Preview Roundups
August 10, 2014
Cleveland at NY Yankees 1:05 PM ET
After erupting for 10 runs in the series opener, the New York Yankees look to avenge being shut out in the following contest by taking the rubber match of the three-game series versus the visiting Cleveland Indians on Sunday. While his team's fortunes were drastically different, Derek Jeter remained consistent with an infield single in both contests to move into sole possession of sixth place on the all-time hits list.
Detroit at Toronto 1:07 PM ET
The Detroit Tigers haven’t been able to find much offense during their road trip to begin August or against the Toronto Blue Jays in general. The Tigers, who conclude their season series on the road Sunday with the Blue Jays, enter the rubber match of their three-game set having dropped four of their five 2014 meetings against Toronto. Detroit wasted a dominant outing by Max Scherzer on Saturday as the Blue Jays rallied for a run apiece in the ninth and 10th innings to secure a 3-2 victory.
Miami at Cincinnati 1:10 PM ET
Johnny Cueto looks to move into a tie for most wins in the majors on Sunday, when the Cincinnati Reds conclude their three-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins. Cincinnati's ace has won five straight decisions and ranks second in the National League with a 2.04 ERA, trailing only Los Angeles star Clayton Kershaw (1.82). The Marlins won the first two games of the series – both by one run – and have captured three straight overall.
St. Louis at Baltimore 1:35 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles followed their season-high six-homer performance in the interleague series opener by going deep three more times to roll to their 14th win in 19 outings. The Orioles look to flex their muscles some more on Sunday afternoon as they vie for a three-game sweep of the visiting St. Louis Cardinals.
NY Mets at Philadelphia 1:35 PM ET
The New York Mets might be in the playoff race if they could play all of their games in Philadelphia. The Mets try to win for the 12 time in their last 13 trips when they visit the Phillies for the third contest of their four-game series on Sunday. New York is halfway to a sweep after posting a pair of one-run victories thanks to strong starting pitching and a bullpen that got the outs when they were needed.
San Diego at Pittsburgh 1:35 PM ET
The San Diego Padres have never lost a series at Pittsburgh's PNC Park since it opened in 2001 and can extend that mark to 14-0 with a win over the Pirates in Sunday's finale of the three-game series. The Padres have managed to split the first two games despite mustering a paltry total of three runs and nine hits. San Diego goes for the clincher behind right-hander Tyson Ross, who is 3-0 in his last four starts and has allowed seven runs total in his last seven turns.
Texas at Houston 2:10 PM ET
The Houston Astros can complete their second three-game sweep of the visiting Texas Rangers on Sunday when the teams meet in the series finale. Houston, which lost at least 106 games in each of the past three seasons, has reversed a long trend of domination by Texas, winning seven straight games in the series after dropping 14 of the previous 15 matchups. The Astros have won five straight at home, their longest run since a six-game streak in 2012.
LA Dodgers at Milwaukee 2:10 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers are spending the weekend asserting themselves as a legitimate contender - not just in the National League Central, but all of the NL. The Brewers try to put their stamp on the pennant race by completing a three-game sweep of the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers when they host the finale on Sunday. Milwaukee took the first two games by a combined 13-4 score and has pushed its division lead over Pittsburgh to 2 1/2 games.
San Francisco at Kansas City 2:10 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals try for their seventh straight victory - and a three-game sweep of San Francisco - when they host the Giants on Sunday. James Shields pitched a four-hitter in Kansas City's 5-0 win Saturday, and turned to left field to salute the bullpen after recording the final out. "They've done a phenomenal job for us, saving our behinds all year long,'' Shields told reporters. "It's nice to give them a day off. It just a nice little salute to the bullpen, tell them to take a day."
Tampa Bay at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
Alex Cobb attempts to record his sixth consecutive victory when the Tampa Bay Rays complete their three-game set against the host Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Cobb is 5-0 over his last seven starts, and his importance to the rotation has risen after the recent trade of David Price to Detroit. Tampa Bay, which is 5 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot in the American League, won the first two games of the series – and three straight overall.
Boston at LA Angels 3:35 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels were willing to wait around all night to avoid a fifth straight loss. After winning in 19 innings Saturday, the Angels will try to being a winning streak and take the rubber match of a three-game series when they host the Boston Red Sox in the finale Sunday. Albert Pujols played the hero with a walk-off solo home run but it was the Los Angeles pitching staff that got in the most impressive and encouraging work.
Minnesota at Oakland 4:05 PM ET
The league-leading Oakland Athletics attempt to continue their dominance of Minnesota by completing a sweep of their four-game series when they host the Twins in the finale on Sunday. Oakland extended its winning streak against Minnesota to 12 games by posting its sixth victory in as many meetings this season, a 9-4 triumph in which Derek Norris came within one RBI of his career high by belting a three-run homer and drawing a pair of bases-loaded walks.
Colorado at Arizona 4:10 PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks try for their seventh straight victory over Colorado when they host the Rockies on Sunday in the finale of their three-game series. Arizona exploded for nine runs in the eighth inning - capped by rookie David Peralta's first career grand slam, which carried over the pool in right-center - of Saturday's 14-4 win. Peralta finished with three hits and is batting .321 with five homers and 29 RBIs in 56 games as he continues to prove himself against major-league pitching.
Chi. White Sox at Seattle 4:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners look to bounce back from a frustrating loss when they host the Chicago White Sox in the finale of a four-game set Sunday. After rolling to wins in the first two games of the series, the Mariners on Saturday gave up the tying run in the seventh inning and the go-ahead run in the 10th after a critical error in falling 2-1 to the White Sox. Seattle hit into a double play to end three of its last four innings while seeing their four-game winning streak come to an end.
Washington at Atlanta 8:05 PM ET
The Washington Nationals sit in first place in the National League East, but would feel a lot better about their postseason chances if Gio Gonzalez can return to being one of the game’s top left-handers. Gonzalez starts Sunday night’s series finale at Atlanta seeking his first victory in more than a month, and looking to help Washington build momentum after the Nationals won 4-1 in 11 innings Saturday. Washington's victory dropped the Braves 4½ games back in the NL East.