Thursday 5-24-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 10:27 AM

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park

RACE #3 - BELMONT PARK - 2:32 PM EASTERN POST
8.0 FURLONGS DIRT THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD $12,500.00 CLAIMING $25,000.00 PURSE

#2 IMPERATORE
#5 WAR EAGLE'S RETURN
#4 BATTLE OF EVERMORE
#3 ADVENTIST

#2 IMPERATORE takes a class drop (-5), is the overall speed leader in this claiming field racing at today's distance of a mile on the dirt, and has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in three of his last five starts, including a win in his 5th race back. Jockey David Cohen and Trainer Robertino Diodoro send him "postward" this afternoon ... they've hit the board with an even 50% of nearly 150 entries saddled as a team to date. Just a "caveat" in this race folks ... Cohen is also listed as the rider of the stablemate, #2B RINGS OF JUPITER, which to me, means there is going to be a scratch in this race .. so ... if #2 IMPERATORE is scratched, I would not use RINGS OF JUPITER as a "key" in your boxed, exotic tickets. The 6-1 shot, #5 WAR EAGLE'S RETURN has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in three of his last five outings, including back-to-back, "POWER RUN WINS" in his 4th and 5th races back.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 10:27 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Belterra Park - Race #1 - Post: 1:20pm - Claiming - 8.5 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $11,000 Class Rating: 64

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#7 CAP'S VOW (ML=5/1)

CAP'S VOW - The last time she tried this distance she got a fig good enough to win this clash. Adding blinkers sometimes leads to a better race on the racetrack.

Vulnerable Contenders: #4 LORAN HOLIDAY (ARG) (ML=5/2), #1 MAJESTIC BOLD (ML=7/2), #6 MORTY (ML=4/1),

LORAN HOLIDAY (ARG) - Hasn't raced or had any drills since March 31st. Not much value on this morning-line choice. Didn't hit the board on March 3rd at Gulfstream Park. Followed it up with another lackluster outing. Don't feel this entrant will make a winning move in today's race. That last rating was mediocre when compared with today's class figure. MORTY - Showed very little in the last event. Really don't expect any betterment today.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Turf Man - CAP'S VOW - In this route on grass this racer has the extreme advantage on this field. This mare has the top speed number for this distance and surface.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #7 CAP'S VOW on the nose if you can get odds of 1/1 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
7 with 1

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 10:28 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Charles Town
Charles Town - Race 8

Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta

Claiming $5,000 • 4 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 68 • Purse: $10,000 • Post: 10:15
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE APRIL 24 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000, IF FOR $4,500, ALLOWED 2 LBS. (W V A RACES NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY) (WINNERS PREFERRED).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Lone Front-runner. CAONAVO is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * CAONAVO: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. TRUE LIME: Tod ay is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. HIGH FREQUENCY: Horse racing off a layoff of 90+ days and trainer's win percentage with horses coming off a layoff is at least 25. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. DROOPY: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
3
CAONAVO
10/1

4/1
5
TRUE LIME
5/2

6/1
6
HIGH FREQUENCY
5/1

7/1
2
DROOPY
7/5

8/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
3
CAONAVO
3

10/1
Front-runner
67

65

81.8

56.8

49.3
6
HIGH FREQUENCY
6

5/1
Stalker
71

70

67.6

64.4

56.9
2
DROOPY
2

7/5
Stalker
70

68

62.6

58.4

52.9
5
TRUE LIME
5

5/2
Stalker
74

62

60.4

64.6

61.1
7
PARADING BY
7

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
51

47

56.4

37.4

23.4
8
NICO'S NUUMMITE
8

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
69

58

55.0

49.6

40.1
4
WHISPERING BILL
4

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
73

65

46.8

47.0

36.0
1
REAL FACT
1

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
61

54

35.4

44.0

31.5

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 10:28 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Gulfstream Park - Race #5 - Post: 3:19pm - Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $25,000 Class Rating: 96

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#9 STORMIN CHARLOTTE (ML=8/1)
#2 REGAL ROMA (ML=10/1)
#1 FEED ME CARATS (ML=4/1)
#4 SWAPL (ML=9/2)

