Preview Roundups
September 01, 2014
Boston at Tampa Bay 1:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox are well out of the American League playoff race, but they have won four of their last six games while putting some promising young talent on display. Rubby De La Rosa goes to the mound as the Red Sox look for their second straight series victory on the road Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Mookie Betts, a 21-year-old outfielder, registered his third multi-hit performance in his last seven games and knocked in a run as the Red Sox blanked the Rays 3-0 on Sunday.
Philadelphia at Atlanta 1:10 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves entered September last season with a 15-game lead en route to the National League East championship, but as the Braves prepare to host the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, they face a far different landscape. The Braves open the season’s final month six games behind Washington in the East and 1 1/2 games out of the final NL wild-card spot, needing a strong month – and some help – to reach the postseason for the fourth time in five years.
NY Mets at Miami 1:10 PM ET
Zack Wheeler is one of the young arms the New York Mets are counting on to fuel a turnaround next season and the 24-year-old has spent the past two months showing why he is considered one of the team’s top pitching prospects. Wheeler, who is 6-1 with a 2.17 ERA in his past 11 starts, takes the mound Monday as the Mets open a three-game set at the Miami Marlins. The Marlins have seen plenty of good pitching lately, losing six times on a nine-game road trip.
Minnesota at Baltimore 1:35 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles seek to complete a four-game sweep of Minnesota when they host the Twins in Monday’s series finale. Baltimore has outscored Minnesota 24-11 while winning the first three games and has won six of seven overall to extend its American League East lead to nine games over the New York Yankees. The Twins have lost seven of their last eight games and are 1-5 during a road trip that concludes on Monday.
Pittsburgh at St. Louis 2:15 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals have yet to enjoy sole possession of first place in the National League Central this season, but will have a shot Monday when they host the first of three games against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cardinals have seemingly been in lock-step with co-division leader Milwaukee for over a month, trailing by no more than three games despite going 7-1 and 2-6 during two eight-game spans. However, St. Louis is surging again after Sunday’s comeback win versus the Chicago Cubs.
Milwaukee at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers have seen their lead atop the National League Central disappear but they'll try to maintain at least a share of first place when they open a three-game series at the Chicago Cubs on Monday. The Brewers have dropped five straight on their nine-game road trip to fall into a tie with St. Louis in the division. Milwaukee's offense has gone belly-up during its skid, producing a total of 11 runs -- and five of those came in a 15-5 beating at San Francisco on Sunday.
Detroit at Cleveland 4:05 PM ET
David Price attempts to bounce back from a horrific outing when the Detroit Tigers visit the Cleveland Indians on Monday. Price was torched for eight runs and 12 hits in two-plus innings by the New York Yankees and gave up nine consecutive hits in the third inning before he was finally removed. The Indians have won 13 of 18 games and are suddenly challenging Detroit and Kansas City for the American League Central title.
Seattle at Oakland 4:05 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics squandered a big opportunity to take control of the American League West over the weekend thanks to an offense that suddenly struggles to score runs. The Athletics hope to have Adam Dunn available when they host the Seattle Mariners for the opener of a three-game series on Monday. Oakland totaled four runs in dropping four straight to the Los Angeles Angels, falling five games back in the division in the process.
Arizona at San Diego 4:10 PM ET
Two teams looking to finish the season on a strong note square off Monday when the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the San Diego Padres for the start of a four-game series. Both teams are far removed from playoff contention, but the Padres were encouraged after recording their first winning month of the season in August with a 16-11 mark. Arizona won two of three against Colorado over the weekend while continuing to take an extended look at rookies such as third baseman Jake Lamb.
San Francisco at Colorado 4:10 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants get a chance to improve their postseason position with two games against the worst team in the league on Monday. The Giants will visit the Colorado Rockies to complete a suspended game from May 22 before the regularly-scheduled contest. San Francisco has won six straight to pull within 2 1/2 games of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West while leading the wild-card race.
Washington at LA Dodgers 8:10 PM ET
Bryce Harper appears to have rediscovered his stroke, but the same can’t be said for Los Angeles outfielder Yasiel Puig. Harper has four homers in his last seven contests for the Washington Nationals, who visit the Dodgers on Monday for the start of a three-game series between the two National League division leaders. Puig is hoping to bounce back after hitting .212 with two extra-base hits in August for the Dodgers, who lead San Francisco by 2 1/2 games in the NL West.
Texas at Kansas City 8:10 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals are experiencing struggles as September arrives and they hope to begin a turnaround when they face the visiting Texas Rangers on Monday. Kansas City has lost five of seven games and was trailing Cleveland 4-2 in the 10th inning on Sunday before the contest was suspended due to heavy rain and is aiming to rebound in this three-game set against the team with the worst record in the majors. Texas dropped three of four against Houston and is 53-83.