Preview Roundups
May 15, 2015
Pittsburgh at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs haven't had a five-game winning streak in nearly a year, but they'll try to change that when they open a three-game series against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday afternoon. The Cubs are coming off their first four-game sweep since August 2011 as they victimized the New York Mets, and they hope to keep rolling against a Pirates team that has lost two straight following its own four-game winning streak.
LA Angels at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
After winning their respective divisions in impressive fashion last season, the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels are finding the road a bit more challenging in 2015. Baltimore, which opens a three-game set at home against the Angels on Friday, has hovered around .500 through 32 games, unable to string together more than three victories in a row one season after going 96-66 and winning the American League East by 12 games.
Arizona at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
The Philadelphia Phillies attempt to record their first three-game winning streak of the season when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday in the first of three contests. The Phillies earned a split of a four-game set with Pittsburgh by winning the last two, including Thursday’s 4-2 triumph as Ryan Howard belted his team-leading seventh homer among three hits.
Atlanta at Miami 7:10 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves started their season off with a three-game sweep of the Marlins in Miami and won five of their first six away from home, but it has been mostly downhill since then. The Braves look to halt their struggles outside of Atlanta on Friday, when they begin the final leg of their nine-game road trip with the first of three against the Marlins.
San Francisco at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds have been terrible hosts to the visiting San Francisco Giants in recent years, but they’re not about to apologize. The Reds have taken 12 of the last 15 regular-season games against the Giants at Great American Ball Park heading into Friday’s contest, including a 4-3 victory in Thursday’s series opener.
Milwaukee at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
After a dismal series in Wrigley Field, the New York Mets try to
re-establish their home dominance when they begin a three-game set
against Milwaukee on Friday. The Mets produced a total of five runs and
suffered one walk-off loss in the first three games against the
Chicago Cubs before losing a four-run lead in a 6-5 setback Thursday
afternoon in the series finale.
Cleveland at Texas 8:05 PM ET
If recent history is any guide, the Cleveland Indians will have a chance
to break out of a season-long slump when they visit Texas for the first
of three games Friday night. The Indians have claimed 11 of the last 12 meetings with the Rangers, including five of the past six at Texas.
Toronto at Houston 8:10 PM ET
The American League West-leading Houston Astros aim for their third consecutive victory Friday when they continue their four-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. Houston dropped the opener of its nine-game homestand before earning a split of its two-game set versus San Francisco with a 4-3 triumph, which was followed by a 6-4 win over Toronto on Thursday.
NY Yankees at Kansas City 8:10 PM ET
The New York Yankees attempt to put an end to their losing streak when they continue their nine-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Friday. After taking three of four from Baltimore at home, American League East-leading New York has lost three straight games since it began its trek with a convincing 11-5 victory over Tampa Bay on Monday.
Tampa Bay at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins have been one of major league baseball’s biggest surprises in the early season, primarily due to their outstanding 12-5 record at home. The Twins look to continue the trend at Target Field when they host the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday in the opener of a three-game set that falls between 11 road contests.
Detroit at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
The Detroit Tigers look to build off their best offensive splurge of the
season when they open a three-game series against the host St. Louis
Cardinals on Friday. Detroit posted season bests for runs scored and
hits (20) while producing a 13-1 trouncing of the Minnesota Twins on
Thursday.
Chi. White Sox at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
The Chicago White Sox are starting to resemble the club that was expected to challenge Kansas City and Detroit for the American League Central title as they roll into Oakland to face the Athletics on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. Chicago lost 14 of its first 22 contests before winning its last three series, going 6-3 during that span after consecutive 4-2 victories in Milwaukee on Tuesday and Wednesday clinched its first series win on the road this season.
Boston at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
Boston’s visit to Seattle has come at just the right time for right fielder Shane Victorino, who has a history of hitting well against the Mariners. Victorino figures to be in the lineup again Friday when the Red Sox continue their four-game series against Seattle, which has lost two straight following a four-game winning streak.
Colorado at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
Clayton Kershaw has yet to find top form and his lone win of the season
came against the Colorado Rockies on April 17. The Los Angeles ace
struck out a season-high 12 in that outing but struggled Sunday
against Colorado and aims to turn things around when the Dodgers play
the second contest of a four-game set against the visiting Rockies on
Friday.
Washington at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
San Diego utilityman Cory Spangenberg flew under the radar during the Padres’ active offseason, but he’s been hard to overlook lately. The rookie is making a strong case for regular playing time as the Padres head into Friday’s matchup against the visiting Washington Nationals, who opened the four-game series Thursday with an 8-3 loss.