Tuesday 4/25/17 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Scott Rickenbach
NBA | Apr 25, 2017
Jazz vs. Clippers
Jazz +3½ -115 at BETONLINE

Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Tuesday Free Pick Utah Jazz (+) @ Los Angeles Clippers @ 10:35 ET - It looks easy to take the home team minus the short number to bounce back off of a loss. Of course we all know what generally happens when something looks a little too easy. The fact is that nothing is easy and, in this particular case, I like the value with the points being offered as the Clippers certainly aren't the same team without Blake Griffin. The road team and home team have alternated wins and losses so far in this series and I look for that pattern to continue here. The Clippers are on a 2-5 ATS run the last 3 seasons when tied up in a playoff series and all the pressure is on them to win here at home and take this crucial Game 5. As has been evidenced in prior playoff series, the Clips don't often handle pressure very well. As for the Jazz, they are shooting the ball very well right now and also are off of their best game on the boards in Game 4. Certainly Griffin's absence in Game 4 helped sway the battle of the boards to be a little more in favor of the Jazz and I look for that trend to continue tonight. The Jazz are loose, confident, and healthier than the Clippers. That is the perfect recipe for a dangerous dog. Free Pick on the UTAH JAZZ in late night Tuesday NBA action. Best of luck, Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tony George
MLB | Apr 25, 2017
Royals vs. White Sox
Royals -130 at BETONLINE

MLB Bonus Play

Tony George Sports

Kansas City @ Chicago White Sox

Kansas City got beat up on Monday as their road woes and hitting woes continue as they gave up 8 runs in the bottom of the 6th to the White Sox and got shelled 12-1, and that after they were swept at Texas 4-0 on a long weekend. Kansas City has had some good pitching so far this season, but absolutely no run support.

This game here they get a red hot Danny Duffy on the hill, who has shined brightly as a starter this season, 5th in the AL with a ERA of 1.32 and since hitting the starting rotation late last year he is 14-3 and has an ERA 3.24. He needs run support and with Kansas City facing a pitcher tonight as the WS send out Covey to the hill, in just his 3rd MLB start, who was lit up last week against the hit hitting Yankees, this scenario creates a situation where Kansas City should get Duffy some run support as well as a much needed win in what I feel should be a lower scoring game. Kansas City in MUST WIN mode here off an embarrassment last night, I think the starts line up for KC here and they get a win behind a very strong starter.

Bonus Play on Kansas City -130

 

[Franchise5725]

Has anyone subscribed to Xavier Singleton or anyone else from Straightup winners? Are there records as good as they claim?

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bruce Marshall

Thunder vs. Rockets
Play: Rockets -7½

Houston got what it needed at the Peake over the weekend when managing a split of Games 3 and 4, allowing the Rockets to sew things up tonight in Game 5. Which we expect Houston to do, as the Rockets have proven they have other options than James harden, while the Thunder does not have that sort of help for Russell Westbrook. Houston has won 6 of the last 7 this season vs. Ok City and ought to wrap things up tonight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Larry Ness

Miami vs. Philadelphia
Pick: Philadelphia

The 10-8 Miami Marlins open a three-game series tonight in Philadelphia against the 9-9 Phillies. Miami comes in off back-to-back wins in San Diego over the Padres (Sat & Sun) to move two games over .500, while the Phillies just swept a three-game home series this past weekend over the Atlanta Braves to reach the .500 mark.

Tuesday's pitching matchup will feature Miami lefty Wei-Yin Chen (2-0, 3.94 ERA) up against Philly's Vince Velasquez (0-2, 7.20 ERA). Chen is in the second season of a five-year, $80 million deal. He's had two excellent outings so far in 2017, but in between, he was lit up by the Mets on April 13, allowing six ERs on seven hits in just three innings. His value to the team was underscored by him being removed from a potential no-hit bid in his last outing, after seven hit-less innings against the Mariners on April 18.
He's made four career appearances against the Phillies, going 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA (teams are 2-2).

Velasquez pitched well in his last outing before running into trouble late as he saw his scoreless outing go by the boards with a three-run HR by Jay Bruce in the sixth. He allowed just those three runs on five hits in six innings before avoiding a third straight loss after Philadelphia rallied to tie the score. Still, his 7.20 ERA and 1.67 WHIP are not good signs, early on. He's 1-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three career starts against the Marlins (team is 1-2).

