Preview Roundups
April 23, 2015
Chi. Cubs at Pittsburgh 12:35 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs haven't won a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates since July 2013, but the Cubs hope to change that when they wrap up a four-game set in Pittsburgh on Thursday afternoon. The Pirates, who have won eight straight series against their National League Central rivals, are trying to salvage a split after holding on for a 4-3 victory Wednesday.
Miami at Philadelphia 1:05 PM ET
One day after snapping a five-game losing streak, the Miami Marlins aim to secure the rubber match in their three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Marlins are 3-6 on their 10-game road trip, but have an excellent chance to improve that record Thursday against a spot-starter for the struggling Phillies.
NY Yankees at Detroit 1:08 PM ET
Masahiro Tanaka quelled concerns about his diminished velocity with a dominant performance in his last start and goes for his third straight victory when the New York Yankees visit the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon in the finale of their four-game series. New York pounded Detroit 13-4 on Wednesday to move over .500 for the first time this season.
Atlanta at NY Mets 1:10 PM ET
Of all the reasons behind the New York Mets’ sizzling start, none may be more important than 41-year-old Bartolo Colon. The major-league’s second-oldest player aims to become baseball’s first four-game winner this season when he leads the Mets – winners of 10 in a row – into Thursday’s home contest against the Atlanta Braves.
Cincinnati at Milwaukee 1:40 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds are back above the .500 mark as they go for a four-game sweep at the skidding Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon. The Reds arrived in Milwaukee with a four-game losing streak during which they scored a total of four runs, but they have a chance to finish .500 on their 10-game road trip with a victory Thursday.
San Diego at Colorado 3:10 PM ET
The Colorado Rockies attempt to earn a split of their four-game series against San Diego when they host the Padres in the finale on Thursday afternoon. Colorado was pounded 14-3 in the opener and dropped a one-run decision on Tuesday before rallying for a walk-off victory the following night.
LA Dodgers at San Francisco 3:45 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants look to win three in a row for the first time this season on Thursday as they host the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have lost two straight following a seven-game winning streak. Los Angeles could be without catcher A.J. Ellis, who is awaiting X-ray results after leaving Wednesday’s 3-2 loss with a hand injury.
St. Louis at Washington 4:05 PM ET
The sight of the Washington Nationals was apparently all Kolten Wong needed to snap his early-season offensive funk. The 24-year-old second baseman looks to build upon his best offensive showing of the season on Thursday when his St. Louis Cardinals take on the host Nationals in the rubber match of a three-game set.
Oakland at LA Angels 7:05 PM ET
Oakland and Los Angeles have traded blowout victories the last two nights and the Athletics will try to claim the four-game set when they visit the Angels on Thursday. Oakland won the opener 6-3 and Los Angeles rebounded for a 14-1 win in the second game before the Athletics posted a resounding 9-2 victory on Wednesday.
Baltimore at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays look to complete the three-game series sweep of the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on Thursday. The Blue Jays didn't miss a beat with star slugger Jose Bautista nursing a strained right shoulder as Justin Smoak hit his first home run with Toronto and Devon Travis added a two-run blast in a 4-2 victory over the Orioles 4-2 on Wednesday.
Boston at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays couldn’t have ended their hitting slump and four-game losing streak in a better fashion Wednesday as they battled back from four runs down to grab a 7-5 victory over the Boston Red Sox. The Rays look to build off that emotion when they send Jake Odorizzi to the mound 24 hours later in the rubber match of the three-game home set.
Kansas City at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
Chris Sale attempts to win his third consecutive start when the Chicago
White Sox host the Kansas City Royals in Thursday’s opener of a
four-game series. Sale allowed three runs in his two victories and will
oppose Kansas City fireballer Yordano Ventura in the opener.