Tuesday 5/23/17 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Scott Spreitzer
May 23 '17, 7:40 PM in 9h
MLB | Blue Jays vs Brewers
Play on: Brewers -112 at betonline

I'm recommending a play on the Brewers with Nelson over Biagini. Milwaukee is in first place in the NL Central and has won seven of its last nine games, including four on the road. The Brewers won both games against the Blue Jays in April and Toronto has lost five of its last seven games overall and remains in last place in the AL East. The Blue Jays are 9-15 away from home and are riddled with injuries and they have lost five of their last six interleague games. Jimmy Nelson is coming off two quality starts and he has a 1.15 ERA and .193 BAA in May. Joe Biagini will make his fourth start and he got rocked his last time out allowing six runs (five earned) in four innings at Atlanta. Biagini has given up 12 earned runs on 18 hits in 18 innings on the road this season. We expect more of the same. We're recommending a play on the Brewers on Tuesday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Red Dog Sports
May 23 '17, 7:05 PM in 9h
MLB | Twins vs Orioles
Play on: Orioles -120 at 5Dimes

Orioles -120

Bonus Play on Baltimore as the Orioles led 5-0 on Monday but lost 14-7 to the Twins and allowed 21 hits. The Orioles have been solid at home and should bounce back and keep up with the Yankees.

Twins 3

Orioles 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Marc Lawrence
May 23 '17, 7:10 PM in 9h
MLB | Indians vs Reds
Play on: Indians -151 at betonline

Play - Cleveland Indians w/Salazar (Game 973).

Edges - Indians: 9-1 last 10 games in this series; and Salazar 3-0 career team starts in this series; and 5-1 career team starts away during May; and 5-0 last five overall team starts during May… Reds: Garrett 15 BBs and 12 Ks last four starts… With Carrasco in great KW form with 33 Ks and 5 BBs in his last five starts, we recommend a 1* play on Cleveland. Thank you and good luck as always.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dustin Hawkins
May 23 '17, 7:05 PM in 9h
MLB | Royals vs Yankees
Play on: Royals +136 at BetOnline

Bonus Play on Royals +136

Play against any team like the (NY YANKEES) - with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 4.70 to 5.20 on the season (AL), with a team slugging percentage of .440 or better on the season (AL). (29-13 over the last 5 seasons.) (69%). Yankees pitcher Jordan Montgomery is 0-1 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP of 1.400. Bonus Play on Royals

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dennis Macklin
May 23 '17, 7:40 PM in 9h
MLB | Blue Jays vs Brewers
Play on: Brewers -111 at 5Dimes

DMack's Bonus Play for Tuesday, May 23, 2017 is on the Milwaukee Brewers

At 25-19, the Brewers have to be considered one of the bigger surprises of the first tow months of MLB bases. Their young pitching is talented and ahead of schedule and the lineup can put up some runs. Jimmy Nelson gets the call today and he's been razor sharp with a 1.15 ERA over his L3 starts. He'll face a Blue Jay team that made a run 10 days ago but has once again fallen on hard times and is just 1-5 after an off day, 2-7 in interleague, 9-15 on the road and 6-12 vs. winning records. 10-15 cents looks cheap.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Easy Money Sports

Lee's Free Tuesday Selection

Philadelphia w/Eflin +119

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JR ODonnell | MLB Money Line

Free pick 967 TEX (+178) Greek vs 968 BOS

Analysis: MLB goes 2-1 last night as the Pd Ticket 3* Stros / 2* Minny Twins $$$$$$$ loss late on the Pirates , the best Free Nasty dog here fires to a Texas Team hot and focused today, Texas CASHNER VS Bo Sox PORCELLO @ Fenway Park, the Rangers are 49-29 in this spot and we will fire on the value of these Rangers .. Redsox 7-14 after a W.... lousey spot here for the Redsox .... Texas gets the call

Rangers 8-5 last 13 vs Sox

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Free Selection from Kenny Towers

Ov 5 Pit/Ott - NHL -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals at Yankees
GAME: Kansas City Royals (18-26) at New York Yankees (26-16)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 23 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York

Danny Duffy turned in his best outing of the season last week against the New York Yankees and will look to continue a recent hot stretch when the Kansas City Royals continue a four-game series at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. Duffy prevented a sweep by the Yankees in Kansas City last Thursday by striking out 10 in seven scoreless innings.

