Preview Roundups
September 07, 2014
Chi. White Sox at Cleveland 1:05 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians continue their charge toward a playoff berth as they attempt to complete a sweep when they host the Chicago White Sox in the finale of their three-game series Sunday. Cleveland outlasted Chicago in 10 innings in the opener before posting a 3-1 triumph on Saturday to improve to 3-3 on its 11-game homestand. Carlos Santana belted his team-leading 25th homer while Corey Kluber allowed just an unearned run and five hits en route to his third complete game of the season.
Kansas City at NY Yankees 1:05 PM ET
The New York Yankees are inching toward must-win mode as they try to stay close in the playoff race but they figure to have a huge emotional edge in Sunday's finale of a three-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals. The Yankees will hold pregame ceremonies to honor retiring captain and future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, who has led New York to five World Series championships in his storied career.
Atlanta at Miami 1:10 PM ET
Brad Hand has pitched as both a starter and reliever for the Miami Marlins this season, and with Henderson Alvarez out with a left oblique injury, the 24-year-old jumps back into the rotation Sunday as the Marlins host the Atlanta Braves. Miami, after totaling 29 runs on 47 hits in its previous four contests, was held to three runs on seven hits in Saturday’s 4-3, 10-inning loss, dealing a blow to its faint playoff hopes.
NY Mets at Cincinnati 1:10 PM ET
Todd Frazier looks to complete a stellar series and help the Cincinnati Reds win the rubber match of the three-game set against the visiting New York Mets on Sunday. The 28-year-old followed a pair of 0-for-4 performances versus Baltimore by going 5-for-8 with home runs in each contest against New York. Cincinnati has won just two of its last eight contests and 16 of 47 since the All-Star break while the Mets saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
Toronto at Boston 1:35 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox are not heading to the postseason but they are having an impact on the race. The Red Sox will try to knock the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays out of the race and complete a three-game sweep when they host the finale of a three-game series on Sunday. Boston was not able to bury the New York Yankees on the road earlier in the week but have put together a pair of one-run wins in the first two against Toronto.
Philadelphia at Washington 1:35 PM ET
His last time out, Cole Hamels was at his best - and, in some ways, his worst. Following his bizarre start, Hamels will take the hill Sunday for the Philadelphia Phillies in the finale of their three-game set with the host Washington Nationals. Hamels did not allow a hit against Atlanta on Monday - and three relievers combined to finish the no-hitter - but the Philadelphia ace also walked a season high-tying five and needed 108 pitches to get through six innings.
Baltimore at Tampa Bay 1:40 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays have played themselves out of the playoff race, but they could be a major pest to the contending teams down the stretch. The Rays look to complete a three-game sweep when they host the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles on Sunday after giving up only two runs in the first two contests. Tampa Bay is starting to get contributions from 2013 AL Rookie of the Year Wil Myers, who has nine hits the last six games, and an RBI in Saturday’s 3-2 victory.
LA Angels at Minnesota 2:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels look to complete a four-game sweep of struggling Minnesota when they visit the Twins on Sunday. Los Angeles will also be looking for a seven-game season sweep of Minnesota as it looks to build on its six-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West. The Twins, who have lost 11 of their last 14 games, have allowed 20 runs in the series against the Angels.
St. Louis at Milwaukee 2:10 PM ET
Adam Wainwright has had an unusually high number of rocky performances since the All-Star break, but he can move into a tie for the most wins in the majors when the St. Louis Cardinals close out a four-game series at the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. Wainwright goes for his 17th victory and the Cardinals seek an eighth win in nine games to pad their lead in the National League Central. St. Louis has taken two of three from Milwaukee to open a four-game lead over the Brewers.
Pittsburgh at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
Their playoff hopes got a double shot of life Saturday, and now the suddenly-surging Pittsburgh Pirates aim for a three-game sweep of the host Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The Pirates are within one-half game of Atlanta and Milwaukee for the National League's second wild card after picking up two wins Saturday. Pittsburgh won 5-3 in 11 innings in the completion of Friday's suspended game and blanked the Cubs 5-0 in the second game.
Seattle at Texas 3:05 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners are one team in the American League that might be more comfortable with a one-game wild card playoff on the road. The Mariners will try to improve the AL’s best road record and wrap up a four-game sweep when they visit the Texas Rangers on Sunday. Seattle has won five straight and is 5-1 on its current road trip, pushing its road record to 42-27 and moving the team 1 1/2 games ahead of the Detroit Tigers for the second wild card.
Houston at Oakland 4:05 PM ET
After slumbering through a pronounced stretch, the Oakland Athletics are hoping they received the wake-up call they needed. The Athletics look to ride the momentum of their latest triumph into the rubber match of their three-game series versus the visiting Houston Astros on Sunday. Josh Reddick belted a game-tying two-run double before coming around to score on Jed Lowrie's RBI single in the ninth inning of Saturday's 4-3 win.
Arizona at LA Dodgers 4:10 PM ET
Zack Greinke has dominated Arizona hitters this season and the Los Angeles hurler will try to do so again when the Dodgers close a four-game set against the visiting Diamondbacks on Sunday. Greinke is 2-0 with a 0.93 ERA in three starts against Arizona this season and has 22 strikeouts against just four walks in 19 1/3 innings. Arizona starter Trevor Cahill has struggled against the Dodgers this season, going 0-3 with a 9.98 ERA in five appearances (three starts).
San Diego at Colorado 4:10 PM ET
While the Colorado Rockies are a different team offensively at home, Justin Morneau remains the same no matter the venue. The veteran first baseman tries to build off a four-hit game when Colorado hosts the San Diego Padres on Sunday in the rubber match of the three-game series. The Rockies lead the majors with a .317 batting average at home but are second-worst on the road at .228 - only ahead of San Diego (.220), with Morneau .317 at home and .311 on the road.
San Francisco at Detroit 8:00 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants have been nearly all-or-nothing when it comes to facing American League Central competition in 2014, although their success against the Detroit Tigers doesn’t seem to be as fleeting. The Giants eye their third sweep of an AL Central foe on Sunday when they wrap up a three-game set in Detroit. San Francisco opened interleague play with a 6-0 mark after defeating Cleveland and Minnesota before Kansas City and the Chicago White Sox took six of seven from the Giants.