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

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Wednesday’s Stanley Cup Playoffs betting preview: Penguins at Senators

Pittsburgh Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby - "We generated a lot of chances, and you don't let the fact that they aren't going in change the way you play."

Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators (+110, 5)

Series tied 1-1

The Pittsburgh Penguins' high-octane offense ran roughshod through the league during the regular season, scoring an NHL-best 3.39 goals per game before marginally increasing that total over the first two rounds of the playoffs (3.42). The high-octane Pittsburgh Penguins, reduced to two tallies while splitting the first two contests of the Eastern Conference final, look to get their offense in gear Wednesday when they visit the Ottawa Senators for Game 3.

"We generated a lot of chances, and you don't let the fact that they aren't going in change the way you play," captain Sidney Crosby said on the heels of Phil Kessel scoring the lone goal in the third period of Monday's 1-0 victory in Pittsburgh. The Penguins have mustered eight tallies in their last five games after recording 35 in their initial nine of the playoffs, with Ottawa's 1-3-1 defensive alignment serving as quite an obstacle in the conference final. The Senators didn't do much at the other end of the ice - literally - as they failed to record a shot on goal for 18:53 bridging the second and third periods. "We didn't generate a lot of offense," center Tom Pyatt said Tuesday, stating the obvious. "We played a solid, intense game, kept them to the outside, but I think they spent a little too much time in their zone. Obviously we (need) a better offensive effort for Game 3."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVAS

LINE HISTORY: The Penguins opened as -130 road favorites for Game 3 in Ottawa. The total hit the betting board at 5.

INJURY REPORT:

Penguins - RW P. Hornqvist (Questionable, upper body), D T. Daley (Questionable, lower body), RW B. Rust (Questionable, upper body), D J. Schultz (Questionable, upper body), D K. Letang (Out For Season, neck).

Senators - LW V. Stalberg (Questionable, lower body), D M. Borowiecki (Out Indefinitely, leg).

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (59-24-8-5, 53-38 O/U): Evgeni Malkin set up Kessel on Monday to increase his point total to an NHL-best 20 (six goals, 14 assists), joining Mario Lemieux as the only players in franchise history to reach that plateau on three occasions. Kessel's sixth tally of the playoffs followed one of his many emotional outbursts on the bench, with a particular one involving assistant coach Rick Tocchet caught on camera about Pittsburgh's need to move the puck. "It tells me he's invested - I love that about the guy," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said of Kessel's fiery nature. "Yeah, he's always like that."

ABOUT THE SENATORS (53-32-7-4, 37-52 O/U): Ottawa may receive a jolt as the series shifts to Canada's capital in the form of forward Viktor Stalberg and defenseman Mark Borowiecki, who coach Guy Boucher said "could be coming in at any moment." Stalberg has been sidelined since Game 6 of the second-round series versus the New York Rangers with an undisclosed injury while Borowiecki has been out since Game 2 of the first-round set against Boston with a lower-body ailment. Captain Erik Karlsson is playing with two hairline fractures in his foot, but the two-time Norris Trophy recipient still managed to record a team-high 26:59 of ice time in Game 2.

TRENDS:

* Penguins are 39-13 in their last 52 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
* Senators are 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
* Under is 6-1 in Penguins last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
* Under is 10-1 in Senators last 11 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.

CONSENSUS: 55 percent of the public is siding with the road chalk Penguins on the moneyline and 52 percent are on the Over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL
Long Sheet

Wednesday, May 17

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

PITTSBURGH (59-24-0-13, 131 pts.) at OTTAWA (53-33-0-10, 116 pts.) - 5/17/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OTTAWA is 53-43 ATS (+4.0 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 33-27 ATS (+1.3 Units) second half of the season this season.
OTTAWA is 25-20 ATS (+50.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
OTTAWA is 29-18 ATS (+8.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
OTTAWA is 17-11 ATS (+30.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
PITTSBURGH is 123-79 ATS (+5.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 24-16 ATS (+6.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 80-47 ATS (+11.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 15-6 ATS (+21.8 Units) in road games when tied in a playoff series since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 43-28 ATS (+10.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
OTTAWA is 5-14 ATS (+19.7 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 7-4 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 7-4-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.2 Units)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Wednesday, May 17

Total of four goals were scored in first two Pittsburgh-Ottawa tilts; since losing 8-5 in Steel City Dec 5, Senators are 3-1 vs Pittsburgh, allowing one goal in each game- -all four of those games stayed under the total. Home team won seven of last nine series games; Penguins lost three of last four visits to Ottawa. Pittsburgh was 3-1 on road in Washington series; under is 5-2 in their last seven games overall- they’re 0-11 on power play in last four games. Ottawa won all three home games in Ranger series; Senators are 0-17 on power play in their last 17 games.

