Saturday 7/1/17 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Stephen Nover
Jul 01 '17, 4:10 PM in 5h
MLB | Phillies vs Mets
Play on: Phillies +160 at 5Dimes

Zack Wheeler remains a promising pitcher despite losing two years recovering from Tommy John surgery. But he's not in good form and the Phillies have played better on the road lately. So this line is too high. I believe the Phillies represent excellent value.

Philadelphia is 3-4 during its current road trip with two of those losses coming by one run. The Phillies scored 13 runs in sweeping two games at Seattle before running into a hot Jacob deGrom in a 2-1 loss to the Mets last night. deGrom may be the hottest pitcher in baseball going 4-0 with a 0.84 ERA and 31 strikeouts in his last four starts. The Phillies' five five batters - Odubel Herrera, Freddy Galvis, Aaron Altherr, Tommy Joseph and Maikel Franco - were a combined 0-for-19 Friday night. Expect those players to do much better against Wheeler, who is coming off the DL after being sidelined with biceps tendinitis. Wheeler had been shelled for 15 runs during his previous two starts spanning only 3 2/3 innings. Wheeler has a home ERA of 5.91 this season and 4.81 at Citi Field during his career. The Mets are 2-7 in Wheeler's last nine starts at Citi Field. Mets closer Addison Reed carries a fatigue rating having pitched an inning each of the last two days. Jeremy Hellickson doesn't have Wheeler's ceiling, but usually is a dependable six-inning pitcher. The 30-year-old Hellickson's current form is much better than Wheeler's. Hellickson has given up just two runs and nine hits during his last two starts spanning 13 innings. Philadelphia has won six of its last seven division games in which Hellickson has started. (Editor's note: Sizzling Stephen Nover is 18-5 on his last 23 premium/Bonus Plays and has an MLB Day Game Dominator heading up his ticket today in addition to this free selection.)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ray Monohan
Jul 01 '17, 4:10 PM in 5h
MLB | Cubs vs Reds
Play on: Cubs -110 at 5Dimes

Cubs -120

This play just missed out on our premium card. The Chicago Cubs lost game one against the Cincinnati Reds, but this is a really good opportunity for them to bounce back and take game two. On the mound for the Reds is Jackson Stephens. He will be another Reds rookie making his major league debut. I think he will really struggle against a Cubs offense that has under performed this year, but still has a lot of big names in that can do a lot of damage.

If they get past him early they will get to a Reds Bullpen that has been less then spectacular this year. Some trends to note, Reds are 0-5 in their last 5 Saturday games. Reds are 1-8 in their last 9 games with Hernandez behind home plate. The Cubs will bounce back in this one.

Back Chicago. Good Luck, Razor Ray.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Red Dog Sports
Jul 01 '17, 12:00 PM in 1h
Soccer | IF Elfsborg vs Halmstads BK
Play on: IF Elfsborg +100 at Bovada

Elfsborg +100

Free soccer play takes place in Sweden on Saturday 12 noon.

Elfsborg 2

Halmstads 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Chip Chirimbes
MLB | Jul 01, 2017
Cubs vs. Reds
Reds +106 at BMAKER in 5h

CHIP'S FREE MLB WINNER

Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati 4:10 ET

Reds over Cubs- This one could be 'hard-to-swallow' as most are waiting for the Cubs to turn it on but, they are waiting for the All-Star break to come and go before they start their second half run. Still, too early before they get serious. Take CINCINNATI!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ben Burns
MLB | Jul 01, 2017
Mariners vs. Angels
Total 9 +110 at BETONLINE in 11h

