Preview Roundups
April 22, 2016
Minnesota at Washington 7:05 PM ET
Reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper is on a hot streak for the ages and will lead the Washington Nationals into a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Harper tops the major leagues with 22 RBIs and is tied with Colorado's Trevor Story for the league lead with eight homers.
Tampa Bay at NY Yankees 7:05 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays are one of the lowest scoring teams in baseball, but they put up a season high in runs en route to posting their fourth win in five outings. The Rays look to continue their good fortune at the expense of a team struggling to find its offense on Friday as they open a three-game series against the host New York Yankees.
Oakland at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics have more than just made themselves at home - they've put their feet up and are looking for leftovers in the refrigerator. The majors' lone undefeated team on the road (6-0), the Athletics aim to extend their overall winning streak to six contests on Friday when they open a three-game series versus the Toronto Blue Jays.
Cleveland at Detroit 7:10 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians failed to win one of their first three series at home but look for better luck on the road as they start a nine-game trip on Friday against the Detroit Tigers. The Indians rallied from five runs down to tie Seattle on Thursday before dropping a 10-7 decision in 10 innings as the back end of their bullpen continued to struggle.
Chi. Cubs at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET

Jon Lester is off to a strong start in his second season with the Chicago Cubs, but he’ll have a tough act to follow when he takes the ball Friday for the second contest of a four-game road set against the Cincinnati Reds. Lester looks to keep the Reds on their heels after being no-hit by Jake Arrieta in Thursday’s series opener.

NY Mets at Atlanta 7:35 PM ET
Matt Harvey has surprisingly been the weakest link in the New York Mets' heralded rotation this season, but the right-hander looks to return to form when they visit the Atlanta Braves on Friday to begin a weekend series. Harvey has yet to win a game but starts the series opener with an extra day of rest, and hopes adjustments to his mechanics – in particular with runners on base – will translate into better results for a Mets team that has won five of its past seven.
Boston at Houston 8:10 PM ET
The Houston Astros arguably were the most surprising team in baseball last season, but they are tied with Minnesota for the worst record in the American League through 16 games this season. The struggling Astros (5-11) have lost seven of their last nine games and will attempt to start turning things around when they host the Boston Red Sox on Friday.
Texas at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
The Chicago White Sox are struggling to score runs, and part of the reason is the season-long struggles of Jose Abreu. Chicago has scored three or fewer runs in eight of its last nine games and Abreu is batting just .190 entering Friday's opener of a three-game series against the visiting Texas Rangers.
Philadelphia at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers continue to give up runs in buckets but will welcome a struggling offensive club when the Philadelphia Phillies visit Miller Park on Friday for the opener of a three-game series. Pitching has been a sore spot for the Brewers, who have permitted at least four runs in 10 consecutive contests.
Baltimore at Kansas City 8:15 PM ET
Two American League division leaders face off when the Baltimore Orioles visit the Kansas City Royals on Friday to begin a three-game series. Baltimore leads the AL East at 10-4 after winning its last two against Toronto as Manny Machado extended his hitting streak to 14 contests while the Royals are 6-2 at home on the way to a one half-game lead in the AL Central.
LA Dodgers at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
The future of the Rockies largely depends on young arms such as Jon Gray, who makes his 2016 debut Friday when Colorado hosts the Los Angeles Dodgers to kick off a three-game series and seven-game homestand. Gray - the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 draft - suffered a strained abdomen in spring training, but saw his fastball return to 99 miles per hour in his rehab starts after making an adjustment to his mechanics, telling reporters: "I feel great, 100 percent. I can't wait to get started."
Pittsburgh at Arizona 9:40 PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks look to build on an impressive road trip Friday as they return home to begin a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have lost six of their last nine. The Diamondbacks went 7-3 on their just-completed road trip against and stand above .500 for the first time this season.
Seattle at LA Angels 10:05 PM ET
Mike Trout is heating up as the Los Angeles Angels - fresh off a 5-5 road trip - host the Seattle Mariners on Friday to kick off a three-game series and six-game homestand. The 2014 American League MVP and two-time runner-up went 5-for-6 in his last two games, including a two-run homer, and could continue raking as he is a career .354 hitter with four home runs and 13 RBIs in 65 at-bats against Friday's starter - Seattle ace Felix Hernandez.
Miami at San Francisco 10:15 PM ET
When Barry Bonds makes his return to AT&T Park on Friday night, the San Francisco Giants may be wishing the slugger was still wearing their uniform as they prepare to host the Miami Marlins in the opener of a three-game series. The reeling Giants have dropped five in a row following a four-game sweep at home by Arizona.
St. Louis at San Diego 10:40 PM ET
Adam Wainwright has yet to find his groove and the St. Louis ace will seek to regain his form when the visiting Cardinals open a three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Friday. Wainwright is winless and has allowed 22 hits and nine walks in 16 1/3 innings spanning three outings.