Preview Roundups
July 11, 2014
Atlanta at Chi. Cubs 4:05 PM ET
Jake Arrieta has struck out nine or more batters in four of his last five starts, and when he takes the mound for the host Chicago Cubs on Friday in the opener of a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves, he’ll face one of the top swing-and-miss teams in baseball. The Braves have fanned 777 times this season, fifth-most in the majors, and have lost four of their last five games entering the final series before the All-Star break.
NY Yankees at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The New York Yankees continue their 11-game road trip heading into the All-Star break as they visit the Baltimore Orioles for the opener of their three-game series on Friday. New York began its trek by taking three of four in Minnesota before settling for a split of a four-game set at Cleveland. The Yankees held a three-run lead after six innings Thursday but allowed four in the seventh and five in the eighth, wasting a solid start by David Phelps en route to a 9-3 defeat.
Chi. White Sox at Cleveland 7:05 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians own the best home record in the American League Central and are hoping to use that to their advantage when they open a three-game series against the visiting Chicago White Sox on Friday. The Indians moved back within a game of .500 with a comeback win on Thursday and are attempting to close out the first half strong. The White Sox are coming off back-to-back crushing losses.
Washington at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
The Philadelphia Phillies hope to ride the momentum from their trip to Milwaukee as they host the Washington Nationals in the opener of their three-game series Friday. Philadelphia began its 10-game road trip in horrid fashion, losing two of three in Miami before being swept of a three-game set at Pittsburgh in which it produced only two runs in each contest. The last-place Phillies took out their frustrations on the Brewers, sweeping the four-game set versus the National League Central leaders.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
With Brandon Phillips sidelined for the next six weeks, the Cincinnati Reds attempt to weather the storm in his absence when they open a three-game series versus the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. The three-time Gold Glove winner is expected to have surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left thumb prior to the Reds taking the field. "It is going to be tough for our team," shortstop Zack Cozart told reporters. "Brandon and I work well together up the middle, (but) injuries happen."
Miami at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
Henderson Alvarez has done his part to carry the Miami Marlins’ rotation since Jose Fernandez was lost for the season. Alvarez, who has not lost since May 11 and has given up 11 earned runs over his last 10 starts, gets the call Friday as the visiting Marlins open a three-game series against the New York Mets.
Toronto at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
The injury-plagued Toronto Blue Jays look to start turning things around when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday to begin a three-game series that leads into the All-Star break. The Blue Jays have lost six of their last seven games to drop out of first place in the American League East and Edwin Encarnacion (strained quad), Adam Lind (fractured toe) and Brett Lawrie (fractured finger) are out indefinitely. The Rays are 11-4 in their previous 15 contests, but lost two of the last three.
LA Angels at Texas 8:05 PM ET
Two teams going in opposite directions meet Friday when the reeling Texas Rangers host the Los Angeles Angels in the second of four games. The Angels' 15-6 rout in the series opener was more of the same for both teams as Los Angeles won for the seventh time in eight games while sending the Rangers to their 19th loss in 22 contests. The teams were separated by 2 1/2 games as late as June 16, but second-place Los Angeles is up 16 1/2 games on Texas, which is alone in last.
Boston at Houston 8:10 PM ET
The Houston Astros committed to their youth movement years ago and are finally seeing signs of progress. The Boston Red Sox, who visit the Astros for the beginning of a three-game series on Friday, are just starting to turn things over to the youngsters. Houston put up 28 runs in sweeping a three-game series at Texas earlier in the week and is hoping to go into the All-Star break with a little momentum from a strong series at home.
Detroit at Kansas City 8:10 PM ET
Torii Hunter continues to swing a hot bat for the Detroit Tigers, who look to extend their lead in the American League Central to 6 1/2 games over the host Kansas City Royals when the teams resume a four-game series Friday. Hunter is 16-for-33 with three home runs and 13 RBIs over his last eight games, including a homer and three RBIs in Thursday’s 16-4 rout. Detroit’s Victor Martinez missed his fifth straight game with a sore back and is not expected to play during the series.
St. Louis at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
After being sidelined for nearly three months, Joe Kelly is slated to take the mound as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals open a three-game series versus the reeling Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. The right-hander split his lone two decisions before suffering a hamstring injury while running to first base April 16.
Minnesota at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
The Colorado Rockies on Friday welcome Carlos Gonzalez back to the lineup when they begin a three-game series with the visiting Minnesota Twins. Gonzalez, out since June 3 because of a benign tumor in his left index finger, will move to right field after playing exclusively in left since the start of 2012. "He's a guy that can play anywhere out there," Colorado manager Walt Weiss told reporters of the three-time Gold Glove winner. "He's a very talented outfielder, and he has played all three."
San Diego at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
Carl Crawford will likely begin Friday’s contest in his new role as a reserve outfielder when the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their four-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres. Crawford lost his starting job in left field to Matt Kemp after landing on the disabled list May 28 with an injured left ankle, and manager Don Mattingly doesn’t want to disrupt the team’s positive momentum.
Oakland at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners send ace Felix Hernandez to the mound Friday when they begin a crucial three-game series with the visiting Oakland Athletics. Hernandez, the top candidate to start for the American League in Tuesday's All-Star Game, was scheduled to pitch Thursday, but was held back as Seattle trails first-place Oakland by nine games in the West while holding down the final wild card spot by 1 1/2 games.
Arizona at San Francisco 10:15 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants own only two series wins over the last month, but one of those came at the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Giants once again will attempt to take advantage of the last-place Diamondbacks when they host the opener of a three-game series on Friday. San Francisco dropped three of four to cross-bay rival Oakland this week and is 5-12 since taking two of three at Arizona from June 20-22.