The Miami Marlins come to town fresh off a six-game West Coast swing (3-3) but note that the Phillies just swept the Braves here at home and enter this series averaging 5.67 RPG in their home park. Chen's the better pitcher but I'm on the home team in this one.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

John Martin
NBA | Apr 25, 2017
Grizzlies vs. Spurs
Grizzlies +10 -105 at 5DIMES

1 Unit Bonus Play on Memphis Grizzlies +10

The San Antonio Spurs simply rely too much on one player these days. Kawhi Leonard is a beast, but even his 43 points couldn't save them in Game 4. The Grizzlies have fought back to even this series at 2-2 and now have all the momentum. I think the value is right to pull the trigger on them as 10-point road dogs in Game 5. I realize that the Spurs won the first two games at home by double-digits, but they only won by 7 and 6 in their two regular season meetings in San Antonio. The Spurs are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games playing on 2 days rest. The Grizzlies are 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Brandon Lee
MLB | Apr 25, 2017
Mariners vs. Tigers
Total 8½ -105 at BMAKER

10* Free MLB Pick (Mariners/Tigers Over 8.5)

Both of these teams come into this game off an offensive explosion last time out. Seattle scored 11 runs in their finale at Oakland on Sunday and Detroit put 14 on the board in their win at Minnesota on Sunday. I think we see both offenses keep it going here. The Mariners give the ball to Felix Hernandez, who has not been himself early. Hernandez has allowed 33 hits (5 HRs) in just under 25 innings of work and has a 4.09 ERA and 1.364 WHIP in 2 road starts. Tigers counter with Jordan Zimmermann, who has a 5.94 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in 3 starts. In just his last two outings, he has allowed 10 runs on 14 hits and 6 walks in a mere 10 2/3 innings. OVER is 20-9 in the Mariners last 29 games when off an upset win as a dog against a division rival. OVER is also 7-1-1 in Zimmermann's last 9 home starts and 9-1-1 in the Tigers last 11 home games against a right-handed starter. Give me the OVER 8.5!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ray Monohan
MLB | Apr 25, 2017
Royals vs. White Sox
Total 8 +100 at 5DIMES

Kansas City vs. Chicago Under 8

This one just missed out on our premium card.

Two struggling offenses meet on Tuesday night and the Under here has value.Chicago managed just 5 runs this weekend against the Indians, as their lineup just hasn't been able to string together hits.

On the Royals side of things, it's been very similar. Kansas City hasn't been able to get that big hit, but has managed to stay in games thanks to their starting pitching, especially Tuesday starter Danny Duffy. Some trends to note. Under is 10-1 in Royals last 11 overall and is 16-5-3 in Royals last 24 games vs. a right-handed starter. Under is 5-1-1 in White Sox last 7 home games.

Expect the offenses to struggle here. Given that, the Under has value.

Back the Under.

Good Luck, Razor Ray.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jesse Schule
NBA | Apr 25, 2017
Thunder vs. Rockets
Rockets -7½ -103 at 5DIMES

This is a Free #NBA play on the Houston #Rockets.

The Rockets will have a chance to close out this first round series versus Oklahoma City, and I expect to see a blowout win for the home team. Here is what I said prior to Game 2: "James Harden played like an MVP in Game 1, scoring 37 points on 13-of-28 shooting, with nine assists and seven rebounds. Russell Westbrook really struggled, shooting just 6-of-23 from the field and 3-of-11 from beyond the arc. The Rockets crushed the Thunder on the boards, out-rebounding them 56-41. The final score was 118-87, and that shouldn't be much of a surprise considering the history between the two teams. The Rockets won three of four in the regular season series, and the last game at Houston (in the regular season) was a 137-125 win for the Rockets. Houston was one of the league's best home teams, while Oklahoma City had a losing record on the road. Oklahoma City has covered the spread just once in the last 11 meetings between the two teams, failing to cover in six of their last seven in Houston. Westbrook's "one man show" might play well for the fans during the regular season (in Oklahoma City), but it's not going to fly here in the playoffs."

Take HOU.

