Friday 4-12-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 06:55 AM

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in NHL

The Columbus Blue Jackets gained plenty of confidence from a shocking comeback victory to open the Eastern Conference first-round series and look to match that effort when they visit the Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning for Game 2 on Friday. The Blue Jackets trailed by three goals through 29 minutes, but scored twice on special teams in the third period for a 4-3 victory Wednesday as they try to win their first playoff series in franchise history.

"I think it just shows us that we can battle against them," Columbus defenseman David Savard told reporters after scoring the second goal Wednesday. "It's good for us and we just have to believe in our game plan and stay focused. We don't really need to think about the outcome. I think if we play like this we have a chance of winning and to be in every game." Tampa Bay opened the scoring in Game 1 with Alex Killorn's short-handed goal, but gave up the tying goal while on a four-minute power play in the third period and Seth Jones got the winner with the man advantage. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh said the Lightning took their foot off the gas pedal, captain Steven Stamkos called it a lesson and coach Jon Cooper told reporters his team's biggest problem was itself. "We played with a ton of emotion in the first period and the building was jumping," Cooper said. "We clearly had them on their heels and you build that lead which is what you want to do, and I think our mentality was we want to outscore them tonight instead of build the lead and shut them down."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CNBC, TVA, Sportsnet360; FS Ohio (Columbus), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS: Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky came into the series with an .891 career playoff save percentage and gave up two goals on the first four shots he faced Wednesday, but turned aside all 16 in the final two periods. "In Bob's behalf, it's pretty hard when the first shot is a breakaway goal," coach John Tortorella said. ". ... We don't have a chance if he doesn't play the way he played the last 40 (minutes)." Power forward Josh Anderson deflected a McDonagh pass, leading to captain Nick Foligno's breakaway goal that made it 3-1 in the second period Wednesday, and later wheeled through the slot to score the tying goal while short-handed.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING: Tampa Bay owned the best power play (28.2 percent) and penalty kill (85.02) in the league through the regular season, but its special teams let them down Wednesday - especially in the third period. "We get that four-minute (power play) and a chance to bury them and we give up a shorty," Stamkos said. "We just have to learn from this. ... Guys should be mad, but it's not going to be easy this time of year. We've been in this position before. We just got to get the next one." Right wing Nikita Kucherov, who led the league with 128 points, was kept off the scoresheet in Game 1 and had two shots along with two giveaways.

OVERTIME

1. The Lightning are 4-7 in Game 1 of their last 11 playoff series and have come back to win eight of the past 10 Game 2s.

2. Columbus F Alexandre Texier, who played just two regular-season games, was a plus-1 in 13 minutes, 8 seconds of playing time Wednesday.

3. Tampa Bay D Anton Stralman (lower body) sat out Game 1 and Cooper told reporters the veteran is working through some things.

PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Blue Jackets 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 06:55 AM

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in NHL

Hosting a Game 1 of a postseason series for the first time in 31 years, the New York Islanders made the wait more than worthwhile for their fans with a pulsating overtime victory. New York has a chance to take a 2-0 edge in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series when they host Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.

Although the teams split four meetings during the regular season, Wednesday's matchup was the first in four months and was settled when Josh Bailey scored 4 1/2 minutes into overtime after the Islanders failed to protect three one-goal leads. "I liked our composure on the bench," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. "There were a lot of twists and turns to that game. ... And we stayed with it. I liked our group, they didn't flinch at all, which is good." Although the Penguins scored late in regulation to force an the extra session, they are determined not to play catch-up again after allowing the opening goal less than two minutes into the series opener. "It's their home ice and we knew they were going to come out strong," Pittsburgh forward Jake Guentzel said. "Not the way we wanted to start for sure. We have to start better next game and go from there."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVAS2, AT&T Sportsnet-Pittsburgh, MSG, MSG-Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE PENGUINS: Evgeni Malkin, playing in his third game since missing more than 2 1/2 weeks to injury, scored on the power play and set up defenseman Justin Schultz's game-tying tally with 1:29 left in regulation to give him three goals and 13 points in seven playoff matchups versus New York. Phil Kessel, who finished the regular season with nine points in his last seven games, matched Malkin with a goal and an assist to give him eight points in five meetings versus the Islanders this season. Crosby was held off the scoresheet after scoring twice and collecting three assists in four previous meetings.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS: Bailey emerged as the hero by batting in a rebound of Mathew Barzal's shot in overtime, but he had to have a short memory and recover after hitting a post in the final seconds of regulation. "That was tough to shake. I was worried I was going to have to see that one in my nightmares for a little while," Bailey said. "A little bit of redemption -- just happy to get the win. Crucial game, there's still a long way to go. But good win for us." Although Trotz said he could use both goalies in the series, Robin Lehner got the call and made 41 saves in his first career postseason start.