The left-hander will try to stifle a New York lineup that produced three more home runs in a series-opening 4-2 victory to boost its American League-leading total to 66 in 42 games. The Royals could not protect an early two-run lead Monday and dipped to 1-3 on their 10-game road trip while falling to a major league-worst 6-15 on the road. While the Yankees feature plenty of power, they are receiving surprising pop from Brett Gardner at the top of the order. Gardner hit seven home runs in 2016 but he already clubbed nine this season - all coming in his past 21 games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (3-3, 2.97 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Jordan Montgomery (2-3, 4.81)

Duffy has turned a corner since he was pounded for six runs in consecutive starts against the Chicago White Sox, permitting a combined three runs over 20 2/3 innings in his last three turns. Duffy matched a season low by holding the Yankees to three hits and has gone seven consecutive starts without allowing a homer. Matt Holliday is 3-for-8 with a home run against Duffy.

Montgomery will be trying to avenge a rough outing last week in Kansas City, when he was tagged for five runs over five innings to lose his second straight start. After giving up two homers in his first five starts, the 24-year-old has surrendered a three-run blast in each of his last two. Montgomery will be making his fifth start at Yankee Stadium, where he is winless since April 17.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees SS Didi Gregorius is 7-for-14 with a homer and five RBIs in four games versus Kansas City this season.

2. Royals C Salvador Perez is 5-for-12 with three homers and five RBIs in his last three games.

3. After striking out for the eighth straight at-bat Monday, Holliday ended the skid with a pair of hits.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, Yankees 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins at Orioles
GAME: Minnesota Twins (23-18) at Baltimore Orioles (25-18)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 23 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland


Ervin Santana has been an early-season surprise, and the 34-year-old looks to produce another strong outing when the Minnesota Twins visit the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Santana has been stunningly good as he is limiting opposing hitters to a .144 average - the best mark in the majors.

Santana has allowed just two runs and 14 hits over 42 innings in his six victories, and his next win will match his total of each of the past two seasons. Minnesota has won four of its last five games and recorded season highs for runs and hits (21) while thumping the Orioles 14-7 in Monday's series opener. Adam Jones homered for the second straight contest, belting a three-run shot for his record 125th at Camden Yards to snap a tie with Rafael Palmeiro. The slumping Orioles have dropped two straight games and eight of their last 11.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Ervin Santana (6-2, 2.07 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (5-2, 2.97)

Santana made his second poor start of the season in his last turn, giving up five runs and six hits over seven innings in a loss to Colorado. He has served up seven home runs this season, with five coming in his two defeats. Santana is 4-5 with a 4.87 ERA in 15 career starts against Baltimore and has allowed three homers to Chris Davis (5-for-28) while otherwise shutting him down.

Bundy was torched by Detroit in his last turn as he gave up six runs and eight hits over six innings. The 24-year-old won his previous four decisions, allowing only five runs during the stretch. Bundy, who pitched one inning of scoreless relief in his lone career appearance against Minnesota, is 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in four home starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins 3B Miguel Sano recorded a career-best four hits on Monday and is 12-for-26 during his six-game hitting streak.

2. Baltimore recalled Tyler Wilson from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned fellow RHP Miguel Castro to Double-A Bowie.

3. Minnesota 1B Joe Mauer went 3-for-5 in the opener and is 14-for-39 while hitting in 10 consecutive games.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Orioles 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners at Nationals
GAME: Seattle Mariners (20-25) at Washington Nationals (26-17)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 23 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia

The Washington Nationals still lead the National League East but are beginning to show some vulnerability with four losses in the last five games. The Nationals hope to reignite their fading offense when they return home to host the Seattle Mariners in the opener of a three-game interleague series on Tuesday.