GL,

Jesse Schule

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Rocky Atkinson
MLB | Apr 25, 2017
Blue Jays vs. Cardinals
Cardinals -134 at BETONLINE

Rocketman Sports FREE MLB play Tuesday 4-25-17 Toronto @ St Louis 8:15 PM EST
Play On: St Louis -134 (Estrada/Wacha) Listed The Toronto Blue Jays travel to St Louis to take on the Cardinals on Tuesday night. Toronto is 5-14 SU overall this year while St Louis comes in with a 9-10 SU overall record on the season. Marco Estrada is 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA on the road this year. Michael Wacha is 2-1 with a 2.41 ERA overall this year and 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA at home this season. Estrada is 0-4 with a 5.52 ERA in his 8 career games against St Louis. Toronto is scoring only 3.4 runs per game overall this year, 3.9 runs per game on the road this season, 3.1 runs per game against right handed starters, 3.6 runs per game at night and 1.5 runs per game in inter-league play this season. St Louis is allowing only 3.1 runs per game at home this year and 2.6 runs per game their past 7 games overall where they are 6-1 SU. Toronto is 6-21 last 3 years as a road underdog of +125 to +175. We'll recommend a small play on St Louis tonight!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jack Jones
MLB | Apr 25, 2017
Reds vs. Brewers
Reds +105 at GTBETS

Jack's Free Pick Tuesday: Cincinnati Reds +105

The Cincinnati Reds have been one of the more underrated teams in baseball through the first month of the season. They are scoring 4.9 runs per game on the season, including 6.1 runs per game on the road where they are 5-2 on the year.

Scott Feldman has taken on the role of ace for the Reds and he has delivered in a big way. Feldman is 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA and 1.191 WHIP in four starts this season. He has gone 2-2 with a 3.46 ERA in five career starts against the Brewers.

Zach Davies is getting way too much respect from oddsmakers today. He is 1-2 with an 8.24 ERA and 1.984 WHIP in four starts this season for the Brewers. Davies has gone 1-2 with a 4.28 ERA in six career starts against the Reds.

The Reds are 4-1 in their last five road games. The Brewers are 4-10 in their last 14 home games. Milwaukee is 1-6 in its last seven home games vs. a right-handed starter. Bet the Reds Tuesday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Black Widow
MLB | Apr 25, 2017
Rays vs. Orioles
Rays +147 at 5DIMES

Widow's Free Pick: Tampa Bay Rays +147

Bets against home favorites with a money line of -125 to -175 (Baltimore) with a decent bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 to 1.450 on the season, with a team on base percentage of .310 or worse on the season are 77-50 (60.6%, +52.2 units) over the last five seasons. The Orioles are clearly overvalued right now due to their 13-5 start. Asking them to lay this kind of price against the Rays is asking too much tonight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mark Franco
MLB | Apr 25, 2017
Twins vs. Rangers
Total 9 +105 at 5DIMES

Free pick

Twins/Rangers under 9

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Ervin Santana (3-0, 0.64 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Andrew Cashner (0-1, 2.38)

Santana permitted one run on four hits - his highest hit total allowed in his four starts - last time out versus Cleveland, continuing his string of stellar early-season performances. He went the distance in his previous turn, tossing a one-hit shutout against the White Sox after blanking Chicago over six innings six days earlier.

Cashner remains in search of his first victory in the AL and could use some run support from the Rangers, who have scored once in his first two starts. The 30-year-old Texan is coming off a strong outing in a 1-0 victory over Kansas City, permitting three hits and four walks over six scoreless innings.

Under is 8-1 in Twins last 9 road games vs. a right-handed starter. Under is 7-0 in Santanas last 7 starts following a team loss in their previous game. Under is 6-1 in Rangers last 7 during game 2 of a series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs at Pirates
GAME: Chicago Cubs (11-8) at Pittsburgh Pirates (8-11)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, April 25 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

After being swept by Pittsburgh at home earlier this month, the Chicago Cubs exacted some revenge by pounding the Pirates in the opener of their three-game series in the Steel City. The Cubs hope to keep the offense rolling when the set continues on Tuesday.