Conference finals
Ottawa-Pittsburgh
Ottawa 2-1 OT
Pitt 1-0

Nashville-Anaheim
Nashville 3-2 OT
Anaheim 5-3
Nashville 2-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Wednesday, May 17

Trend Report

8:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. OTTAWA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Ottawa
Pittsburgh is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games when playing Ottawa
Ottawa is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games when playing Pittsburgh
Ottawa is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL
Dunkel

Wednesday, May 17


Pittsburgh @ Ottawa

Game 53-54
May 17, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
12.909
Ottawa
11.778
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1
3
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-125
5
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-125); Under

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ray Monohan
NHL | May 17, 2017
Penguins vs. Senators
Penguins -128 at 5DIMES

Penguins -128

This play just missed out on our premium card. The Penguins and the Senators match up on Wednesday night, and the Penguins price has gone down and gives you a ton of value in this one. The game one loss for the Penguins woke them up, and although they only one game two 1-0 they were the better team most of the night.

Marc-Andre Fleury has been playing really well in net for the Penguins and I expect that to continue in this game. In the first two games he has only given up two goals while making 48 saves. Some trends to note. Penguins are 15-7 in the last 22 meetings. Penguins are 7-3 in their last 10 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Back the Penguins. Good Luck, Razor Ray

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DAVE COKIN

ASTROS AT MARLINS
PLAY: ASTROS -1

I’m using much the same philosophy I did on Tuesday with this high priced favorite.

This is pretty much a rerun of the Tuesday Bonus Play on Arizona that I was involved with. The Astros are the best team in baseball right now and they’re crushing just about every average or worse pitcher they face. Jose Urena fits on that count, and Lance McCullers owns an obviously substantial advantage on the mound.

As for the rest, the Astros have the better pen and most importantly, Miami is a dumpster fire at this point. I also happen to think this line is actually cheaper than it ought to be, considering the form of the two teams. So I’ll eat the chalk and will play the Astros here.

However, rather than simply lay the serious wood, I’m going to create a -1 line here to reduce the liability. That’s accomplished by playing the money line (currently -155) for half the wager, and also going with -1.5 (currently +105) for the other half. That works out to an Astros -1 play, and that’s the choice for the Wednesday Bonus Play.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros at Marlins
GAME: Houston Astros (28-12) at Miami Marlins (14-24)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 12:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida

The red-hot Houston Astros own the best record in the majors and they look for their 14th victory in the past 17 games when they visit the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. Houston outscored the Marlins 19-4 while winning the first two contests of the three-game set and stand 5-1 as they enter the finale of a seven-game road trip.

Center fielder Jake Marisnick hit two homers for the first time in his career and had four RBIs while catcher Brian McCann also drove in four as the Astros (28-12) established a season best for runs scored while cruising to a 12-2 victory on Tuesday. Houston shortstop Carlos Correa has recorded five two-hit outings in the past seven games and is 11-for-25 with seven walks during the stretch. The Marlins are spiraling in the wrong direction with a 3-12 record in May and are a porous 1-7 on a nine-game homestand. Miami right fielder Giancarlo Stanton has gone seven contests without a homer after hitting four in a three-game stretch from May 6-8.

TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (3-1, 2.98 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Urena (1-1, 1.98)

McCullers has allowed just one unearned run and six hits in 13 innings over his past two starts. The 23-year-old pitched six innings of four-hit, shutout ball while beating the New York Yankees in his last start after giving up two hits and the unearned run in a seven-inning no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels on May 6. McCullers has struggled on the road in his young career by going 4-9 with a 4.67 ERA in 20 away starts.

Urena has pitched well while splitting two starts as he gave up just two runs and seven hits over 12 innings. The 25-year-old turned in one of the best outings of his career on May 7 in a victory over the New York Mets when he pitched six innings of one-hit, shutout ball. Urena is just 2-10 with a 4.69 ERA in 28 career appearances (13 starts) in his home ballpark.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros UTIL Marwin Gonzalez had two hits on Tuesday and is 15-for-37 with five homers and 15 RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak.

2. The Marlins claimed INF Christian Colon off waivers from Kansas City and designated INF Steve Lombardozzi for assignment.

