Preview Roundups
September 12, 2015
Kansas City at Baltimore 1:05 PM ET
The American League Central-leading Kansas City Royals are just trying to iron out some kinks on their way to the playoffs, and the pitching staff is one area they are hoping to improve. The Royals will try get some length out of their starting pitcher by swapping Johnny Cueto and Yordano Ventura when they visit the Baltimore Orioles for the middle contest of their three-game series on Saturday.
Toronto at NY Yankees 1:05 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays flexed their muscles and sent a message to the New York Yankees by swatting five home runs in the opener of their four-game showdown for supremacy in the American League East. The Blue Jays stretched their division lead to 2 1/2 games with Friday's rout, but the host Yankees have a chance to cut into the deficit in Saturday's doubleheader.
St. Louis at Cincinnati 1:30 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals are off to a shaky start on their 10-game road trip, opening it with an 11-0 drubbing by the Cincinnati Reds before rain forced a suspension of Friday's game with the teams tied at 2-2 in the eighth inning. The Cardinals and Reds will play Saturday's regularly scheduled game 40 minutes after the conclusion of the suspended contest, which begins at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Toronto at NY Yankees 4:05 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays flexed their muscles and sent a message to the New York Yankees by swatting five home runs in the opener of their four-game showdown for supremacy in the American League East. The Blue Jays stretched their division lead to 2 1/2 games with Friday's rout, but the host Yankees have a chance to cut into the deficit in Saturday's doubleheader.
Boston at Tampa Bay 6:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays need only to look around the field at the current matchup to know that hope is not lost in the race for the second American League wild card. The Rays will try to keep their slim postseason hopes alive and clinch a series win when they host the Boston Red Sox in the second contest of a three-game series Saturday.
Chi. Cubs at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
Citizens Bank Park has been bringing out the Chicago Cubs’ power for the past three years, and the club’s young sluggers are happy to join the party. The hot-hitting Cubs hope to continue their power display when they face the host Philadelphia Phillies for the third contest of a four-game set Saturday night.
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates have struggled mightily against National League Central rivals throughout the season, but they've recently altered their fortunes to give themselves an outside shot at the division title. Winners of five of their last eight against division foes, the Pirates look to keep surging ahead when they play the third contest of their four-game series versus the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.
Minnesota at Chi. White Sox 7:10 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins continue their charge toward a wild-card spot when they visit the American League Central-rival Chicago White Sox on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Minnesota posted a 6-2 triumph in Friday's opener to remain one game behind Texas for the second wild card.
Detroit at Cleveland 7:10 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians continue to enjoy the comforts of home while the Detroit Tigers remain uncomfortable regardless of venue. The Indians were rained out on Friday, but will vie for their 11th win in their last 12 home games when they play the second contest of their four-game series versus the tumbling Tigers on Saturday.
NY Mets at Atlanta 7:10 PM ET
Having too many capable starting pitchers is not a bad thing, but as the New York Mets push closer to the National League East division title, they face the quandary of figuring out who will comprise their postseason rotation. Noah Syndergaard gets his latest turn to impress Saturday as the high-flying Mets play the third game of a four-game road series versus the Atlanta Braves.
Washington at Miami 7:10 PM ET
When healthy, Jose Fernandez has been dazzling during his brief career – especially at home. The young Miami Marlins ace will try to make history when he takes the mound against the visiting Washington Nationals on Saturday.
Oakland at Texas 8:05 PM ET
The Texas Rangers have enjoyed a considerable run of good fortune in the Lone Star State of late while Yovani Gallardo has made himself at home regardless of venue. The right-hander looks to keep the Rangers in the thick of the postseason discussion on Saturday when he faces the Oakland Athletics in the second contest of a three-game series.
LA Dodgers at Arizona 8:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers look to avoid a third straight loss when they visit the National League West-rival Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. After failing to complete a sweep against the Los Angeles Angels, the Dodgers were routed 12-4 by Arizona in Friday's opener.
Houston at LA Angels 9:05 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels are not going down without a fight as they host the first-place Houston Astros on Saturday in the second contest of the three-game series between the American League West rivals, and Kole Calhoun is a big reason why they're still standing. Los Angeles prevailed 3-2 on Friday behind two RBIs and a pair of hits by Calhoun to trim Houston's lead to 1 1/2 games over Texas and 4 1/2 on the Angels, who remained three behind the Rangers for the final wild-card spot.
San Diego at San Francisco 9:05 PM ET
A poorly-timed losing streak that ended last week took the San Francisco Giants from being on the verge of threatening the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West to the brink of not being able to defend their World Series crown. Facing a daunting 7 ½-game deficit in the division and a 9 ½-game hole in the wild-card race with only 21 contests left, the Giants will look to trim both margins on Saturday as they continue a three-game set with the visiting San Diego Padres.
Colorado at Seattle 9:10 PM ET
The Colorado Rockies are putting the final touches on their fifth consecutive losing season, but manager Walt Weiss' charges are determined to finish 2015 strong as they visit the Seattle Mariners on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Colorado is 10-8 since dropping a season-worst 25 games below .500 on Aug. 24, and Weiss' encouragement and words of wisdom have a lot to do with their better play of late.