Chicago registered 17 hits in a 14-3 thumping of the Pirates on Monday, as Addison Russell went 4-for-6 while Jason Heyward homered and drove in four runs. The Cubs have scored 53 runs while winning five of their last six games. Much of the increased production is due to the long ball, as Chicago has belted 12 home runs over its last six games after going deep just nine times in its first 13 contests. The Pirates’ pitching staff had been excellent early on but has surrendered 10 or more runs in two of its last three games and has dropped five of its last seven.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), ROOT (Pittsburgh)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 6.19 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Gerrit Cole (1-2, 4.70)

Hendricks has struggled in his first three outings, failing to record a quality start. The 27-year-old uncharacteristically has had command problems, issuing seven walks in 16 innings, and has served up four home runs. Hendricks is 3-2 with a 3.77 ERA in eight career starts against the Pirates, including a loss on April 14.

After a rocky season debut in Boston, Cole has posted three straight quality starts and increased his strikeout total in each. The 26-year-old beat Hendricks and the Cubs on April 14 and struck out eight last time out while holding St. Louis to two runs and six hits over six frames. Cole is 9-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 12 career starts against the Cubs.



WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo, who had his 12-game hitting streak snapped on Monday, is 9-for-26 with four doubles against Cole.

2. Pittsburgh OF Gregory Polanco (8-for-19, homer) and INF/OF Josh Harrison (6-for-15, homer) have enjoyed success versus Hendricks.

3. Pirates 1B/OF Josh Bell is 8-for-24 during his seven-game hitting streak.



PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Cubs 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros at Indians
GAME: Houston Astros (13-6) at Cleveland Indians (10-8)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, April 25 - 6:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio

Dallas Keuchel has been both remarkably dominant and consistent this season by allowing just one run in each of his last three outings while logging seven innings in all four. The 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner looks to continue his scintillating pitching while the Houston Astros vie for their 10th win in 12 outings on Tuesday when they open a three-game series versus the host Cleveland Indians.

"I think he's been as impressive in using his pitches correctly more so this year than dating back to any year of my time here - and that's including his Cy Young year," manager A.J. Hinch said of Keuchel, who has 22 strikeouts against six walks in 28 innings. Yuli Gurriel capped his second three-hit performance in three games with an RBI single in the 10th inning of Sunday's 6-4 triumph over Tampa Bay, improving to 15-for-32 with five runs both scored and driven in during his last nine contests. Cleveland's Francisco Lindor is providing an unexpected power surge by belting his club high-tying fifth homer of the season in Sunday's 6-2 setback to the Chicago White Sox. The 23-year-old Puerto Rican is just 3-for-16 in his last four contests on the heels of a 12-game hitting streak.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (3-0, 0.96 ERA) vs. Indians RH Josh Tomlin (1-2, 11.68)

Keuchel fanned seven batters for the second straight outing on Wednesday in a 5-1 rout of the Los Angeles Angels. The 29-year-old has handcuffed Cleveland in his career with a 3-0 mark in five appearances, including scattering three hits over seven scoreless innings to highlight two solid performances in his last two meetings in 2015. Despite his gaudy record, Keuchel has struggled against the likes of Brandon Guyer (.600), Yan Gomes (.444) Jason Kipnis (.333) during his career.

Tomlin rebounded from permitting 13 earned runs in his first two starts (6 1/3 innings) by allowing just three over six frames in an 11-4 rout of Minnesota last Tuesday. The 32-year-old kept the ball in the park after yielding two in a short outing versus the Chicago White Sox on April 13. Tomlin has limited Houston's current roster to just a .176 batting average, with Carlos Beltran held in check with just one hit in 11 at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland LF Michael Brantley has recorded back-to-back multi-hit performances and five total during his current eight-game hitting streak, collecting three homers, six RBIs and nine runs scored in the process.

2. Houston sports a 6-2 road mark while the Indians have won just two of six at Progressive Field this season.

3. Cleveland OF Abraham Almonte has reached base in all 11 of his starts this season.

PREDICTION: Indians 3, Astros 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays at Orioles
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (10-11) at Baltimore Orioles (13-5)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, April 25 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland

The Baltimore Orioles had their way with the Tampa Bay Rays a year ago and, with Adam Jones reaching a career milestone, showed not much has changed in the first meeting between the teams this season. The American League-best Orioles have won five of six as they continue their three-game series against the visiting Rays on Tuesday night.