3. Houston RHP Michael Feliz has struck out 13 while allowing one run in seven innings over his past six appearances.

PREDICTION: Astros 8, Marlins 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays at Indians
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (20-22) at Cleveland Indians (20-18)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 12:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio

The Tampa Bay Rays hope to continue their offensive surge when they complete a six-game road trip against the defending American League champion Cleveland Indians on Wednesday afternoon. The Rays have posted 32 runs while going 3-2 on their trek after belting five homers - two by red-hot Corey Dickerson - in Tuesday’s 6-4 victory to even the series and end a six-game losing streak against the Indians.

Dickerson is 17-for-42 with seven extra-base hits in the last 10 games, while fellow outfielder Colby Rasmus has made quite an impression since coming off the disabled list with four homers in his first 11 games with Tampa Bay. Cleveland’s Josh Tomlin and fellow right-hander Alex Cobb of the Rays, who are both in the midst of hot streaks, take the mound in the rubber match after 25 runs were scored in the first two encounters of the series. The Indians are just 2-3 on their six-game homestand with a trip to major league-best Houston slated for the weekend. Slugger Edwin Encarnacion provided one positive note Tuesday with two hits, including a two-run blast that ended a nine-game homer drought, after going 1-for-22 the previous six contests.

TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Alex Cobb (3-3, 3.65 ERA) vs. Indians RH Josh Tomlin (2-4, 5.87)

Cobb has strung together four straight solid outings, going 2-1 while allowing seven earned runs and 20 hits over 25 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old managed to post a victory Friday at Boston despite permitting four runs (three earned) over 6 1/3 innings with a season-high three walks. Encarnacion is 4-for-12 with a homer, three walks and four RBIs versus Cobb, who is 2-2 with a 3.57 ERA in four career starts against Cleveland.

Tomlin boasts four quality starts in his last five outings but is just 0-1 in the past two despite giving up a total of two runs in 15 innings. The 32-year-old Texas Tech product registered a season-high seven strikeouts against Minnesota in Friday's 1-0 loss and has walked only four batters in 38 1/3 innings overall. Evan Longoria is 3-for-12 with a homer and two RBIs versus Tomlin, who is 2-2 with a 4.06 ERA in six career outings against the Rays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland OF Bradley Zimmer, the 21st pick in the 2014 draft, went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in his major-league debut on Tuesday.

2. Tampa Bay 2B Brad Miller was a late scratch from Tuesday’s lineup due to a strained abdominal muscle and is day-to-day.

3. The Indians placed OF Abraham Almonte (right biceps strain) on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday, while 3B/OF Yandy Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Columbus.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Indians 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets at Diamondbacks
GAME: New York Mets (16-22) at Arizona Diamondbacks (23-18)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 3:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona

The reeling New York Mets turn to the struggling Matt Harvey when they attempt to salvage the finale of their three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday afternoon. Harvey has lost three consecutive starts, the last two of which straddled his awkward team-imposed suspension earlier this month, and both he and his team are in need of an improved effort.

"You just send him out there and you hope he's getting back to what Matt Harvey is," Mets manager Terry Collins told reporters. "That's what I'm looking for - improvement. That's it." Collins' club has lost six straight after falling dropping a 5-4 decision on Tuesday, and opponents are averaging 7.8 runs during the slide. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks have won five of their last seven and are 17-8 at home. Brandon Drury has hit safely in 13 straight games at Chase Field and Yasmany Tomas - who homered Tuesday - is a career .366 hitter with six blasts in 11 games against New York.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Matt Harvey (2-3, 5.63 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (3-4, 4.17)

After opening the year 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in four starts, Harvey has posted a 10.43 ERA during his three-game losing streak, with the last setback coming at Milwaukee on Friday after his return from the suspension. He was reached for five runs on seven hits and five walks in five innings by the Brewers. The 28-year-old, who has allowed seven homers in his last four outings, is 3-1 with a 3.20 ERA in four career starts against Arizona.

Corbin finished April with a 2.29 ERA but has allowed 12 runs in 10 innings this month, although he picked up the win with a six-inning effort against Pittsburgh on Friday. The New York native is 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA in five starts at home after going 1-8 with a 5.57 mark at Chase Field last year. Corbin has dropped all three of his career decisions against the Mets and has struggled with Jose Reyes (4-for-8, walk).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets placed SS Asdrubal Cabrera (thumb) on the 10-day disabled list and signed RHP Neil Ramirez.

2. Diamondbacks SS Chris Owings has recorded three straight two-hit performances and is 12-for-30 over his last eight contests.

3. Arizona has won six of the last seven meetings, including four in a row at home.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Mets 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers at Giants
GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (22-18) at San Francisco Giants (17-24)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 3:45 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California

San Francisco first baseman Brandon Belt has found his power stroke just in time for the struggling Giants, who have climbed out of the National League West cellar with five straight wins. Belt looks to maintain his hot streak Wednesday as the Giants aim for a three-game sweep of the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, who have lost three in a row and four of their last six.



