Preview Roundups
March 31, 2014
Chi. Cubs at Pittsburgh 1:05 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates begin trying to validate their first winning record and postseason appearance in 21 years when they open 2014 on Monday by hosting the Chicago Cubs. Pittsburgh, which won 94 games and finished second in the National League Central to eventual NL champion St. Louis, defeated Cincinnati in a wild card playoff game before losing to the Cardinals 3-2 in a best-of-five NL Division Series.
Kansas City at Detroit 1:08 PM ET
Miguel Cabrera landed a huge contract extension, Justin Verlander has rebounded from offseason surgery and the Detroit Tigers begin their run at a fourth consecutive American League Championship Series appearance when they host the Kansas City Royals on Monday. Cabrera scored an eight-year extension that raises his take-home pay to $292 million over the next 10 seasons, while Verlander didn’t allow a run all spring after having core muscle surgery.
Washington at NY Mets 1:10 PM ET
The Washington Nationals look to begin washing away the memory of a disappointing season when they open at the New York Mets on Monday, starting a three-game series. Many expected the Nationals to make a run at the World Series in 2013, but injuries and sloppy play contributed to a 52-56 record through July that dug too deep a hole. Washington hopes to get a healthy season out of All-Star outfielder Bryce Harper in the middle of lineup for first-year manager Matt Williams.
Philadelphia at Texas 2:05 PM ET
The Texas Rangers turned over their roster following their first non-playoff campaign since 2009, but have spent most of the spring watching injuries pick it apart. The Rangers, who open a three-game home set with the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, traded for first baseman Prince Fielder and inked free agent left fielder Shin-Soo Choo during a busy offseason. Unfortunately, second baseman Jurickson Profar (shoulder) and catcher Geovany Soto (knee) were each lost for 10-12 weeks.
Atlanta at Milwaukee 2:10 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves are going after their second straight National League East title but had to deal with some big hits to the rotation during spring training. Julio Teheran will get the nod on Opening Day when the Braves visit the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. Atlanta lost Kris Medlen to an elbow injury and Brandon Beachy’s return from Tommy John surgery took another setback, leading the team to bring in veteran free agents Ervin Santana and Aaron Harang during camp.
Boston at Baltimore 3:05 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox begin defense of their World Series Championship when they open the 2014 season at the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. The Orioles missed out on the 2013 playoffs after a surprising surge to the postseason the previous season and made several moves over the winter to position themselves for another run in the tough American League East. The Red Sox lost a few key pieces from the 2013 squad but still have high hopes for 2014.
Minnesota at Chi. White Sox 4:10 PM ET
The Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins spent most of the 2013 campaign fighting to stay out of last place in the American League Central. Both clubs will look to get off to a better start when the White Sox host the Twins on Monday. The White Sox made a series of moves in the offseason to upgrade the club in the present and in the future and will get a look at newcomers like Adam Eaton and Cuban slugger Jose Abreu in the opener.
St. Louis at Cincinnati 4:10 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals begin their pursuit of a second straight National League pennant when they visit the rival Cincinnati Reds and new manager Bryan Price in the opener of a three-game set Monday afternoon. Coming off a loss to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, the Cardinals have designs on again claiming the National League Central Division, which they have won seven of the last 14 years.
Toronto at Tampa Bay 4:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays look to build off a solid offensive performance in the season opener when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday in the second contest of a four-game series. Wil Myers led four players recording multi-hit efforts with three in a 9-2 victory Monday as the Rays scored six times in the first five innings.
Toronto at Tampa Bay 4:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays begin their campaign for a fifth trip to the playoffs in seven years when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday to start a four-game set. Ben Zobrist, Evan Longoria, 2013 American League Rookie of the Year Wil Myers and James Loney lead an offense which was ranked fourth in the majors in on-base percentage (.329) a year ago. Toronto looks to start over after a rough 2013 season when it finished last in the American League East despite being expected to contend.
Colorado at Miami 7:05 PM ET
The Miami Marlins made strides in the second half of last season with several talented young players and begin the 2014 campaign Monday with renewed optimism when they host the Colorado Rockies. Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich, who made impacts in their rookie years, join 24-year-old slugger Giancarlo Stanton in what could be a productive outfield for the Marlins. The Rockies hope to keep All-Stars Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki healthier this season to lead a capable offense.
Colorado at Miami 7:05 PM ET
After spending last season helping the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles win a Japan Series title, Casey McGehee already has made an impact in his first game back in the major leagues. McGehee looks to build on a four-RBI effort when his Miami Marlins host the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday in the second contest of a four-game set.
San Francisco at Arizona 9:40 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants won the World Series in 2010 and 2012 but failed to make the playoffs in each of the following seasons. They hope to continue the first part of that trend and begin the first step Monday when they open the season at the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Giants have one of the highest payrolls in Major League Baseball and much will ride on the performance of two 27-year-olds - catcher Buster Posey and corner infielder Pablo Sandoval.
Cleveland at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics begin their bid for a third straight American League West title Monday with an Opening Day matchup against the Cleveland Indians, who are looking to build on last season’s surprising wild card berth. Oakland’s spring training was marked by a series of costly injuries to outfielder Craig Gentry and starters Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin, but new acquisitions Nick Punto, Scott Kazmir, Luke Gregerson and closer Jim Johnson should help keep the Athletics in contention.
Seattle at LA Angels 10:05 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels looked up star outfielder Mike Trout on the eve of the season while the Seattle Mariners are hoping the offseason signing of second baseman Robinson Cano will spruce up their attack. The teams open the season Monday when the visiting Mariners send four-time All-Star Felix Hernandez to the mound and the Angels counter with three-time All-Star Jered Weaver. Los Angeles is vying to halt a four-season playoff drought while Seattle hasn’t reached the postseason since 2001.