Jones went 3-for-3 in the series opener to eclipse 1,500 hits for his career, including a tiebreaking two-run homer in Baltimore's 6-3 victory. Jonathan Schoop has gone deep three times in the past five games for the Orioles, who were 13-6 against Tampa Bay in 2016. Monday's loss kicked off an eight-game road trip for the Rays, who fell to 1-7 away from home after ace Chris Archer was unable to protect an early two-run lead. Erasmo Ramírez, who started the season in the bullpen, will make his second start for Tampa Bay against Baltimore left-hander Wade Miley.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Erasmo Ramírez (2-0, 3.07 ERA) VS. Orioles LH Wade Miley (1-0, 1.89)

An injury opened the door for Ramírez to make a spot start against Detroit on Thursday and he made the most of it, picking up the victory by stifling the Tigers on one run and two hits over five innings. His previous five appearances this season came in relief, including four innings of one-run ball at Boston prior to his start. Ramirez needs to be wary of Chris Davis, who is 6-for-19 with two homers and six RBIs against him.

Miley is coming off a masterful performance at Cincinnati, striking out 11 and allowing one run on two hits over eight innings, although he had to settle for a no-decision. He struck out eight in six innings of three-run ball at Toronto in his previous turn after yielding seven walks in five scoreless innings in his season debut versus the New York Yankees. Evan Longoria is 5-for-24 with two homers and nine strikeouts against Miley.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays RF Steven Souza Jr. had his seven-game hitting streak snapped Monday and suffered a contusion on his elbow.

2. Jones is 7-for-16 during a four-game hitting streak.

3. Rays LF Shane Peterson had a two-run double Monday to extend his hitting streak to six games.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Rays 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins at Phillies
GAME: Miami Marlins (10-8) at Philadelphia Phillies (9-9)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, April 25 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wei-Yin Chen is in his second season of a five-year, $80 million deal, making the veteran left-hander the highest-paid pitcher on the Miami Marlins. With his value to the team underscored by being removed from a potential no-hit bid in his last outing, Chen will be on the mound Tuesday as the Marlins pay a visit to Citizens Bank Park to open a three-game series versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

Chen tossed seven no-hit innings on 100 pitches at Seattle before manager Don Mattingly gave him the hook last Tuesday, citing his continuing recovery from an ailing ulnar collateral ligament. Giancarlo Stanton makes a pretty penny too on the heels of signing a 13-year, $325 million deal in 2015, and the slugger has gotten healthy of late with an RBI single in Sunday's 7-3 victory over San Diego to improve to 9-for-17 with four homers, seven RBIs and five runs scored during his four-game hitting streak. While Miami has won two in a row, Cesar Hernandez (club-best four homers) helped Philadelphia double that total by igniting a back-to-back-to-back homer stretch to highlight a sweep of Atlanta over the weekend. The 26-year-old Venezuelan went 7-for-13 with five runs scored against the Braves and joins Freddy Galvis in going 5-for-12 in his career versus Chen.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (2-0, 3.94 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (0-2, 7.20)

Chen yielded four runs on 11 hits in two of three outings last season versus Philadelphia en route to posting an 0-2 mark against the division rival. The veteran has stumbled in his last three games versus the Phillies on the heels of a brilliant performance on June 15, 2015, when he scattered four hits and struck out nine over eight scoreless innings as a member of the Baltimore Orioles. Chen will need to remain wary of Daniel Nava, who has hit safely in seven of his last nine games overall and is 7-for-17 with a home run and three RBIs versus the hurler.

Velasquez pitched well in his last outing before running into trouble late as he saw his scoreless outing go by the boards with a three-run homer by Jay Bruce in the sixth. The 24-year-old allowed just those three runs on five hits in six innings before avoiding a third straight loss after Philadelphia rallied to tie the score. Velasquez owns a 1-0 mark to go along with a 2.50 ERA in three career starts versus Miami and struck out 20 batters in 18 innings - including Stanton on three occasions in six at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia and Miami both sport above .500 records against National League East foes, with the former going 8-7 while the latter is 7-5.

2. Marlins OF Marcell Ozuna, who leads the team with 21 RBIs in 2017, had 18 hits in 17 meetings with the Phillies last season.

