Scott Rickenbach
Jun 16 '17, 7:05 PM in 10h
MLB | ARI vs PHI
Play on: UNDER 9 -120
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach MLB Free Pick Friday UNDER the total in Philadelphia Phillies vs Arizona Diamondbacks @ 7:05 ET - The Phillies finally snapped their 8-game losing streak yesterday with a 1-0 win versus the Red Sox. However, Philadelphia only managed 4 hits in the game and they've averaged just 2.4 runs per game in their last 10 games! They struggled with Chris Sale yesterday and face another southpaw, Patrick Corbin, today. The Phils are hitting just .228 against left-handed pitching this season. As for the Diamondbacks, they were off yesterday but are in the midst of an 8-game road trip. Arizona is hitting only .226 on the road this season. They'll be facing Aaron Nola of the Phillies and he's been cranking back into solid form. Nola has allowed just 4 earned runs on 9 hits while striking out 12 in the 13 innings spanning his last two starts. The under is 9-5 this season when Arizona enters a game on a winning streak of 3 games or more. Also, the under is 21-11 this season in Diamondbacks road games. The Phillies have had just 1 over in their last 9 games! Free Pick on UNDER the total in Philadelphia early Friday evening. Best of luck, Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach
Jun 16 '17, 7:05 PM in 10h
MLB | ARI vs PHI
Play on: UNDER 9 -120
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach MLB Free Pick Friday UNDER the total in Philadelphia Phillies vs Arizona Diamondbacks @ 7:05 ET - The Phillies finally snapped their 8-game losing streak yesterday with a 1-0 win versus the Red Sox. However, Philadelphia only managed 4 hits in the game and they've averaged just 2.4 runs per game in their last 10 games! They struggled with Chris Sale yesterday and face another southpaw, Patrick Corbin, today. The Phils are hitting just .228 against left-handed pitching this season. As for the Diamondbacks, they were off yesterday but are in the midst of an 8-game road trip. Arizona is hitting only .226 on the road this season. They'll be facing Aaron Nola of the Phillies and he's been cranking back into solid form. Nola has allowed just 4 earned runs on 9 hits while striking out 12 in the 13 innings spanning his last two starts. The under is 9-5 this season when Arizona enters a game on a winning streak of 3 games or more. Also, the under is 21-11 this season in Diamondbacks road games. The Phillies have had just 1 over in their last 9 games! Free Pick on UNDER the total in Philadelphia early Friday evening. Best of luck, Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach
Mike Lundin
Jun 16 '17, 7:10 PM in 10h
MLB | LAD vs CIN
Play on: OVER 9½ -105
#MLB Free Pick from Mike Lundin
Play: Over
Rating: 5/10*
The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a 12-5 loss at Cleveland on Thursday while the Cincinnati Reds return home following an 0-6 road trip. Over is 4-0 in the last four head-to-head meetings and I expect plenty of runs again Friday night.
Tim Adleman (4-2, 4.34 ERA) takes the ball for Cincinnati. He allowed three runs (two earned, both solo homers) on five hits in five innings against the Dodgers on June 11 (9-7 Dodgers win). Over is 6-2 in Adleman's last eight home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
The Dodgers hand the ball to left-hander Alex Wood (6-0, 2.01 ERA) who was tagged with three runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Reds on June 10 (5-4 Dodgers win). Over is 6-2 in Wood's last eight starts overall. The Reds have the second best batting average against southpaws in the National League this season.
Over is 6-0 in Dodgers last six overall. Over is 4-1-1 in Reds last six overall.
Jun 16 '17, 7:10 PM in 10h
MLB | LAD vs CIN
Play on: OVER 9½ -105
#MLB Free Pick from Mike Lundin
Play: Over
Rating: 5/10*
The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a 12-5 loss at Cleveland on Thursday while the Cincinnati Reds return home following an 0-6 road trip. Over is 4-0 in the last four head-to-head meetings and I expect plenty of runs again Friday night.
Tim Adleman (4-2, 4.34 ERA) takes the ball for Cincinnati. He allowed three runs (two earned, both solo homers) on five hits in five innings against the Dodgers on June 11 (9-7 Dodgers win). Over is 6-2 in Adleman's last eight home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
The Dodgers hand the ball to left-hander Alex Wood (6-0, 2.01 ERA) who was tagged with three runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Reds on June 10 (5-4 Dodgers win). Over is 6-2 in Wood's last eight starts overall. The Reds have the second best batting average against southpaws in the National League this season.
Over is 6-0 in Dodgers last six overall. Over is 4-1-1 in Reds last six overall.
Marc Lawrence
Jun 16 '17, 10:05 PM in 13h
MLB | Royals vs Angels
Play on: Angels -118 at betonline
Play - L.A. Angels w/Chavez vs Kennedy (Game 978).
Edges - Angels: Chavez 3.47 ERA home as opposed to 6.27 ERA away this season; and 4-1 last 5 team starts during June… Royals: Kennedy 2-5 with 8.22 ERA and 1.50 WHIP last 7 overall team starts; and 0-3 career team starts in this park. With that look for the Halos to make it 4 straight home wins over the Royals here tonight. We recommend a 1* play on the L.A. Angels. Thank you and good luck as always.
Jun 16 '17, 10:05 PM in 13h
MLB | Royals vs Angels
Play on: Angels -118 at betonline
Play - L.A. Angels w/Chavez vs Kennedy (Game 978).
Edges - Angels: Chavez 3.47 ERA home as opposed to 6.27 ERA away this season; and 4-1 last 5 team starts during June… Royals: Kennedy 2-5 with 8.22 ERA and 1.50 WHIP last 7 overall team starts; and 0-3 career team starts in this park. With that look for the Halos to make it 4 straight home wins over the Royals here tonight. We recommend a 1* play on the L.A. Angels. Thank you and good luck as always.
Art Aronson
Jun 16 '17, 7:10 PM in 10h
MLB | LAD vs CIN
Play on: UNDER 9½ -105
1* Bonus Play UNDER Dodgers/Reds.
Wood: He’s 6-0 with a 2.01 ERA. Wood made a successful return from the DL by going six innings and giving up three runs off five hits while issuing zero walks and striking out seven against the Reds on Saturday. Note that he’s 1-0 with a 2.21 ERA on the road this year.
Tim Adleman: He’s 4-2 with a 4.34 ERA. Adleman has looked better of late, most recently giving up one run off three hits and two walks over seven innings in victory over St. Louis last Tuesday. Wood owns a 4.13 ERA at home thus far.
The bottom line: Note that LA has already seen the total go UNDER the number in 17 of 31 on the road this season, while Cincinnati has seen the total go UNDER in two of its last three when playing with a day off. Both teams have been playing to some higher-scoring affairs of late, but we think these competent hurlers will battle deep into this one and we ultimatley expect this total to fall below this sky-high number once it’s all said and done. Consider a second look at the UNDER in this one.
AAA Sports
Jun 16 '17, 7:10 PM in 10h
MLB | LAD vs CIN
Play on: UNDER 9½ -105
1* Bonus Play UNDER Dodgers/Reds.
