Saturday 6/17/17 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

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CHRIS JORDAN

My Bonus Play today is on the Milwaukee Brewers on the Run Line, over the visiting San Diego Padres.

I have been someone who has taken advantage of the Padres' good fortune at home recently, with huge series wins over the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. But when the Friars hit the road, it's downright sinful to believe they can win.

I'd much rather side with the National League Central-leading Brewers, who has seemingly carried momentum over to the weekend, after rallying late for a 6-4 victory at St. Louis, where they won another series from the Cardinals for the second time in the 2017 campaign. Last night the Brewers opened this series wiht a 6-5 win.

Sitting in front of the Chicago Cubs by 2 1/2 games in the Central, and the defending World Series champs in Pittsburgh for a tough divisional series with the Pirates, I think the Brewers have a good shot at extending their division lead.

Tonight's game continues to set the tone, so let's bank on a blowout win.

MAKE NOTE: All Run Line/Total plays automatically list pitchers with the starters who are scheduled to go at the time of the wager. But with this game I am not concerned with who goes for either team tonight and want you playing this game on the Run Line regardless. That being said, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to be sure you have action even if one of the pitchers scheduled to start is scratched, by re-wagering the game if that takes place.

2* BREWERS RUN LINE

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JACK BRAYMAN

on a 7-3 run with my complimentary plays and I want you to play the Detroit Tigers over the Tampa Bay Rays, for your free winner on Saturday.

Do not list pitchers in this one, as it's all about the boys from Motown taking advantage of a struggling Rays team that has lost three in a row. Detroit has won 18 of 32 at home, while the Rays are 14-20 on the highway this season.

Detroit is somewhat in desperation mode, with Victor Martinez on the shelf for 10 days. The Tigers have to find someone else to hold it down in the designated hitter spot, joining slugger and MVP-candidate Miguel Cabrera, whose two-run home run in the ninth inning last night gave Detroit a 5-3 victory over Tampa Bay.

Cabrera served as DH last night, but is expected to be on first base today.

Tampa Bay is out of sorts right now, playing bad on the field and struggling to plate runs in June, as it has scored just 66 runs this month - 21st in the league.

Take Detroit as your free winner.

4* TIGERS (straight action)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DAVE COKIN

ANGELS -130

The Angels are still searching for a way to beat the Royals. KC scored an earlier series sweep at home, and now they’ve won two in a row at Anaheim.

There’s no such thing as perfect when it comes to sports betting, and that includes in the system realm. But here’s something to consider when sizing up tonight’s game.

Teams in revenge mode from an earlier sweep have done quite well this season. Fact is, not one of these teams has failed to get at least one win in the return matches. Actually, these teams have been virtually perfect in avoiding back to back losses in the rematch series.

The exception thus far has been these Halos, who have now dropped the first two of this series with the Royals. The “system” side would therefore be the Angels in tonight’s game.

I don’t ever advocate blind angle plays, as each game should be broken down on its own merit, or perhaps lack thereof. But I made this number a shade higher than where it’s currently priced, so I will side with Angels to get off the mat with a bounce back win over the Royals tonight.

 

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Bruce Marshall

Rangers

Stirring a bit all of a sudden are the Rangers, now up to .500 and in second place in the AL West after routing the Mariners 10-4 on Friday. Will give a look again to Texas and starter Martin Perez, who has been a bit up-and-down this season but is still 13-6 at Rangers ballpark since 2014. He looks a better option than Seattle's Yovani Gallardo, who has allowed a whopping25 runs over 25 IP (9.00 ERA) in his last five starts.

 

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Jeff Allen Sports

Saturday Free Selection is on the Arizona DBacks

 

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Arthur Ralph Sports

SAT: Colorado w/FREELAND -160

 

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Easy Money Sports

Lee's Free Saturday Selection

Baltimore w/Miley -105

 

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Teyas Sports

FREE PICK MLB 6/17 MINNESOTA OVER 10 1/2 GAME #2

 

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Kenny Towers

Over 9 Chi/Tor

 

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CAPPERS ACCESS

Yankees
Astros
Pirates

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Cleveland Indians (33-31) at Minnesota Twins (34-30)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 17 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Cleveland Indians have felt quite comfortable at Target Field this season and can push their way into first place in the American League Central when they visit the Minnesota Twins for a split doubleheader Saturday. The Indians took the series opener 8-1 on Friday to extend their winning streak to five at Minnesota, including four this season while outscoring the Twins 28-8.

