariners, which includes a solid six-inning outing at Seattle late last season. Kyle Seager is 2-for-6 with a home run and Jean Segura has two hits in four at-bats versus Sanchez, who is 20-7 as a starter in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle has four starting pitchers on the disabled list and announced Saturday that RHP Hisashi Iwakuma is expected to miss four to six weeks with shoulder inflammation.

2. Blue Jays CF Kevin Pillar is 6-for-10 with two walks and five runs scored over his last three games.

3. Segura hit safely in 12 straight games and has multiple hits in eight of those contests.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Mariners 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves at Marlins
GAME: Atlanta Braves (13-20) at Miami Marlins (13-22)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 14 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida

Even though victories have been few and far between for the Atlanta Braves this season, the middle of their lineup is producing as they eye a sweep of the host Miami Marlins on Sunday. Right fielder Nick Markakis, who had three hits in Saturday's 3-1 triumph, first baseman Freddie Freeman and left fielder Matt Kemp all bring batting averages above .300 into the series finale.

Freeman collected two hits Saturday and is batting .342 with a .750 slugging percentage, while Kemp’s eighth-inning infield single extended his hitting streak to 13 games. The Marlins have lost five in a row and dropped behind Atlanta into last place in the National League East after Saturday’s loss. Their lone run Saturday came on a homer by first baseman Justin Bour, who is 6-for-12 with three homers, five walks and six RBIs in his past four contests. Derek Dietrich extended his hitting streak to six games with a double, but the Miami offense was limited to five hits - its lowest total since May 1.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN South (Atlanta), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH R.A. Dickey (3-2, 4.29 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Justin Nicolino (2016: 3-6, 4.99)

Dickey has pitched well, surrendering more than three earned runs just once in six starts - that coming in a Sunday loss to St. Louis in which he gave up four runs on eight hits in six innings. The 42-year-old knuckleballer has won his past two decisions, beating the New York Mets twice while allowing five earned runs in 11 innings. Dickey has enjoyed success against Miami, going 10-2 with a 2.87 ERA in 15 career appearances.

Miami will summon Nicolino from Triple-A New Orleans to start the series finale, opting to keep Dan Straily (Monday) and Tom Koehler (Tuesday) on regular rest. Nicolino went 2-6 with a 5.48 ERA in 13 starts last season, allowing eight homers in 70 2/3 innings after going 5-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 12 starts as a rookie in 2015. The 25-year-old has made seven starts at Triple-A this season, going 1-3 with a 4.46 ERA, but is 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) against the Braves.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Marlins dropped to 1-15 when trailing after six innings.

2. Saturday’s victory improved Atlanta’s record at Marlins Park to 34-15 since the stadium opened in 2012.

3. Miami OF Ichiro Suzuki struck out as a pinch hitter to end Saturday's game, moving past Ernie Banks and into 49th place on the list of all-time games played (2,529).

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Marlins 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins at Indians
GAME: Minnesota Twins (19-14) at Cleveland Indians (18-17)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 14 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio

The Cleveland Indians hope to wake up a dormant offense when they host the American League Central-leading Minnesota Twins on Sunday for the finale of a three-game set. The Indians have managed just three hits in each game of the series with one run total to drop the first two and are just 1-4 in their last five contests, while the Twins - swept by Cleveland at home last month - have won four in a row overall.

Michael Brantley boasts four of the six hits in the series for the Indians to lift his batting average to .302, but Cleveland is 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position the last two games after scoring 13 times in the previous two outings coming into Friday. Trevor Bauer hopes to snap out of his early-season struggles and help the Indians avoid the sweep, while Minnesota sends red-hot Hector Santiago to the mound on Sunday afternoon. Max Kepler belted a solo blast Saturday as the Twins extended their streak of games with a homer to 14 straight - their longest run since 1988. Former AL MVP Joe Mauer scored his 900th career run in the second game of the series for Minnesota and is 6-for-17 over the last four contests after posting a pair of hits in Saturday’s 4-1 victory.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Hector Santiago (4-1, 2.76 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (2-4, 7.36)

Santiago is unbeaten in his last five starts, allowing 10 runs combined after surrendering two over 6 2/3 innings to beat the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. The 28-year-old from New Jersey has limited opponents to three homers in 42 1/3 innings and right-handed hitters own a .194 batting average against him overall. Jose Ramirez (4-for-10, one homer) and Jason Kipnis (9-for-26, one homer) have had success versus Santiago, who is 2-3 with a 4.77 ERA in 15 games (10 starts) against the Indians.