Belt collected two hits in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory and could be on the verge of breaking out of his season-long slump with four homers in his last six games. Catcher Buster Posey has also provided some much-needed power with five homers in his last eight games to lead the Giants, whose last 12 home runs have all been solo shots. The Dodgers fell to 6-20 against the Giants at AT&T Park since the start of the 2015 season as their struggles against left-handed starters continued against San Francisco’s Ty Blach. Right fielder Yasiel Puig went 0-for-3 and has three hits in his last 19 at-bats for the Dodgers, who begin a 10-game homestand on Thursday.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), NBC Sports Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (6-2, 2.43 ERA) vs. Giants RH Johnny Cueto (4-2, 4.15)

Kershaw won his second straight start last Friday at Colorado, allowing two runs over seven innings while throwing 85 pitches. The three-time Cy Young winner has struck out 57 batters against eight walks in eight outings covering 55 2/3 innings. Belt is 3-for-51 with 27 strikeouts against Kershaw, who is 19-9 with a 1.66 ERA in 38 career games (37 starts) against San Francisco, including 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts this season.

Cueto received a no-decision last Friday against Cincinnati despite holding his former team to two runs over eight innings on a season-high 119 pitches. The 31-year-old owns a 3.00 ERA in three starts at home compared to a 4.94 ERA in five road outings. Cueto is 6-6 with a 2.94 ERA in 15 career starts against the Dodgers, including 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA in his last six outings, and he’s limited Puig to one hit in 12 at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants are 11-9 at home compared to 6-15 on the road.

2. The Dodgers optioned LHP Grant Dayton to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room for LHP Rich Hill, who started Tuesday’s game.

3. San Francisco closer RHP Mark Melancon (elbow) is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Friday.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 4, Giants 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals at Pirates
GAME: Washington Nationals (25-13) at Pittsburgh Pirates (16-23)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Washington Nationals superstar Bryce Harper won the National League MVP award in 2015 and has positioned himself to be among the early contenders for the honor this season. With a newly minted one-year, $21.625 million contract extension in his back pocket, Harper will look to pay even more dividends on Wednesday when the Nationals vie for a series victory over the host Pittsburgh Pirates.

Harper capped his third straight multi-hit performance with a two-run shot in Washington's 8-4 victory over Pittsburgh on Tuesday, improving to 10-for-21 with three homers and seven RBIs during his five-game hitting streak. The 24-year-old is batting a majors-best .388 overall and a staggering .439 with seven homers and 18 RBIs on the road this season heading into a matchup with Wednesday starter Gerrit Cole, against whom he is 3-for-8 in his career. While the Nationals have won four of five to move 12 games over .500 to build a sizable cushion atop the NL East, the Pirates have dropped seven of nine to make themselves comfortable in the NL Central cellar. Former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen's nightmarish season continued Tuesday when he was removed as part of a double switch in the eighth inning after an 0-for-4 effort dropped his batting average to .206.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jacob Turner (2-1, 3.31 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Gerrit Cole (1-4, 3.06)

Turner will make his second start of the season and eighth appearance on Wednesday, although his lone encounter versus Pittsburgh came in 2014 while pitching for the Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old picked up the win after allowing one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning of relief in Sunday's 6-5 triumph over Philadelphia. Turner pitched well in his lone start of the season, permitting three runs on six hits while striking out six without walking a batter in a no-decision at Colorado on April 24.

Cole has posted seven consecutive quality starts, but a lack of run support has led to a less-than-desirable record after signing a $3.75 million deal in the offseason. The 26-year-old, who has received one run or fewer in three of his last five starts, fell to 0-3 in those five outings despite allowing two runs in seven innings of a 2-1 setback at Arizona on Thursday. Cole has pitched well in four career starts versus Washington, posting a 2-1 mark with a 2.92 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.

WALK-OFFS

1. Four of Pittsburgh INF Josh Harrison's eight hits over the last six games have gone for extra bases (three doubles, one homer).

2. Washington OF Jayson Werth is 16-for-32 with three homers, five RBIs and nine runs scored in his last eight contests.

3. Pirates 1B Josh Bell has recorded four extra-base hits (two homers, two doubles) in his last four games.

PREDICTION: Pirates 3, Nationals 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles at Tigers
GAME: Baltimore Orioles (23-14) at Detroit Tigers (18-19)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan

After dropping four straight one-run games, including three to the lowest-scoring team in the majors, the Baltimore Orioles came through at the plate time after time Tuesday to end their longest losing streak of the season. Fresh off their longest game since 2013, the Orioles attempt to win in much more efficient fashion Wednesday when they continue a three-game set in Detroit against the struggling Tigers.

