Preview Roundups
May 02, 2016
Chi. Cubs at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The 19 meetings between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates could end up determining who claims the National League Central title. The first three-game showdown begins Monday at PNC Park with both teams looking to rebound from extra-inning losses.
Texas at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
The defending American League East champion Toronto Blue Jays didn’t get off to the best start in April but started May with a bang. The defending AL West champion Texas Rangers, who visit the Blue Jays for the start of a four-game series on Monday, went the other way with a strong April followed by a loss to begin the current month.
Atlanta at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
The New York Mets had an eight-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday but are in a strong position to start another with the major league-worst Atlanta Braves coming to town for the start of a three-game series on Monday. The Braves are on what constitutes as a hot streak for the team right now with wins in two of the last three games.
San Francisco at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds began their roster turnover last summer by trading away ace Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals for a package that included left-hander Brandon Finnegan. Cueto helped the Royals to a World Series championship last fall before signing with San Francisco as a free agent and will face off against Finnegan when the Giants visit the Reds for the opener of a three-game series on Monday.
LA Angels at Milwaukee 7:20 PM ET
Jered Weaver's velocity has dipped to the point where fans may question whether the radar gun is functioning, but the Los Angeles Angels veteran right-hander looks to remain unbeaten when he takes the mound for Monday's series opener at the Milwaukee Brewers. The Angels avoided a three-game sweep at Texas on Sunday while the Brewers halted a four-game skid versus Miami.
Minnesota at Houston 8:10 PM ET
Dallas Keuchel hopes to avenge a pair of disappointing road starts on Monday when he returns to the safe haven of Minute Maid Park as the Houston Astros open a three-game series versus the Minnesota Twins. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner was blitzed for 11 runs in his last two road outings on the heels of scattering five hits over eight sterling innings of a 1-0 home victory over Detroit on April 15.
Washington at Kansas City 8:15 PM ET
The Washington Nationals weren't shy about flexing their muscle en route to completing a sweep of St. Louis to begin their three-city, 10-game road trip. The Nationals hope their power surge continues against the other Show Me State representative on Monday when they open a three-game series versus the reigning World Series champion Kansas City Royals.
Philadelphia at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
Adam Wainwright finally broke into the win column in his last outing and the St. Louis Cardinals are hoping that the longtime anchor of their staff is ready to turn things around. The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner will look to help St. Louis snap a four-game losing streak in Monday night's series opener against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.
Seattle at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners could have a little payback in mind when they kick off a seven-game road trip on Monday night with the first of three contests against the Oakland Athletics. The Mariners stumbled out of the gate this season with six losses in their first eight outings, including a three-game sweep by the Athletics in Seattle from April 8-10.
Colorado at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
James Shields may want to pitch around Nolan Arenado on Monday, when the San Diego Padres open a three-game series against the visiting Colorado Rockies. Arenado leads the major leagues with 11 home runs and is 12-for-23 with four blasts in his career against Shields, who is winless in his first five starts for San Diego this season.