Preview Roundups
May 06, 2014
Minnesota at Cleveland 7:05 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians suddenly have some questions at the back of the bullpen. The Indians will try to overcome back-to-back poor outings from closer John Axford when they host the Minnesota Twins in the second of a four-game series on Tuesday. Axford allowed a three-run homer in the ninth to blow a save against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday and followed it up by surrendering a solo shot in the 10th inning of Monday’s series opener.
LA Dodgers at Washington 7:05 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers will welcome back reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw when they visit the Washington Nationals in the middle game of their three-game series Tuesday night. Kershaw has been out six weeks with a strained muscle in his upper back and his return couldn’t come at a better time, as Hyun-Jin Ryu missed Sunday’s start with discomfort in his throwing shoulder. That’s just one area of concern for the Dodgers, who are coming off a 4-0 shutout Monday.
Toronto at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
The success that came so easily for Cole Hamels for most of his career has eluded him lately. The 2008 World Series MVP will take his fifth shot at his 100th win on Tuesday when the Philadelphia Phillies wrap up their half of their four-game, home-and-home series with the Toronto Blue Jays. After breaking into the majors with a 9-8 record in 2006, Hamels posted an 82-52 mark over the next six years – with at least 10 wins in every season – until he bottomed out by going 8-14 in 2013.
San Francisco at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants rode their pitching staff to a five-game winning streak but needed to win a slugfest to extend it to six games. They won't be picky about how they get it done if they can beat the host Pittsburgh Pirates again Tuesday. San Francisco has won 10 of its last 11 after an 11-10 victory in 13 innings in the series opener. San Francisco went 8-for-18 with runners in scoring position Monday after going 0-for-13 in those situations in a three-game sweep at Atlanta.
Houston at Detroit 7:08 PM ET
The Detroit Tigers will take a six-game winning streak and the best record in the American League into the second contest of a four-game series with the visiting Houston Astros on Tuesday. With the Astros owning the worst record in baseball, it appears to be an opportune time for Tigers left-hander Robbie Ray to make his major-league debut.
Baltimore at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays hope to build off an inspiring second half of their recent road trip when they host the Baltimore Orioles in the opener of their three-game series Tuesday. “That’s one of the best 5-5 trips in the history of the Rays,” manager Joe Maddon told reporters after Tampa Bay took four of five games in Boston and New York from Thursday through Sunday.
Cincinnati at Boston 7:10 PM ET
The Reds and Red Sox kick off a rematch of the 1975 World Series when Cincinnati visits Boston for the opener of a two-game interleague series on Tuesday. That was one of the more memorable Fall Classics in baseball history, but neither team is playing much like a championship contender so far in 2014. The Reds have posted back-to-back wins and will attempt to climb to .500 by pushing their winning streak to three games.
St. Louis at Atlanta 7:10 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves did not plan on inserting Gavin Floyd into the starting rotation Tuesday, but Ervin Santana’s sore thumb clears the way for the 31-year-old to make his debut when the Braves host the St. Louis Cardinals. Floyd, who made just five starts a year ago before undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery, tries to end the Braves’ seven-game losing streak. The Cardinals entered the series having dropped seven of 11, but held on for a 4-3 victory in Monday’s opener.
NY Mets at Miami 7:10 PM ET
The surprising Miami Marlins look to stay hot at home when they continue a three-game set against the New York Mets on Tuesday. The Marlins scored three times in the eighth and once in the ninth on a Casey McGehee RBI single to steal a 4-3 win in the series opener Monday night, improving to 6-1 on their current homestand. Miami's 15-5 home record is far and away the best mark in baseball. New York has lost four of its last five games.
Chi. White Sox at Chi. Cubs 8:05 PM ET
The Chicago White Sox will try to finish a sweep of the first leg of their four-game, home-and-home series with the rival Chicago Cubs on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. The White Sox outlasted the Cubs 3-1 in 12 innings in Monday's opener of the annual Crosstown Cup. The series shifts to U.S. Cellular Field for the final two games beginning Wednesday.
Arizona at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ league-worst pitching staff proved to be the cure for what ailed the Milwaukee Brewers’ offense in their first meeting of the season. After posting their best offensive output in 14 games, the Brewers look to keep their bats hot on Tuesday when they continue their three-game home set with the Diamondbacks. With Ryan Braun on the disabled list and Aramis Ramirez in an extended slump, Milwaukee scored only 13 runs while dropping four of five before breaking out.
Texas at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
The Texas Rangers will try to figure out a way to cool off Troy Tulowitzki in the second of two games at the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday. Tulowitzki powered the Rockies to an 8-1 win in the series opener Monday with two two-run homers, part of a remarkable run at home for the star shortstop. He is now 28-for-47 with six home runs and 21 RBIs in 17 home games, helping Colorado to a 12-5 mark at Coors Field.
NY Yankees at LA Angels 10:05 PM ET
The New York Yankees may not be in the most charitable mood Tuesday against the host Los Angeles Angels, who won Monday's series opener 4-1 after scoring three runs on six walks in the eighth inning. Manager Joe Girardi and reliever Shawn Kelley were both ejected as the Yankees were held to six hits and lost for the sixth time in their last seven games. The Yankees’ lone bright spot was the play of shortstop Derek Jeter, who snapped a 3-for-30 slump with two hits.
Seattle at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners are back at the .500 mark and go after their ninth victory in 11 games when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. Seattle posted a 4-2 victory in the series opener of the four-game set as Stefen Romero smacked his first career homer to put the Mariners ahead to stay. Oakland is six games above .500 but just 6-7 at home after losing the opener of a 10-game homestand.
Kansas City at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
The San Diego Padres look to build off two straight walk-off victories when they host the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday in the second of a three-game set. The Padres rallied three times to win the opener 6-5 in 12 innings Monday as Will Venable singled home a pair of runs to end it. Yasmani Grandal has recorded two of his three homers and five of his 10 RBIs in his last four games for San Diego, which stands last in the majors in runs scored.