LA DODGERS vs ARIZONA
GAME: Los Angeles Angels (29-30) at Chicago Cubs (31-26)
DATE/TIME: Monday, June 03 – 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), WGN (Chicago)
LINE: 130
PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Angels 2

Oddsmakers currently have the ARIZONA listed as 130 point favorites versus the LA DODGERS, while the game’s total is sitting at 8.5.

The Chicago Cubs hope to halt their freefall when they host the surging Los Angeles Angels on Monday afternoon for an interleague contest, which is a makeup for the game on April 14 that was postponed due to snow. The Cubs, who have lost six of their last seven, were swept in three games over the weekend at St. Louis after a 2-1 setback Sunday to fall out of first place in the National League Central.

Chicago managed just three hits – failing to score until the ninth inning – on Sunday and totaled just six runs in the series at St. Louis to drop 1 1/2 games behind first-place Milwaukee in the division, but plays the next seven games at home where it is 18-10. Veteran lefty Jon Lester looks to rebound from a rough stretch at the end of May when he takes the mound for the Cubs on Monday and the Angels counter with right-hander Trevor Cahill, who is also hoping to turn things around after an uneven month. Los Angeles can climb back to the .500 mark with a victory after winning seven of its last nine contests, including Sunday’s 13-3 triumph at Seattle, and will play nine in a row at home following the one-game set in the Windy City. David Fletcher had two doubles and a single Sunday to extend his hitting streak to 12 games (21-for-49) while slugger Albert Pujols homered for the second straight day and is one blast from recording 200 in each league.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Trevor Cahill (2-5, 6.92 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (3-4, 3.59)

Cahill hopes to change his fortunes in June after a rough month of May in which he went 1-3 with an 8.22 ERA in five starts across 23 innings. The 31-year-old California native, who has served up 16 homers in 11 starts, allowed six runs on six hits across 4 1/3 innings in a loss at Oakland on Monday. Jason Heyward is 5-for-10 with a homer versus Cahill, who is 3-1 with a 4.00 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Cubs.

Lester was rolling along with a 1.16 ERA before struggling mightily in his last three starts while allowing 19 runs (16 earned) across 14 innings combined. The 35-year-old Washington native served up four homers in those three starts after surrendering three in his first 10 outings. Pujols is 5-for-15 with two doubles against Lester, who is 5-4 with a 3.69 ERA in 12 career starts versus the Angels and 26-15 in interleague play.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles CF Mike Trout is 8-for-14 with a pair of homers and seven RBIs in his last four contests.

2. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo saw his 13-game hitting streak end on Sunday, but is 22-for-53 with 14 RBIs in the past 14 contests.

3. Angels LF Cesar Puello is 9-for-19 with two homers and six RBIs in four games since being recalled.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Angels 2

The post LA DODGERS vs. ARIZONA 6/3/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

PHILADELPHIA vs SAN DIEGO
GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (33-26) at San Diego Padres (30-29)
DATE/TIME: Monday, June 03 – 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS San Diego
LINE: 130
PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Padres 2

Oddsmakers currently have the SAN DIEGO listed as 130 point favorites versus the PHILADELPHIA, while the game’s total is sitting at 7.5.

The Philadelphia Phillies are letting their lead in the National League East slip away and look to move back in a positive direction when they visit the struggling San Diego Padres on Monday for the opener of a three-game set. The Phillies were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, capped by an 8-0 setback, and acquired veteran outfielder Jay Bruce to add some punch to their bench Sunday.

“I get to go somewhere I have a chance to win, and at this point in my career, that’s pretty paramount for me,” Bruce, who was batting .212 with 14 homers with Seattle, told mlb.com. “. … I look forward to going over there and helping the Phillies hopefully win a championship. That’s my goal. I just want to win.” Philadelphia (33-26) leads Atlanta by one game in the NL East and hopes to halt a four-game losing streak when it sends right-hander Aaron Nola to the mound seeking to win his eighth consecutive decision dating to the last start of 2018 while San Diego counters with lefty Eric Lauer. The Padres (30-29) have given up 46 runs while going 2-5 in their last seven contests after falling 9-3 for the second straight outing Sunday against the Miami Marlins – a game delayed 28 minutes by a swarm of bees. Hunter Renfroe provided all of the offense with two homers in the latest loss for San Diego and is 4-for-9 with three blasts and four RBIs in the past three games while teammate Manny Machado is mired in a 0-for-12 slump with six strikeouts.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (6-0, 4.18 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Lauer (4-4, 4.45)

Nola was 4-0 with a 2.73 ERA in May and the Phillies earned the victory in all six of his starts after they were losers in four of the 25-year-old’s five outings during April. The LSU product limited St. Louis to one run on four hits over seven innings with eight strikeouts Wednesday to win his third straight start and seventh in a row, dating back to 2018. Renfroe is 3-for-5 with two doubles versus Nola, who blanked the Padres over six innings in a win last year.