OVERTIME

1. Islanders F Jordan Eberle's opening goal was his first in 14 career playoff games.

2. Malkin scored his 63rd playoff goal and needs one more to move into a tie with four others for 22nd place on the all-time list.

3. Ex-Penguins F Tom Kuhnhackl got a surprise start for New York in Game 1 and had a pair of goals disallowed.

PREDICTION: Penguins 3, Islanders 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 06:55 AM

St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in NHL

There were plenty of questions on how rookie Jordan Binnington would handle the Stanley Cup playoffs, but the St. Louis Blues goaltender limited the Winnipeg Jets to one goal while helping his team steal Wednesday's opening game of the series on the road. The Blues enter Game 2 on Friday with a chance to come home up 2-0 in the first-round series thanks in part to Binnington, who made 24 saves and kept his team in it until St. Louis scored twice in the game's final 16 minutes.

"That buzzer couldn't have come sooner," Binnington told reporters after an eventful playoff debut, which began with him drawing an interference penalty on Jets leading goal-scorer Mark Schefiele in the game's opening minute and concluded with him stopping a Scheifele one-timer with 12.4 seconds to play. For the Jets, the opener continued a disturbing trend of blowing third-period leads as Winnipeg could not hold a 1-0 advantage in the final 20 minutes, allowing Tyler Bozak's game-winning goal with just 2:05 to play. The Jets lost nine games in the regular season that they led after two periods and, after Patrik Laine's first-period goal, Winnipeg's high-powered offense was shut down by Binnington. "They made one more play than we did," Jets captain Blake Wheeler told the media afterward. "They sprung a couple. We'd like to clean that up."

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, CNBC, Sportsnet, TVA, FS Midwest (St. Louis)

ABOUT THE BLUES: David Perron netted St. Louis' first goal 4:05 into the third period and Bozak finished with a team-high six shots on goal as the Blues got great work outside their high-scoring top line of Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan O'Reilly and Brayden Schenn (no points on five shots). Binnington made two saves and St. Louis blocked three shots in the final two minutes. St. Louis played better as Game 1 unfolded, putting 10 shots on goal in the final period after combining for just 16 shots in the opening two periods.

ABOUT THE JETS: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 24 saves but could not hold off the Blues in the final period, losing his fifth consecutive playoff start (dating back to four straight losses against Vegas last season). Laine scored his first goal in seven games and just his second in his past 20 contests, but the Jets finished with only 25 shots - seven coming in the final period. Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien assisted on the Laine goal, while Nikolaj Ehlers led Winnipeg with four shots on goal.

OVERTIME

1. Jets D Josh Morrissey returned from an upper-body injury, playing 17:15 in his first game since Feb. 24.

2. St. Louis Ds Colton Parayko and Alex Pietrangelo combined for two assists, five shots on goal and three blocked shots in Game 1.

3. O'Reilly won four faceoffs in the defensive zone in the final two minutes Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Jets 3, Blues 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 06:55 AM

Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in NHLThe San Jose Sharks doubled down on their offensive-minded defensemen by signing two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson in the offseason, and the club was rewarded with two-point performances from three of its blue-liners in its playoff opener. The Sharks bid to continue their home dominance on Friday when they host the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series.