Wood: He’s 6-0 with a 2.01 ERA. Wood made a successful return from the DL by going six innings and giving up three runs off five hits while issuing zero walks and striking out seven against the Reds on Saturday. Note that he’s 1-0 with a 2.21 ERA on the road this year.
Tim Adleman: He’s 4-2 with a 4.34 ERA. Adleman has looked better of late, most recently giving up one run off three hits and two walks over seven innings in victory over St. Louis last Tuesday. Wood owns a 4.13 ERA at home thus far.
The bottom line: Note that LA has already seen the total go UNDER the number in 17 of 31 on the road this season, while Cincinnati has seen the total go UNDER in two of its last three when playing with a day off. Both teams have been playing to some higher-scoring affairs of late, but we think these competent hurlers will battle deep into this one and we ultimatley expect this total to fall below this sky-high number once it’s all said and done. Consider a second look at the UNDER in this one.
AAA Sports
Ben Burns
Jun 16 '17, 7:05 PM in 10h
MLB | White Sox vs Blue Jays
Play on: Blue Jays -148 at betonline
1* Bonus Play Toronto Blue Jays. Joe Biagini is just 1-5 as a Toronto starter despite posting a solid 3.38 ERA. In his last outing on Friday against the Mariners he gave up three runs off five hits while striking out five over seven innings of work. Over his last three games he’s posted a 2.70 ERA and 18:4 K:BB (all quality outings). Biagini has struggled on the road (5.52 ERA), but has been dominant in front of the home town crowd (1.01 ERA). Chicago counters with the struggling Jose Quintana (2-8, 5.30) who in his last start looked decent, but who overall has been a big disappointment (note that he’s been particularly pedestrian in this spot all year as well, just 1-4 with a ballooned 4.79 ERA on the road). Ultimately I think this a bigger mismatch than what Las Vegas is leading us to believe. Consider a second look at the Blue Jays in this one.
Jun 16 '17, 7:05 PM in 10h
MLB | White Sox vs Blue Jays
Play on: Blue Jays -148 at betonline
1* Bonus Play Toronto Blue Jays. Joe Biagini is just 1-5 as a Toronto starter despite posting a solid 3.38 ERA. In his last outing on Friday against the Mariners he gave up three runs off five hits while striking out five over seven innings of work. Over his last three games he’s posted a 2.70 ERA and 18:4 K:BB (all quality outings). Biagini has struggled on the road (5.52 ERA), but has been dominant in front of the home town crowd (1.01 ERA). Chicago counters with the struggling Jose Quintana (2-8, 5.30) who in his last start looked decent, but who overall has been a big disappointment (note that he’s been particularly pedestrian in this spot all year as well, just 1-4 with a ballooned 4.79 ERA on the road). Ultimately I think this a bigger mismatch than what Las Vegas is leading us to believe. Consider a second look at the Blue Jays in this one.
GAME: Chicago Cubs (32-33) at Pittsburgh Pirates (30-36)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
It has been seven weeks since the Chicago Cubs won a series on the road, and they return to the site where they last did so when they begin a three-game set against the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. The Pirates have won four of six meetings this season, but Chicago took two of three in Pittsburgh from April 24-26.
Despite a disappointing start that leaves them one game below .500, the Cubs have never fallen more than three games back in the National League Central. "I know we have a nice run in us and it's forthcoming,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters. “It's going to be a combination of our starters getting more deep in games more consistently and our offense getting back to its normal methods. There's nothing to tell me that's not going to happen.” Chicago won five straight to begin its last homestand earlier this month but has dropped six of eight since. The Pirates also have been streaky of late, following a four-game skid with a four-game winning streak before dropping the finale of a three-game set against Colorado on Wednesday.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), ROOT Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Eddie Butler (3-2, 4.03 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Trevor Williams (3-3, 5.13)
Butler threw six scoreless innings in his Cubs debut on May 12 at St. Louis, but he hasn’t posted another quality start in five outings since. The 26-year-old gave up three runs and six hits over five innings in a loss to Colorado on Saturday. Butler made one start and one relief appearance against the Pirates last season, going 0-1 with a 2.16 ERA in 8 1/3 innings.
Williams had put together back-to-back quality starts before he was dinged for five runs and six hits over four innings Saturday in a no-decision against Miami. The 25-year-old has allowed just one run in three of his seven starts, but he hasn’t been able to consistently produce those results. Williams made two relief appearances against the Cubs earlier this season, going 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in five innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 12-for-31 with three homers during a nine-game hitting streak and has homered leading off each of the past two games.
2. Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen is 11-for-23 with two home runs during a six-game hitting streak, raising his average 24 points over that stretch.
3. Chicago has hit 13 home runs in the past four games but is just 2-2 over that span.
PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Pirates 5
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
It has been seven weeks since the Chicago Cubs won a series on the road, and they return to the site where they last did so when they begin a three-game set against the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. The Pirates have won four of six meetings this season, but Chicago took two of three in Pittsburgh from April 24-26.
Despite a disappointing start that leaves them one game below .500, the Cubs have never fallen more than three games back in the National League Central. "I know we have a nice run in us and it's forthcoming,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters. “It's going to be a combination of our starters getting more deep in games more consistently and our offense getting back to its normal methods. There's nothing to tell me that's not going to happen.” Chicago won five straight to begin its last homestand earlier this month but has dropped six of eight since. The Pirates also have been streaky of late, following a four-game skid with a four-game winning streak before dropping the finale of a three-game set against Colorado on Wednesday.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), ROOT Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Eddie Butler (3-2, 4.03 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Trevor Williams (3-3, 5.13)
Butler threw six scoreless innings in his Cubs debut on May 12 at St. Louis, but he hasn’t posted another quality start in five outings since. The 26-year-old gave up three runs and six hits over five innings in a loss to Colorado on Saturday. Butler made one start and one relief appearance against the Pirates last season, going 0-1 with a 2.16 ERA in 8 1/3 innings.
Williams had put together back-to-back quality starts before he was dinged for five runs and six hits over four innings Saturday in a no-decision against Miami. The 25-year-old has allowed just one run in three of his seven starts, but he hasn’t been able to consistently produce those results. Williams made two relief appearances against the Cubs earlier this season, going 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in five innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 12-for-31 with three homers during a nine-game hitting streak and has homered leading off each of the past two games.
2. Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen is 11-for-23 with two home runs during a six-game hitting streak, raising his average 24 points over that stretch.
3. Chicago has hit 13 home runs in the past four games but is just 2-2 over that span.
PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Pirates 5
GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (30-35) at Baltimore Orioles (32-33)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Baltimore Orioles are mired in a disastrous spell over the last six weeks, as a lackluster 1-7 road trip has manager Buck Showalter's club saddled with a 10-23 mark since May 9. The Orioles hope a change of scenery will do them good on Friday as they open a three-game interleague series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Camden Yards.