STORMIN CHARLOTTE - Have to give this magnificent animal a long hard look. In recent races, has posted the best Equibase speed figures on the turf at this distance. Stand by this pony. Coming off the pace, I think she'll be in a wonderful spot to bury them in the stretch. While the finish was disappointing, this horse made a good stretch move last time around the track at Gulfstream Park. Should do much better right here. REGAL ROMA - This mare is in excellent condition right now. Finished first in the last race and comes back rapidly. Ran a quick time for the last quarter on May 4th at Tampa Bay Downs. Anything close in this field should get the job done. FEED ME CARATS - Have to give this filly a shot. Ran a strong contest last race out within the last 30 days. This filly won on February 19th at a higher class level and the same 1 mile distance as today. The improved speed ratings over the last three races is strong. Klesaris drops her in this event ready to win. SWAPL - Multiple wins in this horse's life, all at Gulfstream Park. Could add another win right here. Juarez was aboard this mare last time out and was impressed enough to take the horse right back.

Vulnerable Contenders: #10 DIPLOMATIC AFFAIR (ML=5/2), #8 VOILA LA VICTOIRE (IRE) (ML=7/2), #7 QUEENS QUARTERS (ML=5/1),

DIPLOMATIC AFFAIR - In this instance, this entrant's inability to close ground in the last affair is a cause for concern. Finished seventh in her most recent effort with a pedestrian speed rating. When I look at today's class figure, it would take an improved performance to triumph after that in this field. VOILA LA VICTOIRE (IRE) - If you keep playing these sort of 'bridesmaid' types, you're going to be dissatisfied often. There may be a set back this time around, after the bang up effort in the last race. QUEENS QUARTERS - A bit of a lackluster outing when this filly finished fourth. Don't feel this mount will make an impact in today's race. That last rating was quite unimpressive when compared with today's class rating.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Brain - SWAPL - One can assume, given she finished out of the money at Gulfstream Park last out, that this horse did not like the off track. I expect a significant improvement with better footing today.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Have to go with #9 STORMIN CHARLOTTE on the win end if we get at least 4/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,2,9]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [1,2,9] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[1,2,9] with [1,2,9] with [1,2,4,5,9] with [1,2,4,5,9] Total Cost: $36

SUPER HI 5 WAGERS:
None

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 10:30 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Lone Star Park
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 3 - Maiden Special Weight - 4.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $23000 Class Rating: 73

FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 119 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 1 THE GRAY DEHERE 9/5

# 1A RAISON D'HEAT 9/5

# 3 FASTASIWANNABE 3/1

I think THE GRAY DEHERE is a very strong choice. Caldwell has been steady with two year olds, winning at a 19 percent rate. Appears to be the type to be helped on Lasix here. Can't overlook as conditioner has been nails lately with 2 year olds. RAISON D'HEAT - Caldwell has a strong winning percentage of 19 in two-year old races. Keep in the exotics as this handler has been sharp recently with babies, whose combined return on investment has been +15. FASTASIWANNABE - The Lasix change (on Lasix) may spark a reversal of fortune for this colt. In a two-year old contest if you see the name Munnings in the sire line you know you have a key contender. Risk takers may find wagering value with this sire's offspring, who have a combined +1 return on investment.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 10:30 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Penn National
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 4 - Maiden Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $10000 Class Rating: 46

FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 8 REGAL TREASURE 8/1

# 7 RUNTHISWAY 7/2

# 5 SOUNDS LIKE MUSIC 3/1

REGAL TREASURE looks to be a very good contender especially at 8/1. Expect a much stronger outing with the drop. With better than average trips to the winner's circle, Davis should have this mare in excellent position to win the contest. I think having Davis ride this mare is a smart move. RUNTHISWAY - This conditioner has the top return on investment in this group of animals with entries racing at this distance and surface. With better than average trips to the winner's circle, Inirio should have this mare in excellent position to win the outing. SOUNDS LIKE MUSIC - Will almost certainly go to the front end and could never look back. Has a strong shot in this race if you like back class.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 10:30 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Presque Isle Downs
Presque Isle Downs - Race 4

$2 WPS / $2 Exacta / Trifecta (min .50 cent) / Superfecta (min .10 cent) $2 Daily Double / Pick 3 (min .50 cent) (Races 4-5-6) Pick 5 ( min .50 cent) (Races 4-5-6-7-8)

Claiming $6,250 • 1 Mile 70 yards • All-Weather • Ages 3 and up • CR: 91 • Purse: $13,000 • Post: 6:40P
(PLUS UP TO 30% PABF) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 117 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE APRIL 24 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $6,250 (CLAIMING RACES FOR $5,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ESTIMATING ALLOWANCES).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Dominant Stalker. NOBODYDANCESSOBOR is the Dominant Stalker of the race. * KEY ANGLES * NOBODYDANCESSOBOR: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/su rface. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
6
NOBODYDANCESSOBOR
2/1

