Preview Roundups
April 24, 2014
Kansas City at Cleveland 12:05 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians came from behind to take the third contest of a four-game set with Kansas City on Wednesday, a familiar theme the Indians have used in six of their 10 victories this season. The Indians host the Royals on Thursday after winning two of the first three games, rallying from a pair of deficits to post a 5-3 victory Wednesday. Kansas City, which hit just seven homers in its first 19 games, got back-to-back long balls from Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas on Wednesday.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh 12:35 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds have shaken off their sluggish start to 2014 and aim for their seventh win in nine games when they wrap up a four-game road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. After dropping the series opener, the Reds have won the past two contests, including a 5-2 victory Wednesday. Cincinnati is trying for its second series win this season against the Pirates, who won the last four meetings a year ago — including the National League Wild Card game.
Chi. White Sox at Detroit 1:08 PM ET
The Chicago White Sox finished 30 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central Division last season, but it appears they will be a lot closer in 2014. Chicago will try to make it three out of four when it visits Detroit on Thursday for the finale of their four-game series. The five teams in the Central are separated by 1 1/2 games, with the first-place Tigers (10-8) one game ahead of the White Sox (11-11) - who lead the AL in scoring at 5.5 runs per contest.
Minnesota at Tampa Bay 1:10 PM ET
Chris Colabello leads the way for a much-improved Minnesota Twins’ offense, which stands fourth in the majors with 107 runs in 20 games. Colabello looks to add to his American League-leading 26 RBIs as the Twins visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday afternoon in the rubber match of a three-game series. Cleanup-hitter Colabello is batting .346 after knocking in four Wednesday in a 6-4 victory in 12 innings for Minnesota, which finished 25th in the majors in runs scored a year ago.
St. Louis at NY Mets 1:10 PM ET
Lance Lynn looks to become baseball's first five-game winner when he leads the St. Louis Cardinals into the finale of a four-game series at the New York Mets on Thursday afternoon. After winning 33 games over the last two seasons, Lynn has been victorious in each of his first four games, tying him with teammate Adam Wainwright and San Francisco reliever Jean Machi for the National League lead.
Arizona at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks will be without outfielder Mark Trumbo for a yet-to-be-determined span as they attempt to overcome a slow start. The Diamondbacks, who conclude a four-game series at the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, snapped a four-game skid on Wednesday with a five-run ninth inning and it was revealed after the contest that Trumbo has a stress fracture in his left foot. Trumbo said he suffered the injury while hitting a homer in Monday’s game.
San Diego at Washington 7:05 PM ET
The San Diego Padres have boasted one of the top pitching staffs in the majors so far this season, but they'll have to face an offense riding a wave of momentum when they open a four-game road series against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. The Nationals scored four runs in the ninth inning Wednesday to claim a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels. They'll try to carry that success into the opener versus the Padres, who have a team ERA of 2.82 despite Wednesday's 5-2 loss at Milwaukee.
Baltimore at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles are finding that no lead is safe during their current seven-game road trip, which wraps up with the finale of a three-game series at the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. The Orioles failed to hold leads of five and three runs and nearly squandered a 6-0 cushion in the last four games, but they turned the tables on Toronto by erasing a five-run deficit in Wednesday's 10-8 win.
NY Yankees at Boston 7:10 PM ET
The mid-week series between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees has certainly featured its share of story lines. The Red Sox host the Yankees on Thursday in the finale of the three-game set, which concludes with New York's CC Sabathia facing Boston's Felix Doubront in a matchup of lefties who have not been at their best in the season's first month. Both pitchers will be looking to secure a win in the rubber game after two very different contests to begin the series.
Oakland at Houston 8:10 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics have fallen out of first place in the American League West and attempt to get back on track Thursday when they open a four-game road series against the Houston Astros. Oakland suffered a three-game sweep against Texas to fall a half-game behind the Rangers in the division race and hope to rebound against last-place Houston. The Athletics swept three games from the Astros last weekend by a cumulative score of 19-7.
Philadelphia at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen figures to be unavailable Thursday when his team looks to salvage a split of the four-game series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Jansen has appeared in 15 of the Dodgers’ first 22 games, including four times in the last five days. The 26-year-old Jansen retired the Phillies in order in the ninth inning and posted his eighth save Wednesday, when the Dodgers tallied seven extra-base hits and rolled to a 5-2 victory.