Slugger Edwin Encarnacion continues to warm up for the Indians after a slow start while belting a three-run homer Friday - his fourth blast in the last seven games to push his season total to 14. Jose Ramirez is also a sizzling 8-for-13 with three RBIs over the last three games for Cleveland, which trails first-place Minnesota by one game in the Central heading into the weekend. The Twins lost for the fourth time in six games Friday, managing just four hits, and have allowed 41 runs in those four setbacks. Joe Mauer saw his 15-game hitting streak against the Indians come to an end in the series opener, but Eddie Rosario provided the only run with a solo homer and owns a .309 career batting average against Cleveland.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians LH Ryan Merritt (2016: 1-0, 1.64 ERA) vs. Twins LH Adam Wilk (0-1, 6.75)

Merritt will be recalled to make his first major-league start of the season after going 6-5 with a 3.96 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) with Triple-A Columbus. The 25-year-old Texan endeared himself to Indians fans in the playoffs last season when he tossed 4 1/3 innings of scoreless ball against Toronto in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series. Merritt allowed two runs on six hits with no walks in 11 innings during the regular season in 2016, including one scoreless frame versus Minnesota.

Wilk is expected to get his first start in a Minnesota uniform after two relief appearances, including one against the Indians when he yielded two runs on three hits over 3 1/3 innings on May 14. The 29-year-old Long Beach State product made one start for the New York Mets earlier this season before being claimed on waivers, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings. Jason Kipnis homered earlier this season against Wilk, who made his other three major-league starts for Detroit in 2012.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota INF Eduardo Escobar sat out Friday’s game after going 10-for-14 over his last three contests.

2. Cleveland OF Brandon Guyer (wrist) began a rehab assignment Friday at Triple-A Columbus.

3. Twins 2B Brian Dozier has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games with three homers and seven RBIs in that span.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Twins 2

 

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GAME: San Francisco Giants (26-43) at Colorado Rockies (44-26)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 17 - 3:10 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Colorado Rockies are dominating San Francisco this season and look to beat the visiting Giants for the ninth time in 10 meetings in Saturday's third contest of a four-game series. The Rockies outscored the Giants 20-17 while winning the first two games of this set and have captured 10 of their last 13 overall.

DJ LeMahieu went 4-for-4 in Friday's 10-8 win and is the first Colorado player with back-to-back four-hit efforts since Carlos Gonzalez in 2010. Ian Desmond smacked a three-run homer as part of a season-best four-RBI performance as the Rockies maintained a one-game lead over Arizona and Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. The Giants have dropped 13 of their last 17 contests but dodged a bigger issue when Buster Posey's ankle injury was determined to be minor - he pinch-hit on Friday and could start Saturday. "I don't know if we could have gotten better news because he was in a lot of pain," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. "I thought it was going to be quite a while, but we got the news much later that he's doing so much better. It was a little bit of an impingement, maybe some scar tissue."

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco), ROOT Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Matt Cain (3-5, 5.22 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (7-4, 3.57)

Cain is 0-4 over his last five turns and has given up five or more runs in three of the outings. The 32-year-old lasted just 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision against Minnesota in his last start, when he gave up five runs and seven hits. Cain is 17-10 with a 3.52 ERA in 39 career appearances (38 starts) against the Rockies and has shut down Gonzalez (8-for-54, 17 strikeouts) while having issues with Gerardo Parra (20-for-64).

Freeland lost to Pittsburgh in his last turn as he gave up five runs - four earned - and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old won four of his previous five outings while averaging six frames during the stretch. Freeland defeated the Giants on April 23, when he gave up six hits - two to Hunter Pence - during seven scoreless innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants INF Eduardo Nunez (hamstring) sat out Friday but could be available to pinch-hit on Saturday.

2. Gonzalez recorded a single on Friday - his only hit in 28 at-bats over his last nine appearances.

3. San Francisco rookie OF/3B Austin Slater is 13-for-23 with six RBIs during his six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Rockies 11, Giants 9

 

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Game: St. Louis Cardinals (31-35) at Baltimore Orioles (32-34)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 17 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The St. Louis Cardinals hit the road reeling after dropping the final three contests of their seven-game homestand but quickly got themselves right again at the expense of the struggling Baltimore Orioles. The Cardinals will try to take advantage of the Orioles once again and clinch their three-game interleague series when they visit Baltimore on Saturday.

