Preview Roundups
April 14, 2014
Tampa Bay at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles are still waiting for their vaunted offense from last season to reappear as they host the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday to start a three-game series. The Orioles led the majors in home runs and finished fifth in scoring a year ago, but have gotten off to an inconsistent start with the bats while losing seven of 12 games. It won’t be easy to get going against Tampa Bay, who sends talented 25-year-old Chris Archer to the mound in the opener.
Atlanta at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves’ re-vamped starting rotation has held up well through the first two weeks, and now the defending National League East champions are starting to hit. The Braves open a seven-game road swing Monday at Philadelphia, fresh off a sweep of Washington in which Justin Upton and Freddie Freeman led a resurgent offense. The Phillies also come in after a sweep, taking three in a row from Miami as Chase Utley and Ryan Howard homered in a 4-3 victory.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
Two teams still looking to find their footing will collide Monday night when the Pittsburgh Pirates visit the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of the three-game series. The Reds beat the Tampa Bay Rays 12-4 on Sunday afternoon to salvage a win from that three-game series and finally support their pitching staff, which had allowed just three runs in the previous three games but had just one win to show for it. The eight-run cushion was also a nice gift after the previous 11 games were decided by thr
Washington at Miami 7:10 PM ET
The Washington Nationals are in need of a victory, but they won't be getting any sympathy cards from the Miami Marlins. The Nationals carry a three-game losing streak and the Marlins bring a seven-game skid into Monday's opener of a three-game set in Miami. Both pitchers in this game also are seeking redemption after disappointing outings when they opposed each other last Wednesday.
Seattle at Texas 8:05 PM ET
Colby Lewis makes his first major-league appearance in nearly 21 months when the Texas Rangers open a four-game home series against the Seattle Mariners on Monday. Lewis suffered a torn flexor tendon in his pitching elbow on July 18, 2012 and then underwent hip surgery last August. “He’s the grandfather of our pitching staff,” Rangers manager Ron Washington told reporters. “He’s the leader. It’s nice to have him back, competing and getting results. We know what he is capable of doing.”
NY Mets at Arizona 9:40 PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks knew they’d face an uphill battle when they lost ace Patrick Corbin to season-ending elbow surgery coming out of spring training, but they likely didn’t expect to face what’s confronted them thus far this season. The Diamondbacks attempt to snap out of it Monday, when they open a three-game series against the visiting New York Mets - a team with their own pitching woes following a 14-2 loss Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels.
Oakland at LA Angels 10:05 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels are coming off their most productive offensive outing of the campaign and will try to keep it going on Monday against the visiting Oakland Athletics, a club that excels in keeping runs off the scoreboard. Oakland has held its opponent to three or fewer runs in nine of 12 games and hasn’t allowed a run in 17 innings entering the opener of the three-game set. The Angels hit four homers among 17 hits in Sunday’s 14-2 trouncing of the New York Mets.
Colorado at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
The San Diego Padres have bounced back nicely from a 2-6 start with three wins in their last four games, and the starting rotation deserves much of the credit. San Diego’s starters have allowed two runs or fewer in seven of their last eight contests, with Tyson Ross throwing seven strong innings in Sunday’s 5-1 win over Detroit.