"You can't live in the 'Woe is us' world," Baltimore's Caleb Joseph said after Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox. "We have tremendous expectations that we want to meet, and this isn't just a keel-over-and-let-them-kick-your-teeth-in kind of team." Joseph showed his resolve with an RBI double and Welington Castillo homered for the second straight day for the Orioles, who went 6-3 during their last homestand to improve to 21-10 in Maryland this season. St. Louis saw its promising homestand take a dip as it dropped the final three contests of a four-game series with Milwaukee before it opens a six-game road trip Friday. Matt Carpenter is working his way out of an early-season funk with a nine-game hitting streak, during which he has three homers, nine RBIs and eight runs scored.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (5-5, 2.95 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (3-5, 6.49)
Martinez recorded his first career complete game in dominating fashion on Saturday, scattering four hits and striking out 11 in a 7-0 romp versus Philadelphia. The 25-year-old Dominican has fanned 37 batters over his last four starts, but has only a 2-2 mark to show for it. A lack of run support has been an issue for Martinez, who has seen St. Louis score just 25 runs in his first 12 starts before Saturday's uprising.
While Martinez was dominant in his last outing, Gausman wasn't as fortunate as the 26-year-old yielded seven runs on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings of Sunday's 14-3 shellacking by the New York Yankees. Gausman also struggled to find the plate, allowing six walks versus the Yankees and has issued 12 free passes in his last three trips to the mound. He took the loss in his lone career encounter against St. Louis on Aug. 10, 2014, despite permitting just three runs in five innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. St. Louis SS Aledmys Diaz has hit safely in seven of his last eight games while scoring seven runs in the process.
2. Baltimore 1B Trey Mancini is 9-for-22 with one homer, four RBIs and four runs scored during his six-game hitting streak.
3. The Orioles own a 6-3 interleague record this season while the Cardinals have sputtered to a 2-6 mark.
PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Cardinals 2
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Baltimore Orioles are mired in a disastrous spell over the last six weeks, as a lackluster 1-7 road trip has manager Buck Showalter's club saddled with a 10-23 mark since May 9. The Orioles hope a change of scenery will do them good on Friday as they open a three-game interleague series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Camden Yards.
"You can't live in the 'Woe is us' world," Baltimore's Caleb Joseph said after Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox. "We have tremendous expectations that we want to meet, and this isn't just a keel-over-and-let-them-kick-your-teeth-in kind of team." Joseph showed his resolve with an RBI double and Welington Castillo homered for the second straight day for the Orioles, who went 6-3 during their last homestand to improve to 21-10 in Maryland this season. St. Louis saw its promising homestand take a dip as it dropped the final three contests of a four-game series with Milwaukee before it opens a six-game road trip Friday. Matt Carpenter is working his way out of an early-season funk with a nine-game hitting streak, during which he has three homers, nine RBIs and eight runs scored.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (5-5, 2.95 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (3-5, 6.49)
Martinez recorded his first career complete game in dominating fashion on Saturday, scattering four hits and striking out 11 in a 7-0 romp versus Philadelphia. The 25-year-old Dominican has fanned 37 batters over his last four starts, but has only a 2-2 mark to show for it. A lack of run support has been an issue for Martinez, who has seen St. Louis score just 25 runs in his first 12 starts before Saturday's uprising.
While Martinez was dominant in his last outing, Gausman wasn't as fortunate as the 26-year-old yielded seven runs on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings of Sunday's 14-3 shellacking by the New York Yankees. Gausman also struggled to find the plate, allowing six walks versus the Yankees and has issued 12 free passes in his last three trips to the mound. He took the loss in his lone career encounter against St. Louis on Aug. 10, 2014, despite permitting just three runs in five innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. St. Louis SS Aledmys Diaz has hit safely in seven of his last eight games while scoring seven runs in the process.
2. Baltimore 1B Trey Mancini is 9-for-22 with one homer, four RBIs and four runs scored during his six-game hitting streak.
3. The Orioles own a 6-3 interleague record this season while the Cardinals have sputtered to a 2-6 mark.
PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Cardinals 2
GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (41-26) at Philadelphia Phillies (22-43)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Arizona Diamondbacks are riding an impressive wave of offense to win four in a row and seven of their last eight to remain in the thick of it in the competitive National League West. Manager Torey Lovullo's club looks to continue its momentum on Friday at Citizens Bank Park as Arizona opens a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Arizona answered a three-game skid by erupting for 59 runs in its next seven contests before completing a two-game interleague sweep of Detroit with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday. Paul Goldschmidt has been integral in the power surge by going 17-for-40 with three homers, 14 RBIs and 12 runs scored this month and aims to build off last season's feast of Philadelphia in which he went 6-for-14 with two homers in the Diamondbacks' four-game sweep at Citizens Bank Park on June 17-19, 2016. The majors-worst Phillies finally gave the faithful a thrill on Thursday, as their 1-0 victory over Boston prevented a four-game sweep and snapped a season-high eight-game losing skid. Tommy Joseph carries an 11-game hitting streak into the series with Arizona, against which he is 0-for-22 with six strikeouts in his career.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (5-6, 5.38 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (3-4, 4.40)
Corbin kept the ball in the park for the first time in seven outings on June 8, allowing three runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 15-3 romp versus San Diego. The 27-year-old had permitted 11 homers in his previous six starts and surrendered 31 earned runs in his last 31 innings. "It felt good. Going in the right direction,” Corbin said. "Threw the ball in very well. Just thought I located better than I have."
Nola's struggles continued since coming off the disabled list last month as the 24-year-old fell to 1-4 with a 4.34 ERA in his last five starts following Sunday's setback in St. Louis. Nola allowed three runs on four hits versus the Cardinals, with Dexter Fowler's three-run homer in the fifth accounting for the big blow to his afternoon. "In five innings, he had 52 strikes and 41 balls. Unacceptable – too many pitches. He seemed like he was behind every hitter he faced," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said of Nola.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arizona 2B Brandon Drury is 8-for-16 with three homers, seven RBIs and three runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.
2. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera is hitless in 14 at-bats with four strikeouts in his last three contests on the heels of an 11-game hitting streak.
3. Diamondbacks RF David Peralta has a trio of three-hit performances in his last five games.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Phillies 2
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Arizona Diamondbacks are riding an impressive wave of offense to win four in a row and seven of their last eight to remain in the thick of it in the competitive National League West. Manager Torey Lovullo's club looks to continue its momentum on Friday at Citizens Bank Park as Arizona opens a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Arizona answered a three-game skid by erupting for 59 runs in its next seven contests before completing a two-game interleague sweep of Detroit with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday. Paul Goldschmidt has been integral in the power surge by going 17-for-40 with three homers, 14 RBIs and 12 runs scored this month and aims to build off last season's feast of Philadelphia in which he went 6-for-14 with two homers in the Diamondbacks' four-game sweep at Citizens Bank Park on June 17-19, 2016. The majors-worst Phillies finally gave the faithful a thrill on Thursday, as their 1-0 victory over Boston prevented a four-game sweep and snapped a season-high eight-game losing skid. Tommy Joseph carries an 11-game hitting streak into the series with Arizona, against which he is 0-for-22 with six strikeouts in his career.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (5-6, 5.38 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (3-4, 4.40)
Corbin kept the ball in the park for the first time in seven outings on June 8, allowing three runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 15-3 romp versus San Diego. The 27-year-old had permitted 11 homers in his previous six starts and surrendered 31 earned runs in his last 31 innings. "It felt good. Going in the right direction,” Corbin said. "Threw the ball in very well. Just thought I located better than I have."