St. Louis is four games under .500 but remains in the thick of the race in the tightly packed National League Central and has a chance to build some real momentum on a six-game road trip that takes it to major league-worst Philadelphia following the series at Baltimore. The Cardinals wasted little time taking advantage of the Orioles on Friday, scoring four runs over the first four innings while cruising to an 11-2 win. Baltimore fell to 1-8 in its last nine games and is searching for signs of progress from a pitching staff that is allowing an average of 9.1 runs over those nine contests. The Orioles will try to coax a quality start out of Wade Miley on Saturday, while the Cardinals counter with the veteran Adam Wainwright.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), MASN2, WJZ (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (7-4, 4.73 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Wade Miley (2-4, 3.97)

Wainwright has been struggling a bit of late but managed to post a win against Philadelphia on Sunday after surrendering two runs on six hits and a pair of walks in five innings. The Georgia native had his string of four straight victories in which he allowed a total of one run come to an end at Cincinnati on June 6, when he was lit up for nine runs on seven hits and three walks in 3 2/3 frames. Wainwright, who will be facing Baltimore for the first time in his career, is 13-8 with a 3.33 ERA in 33 career interleague games (27 starts).

Miley followed his best start of the season - one run allowed in seven innings against Boston on June 1 - with two of his worst. The Louisiana native got knocked around for 10 runs and 14 hits in five frames combined by Pittsburgh and the Chicago White Sox in his last two turns. Miley, who has issued 36 walks in 65 2/3 innings this year, is 1-2 with a 4.13 ERA in four career starts against St. Louis.

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles LHP Zach Britton (forearm) is set to begin a rehab assignment on Monday at Single-A Aberdeen.

2. St. Louis INF Paul DeJong, who is starting in place of 2B Kolten Wong (forearm), went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs scored on Friday.

3. Baltimore OF Seth Smith (back) returned to the lineup on Friday after missing three games and went 1-for-2 with a walk.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 7, Orioles 3

 

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GAME: New York Yankees (38-27) at Oakland Athletics (29-38)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 17 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



After back-to-back roller-coaster affairs in which leads changed more often than the weather, the New York Yankees attempt to snap their season-high four-game losing streak when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Saturday afternoon. The Yankees rallied from numerous deficits in the first two contests of the four-game series but ultimately fell to 1-4 on their seven-game California trip.

New York trailed 4-0 early in Friday's contest but scored six unanswered runs, with rookie Aaron Judge belting his major league-leading 23rd homer - a three-run shot in the third inning - before suffering its third one-run defeat during its slide. Judge's blast ended a three-game drought, giving him five homers and 11 RBIs over his last seven contests. Rookie Matt Chapman was Oakland's hero on Friday, driving in the tying and winning runs with his first major-league hit - a single down the left-field line in the eighth inning. The 24-year-old, who went 0-for-3 in his debut on Thursday, also delivered an RBI groundout during the Athletics' four-run second frame as the team won for just the third time in nine contests.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, YES (New York), NBCSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (5-6, 6.07 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Jesse Hahn (2-4, 3.56)

Tanaka's winless streak reached six starts on Monday as he allowed three runs - one earned - and four hits over 6 2/3 innings of a no-decision at the Los Angeles Angels. The 28-year-old native of Japan lost each of his previous five outings, surrendering a total of 12 runs over 10 2/3 frames in the previous two. Tanaka suffered his first career loss against Oakland on May 26, dropping to 3-1 with a 1.29 ERA in four turns despite giving up just one run and striking out 13 in 7 1/3 innings.

Hahn has won only one of his last eight outings and is coming off a no-decision at Tampa Bay on Sunday in which he gave up three runs and seven hits over five innings. The 27-year-old native of Connecticut has done a tremendous job keeping the ball in the park, serving up just one home run over 60 2/3 frames in 10 starts and one relief appearance. Hahn has yet to defeat New York, going 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in two career turns.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Yankees hope to have C Gary Sanchez (groin) and OF Aaron Hicks (Achilles) back in the lineup after both sat out Friday's game.

2. Oakland SS Marcus Semien (wrist surgery) took batting practice Friday for the first time since his injury and could begin a rehab assignment next week.

3. New York placed RHP Adam Warren (shoulder) on the 10-day disabled list, optioned RHP Giovanny Gallegos to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and recalled OF Mason Williams and C Kyle Higashioka from the RailRiders.