1* Bonus Play over Mariners/Angels. Sam Gaviglio (3-2, 3.32 ERA) looked decent in a spot start for the Mariners against Houston on Saturday, giving up two runs off six hits over six innings. Gaviglio has looked brilliant at times and poor in other in his roll as starter, but note that he owns a ballooned 5.40 ERA on the road this season. Ricky Nolasco (2-9, 5.23) had his last start cut short after taking a line drive off the leg on Monday. Nolasco had thrown 6.1 innings of scoreless ball up to that point, but performances like that have been few and far between for the veteran this year (note that he’s just 1-4 with a 6.08 ERA at home.) With these volatile starters going head-to-head on Saturday night, consider the over in this one.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jimmy Boyd
MLB | Jul 01, 2017
Rays vs. Orioles
Orioles -122 at BETONLINE in 5h

Free Pick on Orioles -

I played against Baltimore with sucess last night, as I faded the struggling Tillman. That was just a great spot for Tampa Bay given their strong starter they were sending out. I just feel the Orioles are a bit undervalued due to their struggles of late, even though they have started to turn a corner with a 4-2 record over their last 6.

It's easy to forget they are a strong 24-15 at home this season. I just think how well the play at Camdens and them starting Dylan Bundy, this is too good of a price to pass up. Bundy has a solid 3.26 ERA and 1.108 WHIP in 8 home starts and after a couple of bad outings, Bundy got back on track in his last start, which just so happened to be against the Rays. He allowed just 3 runs on 5 hits with 8 K's in 7 innings of a 8-3 win. I like his chances of throwing another gem in this one.

Rays will counter with Jake Odorizzi, who is just 4-3 with a 4.00 ERA in 14 starts. He's ERA jumps to 4.81 on the road along with an ugly 1.562 WHIP. He's not thrown well of late with a 5.40 ERA in his last 3 outings and owns a 5.52 ERA in 14 career starts against the Orioles. Take Balitmore!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jack Jones
MLB | Jul 01, 2017
Yankees vs. Astros
Total 9½ +100 at 5DIMES in 8h

Jack's Free Pick Saturday: Yankees/Astros OVER 9.5

This is a very intriguing series between two of the best lineups in baseball in the Astros and Yankees. Those lineups have carried them to the top of the standings in the American League. And they combined for 17 runs in Game 1 yesterday in a 13-4 victory by the Yankees. Look for the bats to stay hot today.

Jordan Montgomery has actually pitched well for the Yankees this season, but one of his worst starts of the year came against the Astros on May 12th. He gave up 4 earned runs and 9 base runners in 6 innings in that start, and the Astros should hit him even harder at home this time around.

Francis Martes is no more than a fill-in starter for the Astros, and the Yankees should get into their bullpen early in this one. Martes is only averaging 4.2 innings per start this season while posting a 4.26 ERA and 1.579 WHIP in three starts. This will be his toughest test yet.

The Yankees are 15-4 to the OVER vs. teams with a winning percentage of 62% or better over the last two seasons. The OVER is 4-0 in Montgomery's last four starts. Bet the OVER in this game Saturday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

John Martin
MLB | Jul 01, 2017
Giants vs. Pirates
Pirates -124 at 5DIMES in 5h

1 Unit Bonus Play on Pittsburgh Pirates -124

The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped Game 1 of this series to the San Francisco Giants. I look for them to bounce back with a win here Saturday and for them to obliterate Matt Moore in the process. Moore is 3-8 with a 6.05 ERA in 16 starts this year, 1-4 with an 8.39 ERA in nine road starts and 1-1 with a 10.05 ERA in his last three starts. He has a 7.50 ERA in only one start against the Pirates, which came last season when he yielded 5 earned runs in 6 innings. The Giants are 0-8 in Moore's eight starts vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse this season. San Francisco is 2-8 in Moore's last 10 road starts. The Pirates are 10-2 in Saturday games this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Price
MLB | Jul 01, 2017
Mariners vs. Angels
Mariners +109 at BETONLINE in 11h

Dave's Saturday Bonus Play:

1* on Seattle Mariners +109

The Key: The Seattle Mariners just scored 10 runs yesterday against the Angels in a blowout win. Now I expect them to hit Ricky Nolasco hard here again Saturday, and we're getting a nice price on them as dogs. Nolasco is 3-9 with a 4.47 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 16 starts this year, 1-4 with a 5.11 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 7 home starts, and 1-2 with a 5.10 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in his last 3 outings. Nolasco hasn't had much success against the Mariners, going 1-4 with a 4.77 ERA in 7 lifetime starts. Sam Gaviglio has been solid in 8 starts for the Mariners, going 3-2 with a 3.32 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Nolasco is 3-12 (-11.6 Units) against the money line as a favorite of -110 or higher over the last 2 seasons. The Mariners are 5-1 in Gaviglio's last 6 starts. The Angels are 1-10 in Nolasco's last 11 starts. Take Seattle.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Boston Red Sox (45-35) at Toronto Blue Jays (37-42)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 01 - 1:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Boston Red Sox aren't hitting at the same rate they were with David Ortiz in the middle of the lineup last season, but they are developing new strengths. The Red Sox will try to ride their pitching staff to another series win when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays for the second of a three-game series on Saturday.

Boston's strength is in the bullpen this season, and the relief corps came through with five scoreless innings to close out Friday's series opener and give the offense enough time to come through for a 7-4 win in 11 innings. The Red Sox entered the series with the third-best bullpen ERA in the majors at 2.92 and continues to be led by closer Craig Kimbrel, who struck out one in a perfect 11th inning on Friday to increase his American League-leading save total to 23. The Blue Jays are still having trouble finding their strength and dropped six of their last eight to fall five games under .500 (37-42). Toronto faces a tough task on Saturday as the Red Sox send ace Chris Sale to the mound to counter veteran lefty Francisco Liriano.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (10-3, 2.77 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Francisco Liriano (4-3, 5.46)

Sale leads the majors with 155 strikeouts and fanned nine over 6 1/3 innings against Minnesota in a win on Monday. The Florida Gulf Coast product went at least eight innings in each of his previous two appearances and tops the AL with a total of 113 2/3 innings pitched. Sale enjoyed one of his best starts of the season at Toronto on April 20, when he struck out a season-high 13 and scattered four hits over eight scoreless innings.

Liriano snapped a three-start winless streak at Kansas City on Sunday, when he allowed two runs and six hits in six innings. The Dominican Republic native managed just two strikeouts in that outing but compensated by generating 10 ground balls. Liriano enjoyed his only scoreless outing of the season against Boston on April 19, when he struck out six and yielded four hits in 5 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox 3B Deven Marrero hit safely in each of his last four games to lift his batting average from .156 to .183.

2. Toronto SS Troy Tulowitzki homered three times in his last six games.

3. Boston LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) is with the team and will throw a bullpen session on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Cleveland Indians (42-36) at Detroit Tigers (35-43)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 01 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



Make-up dates are piling up for the Cleveland Indians and the host Detroit Tigers, who face off in a day-night doubleheader on Saturday at Comerica Park due to a game that was rained out on May 4. The expected start of the four-game series on Friday was postponed due to rain and was rescheduled for Sept. 1, giving the Tigers one less chance to move up the standings at the expense of the division-leading Indians.

Up and down Cleveland began a seven-game homestand by being outscored 13-2 while dropping three straight to Minnesota, but picked things up this week by taking three of four from the Texas Rangers to jump ahead of the Twins again in the division. Indians pitchers allowed a total of six runs in the final three games of the series against the Rangers, with ace Corey Kluber striking out 12 in eight innings to polish off a 5-1 win in Thursday's series finale. Trying to keep that run of solid pitching going for Cleveland in the opener will be struggling right-hander Josh Tomlin while the Tigers counter with veteran Anibal Sanchez, and Carlos Carrasco will face off against Detroit's Jordan Zimmermann in the nightcap. The Tigers come in hot with wins in three of four as well and will try to make up some ground in the Central with six games against the Indians before the break.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Josh Tomlin (4-9, 6.09 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 6.75)

Tomlin failed to complete six innings in any of his last four starts and is coming off a loss to Minnesota on Sunday in which he was reached for four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. The Texas native is having some trouble keeping the ball in the park of late and yielded a total of six home runs in his last three turns. Tomlin is seeing Detroit for the first time this season and is 6-6 with a 5.32 ERA in 14 career games - 10 starts - against the division rivals.