2/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
3
SMART BUT FOOLISH
3

5/1
Alternator/Front-runner
72

70

67.3

78.7

69.2
8
PERSUASION
8

8/1
Stalker
79

70

64.9

66.8

58.8
6
NOBODYDANCESSOBOR
6

2/1
Alternator/Stalker
98

96

88.2

85.6

81.6
1
TUFFY'S LUCKY
1

12/1
Alternator/Stalker
75

78

75.0

74.5

65.5
2
INGADORE
2

3/1
Trailer
95

85

69.8

80.4

76.4
4
HUBERT JUNIOR
4

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
66

59

65.4

56.0

42.5
7
SEVENTYSEVEN STONE
7

6/1
Alternator/Non-contender
75

65

41.2

37.7

26.7
5
EL GATO FELIX B
5

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
81

78

38.2

50.8

38.3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 10:32 AM

Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 05-24-2018

23rd May 2018 by Gracenote
staring at a 10-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter and a 3-1 series hole, the houston rockets came alive and reestablished homecourt advantage in the western conference finals. the rockets will try to maintain that advantage and carry some momentum back when they host the golden state warriors in game 5 on thursday.

houston allowed 126 points on 52.2 percent shooting in a 41-point loss in game 3 but came out with a renewed passion on the defensive end in game 4 and held the warriors to 12 points in the fourth quarter to earn a 95-92 victory. "that was the last piece for us to get over the hump and becoming one of the best teams in the league," swingman trevor ariza told reporters after the win. "how we defend, how we pay attention to detail and how we go about playing defense. tonight, in the fourth quarter when it mattered, we got stops. it let us get back in the game, it let us take the lead and it let us win." golden state coach steve kerr blamed fatigue for his team's poor fourth-quarter performance but conceded that the rockets were the better team down the stretch. "i felt like in the fourth quarter we just ran out of gas," warriors coach steve kerr said. "scored 12 points. tried to buy a little rest for our guys, but yeah, they just outplayed us in the fourth and they earned it."

tv: 9 p.m. et, tnt
about the warriors: golden state held houston to 39 percent shooting in game 4 but surrendered 34 points in the second quarter and 25 in the fourth, and the inconsistency is a matter of concern. "i think we just stop trusting our defense at certain points in the game," power forward draymond green told reporters. "we've got to trust our defense, trust the game plan, and stick with it." the warriors shot 39.3 percent from the floor in the loss and all-star shooting guard klay thompson was held to 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting, giving him an average of 10.3 points over the last three games after going off for 28 in game 1.

about the rockets: houston needs two wins over the next three games to knock the warriors off their three-year reign as western conference champs and gets to play two of those three at home, though that might not matter. "we knew we needed it, but we said all along with both teams home court doesn't really matter," point guard chris paul told reporters after the game 4 victory. "both teams have the ability to win on the road. we had to prove that to ourselves. weathering the storm, the runs that they made, and knowing that now we get a chance to go back home, we knew we had to get at least one win here. we got it, so now it's a three-game series." paul battled a foot injury in game 4 but turned in his best scoring effort of the series with 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting.
buzzer beaters

1. warriors sf andre iguodala (leg) sat out game 4 and is questionable for thursday.

2. houston sg eric gordon is 3-of-16 from 3-point range over the last two games.

3. golden state sf kevin durant recorded his first double-double of the series with 27 points and 12 rebounds on tuesday.

prediction: rockets 106, warriors 102

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 10:33 AM

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 05-24-2018

24th May 2018 by Gracenote
the pittsburgh pirates rediscovered their offense to snap a four-game losing skid and put themselves in position to win their second series of the season against the cincinnati reds heading into thursday afternoon's rubber match at great american ball park. the pirates (27-21) had mustered just 11 runs during their four-game losing streak after averaging 6.3 in winning eight of their previous nine contests.

josh harrison capped a four-hit performance with an rbi triple in the 12th inning of wednesday's 5-4 win to improve to 8-for-15 in three games since returning from a month-plus-long absence due to a hand injury. harrison also scored on an rbi single from corey dickerson, who also had four hits wednesday and has ravaged the reds to the tune of going 11-for-24 with seven rbis in five games during the season series. scooter gennett went deep in the sixth inning on wednesday for his seventh homer among 25 hits, 20 rbis and 13 runs scored in his last 15 games for cellar-dwelling cincinnati (17-33). the 28-year-old cincinnati native answered a 1-for-16 performance in the previous series versus pittsburgh by going 4-for-7 in this set headed into a matchup versus thursday starter ivan nova, against whom he is 1-for-11.