Nola's struggles continued since coming off the disabled list last month as the 24-year-old fell to 1-4 with a 4.34 ERA in his last five starts following Sunday's setback in St. Louis. Nola allowed three runs on four hits versus the Cardinals, with Dexter Fowler's three-run homer in the fifth accounting for the big blow to his afternoon. "In five innings, he had 52 strikes and 41 balls. Unacceptable – too many pitches. He seemed like he was behind every hitter he faced," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said of Nola.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arizona 2B Brandon Drury is 8-for-16 with three homers, seven RBIs and three runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.
2. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera is hitless in 14 at-bats with four strikeouts in his last three contests on the heels of an 11-game hitting streak.
3. Diamondbacks RF David Peralta has a trio of three-hit performances in his last five games.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Phillies 2
GAME: Chicago White Sox (29-36) at Toronto Blue Jays (32-33)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
A pair of last-place American League clubs will square off when the Toronto Blue Jays host the Chicago White Sox on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series. Despite sitting at the bottom of the AL East and AL Central, the Blue Jays and White Sox each enter the series with some momentum, having won three of their last four.
Chicago scored 27 runs in its four-game set against Baltimore, with designated hitter Matt Davidson leading the way by homering in each game to boost his season total to 14. White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia was ejected from Thursday's 5-2 victory, but not before he ran his hitting streak to eight games with a pair of singles. Toronto appeared poised to make a move in the standings after closing out last month on an 8-1 run but it has split 12 games in June. Jose Bautista and Russell Martin each had two hits in Wednesday's 7-6 win over Tampa Bay after enduring slumps of 4-for-38 and 1-for-17, respectively.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, Sportsnet, Sportsnet One (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH José Quintana (2-8, 5.30 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Joe Biagini (1-5, 3.38)
Quintana has gone more than six weeks without a victory, falling to 0-4 in his last seven starts after giving up three runs over five innings in a loss at Cleveland last time out. He did not factor in the decision on June 6 at Tampa Bay, tossing 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, but was hammered for 15 runs in his previous two turns. Kendrys Morales is 13-for-38 with two homers against Quintana.
Biagini is emerging as a reliable option since he was shifted from the bullpen to the rotation, although it's not reflected in his won-loss record. He has lost three consecutive starts despite allowing only six earned runs over 20 innings, a span in which Toronto supplied him with three runs. He made two relief appearances against Chicago last season, giving up one run and three hits.
WALK-OFFS
1. Davidson has 10 RBIs in the past six games after collecting one in his previous 11 contests.
2. Blue Jays SS Troy Tulowitzki is 2-for-24 with zero extra-base hits in his last six games.
3. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu is 8-for-16 during a four-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 4, White Sox 3
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
A pair of last-place American League clubs will square off when the Toronto Blue Jays host the Chicago White Sox on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series. Despite sitting at the bottom of the AL East and AL Central, the Blue Jays and White Sox each enter the series with some momentum, having won three of their last four.
Chicago scored 27 runs in its four-game set against Baltimore, with designated hitter Matt Davidson leading the way by homering in each game to boost his season total to 14. White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia was ejected from Thursday's 5-2 victory, but not before he ran his hitting streak to eight games with a pair of singles. Toronto appeared poised to make a move in the standings after closing out last month on an 8-1 run but it has split 12 games in June. Jose Bautista and Russell Martin each had two hits in Wednesday's 7-6 win over Tampa Bay after enduring slumps of 4-for-38 and 1-for-17, respectively.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, Sportsnet, Sportsnet One (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH José Quintana (2-8, 5.30 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Joe Biagini (1-5, 3.38)
Quintana has gone more than six weeks without a victory, falling to 0-4 in his last seven starts after giving up three runs over five innings in a loss at Cleveland last time out. He did not factor in the decision on June 6 at Tampa Bay, tossing 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, but was hammered for 15 runs in his previous two turns. Kendrys Morales is 13-for-38 with two homers against Quintana.
Biagini is emerging as a reliable option since he was shifted from the bullpen to the rotation, although it's not reflected in his won-loss record. He has lost three consecutive starts despite allowing only six earned runs over 20 innings, a span in which Toronto supplied him with three runs. He made two relief appearances against Chicago last season, giving up one run and three hits.
WALK-OFFS
1. Davidson has 10 RBIs in the past six games after collecting one in his previous 11 contests.
2. Blue Jays SS Troy Tulowitzki is 2-for-24 with zero extra-base hits in his last six games.
3. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu is 8-for-16 during a four-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 4, White Sox 3
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (35-34) at Detroit Tigers (31-34)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Two-time American League MVP Miguel Cabrera is having an off-year by his lofty standards, but the walk-off homer he launched on Thursday may be just the boost the slugger needed. Cabrera looks to record multiple hits for the fifth straight contest when the Detroit Tigers host the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series.
Cabrera has gone 9-for-22 with four runs scored, four doubles, a homer and four RBIs during his five-game hitting streak to raise his batting average to .280 as Detroit's win in the opener was just its second in seven contests. Tampa Bay's Erasmo Ramirez goes for his second win against the Tigers this season after baffling them for five innings on April 20, and Daniel Norris hopes to pay him back as he struggled for the Tigers in that game. Tampa Bay has dropped two in a row after winning six of seven despite receiving a tying homer from Steven Souza Jr. in the eighth inning on Thursday. Colby Rasmus notched three hits in the series opener and is 11-for-22 during his seven-game hitting streak for the Rays, who lost for the first time in four games against the Tigers this year.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Erasmo Ramirez (3-1, 4.20 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Daniel Norris (3-4, 4.41)
Ramirez reached five innings for the first time in three starts last time out against Oakland, allowing three runs and 10 hits over 5 1/3 frames of a no-decision. The 27-year-old Nicaraguan, who is 0-1 on the road overall and 2-1 as a starter in 2017, held Detroit to one run and two hits with five strikeouts over five innings at home. Cabrera is 3-for-6 with a homer versus Ramirez, who is 1-1 with a 6.59 ERA in six career appearances (two starts) against the Tigers.
Norris snapped his six-game winless streak on Sunday, when he limited Boston to two runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings. The 24-year-old Tennessee native made two quality starts during his drought, when he averaged fewer than six frames and gave up a total of six homers. Evan Longoria is 4-for-7 with a double against Norris, who permitted five runs - four earned - and eight hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Rays in the April start.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay CF Mallex Smith has hit safely in seven straight contests (11-for-27) since taking over for the injured Kevin Kiermaier (hip).
2. Cabrera is tied with Carl Yastrzemski (452) for 37th place on the all-time home run list.
3. Rays SS Tim Beckham (knee) grounded out as a pinch-hitter on the series opener after missing three games and could return to the lineup Friday.
PREDICTION: Rays 5, Tigers 4
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Two-time American League MVP Miguel Cabrera is having an off-year by his lofty standards, but the walk-off homer he launched on Thursday may be just the boost the slugger needed. Cabrera looks to record multiple hits for the fifth straight contest when the Detroit Tigers host the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series.