Former Norris Trophy recipient Brent Burns scored his franchise-best 16th playoff goal by a defenseman and added an assist in Wednesday's 5-2 victory over Vegas to boost his postseason total to 45 points, which is three shy of Dan Boyle for the most in club history at the position. The 34-year-old Burns accepted both a feed and subsequent box-out from Karlsson before scoring a 3-on-3 goal after wiring a shot past Marc-Andre Fleury in the second period. Fleury, who had two shutouts en route to bouncing the Sharks in six games during last year's second-round series, allowed four goals on 32 shots while seeing five San Jose players register multi-point performances in the opener. "Definitely not the way we want to start a series," the three-time Stanley Cup-winning goaltender said. "I think we expected it was going to be intense and physical."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, Sportsnet 360, TVAS2, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountains, NBCS California (San Jose)

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS: Mark Stone scored twice in the opener for Vegas, but the coveted trade deadline acquisition felt that the onus belongs on the Golden Knights to play better after mustering just 10 shots through two periods. "I don't think it has anything to do with them (the Sharks)," the 26-year-old Stone said. "It's more to do with us. We've got to focus on our own game." Linemate Max Pacioretty notched two assists to lift his postseason total to 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 39 career games.

ABOUT THE SHARKS: Captain Joe Pavelski said his first-period goal was the toughest one of his career, an admission that came after he lost a few teeth on Wednesday and before he sat in a dentist's chair on Thursday after Burns' shot hit him flush in the mouth before the puck crossed the goal line. Coach Peter DeBoer labeled the 34-year-old said as "a warrior" after the contest and told NBC Sports California that he "thinks he's going to be fine." Pavelski, whose team-leading 38 goals this season were his second-most in his career, had just one of his 45 playoff tallies in last year's second-round series loss to Vegas.

OVERTIME

1. San Jose D Marc-Edouard Vlasic recorded his fifth career multi-point performance in the postseason with a goal and an assist in Game 1 while Karlsson set up a pair of tallies for his eighth multi-assist effort in the playoffs.

2. Vegas C Paul Stastny collected his sixth point in five games with an assist on Stone's second-period goal on Wednesday.

3. The Sharks are 13-7 all-time when taking a 1-0 lead in a playoff series while the Golden Knights rebounded from their lone Game 1 loss to defeat Winnipeg in last year's Western Conference final.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights 3, Sharks 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 08:41 AM

Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in MLB

The Los Angeles Angels will try to continue their romp through the National League Central when they open a three-game interleague series against the host Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon. The Angels have won six straight and are coming off a three-game sweep of Milwaukee at home.

The Cubs look to build off their first series victory of the season after closing out a three-game set against visiting Pittsburgh on Thursday with a 2-0 triumph. Chicago waited out a rain delay to win the rubber match of the series behind a dominant performance by Jose Quintana, who worked seven innings to preserve a taxed bullpen. The Angels ran their winning streak to six games with a 4-2 win over the Brewers on Wednesday despite playing without star center fielder Mike Trout, who sat out due to a right groin strain. After an off-day on Thursday, Trout - who is batting .406 with five home runs and 12 RBIs - hopes to be back in the lineup for the series opener in Chicago.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS West (Los Angeles), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (1-1, 2.45 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Cole Hamels (1-0, 5.73)

After failing to get through five innings in his season debut at Oakland, Skaggs was strong last time out against Texas. The 27-year-old limited the Rangers to one run and five hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking one. Skaggs faced the Cubs in 2013 but will pitch at Wrigley Field for the first time in his career.

Hamels had a tough time in his first outing of the season at Texas but bounced back with a quality start at Milwaukee on Saturday. The 35-year-old held the Brewers' potent offense to two runs and six hits while registering five strikeouts over six innings en route to his first win of 2019. Hamels is 4-2 with a 2.80 ERA in 11 career starts against the Angels.

WALK-OFFS

1. After a 4-for-24 start, Angels SS Andrelton Simmons is 7-for-23 with two doubles and a homer during a five-game hitting streak.

2. Cubs C Victor Caratini, who went 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI, left Thursday's game with a left hand injury - which the club fears is a fractured hamate bone.

3. The Angels' bullpen has posted a collective 1.67 ERA, the best in the majors.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Cubs 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 08:41 AM

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in MLB

Patrick Corbin makes his third attempt at recording his first win with his new team when the Washington Nationals host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Corbin, who landed a six-year, $140 million contract as a free agent in the offseason, did not factor in the decision in either of his first two starts this year.

