Preview Roundups
July 22, 2014
LA Dodgers at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
Josh Beckett makes his return from the disabled list Tuesday to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the second of three games at Pittsburgh. Beckett has been sidelined since earlier this month with a hip issue which temporarily derailed a spectacular campaign, as the veteran had posted scoreless outings in five of nine appearances prior to the injury. He will be hoping to pitch the Dodgers to their third straight win after they took the series opener 5-2.
Texas at NY Yankees 7:05 PM ET
The New York Yankees looked every bit like the team with the worst record in the league after committing five errors in their series-opening loss to the Texas Rangers. The Yankees look to rebound on Tuesday, when they play the second contest of the four-game series against the visiting Rangers, who actually do hold that less-than-desirable distinction. Jacoby Ellsbury, who homered in Monday's 4-2 loss, is a blistering 8-for-16 with two blasts and four RBIs since the All-Star break.
San Francisco at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
One day after placing Matt Cain on the disabled list, the San Francisco Giants will turn to Yusmeiro Petit in Tuesday's road clash with the Philadelphia Phillies. Cain, who is battling elbow inflammation, has been suffering through one of the worst seasons of his career and enters this DL stint with a 2-7 record and a 4.18 ERA. Petit earned starting duty earlier this year but has made 21 of his 26 appearances out of the bullpen, so it remains to be seen how many innings he can provide Tuesday.
Boston at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox are toying with the emotions of their fan base with a hot streak that is threatening to catapult them back into contention. The Red Sox go for their sixth straight win when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays for the second contest of a four-game set on Tuesday. Boston appeared ready to sell off all their veteran assets two weeks ago but has won eight of its last nine to provide the organization some hope, while the Blue Jays move in the other direction.
Miami at Atlanta 7:10 PM ET
The National League East is rich with young pitching talent, but Jacob Turner and Mike Minor have not distinguished themselves during disappointing 2014 seasons. Turner takes the mound for the Miami Marlins on Tuesday when they visit Minor and the Atlanta Braves as both hurlers look to leave behind their first-half struggles.
San Diego at Chi. Cubs 8:05 PM ET
Opposing scouts are likely to be in abundance when the Chicago Cubs host the San Diego Padres to open a three-game series between non-contenders. Both teams are well out of the National League playoff picture and looking to sell ahead of next week's non-waiver trading deadline. Among the hot commodities on display will be Padres third baseman Chase Headley, who has hit .339 over his last 13 games after a slow start.
Kansas City at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals came into July as one of the teams to watch in the American League wild-card race but have since fallen on hard times. The Royals attempt to snap a four-game slide when they visit the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Kansas City was five games over .500 after a win on July 4 but has dropped 10 of 13 since to fall two games below the break-even mark.
Cleveland at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
Although his contract talks reportedly haven't gone very far, Kurt Suzuki continues to produce on the field. The All-Star catcher looks to continue his strong season as the Minnesota Twins vie for a series victory over the visiting Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. Suzuki, who is blistering 22-for-60 in his last 17 games, had a two-run double among his three hits in Minnesota's 4-3 victory on Monday.
Cincinnati at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds already were scuffling on offense before their National League-best defense let them down against a team they have dominated this season. The Reds, who continue their three-game set at the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, had defeated their National League Central rivals in seven of their 10 meetings prior to Monday’s 5-2 loss. With Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips on the disabled list since the All-Star break, Cincinnati has scored only eight runs during a four-game skid.
Tampa Bay at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
Adam Wainwright looks to resume a standout season after a rough inning at the All-Star game when his St. Louis Cardinals host the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday to start a two-game interleague set. Wainwright leads the majors in ERA (1.83) and is tied for the most wins (12), including a 1-0 triumph at Tampa Bay on June 10. Jake Odorizzi, who grew up just outside St. Louis, took the hard-luck loss in that tilt and gets another crack at the Cardinals after going 3-1 in his last six outings.
Washington at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
The Washington Nationals look to keep alive several streaks when they take on the host Colorado Rockies on Tuesday in the middle contest of their three-game series. Washington's 7-2 rout in the opener gave the club three straight wins, three victories in a row on the road and four triumphs in as many meetings with Colorado this season. Meanwhile, the Rockies have dropped six straight overall and three in a row at home to continue their month-long free-fall.
Detroit at Arizona 9:40 PM ET
Two straight wins is cause for celebration for the three-time defending American League Central champion Detroit Tigers. The Tigers will try to make it three straight when they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks again on Tuesday. Detroit closer Joe Nathan pitched the final inning in each of those wins and was solid in both – a strong sign for the team’s future prospects.
Baltimore at LA Angels 10:05 PM ET
Adam Jones wasn’t contributing much to the Baltimore Orioles’ home run barrage lately, but has more than made up for lost time in his last three games. After posting his fifth career two-homer game in the opener, Jones looks to continue his recent power stroke on the road Tuesday as the Orioles face the Los Angeles Angels. Baltimore has hit a major league-leading 121 home runs in 2014, including 67 since the beginning of June.
Houston at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics attempt to continue their recent home dominance when they host the Houston Astros in the opener of their three-game series Tuesday. Oakland has won eight of its last nine contests at O.co Coliseum, including Sunday's 10-2 trouncing of visiting Baltimore. All-Star Josh Donaldson, John Jaso and Craig Gentry each recorded two hits and two RBIs as the Athletics maintained their lead over the second-place Los Angeles Angels in the American League West.
NY Mets at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
The New York Mets attempt to halt their three-game losing streak when they visit the Seattle Mariners for the middle contest of their three-game interleague series on Tuesday. New York picked up where it left off at the All-Star break, starting the second half by defeating the Padres in San Diego on Friday for its ninth victory in 11 contests. But the Mets have scored a total of three runs in three losses since, dropping a 5-2 decision in Monday's series opener.