tv: 12:35 p.m. et, mlb network, fs ohio (cincinnati)
pitching matchup: pirates rh ivan nova (2-4, 4.79 era) vs. reds rh luis castillo (3-4, 5.61)
nova fell to 0-3 in his last six starts despite recording his first quality start since april 26 with a three-run, six-inning performance versus san diego on friday. the 31-year-old dominican owns a 3-6 mark in nine career starts against cincinnati, including a 1-4 record with a 5.08 era in five appearances at great american ball park. tucker barnhart is 6-for-15 with seven rbis in his career versus nova, but the right-hander has subdued jose peraza (2-for-13).
castillo kept the ball in the park for the first time since april 16, but a career high-tying five walks drove up his pitch count and left him with a no-decision in saturday's contest versus the chicago cubs. the 25-year-old dominican weaved his way in and out of trouble and stranded a runner in scoring position in each of the five innings he worked. castillo allowed four runs on six hits in five frames of a 14-3 setback at pittsburgh on april 6.
walk-offs

1. cincinnati 3b eugenio suarez is 8-for-21 against pittsburgh this season.

2. pittsburgh cf austin meadows is 6-for-15 with two homers, three rbis and three runs scored since being recalled from triple a-indianapolis.

3. peraza has hit safely in the first two contests of this series after going 0-for-13 in his previous four games.

prediction: pirates 4, reds 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 10:33 AM

Los Angeles Angels vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 05-24-2018

24th May 2018 by Gracenote
the los angeles angels failed to overcome a fast start by toronto to fall short in the opener of their 10-game road trip, but a late surge against the blue jays the following night evened their three-game series at one victory apiece. the visiting angels (27-22) aim to ride that momentum into thursday afternoon's rubber match against the blue jays (23-26), who have lost eight of their last 10.

rookie sensation shohei ohtani and andrelton simmons recorded back-to-back two-run singles in the ninth inning of wednesday's 5-4 victory for los angeles, which scored more than three runs for just the second time in 11 games. simmons, who has three rbis in this series after driving in just two in his previous nine contests, is 5-for-10 in his career versus thursday starter marco estrada. toronto's yangervis solarte homered in his second straight outing to highlight his fourth straight two-hit performance on wednesday. the 30-year-old venezuelan is 9-for-22 with six rbis during his five-game hitting streak for the blue jays.
tv: 12:37 p.m. et, facebook watch
pitching matchup: angels rh nick tropeano (1-3, 4.45 era) vs. blue jays rh marco estrada (2-5, 5.15)

tropeano fell to 0-3 in his last five starts on friday after surrendering two homers and four runs total in 2 2/3 innings of an 8-3 setback versus tampa bay. the 27-year-old didn't do himself any favors by driving up his pitch count courtesy of walking three batters for the third time in four outings. tropeano will be making his first career appearance against toronto, although he has fared well versus former angel kendrys morales (0-for-5, two strikeouts) and curtis granderson (0-for-3).
like tropeano, estrada also is 0-3 in his last five starts after taking the loss versus oakland on friday despite surrendering three runs in 6 2/3 innings. the 34-year-old did not walk a batter for the first time this season while his six strikeouts were his most since fanning seven in an 8-5 triumph at texas on april 6. estrada has split a pair of decisions against the angels despite posting a 6.62 era while allowing the club to bat .333 against him.
walk-offs

1. los angeles rf kole calhoun is 0-for-6 in the series and 2-for-27 in his last 10 games, but he made his mark in the field by throwing out granderson at the plate in the ninth inning on wednesday.

2. speaking of granderson, he is just 1-for-13 with four strikeouts in his last four games.