Washington has scored 37 runs in its last three victories and has won six of its last nine games. Anthony Rendon is off to a torrid start, batting .429 with four home runs, seven doubles and 14 RBIs. Pittsburgh was blanked twice as it dropped two of three to the Chicago Cubs to open its eight-game road trip. Adam Frazier registered two hits in Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Cubs and is batting .310 in 42 at-bats.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (1-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Patrick Corbin (0-0, 3.75)

Williams came away with a no-decision in his last outing as he gave up four runs - three earned - and seven hits over six innings versus Cincinnati. The 27-year-old fared better against the Reds in his season debut, scattering three hits over six scoreless innings while picking up the win. Williams is 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) versus Washington.

Corbin allowed three runs - all on solo homers - and six hits in six innings against the New York Mets in his last start. The 29-year-old struck out nine and walked one in his second straight turn versus the Mets - he gave up two runs and seven hits over six frames in his club debut. Corbin is 1-2 with a 4.75 ERA in six career starts against the Pirates and he been touched for two homers by Melky Cabrera (2-for-7).

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates RHP Jameson Taillon, who was hit in the head by a liner on Monday, is slated to start Sunday against the Nationals.

2. Washington CF Victor Robles is 6-for-16 with one homer, four RBIs and six runs scored over his last four games.

3. Pittsburgh placed Kevin Newman (hand) on the 10-day injured list and recalled fellow INF Kevin Kramer from Triple-A Indianapolis.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Pirates 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 08:41 AM

Chicago White Sox vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in MLB

The New York Yankees' positive feelings after a series sweep in which they scored 29 runs were diminished after they surrendered 18 to find themselves swept away in their last set. The Yankees look to get back on track Friday when they begin a nine-game homestand with the opener of a three-game set versus the struggling Chicago White Sox.

"We got to tighten up a little bit, play a little bit better, but I believe we are really close to turning the corner ... this is a little bump in the road," New York manager Aaron Boone said following Wednesday's 8-6 loss to Houston. Luke Voit went deep for the second straight contest and extended his hitting streak to six games with a two-run homer in the eighth inning against the Astros. Chicago, which has limped out to its worst start to a season since 1997, has been outscored 45-14 during its five-game losing skid to send its team ERA skyrocketing to a league-worst 6.94. Tim Anderson had a pair of singles in Wednesday's 9-1 setback versus Tampa Bay to improve to 15-for-25 with two homers, five RBIs and seven runs scored during his six-game hitting streak.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), WPIX (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (1-1, 5.73 ERA) vs. Yankees LH J.A. Happ (0-1. 6.48)

Giolito took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in his first start but failed to get out of the fifth in the other, allowing five runs on six hits with four walks in a 9-2 setback versus Seattle. The 24-year-old, who will be making his first appearance at Yankee Stadium, was shelled for seven runs on six hits -- including Giancarlo Stanton's grand slam -- in five innings of a 7-3 setback against New York on Aug. 8. Aaron Hicks (back) joined Stanton (biceps) by going deep in that game, although both won't be a factor on Friday against Giolito, who has limited the Yankees' current crop of batters to a 4-for-19 performance at the plate with seven strikeouts.

Happ has yet to work out of the fifth inning in a pair of starts this season and has been taken deep three times, including once in a no-decision at Baltimore on Saturday. "It's kind of the game now," the 36-year-old said of the bullpen trend. "... I definitely think later on, I'll be out there to finish that inning." Happ owns a 4-2 mark with a 3.86 ERA in six career starts versus Chicago, with Anderson batting 6-for-10 with a solo homer against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago CF Leury Garcia has 10 hits and six runs scored in his last six games while LF Eloy Jimenez has 10 hits in his last seven.

2. New York LH CC Sabathia will come off the injured list to make his first start of the season on Saturday, Boone announced.

3. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu is 0-for-13 with four strikeouts in his last three games.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, White Sox 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 08:41 AM

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in MLB

The Tampa Bay Rays have won their first four series of the season for the first time in franchise history and hope to get off to a strong start in No. 5 when they visit the slumping Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Austin Meadows led a Tampa Bay offense that posted 24 runs during a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox to start the week, going 7-for-10 with a pair of homers and seven RBIs in his last two contests.

