Preview Roundups
August 04, 2016
Minnesota at Cleveland 12:10 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians entered the week with the best pitching staff in the American League and a clear path to the postseason, but things are not going as planned of late. The Indians will try to find a pitcher who can get some outs at the start and avoid a four-game sweep when they host the American League-worst Minnesota Twins in the series finale on Thursday.
Kansas City at Tampa Bay 12:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays made a lot of changes in the offseason that were designed to improve their offensive production and the results have been negative overall. The Rays look to build off one of their best performances with the bats and gain a split of a four-game series when they host the Kansas City Royals in the finale on Thursday afternoon.
St. Louis at Cincinnati 12:35 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals have manhandled the Cincinnati Reds regardless of venue in recent history, winning 18 of the last 22 series - including eight of 11 at Great American Ball Park. The Cardinals look to add another victory to those totals on Thursday afternoon when the National League Central rivals conclude their three-game set in Cincinnati.
San Francisco at Philadelphia 1:05 PM ET
The National League West-leading San Francisco Giants look to avoid being swept when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon for the finale of their three-game set. After squandering a late lead and dropping a 13-8 decision in the series opener, San Francisco watched a four-run lead disappear on Wednesday and suffered a 5-4 loss in 12 innings.
Chi. White Sox at Detroit 1:10 PM ET
The Detroit Tigers received quite the power surge from one returning star on Wednesday and would love for another in Thursday afternoon's series finale against the visiting Chicago White Sox. Sidelined with a month-long absence due to a right neck strain, Jordan Zimmermann will make his much-awaited return on Thursday as the red-hot Tigers vie for their ninth straight win and a series sweep of their American League Central adversary.
Texas at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The offense that looked so improved when the Texas Rangers emerged from the trade deadline has been held in check by the Baltimore Orioles, who could not manage to find a top-of-the-rotation arm they desired earlier in the week. The Rangers will try to unleash that offense and avoid a sweep when they visit the Orioles in the finale of the three-game series on Thursday.
Oakland at LA Angels 7:05 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics hope to avoid being swept of a second straight series when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday for the finale of their three-game set. Oakland got off to a good start on its nine-game road trip, winning two of three at Texas, but lost all three contests in Cleveland and dropped its first two contests against the Angels, including an 8-6 decision Wednesday.
NY Mets at NY Yankees 7:05 PM ET
The New York Mets are the team that declared itself still in the playoff race with its trade deadline moves while the crosstown rival New York Yankees threw up the white flag. So far it’s the Yankees that look playoff bound, and they will try to complete a sweep of their home portion of the home-and-home, four-game interleague series when they host the Mets in the finale on Thursday.
Pittsburgh at Atlanta 7:10 PM ET
The road back from one of the most frightening plays in baseball this season brings Ryan Vogelsong to the mound Thursday for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of a three-game series at the Atlanta Braves. The 12-year veteran has not appeared in the majors since a pitch struck him in the left eye May 23, an injury that he initially feared would not merely end his career but cost him his sight.
Toronto at Houston 8:10 PM ET
J.A. Happ looks to win his ninth consecutive decision when the Toronto Blue Jays conclude their four-game set against the host Houston Astros on Thursday. Happ has allowed a total of two runs in his last four victories and has set a career high in victories (14) while being tied for the American League lead.
LA Dodgers at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
The Colorado Rockies have climbed over .500 for the first time since May 18 and quickly are becoming a realistic contender for a playoff spot with a 14-5 record since the All-Star break. The Rockies, winners of six straight at home, look to continue their surge and complete a three-game sweep when they host the scuffling Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.
Boston at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
Boston first baseman Hanley Ramirez will miss his second consecutive game with a sprained left wrist when the Red Sox conclude a four-game series against the host Seattle Mariners on Thursday. Ramirez slipped and fell on stairs just after Tuesday's game concluded and an MRI exam performed Wednesday detected no structural damage.