Washington's biggest bats have cooled since hot starts, and Ryan Zimmerman has seen his batting average and slugging percentages drop from .435 and .907 on May 6 to .362 and .724 after he went 1-for-4 with a single in Sunday's 3-2 win at Atlanta. Zimmerman's drop in production is having a corresponding effect on the Nationals' record as the team is just 5-8 over its last 13 games. Seattle's offense is in even worse shape after the team managed to score one run in each of the last three games - all losses - but is expected to get an upgrade with the expected return of second baseman Robinson Cano (quad), on Tuesday. The Mariners will send Christian Bergman to the mound on Tuesday while the Nationals counter with right-hander Jacob Turner.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Christian Bergman (1-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jacob Turner (2-2, 3.74)

Bergman is one of several pitchers pushed into starting duty with Seattle dealing with a rash of pitcher injuries and seems to be taking to the role well. The 29-year-old scattered two hits and two walks over 7 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out nine to earn a win over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday. Bergman began his career in the NL with the Colorado Rockies but does not have much of a track record against the Nationals, working just one inning of relief against them in his career.

Turner is making his third start and ninth appearance of the season and is hoping to go a little deeper into the game after getting knocked out in 5 1/3 innings at Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The 26-year-old issued a season-high four walks and was charged with three runs and four hits in the loss. Turner owns an even shorter track record against the Mariners than Bergman with Washington, and he gave up one run in one-third of an inning in his lone previous appearance against Seattle.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners DH Nelson Cruz is expected to play RF for the first time this season on Tuesday.

2. Washington 2B Daniel Murphy homered in three of the last four games.

3. Seattle LF Guillermo Heredia is 3-for-25 over his last eight games.

PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Nationals 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies at Phillies
GAME: Colorado Rockies (29-17) at Philadelphia Phillies (15-27)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 23 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

While the Colorado Rockies continue to build upon the best start in franchise history, the reeling Philadelphia Phillies are mired in their worst start through 42 games in 17 years. The National League-leading Rockies, who have won a major league-high 16 games away from home, visit the Phillies on Tuesday in the second of a four-game set.

Colorado center fielder and leadoff batter Charlie Blackmon is 17-for-39 over his past nine games, including multiple hits in seven of them after he collected a pair and three RBIs in the series opener. One night after clubbing his 200th career homer with the Rockies, Carlos Gonzalez had three hits and is 15-for-42 over the last 11 games. Philadelphia is in a total free fall, losing 18 of 22 since ripping off a six-game winning from April 20-27. The Nos. 5-8 spots in the lineup combined to go 0-for-12 with five strikeouts in Monday's 8-1 loss for an offense that has produced one run and six hits in the past two games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Márquez (2-2, 4.34 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Zach Eflin (0-1, 4.25)

Marquez has been pounded for 13 runs in his two losses but yielded only one run combined in his three other starts - that coming in a five-inning win at Minnesota last time out. The 22-year-old Venezuelan was dominant in his previous turn, blanking the Chicago Cubs on three hits while striking out eight over eight innings. He's permitted two homers, both coming in the same game.

Eflin will be attempting to bounce back from his worst start of the year, getting pounded for seven runs on 11 hits over four innings in a loss at Texas. That halted a string of four consecutive quality starts for the 23-year-old Florida native, who allowed nine runs in that span of four no-decisions. Eflin won at Colorado 10 months ago by tossing six innings of two-run ball.

WALK-OFFS

1. After going 14 games with one homer, Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado has four in the past eight games.

2. Phillies LF Aaron Altherr is batting .385 in 14 games at home.

3. Rockies SS Alexi Amarista is 8-for-15 over the past four games.

PREDICTION: Rockies 5, Phillies 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants at Cubs
GAME: San Francisco Giants (20-26) at Chicago Cubs (22-21)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 23 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

The San Francisco Giants are surging after a disappointing start to the season, and they hope to see star pitcher Johnny Cueto follow suit. Cueto takes the mound Tuesday as the Giants play the second contest of their four-game road series against the Chicago Cubs.



The Giants have won eight of their last 10 contests after posting a 6-4 triumph in the series opener, and that’s with Cueto pitching well below expectations. The Cubs also have underachieved in the first quarter of the season, and Jon Lester has been one of the players who has not performed to his potential. Chicago has lost two of three following a three-game winning streak, as a late rally on Monday fell short despite two-run blasts by Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist in the eighth inning. Zobrist has reached base in 20 consecutive games, the third-longest streak of his career and the longest by a Cub this season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBC Sports Bay Area (San Francisco), CSN Chicago



PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Johnny Cueto (4-3, 4.50 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (2-2, 3.57)

Cueto is winless in his last three turns and had a streak of four straight quality starts snapped last time out. The 31-year-old gave up five runs over six innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. Cueto is 9-8 with a 3.24 ERA in 24 career starts against the Cubs, including a 5-5 mark and 3.07 ERA in 15 outings at Wrigley Field.