PREDICTION: Yankees 9, Athletics 5

 

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GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (42-26) at Philadelphia Phillies (22-44)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 17 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Arizona Diamondbacks have won five straight and eight of their last nine games to put themselves in position to challenge for first place in the National league West. The Diamondbacks will try to make it six in a row and clinch their fourth straight series win when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday for the second contest of their three-game series.

The Diamondbacks are in a three-way battle with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado for first in the NL West and need to avoid overlooking the lowly Phillies with a three-game series at Colorado looming next week. Arizona fell behind 4-2 on Friday before rallying for three runs in the seventh inning on a two-run homer by Gregor Blanco and Jake Lamb's sacrifice fly en route to a 5-4 victory. The Phillies have twice as many losses as wins at 22-44 and have dropped nine of their last 10 contests. Philadelphia, which visits Arizona for a four-game series next weekend, will send Jerad Eickhoff to the mound on Saturday opposite Zack Godley.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, TCN (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (2-1, 2.44 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jerad Eickhoff (0-7, 5.09)

Godley is enjoying a string of six straight quality starts and has yet to allow more than three earned runs in seven outings this season. The 27-year-old held Milwaukee to two runs on two hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings while striking out four last Saturday to snap his four-start winless streak. Godley will be making his first career start against the Phillies after tossing a perfect inning of relief versus them last season.

Eickhoff is the first Phillies pitcher to go winless in his first 13 starts since Cliff Lee in 2012 and is coming off a no-decision at Boston in which he allowed four runs - three earned - and seven hits in six innings. The 26-year-old is not getting much support from Philadelphia's offense, which totaled one or no runs in four of his last six turns. Eickhoff is 0-1 with a 4.22 ERA and 16 hits allowed in 10 2/3 career innings against Arizona.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks RHP Fernando Rodney did not allow an earned run in his 16th straight appearance on Friday to lower his ERA to 4.91 and earn his 19th save.

2. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera went 2-for-4 on Friday after going 0-for-14 in his previous three games.

3. Arizona RF David Peralta went 3-for-5 on Friday - the fourth time he recorded three hits in his last six contests.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Phillies 2

 

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GAME: Washington Nationals (41-26) at New York Mets (30-36)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 17 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Washington Nationals have laid to rest any concerns about the New York Mets using this week’s four-game clash to gain ground in the National League East race. Instead, the visiting Nationals have widened the gap with two comfortable wins over the Mets, and they’ll try to make it three straight Saturday.


Washington entered the series having lost five of six, while New York had won five of six and pulled within 8 1/2 games of the division-leading Nationals. The prospect of the Mets making a charge seemed plausible, but the Nationals have won the first two contests 8-3 and 7-2 as injuries continue to mount for the Mets. The Nationals belted three home runs in Friday’s victory and have 12 blasts in their last five games. Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg will be eager to take the mound at Citi Field, where he is 6-1 with a 1.97 ERA in eight starts and has not lost since 2013.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), WUSA 9 (Washington), WPIX (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (7-2, 3.27 ERA) vs. Mets RH Seth Lugo (1-0, 1.29)

Strasburg had a streak of five straight quality starts snapped when he was dinged for six runs and seven hits in five innings in a no-decision against Atlanta on Monday. The 28-year-old struck out 10 Braves, but he also surrendered three home runs. Strasburg is 7-4 with a 2.64 ERA in 13 starts against the Mets.

Lugo hit the disabled list in the opening week of the season with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, but he looked fully recovered in his season debut Sunday at Atlanta. The 27-year-old struck out six and limited the Braves to one run and six hits over seven innings in a 2-1 win. Lugo made one start and one relief appearance against the Nationals last season, allowing one run and six hits over nine innings and earning a win in the start.


WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals RF Bryce Harper was 3-for-5 with an RBI on Friday and is 13-for-38 during a nine-game hitting streak.

2. The Mets on Friday placed RH Matt Harvey and CF Juan Lagares on the 10-day disabled list and recalled INF Matt Reynolds and OF Brandon Nimmo.