Lauer has won his last two starts in impressive fashion while permitting two runs on eight hits over 12 1/3 innings combined with 11 strikeouts and zero walks. The 23-year-old Kent State product, who had gone six starts without a win before the last two, has been much better at home (2-2, 2.67 ERA) than on the road (2-2, 6.84). The 2016 first-round pick has walked only 14 batters across 58 2/3 innings as he prepares to face the Phillies for the first time.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego 1B Eric Hosmer was 0-for-3 with a walk Sunday, ending a 10-game hitting streak (15-for-40).

2. Philadelphia RF Bryce Harper was hitless in four at-bats Sunday, but is 10-for-24 with two homers and nine RBIs in his last six games.

3. Padres C Austin Hedges is 0-for-10 with eight strikeouts over his last four contests, dropping his average to .187.

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Padres 2

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HOUSTON vs SEATTLE
GAME: Houston Astros (40-20) at Seattle Mariners (25-37)
DATE/TIME: Monday, June 03 – 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: T-Mobile Park, Seattle, Washington

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
LINE: 120
PREDICTION: Astros 6, Mariners 2

Oddsmakers currently have the SEATTLE listed as 120 point favorites versus the HOUSTON, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.5.

The Houston Astros have maintained a stranglehold on the American League West due in large part to their record against their division rivals. Winners of 18 of 23 contests within the AL West, the first-place Astros aim to continue their dominance on Monday when they open of a four-game series against the host Seattle Mariners.

Houston’s Yuli Gurriel capped his second three-hit performance in six outings with an RBI single in the 12th inning of Sunday’s 6-4 win over Oakland. The Astros have won five of six overall along with nine in a row versus division representatives, and that streak doesn’t include a three-game sweep of the Mariners in the Pacific Northwest from April 12-14. While Houston has flourished against the AL West, the opposite is true for Seattle as it fell to 2-11 in its last 13 games versus the division following Sunday’s 13-3 shellacking by the Los Angeles Angels. Kyle Seager belted a solo homer and a double as part of a five-hit effort for the Mariners, who have lost 14 of 17 overall to plummet a season-worst 12 games under .500.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Corbin Martin (1-1, 5.51 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (2-2, 6.99)

Martin answered a sterling nine-strikeout performance in his major-league debut by posting an 0-1 mark with a 6.55 ERA in his last three starts. The 23-year-old has surrendered a homer in each of his four trips to the mound, with three leaving the park in 3 2/3 innings of a no-decision versus the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. Martin’s command has dissipated since this debut on May 12, as he has allowed eight walks in his last three outings (11 innings).

LeBlanc has struggled in his three starts since returning from a strained right oblique, posting an 0-2 mark with a bloated 10.22 ERA. The 34-year-old, however, showed promise in Wednesday’s no-decision against Texas, as he did not walk a batter in five innings and kept the ball in the park after permitting six homers in his previous two games. LeBlanc received a no-decision in his last outing versus Houston on April 12, yielding two runs on a season-high eight hits before exiting after 4 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle LF Domingo Santana collected three hits and four RBIs in the previous series against Houston.

2. Astros OF-DH Michael Brantley’s RBI single in the 12th inning on Sunday extended his hitting streak to six games (9-for-22).

3. The Mariners sent three-time All-Star OF Jay Bruce and cash considerations to Philadelphia for Class-A INF Jake Scheiner on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Mariners 2

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LA ANGELS vs CHICAGO CUBS
GAME: Los Angeles Angels (29-30) at Chicago Cubs (31-26)
DATE/TIME: Monday, June 03 – 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), WGN (Chicago)
LINE: -160
PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Angels 2

Oddsmakers currently have the CHICAGO CUBS listed as -160 point favorites versus the LA ANGELS, while the game’s total is sitting at 8.5.