Lester has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 21 straight starts at Wrigley Field dating to September 2015. The 33-year-old extended the streak when he beat Cincinnati on Thursday, allowing three runs and six hits over six frames. Lester is 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA in five career starts against the Giants and split a pair of outings against them last season.



WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs rookie INF Ian Happ tripled in his first career pinch-hitting appearance Monday and has hit safely in his first eight major-league games.

2. Giants 3B/OF Eduardo Nunez is 13-for-37 during his nine-game hitting streak but just 2-for-18 with five strikeouts versus Lester.

3. Chicago OF Jon Jay is 13-for-38 with two doubles and three home runs against Cueto.



PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Giants 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers at Red Sox
GAME: Texas Rangers (24-21) at Boston Red Sox (22-21)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

The Texas Rangers had a 10-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday but got right back to the winning formula again on Sunday - solid starting pitching and a barrage of home runs. The Rangers will bring their power east and try to make it 12 wins in 13 games when they visit the Boston Red Sox for the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday.

Texas pitchers allowed three or fewer runs in eight of the last 11 wins and are being backed by an offense that is even getting power from the likes of Pete Kozma, who belted his first home run since 2013 in a 5-2 win at Detroit on Sunday. "A lot of feel-good going into Boston," Rangers manager Jeff Banister told reporters. "(Mike Napoli) going deep and a big home run by Kozma, none bigger. Look, we needed that run. Got good barrel." The Red Sox got good barrel on Sunday as well, pounding out 15 hits in a 12-3 win at Oakland that helped them avoid a four-game sweep and kept the team from drifting below .500 for the first time this season. Boston will try to keep the hits coming against Texas right-hander Andrew Cashner while reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello tries to keep Texas' batters in the yard for the Red Sox.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Andrew Cashner (1-3, 2.45 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (2-5, 4.23)

Cashner is dominating of late and allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last six turns. The TCU product struggles to work deep into games and did not earn his first win until Wednesday, when he limited the Philadelphia Phillies to two runs in a season-high seven innings. Cashner, who spent the first seven seasons of his career in the NL, is seeing Boston for the first time but held Hanley Ramirez to 3-for-20 with no home runs when the two were in the NL.

Porcello already owns more losses than he suffered last season (four) and is coming off a six-inning outing at St. Louis on Wednesday in which he surrendered four runs on nine hits and three walks in six innings. The New Jersey native yielded 10 home runs in 55 1/3 innings so far after giving up 23 in 223 frames last season. Porcello is 5-4 with a 5.69 ERA in nine career starts against Texas.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox 1B and former Ranger Mitch Moreland homered in each of the last three games.

2. Texas C Jonathan Lucroy hit safely in each of his last nine games and drove in at least one run in the last five.

3. Boston LHP David Price (elbow) is expected to make a final rehab start on Wednesday at Triple-A Pawtucket.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, Rangers 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres at Mets
GAME: San Diego Padres (16-30) at New York Mets (18-24)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York

The New York Mets had won six of eight at Citi Field before getting blasted out of the blocks in their last encounter. The Mets look to dust themselves off in the opener of a three-game series versus the free-falling San Diego Padres as Matt Harvey makes his first start at home since being suspended by the team for missing a game.

Jay Bruce recorded just his second hit in 22 at-bats with a three-run homer on Sunday as New York sustained its eighth loss in 10 outings overall in a 12-5 setback versus the Los Angeles Angels. Majors-worst San Diego isn't faring much better, although it recorded its third win in 13 outings in Sunday's 5-1 victory to salvage the finale of a three-game set against Arizona. Ryan Schimpf launched a solo homer to ignite a three-run, six-hit fifth inning for the Padres, who posted more runs in that frame than they did on Friday and Saturday combined and their five-run total matched the collective output of their previous four games. San Diego ranks among the majors' bottom feeders in runs (158) and hits (330) while the team's batting average of .219 is the worst by a wide margin.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jhoulys Chacin (4-3, 4.61 ERA) vs. Mets RH Matt Harvey (2-3, 5.56)

Chacin settled for a no-decision on Wednesday despite allowing one run on just two hits and striking out eight in seven innings versus Milwaukee. The 29-year-old Venezuelan's performance against the Brewers at home was a stellar one, but he owns just a 2-3 mark with a bloated 8.77 ERA on the road while permitting hitters to bat a gaudy .330 against him. Chacin's road troubles have extended to Citi Field, where he has posted a 1-2 career record with a 5.30 ERA.

