Matchups

The American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles look to bounce back from their first loss in five contests when they begin a four-game series against the host New York Yankees on Monday. Baltimore had won four in a row and six of seven before dropping a 5-2 decision Sunday at Tampa Bay to remain only two games ahead of Boston in the division.

The New York Mets look to make another loud statement against the Chicago Cubs when the clubs open a three-game series at Wrigley Field on Monday. New York swept Chicago in last fall's National League Championship Series and again on June 30-July 3, erupting for 12 homers to outscore the opposition by a staggering 32-11 total in the most recent set.

Jose Fernandez has shown his All-Star form throughout a blistering stretch heading into the Midsummer Classic. The 23-year-old ace looks to continue his impressive display on Monday as the Miami Marlins open a four-game series at the Philadelphia Phillies, who were held to just one hit in their last outing.

The American League-worst Minnesota Twins have fared surprisingly well against some of the league's best teams this season, but the same cannot be said about their ability to win inside their own division. The Twins continue their quest for their first victory over the Tigers this year on Monday, when the AL Central rivals reconvene in Detroit for the opener of their three-game series.

Jay Bruce begins what could be his final week in a Cincinnati uniform when the Reds host the Atlanta Braves on Monday to open a three-game series. Bruce is one of the top targets as the Aug. 1 trade deadline approaches, and considering Cincinnati resides at the bottom of the National League Central, it is quite possible the right fielder’s 18 homers and 64 RBIs will be heading to a contender.

The Cleveland Indians have enjoyed a great deal of success inside the American League Central this season, although their stranglehold on the division took quite a hit the last time they met the Kansas City Royals. The Indians seek their first win in Kansas City in 2016 on Monday, when they continue a nine-game road trip with the first of three against the Royals.

St. Louis Cardinals rookie Aledmys Diaz made quite the introduction to the San Diego Padres in April, going 9-for-11 with one home run and three RBIs to help his team take two of three at Petco Park. Diaz, who has reached base safely in 21 straight contests, will look for more of the same on Monday as the Cardinals continue their 10-game homestand by playing the opener of a four-game series against San Diego.

The Tampa Bay Rays ended one long losing streak and hope to halt another when they begin a nine-game road trip on Monday against the Colorado Rockies. The Rays had dropped eight in a row before Evan Longoria’s two home runs led to Sunday’s 5-2 home victory over Baltimore, and now they look to put a stop to a 10-game losing streak on the road.

The Houston Astros are one of the hottest teams in the majors and the All-Star break did nothing to cool off the team on a rise. The Astros will try to continue chipping away at their deficit in the American League West when they visit the struggling Oakland Athletics for the opener of a three-game series on Monday.

The American League-leading Texas Rangers hit a bit of a skid with four straight losses bridging the All-Star break but managed to pull out a win on Sunday to turn the momentum as they continue a nine-game road trip. The Rangers will head to California on Monday to visit the last-place Los Angeles Angels in the opener of a three-game series.

The Chicago White Sox offense is reaching new levels of incompetence as the club drifts under .500. The White Sox will attempt to string a few hits together when they continue their west coast trip by visiting the Seattle Mariners for the opener of a three-game series on Monday.