Preview Roundups
August 19, 2014
Arizona at Washington 7:05 PM ET
The Washington Nationals attempt to extend their season-best winning streak to eight games when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second contest of their four-game series Tuesday. After sweeping three-game sets with the Mets in New York and Pittsburgh at home, Washington went back-and-forth with Arizona in the late innings in Monday's opener before Adam LaRoche belted a two-out solo homer in the 11th to end it.
Atlanta at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates hope to have All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen back in the fold on Tuesday when they host the Atlanta Braves. McCutchen, who has been sidelined with a fractured rib, took live swings Monday prior to the series opener and said he expects to be back in the lineup on the first day he is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list. The reigning National League Most Valuable Player leads the Pirates in hitting (.311), home runs (17) and RBIs (67).
Houston at NY Yankees 7:05 PM ET
After weathering a rough patch, the New York Yankees vie for their third straight victory when they begin a six-game homestand with a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Tuesday. New York had dropped five in a row with a 5-0 setback to Tampa Bay on Friday, but won the final two contests of the set to move within three games of the second wild-card spot in the American League.
Seattle at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
Two pitchers heading in opposite directions square off Tuesday when the Seattle Mariners continue their road series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Seattle had won 10 of 12 before dropping a 4-1 decision in Monday's series opener. Jerome Williams gave the Phillies seven terrific innings, while Andres Blanco delivered a three-run homer to account for the bulk of the offense.
LA Angels at Boston 7:10 PM ET
Los Angeles Angels standout Mike Trout arrived in Boston with one hit in his previous five games but the sight of Fenway Park awoke him from his slumber. Trout collected a pair of hits and an RBI to improve to 15-for-32 in seven career games in Boston as the Angels won the opener of a four-game series against the Red Sox. Los Angeles right-hander Jered Weaver will be out to avenge a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Boston and Allen Webster 11 days ago in Tuesday's matchup.
Detroit at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
Two teams involved in a trade deadline deal that featured one of the biggest names meet for the first time since when the Detroit Tigers visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday to start a three-game series. The Tigers are 8-9 since July 31 when they acquired 2012 Cy Young winner David Price, who will pitch against his former team Thursday in the series finale. Red-hot Max Scherzer, who notched the only win for the Tigers in four games against the Rays from July 3-6, starts the opener.
Texas at Miami 7:10 PM ET
The Miami Marlins look the part of a playoff contender as they welcome the struggling Texas Rangers for their first visit to Marlins Park on Tuesday to begin a two-game set. The Marlins have won seven of their last 10 to pull within 3 1/2 games of San Francisco for the National League's second wild card. The Rangers are riding some rare positive momentum after snapping a four-game skid with a 3-2 walk-off win over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
San Francisco at Chi. Cubs 8:05 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs have made waves by collecting a lot of young hitting talent, but their pitching staff has been more than holding its own lately. The Cubs, who host the San Francisco Giants for the first of three games on Tuesday, boast a farm system that features Kris Bryant and has already produced Javier Baez, who has homered five times since his Aug. 5 debut. Baez went deep again in Monday’s win over the New York Mets while fellow rookie Kyle Hendricks posted his fourth straight victory.
Baltimore at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
After making a distinct impression with both his glove and bat in the opener, Nick Markakis looks to provide an encore as the visiting Baltimore Orioles continue their three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. Markakis made a leaping catch to prevent a two-run homer before belting one of his own to lead Baltimore to an 8-2 triumph on Monday. The Orioles own a 7 1/2-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East and a majors-best 29-13 mark since June 30.
Cleveland at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
After failing to do much damage to Kansas City's playoff hopes, the Minnesota Twins will try to derail the Cleveland Indians' chances when they host their division rivals in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday. Despite residing in the basement of the American League Central, Minnesota had an opportunity to help make Kansas City's hold on first place less comfortable but came away from their four-game set with only one victory.
Toronto at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
While the dog days of August have swallowed up the Toronto Blue Jays, few teams in the majors are playing as well lately as the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers, who host the Blue Jays on Tuesday for the first of two contests, have won four in a row and are coming off a 5-2 road trip that ended with a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Milwaukee (70-55) owns a 2 1/2-game lead in the National League Central and has bypassed the Dodgers (70-56) for the second-best record in the NL.
Cincinnati at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals look to stay hot and reach a new high-water mark for the season when they host the slumping Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. With a 6-5 win in 10 innings in the series opener Monday, St. Louis moved 10 games above .500 for the second time and pulled within 2 1/2 games of first-place Milwaukee in the National League Central. The last time the Cardinals were 10 games over .500 - on June 19 - they dropped four straight.
Kansas City at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals have ripped off 21 victories in 26 games to surge to the top of the American League Central as they prepare to open a two-game interleague series at the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night. The Royals, bidding to make the postseason for the first time since 1985, hold a two-game lead over Detroit - the latest they've been in first place since 2003. Kansas City will put a streak on the line, having won eight consecutive series for the first time since 1991.
NY Mets at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics may be scuffling a bit on offense, but their struggles seem small in comparison to recent hitting woes of the New York Mets. The Athletics, who host the Mets on Tuesday for the first of two games, return home after dropping five straight for the first time since May 6-10, 2013. Oakland (73-51) has owned the best record in the majors for much of the season, but the slide has allowed the Los Angeles Angels (73-50) to take a one-half game lead in the American League West.
San Diego at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been perfectly average at home this season, but they’ll have plenty of chances to improve over the next few weeks. The Dodgers, who play 15 of their next 20 games at home, are 30-30 at Chavez Ravine heading into Tuesday’s series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres. Los Angeles saw their lead over second-place San Francisco in the National League West cut to 3 1/2 games after losing three in a row at home to Milwaukee.