Bauer has permitted at least four runs in five of his six starts this season and faced Minnesota in the only other, limiting the Twins to two tallies on three hits over 6 1/3 frames in a victory on April 20. The 26-year-old UCLA product boasts 37 strikeouts in 33 innings, but teams are batting .285 against him overall with seven homers. Eddie Rosario (8-for-20, one homer) and Kennys Vargas (7-for-13, one homer) have caused trouble for Bauer, who is 2-5 with a 5.09 ERA in 12 career starts against Minnesota.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins 3B Miguel Sano has drawn six walks in his last four games and scored four times in the past three contests.

2. Cleveland DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion is 1-for-13 over the past four contests and owns just one homer in a 14-game span.

3. Minnesota CF Byron Buxton is 0-for-10 in his last three games after going 7-for-20 in his previous six outings.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Twins 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies at Nationals
GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (13-20) at Washington Nationals (23-12)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 14 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia

The Washington Nationals fought through two straight rainouts, gave Bryce Harper a record contract and pulled off a walk-off win on a busy Saturday. Harper and company are in for an even busier Sunday when they make up for Friday's rainout by hosting the Philadelphia Phillies in a day-night doubleheader.

Harper and the Nationals avoided arbitration next winter by agreeing to a $21.625 million extension for the 2018 season, the largest contract ever for an arbitration-eligible player, on Saturday and the All-Star outfielder went out later that night to belt a two-run walk-off homer to give Washington a 6-4 win over the Phillies. "He's our own," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told reporters of Harper. "Drafted, developed, signed, been an MVP for us. He's a very unique player. There's not many comps for his performance, both in the short-term and in the bulk throughout his career. So he's a unique player with a unique talent set that is our own. We love what he's done for us, and we couldn't be happier that we know where we're at in 2018." Harper is 3-for-14 with seven walks against Phillies Game 1 starter Jeremy Hellickson and 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and two walks in his career against nightcap starter Vince Velasquez. Philadelphia, which dropped 11 of its last 13 games, will send its hitters up against lefty Gio Gonzalez and Washington ace Max Scherzer.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jeremy Hellickson (4-1, 3.49 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (3-1, 2.64)

Hellickson surrendered two or fewer earned runs in each of his first five starts but ran into more trouble in the last two and failed to complete five innings in either turn. The 30-year-old was knocked around for six runs and eight hits over four innings at the Chicago Cubs on May 2 and could not solve the Washington lineup while yielding three runs on five hits and three walks in 4 2/3 frames last Sunday. Hellickson fared better in two April starts against the Nationals, allowing a total of two runs and five hits in 12 innings.

Gonzalez suffered his first loss of the season last time out at Baltimore, when he was knocked around for six runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings. The control issues were nothing new for the Florida native, who issued at least three walks in each of his last five starts and a total of 11 in the past two outings. Gonzalez issued three walks against Philadelphia on April 16 but limited the damage to three runs (two earned) and five hits in 7 1/3 innings without factoring in the decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals SS Trea Turner is 3-for-29 over his last seven games, dropping his average from .316 to .257.

2. Philadelphia 1B Tommy Joseph is 11-for-23 with four doubles and two home runs in his last seven games.

3. Washington RHPs Koda Glover and Shawn Kelley were both activated off the disabled list on Friday and combined to throw 2 1/3 hitless innings on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Phillies 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays at Red Sox
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (18-21) at Boston Red Sox (19-17)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 14 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

Mookie Betts' return to the leadoff spot in the order has been a spark for him individually and the Boston Red Sox offense as a whole. Betts will try to stay hot and lead the Red Sox to a series win when they host the Tampa Bay Rays in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday.