3. Washington 2B Daniel Murphy is batting .393 with seven doubles, one triple, and eight home runs in 27 games against his former team since the start of last season.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Mets 2

 

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GAME: San Diego Padres (27-41) at Milwaukee Brewers (37-32)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 17 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Milwaukee Brewers seek to extend their winning streak to five games when they host the San Diego Padres on Saturday for the second contest of their three-game series. Milwaukee slugged four homers in the opener, with Eric Thames drilling the winning shot in the 10th inning for a 6-5 victory.

The Brewers have scored 27 runs during their four-game winning streak and hold a 2 1/2-game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. Thames, who is tied for the NL lead with 19 homers, is 7-for-14 with three blasts and six RBIs over his last three games after beginning the month in a 4-for-37 funk. San Diego recorded just four hits in Friday's loss, but three were homers - including a three-run shot by Wil Myers. Hunter Renfroe went deep for the 15th time to snap a tie with Nate Colbert (14) for most homers by a Padres rookie prior to the All-Star break.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Dinelson Lamet (2-2, 8.50 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Chase Anderson (5-2, 2.83)

Lamet is making his fifth major-league start and has yet to last more than five innings. The 24-year-old has been roughed up for seven earned runs in each of his last two outings - both losses - and served up three homers to Kansas City in his last turn. Lamet has struck out 25 batters in 22 innings and has limited right-handed hitters to a .138 average.

Anderson has allowed just one run in 27 2/3 innings over his last four starts, registering 30 strikeouts during that stretch. He didn't allow a run in three consecutive turns before giving up one over six innings while losing to Arizona in his last turn. The 29-year-old Anderson yielded four runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings against San Diego on May 15 but did not factor in the decision and is 3-1 with a 4.02 ERA in seven career starts versus the Padres.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers CF Keon Broxton hit a three-run homer in the series opener, giving him four blasts and nine RBIs over his last six games.

2. San Diego RHP Jered Weaver (hip) pitched a three-inning simulated game on Friday and will be re-examined on Saturday.

3. Milwaukee LF Ryan Braun (calf) could start a rehab assignment next week once the team works out the logistics between multiple minor-league clubs.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Padres 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (42-26) at Cincinnati Reds (29-37)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 17 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Los Angeles Dodgers are inching their way up the standings with wins in seven of their last eight games and finally are beginning to play well on the road. The Dodgers will try to improve to 4-1 on their six-game trip and clinch another series win when they visit the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.

Los Angeles improved to 17-16 on the road and 42-26 overall with its 3-1 win on Friday and remains locked in a three-way battle for supremacy in the National League West with Arizona and Colorado. Dodgers rookie sensation Cody Bellinger continues to give the team a spark, recording a single on Friday to improve to 8-for-25 with six home runs, eight RBIs and seven runs scored in his last six games. Friday's setback marked the seventh straight for the Reds, who began their slide by dropping three in a row at Los Angeles last weekend. Cincinnati will try to get the better of the Dodgers on Saturday by sending Asher Wojciechowski to the mound, while Los Angeles counters with Hyun-Jin Ryu.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (2-6, 4.42 ERA) vs. Reds RH Asher Wojciechowski (1-0, 5.21)

Ryu still is trying to re-establish his position in the rotation but is winless in his last three starts. The South Korean lasted just four innings against the Reds at home on Sunday, allowing four runs and six hits - three home runs - in a no-decision. Cincinnati's high-powered trio of Adam Duvall, Scott Schebler and Joey Votto each took Ryu deep as he fell to 2-1 with a 4.44 ERA in four career starts against the Reds.

Wojciechowski still is searching for his first win as a starter and struggled at Los Angeles last Saturday, when he was charged with four runs and six hits in five innings without factoring in the decision. The 28-year-old turned in his lone quality start against St. Louis on June 5, allowing two runs and eight hits while striking out six in six frames. Wojciechowski has registered 13 strikeouts and three walks in 19 innings this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds RHP Homer Bailey (elbow) threw a bullpen session at Great American Ball Park on Friday and is expected to make at least one more rehab start before making his season debut.

2. Los Angeles 3B Justin Turner has hit safely in each of his last 12 games and is batting .382.

3. Cincinnati C Stuart Turner (hamstring) could be activated from the 10-day disabled list on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 8, Reds 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Miami Marlins (30-35) at Atlanta Braves (29-37)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 17 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: SunTrust Park, Cumberland, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



Justin Bour returned from the disabled list just in time to face the Atlanta Braves, who the Miami Marlins first baseman continues to punish entering Saturday’s middle contest of a three-game weekend series in Atlanta. Bour – who missed eight games with an ankle contusion – came off the disabled list and belted his 17th homer of the season in Friday’s series-opening 5-0 victory, raising his career numbers against the Braves to .306 with 11 homers and 27 RBIs in 35 games.

