Preview Roundups
September 14, 2014
Tampa Bay at Toronto 1:07 PM ET
Mark Buehrle has a strong track record against the Tampa Bay Rays and the host Toronto Blue Jays will be banking on the veteran left-hander to continue that success in Sunday's finale of a three-game series. Toronto moved Buehrle up a day from Monday's scheduled start to face the Rays for the sixth time this season as the Blue Jays try and close the gap in the race for the American League's second wild card. Buehrle is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his five starts versus Tampa Bay in 2014.
Cleveland at Detroit 1:08 PM ET
The Detroit Tigers managed to take the American League Central last season due largely to their domination of the Cleveland Indians. Although their record against the Indians won’t show the same kind of mastery in 2014, the Tigers’ recent ability to solve Cleveland may be the reason they win the division again as the clubs wrap up their season series Sunday in Detroit. The Tigers went 15-4 versus the Indians last year, allowing them to finish a game ahead of Cleveland in the Central.
Washington at NY Mets 1:10 PM ET
The Washington Nationals are closing in on the National League East title, and their dominance over the New York Mets has played a big part in it. The Nationals improved to 12-3 against New York this season on Saturday and carry a 9 1/2-game lead and a magic number of six for clinching the division into Sunday's finale of a four-game series with the host Mets. Washington's Anthony Rendon is having a torrid series, going 10-for-15 with two homers and five runs scored.
Chi. Cubs at Pittsburgh 1:35 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates have won seven straight series against the Chicago Cubs dating to last season, and they need an eighth in the worst way Sunday. The Pirates host the Cubs for the rubber match of a three-game set with their playoff hopes on the line. Pittsburgh is 3 1/2 games behind National League Central leader St. Louis but leads Milwaukee by 1 1/2 games for the second wild card.
Miami at Philadelphia 1:35 PM ET
The Miami Marlins’ hopes of a dramatic run to the playoffs have all but drifted away after four straight losses, but they will try to avoid a three-game sweep at the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. The Marlins dropped their last two games to Milwaukee and lost slugger Giancarlo Stanton to injury before scoring only twice in 19 innings to lose the first two contests against the Phillies. Miami is 6 ½ games back in the race for the second National League wild card after being 3 ½ out on Tuesday.
Boston at Kansas City 2:10 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals finally figured out how to beat the Boston Red Sox and are still battling for their division. The Royals will try to keep the pressure on the Detroit Tigers when they host the Red Sox in the finale of a four-game series on Sunday. Kansas City, which lost the first five meetings this season with lowly Boston, grabbed a 7-1 victory on Saturday to remain within a half-game ahead of the Tigers in the American League Central.
Minnesota at Chi. White Sox 2:10 PM ET
The Chicago White Sox attempt to complete a sweep when they host the Minnesota Twins on Sunday in the finale of the three-game series. The American League Central rivals were forced to play a doubleheader after Friday's opener was rained out, and Chicago posted a 5-1 victory in the first game before rallying for a 7-6 walk-off triumph in the nightcap.
Cincinnati at Milwaukee 2:10 PM ET
With just 13 games remaining, the Milwaukee Brewers need to take advantage of opportunities if they want to move up in the National League wild-card chase. The Brewers will attempt to make some strides Sunday, when they conclude a three-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds. Milwaukee failed to improve its playoff situation on Saturday by losing to the Reds, while Pittsburgh was falling to the Chicago Cubs to remain 1 1/2 games ahead of the Brewers for the second wild card.
Colorado at St. Louis 2:15 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals will skip Michael Wacha's turn in the rotation when they try for a three-game sweep of the visiting Colorado Rockies on Sunday. Wacha returned Sept. 4 after missing two-plus months with a shoulder injury, but St. Louis manager Mike Matheny told reporters "it doesn't quite feel right and it doesn't look right" after a bullpen session Thursday, and will instead give the ball to rookie Marco Gonzales.
Atlanta at Texas 3:05 PM ET
Their September swoon is in full swing and if the Atlanta Braves do not snap out of it soon, they will spend October someplace other than the National League playoffs. The Braves will try to avoid a three-game sweep and falling to 3-9 this month when they visit the Texas Rangers – owners of the worst record in baseball – on Sunday afternoon. The Rangers have won consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 24-25.
Houston at LA Angels 3:35 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels look to tie a franchise record by winning their 11th consecutive contest when they wrap up a three-game series versus the visiting Houston Astros on Sunday. The Angels, who set the original mark in 1964, have benefited from their current hot streak to reduce their magic number to four for clinching their second American League West title in five years.
LA Dodgers at San Francisco 4:05 PM ET
There’s been a distinct lack of drama in the first two games of this weekend’s key divisional series between the San Francisco Giants and visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, but that could change in Sunday’s rubber match. After San Francisco rolled to a 9-0 win in the series opener, Los Angeles responded with a 17-0 rout on Saturday to move two games ahead of the Giants in the National League West.
San Diego at Arizona 4:10 PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks are among the worst teams in the majors - unless they are playing the San Diego Padres. The Diamondbacks will try to wrap up a series win over the division rivals when they host the Padres in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday. Arizona broke out in a 10-4 victory on Saturday and put up 15 runs in the first two games of the series after managing a total of eight in the previous six contests.
Oakland at Seattle 4:10 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics look to build on a rare victory when they conclude a three-game series on Sunday against the host Seattle Mariners. Oakland posted a 3-2 win in 10 innings on Saturday for only its fourth triumph in 16 games and the victory allowed the Athletics to regain hold of the first wild card in the American League. The loss was painful for Seattle as it fell one game behind Kansas City for the second wild card.
NY Yankees at Baltimore 8:00 PM ET
The New York Yankees are just barely keeping their season alive while the Baltimore Orioles are marching toward an inevitable American League East crown. The Yankees will try to stay alive in the wild card race and earn a split of the four-game set when they visit the Orioles for the finale on Sunday. New York got just enough offense to scratch out a 3-2 victory on Saturday as Chris Young continues to be a surprisingly potent addition to the lineup.