"He's got the ability to do everything well," Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters of Meadows, who has recorded four homers and 13 RBIs overall. "He's got a chance to be a pretty special player with this opportunity that he's earned to get going here in the lineup and be a big part of our group." Ryne Stanek will pitch an inning or two to open the game for Tampa Bay on Friday while Toronto counters with rookie Trent Thornton, who is looking for his first major-league win after two strong performances this season. The Blue Jays started the year with two wins in three games but are just 2-8 since after coughing up a five-run lead and then surrendering a pair in the bottom of the ninth inning to drop a 7-6 decision at Boston on Thursday. Freddy Galvis has been a bright spot for Toronto during its slide, going 11-for-22 with three homers and six RBIs while hitting safely in six consecutive contests to raise his batting average to .395.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), Sportsnet One (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Ryne Stanek (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Trent Thornton (0-0, 1.69)

Stanek opens the game for the third time this season after allowing one hit and registering five strikeouts over three scoreless innings in the first two. The 27-year-old native of Kansas had not given up a run in six frames this season before surrendering one on two hits and a walk without retiring a batter Tuesday in Chicago. Rowdy Tellez is 1-for-2 with a homer versus Stanek, who permitted two runs and six hits over 10 innings (six starts) against Toronto last year.

Thornton has given his team a chance to win in his first two major-league starts, tossing five scoreless innings against Detroit before limiting Cleveland to two runs over 5 2/3 frames last Friday. The 25-year-old from North Carolina, who is a former fifth-round draft pick of Houston, has struck out 15 batters and walked just two to start his career. Thornton posted a 9-8 record and 4.42 ERA with Triple-A Fresno last season before being acquired from the Astros in a trade for Aledmys Diaz.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto 1B-DH Justin Smoak, who belted a three-run homer on Thursday, recorded six shots and 14 RBIs in 19 games against Boston last year.

2. Tampa Bay LF Tommy Pham hit his first two homers of the season in Wednesday's 9-1 win and has reached base in 45 straight contests.

3. The Rays won 13 of 19 meetings last year - going 6-4 at Toronto - after losing the season series 10-9 in 2017.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Rays 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 08:41 AM

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in MLB

The Philadelphia Phillies made several offseason acquisitions prior to the signing of superstar Bryce Harper, with All-Star J.T. Realmuto reeled in from the Miami Marlins for fellow catcher Jorge Alfaro, a pair of pitchers and international bonus slot money. Realmuto returns to South Florida for the first time since the trade as the Phillies open a three-game series against the Marlins on Friday.

Realmuto had been slow out of the blocks with just four hits in his first seven contests before collecting five in a three-game span prior to Wednesday's 15-1 drubbing by Washington. Rhys Hoskins cooled down in back-to-back losses against the Nationals after a sterling five-game stretch in which he went 9-for-19 with four homers, 10 RBIs and five runs scored. While Philadelphia has surrendered 25 runs in its last two contests, Miami has mustered a majors-worst 34 and has been shut out three times in the last six outings following Thursday afternoon's 5-0 setback in Cincinnati. Brian Anderson collected two of the five hits recorded by the Marlins, who have lost eight of their last nine heading into the opener of their nine-game homestand.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBC 10 (Philadelphia), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (1-1, 2.77 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Sandy Alcantara (1-0, 1.50)

Arrieta answered a sterling start with another strong outing, but one bad inning in which he uncorked a run-scoring wild pitch and surrendered a pair of solo homers led to his undoing in a 6-2 setback versus Minnesota. The 2015 National League Cy Young Award recipient improved to 5-1 with a 3.00 ERA in eight career starts against the Marlins after posting a 2-1 record in four meetings last season. Starlin Castro (4-for-10, three doubles) and Curtis Granderson (10-for-32, three homers, 10 RBIs) have flustered Arrieta, although the 33-year-old hurler has kept Lewis Brinson and J.T. Riddle hitless in six at-bats apiece.

Alcantara followed up a stellar season-opening start by struggling to find the strike zone in his next trip to the mound, allowing five walks in four innings of Saturday's no-decision at Atlanta. "You can't pitch away from contact," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of the 23-year-old Dominican's performance. "You've got to use your stuff. I really have to say it was a side step. At least it wasn't backwards. Not a step forward, a side step." Alcantara has kept the current crop of Phillies in check in his career, limiting the club to going 1-for-14 with five strikeouts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia SS Jean Segura leads the team with 14 hits, although he is just 3-for-15 with three strikeouts in his last four games.