3. Philadelphia 3B Maikel Franco has collected seven of his team-leading 16 RBIs in his last five games.

PREDICTION: Marlins 3, Phillies 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners at Tigers
GAME: Seattle Mariners (8-12) at Detroit Tigers (10-8)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, April 25 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Tigers begin a 10-game homestand with the first of three contests against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday after completing a 4-5 road trip with two straight victories over Minnesota. Detroit (10-8), which shares first place in the Central Division with defending American League champion Cleveland, prevailed 13-4 on Sunday with the help of newcomers John Hicks and Jim Adduci, who replaced Miguel Cabrera (groin) and JaCoby Jones (face) in the lineup.

Seattle (8-12) is 1-3 on its 10-game road trip after salvaging the series finale with an 11-1 victory over Oakland on Sunday, exploding for a season high in runs. The Mariners are expected to get Jean Segura back in the lineup Tuesday after the shortstop missed 12 games with a hamstring injury, leaving manager Scott Servais to decide what to do with Taylor Motter. The utilityman, who hit .289 with five home runs and 12 RBIs - including his first career grand slam Sunday - while replacing Segura, could move to a corner outfield position or perhaps first base if Danny Valencia (.145) continues to slump. Seattle's Felix Hernandez won his previous two starts after allowing 12 hits in his last outing - one shy of a career high - and opposes Jordan Zimmermann, who permitted five runs in each of his last two turns (0-1).

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (2-1, 3.65 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (1-1, 5.94)

Hernandez also yielded four runs and a walk while striking out five in 6 1/3 innings of a 10-5 victory over Miami on Wednesday. The 31-year-old Venezuelan, who struck out 20 and walked one in four starts this season, permitted 10 hits in receiving a no-decision in Seattle's 5-4 road loss to the Los Angeles Angels on April 8. Hernandez is 9-3 with a 2.48 ERA in 15 starts versus Detroit but struggles with Victor Martinez (9-for-25, home run, six walks).

Zimmermann also yielded 10 hits and one walk while striking out four in six innings, earning a no-decision in the Tigers' 8-7 loss at Tampa Bay on April 19. The 30-year-old Wisconsin native, who appeared in only 19 games last season because of a neck injury, recorded a quality start in his season opener - a 4-1 victory over Boston on April 8 - but struggled in two starts since. Zimmermann won his only start against the Mariners - an 8-3 victory in 2014 - and has issues with Segura (7-for-16).

WALK-OFFS

1. OF Adduci, who spent the last two seasons playing in Korea, went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored Sunday in his first major league game since 2014 while 1B Hicks went 3-for-5 with a home run and five RBIs and is 5-for-10 in two games since Cabrera went down.

2. Seattle DH Nelson Cruz (.271, three home runs, 14 RBIs) went 2-for-4 with a homer, five RBIs and three runs scored Sunday and is 7-for-15 during a five-game hitting streak.

3. Detroit 2B Ian Kinsler (.217), who went 2-for-5 on Sunday after going 4-for-36 in his previous 10 games, is batting .232 in 82 at-bats versus Hernandez with four home runs, eight RBIs, 12 walks and 13 strikeouts.

PREDICTION: Tigers 3, Mariners 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves at Mets
GAME: Atlanta Braves (6-12) at New York Mets (8-11)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, April 25 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York

The reeling New York Mets have received little comfort from playing at Citi Field, losing five of six on their current nine-game homestand and eight of nine overall heading into the first of three contests versus the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. Ace right-hander Julio Teheran has manhandled the Mets in his last six starts with an 0.63 ERA, and the Braves have made themselves at home at Citi Field by winning seven of the last nine.

New York's Michael Conforto belted his second homer in three contests during Sunday's 6-3 setback against Washington and is 7-for-15 with three runs scored during the team's four-game losing skid. The 24-year-old is in line to see routine work with versatile Jay Bruce needed a first base in place of injured Lucas Duda (elbow). The Mets' slide somewhat has been cushioned by the plight of the cellar-dwelling Braves, who answered a five-game winning streak by being on the wrong end of back-to-back sweeps by National League East rivals Washington and Philadelphia. Brandon Phillips collected two singles in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Phillies and is batting .375 during his 10-game hitting streak, although he went just 2-for-11 as Atlanta dropped two of three in a series-opening series to New York.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN South (Atlanta), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (1-1, 3.52 ERA) vs. Mets RH Robert Gsellman (0-1, 5.09)

Teheran scattered four hits and struck out a season-best six over six scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Opening Day and has permitted just one earned run in his past 22 innings at Citi Field. The 26-year-old Colombian was far from dominant in his last outing, surrendering a pair of homers to Bryce Harper and seven runs total on as many hits in four innings of Wednesday's 14-4 rout by the Nationals. Teheran hopes to return to form versus the Mets, with Neil Walker batting just 2-for-20 against him with three strikeouts - although the second baseman has homered twice and driven in five runs in his last four games overall.

