Preview Roundups
September 12, 2018
LA Dodgers at Cincinnati 12:35 PM ET
If the Los Angeles Dodgers miss the playoffs, they may be able to look back on their inability to solve the last-place Cincinnati Reds as one big reason why. The Reds will try to sweep the seven-game season series when the teams finish a three-game set in Cincinnati on Wednesday afternoon.
Cleveland at Tampa Bay 1:10 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday afternoon for the rubber match of a three-game set that features a pair of Cy Young candidates who total 34 victories this season. Cleveland’s Carlos Carrasco goes for his 17th victory and the Rays counter with 18-game winner Blake Snell in a matchup of pitchers that have dominated at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay.
Houston at Detroit 1:10 PM ET
The Houston Astros have felt very comfortable on the road and look to finish off their ninth sweep away from home this season when they visit the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon for the finale of a three-game set. The Astros, who lead the American League West by three games, defeated the Tigers 5-4 on Tuesday for their second straight one-run victory in the series and improved to a major league-best 51-22 on the road.
Pittsburgh at St. Louis 1:15 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals have racked up 19 runs in the first two contests of the series and look to complete a three-game sweep when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday afternoon. Tyler O'Neill hit a three-run homer and Marcell Ozuna collected three RBIs as the Cardinals posted an 11-5 victory on Tuesday.
Atlanta at San Francisco 3:45 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves have won a series in San Francisco for the first time since 2011 and look to complete a three-game sweep of the struggling Giants on Wednesday afternoon. Charlie Culberson belted a two-run homer on Tuesday as the Braves posted a 4-1 victory to improve to 5-1 on their seven-game road trip.
Miami at NY Mets 4:10 PM ET
The Miami Marlins aim to gain the edge in both the season and current series against the host New York Mets on Wednesday when the National League East rivals play a single-admission doubleheader at Citi Field. The Marlins (57-86) improved to 6-7 against the Mets (65-78) this season by getting the better of Jacob deGrom during Tuesday's 5-3 triumph in the opener of a four-game set.
San Diego at Seattle 6:40 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners are sinking out of the American League wild-card race, and one contributing factor is that they can't defeat the San Diego Padres. San Diego looks to complete a four-game season sweep of the host Mariners on Wednesday in the finale of their two-game series after recording a 2-1 victory in the opener.
Oakland at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
Stephen Piscotty and the Oakland Athletics look to continue their impressive roll when they continue a three-game series at the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Piscotty had three hits and an RBI in a 3-2 win to begin the set, giving him a 12-game hitting streak and at least one RBI in six straight contests.
Washington at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
The free-falling Philadelphia Phillies have seen their postseason aspirations fade in rapid time, as they have lost eight consecutive series to barely remain within earshot for either the National League East title or a wild-card berth. The Phillies (74-70), who will look to snap a four-game skid in the finale of their series on Wednesday at home, squandered a three-run lead in the ninth inning of the nightcap in Tuesday's doubleheader sweep by the Nationals (73-72).
Toronto at Boston 7:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox have clinched a playoff spot and now will try to reach the 100-win mark for the fourth time in franchise history when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday in the second contest of a three-game series. With ace Chris Sale throwing a scoreless inning in his return from shoulder issues and Brock Holt slugging a three-run homer, the Red Sox picked up a 7-2 win in the series opener to become the first team in the majors to clinch a spot in the postseason.
Miami at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
The Miami Marlins aim to gain the edge in both the season and current series against the host New York Mets on Wednesday when the National League East rivals play a single-admission doubleheader at Citi Field. The Marlins (57-86) improved to 6-7 against the Mets (65-78) this season by getting the better of Jacob deGrom during Tuesday's 5-3 triumph in the opener of a four-game set.
Milwaukee at Chi. Cubs 8:05 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs have done enough to ensure they’ll still have the lead in the National League Central when the Milwaukee Brewers leaves town, but both teams recognize the importance of their final head-to-head meeting of the season on Wednesday. The finale of the three-game series will represent a two-game swing in the tight division race, which the Cubs lead by two games.
NY Yankees at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
The New York Yankees appeared to be a lock for the first wild card in the American League a short time ago, but their lead has dwindled significantly as they head into the rubber match of their three-game series against the host Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. New York's cushion over Oakland for home field in the wild-card game was reduced to two games with Tuesday's 10-5 loss.
Chi. White Sox at Kansas City 8:15 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals are on their way to a last-place finish in the American League Central and perhaps a historically bad campaign, but they’re showing reasons for optimism down the stretch. The Royals will try to continue their September surge when they host the Chicago White Sox for the finale of their three-game series on Wednesday.
Arizona at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte has seen his playing time cut in the past week, but there were no signs of rust in Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the host Colorado Rockies. Marte drove in four runs in the victory and could be in the lineup again Wednesday when the teams continue their crucial four-game series at Coors Field.
Texas at LA Angels 10:07 PM ET
After flirting with history while evening the series, the Los Angeles Angels look to remain hot when they host the Texas Rangers on Wednesday for the rubber match of their three-game set. Six pitchers combined to work seven hitless innings Tuesday before the seventh, Blake Parker, yielded a one-out single in the eighth, but the Angels went on to post a 1-0 victory.