Sanchez is winless in two starts since coming back to the majors and joining the rotation on June 19 but was solid in both outings - a pair of no decisions. The Venezuela native allowed two runs - one earned - and two hits without issuing a walk in six innings at San Diego on Saturday but could not get enough support from the offense to earn a win. Sanchez appeared in relief against Cleveland on April 15 and struggled in three innings, surrendering four runs and seven hits.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians OF Michael Brantley recorded multiple hits in three of his last four games and owns four doubles in that span.

2. Detroit LHP Justin Wilson struck out five in 2 1/3 perfect innings over his last three appearances.

3. Cleveland RF Lonnie Chisenhall drove in six runs in the last four contests.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Tigers 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Texas Rangers (39-41) at Chicago White Sox (35-44)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 01 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



It figures to a surreal day at the ballpark for Chicago White Sox left-hander Derek Holland, who faces his former Texas Rangers' teammates for the first time on Saturday in the middle contest of the three-game series. Holland spent eight seasons with the Rangers before signing with the White Sox during the offseason.

Holland, who was a 16-game winner for Texas in 2011 and notched double-digit victory totals three times for the Rangers, admits it will be an interesting time pitching against familiar faces. "It's definitely going to be weird," Holland told reporters. "Seeing all those guys, it's going to be hard to keep a straight face." The White Sox rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, which was capped by Melky Cabrera's walkoff two-run double, to post an 8-7 victory in the opener for their second straight win after losing eight of their previous 10 contests. The Rangers are 3-5 on a 10-game road trip after the series-opening loss in which Shin-Soo Choo went 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Cole Hamels (2-0, 4.38 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Derek Holland (5-7, 4.26)

Hamels returned from a two-month stay on the disabled list due to an oblique injury and was hammered by Cleveland on Monday. The 33-year-old allowed seven runs, eight hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings but escaped with a no-decision in the team's 15-9 loss. Hamels is 1-0 with a 2.91 ERA in three career starts against the White Sox and has recorded 24 strikeouts against just one walk in 21 2/3 frames.

Holland has allowed just one run in four of his last seven starts while being racked for 21 in the other three. The 30-year-old settled for a no-decision against Oakland in his last turn as he gave up one run and four hits over six innings. Holland was just 1-3 with a 9.55 ERA and 2.17 WHIP in five June starts after having a 2.37 ERA entering the month.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu homered in the opener, marking the first time he has gone deep at home this season after hitting 13 on the road.

2. Texas INF Joey Gallo homered on Friday and is 2-for-18 with two blasts over his last seven games.

3. Chicago OF Avisail Garcia (knee) missed the last two contests - he is hitless in 19 at-bats over his last five games - and likely will sit out again Saturday.

PREDICTION: White Sox 5, Rangers 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Minnesota Twins (40-38) at Kansas City Royals (39-39)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 01 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Kansas City Royals entered June eight games under .500 and can climb into second place in the American League Central on the first day of July as they host the Minnesota Twins for a day-night doubleheader on Saturday. Eric Hosmer launched a three-run homer as Kansas City took the series opener 8-1 on Friday, moving within one game of the Twins for second in the division and three behind first-place Cleveland.

