Preview Roundups
September 27, 2014
NY Yankees at Boston 1:05 PM ET
Derek Jeter is expected to return to the lineup for the New York Yankees on Saturday in Boston as he plays out the final series of his storied career against the Red Sox. One night after his dramatic walk-off RBI single in his Yankee Stadium finale, Jeter chose to sit out the opener of the three-game season-ending season at Fenway Park.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati 1:05 PM ET
Just days after clinching a spot in the postseason for the second straight season, the Pittsburgh Pirates could be closing in on another celebration. The Pirates have won 17 of their last 21 to move one game behind first-place St. Louis in the National League Central heading into Saturday’s contest against the host Cincinnati Reds. If the Pirates and Cardinals are tied after Sunday’s action, the teams would play game 163 in St. Louis on Monday.
Miami at Washington 4:05 PM ET
With the National League's top playoff seed tucked away, the Washington Nationals just hope to stay sharp as they host the Miami Marlins on Saturday. The Nationals clinched home field throughout the NL playoffs when the teams split a doubleheader Friday. Miami still has something to play for, as the Marlins are tied with the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves for second place in the NL East.
San Diego at San Francisco 4:05 PM ET
The San Diego Padres will finish under .500 for the fourth consecutive season, but they’ve left an impression on the playoff-bound San Francisco Giants. The Padres have won four of their last five games against the Giants and hold a 10-7 advantage in the season series heading into Saturday’s contest at AT&T Park. San Francisco lost 4-1 on Friday and will play next Wednesday’s wild-card game on the road against either St. Louis or Pittsburgh.
Baltimore at Toronto 4:07 PM ET
With little mystery left regarding their postseason plans, the Baltimore Orioles hope to avoid their first three-game slide in over a month on Saturday when they continue their series in Toronto against the Blue Jays. The Orioles clinched the American League East on Sept. 16 and have chosen to give their regulars plenty of rest since. Baltimore lost for the fourth time in six games in Friday’s opener, allowing the Los Angeles Angels to secure home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs.
Tampa Bay at Cleveland 6:05 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians saw their slim hopes of an American League wild-card spot end late Friday night, a little more than an hour after recording a memorable victory. Carlos Carrasco tries to match Corey Kluber’s gem in the series opener when he takes the mound Saturday as the Indians host the Tampa Bay Rays in the second of a three-game set. Kluber threw eight scoreless innings in Cleveland’s 1-0 win Friday before Oakland’s victory eliminated the Indians from playoff contention.
Atlanta at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
Aaron Harang signed with the Atlanta Braves during the final week of spring training, and all the 36-year-old has done is put together one of the best seasons of his career. Harang makes his 33rd and final start of the season looking for his 12th victory Saturday when the Braves visit the Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia captured the series opener Friday, rallying from four runs down to win 5-4, and closer Jonathan Papelbon began mending fences with the Phillies’ fanbase.
Minnesota at Detroit 7:08 PM ET
Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier is batting just .243 but his production soars whenever the Twins play the Detroit Tigers. Dozier is batting .365 with four homers and 16 RBIs against the Tigers this season entering Saturday’s third contest of a four-game set in Detroit. The Tigers need to worry about more than Dozier as they hold just a one-game lead over the Kansas City Royals in the American League Central race.
Kansas City at Chi. White Sox 7:10 PM ET
While the Kansas City Royals celebrated their first postseason berth since 1985 following a series-opening victory, the host Chicago White Sox will be in full party-mode as they observe Paul Konerko Day prior to Saturday's game. The team is expected to honor the retiring captain's storied career, which has spanned 16 seasons in Chicago.
Chi. Cubs at Milwaukee 7:10 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers have to salvage one of their final two games to ensure a winning season, a notion that was almost unthinkable for most of the summer. Milwaukee hopes to lock up its third winning campaign in four years with a victory over the visiting Chicago Cubs on Saturday. The Brewers spent almost five full months atop the National League Central but have lost 21 of their last 29 games to fall within two games of .500 for the first time since they were 4-2.
Houston at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
Jose Altuve looks to inch closer to becoming Houston's first player to win the batting title when the visiting Astros and New York Mets continue their season-closing interleague series on Saturday. The 24-year-old Venezuelan went 1-for-4 with an RBI single in Houston's 3-1 victory on Friday and has a majors-best .342 batting average, which is six points higher than Detroit's Victor Martinez
Oakland at Texas 8:05 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics attempts to clinch a wild-card spot when they visit the Texas Rangers on Saturday. Oakland will claim a wild card with either one victory in the final two games against the Rangers, or one loss by the Seattle Mariners versus the Los Angeles Angels. The Athletics won 6-2 on Friday to break Texas’ five-game winning streak and hand the Rangers only their second loss in 14 contests.
St. Louis at Arizona 8:10 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals tempted fate in their last time out, almost letting the majors’ worst team put their hopes of winning a second straight National League Central title in peril. Following a dramatic win in the opener, they hope to do their part to clinch the division on Saturday when they continue their three-game set at the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cardinals remained one game ahead of Pittsburgh with two to play, but needed extra innings on Friday after blowing a late three-run lead.
Colorado at LA Dodgers 9:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers look to eclipse last season's win total Saturday when they vie for a series victory against the visiting Colorado Rockies. The National League West-champion Dodgers (92-68) benefited from a six-run sixth inning in Friday's 7-4 triumph to post their third win in a row and ninth in 13 outings. "We still have a lot to play for," said Justin Turner, who had a two-run single in the lopsided frame. "We want to keep our momentum going into the playoffs."
LA Angels at Seattle 9:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners remained alive in the American League wild-card chase and look to stay in contention when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. Seattle defeated Los Angeles 4-3 on Friday and stands two games behind the Oakland Athletics with two games to play in the battle for the second wild-card spot. One Oakland victory or one Seattle loss will eliminate the Mariners, who have won their last two games to follow a five-game skid.