Cabrera has gone 9-for-22 with four runs scored, four doubles, a homer and four RBIs during his five-game hitting streak to raise his batting average to .280 as Detroit's win in the opener was just its second in seven contests. Tampa Bay's Erasmo Ramirez goes for his second win against the Tigers this season after baffling them for five innings on April 20, and Daniel Norris hopes to pay him back as he struggled for the Tigers in that game. Tampa Bay has dropped two in a row after winning six of seven despite receiving a tying homer from Steven Souza Jr. in the eighth inning on Thursday. Colby Rasmus notched three hits in the series opener and is 11-for-22 during his seven-game hitting streak for the Rays, who lost for the first time in four games against the Tigers this year.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Erasmo Ramirez (3-1, 4.20 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Daniel Norris (3-4, 4.41)
Ramirez reached five innings for the first time in three starts last time out against Oakland, allowing three runs and 10 hits over 5 1/3 frames of a no-decision. The 27-year-old Nicaraguan, who is 0-1 on the road overall and 2-1 as a starter in 2017, held Detroit to one run and two hits with five strikeouts over five innings at home. Cabrera is 3-for-6 with a homer versus Ramirez, who is 1-1 with a 6.59 ERA in six career appearances (two starts) against the Tigers.
Norris snapped his six-game winless streak on Sunday, when he limited Boston to two runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings. The 24-year-old Tennessee native made two quality starts during his drought, when he averaged fewer than six frames and gave up a total of six homers. Evan Longoria is 4-for-7 with a double against Norris, who permitted five runs - four earned - and eight hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Rays in the April start.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay CF Mallex Smith has hit safely in seven straight contests (11-for-27) since taking over for the injured Kevin Kiermaier (hip).
2. Cabrera is tied with Carl Yastrzemski (452) for 37th place on the all-time home run list.
3. Rays SS Tim Beckham (knee) grounded out as a pinch-hitter on the series opener after missing three games and could return to the lineup Friday.
PREDICTION: Rays 5, Tigers 4
GAME: Washington Nationals (40-26) at New York Mets (30-35)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
New York Mets fans might be lamenting – once again – that their team let Daniel Murphy walk away if they weren’t focused on the club's mounting injuries. The depleted Mets hope to bounce back from a tough 24 hours when they host Murphy and the Washington Nationals for the second contest of their four-game series on Friday.
Murphy is batting .394 with seven doubles and eight homers in 26 games against the Mets over the last two seasons, including a 3-for-5 performance with a triple and two RBIs in Thursday’s 8-3 win. His continued torturing of his former team took a back seat to New York’s mounting injury woes, though, as center fielder Juan Lagares broke his thumb in the opener just hours after the club announced negative injury news regarding second baseman Neil Walker and pitchers Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard. Walker (hamstring) and Harvey (stress injury to scapula) are headed for lengthy stints on the disabled list, joining infielder Asdrubal Cabrera (thumb), relievers Josh Smoker (shoulder/elbow) and Jeurys Familia (shoulder) and starter Syndergaard, who still is a month away from beginning a throwing program. The news damages any semblance of hope the Mets had of catching the Nationals, who lead the National League East by 9 1/2 games despite losing five of six entering the series.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, MASN (Washington), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (7-4, 2.36 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (1-0, 1.29)
Scherzer’s stuff has been electric of late, as he has reached double digits in strikeouts in four straight outings. The 32-year-old ace is 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA over that stretch with 48 strikeouts and five walks in 32 innings. Scherzer is 6-4 with a 2.39 ERA in 13 career appearances (12 starts) against the Mets, including a pair of outings this year that he has split.
Matz was outstanding in his season debut Saturday at Atlanta, limiting the Braves to one run and five hits over seven innings to earn the win. The 26-year-old only recorded two strikeouts but showed no signs of the left elbow injury that sidelined him at the end of spring training. Matz is 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA in two career starts against the Nationals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals RF Bryce Harper is 10-for-33 with two home runs during his eight-game hitting streak.
2. Mets OF Michael Conforto is 6-for-15 with three homers against Scherzer.
3. Washington is the only team in the NL - and one of three in the majors - that has not been shut out this season.
PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Mets 2
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
New York Mets fans might be lamenting – once again – that their team let Daniel Murphy walk away if they weren’t focused on the club's mounting injuries. The depleted Mets hope to bounce back from a tough 24 hours when they host Murphy and the Washington Nationals for the second contest of their four-game series on Friday.
Murphy is batting .394 with seven doubles and eight homers in 26 games against the Mets over the last two seasons, including a 3-for-5 performance with a triple and two RBIs in Thursday’s 8-3 win. His continued torturing of his former team took a back seat to New York’s mounting injury woes, though, as center fielder Juan Lagares broke his thumb in the opener just hours after the club announced negative injury news regarding second baseman Neil Walker and pitchers Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard. Walker (hamstring) and Harvey (stress injury to scapula) are headed for lengthy stints on the disabled list, joining infielder Asdrubal Cabrera (thumb), relievers Josh Smoker (shoulder/elbow) and Jeurys Familia (shoulder) and starter Syndergaard, who still is a month away from beginning a throwing program. The news damages any semblance of hope the Mets had of catching the Nationals, who lead the National League East by 9 1/2 games despite losing five of six entering the series.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, MASN (Washington), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (7-4, 2.36 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (1-0, 1.29)
Scherzer’s stuff has been electric of late, as he has reached double digits in strikeouts in four straight outings. The 32-year-old ace is 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA over that stretch with 48 strikeouts and five walks in 32 innings. Scherzer is 6-4 with a 2.39 ERA in 13 career appearances (12 starts) against the Mets, including a pair of outings this year that he has split.
Matz was outstanding in his season debut Saturday at Atlanta, limiting the Braves to one run and five hits over seven innings to earn the win. The 26-year-old only recorded two strikeouts but showed no signs of the left elbow injury that sidelined him at the end of spring training. Matz is 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA in two career starts against the Nationals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals RF Bryce Harper is 10-for-33 with two home runs during his eight-game hitting streak.
2. Mets OF Michael Conforto is 6-for-15 with three homers against Scherzer.
3. Washington is the only team in the NL - and one of three in the majors - that has not been shut out this season.
PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Mets 2
GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (41-26) at Cincinnati Reds (29-36)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Cincinnati Reds are eager to return to Great American Ball Park after stumbling through an 0-6 road trip that kicked off with a three-game sweep against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds get a chance to exact some revenge, hosting the Dodgers on Friday in the opener of a three-game set before hitting the road for seven in a row.