Hosmer is 8-for-23 during a six-game hitting streak while Mike Moustakas belted his 21st homer Friday as the Royals improved to 17-9 since June 1 and scored eight runs for the second time in three contests. The Twins started their 11-game road trip by sweeping three from Cleveland but have dropped four of five since, giving up a total of 27 runs in the losses. Friday's setback was just Minnesota’s second in nine contests against Kansas City this season and the team managed just three hits, including Miguel Sano’s run-scoring single that increased his total to 19 RBIs against the Royals in 2017. Joe Mauer went 0-for-3 in the series opener after registering multiple hits in five of his previous eight contests.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (7-2, 2.98 ERA) vs. Royals RH Luke Farrell (NR)

Berrios gave up four runs and eight hits over 6 1/3 innings at Boston on Monday to suffer his second setback of the season. The 23-year-old Puerto Rican allowed two or fewer runs in six of his first eight starts this season before the loss and has registered 60 strikeouts in 60 1/3 frames. Whit Merrifield is 2-for-4 with a double versus Berrios, who went 0-1 with a 7.90 ERA in three starts against the Royals last year.

Farrell makes his major-league debut after permitting two runs over 14 innings to record victories in his last two outings with Triple-A Omaha. The 26-year-old Northwestern product, who is the son of Red Sox manager John Farrell, is 7-3 with a 3.83 ERA in 14 appearances (13 starts) with Omaha - striking out 77 batters in 82 1/3 frames. The 6-6 Farrell, a sixth-round pick of Kansas City in 2013, is 24-25 in 96 minor-league contests (77 starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins CF Byron Buxton is 2-for-26 against the Royals this season and 1-for-20 in his last seven games overall.

2. Kansas City recalled LHP Eric Skoglund and optioned RHP Jake Junis to Triple-A Omaha.

3. Royals SS Alcides Escobar is 11-for-22 over his last six games, raising his batting average from .201 to .223.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Royals 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Atlanta Braves (38-41) at Oakland Athletics (35-45)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 01 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



After losing two games at San Diego, the Atlanta Braves got back on track in a big way heading into Saturday’s middle contest of a three-game series at the Oakland A’s. Mike Foltynewicz took a no-hitter into the ninth inning as the Braves stifled Oakland’s offense in a 3-1 victory, the ninth victory in 13 games for Atlanta to pull the Braves within 8 ½ games of first-place Washington in the National League East.

The Braves made the most of their four hits in the opener, getting RBIs from Brandon Phillips, Matt Kemp and Dansby Swanson. Oakland broke up the no-hitter on Matt Olson’s ninth-inning homer, but finished June at 12-16. The A’s dropped to 32-28 when they hit at least one homer, and are 3-17 when they do not hit one. Second baseman Jed Lowrie extended his hitting streak to five games with a ninth-inning double.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN South (Atlanta), NBCSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH R.A. Dickey (6-5, 4.63 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Paul Blackburn (AAA: 5-6, 3.05)

Dickey looks to continue his strong work of late, after going 3-1 with a 4.02 ERA in five June starts – giving up one earned run or less in three outings. He held the Giants to three hits across seven shutout innings on June 19, and five days later gave up one run on five hits in seven innings to beat Milwaukee. Dickey has struck out 26 hitters across his past four starts, going 3-1 in that stretch.

Blackburn gets the call for his major-league debut after making 15 appearances (14 starts) for Triple-A Nashville this season. He struck out 56 hitters and walked 26 in 79 2/3 innings at Nashville, while posting a 1.19 WHIP and holding opponents to 7.8 hits per nine innings. Blackburn is filling in for Jharel Cotton, who was scratched due to thumb blister.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland has committed a major-league leading 71 errors, but has not recorded a miscue in five consecutive games.

2. Atlanta RF Nick Markakis has reached base in 48 of the past 55 games.

3. The A’s matched a season low with just two hits in the series opener.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Athletics 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: San Francisco Giants (31-51) at Pittsburgh Pirates (37-43)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 01 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The San Francisco Giants have been one of the major leagues’ most disappointing teams thus far, but they’ve shown signs of turning things around. The Giants aim to match their season high with a fifth consecutive victory when they play the second contest of their three-game road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.

