Preview Roundups
August 14, 2014
LA Dodgers at Atlanta 12:10 PM ET
The top three pitchers in Los Angeles' starting rotation have combined to win 39 games, but with Wednesday’s injury to Hyun-Jin Ryu, the Dodgers could use a strong outing from Roberto Hernandez in the finale of a four-game series at the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. Los Angeles holds a comfortable five-game lead in the National League West but has lost Josh Beckett to a season-ending hip injury and saw Ryu leave a 3-2 loss with a strained right gluteus muscle.
Pittsburgh at Detroit 1:08 PM ET
Max Scherzer attempts to become the American League’s first 14-game winner on Thursday when the host Detroit Tigers close a stretch of four consecutive games against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Scherzer has followed up his Cy Young Award season (21-3, 2.90 ERA) with another strong campaign and is 50-14 since the beginning of the 2012 season. Detroit defeated Pittsburgh 8-4 on Wednesday to halt a four-game slide and remain a half-game behind Kansas City in the American League Central.
Oakland at Kansas City 2:10 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics may own the best record in the majors, but the Kansas City Royals have won 17 of their last 21 - including four of the six meetings this season. The Royals look to continue their quest for their first postseason appearance since 1985 when they conclude their four-game series versus the visiting Athletics on Thursday. Omar Infante belted a two-run homer in Wednesday's 3-0 triumph and is 6-for-15 with four RBIs in his last four games versus Oakland.
Milwaukee at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers are still atop the National League Central, but their struggling offense is cause for concern as they try to salvage a four-game split with the host Chicago Cubs on Thursday. The Brewers have totaled six runs while losing three of their past four games, including two straight to Chicago. Milwaukee's lead over Pittsburgh is down to 1 1/2 games with a three-game road series against the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers looming this weekend.
Arizona at Miami 7:10 PM ET
The Miami Marlins attempt to remain in the playoff race as they begin a four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. The Marlins' postseason aspirations took a hit Wednesday as they dropped a 5-2 decision to St. Louis, preventing them from completing their first three-game sweep of the Cardinals since 1996. With the loss, Miami fell seven games behind first-place Washington in the National League East and 4 1/2 in back of St. Louis for the second wild card.
Houston at Boston 7:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox are on a little bit of a roll with three straight wins and will try to keep that momentum up when they host the Houston Astros in the first of a four-game series Thursday. The Red Sox just finished off their first winning road trip of longer than three games in 2014 and are getting strong performances from the rebuilt rotation. The Astros are losers of three of four, but Chris Carter continues to mash in the middle of the lineup.
Washington at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
The Washington Nationals attempt to set a franchise record as they vie for their 11th consecutive road victory against the New York Mets on Thursday. The Nationals continued to make themselves at home at Citi Field, belting four homers in a series-opening win before Asdrubal Cabrera went deep in a 3-2 triumph on Wednesday. Washington, which has won 24 of 28 in Queens, sits five games ahead of second-place Atlanta in the National League East.
Tampa Bay at Texas 8:05 PM ET
Texas ace Yu Darvish has been scratched from Thursday’s start and Robbie Ross Jr. will be recalled to pitch in his place when the Rangers close a four-game set against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. Darvish was placed on the disabled list due to elbow inflammation and will undergo an MRI exam to determine the severity of the injury. Tampa Bay has won two of the first three games.
San Diego at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals look to strengthen their position in the postseason race when they begin a four-game series against the streaking San Diego Padres on Thursday. St. Louis rode a terrific pitching performance from newcomer Justin Masterson to a 5-2 victory on Wednesday, salvaging the finale of its three-game set against Miami and completing a disappointing 2-4 road trip. With the triumph, the Cardinals climbed within two games of Milwaukee in the National League Central.
Cincinnati at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds on Thursday begin a crucial seven-game road trip in Colorado with the first of four contests versus the Rockies, with a three-game set against St. Louis to follow. Cincinnati is 9-16 since the All-Star break as they continue to struggle without a pair of All-Stars - second baseman Brandon Phillips (thumb) and first baseman Joey Votto (knee), who have been out since early July - but Phillips is expected to return by the end of the month.