Bour is not the only Miami hitter who historically tees off on Atlanta pitching: center fielder Christian Yelich went 3-for-5 with three RBIs in the opener and is hitting .322 in 69 career games versus the Braves. Atlanta had scored 29 runs in its previous three games and entered the series averaging 5.6 runs per game in June, but mustered just four hits in the series opener. First baseman Matt Adams has eight homers and 21 RBIs since May 21 while filling in for the injured Freddie Freeman. The Braves are 5-25 when scoring three runs or less; when they score four runs or more, they are 24-12.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Jeff Locke (0-2, 4.02 ERA) vs. Braves LH Jaime Garcia (2-5, 3.16)

Locke makes his fourth start of the season after bicep tendinitis sidelined him for the first part of the season. After striking out seven while allowing just one run in his debut June 1 against Arizona, Locke has surrendered three earned runs in each of his past two outings, losing to the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates. The 29-year-old, who went 1-0 with a 1.77 ERA in four minor-league rehab starts, is 2-3 in eight career starts against the Braves with a 5.44 ERA.

A free agent at season’s end, Garcia’s trade potential continues to rise with each passing start despite losing four of his past five decisions. The 30-year-old gave up two runs on seven hits with nine strikeouts in a 2-1 loss to the Mets on Sunday, and he has posted a 1.49 ERA with 28 strikeouts and seven walks in his past five starts. Garcia faced Miami in his second start of the season, allowing three earned runs in five innings of a no-decision April 12.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta 2B Brandon Phillips went hitless in four at-bats Friday, just the sixth time in 31 home games he has not collected at least one base hit.

2. The Braves hope LF Matt Kemp, who left Wednesday’s game with left hamstring tightness and did not play Friday, can return to the lineup Saturday.

3. Miami 3B Martin Prado (right hamstring) and SS Adeiny Hechavarria (left oblique) are expected to begin rehab assignments with Double-A Jacksonville this weekend.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Marlins 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (35-35) at Detroit Tigers (32-34)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 17 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Detroit Tigers look to stay hot with the bats when they host the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon in the third of a four-game set. The Tigers have posted 18 runs on 24 hits while winning the first two games of the series after getting four RBIs from Nick Castellanos and three from Justin Upton on the way to a 13-4 victory on Friday without one of their key offensive weapons.

Detroit’s veteran designated hitter Victor Martinez was hospitalized after Thursday’s game due to an irregular heartbeat and later placed on the disabled list, as catcher John Hicks was recalled to take his place on the roster. Michael Fulmer tries to get back on track when he takes the mound for the Tigers on Saturday against Tampa Bay’s ace Chris Archer, who is also looking to turn things around. The Rays have dropped three in a row after running off six victories in a seven-game span, but infielder Tim Beckham (knee) returned to the lineup Friday with a pair of hits. Tampa Bay center fielder Mallex Smith has hit safely in eight straight games (13-for-30) after taking over for injured Kevin Kiermaier (hip).

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (4-4, 3.80 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (6-4, 3.40)

Archer managed just one victory in his last six outings despite posting three quality starts in that stretch after recording five in his first eight appearances of the season. The 28-year-old gave up four runs on seven hits over five innings in a no-decision against Detroit on April 19 and is 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA all time versus the Tigers. Miguel Cabrera is 6-for-15 with a homer against Archer, who has limited opponents to a .221 batting average on the road.

Fulmer permitted five runs in each of his last two starts, but gained the victory June 2 against the Chicago White Sox after completing seven innings. The 24-year-old Oklahoma City native started the season with 10 consecutive quality starts, including one against Tampa Bay on April 18 when he allowed three runs over six innings in a 5-1 loss. Beckham is 1-for-2 with a homer versus Fulmer, who was 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two starts against the Rays in 2016.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay OF Colby Rasmus, who sat out Friday’s contest, has hit safely in his last seven games (11-for-22).

2. Cabrera is 10-for-25 during a six-game hitting streak and Castellanos boasts 12 RBIs in 13 games this month.

3. Rays OF-DH Corey Dickerson went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts Friday, but leads the American League with 88 hits.

PREDICTION: Rays 3, Tigers 2