The Giants collected a season-best 18 hits and matched their highest run total of the campaign in a 13-5 rout in Friday’s series opener. San Francisco has scored 31 runs during its four-game winning streak. Pittsburgh is 6-5 over its last 11 contests and remains within five games of Milwaukee in the National League Central despite sitting six games below .500. Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen wrapped up his candidacy for NL Player of the Month honors by going 2-for-2 on Friday, finishing June with a .411 average, 12 extra-base hits and 23 RBIs.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco), ROOT Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Matt Moore (3-8, 6.04 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (2-6, 5.58)

Moore appeared to turn a corner with four straight quality starts to finish May, but he struggled in five June starts, going 1-2 with an 8.88 ERA. The 28-year-old gave up five runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the New York Mets on Sunday, the third time in five starts he has failed to get through five frames. Moore has faced the Pirates only once, allowing five runs over six innings in a loss last season.

Kuhl posted quality starts in two of his first three outings of the season but has not recorded one since. The 24-year-old has notched just one win in his last 14 starts, and he allowed four runs and eight hits over five innings in a no-decision Sunday at St. Louis. Kuhl has struggled to a 1-4 record and 7.36 ERA in eight home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. McCutchen left Friday’s game after fouling a pitch off his left ankle, but he told reporters he does not expect to miss any time.

2. Pittsburgh 1B Josh Bell’s 30 extra-base hits are the most by a Pirates rookie before the All-Star break.

3. The Giants have not won a series on the road since taking two of three at St. Louis from May 19-21.

PREDICTION: Pirates 7, Giants 6

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (42-40) at Baltimore Orioles (39-40)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 01 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Tampa Bay Rays acquired shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria mostly for his defensive prowess, but he is providing quite a lift with the bat through the first four games with his new club. Hechavarria looks to follow up a 4-for-4 night to open the series when the Rays visit the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday for the middle contest of the three-game set between American League East rivals.

Hechavarria was picked up from Miami for a pair of minor leaguers on Monday and went 4-for-10 in the series at Pittsburgh before capping his performance Friday with a game-tying RBI single in the ninth that led to a 6-4 triumph one inning later. Steven Souza Jr.’s three-run blast in the 10th Friday gave Tampa Bay right-hander Jake Odorizzi a chance to win the series when he opposes Orioles ace Dylan Bundy, who leads the team with eight victories. Baltimore slugger Mark Trumbo, who paced the majors with 47 homers last season, snapped a 10-game drought by belting his 11th on Friday as part of a 2-for-4, two-RBI night. The Orioles will have to get more from Manny Machado, who is 0-for-15 over the last four games to lower his batting average to .216.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (4-3, 4.00 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (8-6, 3.73)

Odorizzi has managed one victory in his last seven starts and posted a third consecutive no-decision Sunday when he allowed four runs over 5 1/3 innings against the Orioles. The 27-year-old Illinois native yielded two or fewer runs in seven of his first nine starts, but gave up three or more in all five June outings. Adam Jones is 13-for-37 with a pair of homers versus Odorizzi, who is 3-4 with a 5.26 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) against Baltimore.

Bundy permitted three runs, five hits and four walks with eight strikeouts in seven innings to beat Tampa Bay 8-3 on Saturday for his second win in three outings. The 24-year-old Tulsa native issued 10 free passes in his last three games after averaging 1.77 over his first 13 starts, and has allowed at least one homer in 10 straight contests. Tim Beckham (2-for-4) and Evan Longoria (4-for-11) each have two homers against Bundy, who is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA versus the Rays.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore OF Joey Rickard, who was picked in the ninth round of the 2012 draft by Tampa Bay, is 7-for-17 in his last five games after notching two hits Friday.

2. Longoria, who went 2-for-5 on Friday, boasts 37 career homers versus the Orioles - the most he has hit against any team.