Baltimore won eight of its first nine one-run affairs before losing one last Wednesday at Washington and three more over the weekend in Kansas City, bringing an emphatic halt to the momentum it created during a season-high six-game winning streak. The Orioles appeared to be headed toward another setback in Tuesday's series opener - blowing an early 7-1 lead as well as a three-run edge in the 12th - before Chris Davis' second extra-inning homer of the night capped a wild 13-11, 13-inning victory. The five-hour, 19-minute slugfest not only sent Detroit to its third defeat in four tries, but it also exhausted both teams' bullpens as each side used six relievers. Fortunately for the Tigers, Wednesday starter Michael Fulmer has yet to log fewer than six innings this season and has worked at least seven frames in three of his last four outings.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Ubaldo Jimenez (1-1, 6.15 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (4-1, 2.54)

Jimenez cruised for most of his May 9 outing versus Washington before Adam Lind's eighth-inning, three run homer left him with a no-decision. The 33-year-old Dominican allowed four runs on five hits in 7 2/3 frames and has been highly inconsistent on the road, pairing 10 2/3 scoreless innings over two appearances (one start) with two other away outings in which he has surrendered 12 runs (11 earned) over 7 2/3 frames. Victor Martinez is 12-for-34 with four home runs against Jimenez, who is 6-11 with a 5.49 ERA in 21 starts versus Detroit.

Fulmer has been dominant through two May outings, collecting a pair of road wins against Oakland and the Los Angeles Angels while allowing a total of two earned runs and 11 hits while striking out 16 over 15 innings. The 2016 American League Rookie of the Year has recorded a quality start in each of his seven turns and is 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA over his last four outings. Fulmer did not factor into the decision in either of his two starts against the Orioles last year, permitting seven runs (six earned) over 11 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Orioles' No. 2-5 hitters (Adam Jones, Manny Machado, Mark Trumbo and Davis) each had at least three hits and went a combined 13-for-26 with three homers, seven RBIs and eight runs scored Tuesday.

2. Detroit OF J.D. Martinez, who reached base six times in the opener, has belted two home runs in two of his last three contests after recording a multi-homer effort once in his first 654 career games.

3. Baltimore C Welington Castillo went 3-for-6 with two RBIs and two runs scored in his first game back following a 14-game absence due to shoulder tendinitis.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, Orioles 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays at Braves
GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (17-23) at Atlanta Braves (15-21)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: SunTrust Park, Cumberland, Georgia

The Atlanta Braves won two slugfests at Toronto to begin the week, and hope for more of the same heading into the opener of a two-game home series with the Blue Jays on Wednesday. First baseman Freddie Freeman belted his 14th homer in Tuesday’s 9-5 victory - his fourth blast in the past eight outings - and Matt Kemp drove in four runs as the Braves won for the fourth time in five games.

Freeman is hitting .333 across his past eight contests and comes into Wednesday among the majors’ best in homers, average (.343), slugging percentage (.754) and OPS (1.211). Toronto also is getting plenty of production from one of its top hitters, as center fielder Kevin Pillar - who is among the American League leaders in hits (51) - finished 2-for-5 with a homer. Second baseman Devon Travis has six doubles in his past three contests and leads the majors with 12 two-base hits in May. But Atlanta is 12-for-27 with runners in scoring position in the past two games, while the Blue Jays’ bullpen has surrendered eight runs in 7 1/3 innings.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Joe Biagini (1-1, 2.28 ERA) vs. Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (1-4, 4.04)

Biagini has provided Toronto’s rotation with a big boost since moving into a starter’s role, allowing only one unearned run across nine innings in appearances against the Tampa Bay and Seattle. He earned the victory against Seattle on Friday, giving up four hits in five scoreless innings with no walks and three strikeouts. The 26-year-old posted a 3.38 ERA in 14 relief appearances with three walks and 17 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings.

Foltynewicz rebounded from the worst start of his season to earn his first victory of 2017 on Friday at Miami, giving up one run on six hits with no walks and four strikeouts in six innings. He had allowed seven runs in four innings a week earlier against St. Louis, following an April in which he went 0-3 despite a 2.81 ERA in five appearances. Foltynewicz made a two-inning relief outing against Miami on April 11, surrendering two runs on three hits.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto hopes 3B Josh Donaldson, out since April 13 with a strained left calf, could return this weekend while SS Troy Tulowitzki - sidelined with a strained right hamstring since April 21 - began a minor-league rehab assignment Monday.