Matt Harvey owns an 0-3 mark and a 6.55 ERA in his last six starts on the heels of an uneven performance Wednesday, when he allowed three runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings of a no-decision at Arizona. The 28-year-old has as many walks (21) as strikeouts in that stretch while surrendering eight homers in his last five contests, with the five-game string marking the longest of his career. Harvey has posted a 2-1 record with a 3.38 ERA in four career starts against San Diego, with a season-best 10-strikeout performance over six innings in a 4-3 win on May 8, 2016.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York's Rene Rivera has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games but could see his playing time diminish with the club expected to activate fellow C Travis d'Arnaud (wrist) from the disabled list.

2. San Diego LF Allen Cordoba is 4-for-8 with two runs scored in his last three games and has hit safely in seven of his last 10.

3. Mets LHP Steven Matz (left elbow) and RHP Seth Lugo (right elbow) are scheduled to make rehab starts on Tuesday for Triple-A Las Vegas and Single-A St. Lucie, respectively.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Padres 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels at Rays
GAME: Los Angeles Angels (24-23) at Tampa Bay Rays (23-24)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida

Matt Shoemaker looks to remain unbeaten against the Tampa Bay Rays when his surging Los Angeles Angels pay them a visit Tuesday for the second contest of their four-game series. Shoemaker is 3-0 with a 2.60 ERA in three career outings versus the Rays and hopes to ride the wave as Los Angeles goes for its seventh victory in nine games after grinding out a 3-2 victory in the series opener.

Cameron Maybin continued his assault on Tampa Bay pitching Monday with two hits, including a solo homer, to improve to 20-for-39 with 12 RBIs in 12 career games against the Rays. Alex Cobb will try to cool off Maybin while containing sluggers Albert Pujols and Mike Trout in a powerful Angels lineup which has produced at least five runs in five of the last seven contests. Corey Dickerson belted a first-inning homer to extend his hitting streak to six games for the Rays, but his string of two-hit performances ended at five. The Rays had won six of eight contests to move over .500 for the first time in a month but have dropped a pair of 3-2 decisions over the last two days, giving up the winning run on Monday on a wild pitch.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Matt Shoemaker (3-2, 4.47 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (4-3, 3.67)

Shoemaker has won his last two starts, including a performance against Detroit on May 12 in which he struck out seven over six scoreless innings. The 30-year-old Eastern Michigan product has given up one homer in the last two outings after surrendering nine over his first seven starts of the season and has registered 50 strikeouts in 50 1/3 frames. Logan Morrison (4-for-11, one homer) and Colby Rasmus (6-for-19, one homer) have given Shoemaker trouble.

Cobb has strung together four quality starts while notching three victories, including his last outing in which he limited Cleveland to three runs over seven innings. The 29-year-old Boston native has struggled with Trout (4-for-6, one homer) and Pujols (5-for-5, one homer) while going 1-1 with a 7.08 ERA in four career games against the Angels. Three of Cobb’s four wins have come away from home, but he owns a better ERA at Tropicana Field (3.20) than on the road (3.93).

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay INF Michael Martinez got his first start since being acquired from Cleveland and went 0-for-3 with a walk on Monday.

2. Los Angeles optioned 1B C.J. Cron to Triple-A Salt Lake and recalled 2B Nolan Fontana, who went 0-for-3 on Monday in his major-league debut.

3. Tampa Bay INF David Robertson has hit safely in five of his last six games, raising his average from .170 to .208.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Angels 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians at Reds
GAME: Cleveland Indians (23-20) at Cincinnati Reds (21-23)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio

The Cincinnati Reds try to string two solid pitching performances together when they host the rival Cleveland Indians on Tuesday for the second contest of their four-game, home-and-home interleague series. The Reds had allowed 59 runs in seven games coming into the Ohio Cup series before Scott Feldman and three relievers earned them a 5-1 victory in the opener.