3. Jones, who went 1-for-4 with a run scored on Friday, needs one RBI to tie Ken Singleton (766) for fifth on the franchise’s all-time list.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Rays 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (26-52) at New York Mets (37-42)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 01 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The New York Mets can secure their third straight series victory when they host the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday in the continuation of a three-game set. After finishing a 10-game road trip with five wins in their final six contests, the Mets rode a seven-inning gem by Jacob deGrom to a 2-1 triumph over the Phillies to begin the series Friday.

DeGrom struck out 12 and teamed with three relievers to hold the top five hitters in Philadelphia's lineup to a combined 0-for-19. Curtis Granderson's run-scoring single got the scoring started for New York and the veteran outfielder is hitting .378 during a nine-game hitting streak. The Phillies are 3-4 on their current nine-game road trip, although two of the losses have come by one run. Zack Wheeler (biceps) will come off the disabled list to make the start for New York opposite Philadelphia veteran Jeremy Hellickson.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jeremy Hellickson (5-5, 4.40 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (3-5, 5.29)

Hellickson has rebounded from a bit of a rough patch to post back-to-back solid efforts, allowing a total of two runs and nine hits in 13 innings. The 30-year-old Iowa native, who is 0-4 over his last seven starts, has lasted exactly six frames in four consecutive road outings. Hellickson has yet to face the Mets this year but struggled against them in 2016, giving up 21 runs in 24 1/3 innings spread over five starts (1-3).

Wheeler was on an impressive roll before he gave up 15 runs in only 3 2/3 innings over two starts and was promptly placed on the disabled list in mid-June. He was 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in two outings against the Phillies in April and is 3-1 with a 3.07 mark in seven career starts versus the division rivals. The 27-year-old owns a 4.81 ERA in his career at Citi Field and that number balloons to 5.91 in 2017.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets finished June with 50 home runs, the most the team has ever hit in any month.

2. Phillies RHP Pat Neshek worked a scoreless frame Friday to reduce his ERA through 31 2/3 innings to 0.57.

3. New York has won 13 of the last 18 meetings.

PREDICTION: Mets 6, Phillies 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Chicago Cubs (40-40) at Cincinnati Reds (34-45)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 01 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

One of the most puzzling trends of the 2017 season has been the Chicago Cubs’ struggling offense. The defending World Series champions hope to bounce back from their seventh shutout of the season when they play the second of a three-game road series against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.

The Reds blanked the Cubs 5-0 in Friday’s opener, snapping Chicago’s streak of 15 straight games at Great American Ball Park with at least one home run. The seven shutouts are one more than the Cubs endured all of last season, and they recorded just three hits Friday – their major league-high 10th game with three or fewer. It hasn’t helped that starters Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist are on the disabled list, and reigning National League MVP Kris Bryant has missed the past two games with a sprained ankle. The Reds kept slugging in the opener, as Adam Duvall belted his 19th home run, which ranks in the top 10 in the NL but third on the team behind Joey Votto (23) and Scott Schebler (20).

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Eddie Butler (4-2, 3.71 ERA) vs. Reds RH Jackson Stephens (NR)

Butler hasn’t been able to pitch deep into games, but he has kept the Cubs in most of his starts. The 26-year-old won at Washington last time out, allowing four hits over five scoreless innings, but he hasn’t made it through six innings since tossing six scoreless frames in his Cubs debut May 12. Butler is 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA in three career starts against the Reds.

Stephens is set to become the eighth Reds pitcher and the fifth starter to make his major-league debut this season. The 23-year-old was an 18th-round draft pick in 2012 and has put up pedestrian numbers in six seasons in the minors. Stephens was 4-4 with a 4.97 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) at Triple-A Louisville before getting the call to the bigs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds SS Zack Cozart has hit safely in his last nine games against the Cubs.

2. The Cubs have allowed 67 stolen bases, the most in the majors, including two Friday.

3. Votto has reached base in 28 consecutive games at home.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Reds 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Miami Marlins (35-43) at Milwaukee Brewers (43-39)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 01 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



Stephen Vogt looks as if he will fit in just fine with the homer-happy Milwaukee Brewers, who will try to win their third straight when they host the Miami Marlins on Saturday in the middle contest of a three-game series. Vogt, an All-Star behind the plate for Oakland in 2015 and 2016, was designated for assignment last week after batting .217 in 54 games with the Athletics.