3. angels c martin maldonado had an rbi single to extend his modest hitting streak to three games while improving to 18-for-49 in may after going 7-for-56 last month.

prediction: blue jays 5, angels 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 11:00 AM

Baltimore Orioles vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 05-24-2018

24th May 2018 by Gracenote
the chicago white sox are enjoying their best stretch of the season, and they look to complete their eight-game homestand with a 6-2 record when they face the baltimore orioles on thursday afternoon. chicago is 2-1 entering the finale of the four-game set, and wednesday's 11-1 victory was its best offensive output since it scored 14 runs in its season opener.

adam engel, yoan moncada and jose rondon all homered in wednesday's game as the white sox went 5-for-7 with runners in scoring position. the light-hitting engel scored three runs and matched his career high of four hits to raise his batting average 29 points to .212. baltimore has registered just six runs and 18 hits over the first three games of the series and owns the worst road record in the majors at 5-21. chris davis was hitless in four at-bats on wednesday and is 2-for-35 with 17 strikeouts in his last nine contests.

tv: 2:10 p.m. et, masn (baltimore), wgn (chicago)
pitching matchup: orioles rh dylan bundy (2-6, 4.70 era) vs. white sox rh lucas giolito (3-4, 6.42)
bundy lost to boston in his last turn, his fourth setback in five starts. the 25-year-old gave up four runs and five hits in six innings versus the red sox and has posted a horrific 9.41 era during the five-start stretch after compiling a stellar 1.42 era over his first five outings this season. bundy is 3-0 with a 4.26 era in four career appearances (three starts) against the white sox and has experienced difficulties with jose abreu (6-for-9, home run).

giolito has won back-to-back starts after recording just one victory over his first seven turns. the 23-year-old is tied for the most walks issued (34) in the american league and has recorded just 27 strikeouts over 47 2/3 innings. giolito, who is starting against baltimore for the first time, is 1-2 with a horrific 10.19 era in four home turns this season.
walk-offs

1. orioles rf mark trumbo (knee) could miss his second straight game since going 4-for-4 on tuesday.

2. chicago of leury garcia (knee) departed wednesday's contest in the fifth inning and will be re-evaluated on thursday.
3. baltimore rhp darren o'day (elbow) was scratched from a scheduled side session on wednesday due to discomfort.

prediction: orioles 8, white sox 5

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 11:00 AM

Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 05-24-2018

24th May 2018 by Gracenote
the seattle mariners attempt to extend their winning streak to six games when they visit the american league west-rival oakland athletics on thursday afternoon for the finale of their three-game series. after capturing the final three contests of its four-game home set versus detroit, seattle has posted a pair of one-run victories in oakland.

guillermo heredia went 2-for-4 and scored the lone run while marco gonzales combined with two relievers on a three-hitter in wednesday's 1-0 triumph as the mariners improved to 6-2 against the athletics this season. slugger nelson cruz returned to the lineup after missing four of the previous six games with elbow and foot injuries and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. oakland registered three singles wednesday, which dropped it to 0-2 on its 10-game homestand. jed lowrie recorded two of the three hits by the athletics, who have lost five in a row at oakland coliseum.
tv: 3:35 p.m. et, mlb network, root northwest (seattle), nbcs california (oakland)
pitching matchup: mariners rh felix hernandez (5-3, 5.53 era) vs. athletics rh josh lucas (0-0, 1.35)

hernandez has had a rough time of late, surrendering 14 runs and 21 hits over 16 2/3 innings in his last three starts, but he has posted a 1-1 record in that span. the 32-year-old venezuelan has won three straight decisions away from home to raise his road mark this season to 3-1 but has posted a 7.27 era over five turns in opposing ballparks. hernandez is 26-10 with three complete games and a 2.64 era in 48 career starts against oakland, including a 1-1 mark and 3.65 era in two outings this year.
lucas will be recalled from triple-a nashville to make his third appearance this season and the first start of his major-league career. the 27-year-old floridian worked 3 2/3 innings out of the bullpen at toronto on friday, allowing one run and two hits while walking one and striking out seven. lucas, who has posted two saves and a 2.53 era in nine relief appearances for the sounds this year, will be facing seattle for the first time.
walk-offs

1. the athletics have scored fewer than three runs in seven consecutive home games, going 2-5 in those contests.

2. oakland placed of khris davis (groin) on the 10-day disabled list and designated rhp wilmer font for assignment while recalling 2b franklin barreto and rhp daniel gossett from nashville on wednesday.

