Preview Roundups
July 10, 2014
Chi. Cubs at Cincinnati 12:35 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds have a chance to wrap up their first five-game series sweep since 1976 when they take on the visiting Chicago Cubs on Thursday. Cincinnati is a season-high seven games above .500 after winning five straight and 14 of 19, and the Reds have climbed within 2 1/2 games of National League Central leader Milwaukee. No major-league team has swept a five-game set since the New York Yankees did so against the Boston Red Sox in 2006.
Philadelphia at Milwaukee 2:10 PM ET
The roles have been reversed this week in Milwaukee, where the National League Central-leading Brewers look to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of the cellar-dwelling Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. The Phillies haven't swept a four-game set since doing so against the Florida Marlins from June 14-16, 2011. Chase Utley has feasted on the Brewers, going 8-for-15 with two homers and six RBIs in four games against them this season.
Oakland at San Francisco 3:45 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants attempt to earn a split of the four-game Bay Bridge Series when they host the league-leading Oakland Athletics on Thursday afternoon. San Francisco was outscored 11-1 in losing a pair of contests at Oakland before spoiling Jason Hammel's debut for the Athletics with a 5-2 triumph Wednesday.
Chi. White Sox at Boston 4:05 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox seemed to be committed to a youth movement but have yet to give up on the 2014 season despite their last-place standing. The visiting Chicago White Sox will attempt to make Boston’s decision to sell a little easier when they go for a clinching win in the finale of a four-game series on Thursday. The Red Sox started five rookies on Wednesday and finally showed a little offensive spark with a walk-off win.
Washington at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Washington Nationals are back atop the standings in the National League East as they face another first-place club when they visit the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. Tuesday's rainout shortened the home-and-home series to three games, with the visitor prevailing in the first two matchups. The Nationals are 8-2 over their last 10 after Wednesday's 6-2 victory over Baltimore, which has lost only twice in its last nine contests.
NY Yankees at Cleveland 7:05 PM ET
Mark Teixeira is fresh off his first multi-homer effort in nearly two years as the New York Yankees look to defeat the host Cleveland Indians on Thursday in the finale of their four-game set. Teixeira smashed two homers in Wednesday’s 14-inning victory, marking the 37th time he has hit multiple shots but first since July 13, 2012. Jacoby Ellsbury hit the most-important homer, a decisive 14th-inning blast in the 5-4 victory.
Atlanta at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
Bartolo Colon continues the revitalization of his career at age 41, while Aaron Harang has made the most of what some suspected would be his last chance at age 36. Harang takes the mound for the Atlanta Braves in the finale of a four-game series Thursday at the New York Mets, and Colon will pitch for the hosts in a matchup of two eight-game winners. Colon fired seven shutout innings against the Braves on April 8 in Atlanta, a 4-0 New York victory in which Harang only allowed one run.
Pittsburgh at St. Louis 7:15 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals look to complete a sweep when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of their four-game series on Thursday. St. Louis opened the set with a pair of walk-off victories before posting a 5-2 triumph on Wednesday. Matt Adams collected three hits and two RBIs while Kolten Wong added a solo homer a day after belting the winning blast in the ninth inning.
LA Angels at Texas 8:05 PM ET
The surging Los Angeles Angels continue their pursuit of first-place Oakland in the American League West when they open a four-game series at the skidding Texas Rangers on Thursday. The Angels have won 15 of their last 19 and own the second-best record in the majors but still are looking up at the Athletics in the division race. Albert Pujols is on a tear for Los Angeles, going 12-for-25 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in his last six games.
Detroit at Kansas City 8:10 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals come into the final series before the All-Star break short-handed, but with plenty of momentum after finishing off a 5-4 road trip with a comeback win. The host Royals try to make up ground on the American League Central-leading Detroit Tigers on Thursday, when the division rivals begin a four-game series. All-Star Alex Gordon (sprained left wrist) likely won't be available for the Royals, who trail the Tigers by 4 ½ games after rallying to beat Tampa Bay 5-4 on Wednesday.
San Diego at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
Clayton Kershaw brings a 36-inning scoreless streak into Thursday’s outing against San Diego and seeks to win his eighth straight start when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Padres in the opener of a four-game set. Kershaw has given up only 13 hits over his last four starts, a stretch that began with a no-hitter against Colorado on June 18. Los Angeles has lost five of eight since July started while San Diego has dropped four of its last five.
Minnesota at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
Tom Wilhelmsen finds himself in a starting role for the first time in his four major-league seasons when the Seattle Mariners host the Minnesota Twins in the finale of a four-game set. Seattle chose to hold Felix Hernandez back for Friday’s series opener against the Oakland Athletics and the Mariners decided to go with Wilhelmsen, who pitched three innings of relief twice in June. Minnesota recorded an 8-1 victory on Wednesday to take a 2-1 lead in the series.