Scott Schebler belted a home run for the third consecutive game to lead Cincinnati, which also received a two-run single from Zack Cozart in winning for just the second time in 10 contests and snapping its six-game losing streak against the Indians. Rookie Amir Garrett will try to rebound from a rough start when he takes the mound for the Reds against Carlos Carrasco in the finale in Cincinnati before the series moves to Cleveland for two. Jason Kipnis homered to plate the only run for the Indians, extending his hitting streak to eight games while marking the sixth straight contest - and seventh in the last eight - in which he recorded an RBI. Cleveland entered the set having swept three games at Houston over the weekend but went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position on Monday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (4-2, 2.60 ERA) vs. Reds LH Amir Garrett (3-3, 5.18)

Carrasco left his last start with pectoral tightness and was pushed back a few days but is expected to take the mound after allowing five runs over 3 2/3 innings against Tampa Bay. The 30-year-old Venezuelan produced six straight quality starts before his outing versus the Rays and has recorded 52 strikeouts with just 11 walks in 52 frames. Joey Votto is 4-for-9 with a homer against Carrasco, who is 2-0 with a 4.09 ERA in four career games (three starts) versus Cincinnati.

Garrett has posted five quality starts in seven outings during his rookie season but was knocked around by the Chicago Cubs last time out, when he permitted six runs over four innings. The 25-year-old Californian gave up two runs in seven frames while registering a season-high 12 strikeouts in his only interleague start against Baltimore as he prepares to face the Indians for the first time. Garrett has struggled with control, issuing 18 walks in 40 innings - including 15 in his last four starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians rookie OF Bradley Zimmer is 5-for-13 with three walks since striking out three times in his major-league debut on May 16.

2. Cincinnati CF Billy Hamilton has reached base safely in a career-high 22 consecutive games after going 2-for-4 on Monday.

3. Cleveland RHP Cody Allen and LHP Andrew Miller, the team's top two relievers, have combined to strike out 57 batters in 38 2/3 innings.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Reds 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates at Braves
GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (20-25) at Atlanta Braves (19-23)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 23 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: SunTrust Park, Cumberland, Georgia

Matt Adams hardly had a shining debut with his new team but he gave the fans plenty to cheer about in his second game with the Atlanta Braves. Sparked by a two-run homer from the newly acquired Adams, the Braves won the series opener against visiting Pittsburgh and look to make it two straight against the Pirates on Tuesday night.

Adams, acquired from St. Louis on Saturday to fill the void left by the injury to Freddie Freeman, struck out three times in four at-bats the following day before going 2-for-4 and crushing a long two-run homer in Monday's 5-2 victory. Center fielder Ender Inciarte had a career-best five-hit night to help Atlanta win for the eighth time in its last 11 games. Pittsburgh had won four of five prior to dropping the series opener to tumble to 8-16 away from home. Pirates left fielder Adam Frazier is batting .500 (16-for-32) over the past eight games.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Tyler Glasnow (2-3, 7.34 ERA) vs. Braves RH R.A. DIckey (3-3, 4.13)

Glasnow had a another short outing in his last start but picked up the win versus Washington after giving up four runs (two earned) and a season-low three hits over five innings. He has failed to get through five innings in half of his eight starts and continues to struggle with his control. Glasnow has walked 24 batters in 34 1/3 innings while also surrendering six homers.

Dickey will go on three days' rest in place of scheduled starter Julio Teheran, who was bumped back to Wednesday. Manager Brian Snitker said one reason for the move is to have hard-throwing right-handers Mike Foltynewicz and Teheran bookend Dickey's fluttering knuckleball. The 42-year-old is 3-3 with a 2.76 ERA against Pittsburgh, but catcher Francisco Cervelli is 6-for-10 against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braves 2B Brandon Phillips went deep Monday, becoming the 48th player in major league history with 200 homers and 200 stolen bases.

2. Pirates SS Jordy Mercer is day-to-day after exiting Monday's game with discomfort in his right hand.

3. Braves C Tyler Flowers has hit safely in five straight games and seven of his last eight.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Pirates 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays at Brewers
GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (19-26) at Milwaukee Brewers (25-19)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 23 - 7:40 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Keon Broxton stumbled out of the blocks this season before regaining his footing with an impressive two-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The 27-year-old has hit the ground running since April 21 and looks to continue that stretch on Tuesday when the Milwaukee Brewers host the Blue Jays in the opener of a two-game interleague series.

