Preview Roundups
April 18, 2015
Philadelphia at Washington 1:05 PM ET
The Washington Nationals are beginning to warm up with the bats after a slow start and look to extend their winning streak to four games when they host the struggling Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. The Nationals have scored 37 times over the last six games and 12 in the first two of the series as Bryce Harper belted a three-run homer en route to a 7-2 victory Friday night.
Atlanta at Toronto 1:07 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays have lost four of their past five games, and even rediscovering their power stroke Friday could not keep them from snapping their recent skid. The Blue Jays host the Atlanta Braves on Saturday after clubbing five homers Friday – including a pair each from Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin – but the Braves prevailed late to take the series opener, 8-7.
Chi. White Sox at Detroit 1:08 PM ET
After slugging its way to six straight wins to begin the season,
Detroit is now finding a way to win some pitching duels. The Tigers look
to follow up a walk-off win when they continue a three-game series with
the Chicago White Sox at home on Saturday.
Cleveland at Minnesota 2:10 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins seek their fourth consecutive victory when they host the Cleveland Indians on Saturday afternoon in the second contest of their three-game series. Minnesota rallied for a 3-2 triumph in the opener on Friday, scoring twice in the sixth inning to forge a tie before Trevor Plouffe led off the 11th with a blast off Bryan Shaw for his second homer of the season.
Cincinnati at St. Louis 2:15 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals will try to clinch their ninth straight home series against the Cincinnati Reds when the National League Central rivals square off Saturday. The Cardinals claimed the opener of the three-game set 6-1 on Friday behind a strong pitching performance and three RBIs from catcher Yadier Molina.
San Diego at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs hope the second game of the Kris Bryant era goes better than the first. After the highly-touted third baseman went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in a 5-4 loss in his big-league debut, Bryant and the Cubs will try to even their series with the visiting San Diego Padres on Saturday.
Baltimore at Boston 4:05 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox built a deep lineup in the offseason and are reaping the rewards early in 2015. The Red Sox will try to clinch a fourth straight non-losing series to begin the season when they host the Baltimore Orioles in the second of a four-game series on Saturday.
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers continue to be a perfect elixir for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have won three of four between the National League Central rivals entering Saturday's middle contest of a three-game series. Host Pittsburgh snapped a 22-inning scoreless streak in Friday's 6-3 victory over the Brewers and has scored at least six runs in each of its three victories over Milwaukee.
LA Angels at Houston 7:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels are getting their offense untracked behind Mike Trout, who looks to lead his team to its third straight victory in the second contest of a three-game series at the Houston Astros on Saturday. Trout belted a pair of homers and drove in five runs in Friday's 6-3 victory while extending his season-opening hitting streak to 10 games.
Oakland at Kansas City 7:10 PM ET
Kansas City ace Yordano Ventura left his first two starts because of cramps in his hand and calf, and while the situation remains fluid, changes to his diet and drinking habits are expected to resolve the problem. The Royals will find out if Ventura can overcome his issue and improve to 3-0 in his starts when they host the Oakland Athletics on Saturday in the second contest of a three-game series.
NY Yankees at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
Alex Rodriguez looks to continue his power surge when his New York Yankees visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday in the second of a three-game set. Rodriguez has belted three homers in the last two contests, including a pair to go along with the go-ahead RBI single in a 5-4 victory on Friday that pulled him within two home runs of Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time major-league list with 658.
Miami at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
The season may be less than two weeks old, but the New York Mets have to like what their fast start means for their postseason hopes if recent history is any indication. The Mets attempt to match their longest winning streak since taking seven in a row from May 4-10, 2009, on Saturday when they host the third of four games against the Miami Marlins.
Arizona at San Francisco 9:05 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants expected to struggle early in the season without injured star Hunter Pence, but things are getting ridiculous. The reigning World Series champions have lost eight in a row heading into Saturday’s game against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, who recorded 18 hits in Friday’s 9-0 victory.
Texas at Seattle 9:10 PM ET
A tender right quadriceps won’t prevent Felix Hernandez from making his
start when the Seattle Mariners host the Texas Rangers on Saturday.
Hernandez suffered the injury in his last turn and was cleared to start
after having a solid mid-week bullpen performance.
Colorado at LA Dodgers 9:10 PM ET
Los Angeles' Zack Greinke looks to continue his dominance of the National League West when the Dodgers host the Colorado Rockies on Saturday in the middle contest of their three-game series. Greinke is 21-5 with a 2.94 ERA in 42 games (41 starts) against the division - 19-1 since joining the Dodgers in 2013 - and has also become quite the stopper as Los Angeles is 22-8 in his starts following a loss.