2. Alfaro is 4-for-10 with two blasts while driving in three runs in his last three contests to boost his team-leading totals in homers (three) and RBIs (six).

3. Phillies 3B Maikel Franco is 4-for-26 in his last seven games.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Marlins 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 08:42 AM

Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in MLB

The Boston Red Sox created a spark with a comeback victory last time out and hope to ignite their first winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Baltimore Orioles on Friday for the opener of their four-game series. The Red Sox trailed by five runs early against Toronto on Thursday and entered the ninth inning down by one before rallying for a 7-6 victory to avoid losing their fourth straight series.

Rafael Devers singled home the winning run and has collected four hits in his last two games to give Boston three regulars batting at least .270 as he joined J.D. Martinez (hits in 12 of 13 games) and Mitch Moreland, who has homered in four straight contests in which he had an official at-bat. Eduardo Rodriguez will try to begin changing the trend after two rough outings when he takes the mound for the Red Sox in the series opener as the Orioles counter with David Hess, who has producd one good start and one poor one thus far in 2019. Baltimore has lost seven of its last eight games after a 4-1 start, giving up 31 runs while dropping the past three, and slugger Chris Davis has gone 0-for-32 this season to extend his major-league record to 53 at-bats without a hit. "It is what it is," Davis told the Baltimore Sun. "The more I try to go out there and do, or the more I try to shoulder this all by myself, the harder it gets. I have to trust the process, I have to trust the work I'm putting in. At some point, it's going to turn around."

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH David Hess (1-1, 2.70 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (0-2, 12.38)

Hess suffered the loss against the New York Yankees on Sunday, when he allowed four runs and five hits - three homers - in five innings after producing two solid outings to open the season. The 25-year-old Tennessean limited his first two opponents to one hit with 10 strikeouts over 8 1/3 scoreless frames. Martinez is 2-for-2 with a pair of homers and two walks versus Hess, who went 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA in two turns against Boston last year.

Rodriguez has played a big role in Boston's early pitching struggles by permitting 12 runs - 11 earned - over eight innings in his first two starts of 2019. The 26-year-old Venezuelan has struck out seven and walked six in the early going after registering 146 strikeouts and issuing just 45 free passes last year. Joey Rickard is 5-for-15 with a homer against Rodriguez, who went 3-0 with a 1.31 ERA in five games (three starts) versus Baltimore in 2018.

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles 1B-OF-DH Trey Mancini has launched six homers in his last 11 games and leads the team with 12 RBIs.

2. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia, who was limited to three games last season due to injuries, has notched hits in his first two contests of 2019.

3. Baltimore INF Jonathan Villar has hit safely in 11 of his first 13 games and driven in eight runs.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, Orioles 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 08:42 AM

New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in MLB

The Atlanta Braves enter Friday's home contest against the New York Mets after a 6-3 loss in Thursday's series opener, just their second defeat in the past nine games, but the day also produced a long-term win for the franchise. Nine days after locking up star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to an eight-year contract extension, Atlanta inked second baseman Ozzie Albies to a seven-year deal, keeping the All-Star with the Braves through at least 2026.

Albies finished 0-for-5 in the series opener but is off to a solid start in his second full big-league season, hitting .327 with an .838 OPS and manning the leadoff spot against left-handed starters. But it was an opposing infielder who stood out Thursday, as New York shortstop Amed Rosario drove in a career-high four runs - belting a three-run homer in the second and adding an RBI single in the sixth. Rosario, who hit .302 in his final 48 games a season ago, is 6-for-15 in his past four games and is hitting .283 on the season with four extra-base hits and 10 RBIs in 46 at-bats. Rookie first baseman Pete Alonso, who came into Thursday tied for second in the National League in RBIs and tied for third in homers, slugged his sixth longball of the season in the seventh and finished with two RBIs - giving him 17 in 12 games.