The Chicago Cubs hope to halt their freefall when they host the surging Los Angeles Angels on Monday afternoon for an interleague contest, which is a makeup for the game on April 14 that was postponed due to snow. The Cubs, who have lost six of their last seven, were swept in three games over the weekend at St. Louis after a 2-1 setback Sunday to fall out of first place in the National League Central.

Chicago managed just three hits – failing to score until the ninth inning – on Sunday and totaled just six runs in the series at St. Louis to drop 1 1/2 games behind first-place Milwaukee in the division, but plays the next seven games at home where it is 18-10. Veteran lefty Jon Lester looks to rebound from a rough stretch at the end of May when he takes the mound for the Cubs on Monday and the Angels counter with right-hander Trevor Cahill, who is also hoping to turn things around after an uneven month. Los Angeles can climb back to the .500 mark with a victory after winning seven of its last nine contests, including Sunday’s 13-3 triumph at Seattle, and will play nine in a row at home following the one-game set in the Windy City. David Fletcher had two doubles and a single Sunday to extend his hitting streak to 12 games (21-for-49) while slugger Albert Pujols homered for the second straight day and is one blast from recording 200 in each league.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Trevor Cahill (2-5, 6.92 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (3-4, 3.59)

Cahill hopes to change his fortunes in June after a rough month of May in which he went 1-3 with an 8.22 ERA in five starts across 23 innings. The 31-year-old California native, who has served up 16 homers in 11 starts, allowed six runs on six hits across 4 1/3 innings in a loss at Oakland on Monday. Jason Heyward is 5-for-10 with a homer versus Cahill, who is 3-1 with a 4.00 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Cubs.

Lester was rolling along with a 1.16 ERA before struggling mightily in his last three starts while allowing 19 runs (16 earned) across 14 innings combined. The 35-year-old Washington native served up four homers in those three starts after surrendering three in his first 10 outings. Pujols is 5-for-15 with two doubles against Lester, who is 5-4 with a 3.69 ERA in 12 career starts versus the Angels and 26-15 in interleague play.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles CF Mike Trout is 8-for-14 with a pair of homers and seven RBIs in his last four contests.

2. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo saw his 13-game hitting streak end on Sunday, but is 22-for-53 with 14 RBIs in the past 14 contests.

3. Angels LF Cesar Puello is 9-for-19 with two homers and six RBIs in four games since being recalled.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Angels 2

The post LA ANGELS vs. CHICAGO CUBS 6/3/2019 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

LA ANGELS vs OAKLAND
GAME: Los Angeles Angels (24-29) at Oakland Athletics (29-25)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 28 – 10:07 PM EST
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), NBCS California (Oakland)
LINE:
PREDICTION: Athletics 7, Angels 2

Oddsmakers currently have the OAKLAND listed as point favorites versus the LA ANGELS, while the game’s total is sitting at .

The Houston Astros looked to be separating themselves from the rest of the American League West just two weeks ago, but the Oakland Athletics have quickly closed the gap. The Athletics put their 10-game winning streak on the line Tuesday when they continue their three-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Angels.

Josh Phegley, Jurickson Profar and Matt Chapman each homered and Stephen Piscotty added a two-run double in Monday’s 8-5 victory as Oakland moved a season-high four games over .500 and remained 6 1/2 games back of first-place Houston. Phegley has homered in back-to-back contests and Piscotty has reached base safely in 23 straight games for the power-hitting Athletics, who have gone deep 16 times during their winning streak. The Angels received a solo homer from Albert Pujols but lost for the sixth time in their last eight games after starter Trevor Cahill allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings. Kole Calhoun doubled twice and has six hits in his last nine at-bats following a 1-for-17 skid.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Nick Tropeano (2018: 5-6, 4.74 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Frankie Montas (6-2, 2.40)

The Angels are expected to use a reliever as an opener in front of Tropeano, who will be promoted from Triple-A Salt Lake after going 1-1 with a 7.66 ERA in five starts for the Bees. The 28-year-old native New Yorker made 14 starts for the Angels last season, finishing with a 5-6 record and 4.74 ERA over 76 innings. Tropeano is pitching for the first time since May 19, when he allowed two runs over five innings in a 9-2 victory over the Las Vegas Aviators.

Montas’ breakout season continued last Wednesday, when he allowed five hits over six shutout frames in a 7-2 win over Cleveland. The 26-year-old native of the Dominican Republic has pitched at least six innings in four straight starts, allowing a total of five runs with 31 strikeouts over that stretch. Calhoun is 4-for-6 with a home run against Montas, who is 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in four career games (one starts) versus the Angels.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Athletics have a season-high seven-game errorless streak and have made just five errors over the past 20 games.