Broxton, who belted a solo homer in Milwaukee's 4-3 win over Toronto on April 11 and added an RBI double the following day in a 2-0 triumph, capped a two-hit performance with an RBI double in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs. While Broxton has hit safely in five straight games, teammate Travis Shaw singled on Sunday to push his hit streak to a career-high 11 before belting a two-run homer in the ninth. While Milwaukee has won 10 of its last 13 to vault to the top of the National League Central, Toronto posted just its second victory in seven outings with Sunday's 3-1 triumph over Baltimore to salvage the finale of a three-game series. Devon Travis launched a three-run homer in the first inning, increasing his total this month to 15 extra-base hits with 10 RBIs and as many runs scored.

TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, Sportsnet-1 (Toronto), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Joe Biagini (1-2, 3.41 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Jimmy Nelson (2-2, 3.86)

Biagini was blasted from the onset of his last start, allowing Atlanta to score six runs with the benefit of two walks and a throwing error before the Braves even recorded an out. The 26-year-old regained his composure and retired the next 12 batters he faced. Biagini, who will make his fourth career start on Tuesday, did not permit an earned run in his previous two outings and surrendered a total of six hits over nine innings.

Nelson snapped a five-game winless skid last Tuesday after yielding two runs on seven hits in six innings of a 6-2 triumph at San Diego. The 27-year-old struck out eight for the second straight outing and walked just one against the Padres after permitting four free passes in the previous contest against Boston on May 11. Nelson, who did not face the Blue Jays when the teams met earlier this season, has a 1.15 ERA and held opponents to just a .193 batting average over his last 15 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto SS Troy Tulowitzki could make a return to the lineup for the first time since being sidelined since April 21 with a strained right hamstring.

2. Milwaukee 1B Eric Thames exited Sunday's tilt with a leg cramp but is expected to play in the series opener versus the team that selected him in the seventh round of the 2008 draft.

3. Blue Jays CF Kevin Pillar is 3-for-8 with two runs scored since returning from a two-game suspension for making a homophobic remark toward an Atlanta pitcher.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Blue Jays 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers at Astros
GAME: Detroit Tigers (21-22) at Houston Astros (30-15)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 23 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas

Lance McCullers Jr. has been dominant in his last three outings and looks to shut down another offense when the Houston Astros host the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday for the second contest of their four-game series. McCullers hasn't allowed an earned run during the stretch and has given up just nine hits over 19 innings.

McCullers will have a strong effort to follow as four Astros combined on a one-hitter in Monday's 1-0 victory. Houston ended its three-game slide and became the first team in the majors to reach 30 wins while also establishing the best 45-game start (30-15) in franchise history. Detroit has dropped five of its last eight games, and the latest setback occurred in the opener of an 11-game road trip. Victor Martinez returned from a three-game absence due to the birth of his daughter and went hitless in two at-bats to fall to 1-for-9 over his last three contests.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, ROOT (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (4-2, 6.25 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lance McCullers (4-1, 2.65)

Zimmermann defeated Baltimore in his last turn, when he gave up four runs and seven hits over six innings. The native of Wisconsin, who turns 31 on Tuesday, will be hoping to begin a turnaround to a season in which he has given up four or more runs in six of his first eight starts. Zimmermann is 2-2 with a 2.93 ERA in five career starts against the Astros and has kept Altuve (1-for-6) in check.

McCullers scattered three hits over six scoreless innings to defeat Miami in his last outing. The 23-year-old is the first Houston pitcher to work at least six frames without allowing an earned run in three consecutive starts since Roy Oswalt in 2008. McCullers won his lone career start against Detroit in 2015, when he gave up two runs and six hits in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers RF J.D. Martinez was named American League Player of the Week after smashing four homers during the timeframe.

2. Houston SS Carlos Correa is 0-for-10 over his last three games.

3. Detroit's Anibal Sanchez accepted a demotion to Triple-A Toledo due to his struggles while fellow RHP Warwick Saupold was recalled from the same club.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Tigers 1