Betts spent most of last season as the leadoff hitter for the best offense in baseball before dropping to the middle of the order in the last two months and staying there to begin the 2017 campaign. Betts went 0-for-5 in his first game back in the leadoff spot on May 6 to drop his batting average to .267 but is since 12-for-28 with five doubles, four home runs, nine runs scored and 12 RBIs in six games - including a homer and a double in support of Chris Sale in Saturday's 6-3 win. Betts is 6-for-13 with a double, a homer and three RBIs in his career against Tampa Bay righty Matt Andriese, who is scheduled to start Sunday's finale opposite Boston lefty Drew Pomeranz. The Rays are losers of five of their last seven games but are having no trouble hitting the ball out of Fenway Park with one homer in Friday's 5-4 win and two more on Saturday.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Matt Andriese (2-1, 3.12 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Drew Pomeranz (3-2, 5.23)

Andriese allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last six starts but was held out of the decision against Kansas City on Tuesday when he yielded three runs - two earned - and five hits while striking out seven over 5 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old posted a season-high eight strikeouts in seven scoreless innings against Miami on May 4. Andriese is 1-1 with a 4.21 ERA in six career games - four starts - against Boston.

Pomeranz had a string of three straight starts allowing two earned runs come to an end when he was roughed up for six runs on seven hits and two walks while notching a season-low two strikeouts in four innings at Milwaukee on Tuesday. The 28-year-old struggles to work deep into games and completed six innings in just two of his six outings. Pomeranz struck out a season-high 10 against Tampa Bay on April 16 but did not factor in the decision while allowing five runs in 4 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays OF Steven Souza Jr. (thumb) returned from a four-game absence on Saturday and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

2. Red Sox 3B Pablo Sandoval (knee) is taking ground balls and is expected to join the team on its upcoming road trip to continue his rehab.

3. Boston LHP David Price is scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Rays 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros at Yankees
GAME: Houston Astros (25-11) at New York Yankees (21-12)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 14 - 2:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York

Rain forced the New York Yankees to turn Derek Jeter Night into an all-day baseball extravaganza, as the squad will honor one of their all-time greats in the midst of a doubleheader against the visiting Houston Astros on Sunday. Jeter, the franchise's hit king and a five-time World Series champion, will have his No. 2 retired and a plaque placed in his honor on Monument Park prior to the nightcap.

Before that, the teams will play the makeup game from Saturday's postponement, as the Yankees try to slow down an Astros squad that has won five in a row after two straight victories to open the series. Former New York catcher Brian McCann slugged a three-run homer to lead the way in Friday's 5-1 win, which marked the sixth consecutive game in which MLB-leading Houston had held an opponent to three runs or fewer. The Yankees have dropped three in a row following their dominant 20-5 stretch. The twinbill is a single-admission event and the Jeter ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7:35 p.m., with the second game to follow.

TV: 2:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports Southwest (Houston), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Mike Fiers (1-1, 5.64 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (2-2, 3.40)

Fiers entered Friday tied for the major-league lead with 14 home runs allowed, including two in his first win of the year Sunday at the Los Angeles Angels. He was reached for three runs on four hits and four walks in five innings in that victory while striking out a season-low one batter. The 31-year-old gave up five runs and a pair of homers in five innings in his only start at Yankee Stadium and Jacoby Ellsbury has two doubles in three at-bats versus Fiers.

Severino rebounded from a rocky effort against Toronto on May 1 with a dominant outing at Wrigley Field last Sunday, limiting the Chicago Cubs to a run while striking out nine in seven innings. He has 45 strikeouts and seven walks in 39 2/3 innings overall but has had some issues keeping the ball in the park, allowing five home runs over his last three home starts. The 23-year-old has just two innings of relief in his career against Houston.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston's 25-11 record is its best ever after 36 games.

2. Astros CF George Springer has an 11-game hitting streak, although he has just one hit in each of the last seven affairs.

3. Yankees closer LH Aroldis Chapman allowed four runs on six hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings over his last two appearances.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Astros 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres at White Sox
GAME: San Diego Padres (14-24) at Chicago White Sox (16-18)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 14 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago White Sox snapped a six-game slide with a walk-off win on Saturday and have a chance to earn their first series win this month when they host the San Diego Padres in the rubber match of a three-game interleague series on Sunday. Yolmer Sanchez plated the winning run on Saturday to cap a 10-hit night for the White Sox.