2. Angels C Jonathan Lucroy (stomach virus) was scratched from Monday’s starting lineup and is listed as day-to-day.

3. The Athletics are 19-1-3 over their last 23 series at Oakland Coliseum.

PREDICTION: Athletics 7, Angels 2

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TEXAS vs SEATTLE
GAME: Texas Rangers (25-26) at Seattle Mariners (24-32)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 28 – 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: T-Mobile Park, Seattle, Washington

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Southwest (Texas), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
LINE: -135
PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Rangers 4

Oddsmakers currently have the SEATTLE listed as -135 point favorites versus the TEXAS, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.5.

The Seattle Mariners ended their losing streak and exacted a bit of revenge by winning the series opener against the Texas Rangers. Seattle hopes to take another step toward getting even when it hosts Texas on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series.

The Mariners had dropped six in a row prior to posting a 6-2 victory on Monday, a slide that began with three consecutive setbacks in Texas. Daniel Vogelbach belted a two-run homer and Mallex Smith recorded four stolen bases to end his 12-game drought and tie the franchise single-game record as Seattle kicked off its 11-game homestand. Logan Forsythe and Nomar Mazara each recorded two of Texas’ six hits on Monday, with the former also driving in a run. Joey Gallo singled in the series opener to end a three-game drought that followed a six-game hitting streak as the Rangers suffered their third straight loss after winning five in a row and eight of nine.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Jesse Chavez (0-1, 4.55 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Marco Gonzales (5-4, 3.41)

Chavez will serve as the “opener” as Texas uses the same strategy it did in last Wednesday’s 2-1 win over the Mariners when Chavez (1 2/3 scoreless innings) started and was followed by Adrian Sampson, who worked 5 1/3 frames and allowed one run and four hits while registering a season high-tying five strikeouts. The 27-year-old Sampson (2-3, 4.44 ERA) has followed an “opener” in both of his last two appearances, posting a win each time, after making three straight traditional starts – surrendering 11 runs and 16 hits over 8 1/3 innings in the latter two, both of which were losses. Sampson, who grew up in the Seattle area, is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in three career games (one start) versus the Mariners.

After winning his first five decisions of the season, Gonzales has lost his last four – including each of his last three starts. The 27-year-old native of Colorado’s last victory came at home against the Rangers on April 25, while his most recent outing was a loss at Texas on Wednesday in which he allowed only two runs – one earned – over seven innings. The setback dropped Gonzales to 4-2 with a 2.38 ERA in seven career starts against the Rangers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Vogelbach’s homer on Monday ended a five-game drought that followed a stretch during which he went deep five times in six contests.

2. Seattle claimed RHP Jimmy Cordero off waivers from Toronto and assigned him to Triple-A Tacoma while transferring RHP Gerson Bautista (pectoralis strain) to the 60-day injured list.

3. Texas recalled LHP Kyle Bird from Triple-A Nashville on Monday and designated RHP Jeanmar Gomez for assignment.

PREDICTION: Mariners 6, Rangers 4

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SAN DIEGO vs NY YANKEES
GAME: San Diego Padres (28-26) at New York Yankees (35-18)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 28 – 6:35 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York

TV: 6:35 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, YES (New York)
LINE: -165
PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Padres 4

Oddsmakers currently have the NY YANKEES listed as -165 point favorites versus the SAN DIEGO, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.

The New York Yankees have a chance to clinch their eighth straight series win when they continue a three-game set against the visiting San Diego Padres on Tuesday. After a 6-1 road trip, the Yankees opened their seven-game homestand with a 5-2 win over the Padres on Memorial Day.

Clint Frazier, Brett Gardner and Gary Sanchez each homered and six New York pitchers combined on a six-hitter with 11 strikeouts. Masahiro Tanaka has posted four straight quality starts and looks to make it five in a row when he gets the ball for the Yankees on Tuesday. Lefty Eric Lauer goes for San Diego, which has scored a total of three runs in a two-game losing streak on the heels of a 19-4 win at Toronto on Saturday. Shortstop Manny Machado, who met with New York as a free agent over the winter, was booed by the Bronx crowd Monday while going 1-for-4 – the 12th straight game in which he has failed to produce multiple hits.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Eric Lauer (3-4, 4.73 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (3-3, 2.94)

Lauer is coming off his best start of the year, letting up one run across seven innings in a win over Arizona on Wednesday. He has 10 strikeouts with zero walks over his last two outings. The Kent State product has surrendered two earned runs in 11 frames over his two career interleague starts.

