Preview Roundups
September 03, 2014
Philadelphia at Atlanta 12:10 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves would like to salvage a game in their home series with the Philadelphia Phillies, but first they have to score a run. The Braves, who have managed a total of three hits - and zero runs - in the first two games of the set, hope to reverse that trend Wednesday afternoon. Atlanta's offensive ineptitude actually goes back four games, a stretch during which the team managed a total of one run and was no-hit in Monday's series-opening 7-0 defeat.
Pittsburgh at St. Louis 1:45 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals continue to show the heart of a champion. After dropping four straight games, the first-place Cardinals have answered with four consecutive wins - a streak they hope will continue in Wednesday's series finale against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. St. Louis lost two of three to Pittsburgh last week but is on the verge of sweeping its division rival thanks to a 5-4 triumph on Monday and a 6-4 victory on Tuesday.
San Francisco at Colorado 3:10 PM ET
San Francisco's Buster Posey has treated Coors Field like a personal playground throughout his career, while teammate Hunter Pence was a late arrival to the party. The red-hot duo tries to continue their onslaught at arguably the most hitter-friendly stadium in history when the Giants visit the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. Posey and Pence have helped the Giants build a four-game bulge atop the National League wild-card standings and remain two games behind Los Angeles in the West.
Washington at LA Dodgers 3:10 PM ET
Los Angeles outfielder Joc Pederson could find himself in the starting lineup again Wednesday when the Dodgers face the visiting Washington Nationals in the rubber match of a three-game series. The Dodgers’ top prospect recorded his first major-league hit in Tuesday’s 4-1 victory while starting in center field for Yasiel Puig, who is batting .210 with three extra-base hits since Aug. 1 and could receive a second straight day off Wednesday.
Seattle at Oakland 3:35 PM ET
A high-octane pitching matchup takes center stage when the Oakland Athletics host the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday in the finale of a three-game series. Seattle ace Felix Hernandez, a 13-game winner who is second in the American League with a 2.23 ERA, squares off against Oakland left-hander Jon Lester, a fellow 13-game winner who ranks fourth in the AL with a 2.55 ERA.
Cincinnati at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles are running away with the American League East as they close in on their first division title in 17 years, but they suddenly have a reason not to put it on cruise control. Holding a 9 1/2-game lead, the Orioles' magic number for wrapping up the AL East is 17, but they are also only three games back of the Los Angeles Angels for the best record in baseball. Baltimore goes for its sixth win in seven games when it hosts the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.
Boston at NY Yankees 7:05 PM ET
The New York Yankees attempt to halt their skid and remain in contention for a postseason berth when they host the Boston Red Sox in the middle contest of their three-game set Wednesday. New York lost its third straight contest Tuesday, a 9-4 defeat in the series opener as it began a nine-game homestand. With the setback, the Yankees fell five games behind Detroit in the race for the American League's second wild-card spot.
Detroit at Cleveland 7:05 PM ET
Justin Verlander needs to go on a final-month tear to make his numbers more pleasing to view as the Detroit Tigers visit the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday in the third contest of the four-game set. Verlander’s 4.68 ERA is his highest since he lost a career-worst 17 games and had a 4.84 ERA in 2008 and he told reporters his shoulder has heavy fatigue issues. J.D. Martinez hit a three-run homer in the ninth to give Detroit a 4-2 win on Tuesday.
NY Mets at Miami 7:10 PM ET
Juan Lagares has been sizzling at the plate since Aug. 22 while David Wright has mauled the Miami Marlins throughout the season. The visiting New York Mets hope both trends continue when they play the rubber match of the three-game series on Wednesday. Lagares recorded a career-high four hits, scored three times, drove in a pair of runs and stole two bases as New York slugged its way to an 8-6 triumph on Tuesday.
Toronto at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays are beginning to get their offense going again as they attempt to stay within striking distance of the American League’s second wild-card spot. The Blue Jays, who led the majors in runs in May and were last in August, go for their fifth win in six games Wednesday as they visit the struggling Tampa Bay Rays. Jose Reyes snapped out of a mini-slump with a three-run homer – one of three blasts that helped Toronto open the series with an 8-2 victory on Tuesday.
Milwaukee at Chi. Cubs 8:05 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers are still on the right side of the playoff bubble, but it's in danger of popping if they don't turn things around quickly. Visiting Milwaukee looks to snap a seven-game losing streak and halt its slide down the National League Central standings when it wraps up a three-game series with the resurgent Chicago Cubs. The Brewers have fallen two games behind NL Central leader St. Louis but lead Atlanta by 1 1/2 games for the second wild card.
Chi. White Sox at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
The two worst teams in the American League Central have had little reason to celebrate this season but the Chicago White Sox and host Minnesota Twins will have a chance to share a festive occasion before wrapping up their two-game series Wednesday. The Twins, who trail Chicago by three games, will honor retiring White Sox slugger Paul Konerko in pregame ceremonies. A six-time All-Star, Konerko has put up nice numbers versus Minnesota with 50 homers and 136 RBIs in 257 games.
LA Angels at Houston 8:10 PM ET
Los Angeles ace Jered Weaver looks to become the American League’s first 16-game winner when the Angels visit the Houston Astros on Wednesday. Weaver has an outside chance of winning 20 games for the second time in his career with a strong September. Houston second baseman Jose Altuve promises to be a tough out after putting together back-to-back four-hit games, including a homer in the opener as the Astros prevailed 8-3.
Texas at Kansas City 8:10 PM ET
After coming up large in the first two contests of the three-game series, Salvador Perez looks to provide the final salvo as the Kansas City Royals vie for a sweep of the visiting Texas Rangers on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Venezuelan went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs in Monday's 4-3 victory before ripping the go-ahead single with two outs in the eighth inning of Tuesday's 2-1 triumph.
Arizona at San Diego 10:05 PM ET
Cory Spangenberg has made himself at home in his brief time in the majors while the San Diego Padres continue to enjoy the comforts of Petco Park. The 23-year-old rookie looks to continue his positive momentum on Wednesday when the Padres host the National League West-rival Arizona Diamondbacks in the third contest of the four-game series.