Preview Roundups
July 30, 2014
Milwaukee at Tampa Bay 12:10 PM ET
With trade speculation swirling around him, Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price will look to win his seventh consecutive start and complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. Price was thought to be headed out of town when Tampa Bay dropped 18 games below .500 last month, but the Rays can reach the break-even mark for the first time since they were 10-10 on April 22. Tampa Bay has surged back into postseason contention by winning 11 of 12.
Philadelphia at NY Mets 12:10 PM ET
The New York Mets haven’t provided Zack Wheeler with much run support this season and probably didn’t give him much reason for optimism with their most recent effort. The Mets hope to rebound from only their second loss in their last 10 home games on Wednesday, when they face the Philadelphia Phillies in the rubber match of their three-game series. After producing their largest run total in 11 contests since the All-Star break with Monday’s 7-1 win, New York was blanked for the ninth time.
Arizona at Cincinnati 12:35 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds found a sliver of stability Tuesday thanks to Mike Leake, and Wednesday it is Alfredo Simon’s turn to help the Reds shake off a horrid start to the post All-Star break schedule. The Reds host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of a three-game series Wednesday afternoon and Simon – who won 12 games before the break but is 0-2 since – looks to follow up Leake’s 7 2/3 shutout innings that gave Cincinnati its second victory in the past 11 games.
Washington at Miami 12:40 PM ET
The surging Miami Marlins look to extend their season-high winning streak to seven games when they host the Washington Nationals on Wednesday afternoon in the finale of their three-game series. The Marlins came from six runs down to win the opener and blanked the Nationals 3-0 on Tuesday for their ninth victory in 10 contests following a six-game skid. Miami All-Star Giancarlo Stanton, who hasn’t homered in 10 games, may be ready to break out after collecting two hits and two RBIs on Tuesday.
Oakland at Houston 2:10 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics look to ride the momentum from a huge ninth inning into the rubber match of their three-game series against the host Houston Astros on Wednesday afternoon. League-leading Oakland managed just one run and five hits over the first eight innings Tuesday as it appeared on its way to a second straight loss to its division rival. But the Athletics rallied for six runs on six hits in the ninth, with All-Star Brandon Moss snapping a tie with an RBI single.
Pittsburgh at San Francisco 3:45 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates were eight games under .500 on May 20 but could find themselves in a tie for first place in the National League Central by the end of the day Wednesday. Pittsburgh, which trails division-leading Milwaukee by one game, looks to complete a three-game sweep of the host San Francisco Giants and extend its winning streak to four games. The Pirates have won eight of 11 since the All-Star break to move a season-high eight games above .500.
LA Angels at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles look to clinch their second series win over the visiting Los Angeles Angels in two weeks when the clubs meet for the middle contest of their three-game set Wednesday. Baltimore squandered a pair of leads in the opener before Manny Machado led off the 12th inning with a home run for a 7-6 triumph. It was the sixth victory in eight games for the Orioles, who improved to 12-3 in extra-inning contests and maintained their 2 1/2-game lead over Toronto in the AL East.
Seattle at Cleveland 7:05 PM ET
Seattle ace Felix Hernandez tries to set a major-league record that reflects his consistent excellence when the Mariners visit the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday in the middle contest of their three-game series. Hernandez has recorded an American League-record 13 starts with at least seven innings while yielding two or fewer runs, sharing the all-time standard with Hall-of-Famer Tom Seaver (1971). The All-Star is 7-1 with a 1.36 ERA while striking out 113 and walking 17 during that span.
Chi. White Sox at Detroit 7:08 PM ET
Jose Abreu hasn't had much trouble adjusting to major-league pitching -- except when he faces Max Scherzer. The majors' leading power hitter and the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner will square off when the visiting Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers continue a three-game series Wednesday. Abreu's three hits and four RBIs powered Chicago to an 11-4 win in the opener, knotting the season series at five games apiece.
Toronto at Boston 7:10 PM ET
Although no trade has been announced, the Boston Red Sox scratched ace left-hander Jon Lester from Wednesday's series finale at home against the Toronto Blue Jays. Lester is heavily rumored to be on the trading block as contract extensions have stalled and his team has continued to sink, so the club is avoiding any issues that might arise from another start prior to Thursday's trade deadline. Brandon Workman will be recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Lester's spot.
Colorado at Chi. Cubs 8:05 PM ET
Chicago's John Baker is expected to return to his regular duties behind the plate when the Cubs host the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday in the third contest of a four-game series after having a night to remember at the other end of the battery. Baker on Tuesday was the winning pitcher in the longest game in Cubs and Rockies history at 6 hours, 27 minutes when he worked a scoreless 16th inning and scored the winning run after walking to lead off the bottom half in Chicago's 4-3 victory.
NY Yankees at Texas 8:05 PM ET
Brett Gardner appeared to be the odd man out when the New York Yankees signed Jacoby Ellsbury to a huge free-agent deal in the offseason, but he is emerging into his team's most indispensable player. Gardner is 7-for-10 with three homers in his last two games and will look to lead New York to victory in Wednesday's rubber match of a three-game set with the host Texas Rangers. Mark Teixeira celebrated his return to the starting lineup Tuesday with his 18th homer.
Minnesota at Kansas City 8:10 PM ET
Following a rough start out of the All-Star break, the Minnesota Twins picked right back up where they left off with their solid recent play away from home. The Twins, who continue their three-game road set on Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals, averaged only 2.6 runs while going 3-7 during a 10-game homestand to begin the second half. While Minnesota didn’t break out of its offensive funk in Tuesday’s 2-1 win, it did secure its sixth victory in its last seven games away from home.
Atlanta at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
Zack Greinke makes his first start at home in over a month when he leads the streaking Los Angeles Dodgers into the second game of a three-game series against Atlanta on Wednesday night. Greinke is 6-1 with a 2.73 ERA in eight starts at Dodger Stadium, striking out 10 in seven dominant innings against St. Louis in his previous home appearance June 28. He will be looking to help the Dodgers extend their longest winning streak of the season to five games.
St. Louis at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly in the market for a starting pitcher, but they might also want to consider adding another bat. The Cardinals are eight for their last 68 with runners in scoring position heading into Wednesday’s contest against the host San Diego Padres, who snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory in Tuesday’s series opener.