TV: 7:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (0-1, 10.24 ERA) vs. Braves RH Kyle Wright (0-1, 4.35)

Wheeler faced Washington in his first two starts and struggled in both, giving up four runs on six hits in five innings on March 31 before walking seven hitters while allowing seven runs over 4 2/3 innings Sunday. The 28-year-old has walked eight hitters over 9 2/3 innings so far, after issuing only 55 walks in 182 1/3 innings en route to a 12-7 record and 3.31 ERA a season ago. Wheeler went 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.26 WHIP against the Braves in 2018, and in 10 career starts is 5-3 with a 3.21 ERA.

Wright struggled in cold conditions in his first start of the season in Philadelphia, but pitched much better last Saturday at home against Miami, giving up two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk over six innings. The 23-year-old had walked five while allowing three runs in his season debut, but threw 46 of his 77 pitches for strikes Saturday while allowing a pair of solo homers. Wright surrendered two runs in one inning of relief against the Mets as a rookie last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York 2B Robinson Cano finished 0-for-5 in the series opener, and is 3-for-21 with five strikeouts in his past six games to drop his average to .180.

2. Acuna slammed a 462-foot homer in the eighth Thursday, finishing a double shy of the cycle, and is 7-for-11 with five runs scored and five RBIs in his last three games.

3. New York RHP Edwin Diaz struck out two in a scoreless ninth, earning his fifth save in five chances.

PREDICTION: Braves 6, Mets 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 08:42 AM

Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in MLB

After averting a fifth consecutive loss to close out their first road trip of the season, the Texas Rangers enjoyed a day off before opening a nine-game homestand against the resurgent Oakland Athletics on Friday night. Oakland had dropped the first four contests of its 10-game road trip before breezing to three consecutive victories in Baltimore.

Athletics first baseman Khris Davis had the most homers in baseball with 48 a year ago and has not missed a beat, belting two for the second straight day to boost his major league-leading total to nine. "We've seen him go on some runs similar to these. A lot of times, they end up being big home runs, too," manager Bob Melvin said after his club swatted 12 homers and amassed 31 runs on 38 hits in the final three games against the Orioles. The Rangers halted a four-game slide with a 5-2 victory at Arizona on Wednesday but the good vibes were dimmed when closer Jose Leclerc had to be yanked after a second straight rocky outing. "There's always a level of concern," manager Chris Woodward said. "He legitimately is the best pitcher on our staff. We have to get him right mentally and physically."

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Mike Fiers (2-1, 5.94 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Drew Smyly (0-1, 7.11)

Fiers will be making his fifth start of the season and will attempt to bounce back from a shellacking in Houston last time out when he was tagged for six runs and seven hits in only 1 2/3 innings. The 33-year-old did not allow a run in winning each of his previous two outings, tossing six scoreless innings against both Boston and the Los Angeles Angels. Elvis Andrus is 7-for-23 with two homers against Fiers, who owns a 3-3 record and 6.16 ERA in nine appearances (eight starts) versus Texas.

Texas has scored one run in each of Smyly's first two starts but he has not helped his cause by failing to get through the fourth inning. The 29-year-old, who made a career-high 30 starts last year, lasted three innings and allowed one run on four hits in his season debut versus Houston before getting roughed up for four runs on six hits over 3 1/3 frames in a loss at the Angels last time out. Smyly, who has not faced Oakland since July 2016, has limited Marcus Semien to one hit in seven at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland C Josh Phegley has three homers and seven RBIs in his last four games while hitting safely in six in a row.

2. Leclerc had a streak of 25 straight scoreless appearances before giving up four runs and four hits in his last two.

3. Athletics 2B Chad Pinder was 7-for-13 with six runs scored in his last three games while Semien has hit safely in five straight.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, Rangers 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 08:42 AM

Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in MLB

The Cleveland Indians haven't exactly set a torrid pace offensively while waiting for players like Francisco Lindor and Jason Kipnis to return from injury, but the pitching staff has more than held up its end of the bargain. The Indians hope to continue rolling Friday when they begin the second leg of a nine-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series against the struggling Kansas City Royals.