Avisail Garcia remains the most potent hitter in the Chicago lineup and belted his sixth home run on Saturday, but two-hit nights from Todd Frazier (.189 batting average) and Tyler Saladino (.215) were surprises. Sanchez went without an RBI during the losing streak and was hitless on the night Saturday before plating Saladino in the ninth. Trying to push that White Sox offense back down will be struggling right-hander Jered Weaver, who takes the mound for the Padres against Chicago ace Jose Quintana. San Diego dropped eight of its last 10 games and is enduring its own problems on offense with an average of 2.9 runs in those 10 contests.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jered Weaver (0-4, 6.81 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Jose Quintana (2-5, 4.46)

Weaver is still looking for his first win and was lit up in each of his last three turns, allowing a total of 22 runs - 17 earned - and 22 hits in 12 2/3 innings. The veteran endured his shortest outing of the season against Texas on Tuesday, when he was reached for seven runs in three frames. Weaver, who spent the first 11 years of his career in the American League with the Los Angeles Angels, is 12-2 with a 1.89 ERA in 15 career starts against Chicago.

Quintana posted back-to-back wins over the Kansas City Royals while allowing a total of one earned run and striking out 17 in 14 innings on April 26 and May 2 but fell off again last Sunday at Baltimore. The Colombia native, who endured a four-start losing streak to begin the season, was roughed up for four runs on nine hits and three walks in five innings against the Orioles. Quintana is making his first career start against the Padres and is 6-8 with a 2.69 ERA in 18 interleague starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres 1B Wil Myers homered in three of the last four games.

2. Chicago LF Melky Cabrera is 3-for-25 over the last six games.

3. San Diego LHP Brad Hand allowed a run in four of his last five appearances to raise his ERA from 0.64 to 1.71.

PREDICTION: White Sox 8, Padres 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets at Brewers
GAME: New York Mets (16-19) at Milwaukee Brewers (20-17)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 14 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

If the loss of six-time All-Star Ryan Braun to the 10-day disabled list was supposed to slow down the Milwaukee Brewers' surprisingly powerful offense, forgive the New York Mets if they can't tell the difference. The Brewers attempt to complete a sweep of the visiting Mets and post their sixth victory in seven contests Sunday, when the teams wrap up their three-game series.

Braun landed on the DL with a left calf strain prior to Friday's opener, but Milwaukee belted a season-high four home runs to secure a 7-4 win. Travis Shaw did his best Braun impersonation in Saturday's 11-4 rout, going 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs to lead the Brewers' 16-hit attack and lift their major league-best home run total to 60. After winning five of their previous six, the Mets have dropped three straight to find themselves three games under .500 (16-19). Neil Walker continues to swing a hot bat for New York, however, going 5-for-8 this weekend while clubbing a solo home run in each of the first two games of this series to lift his May batting average to .333 after hitting .195 last month.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (2-1, 3.80 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Wily Peralta (4-2, 5.30)

Despite posting his fourth double-digit strikeout performance in five outings with 11 on Monday against San Francisco, deGrom settled for a no-decision after giving up three runs - including two homers - in six innings. The Stetson product ranks second in the National League with 60 strikeouts, but he also is among the NL leaders in walks with 19 - including 14 over his last four turns. The Florida native has fared well in five career starts versus Milwaukee, going 3-1 with a 2.32 ERA.

Peralta has fallen off a bit since winning each of his first three starts while posting a 2.65 ERA, going 1-2 in his last four turns while surrendering a total of 16 runs, 27 hits and eight walks over 18 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old Dominican did not factor in the decision Tuesday versus Boston despite permitting four runs on five hits and three walks in 4 1/3 frames. Peralta won his only home turn versus the Mets last season after allowing three runs in five innings to improve to 4-2 with a 3.53 ERA in six career starts against them.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Brewers are three games over .500 (20-17) for the first time since Sept. 27, 2014.

2. After playing 1,652 career contests as an infielder, New York SS Jose Reyes made his first appearance in the outfield Saturday.

3. Milwaukee's eight-run fifth inning on Saturday was the club's largest single-inning outburst since it scored eight times in the third against San Francisco on April 16, 2013.

PREDICTION: Mets 6, Brewers 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs at Cardinals
GAME: Chicago Cubs (18-18) at St. Louis Cardinals (20-15)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 14 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

After three straight outstanding seasons with the Chicago Cubs, including a Cy Young Award campaign in 2015, Jake Arrieta appeared poised for a huge contract following this season. A rough start to 2017 has hurt the right-hander’s stock, and he will try to turn things around beginning with the rubber match of Chicago's three-game road series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.