3. seattle purchased the contract of of john andreoli, who went 1-for-3 in his major-league debut wednesday, from triple-a tacoma and optioned rhp dan altavilla to the rainiers.

prediction: mariners 6, athletics 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 11:00 AM

Houston Astros vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 05-24-2018

24th May 2018 by Gracenote
the houston astros attempt to extend a pair of winning streaks when they begin their seven-game road trip thursday with the opener of a four-game series against the cleveland indians. houston, which has won two straight away from home, topped san francisco 4-1 on wednesday for its third consecutive overall victory.

george springer snapped a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning with his team-leading 10th home run, a two-run shot that highlighted his third two-hit performance in five contests. carlos correa added two hits and an rbi for the astros, but jose altuve went 0-for-3 to end his hitting streak at seven games. cleveland completed its 4-4 road trip - which included a 1-2 mark at houston last weekend - with a two-game interleague sweep in chicago during which it outscored the cubs 11-1. michael brantley delivered an rbi single in the third inning as he went 2-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games while adam plutko did not allow a hit over the first six frames and combined with two relievers on a three-hitter after being recalled from the minors prior to wednesday's 1-0 victory.
tv: 6:10 p.m. et, mlb network, at&t sportsnet southwest (houston), sportstime ohio (cleveland)
pitching matchup: astros rh charlie morton (6-0, 1.94 era) vs. indians rh mike clevinger (3-1, 2.87)

morton looks to top cleveland for the second time in seven days after allowing one run and four hits over seven innings of a home victory over the indians on friday. the 34-year-old native of new jersey has registered 70 strikeouts while issuing only 18 walks in 55 2/3 frames this season and has yielded more than two runs only twice in his nine turns. morton's win last time out improved him to 1-2 with a 3.93 era in three career starts against cleveland.
clevinger suffered his first loss of the season opposite morton on friday as he surrendered three runs on eight hits and four walks in 6 1/3 innings. the 27-year-old floridian has issued four free passes in two of his last three turns - both on the road - after handing out a total of 10 over his first six outings this year. clevinger has made three career starts against the astros, going 1-2 with a 2.40 era and 17 strikeouts in 15 frames.
walk-offs

1. the astros have allowed 126 runs over their first 50 games, the lowest total in the major leagues in that span since 1920.

2. cleveland placed of brandon guyer (neck) on the 10-day disabled list wednesday to make room on the roster for plutko.

3. houston placed josh reddick (leg infection) on the 10-day dl and recalled fellow of jake marisnick from triple-a fresno.

prediction: astros 5, indians 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-24-2018, 11:00 AM

Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 05-24-2018

24th May 2018 by Gracenote
boston red sox right-hander rick porcello already has seen more of the tampa bay rays in less than two months than most pitchers do of one opponent in a season. porcello will make his 11th start of the year -- and fourth against the rays -- when the american league east-leading red sox go for a three-game sweep at tampa bay on thursday.

porcello is 2-0 with a 3.10 era this year versus the rays after making six starts against them in each of the past two seasons, going 2-4 last campaign while posting a 5-0 record during his cy young award-winning campaign in 2016. xander bogaerts doubled in the go-ahead run during a three-run ninth inning on wednesday as boston ran its winning streak to four games and improved to a major league-best 34-15. after capturing six in a row to climb back to the .500 mark, tampa bay has scored a total of five runs while dropping three straight. blake snell will make his third start against boston in 2018 for the rays, who have lost nine of 12 in the season series and five of six at tropicana park.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, mlb network, nesn (boston), fs sun (tampa bay)
pitching matchup: red sox rh rick porcello (6-1, 3.39 era) vs. rays lh blake snell (5-3, 3.07)

porcello opened the season with back-to-back wins over tampa bay, allowing one run over 5 1/3 innings at tropicana park on march 31 and yielding three in 7 1/3 frames at home on april 7. the 29-year-old sinkerballer worked a season-high 7 2/3 innings against the rays on april 29, giving up three runs in a no-decision. denard span is 17-for-46 and brad miller 13-for-46 with five homers and six doubles versus porcello.
snell rebounded from his worst start of the season with a strong effort at the los angeles angels on friday, striking out eight in 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball. it marked the seventh time in eight turns he has permitted fewer than three runs, including a 7 1/3-inning outing at boston on april 27 in which he gave up two. snell is 2-1 with a 1.07 era in four home starts, one of which was a 5 2/3 scoreless-inning performance against the red sox on march 30.
walk-offs

1. red sox rhp craig kimbrel has notched a save in each of the first two games of the series to boost his season total to 15.

2. rays 1b c.j. cron recorded an rbi double wednesday but is 2-for-20 with 10 strikeouts in his last five contests.

3. boston had its streak of 13 straight games with at least one homer snapped in wednesday's win.

prediction: rays 3, red sox 2

Thursday 5-24-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Thursday 5-24-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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