2. Braves RF Nick Markakis recorded his fourth three-hit game of the season Tuesday, while rookie SS Dansby Swanson pushed his hitting streak to eight games.

3. Blue Jays relievers have worked 58 innings in 15 games during May.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Blue Jays 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies at Rangers
GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (14-22) at Texas Rangers (20-20)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas

The red-hot Texas Rangers will have the opportunity to move above .500 for the first time since the start of the season when they play the second contest of a three-game interleague series versus the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. The Rangers' surge can be attributed to their potent offense, which has scored 42 runs during their season-high seven-game winning streak.

Nomar Mazara, who belted a solo homer in Tuesday's 5-1 romp over the Phillies, is 9-for-23 with six RBIs during his six-game hitting streak. Mike Napoli also went deep and has three homers among his six hits and seven RBIs during his last five contests. While Texas has regained its footing after stumbling out of the blocks, Philadelphia has fallen fast with losses in 13 of its last 16 overall and 14 of 20 on the road this season. Freddy Galvis has eight hits and as many RBIs in his last eight games, but he has struggled mightily against Wednesday starter Andrew Cashner (2-for-17).

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (0-0, 2.81 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Andrew Cashner (0-3, 2.43)

Eflin's quest for his first major-league win continues after he recorded his fifth straight no-decision on the heels of two consecutive three-run, nine-hit outings. The 23-year-old has struggled to keep the ball in the park, as he was taken deep once by Robinson Cano in last Wednesday's encounter with Seattle and four times over his last four starts. "I didn't have my best stuff, but I was able to battle," Eflin said after he tossed 106 pitches over six innings.

Like Eflin, Cashner is also searching for his first win despite yielding one run in six innings for the second time in as many outings in a no-decision versus Oakland on Friday. The 30-year-old has received results when he faces Philadelphia, posting a 3-1 career mark with a 2.55 ERA in 12 appearances (six starts). Cashner has struggled when Odubel Herrera (.545, two homers) and Cesar Hernandez (.444) step into the batter's box.

WALK-OFFS

1. With a victory on Wednesday, Texas can match the majors' longest winning streak this season (New York Yankees, April 9-17).

2. Philadelphia 3B Maikel Franco has hit safely in three straight games after going 0-for-12 in his previous four contests.

3. Rangers C Jonathan Lucroy is 10-for-19 during his five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Rangers 6, Phillies 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds at Cubs
GAME: Cincinnati Reds (19-19) at Chicago Cubs (19-19)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

It was only one game, but the Chicago Cubs seemed more at home in their return to Wrigley Field. The Cubs blasted a season-high four home runs in a 9-5 win in the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds, and they’ll try to maintain the momentum when the National League Central rivals continue the series Wednesday night.



Rookie Ian Happ was among the Cubs who went deep in the opener – his second blast in three games since being called up to help fill in amid a rash of injuries – as Chicago moved back to .500 and pulled even with Cincinnati for third place in the NL Central standings. The nine runs matched the Cubs’ highest output at home this season and marked their highest total since April 24 at Pittsburgh. The Reds have dropped four straight following a run of nine wins in 11 games, and they’ve allowed 17 runs in the past two contests. Cincinnati hopes former Cubs right-hander Scott Feldman can help stop the skid as he opposes Kyle Hendricks, who is winless in three starts at home this season after going 9-2 with a 1.32 ERA at Wrigley Field a year ago.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), WGN (Chicago)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Scott Feldman (2-3, 3.59 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (2-2, 3.40)

Feldman has turned in two straight quality starts – both against San Francisco – following up his four-hit shutout on May 7 with seven strong innings Friday. The 34-year-old was 4-2 with a 2.54 ERA in six starts at Wrigley Field during his stint with the Cubs, but he has never faced his former team. The Reds have lost six of Feldman’s eight starts.

Hendricks has rebounded from a rough start to the season to post quality starts in three of his last four outings, and he pitched 5 1/3 scoreless frames in the other. The 27-year-old was a hard-luck loser last time out despite allowing just three runs (two earned) over 6 1/3 innings at Colorado with a season-high seven strikeouts. Hendricks is 3-1 with a 3.91 ERA in eight starts against the Reds.



WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs manager Joe Maddon became the eighth active manager with 1,000 career victories with Tuesday’s win.