Arrieta’s struggles have been emblematic of a concerning theme for the Cubs, whose starting pitchers have not maintained the level of success they enjoyed during the team's World Series championship run a year ago. The trend continued with a sub-par effort from Jon Lester in Saturday's 5-3 loss in which Chicago was short-handed, with reigning National League MVP Kris Bryant battling an illness and starters Addison Russell, Ben Zobrist, and Jon Jay nursing injuries. The Cardinals hope to continue their surge, as they have won seven of their last eight games. The back end of St. Louis’ bullpen has been outstanding, with the team going 18-0 when leading after seven innings.

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



PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (4-2, 5.35 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (2-3, 6.37)

After posting quality starts in his first two turns of the season, which resulted in victories, Arrieta has produced just one in his last five starts. The 31-year-old endured his worst outing of the year Tuesday at Colorado, allowing nine runs - five earned - while lasting just 3 2/3 innings. Arrieta beat the Cardinals in the second game of the season, improving to 8-2 with a 1.71 ERA in 14 career starts against them.

Wainwright has yet to record a quality start in 2017, making it out of the sixth inning just once in seven outings. The 35-year-old pitched slightly better his last time out, allowing four runs and four hits over 5 1/3 frames of a no-decision at Miami, but he continues to struggle with his command as he issued three walks. Wainwright is 13-9 with a 4.24 ERA in 41 career games (32 starts) against the Cubs.



WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals 1B Matt Carpenter is 0-for-27 with nine strikeouts against Arrieta, his former college teammate at TCU.

2. Cubs prospect Ian Happ made his major-league debut Saturday, starting in right field and going 1-for-3 with a two-run homer while batting second.

3. St. Louis C Yadier Molina has recorded 189 career hits against the Cubs, which puts him second among active players behind former teammate Albert Pujols (196).



PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Cardinals 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles at Royals
GAME: Baltimore Orioles (22-13) at Kansas City Royals (15-21)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 14 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

The Kansas City Royals are clawing their way back into the American League Central race as they go for a three-game sweep of the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon. The Royals have won five of the last six contests following a 10-20 start to the season and recorded one-run victories in the first two games of the series against the Orioles, who boast the second-most wins in the AL (22) but have dropped three straight.

Brandon Moss homered in both games of the series for Kansas City and teammate Salvador Perez extended his hitting streak to nine straight (13-for-31), while Eric Hosmer is 4-for-6 in the series for the Royals. Kansas City’s Alex Gordon (groin) is day-to-day after missing the 4-3 victory Saturday and veteran Chris Young will start the finale for the Royals against fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman. Baltimore has lost each of the last three contests by a run, after running off six consecutive victories, to fall into a virtual tie with the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Francisco Pena (two) and Chris Davis provided all of the Orioles' runs with homers Saturday, while slugger Mark Trumbo saw his eight-game hitting streak end by going 0-for-4 with two of Baltimore’s 15 strikeouts.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, WJZ (Baltimore), MASN2 (Baltimore), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (2-3, 6.63 ERA) vs. Royals RH Chris Young (0-0, 5.93)

Gausman comes in off only his second quality start in eight outings this season when he allowed two runs on five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over seven innings to beat Washington on Monday. The 26-year-old LSU product threw 77 strikes in a season-high 116 pitches last time out, but opponents are batting .299 overall against him with 19 walks in 38 innings. Gausman will be facing Kansas City for the first time in his career, but Moss is 1-for-5 with a walk against him.

Young makes his second start of the season after getting knocked around for four runs on seven hits and four walks with two strikeouts in three innings of a no-decision versus Tampa Bay on Tuesday. The 37-year-old Princeton product made seven appearances in relief to open the season, giving up seven runs (five earned) over 10 2/3 innings. Manny Machado homered for his only hit in six at-bats against Young, who is 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA over six career games (five starts) versus the Orioles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore 2B Jonathan Schoop went 0-for-4 on Saturday to end a 26-game on-base streak.

2. Kansas City OF Jorge Soler had a pair of hits Saturday after starting his career with the team just 1-for-21.

3. Orioles C Welington Castillo (shoulder) could return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday after beginning his rehab assignment Saturday.

PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Royals 2