Preview Roundups
August 12, 2017
Pittsburgh at Toronto 1:07 PM ET
Andrew McCutchen's torrid pace has pulled the Pittsburgh Pirates into the playoff race, but a knee issue is cause for concern for the former MVP. The five-time All-Star hopes to be ready to go when the Pirates continue a three-game series at the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.
Boston at NY Yankees 4:05 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox own the best bullpen according to ERA in the major leagues, but it wasn't much help in a loss on Friday. The Red Sox will try to bounce back and push their lead in the American League East when they visit the New York Yankees again on Saturday afternoon.
Cleveland at Tampa Bay 6:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays appeared ready to make a strong postseason push after beginning August with three straight wins over American League-best Houston, but their fortunes have instead nosedived since returning home. Already guaranteed a losing record on their nine-game homestand, the Rays attempt to break out of their offensive malaise Saturday when they host the third of four games against the Cleveland Indians.
Minnesota at Detroit 6:10 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins are determined to stay in the race in the American League Central and are on a roll with wins in six straight. The Twins will try to keep the pressure on the first-place Cleveland Indians and keep the Tigers thinking about the future when they visit Detroit for the second of a three-game series on Saturday.
San Francisco at Washington 7:05 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals renew acquaintances on Saturday for the first time since reliever Hunter Strickland drilled superstar Bryce Harper in the hip with a 98-mph fastball that sparked a brawl in late May. While both insist that they've moved on from the skirmish, there's a chance the two will square off in a more traditional sense in Saturday's opener of a rain-delayed three-game series at Nationals Park, which will conclude with a doubleheader Sunday after Friday's g
NY Mets at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
Since trading away their top power hitter the New York Mets have had an offensive breakthrough, something they will try to maintain Saturday in the third of four games at the Philadelphia Phillies. Right fielder Jay Bruce, who led the Mets with 29 home runs, was shipped to Cleveland earlier in the week as New York struggled for consistent offense while wrapping up a homestand, but the club has erupted for 17 runs while taking the first two games in Philadelphia.
Colorado at Miami 7:10 PM ET
Giancarlo Stanton may not be able to control what happens to the Miami Marlins off the field, but the four-time All-Star is doing everything in his power to make sure they are in good hands on it. The major-league leader in home runs is enjoying one of the best power-hitting stretches baseball has seen in recent years and attempts to keep it up Saturday when the Marlins host the second of three games against the Colorado Rockies.
Cincinnati at Milwaukee 7:10 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers are in full free-fall mode and look to halt a six-game losing streak when they host the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Milwaukee fell behind by eight runs in Friday's series opener before suffering an 11-10 loss to drop to .500 on the campaign.
Kansas City at Chi. White Sox 7:10 PM ET

James Shields helped the Kansas City Royals reach the World Series in 2014, but now he hopes to help prevent them from getting back to the playoffs. Shields takes the mound for the Chicago White Sox on Saturday as they aim for a second straight win over the slumping Royals.

Atlanta at St. Louis 7:15 PM ET
Despite the crowded landscape at the top of the National League Central, the St. Louis Cardinals continue to focus on themselves entering Saturday’s middle contest of a three-game home series against the Atlanta Braves. The Cardinals pounced on the Braves in the early innings in Friday’s series opener and held on for an 8-5 victory to remain one game behind the Central-leading Chicago Cubs.
Houston at Texas 8:05 PM ET
The Houston Astros are sliding in the wrong direction as they enter the middle contest of their three-game set against the host Texas Rangers on Saturday. Houston's 6-4 loss in the series opener was its fourth in a row and 10th in 13 games, and its lead for the best record in the American League is just six games over Boston.
Chi. Cubs at Arizona 8:10 PM ET
Two teams that are feeling the heat from a charging St. Louis team square off Saturday as the Chicago Cubs visit the Arizona Diamondbacks for the middle contest of their three-game set. Chicago posted an 8-3 victory in Friday's series opener to avoid a three-game slide and maintain a one-game lead in the National League Central over the Cardinals, who have won seven in a row.
Baltimore at Oakland 9:05 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles attempt to bounce back from a failed opportunity when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series. Baltimore (57-59) was unable to reach the .500 mark for the season on Friday as it squandered a late lead and dropped a 5-4 decision.
LA Angels at Seattle 9:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels are making a move up the American League wild-card standings and seek their fifth consecutive win when they visit the Seattle Mariners on Saturday. The Angels rallied from a four-run deficit on Friday en route to a 6-5 victory, their second straight over Seattle to open the four-game series.
San Diego at LA Dodgers 9:10 PM ET
For years an afterthought in the National League West, the San Diego Padres are showing the record-setting Los Angeles Dodgers why they could be a force in the division before too long. Rookie Manuel Margot is leading the charge for the rebuilding Padres, who continue their three-game series against the host Dodgers on Saturday.