Gsellman recorded his second straight no-decision on Wednesday despite allowing three runs and striking out seven in a career-high seven innings versus the Phillies. The 23-year-old overcame two hits to record a scoreless inning of relief against Atlanta on April 3, although he owns an 0-1 mark with a 4.76 ERA and 1.59 WHIP while allowing the Braves to bat .318 versus him in three career appearances. Matt Kemp is 3-for-6 with a homer in a small sample size against Gsellman, although the former also went deep on Sunday and had a pair of blasts in a 6-2 loss to the Mets on April 6.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman, who is batting .321 in 58 games at Citi Field, is 2-for-13 over his last four contests overall after erupting for 17 hits in his previous nine.

2. New York OF Yoenis Cespedes reportedly told manager Terry Collins that he's ready to return from an hamstring injury on Tuesday.

3. Braves 3B Adonis Garcia, who had an RBI double in a 3-1 win on April 5, went 3-for-10 with a homer and three RBIs over the weekend.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Braves 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees at Red Sox
GAME: New York Yankees (11-7) at Boston Red Sox (11-8)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, April 25 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

One of the greatest rivalries in professional sports history resumes Tuesday when the Boston Red Sox host the New York Yankees in the opener of a three-game set and the first of 19 renewals this season. The American League East Division combatants have each won 83 meetings over the last nine regular seasons with the teams alternating series victories over the past six years after splitting 18 encounters in each season from 2008-10.

“It’s always fun,” New York third baseman Chase Headley told reporters after the Yankees (11-7) lost 2-1 in Pittsburgh on Sunday. “There’s always a lot of energy in Boston. Obviously they’re going to be one of the teams we’re fighting all year with, so we’re looking forward to taking a breather (Monday) and getting back after it on Tuesday.” New York's Aaron Judge, a 6-7, 282-pound rookie, takes his first swings at Fenway Park's fabled Green Monster after belting six home runs - some of the tape-measure variety - with 13 RBIs this season as one of the so-called Baby Bombers who have helped the Yankees get off to an encouraging start. Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who underwent an MRI on Monday, is expected to miss his third straight game after injuring his knee and ankle Friday when Baltimore's Manny Machado slid into him as the Red Sox (11-8) go from one heated series to another after they threw at Machado on Sunday. Boston's Rick Porcello, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, has lost his last two starts and opposes Luis Severino, who struck out 21 over 15 innings in his last two turns.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Luis Severino (1-1, 4.05 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (1-2, 5.32)

Severino allowed four runs (three earned) and three hits while striking out 10 over a career-high eight innings of a 4-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. The 23-year-old Dominican struck out 11 for the first of his two career double-digit strikeout games in seven innings of a 3-2 victory over Tampa Bay on April 13. Severino is 0-3 with a 5.71 ERA in four games (three starts) versus Boston, including 0-2, 7.30 in three appearances (two starts) last season.

Porcello allowed three unearned runs, six hits, one walk and struck out five in seven innings of a 3-0 loss at Toronto on Wednesday. The 28-year-old New Jersey native, who went 22-4 last season, permitted eight runs in 4 1/3 frames of a 10-5 setback versus Tampa Bay on April 14. Porcello is 7-5 with a 3.28 ERA in 14 starts - 2-1, 2.05 in three turns last season - versus New York but struggles with Jacoby Ellsbury (12-for-31, four home runs).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox are last in the major leagues with 11 home runs while the Yankees were fourth entering Monday's games with 26.

2. New York 1B Greg Bird (.104, one home run, two RBIs in 48 at-bats) went 0-for-11 in the three-game series with the Pirates and is 1-for-19 in his last six contests.

3. Boston OF Andrew Benintendi (.347, one home run, 11 RBIs) recorded a career-high five hits Sunday and has six multi-hit games in his last 12 contests.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 3, Yankees 2