2. Reds 1B Joey Votto, who hit one of three Cincinnati home runs Tuesday, is 7-for-11 with two homers against Hendricks.

3. Cincinnati SS Zack Cozart has homered in four straight games at Wrigley Field – the first visiting player to do so since Albert Pujols in 2007.



PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Reds 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies at Twins
GAME: Colorado Rockies (25-15) at Minnesota Twins (19-16)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota


The Minnesota Twins look to set a franchise record of 17 consecutive contests with a home run on Wednesday when they play the second of a three-game interleague series against the visiting Colorado Rockies. Byron Buxton belted a solo shot in Tuesday's series opener to tie the streak of 16 straight contests with a homer set by the 1979 club, but Colorado benefited from a pair of blasts to slug its way to a 7-3 victory.

Charlie Blackmon launched a towering two-run homer to cap his second straight three-hit performance and improve to 8-for-12 with four runs scored in his last three games. Ian Desmond is enjoying quite the run as well, going 7-for-19 with two doubles and three RBIs during his season-high five-game hitting streak. While Colorado has won three straight contests away from Coors Field to improve to a franchise-best 12-5 on the road, Minnesota is mired in a three-game home losing skid and fell to 8-11 at Target Field. The Twins will turn to veteran right-hander Ervin Santana, who has allowed one run or less in seven of his eight outings this season.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (1-2, 4.88 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ervin Santana (6-1, 1.50)

Marquez recorded his second scoreless outing in his last three trips to the mound last Wednesday, as he did not surrender a hit through six innings and just three over eight in a 3-0 win versus the Chicago Cubs. The 22-year-old Venezuelan rookie retired 16 straight batters at one point and struck out eight for the second time in three contests. Marquez added his first major-league hit with a two-run single, earning himself an ovation from his teammates.

Like Marquez, Santana also has two scoreless outings in his last three starts and did himself one better on Friday by allowing just two hits over seven frames in a 1-0 victory at Cleveland. The 34-year-old Dominican worked his way out of trouble despite five walks, raising his total to 21 in 54 innings this season. Santana, who has permitted six homers among his nine runs allowed in 2017, owns a 2-1 mark with a 6.31 ERA in four career starts versus Colorado.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier has hit safely in five straight contests overall and is riding an interleague hit streak of 15 games.

2. Colorado LF Gerardo Parra belted a solo homer in the series opener, marking his second hit in 13 at-bats with six strikeouts.

3. The Twins are 6-12 when their starting pitcher throws fewer than six innings.

PREDICTION: Twins 2, Rockies 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox at Cardinals
GAME: Boston Red Sox (20-18) at St. Louis Cardinals (21-16)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri


Fresh off winning American League Player of the Week honors, Mookie Betts already is making a bid to repeat. Betts, who homered and drove in two runs in Boston's series-opening victory, looks to help the Red Sox complete a sweep of the two-game interleague set when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.

Betts batted .375 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in six games last week and kicked off Boston's 6-3 victory on Tuesday with his 10th career leadoff blast, tying him with Jacoby Ellsbury for the franchise lead. St. Louis squandered a 3-2 lead in falling to 2-2 on its eight-game homestand. The top-third of the Cardinals' lineup accounted for all three runs in what was the team's second loss in 10 contests. Matt Carpenter drove in one of the runs, giving him three RBIs in his last two games and 10 in as many contests.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN, NESN (Boston), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (2-5, 4.01 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Mike Leake (4-2, 1.94)

Porcello has lost five of his last six starts, including an outing against Tampa Bay on Friday in which he yielded five runs - three earned - and nine hits over six innings. However, the 28-year-old reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has given up three earned runs or fewer in four of the setbacks. Porcello has made two career starts against St. Louis, going 1-1 with a 2.13 ERA.

Leake suffered his first loss in five decisions on Friday despite allowing only two runs in six innings, although he matched a season high with three walks. The 29-year-old Californian also served up two home runs, raising the total from his last two outings to three after keeping the ball in the park in each of his first five turns of the year. Leake has yet to defeat Boston in his career as he is 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA in two starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox 3B Pablo Sandoval (knee) could begin a rehab assignment by the weekend, but INF/OF Brock holt (vertigo) suffered a setback Monday during his rehab stint with Triple-A Pawtucket.

2. St. Louis 3B Jhonny Peralta (upper respiratory illness) and OF Stephen Piscotty (hamstring) both are slated to be activated from the 10-day disabled list during the team's weekend series against San Francisco.