Los Angeles piled up 21 runs against Cincinnati last weekend and had ripped off six consecutive victories before a 12-5 loss at Cleveland on Thursday in the finale of a three-game series. Rookie Cody Bellinger homered for the fifth time in six games to give him 18 in 47 contests -- only Gary Sanchez (19) of the New York Yankees has hit more in his first 47 career games. Reds first baseman Joey Votto is on a tear of his own, hitting safely in nine straight games and blasting five homers in his last eight to increase his season total to 19. Votto was 4-for-13 with a pair of homers last weekend at Los Angeles and owns a career average of .333 against the Dodgers in 61 games.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (6-0, 2.01 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tim Adleman (4-2, 4.34)
Wood came off the 10-day disabled list to face the Reds on Saturday and did not factor in the decision after allowing three runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He was riding a streak of 25 1/3 scoreless innings spanning four starts and had won his last five outings before he went on the DL. Wood owns a career record of 2-0 in four appearances (three starts) against the Reds.
Adleman also did not factor in his start against the Dodgers on Sunday, permitting three runs (two earned) and five hits, including two homers, over five innings. The Georgetown product posted quality starts in each of his previous three turns, giving up four runs and 10 hits in 21 innings. Adleman beat the Dodgers in his only other start against them with five scoreless innings in August of 2016.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers announced they will start RHP Kenta Maeda on Sunday, allowing the Reds to miss ace LHP Clayton Kershaw.
2. Reds RF Scott Schebler is 7-for-14 over his last four games.
3. Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez received a second opinion that confirmed a herniated disk. He will receive an epidural.
PREDICTION: Reds 4, Dodgers 3
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Cincinnati Reds are eager to return to Great American Ball Park after stumbling through an 0-6 road trip that kicked off with a three-game sweep against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds get a chance to exact some revenge, hosting the Dodgers on Friday in the opener of a three-game set before hitting the road for seven in a row.
Los Angeles piled up 21 runs against Cincinnati last weekend and had ripped off six consecutive victories before a 12-5 loss at Cleveland on Thursday in the finale of a three-game series. Rookie Cody Bellinger homered for the fifth time in six games to give him 18 in 47 contests -- only Gary Sanchez (19) of the New York Yankees has hit more in his first 47 career games. Reds first baseman Joey Votto is on a tear of his own, hitting safely in nine straight games and blasting five homers in his last eight to increase his season total to 19. Votto was 4-for-13 with a pair of homers last weekend at Los Angeles and owns a career average of .333 against the Dodgers in 61 games.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (6-0, 2.01 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tim Adleman (4-2, 4.34)
Wood came off the 10-day disabled list to face the Reds on Saturday and did not factor in the decision after allowing three runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He was riding a streak of 25 1/3 scoreless innings spanning four starts and had won his last five outings before he went on the DL. Wood owns a career record of 2-0 in four appearances (three starts) against the Reds.
Adleman also did not factor in his start against the Dodgers on Sunday, permitting three runs (two earned) and five hits, including two homers, over five innings. The Georgetown product posted quality starts in each of his previous three turns, giving up four runs and 10 hits in 21 innings. Adleman beat the Dodgers in his only other start against them with five scoreless innings in August of 2016.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers announced they will start RHP Kenta Maeda on Sunday, allowing the Reds to miss ace LHP Clayton Kershaw.
2. Reds RF Scott Schebler is 7-for-14 over his last four games.
3. Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez received a second opinion that confirmed a herniated disk. He will receive an epidural.
PREDICTION: Reds 4, Dodgers 3
GAME: Miami Marlins (29-35) at Atlanta Braves (29-36)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: SunTrust Park, Cumberland, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Miami Marlins closed an ugly month of May by winning their final four contests, starting a stretch of 12 victories in 17 games that they look to continue entering Friday’s series opener at the Atlanta Braves. The Marlins are averaging six runs during their surge and expect to activate first baseman Justin Bour (ankle) from the disabled list for the weekend, adding his 16 homers and .295 average to an already potent lineup.
The improvement since starting May with 18 losses in 24 games has come both at the plate and on the mound for Miami, which is hitting .292 during its hot stretch while posting a 3.62 ERA as a staff. The Braves return home to open a 10-game homestand after winning two of three at National League East-leader Washington, improving to 14-15 since losing first baseman Freddie Freeman to a fractured wrist. Atlanta hopes left fielder Matt Kemp, who entered Thursday fifth in the NL in batting average (.327), will be available Friday after he left Wednesday’s game with left hamstring tightness. The Braves have won three of the first five matchups against the Marlins this season and are 14-9 versus Miami since the start of 2016.
TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Dan Straily (4-4, 3.89 ERA) vs. Braves LH Sean Newcomb (0-1, 0.00)
Straily has posted a 3.32 ERA while going 3-1 across his past seven starts, allowing more than three runs just once in that span. It occurred in his last start Saturday at Pittsburgh when the 28-year-old gave up four runs on nine hits in four innings of a no-decision. Straily earned his first victory for Miami against the Braves on April 11, surrendering two earned runs in five innings with two walks and five strikeouts to improve to 1-1 in two career starts against Atlanta.
Newcomb impressed in his major-league debut Saturday against the New York Mets, surrendering just an unearned run on four hits over 6 1/3 innings with two walks (one intentional) and seven strikeouts. The 24-year-old struggled at times in the minor leagues with control, but fired 70 of his 96 pitches for strikes in his debut to earn another turn in the rotation. Newcomb was promoted to replace Bartolo Colon, who is on the disabled list with a strained oblique.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta CF Ender Inciarte and 2B Brandon Phillips combined for seven hits and five RBIs in Wednesday’s 13-2 victory, and both are batting above .300 (Phillips at .306; Inciarte at .304).
2. Miami LF Marcel Ozuna enters the series hitting .333 with 17 homers and 47 RBIs, ranking in the top 10 in the NL in each category while sitting third in the league with 83 hits.
3. Marlins rookie INF J.T. Riddle is batting .295 in his past 28 games, after starting the season 2-for-21.
PREDICTION: Braves 4, Marlins 3
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: SunTrust Park, Cumberland, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Miami Marlins closed an ugly month of May by winning their final four contests, starting a stretch of 12 victories in 17 games that they look to continue entering Friday’s series opener at the Atlanta Braves. The Marlins are averaging six runs during their surge and expect to activate first baseman Justin Bour (ankle) from the disabled list for the weekend, adding his 16 homers and .295 average to an already potent lineup.
The improvement since starting May with 18 losses in 24 games has come both at the plate and on the mound for Miami, which is hitting .292 during its hot stretch while posting a 3.62 ERA as a staff. The Braves return home to open a 10-game homestand after winning two of three at National League East-leader Washington, improving to 14-15 since losing first baseman Freddie Freeman to a fractured wrist. Atlanta hopes left fielder Matt Kemp, who entered Thursday fifth in the NL in batting average (.327), will be available Friday after he left Wednesday’s game with left hamstring tightness. The Braves have won three of the first five matchups against the Marlins this season and are 14-9 versus Miami since the start of 2016.
TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Dan Straily (4-4, 3.89 ERA) vs. Braves LH Sean Newcomb (0-1, 0.00)
Straily has posted a 3.32 ERA while going 3-1 across his past seven starts, allowing more than three runs just once in that span. It occurred in his last start Saturday at Pittsburgh when the 28-year-old gave up four runs on nine hits in four innings of a no-decision. Straily earned his first victory for Miami against the Braves on April 11, surrendering two earned runs in five innings with two walks and five strikeouts to improve to 1-1 in two career starts against Atlanta.