Tanaka owns a 1.42 ERA over his last four starts after giving up one run in six innings of a no-decision at Baltimore on Thursday. He has yielded two or fewer runs in five of his six home starts this year, including six scoreless innings against Tampa Bay two turns ago. The 30-year-old Tanaka has never faced the Padres and is 7-7 with a 3.48 ERA in interleague play.

WALK-OFFS

1. Machado had gone 10 straight games without an extra-base hit before his double Monday.

2. Frazier has four home runs and 10 RBIs over his last seven games.

3. Padres OF Hunter Renfroe is 8-for-17 with three home runs, six RBIs and six runs scored during a four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Padres 4

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CHICAGO CUBS vs HOUSTON
GAME: Chicago Cubs (30-22) at Houston Astros (36-19)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 28 – 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ABC 7 (Chicago), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
LINE: -130
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Astros 2

Oddsmakers currently have the HOUSTON listed as -130 point favorites versus the CHICAGO CUBS, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.

The Chicago Cubs and ace Jon Lester hope to regain their top form when they visit the red-hot Houston Astros on Tuesday for the second contest of their three-game interleague series. Lester was roughed up in each of his last two starts while the National League Central-leading Cubs have dropped four of their last five contests after Monday’s 6-5 setback.

Chicago’s Kris Bryant (neck) and Jason Heyward (hip) both sat out the series opener after their collision in Sunday’s loss to Cincinnati, but Anthony Rizzo extended his hitting streak to nine games (17-for-35) with a two-run homer in the first inning. Lester goes after his fourth win of the season and third on the road when he takes the mound on Tuesday while the Astros will counter with rookie Corbin Martin, who is slated to make his fourth major-league start. American League West-leading Houston improved to 21-7 at home with Monday’s victory as it scored five times in the third inning and held on for its 15th win in 19 contests. Slugger George Springer (hamstring) is out, but Carlos Correa (4-for-7, two RBIs in last two games) should be back in the lineup after being rested Monday and former MVP Jose Altuve (hamstring) could return soon following a rehab assignment.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (3-3, 2.68 ERA) vs. Astros RH Corbin Martin (1-1, 4.97)

Lester’s struggles have followed a dominant start to the season during which he allowed just five earned runs over his first seven starts. The 35-year-old yielded 12 runs – nine earned – and 17 hits (three homers) in 8 1/3 innings to lose outings against Washington and Philadelphia. Michael Brantley is 8-for-24 with two doubles versus Lester, who is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Astros.

Martin has completed more than four innings just once in his first three starts, giving up a homer in each outing. The 23-year-old native of Houston won his debut against Texas after allowing two runs in 5 1/3 frames but has given up seven over 7 1/3 innings in his last two turns. Martin, a second-round pick in the 2017 draft, will face the Cubs for the first time after losing to the Chicago White Sox last time out.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston placed INF Aledmys Diaz (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list and purchased the contract of 28-year-old 2B Jack Mayfield, who recorded an RBI double in his major-league debut on Monday, from Triple-A Round Rock.

2. Cubs SS Addison Russell homered among his three hits on Monday and is 7-for-12 with two blasts and three RBIs at MInute Maid Park.

3. The Astros are 13-5 against left-handed starting pitchers this year and own a major league-best 56-25 record in interleague play since the start of the 2015 season.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Astros 2

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MILWAUKEE vs MINNESOTA
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (31-24) at Minnesota Twins (36-17)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 28 – 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS North (Minnesota)
LINE: -125
PREDICTION: Twins 6, Brewers 4

Oddsmakers currently have the MINNESOTA listed as -125 point favorites versus the MILWAUKEE, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.5.

The Milwaukee Brewers look to complete a two-game interleague series sweep when they visit the red-hot Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. Orlando Arcia belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning on Monday to provide the Brewers with a 5-4 win while handing Minnesota just its second loss in 13 games.

