Preview Roundups
August 20, 2016
NY Mets at San Francisco 4:05 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants have crept back into first place in the National League West after a brief absence and strive to remain there when they host the New York Mets on Saturday in the third contest of their four-game series. San Francisco fell behind Los Angeles earlier this week but has rebounded with two straight wins over the Mets to move one-half game ahead of the Dodgers.
Texas at Tampa Bay 6:10 PM ET
Adrian Beltre’s big effort could be the springboard to another hot stretch as his Texas Rangers visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Beltre, who cooled off for three games after recording multiple hits in seven of eight contests, launched a pair of home runs during Friday’s 6-2 victory in the series opener.
Houston at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
While the Baltimore Orioles have lived up to their reputation as a homer-happy club, the visiting Houston Astros held their own in that department to even their four-game series at one win apiece. With the clubs combining for 17 blasts in the first two contests, the Astros and Orioles will look to continue to test the limits of Camden Yards when they reconvene on Saturday night.
Miami at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The Miami Marlins were on the verge of another crushing defeat before some late-inning clutch hitting prevented a fourth consecutive loss. The Marlins scored twice in the eighth inning and once in the ninth in Friday's 6-5 victory at the Pittsburgh Pirates, who look to rebound Saturday night in the second of a three-game series.
St. Louis at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
Randal Grichuk has been an integral part of the first seven contests of the St. Louis Cardinals' nine-game road trip. The 25-year-old looks to extend his hitting streak to eight games on Saturday as the Cardinals attempt to continue their success on the road and secure a series victory versus the Philadelphia Phillies.
Boston at Detroit 7:10 PM ET
Few teams will be as happy to see Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz head off into retirement than the Detroit Tigers. Ortiz provided the early spark with a two-run home run in Friday's 10-2 romp by the visiting Red Sox, who will continue their four-game series against the Tigers on Saturday afternoon.
Oakland at Chi. White Sox 7:10 PM ET
Chris Sale's dominating start to the season has given way to a six-start winless stretch, and the ace looks to get back into the victory column when the Chicago White Sox host the Oakland Athletics on Saturday in the second contest of their three-game series. Sale has dropped his last four decisions and hasn't recorded a victory since July 2.
Toronto at Cleveland 7:10 PM ET
Russell Martin struggled with his power game on the heels of a career-best 23-homer season in 2015, but the veteran sure is making up for lost time. With five blasts in as many contests, Martin looks to continue his power surge on Saturday as the visiting Toronto Blue Jays attempt to rebound from a disastrous series-opening loss to the Cleveland Indians.
Washington at Atlanta 7:10 PM ET

The way things are going this season, the Washington Nationals are going to miss visiting Turner Field next year. Washington looks to remain undefeated in the Atlanta Braves’ home park when the National League East rivals clash for the third of a four-game series Saturday.

LA Dodgers at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw won’t be starting Saturday in Cincinnati when the Dodgers continue their four-game series against the Reds, but he’ll still be the center of attention. Kershaw has been out since June 27 with back pain but will throw a bullpen session before Saturday’s game and hopes to begin a minor league rehab assignment before the end of the month.
Minnesota at Kansas City 7:15 PM ET
Ian Kennedy has turned in four consecutive good starts and the Kansas City Royals will be hoping for another from the veteran right-hander when they resume their four-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night. The Minnesota Twins will be looking for a similar outing from Hector Santiago after the teams weathered more than a three-hour delay in Friday's 11-inning marathon.
Chi. Cubs at Colorado 8:10 PM ET
As opening assignments go, it doesn’t get much tougher for Colorado Rockies top prospect Jeff Hoffman, who will make his major-league debut Saturday against the visiting Chicago Cubs. Hoffman is being asked to slow down a dominant Cubs team that has won 18 of its last 22 games and owns the third-best offense in the majors.
Arizona at San Diego 8:40 PM ET
Ryan Schimpf is a 28-year-old journeyman who only reached the majors this season thanks to the attrition the San Diego Padres faced at the second-base position. Schimpf is acting like a guy who wants to stick in the big leagues and looks to follow up a two-homer night when San Diego hosts the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday in the third contest of a four-game set.
Milwaukee at Seattle 9:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners resume their quest for a playoff spot when they host the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday for the finale of their three-game interleague series. Seattle withstood a late comeback attempt Saturday for a 7-6 triumph, which pulled the club within two games of Baltimore for the second wild card in the American League.
NY Yankees at LA Angels 9:35 PM ET
By using a combination of power and pitching in the series opener, the New York Yankees inched a bit closer to a postseason spot. The storied franchise continues its quest Saturday as it visits the woeful Los Angeles Angels for the middle contest of their three-game set.