Newcomb impressed in his major-league debut Saturday against the New York Mets, surrendering just an unearned run on four hits over 6 1/3 innings with two walks (one intentional) and seven strikeouts. The 24-year-old struggled at times in the minor leagues with control, but fired 70 of his 96 pitches for strikes in his debut to earn another turn in the rotation. Newcomb was promoted to replace Bartolo Colon, who is on the disabled list with a strained oblique.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta CF Ender Inciarte and 2B Brandon Phillips combined for seven hits and five RBIs in Wednesday’s 13-2 victory, and both are batting above .300 (Phillips at .306; Inciarte at .304).
2. Miami LF Marcel Ozuna enters the series hitting .333 with 17 homers and 47 RBIs, ranking in the top 10 in the NL in each category while sitting third in the league with 83 hits.
3. Marlins rookie INF J.T. Riddle is batting .295 in his past 28 games, after starting the season 2-for-21.
PREDICTION: Braves 4, Marlins 3
GAME: Seattle Mariners (33-35) at Texas Rangers (32-33)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Tyson Ross will make his much anticipated season debut when the Texas Rangers open a seven-game homestand with the first of three against the Seattle Mariners on Friday night. A former All-Star, Ross is making his first start since Opening Day last season with San Diego, having undergone surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in the offseason.
“Electric arm, electric stuff, big physical guy," said Rangers manager Jeff Banister of Ross. "He can dominate a lineup, so we look forward to getting him out there." Texas is coming off a successful 5-1 road trip against division leaders Washington and Houston, allowing nine runs before a 13-2 loss to the Astros to cap off the trek. Despite amassing 29 runs and 51 hits, Seattle managed only a split of a four-game series at Minnesota but has won 12 of its last 18. James Paxton will start for the Mariners, who are 5-1 this season against the Rangers, although both series were in Seattle.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH James Paxton (5-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Tyson Ross (2016: 0-1, 11.81)
Paxton is coming off one of his worst performances Sunday, lasting only four innings and permitting four runs on eight hits while suffering his first loss against Toronto. The 28-year-old won his previous two turns after coming off the disabled list but did not go beyond 5 1/3 innings in either one. Paxton dominated the Rangers on April 15 with eight scoreless innings of two-hit ball.
Ross won 13 games in his All-Star campaign in 2014 and 10 more with the Padres the following year, but his season ended in 2016 after he was hammered in his Opening Day start. The 30-year-old was not overly impressive in four rehab starts at Triple-A Round Rock and rocked for eight runs and three homers in his last turn before he was summoned to the majors. He is 0-2 with a 5.27 ERA in four appearances (two starts) versus Seattle.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners LF Ben Gamel is 15-for-30 during a seven-game hitting streak, including multiple hits in five straight.
2. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus is 0-for-7 following a 15-game hitting streak.
3. Mariners SS Jean Segura is expected to play in a rehab game this weekend and could rejoin the lineup Monday.
PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Rangers 3
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Tyson Ross will make his much anticipated season debut when the Texas Rangers open a seven-game homestand with the first of three against the Seattle Mariners on Friday night. A former All-Star, Ross is making his first start since Opening Day last season with San Diego, having undergone surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in the offseason.
“Electric arm, electric stuff, big physical guy," said Rangers manager Jeff Banister of Ross. "He can dominate a lineup, so we look forward to getting him out there." Texas is coming off a successful 5-1 road trip against division leaders Washington and Houston, allowing nine runs before a 13-2 loss to the Astros to cap off the trek. Despite amassing 29 runs and 51 hits, Seattle managed only a split of a four-game series at Minnesota but has won 12 of its last 18. James Paxton will start for the Mariners, who are 5-1 this season against the Rangers, although both series were in Seattle.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH James Paxton (5-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Tyson Ross (2016: 0-1, 11.81)
Paxton is coming off one of his worst performances Sunday, lasting only four innings and permitting four runs on eight hits while suffering his first loss against Toronto. The 28-year-old won his previous two turns after coming off the disabled list but did not go beyond 5 1/3 innings in either one. Paxton dominated the Rangers on April 15 with eight scoreless innings of two-hit ball.
Ross won 13 games in his All-Star campaign in 2014 and 10 more with the Padres the following year, but his season ended in 2016 after he was hammered in his Opening Day start. The 30-year-old was not overly impressive in four rehab starts at Triple-A Round Rock and rocked for eight runs and three homers in his last turn before he was summoned to the majors. He is 0-2 with a 5.27 ERA in four appearances (two starts) versus Seattle.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners LF Ben Gamel is 15-for-30 during a seven-game hitting streak, including multiple hits in five straight.
2. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus is 0-for-7 following a 15-game hitting streak.
3. Mariners SS Jean Segura is expected to play in a rehab game this weekend and could rejoin the lineup Monday.
PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Rangers 3
GAME: Boston Red Sox (37-29) at Houston Astros (45-22)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Houston Astros are enjoying the best start in franchise history, although losses in six of their last eight contests - including four of the first five of their nine-game homestand - have taken a bit of the luster off the accomplishment. Houston responded with 19 hits in a 13-2 rout in its last outing and looks to ride that momentum into Friday's opener of a three-game set versus the visiting Boston Red Sox.
Jose Altuve answered a pedestrian stretch in which he batted .216 in his previous 10 games by collecting three hits and three runs scored in Wednesday's triumph over Texas. The two-time American League batting champion has turned it up against Boston, batting .342 in his career versus the club and 5-for-12 against Friday starter Drew Pomeranz. While the Astros are comfortable atop the AL West, the Red Sox failed to make up ground on the first-place New York Yankees in the East on Thursday after being shut out for the sixth time this season with a 1-0 setback to Philadelphia. Mitch Moreland is riding a nine-game hitting streak despite dealing with a reported fractured left big toe.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), ROOT Sports Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Drew Pomeranz (6-4, 4.48 ERA) vs. Astros RH Mike Fiers (4-2, 4.29)
Pomeranz was pummeled in his last outing on Sunday, allowing six runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings of an 8-3 setback to Detroit. The 28-year-old had pitched significantly better during his previous three starts, permitting a total of five runs and 17 hits while striking out 26 in 18 innings to win all three outings. Pomeranz will look to get back on track versus Houston, against which he is 1-2 with a 4.73 ERA in 10 career appearances.
Fiers recorded arguably his best start of the season on Saturday, extending his winning streak to three straight starts after allowing one unearned run on two hits in 7 1/3 innings of a 3-1 triumph versus the Los Angeles Angels. The 32-year-old struck out eight for the second time in three outings and kept the ball in the park in each of his last three. Fiers has worked at least six innings in four of five home starts this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia saw his string of five consecutive multi-hit performances end on Thursday, but is batting .400 in his career in 28 games versus Houston.
2. Astros RF George Springer has 11 multi-hit performances in his last 18 contests.
3. Houston owns an 8-2 mark versus AL East representatives while Boston is 6-4 against AL West foes.
PREDICTION: Astros 4, Red Sox 2
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Houston Astros are enjoying the best start in franchise history, although losses in six of their last eight contests - including four of the first five of their nine-game homestand - have taken a bit of the luster off the accomplishment. Houston responded with 19 hits in a 13-2 rout in its last outing and looks to ride that momentum into Friday's opener of a three-game set versus the visiting Boston Red Sox.
