Preview Roundups
April 20, 2017
Boston at Toronto 12:37 PM ET
Four of the five starters in the rotation for the Boston Red Sox are carrying ERAs over 5.00 through their first few turns of the young season with the lone exception being their prized acquisition in the offseason. Left-hander Chris Sale will make his fourth start when the Red Sox wrap up a three-game series at the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon.
Detroit at Tampa Bay 1:10 PM ET
Trying to shake out of his early-season slump, Evan Longoria showed up at the ballpark Wednesday with a new look, trimming back most of the beard that opened eyes upon his arrival at spring training. The extra grooming changed both the fortunes of Longoria and the Tampa Bay Rays, who go for a three-game sweep of the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon.
Cleveland at Minnesota 1:10 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians made it to extra innings in the seventh game of the World Series last season but might be even better in 2017, if only because shortstop Francisco Lindor keeps improving. Lindor will try to lead the Indians to a series win when they visit the Minnesota Twins for the finale of a rain-shortened three-game set on Thursday afternoon.
LA Angels at Houston 2:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels' offensive breakout lasted only one game as Dallas Keuchel made sure their bats stayed silent on Wednesday. The Angels will try to muster some offense against Lance McCullers Jr. and earn a split of the four-game series when they visit the Houston Astros for the finale on Thursday afternoon.
Baltimore at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
Jonathan Schoop is swinging a hot bat for the Baltimore Orioles as the team has won five contests during his seven-game hitting streak to ascend to the top of the American League East. The 25-year-old Schoop looks to send the Orioles to their fourth series victory in five attempts this season on Thursday when they conclude their interleague set against the host Cincinnati Reds.
Philadelphia at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
Noah Syndergaard's toughest foe this season has been his own hand, which has caused the 24-year-old ace to make an early exit in two of his three starts. With a blister and two bleeding fingernails likely a thing of the past due to his recent manicure, Syndergaard looks to pace the Mets to their fifth win in six outings versus the visiting Philadelphia Phillies this season on Thursday when the National League East rivals play the rubber match of their three-game set.
Washington at Atlanta 7:35 PM ET
Freddie Freeman seemingly hits a lot of pitchers well, but he certainly causes some restless sleep for Washington Nationals star Stephen Strasburg. Freeman is a sizzling 14-for-35 with four home runs, three doubles and 13 RBIs against Strasburg and looks to continue his success when the Atlanta Braves finish a three-game series versus visiting Washington on Thursday.
Kansas City at Texas 8:05 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals are getting away with some sub-par efforts from their hitters thanks to a dominant pitching staff. The Royals' pitchers will try to run their streak of allowing fewer than three earned runs to seven straight games when they visit the Texas Rangers for the opener of a four-game series on Thursday.
St. Louis at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals are recovering from a putrid start and look to post their fourth consecutive victory when they open a four-game series at the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. The Cardinals turned their fortunes around with three consecutive 2-1 victories in a sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates after opening the campaign with nine losses in 12 games.
Arizona at San Diego 9:10 PM ET
Rookie center fielder Manuel Margot figures to return to the starting lineup Thursday as the San Diego Padres face the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks in the rubber match of their three-game series. The slumping Margot sat for the first time Wednesday but contributed a pinch-hit single as the Padres snapped their five-game losing streak with a 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks.
Seattle at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
Seattle left-hander James Paxton hasn't been scored on in his first three starts and strives for another solid performance when the Mariners visit the Oakland Athletics in Thursday's opener of a four-game series. Paxton allowed just eight hits and four walks while striking out 22 in 21 innings during the flawless outings.