Preview Roundups
September 29, 2016
Arizona at Washington 1:05 PM ET
The Washington Nationals already wrapped up the National League East crown but are still fighting for something over the final four games of the regular season. The Nationals will continue their pursuit of homefield advantage in the NL Division Series when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of a four-game series on Thursday.
Cleveland at Detroit 1:10 PM ET
Miguel Cabrera is trying to carry the Detroit Tigers to the playoffs and the two-time MVP hopes to extend his hitting streak to eight games when they host the Cleveland Indians on Thursday afternoon for the finale of a four-game set. Cabrera belted a three-run homer in Wednesday’s rain-shortened 6-3 victory and is 7-for-10 with two blasts and 10 RBIs in the series.
Boston at NY Yankees 7:05 PM ET
The New York Yankees won't be making a trip to the playoffs this season, but at least they successfully muted the rival Boston Red Sox's American League East-clinching celebration. The Yankees will go for a three-game sweep when they host the Red Sox in the series finale on Thursday.
Chi. Cubs at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The final week of the regular season has felt a lot like spring training for the Chicago Cubs, who are trying to balance rest versus rust to keep their key players both fresh and sharp for the upcoming playoffs. Already assured of the majors’ best record, the Cubs used 19 players in Wednesday’s 8-4 loss to the host Pittsburgh Pirates and likely will do more of the same in the finale of the four-game series on Thursday.
Baltimore at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles stayed alive in the battle for the top American League wild card spot and put themselves in position to pull even with the Toronto Blue Jays atop the standings with a dramatic victory on Wednesday. The Orioles can earn that tie and keep some space between themselves and the rest of the AL wild card contenders when they visit the Blue Jays in the rubber match of the three-game series on Thursday.
Philadelphia at Atlanta 7:10 PM ET
Freddie Freeman is giving the Atlanta Braves and their fans something to pay attention to as the team marches toward its first last-place finish since 1990. The slugging first baseman will try to extend a pair of impressive offensive streaks as the Braves seek a three-game sweep of the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
Minnesota at Kansas City 7:15 PM ET
Despite not being able to defend their world championship, the Kansas City Royals can clinch their fourth consecutive winning season by completing a three-game sweep of the visiting Minnesota Twins on Thursday. Kansas City, which will be sitting home this postseason after reaching the World Series each of the previous two years as it officially was eliminated with Baltimore's victory over Toronto, is riding a four-game winning streak after rallying for three runs in the eighth inning on Wednesda
Cincinnati at St. Louis 7:15 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals are sliding in the wrong direction and on the
verge of ensuring they won't be attending the National League postseason
party. St. Louis has lost five of its last seven contests and trails San
Francisco by one game with only four remaining as it concludes its four-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.
Tampa Bay at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
The Chicago White Sox can match a season-high six-game winning streak when they vie for a sweep of the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. The White Sox posted 20 runs to win the first two games of the series before Miguel Gonzalez baffled the Rays over 8 1/3 innings in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory to give them a chance to finish the season with a .500 record.
LA Dodgers at San Diego 9:10 PM ET
The San Diego Padres will be watching the playoffs for the 10th straight year, but rookie outfielder Hunter Renfroe is making sure they end the season on a high note. Renfroe looks to continue his torrid start Thursday as San Diego aims for a three-game sweep of the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, who trail Washington by two games with four to play in the race for home-field advantage in the National League Division Series.
Oakland at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners look to keep alive their postseason hopes when they host the Oakland Athletics on Thursday for the opener of a season-ending four-game series. Seattle will need to take care of its own business and receive help as it trails Baltimore by two games for the second wild-card spot in the American League.
Colorado at San Francisco 10:15 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants squandered an opportunity to increase their
lead in the National League wild-card standings and will take another shot at
moving closer to securing a postseason spot when they host the Colorado
Rockies on Thursday for the finale of their four-game series. San Francisco
holds a one-game lead over St. Louis for the second wild
card after losing 2-0 on Wednesday.