Jose Altuve answered a pedestrian stretch in which he batted .216 in his previous 10 games by collecting three hits and three runs scored in Wednesday's triumph over Texas. The two-time American League batting champion has turned it up against Boston, batting .342 in his career versus the club and 5-for-12 against Friday starter Drew Pomeranz. While the Astros are comfortable atop the AL West, the Red Sox failed to make up ground on the first-place New York Yankees in the East on Thursday after being shut out for the sixth time this season with a 1-0 setback to Philadelphia. Mitch Moreland is riding a nine-game hitting streak despite dealing with a reported fractured left big toe.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), ROOT Sports Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Drew Pomeranz (6-4, 4.48 ERA) vs. Astros RH Mike Fiers (4-2, 4.29)
Pomeranz was pummeled in his last outing on Sunday, allowing six runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings of an 8-3 setback to Detroit. The 28-year-old had pitched significantly better during his previous three starts, permitting a total of five runs and 17 hits while striking out 26 in 18 innings to win all three outings. Pomeranz will look to get back on track versus Houston, against which he is 1-2 with a 4.73 ERA in 10 career appearances.
Fiers recorded arguably his best start of the season on Saturday, extending his winning streak to three straight starts after allowing one unearned run on two hits in 7 1/3 innings of a 3-1 triumph versus the Los Angeles Angels. The 32-year-old struck out eight for the second time in three outings and kept the ball in the park in each of his last three. Fiers has worked at least six innings in four of five home starts this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia saw his string of five consecutive multi-hit performances end on Thursday, but is batting .400 in his career in 28 games versus Houston.
2. Astros RF George Springer has 11 multi-hit performances in his last 18 contests.
3. Houston owns an 8-2 mark versus AL East representatives while Boston is 6-4 against AL West foes.
PREDICTION: Astros 4, Red Sox 2
GAME: Cleveland Indians (32-31) at Minnesota Twins (34-29)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
If the Minnesota Twins have any aspirations of extending the American League Central's three-year streak of sending its division winner to the World Series, they should have better idea where they stand in that regard by the end of the month. The Twins begin a stretch of seven of 10 games against their closest division competitor Friday when they host the opener of a four-game set with the Cleveland Indians.
After finishing last season with the worst record in the majors, Minnesota has spent more than half of the 2017 campaign atop the Central, which sent Kansas City to the World Series in 2014 and 2015 and Cleveland last year. The Twins have owned at least a share of the division lead since May 11 and enter this series with a two-game edge on the Indians after winning Thursday to split a four-game set versus Seattle to wrap up a 14-game run against west coast teams. The Indians outscored Minnesota 20-7 en route to a three-game sweep at Target Field in mid-April, but the Twins took two of three when the teams last met at Progressive Field from May 12-14. Edwin Encarnacion reached base five times and Lonnie Chisenhall became only the third Indian since 1913 to drive in at least five runs as an in-game substitute as Cleveland avoided a three-game sweep at home Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (6-3, 3.36 ERA) vs. Twins LH Nik Turley (0-0, 9.00)
Carrasco bounced back from his first loss since April 28 with his fourth victory in five decisions Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk across 5 1/3 innings. The 30-year-old Venezuelan has surrendered only one of his eight homers this season on the road and is yielding only a .195 batting average to right-handed hitters. Joe Mauer is 11-for-22 and Miguel Sano is 4-for-10 against Carrasco, who is 2-6 with a 4.74 ERA in 14 games (11 starts) versus the Twins.
Turley made his big-league debut against San Francisco on Sunday after toiling for nearly 10 years in the minors, settling for a no-decision after giving up four runs and eight hits in four frames. The former 50th-round draft pick of the New York Yankees earned his long-awaited promotion after posting a 2.05 ERA and fanning 84 over 52 2/3 innings at two minor-league stops this season. Prior to his recall, Turley went 48-45 with a 3.50 ERA in 165 appearances (134 starts) in the minors.
WALK-OFFS
1. In 38 career games against Minnesota, Indians SS Francisco Lindor is batting .309 with seven doubles, three homers, three triples and 21 RBIs.
2. Sano is 4-for-20 with 12 strikeouts against Cleveland this season, although two of his hits are home runs.
3. Minnesota INF Eduardo Escobar is 18-for-31 with three homers and eight RBIs in his last eight games. Over that span, he is 12-for-21 against right-handed pitchers.
PREDICTION: Indians 6, Twins 4
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 16 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
If the Minnesota Twins have any aspirations of extending the American League Central's three-year streak of sending its division winner to the World Series, they should have better idea where they stand in that regard by the end of the month. The Twins begin a stretch of seven of 10 games against their closest division competitor Friday when they host the opener of a four-game set with the Cleveland Indians.
After finishing last season with the worst record in the majors, Minnesota has spent more than half of the 2017 campaign atop the Central, which sent Kansas City to the World Series in 2014 and 2015 and Cleveland last year. The Twins have owned at least a share of the division lead since May 11 and enter this series with a two-game edge on the Indians after winning Thursday to split a four-game set versus Seattle to wrap up a 14-game run against west coast teams. The Indians outscored Minnesota 20-7 en route to a three-game sweep at Target Field in mid-April, but the Twins took two of three when the teams last met at Progressive Field from May 12-14. Edwin Encarnacion reached base five times and Lonnie Chisenhall became only the third Indian since 1913 to drive in at least five runs as an in-game substitute as Cleveland avoided a three-game sweep at home Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (6-3, 3.36 ERA) vs. Twins LH Nik Turley (0-0, 9.00)
Carrasco bounced back from his first loss since April 28 with his fourth victory in five decisions Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk across 5 1/3 innings. The 30-year-old Venezuelan has surrendered only one of his eight homers this season on the road and is yielding only a .195 batting average to right-handed hitters. Joe Mauer is 11-for-22 and Miguel Sano is 4-for-10 against Carrasco, who is 2-6 with a 4.74 ERA in 14 games (11 starts) versus the Twins.
Turley made his big-league debut against San Francisco on Sunday after toiling for nearly 10 years in the minors, settling for a no-decision after giving up four runs and eight hits in four frames. The former 50th-round draft pick of the New York Yankees earned his long-awaited promotion after posting a 2.05 ERA and fanning 84 over 52 2/3 innings at two minor-league stops this season. Prior to his recall, Turley went 48-45 with a 3.50 ERA in 165 appearances (134 starts) in the minors.
WALK-OFFS
1. In 38 career games against Minnesota, Indians SS Francisco Lindor is batting .309 with seven doubles, three homers, three triples and 21 RBIs.
2. Sano is 4-for-20 with 12 strikeouts against Cleveland this season, although two of his hits are home runs.
3. Minnesota INF Eduardo Escobar is 18-for-31 with three homers and eight RBIs in his last eight games. Over that span, he is 12-for-21 against right-handed pitchers.
PREDICTION: Indians 6, Twins 4