Arcia recorded three RBIs while Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich drove in runs with sacrifice flies to give Milwaukee its second straight triumph following a stretch during which it lost five of seven games. Yelich, who leads the majors with 21 homers, has registered only 10 RBIs this month despite hitting seven shots – six of the solo variety. Minnesota had its six-game winning streak snapped on Monday after outscoring opponents 53-16 during the string of victories. Byron Buxton hit a three-run blast in the series opener, but Twins’ batters struck out 13 times – with Jonathan Schoop, C.J. Cron and Miguel Sano all fanning on three occasions.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Zach Davies (5-0, 2.43 ERA) vs. Twins LH Martin Perez (7-1, 2.95)

Davies is coming off his worst outing of the season as he allowed six runs and six hits in three innings of a no-decision against Cincinnati. The 26-year-old gave up just nine earned runs in his first nine starts before serving up two homers in the turn against the Reds on Wednesday. Davies lost his lone career start against the Twins on Aug. 10, 2017, when he surrendered seven runs – six earned – and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Perez defeated the Los Angeles Angels in his last turn as he gave up two runs and six hits over five innings. The 28-year-old has issued four walks in each of his last two outings and registered at least seven strikeouts in four of his last five turns. Perez lost his lone career start against the Brewers on Sept. 26, 2016, when he was torched for eight runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings while with Texas.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins RF Max Kepler went 2-for-4 on Monday for his sixth straight multi-hit performance and has gone 18-for-38 with four homers and 14 RBIs during his nine-game hitting streak.

2. Milwaukee LHP Josh Hader, who pitched two scoreless innings in the series opener, has converted all 13 of his save opportunities.

3. Minnesota C Mitch Garver (ankle) is expected to catch five innings for Double-A Pensacola on Wednesday and a full game two days later during a brief rehab assignment.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Brewers 4

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PITTSBURGH vs CINCINNATI
GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (26-26) at Cincinnati Reds (25-29)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 28 – 6:40 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio

TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet Pittsburgh, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
LINE:
PREDICTION: Pirates 7, Reds 3

Oddsmakers currently have the CINCINNATI listed as point favorites versus the PITTSBURGH, while the game’s total is sitting at .

The Pittsburgh Pirates appeared ready to put a 1-5 homestand behind them but quickly resorted to their recent losing ways. Pittsburgh attempts to prevent another skid when it visits the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday for the third contest of their four-game series.

The Pirates halted a three-game slide by winning the opener of Monday’s doubleheader – their fourth straight road victory – but were trounced 8-1 in the nightcap. Bryan Reynolds and Josh Bell, who respectively are riding six- and seven-game hitting streaks, recorded two hits apiece in the setback after the former drove in two runs and the latter belted a solo homer in Pittsburgh’s 8-5 triumph in the first game. Jose Iglesias highlighted a six-run first inning for Cincinnati in Monday’s second contest with his first career grand slam while Derek Dietrich and Yasiel Puig went back-to-back in the seventh as the Reds continued their trend of alternating wins and losses that has been in effect over their last 11 games. Puig has belted three homers in his last five contests and registered four two-hit performances in his last seven games.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jordan Lyles (5-1, 2.81 ERA) vs. Reds RH Lucas Sims (2018: 0-0, 7.47)

Lyles won his third consecutive start on Thursday despite yielding a season-high six runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings against Colorado. The 28-year-old native of South Carolina had given up one run in each of his previous three turns and more than two just once in eight outings prior to facing the Rockies. Lyles is 4-1 with a 4.12 ERA in 15 career games (eight starts) versus Cincinnati, including a no-decision in his season debut on April 4 in which he scattered three hits and three walks over five scoreless frames.

Sims is expected to be brought up from Triple-A Louisville to make his 11th major-league start and first since 2017 with Atlanta. The 25-year-old native of Georgia, who was a first-round pick of the Braves in the 2012 draft, was acquired in July as part of a package for Adam Duvall and allowed four runs over 5 1/3 innings in three relief appearances for the Reds. Sims has made nine starts for Louisville this year, going 3-0 with a 4.06 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 1B Joey Votto is tied with Johnny Bench for fourth place on the franchise list with 381 doubles and even with Brandon Phillips for ninth in team history with 1,774 hits.

2. The Pirates purchased the contract of Alex McRae and recalled fellow RHPs Richard Rodriguez and Mitch Keller, who suffered the loss in his major-league debut on Monday, from Indianapolis and assigned RHPs Dovydas Neverauskas and Montana DuRapau to the Triple-A affiliate.

3. Cincinnati acquired RHP Tristan Archer from Milwaukee for cash and assigned him to Louisville while Pittsburgh obtained RHP Yefry Ramirez from Baltimore for a player to be named or cash and assigned him to Indianapolis.

PREDICTION: Pirates 7, Reds 3

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