Cleveland is averaging 3.6 runs, ranks among the bottom three American League teams in runs scored (43) and has tallied more than four runs only three times in 12 contests so far, yet the back-to-back-to-back AL Central champions have won six of seven in large part because they have yet to allow more than two runs in any of the victories over that stretch. Shane Bieber and two relievers turned in the latest dominant effort by the Indians in Thursday's 4-0 win in Detroit, holding the Tigers to three singles and a walk. The Royals continued along their worst 12-game start since 2006 following a 7-6, 10-inning loss to Seattle on Thursday, losing for the 10th straight time after giving up a game-tying two-run triple with two outs and two strikes in the ninth inning. "What's happening can't continue throughout the whole season. It just can't," second baseman Whit Merrifield told the Kansas City Star. "Those balls aren't going to fall all year for our opponents. It's just a matter of when's it going to turn, and hopefully it's (Friday)."

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (1-1, 7.71 ERA) vs. Royals RH Brad Keller (1-1, 2.84)

Carrasco became the first Cleveland pitcher since at least 1908 to record 12 strikeouts through five innings in Saturday's win against Toronto, doing so while allowing two runs on six hits and a walk. The performance was a huge improvement from his March 31 season debut in Minnesota in which he surrendered six runs and 10 hits in 4 1/3 frames. Merrifield (7-for-17, one home run) has thrived while Alex Gordon (5-for-35, 16 strikeouts) has struggled against Carrasco, who went 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in two starts versus the Royals last season.

Keller turned in his third consecutive quality start Sunday in Detroit, but a lack of run support led to his first loss of the season despite yielding three runs across six innings. The 23-year-old Georgia native has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 10 of his last 11 turns and is 8-3 with a 3.00 ERA in 15 starts since last year's All-Star Game. Keller is 6-1 with a 2.80 ERA in 22 career home appearances (12 starts) and finished 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA in four games (two starts) versus the Indians in 2018.

WALK-OFFS

1. Merrifield's 31-game hitting streak was snapped with a 0-for-6 effort Thursday, one day after he broke George Brett's team record.

2. Indians OF Leonys Martin's three hits in four at-bats Thursday to match the total he mustered in the team's first five road games combined (3-for-16), while his two RBIs doubled his previous season total.

3. Cleveland's 2.57 team ERA ranks second in the majors.

PREDICTION: Royals 3, Indians 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-12-2019, 08:42 AM

San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 04-12-2019 in MLB

The San Diego Padres are in sole possession of first place in the National League West 10 games or later into a season for the first time since Sept. 25, 2010. San Diego looks to remain atop the division Friday, when it visits the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second contest of their four-game series.

Manuel Margot belted the tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning and Austin Hedges launched a 449-foot, three-run blast earlier in the game as San Diego notched a 7-6 triumph on Thursday for its sixth win in eight contests. Padres rookie Fernando Tatis Jr. recorded a pair of singles for his third two-hit performance, raising his batting average to .244, but also struck out for the 17th time in just 45 at-bats. Arizona recovered from a five-run deficit to forge a tie in the seventh inning on Eduardo Escobar's three-run homer before dropping to 3-3 on its nine-game homestand. David Peralta is swinging a hot bat for the Diamondbacks as he went 2-for-5 with two RBIs to raise his average to .367.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Chris Paddack (0-0, 1.04 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Luke Weaver (0-0, 6.75)

Paddack has registered 11 strikeouts and given up just three hits over 8 2/3 innings in his first two major-league starts. The 23-year-old struggled with his command in his last outing as he issued four walks and was removed after throwing 89 pitches in 3 2/3 frames while allowing an unearned run and one hit. Paddack gave up one run and two hits while striking out seven in five innings against San Francisco on March 31 in his major-league debut.

Weaver didn't factor in the decision against Boston in his last turn as he gave up three runs and five hits over five innings. The 25-year-old is 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in three career starts versus the Padres and has struggled with Margot (4-for-8) and Eric Hosmer (3-for-6). Weaver was part of the package Arizona received when it traded slugger Paul Goldschmidt to St. Louis in the offseason.

WALK-OFFS

1. Two of Padres OF Franmil Reyes' five hits this season have been homers as he also went deep in Thursday's series opener.

2. A native of San Diego, Arizona RF Adam Jones is 6-for-17 against the Padres this season after going 1-for-3 with an RBI on Thursday.

3. San Diego 3B Manny Machado has registered only two multi-hit performances in his 14 games with the club.

PREDICTION: Padres 5, Diamondbacks 4

Friday 4-12-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Friday 4-12-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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