Preview Roundups
June 16, 2016
Cincinnati at Atlanta 12:10 PM ET
With an early-afternoon start to Thursday’s finale of the Cincinnati Reds’ four-game series at the Atlanta Braves, both teams hope their starters can provide innings after relying heavily on their bullpens in Wednesday’s 9-8 Atlanta victory in 13 innings. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman experienced a night to remember, becoming the sixth player in Braves’ franchise history to hit for the cycle while finishing with career-high five hits.
Seattle at Tampa Bay 1:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners’ recent run of tight losses is decreasing the front office’s bargaining position when the trade market for relief pitching begins to heat up. The Mariners will try to avoid a three-game sweep when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays for the series finale on Thursday.
Texas at Oakland 3:35 PM ET
The Texas Rangers look to ride the momentum from their big comeback to a series victory when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Thursday afternoon for the finale of their four-game set. Texas dropped the opener but made it two straight victories Wednesday as it rallied from a five-run deficit to post a 7-5 triumph behind two-homer performances from Rougned Odor and Robinson Chirinos.
Toronto at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
Although J.A. Happ enjoyed a brief but successful run with the Philadelphia Phillies to begin his major-league career, the 33-year-old also has made the most of his starts against the team that selected him in the third round of the 2004 draft. Happ will vie for his fourth win in as many career outings versus the Phillies on Thursday as the visiting Toronto Blue Jays look to continue their surge in the finale of the four-game interleague series
Baltimore at Boston 7:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox pulled back into a tie for first place in the American League East and evened the series with a 6-4 victory on Wednesday over the Baltimore Orioles. The Red Sox can take sole possession of the East and even the season series against the Orioles when they host the rubber match of the three-game set on Thursday.
Pittsburgh at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates are failing on both sides of the ball as they slip toward .500. The New York Mets were struggling on offense before breaking out in an 11-2 win over the Pirates on Wednesday and will try to earn a series win when they host the rubber match of the three-game series on Thursday.
NY Yankees at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
CC Sabathia is healthy - physically and mentally - and hopes to continue his renaissance when he gets the ball Thursday as the New York Yankees visit the Minnesota Twins for the opener of their four-game series. Sabathia, who has benefited from the use of a knee brace and a sober lifestyle, is 3-2 with a 0.71 ERA in his last six starts and also can serve as a stopper since New York has lost four straight games following a 6-3 setback in Colorado on Wednesday.
Detroit at Kansas City 8:15 PM ET
Salvador Perez's torrid stretch at the plate has the Kansas City Royals starting to resemble the team that hoisted the World Series trophy just over seven months ago. The World Series MVP looks to continue his feverish pace as the Royals vie for their sixth consecutive win on Thursday, when they open a four-game series versus the visiting Detroit Tigers.
Milwaukee at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers were outscored 24-8 on the first stop of a three-city, nine-game road trip and look to compete at a higher level on Thursday  when they open a four-game set at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Milwaukee got routed twice in three games at San Francisco, including being pummeled 10-1 in Wednesday's finale.
Washington at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
The Washington Nationals posted a dramatic victory in their series finale against the Chicago Cubs and aim to carry the momentum when they begin a 10-game road trip with a contest at the San Diego Padres on Thursday. The National League East-leading Nationals scored twice in the bottom of the 12th inning for a 5-4 victory on Wednesday to take two of three from the NL-best Cubs.