Preview Roundups
September 04, 2015
Arizona at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs have dropped three straight series but hope to turn things around for the stretch run when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game series starting Friday. The Cubs have lost six of their last eight contests but remain solidly in position for the National League’s second wild-card.
Tampa Bay at NY Yankees 7:05 PM ET
Didi Gregorius and Stephen Drew, who both suffered through struggles earlier in the season, are providing a major boost to the offense for the New York Yankees of late. The middle infielders are a combined 18-for-27 with 12 RBIs in the last four contests and look to stay hot as the Yankees begin a 10-game homestand with the first of three against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.
Atlanta at Washington 7:05 PM ET
The Washington Nationals look to continue their ascent at the expense of the spiraling Atlanta Braves when the National League East rivals play the second contest of a four-game series on Friday in the nation's capital. Ryan Zimmerman collected three hits and drove in four runs during Thursday's 15-1 rout for Washington, which has won four of six to move within six games of the division-leading New York Mets.
Baltimore at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles snapped a six-game slide with a walk-off home run on Wednesday and will need all the positive momentum they can muster heading into the weekend when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays for the opener of a three-game series on Friday. The Blue Jays lead the American League East and continue to pound opposing pitching staffs.
Cleveland at Detroit 7:08 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians will be looking for a big final month from reigning Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber as they attempt to stay alive in the American League wild-card chase. Kluber will try to halt a three-start winless drought when he faces the host Detroit Tigers on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.
Philadelphia at Boston 7:10 PM ET
The last time the Boston Red Sox faced the Philadelphia Phillies, expectations were high and Hanley Ramirez was looking well worth the huge expense of bringing him in to play left field as a free agent. The Red Sox will have an entirely different look when they host the Phillies in the opener of a three-game interleague series on Friday.
Milwaukee at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
Matt Garza will look to avoid becoming the first pitcher in the majors to reach the 15-loss plateau on Friday as the Milwaukee Brewers begin a 10-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series versus the Cincinnati Reds. Garza, who is tied with Philadelphia veteran Aaron Harang with a league-high 14 defeats, was blasted for seven runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings before escaping with a no-decision in Cincinnati's 12-9 victory on Saturday.
NY Mets at Miami 7:10 PM ET
The New York Mets cruise into the final month of the season with a 6 1/2-game lead in the National League East and a schedule that sets up nicely. The Mets will continue their tour of disappointing NL East rivals when they visit the Marlins for the opener of a three-game series.
Chi. White Sox at Kansas City 8:10 PM ET
Already assured of a winning record with 29 games still remaining this season, the Kansas City Royals continue their nine-game homestand when they host the Chicago White Sox on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. Owners of the best record in the American League, the Royals have won 14 of their last 19 contests to move 31 games above .500.
Minnesota at Houston 8:10 PM ET
Both Houston and Minnesota have playoff berths in their sights as they
begin a three-game set Friday in the Astros' home ballpark. Houston
holds a two-game lead over Texas in the American League West while the
Twins are in the mix for the league's two wild-card berths.
Pittsburgh at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals are doing their best to pull away in the National League Central while the Pittsburgh Pirates aren't doing much to stop them. Winners of nine of their last 11, the Cardinals look to add to their 6 1/2-game lead atop the division when they open a three-game home series against the second-place Pirates on Friday.
San Francisco at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants look to end their slide and avoid falling completely out of postseason contention when they visit the Colorado Rockies on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set. San Francisco managed only six hits - including a two-run homer by starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong - in a series-opening 11-3 setback and are 6 1/2 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.
Texas at LA Angels 10:05 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels will receive plenty of opportunities to chase
down the Texas Rangers in September. Los Angeles is 3 1/2 games behind
the Rangers for the American League's second wild card and opens a
three-game home series against Texas on Friday in the first of seven
September meetings.
Seattle at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
The availability of Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz is uncertain as the
Mariners prepare for Friday's opener of a three-game set against the
host Oakland Athletics. Cruz injured his right quadriceps in Wednesday's victory
over Houston and will be re-evaluated hours before game time.
LA Dodgers at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
After watching their bullpen let a fourth consecutive victory get away, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to bounce back when they visit the San Diego Padres on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Los Angeles was in line for its ninth win in 10 contests Thursday before five relievers combined to allow six runs over the final three innings en route to a 10-7 loss.