Preview Roundups
April 23, 2014
Miami at Atlanta 12:10 PM ET
Aaron Harang is 35 years old with 13 seasons in the major leagues, but the right-hander has experienced perhaps the most incredible month of his career since he was released by Cleveland and signed by the Atlanta Braves. Harang, who makes his fifth start for the Braves when the National League East leaders host the Miami Marlins in the finale of a three-game series Wednesday, has taken two no-hitters past the sixth inning and leads the NL in ERA.
Arizona at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
The baseball game might be only the second-biggest attraction when the Chicago Cubs host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday afternoon in the third contest of a four-game series. April 23 happens to be the 100-year anniversary of when Wrigley Field – then known as Weeghman Park – was home to its first baseball game as the ivy-clad ballpark is the second-oldest behind Boston’s Fenway Park. Hall-of-Famers Ernie Banks and Billy Williams will be among the former Cubs in attendance.
San Francisco at Colorado 3:10 PM ET
While the Colorado Rockies usually depend on Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez to provide the big hits, the supporting cast is starting to take pressure off the big two. Justin Morneau, the reigning National League Player of the Week, and second-year player Nolan Arenado will try to keep their productive starts going when Colorado goes for a three-game sweep against the visiting San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
Texas at Oakland 3:35 PM ET
The Texas Rangers continue to find ways to get the job done despite a growing injury list while winning seven of their last eight games to post the second best record in the American League (13-8). The Rangers can take over first place in the AL-West when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday afternoon after capturing the first two of the three-game series. Texas scored twice in the ninth to win 5-4 on Tuesday as it improved to 7-2 in one-run contests and 4-4 on the road.
Houston at Seattle 3:40 PM ET
The Houston Astros have won back-to-back games for the second time this season and look to make it a three-game sweep of Seattle when they visit in Mariners in Wednesday’s series finale. Houston pitchers struck out 28 batters while winning the first two games and the offense has racked up 12 runs and 19 hits against Seattle pitching. The Mariners have lost eight consecutive games and 13 of their 17 and are only a half-game ahead of the last-place Astros in the American League West.
Kansas City at Cleveland 7:05 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians desperately need Carlos Santana to snap out of his prolonged slump - and facing a left-handed pitcher may be just the thing to do it. Santana looks to break out of a 2-for-43 funk as he and the Indians continue their four-game home series against the Kansas City Royals. An 0-for-4 effort in Tuesday's 8-2 defeat dropped Santana's average to .135 for the season, and he remains stuck on one home run and three RBIs through 20 games.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates should be relieved they won’t be facing right-hander Johnny Cueto when they host the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday in the third game of their four-game series. Cueto came within two outs Tuesday night of throwing his second straight shutout against the Pirates before Andrew McCutchen ended his 21-inning scoreless streak with a ninth-inning solo home run in the 4-1 victory by Cincinnati. The Reds have won six of nine following a 3-7 start.
LA Angels at Washington 7:05 PM ET
Mike Trout and Bryce Harper dominated the conversation heading into this week’s three-game series between the Los Angeles Angels and host Washington Nationals, which concludes Wednesday, but Albert Pujols quickly took center stage. Pujols became the 26th player in major league history to reach the 500-homer milestone on Tuesday as he belted two shots and drove in five runs in the Angels' 7-2 win. Pujols has eight homers in the last 13 games and leads the team with 19 RBIs.
Baltimore at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles don't need anyone to tell them that bad things come in threes - they discovered that all on their own in a dreadful series opener in Toronto. Chris Tillman will look to get Baltimore back on track - and continue his hot start in the process - as he takes the hill Wednesday for the second of a three-game series against the Blue Jays. Toronto used a trio of three-run homers to erase a three-run deficit and cruise to a 9-3 victory Tuesday night.
Chi. White Sox at Detroit 7:08 PM ET
It appears Detroit's Miguel Cabrera is taking a more aggressive approach at the plate, and that is bad news for opposing pitchers. The reigning two-time American League MVP tries to continue working out of his slump when the Tigers host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in the third contest of a four-game series. Cabrera went 3-for-5 in Tuesday's 8-6 victory over Chicago while hitting his second home run of the season - and first since April 4 - and raising his average to .235.
NY Yankees at Boston 7:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox won the American League East last season in part because they dominated the regular-season series with the rival New York Yankees. The Yankees are turning the tables in 2014 and will try to clinch another series when they visit Boston for the second of a three-game set on Wednesday. New York took three of four at home from the Red Sox earlier this month and cruised to a 9-3 victory in Tuesday’s series opener.
Minnesota at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
James Loney shook off a slow start and is starting to swing like the clutch, productive hitter he was in his first season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013. Loney looks to extend his streak of multi-hit games to five when the Rays host the Minnesota Twins in the second of a three-game series Wednesday. Loney, who batted .299 last year, has seven RBIs in his last four contests and delivered a two-run single in the first inning during a 7-3 victory in Tuesday’s series opener.
St. Louis at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
The New York Mets signed Curtis Granderson to a four-year, $60 million contract during the offseason, and still are waiting to get any sort of return on their investment. Granderson carries a .116 batting average into the third contest of a four-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday while in a 4-for-50 rut and hitless in his last 22 at-bats.
San Diego at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
The San Diego Padres have bounced back from a 2-6 start to move within two games of first-place Los Angeles in the National League West heading into Wednesday’s series finale against the host Milwaukee Brewers. San Diego evened the three-game series on Tuesday when Chase Headley homered in the 12th inning to give the Padres a 2-1 victory. Headley is hitting .200 with two homers and seven RBIs in his first 18 games, but the Padres are hoping Tuesday’s 447-foot blast sparks a power surge.
Philadelphia at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
Cole Hamels makes his season debut Wednesday when the visiting Philadelphia Phillies aim for their third straight win against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are struggling offensively after a strong start. The Phillies moved to 10-10 overall with Tuesday’s 3-2 win in 10 innings and are hoping Hamels can provide a much-needed boost to the team’s starting rotation. Hamels, who landed on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis, pitched at least six innings in 28 of his 33 starts last season.