The Brewers claimed the 32-year-old, who made his home debut with the club a memorable one with two homers and three RBIs in Friday's 3-2 win. The two blasts give Milwaukee a National League-leading 123 home runs and helped it open a two-game lead in the NL Central. The Marlins have lost three in a row for the first time since the middle of May and will be activating Tom Koehler - who has struggled mightily against the Brewers - for Saturday's start. He will be opposed by fellow right-hander Zach Davies for Milwaukee.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Tom Koehler (1-2, 7.04 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (8-4, 4.96)

Koehler's last start in the majors saw him give up eight runs in three frames against Houston before he was placed on the disabled list due to shoulder bursitis. The 31-year-old made three rehab starts in the minors, including a solid outing for Triple-A New Orleans last Saturday in which he allowed a run and two hits in 6 1/3 innings. He has been rocked for 30 runs in 26 2/3 frames in his career against Milwaukee and has a 13.11 ERA over three starts at Miller Park.

Davies let up four hits and a walk in seven scoreless innings at Atlanta on Sunday, recording a season-low zero strikeouts in his longest start of the year. He gave up seven runs in five frames in his most recent home start and has a 6.26 ERA in eight outings at Miller Park, where opponents are batting .320 against the 24-year-old. Davies is 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA in three career starts against the Marlins.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee leads the all-time series 68-67.

2. Seven of Marlins LF Marcell Ozuna's 13 career hits at Miller Park have been home runs.

3. Brewers RHP Corey Knebel picked up his 13th save Friday but has walked five batters in two innings over his last two appearances.

PREDICTION: Brewers 8, Marlins 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Washington Nationals (47-33) at St. Louis Cardinals (38-41)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 01 - 7:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The St. Louis Cardinals are beginning to look like contenders again in the National League and are proving it at the expense of some top teams. The Cardinals will try to clinch their second straight series win against a team at the top of the league when they host the Washington Nationals in the second of a three-game series on Saturday.

St. Louis improved to 38-41 with an 8-1 win in Friday's series opener and has won five of its last six games, with the last three of those victories coming over the Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington. A big reason for the surge is the strength of the pitching staff, which allowed four or fewer runs in each of the wins and yielded six hits on Friday to the Nationals, who lead the National League in runs scored. Washington might have a little trouble generating offense at the top of its lineup with Trea Turner (fractured wrist) on the disabled list along with Adam Eaton (knee), leaving the team searching for its third primary leadoff hitter of the season. The Nationals will take their hacks on Saturday against Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha while sending lefty Gio Gonzalez to the hill.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (7-2, 2.87 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (4-3, 4.50)

Gonzalez allowed three or fewer runs in 14 of his 16 starts and each of the last seven, including a six-inning stint against the Chicago Cubs on Monday. The Florida native allowed one run and two hits in that turn but issued five walks - the fourth time this season he walked at least four. Gonzalez faced St. Louis on April 11 and allowed two runs - one earned - and six hits without walking a batter in seven innings to earn a win.

Wacha bounced back from two sub-par outings with a win over Cincinnati on Monday, scattering one run and five hits over six innings. The Texas A&M product could not record an out in the fifth inning in either of his two previous turns and surrendered a total of nine runs - six earned - and 16 hits in eight innings. Wacha is 2-2 with a 1.57 ERA in four career starts against Washington.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington LF Brian Goodwin got the first crack at Turner's leadoff spot on Friday and went 1-for-4.

2. The Cardinals promoted executives John Mozeliak and Michael Girsch and signed both to contract extensions on Friday.

3. St. Louis C Yadier Molina hit safely in each of the last 15 games.

PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Cardinals 5