3. Boston is expected to recall RHP Hector Velazquez from Pawtucket to make his major-league debut Thursday at Oakland.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Red Sox 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees at Royals
GAME: New York Yankees (23-13) at Kansas City Royals (16-22)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

The Kansas City Royals did a fine job dispatching the first two American League East opponents they faced this season, but their first shot against the team atop that division did not go nearly as well. The Royals attempt to bounce back from a humbling loss Wednesday when they continue their three-game set with the visiting New York Yankees.

Kansas City went 6-1 last week against the East, taking three of four at Tampa Bay before returning home to sweep Baltimore with a trio of one-run victories. However, the Royals' major-league worst offense, which averaged 5.3 runs during the surge, could not score against a struggling CC Sabathia and fell 7-1 to the Yankees in Tuesday's series opener, pushing across its lone run on a fielder's choice grounder in the ninth inning. The win was an important one for New York, which had dropped four of its last five, including three of four at home over the weekend to Houston in a battle between the two teams with the best records in the AL. Gary Sanchez started the offensive fireworks for the Yankees on Tuesday with a three-run blast and is batting .353 in nine games since returning from the DL on May 5.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Michael Pineda (3-2, 3.27 ERA) vs. Royals LH Jason Vargas (5-1, 1.01)

Pineda watched his five-start unbeaten streak come to an end Thursday against Houston, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out seven over 6 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old Dominican has been much better at home (3-1, 2.03 ERA) this season than away (0-1, 5.52), although his last road outing was his best of the three, yielding two runs in six frames in a no-decision versus the Chicago Cubs. Salvador Perez is 8-for-20 with a homer against Pineda, who is 3-5 with a 3.88 ERA in eight turns against the Royals.

Vargas worked his fourth scoreless outing of the season and allowed no more than one run for the sixth time in seven tries in Thursday's win at Tampa Bay, permitting three hits and a walk across seven innings. The Long Beach State product's ERA is the lowest by a major leaguer through May 15 since Zack Greinke in 2009 (0.60), and his home ERA (0.34) in the lowest in the majors this season. Vargas has struggled mightily in his career against the Yankees, however, going 0-5 with a 6.53 ERA in nine games (eight starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals OF Alex Gordon went 2-for-3 Tuesday to snap out of a 1-for-31 skid, while Yankees 1B Chris Carter went 3-for-4 with a homer to halt a 2-for-20 slump.

2. New York rookie OF Aaron Judge, who leads the AL in homers (14) and run scored, has not crossed the plate in eight of his last nine outings.

3. Kansas City has scored one run or less in a major-league high 13 games.

PREDICTION: Royals 3, Yankees 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox at Angels
GAME: Chicago White Sox (17-20) at Los Angeles Angels (21-21)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 17 - 10:07 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California

The Los Angeles Angels attempt to complete a three-game sweep and extend their overall winning streak to four contests when they host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday for the finale of their set. Los Angeles blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning Tuesday and fell behind in the 11th before posting a 7-6 victory.

Albert Pujols delivered a run-scoring single with one out in the 11th to complete a three-RBI performance and raise his career total to 1,847, moving him past Hall-of-Famer Carl Yastrzemski for sole possession of 11th place on the all-time list. The 37-year-old Dominican, who is four homers shy of 600 for his career, needs 14 RBIs to overtake Mel Ott for 10th in major league history. Yolmer Sanchez and Todd Frazier drove in two runs apiece for the White Sox, who are 0-2 on their 10-game road trip and have dropped five straight away from home. Sanchez is 9-for-20 with a homer and four RBIs during his five-game hitting streak while Frazier has plated three runs in as many contests after recording one RBI over his previous nine games.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (3-3, 3.83 ERA) vs. Angels RH Matt Shoemaker (2-2, 4.50)

Gonzalez's losing streak reached three starts Friday, when he surrendered five runs on eight hits and four walks in five innings against San Diego. The 32-year-old Mexican has served up four home runs during his slide after giving up only two over his first four outings this season. Gonzalez has made six career starts against Los Angeles, going 3-2 with a 3.20 ERA.

Shoemaker is coming off his strongest outing of the season, a victory over Detroit on Friday in which he struck out seven and scattered three hits over six scoreless frames. It marked the 30-year-old native of Michigan's second straight six-inning effort and the second time in eight starts he did not allow a home run. Shoemaker is 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA in four career outings against Chicago.

WALK-OFFS

1. The White Sox have lost eight of their last 10 contests and 10 of 14 this month.

2. Los Angeles RHP Mike Morin (neck), who has been on the disabled list since April 21, is slated to throw to live batters on Thursday.

3. Chicago sent OF Cody Asche, who hit .105 with a homer and four RBIs over 19 games in his first season with the team, outright to Triple-A Charlotte.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, White Sox 1