Preview Roundups
August 21, 2016
Boston at Detroit 1:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox lead the American League wild card standings and are keeping the pressure on the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East due in large part to the contributions from 40-year-old slugger David Ortiz. The Red Sox will try to ride Ortiz’s hot bat to another series win when they visit the Detroit Tigers for the finale of a four-game series on Sunday.
Toronto at Cleveland 1:10 PM ET
With six homers in as many contests, Russell Martin has every reason to feel comfortable at the plate. The 33-year-old Ontario native looks to keep the good times rolling on Sunday afternoon as the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays and Central-best Cleveland Indians play the rubber match of their three-game series at Progressive Field.
Texas at Tampa Bay 1:10 PM ET
Evan Longoria has been a bright spot for the Tampa Bay Rays during an otherwise disappointing season, and his current surge has him on track to approach career bests. Longoria has collected 14 RBIs in his last 10 contests and looks to stay hot as the Rays host the American League West-leading Texas Rangers on Sunday in the rubber match of their three-game series.
LA Dodgers at Cincinnati 1:10 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds fell out of playoff contention months ago, but they’ve clearly embraced the spoiler role in recent weeks. The Reds are 21-12 since the All-Star break and have won a season-high five straight games heading into Sunday’s contest against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, who have lost three in a row for the first time since July 5-7 and sit one-half game behind first-place San Francisco in the National League West.
Houston at Baltimore 1:35 PM ET
Alex Bregman needed 10 games to get acclimated to the majors before setting the league on fire. The 22-year-old New Mexico native looks to continue his torrid streak on Sunday afternoon as the Houston Astros attempt to secure a series victory in the four-game set versus the host Baltimore Orioles.
Washington at Atlanta 1:35 PM ET

A pair of pitchers looking for milestone victories take the mound when the Atlanta Braves host the Washington Nationals for the finale of their four-game series on Sunday. Washington's Gio Gonzalez takes the mound in search of his 100th career victory – and a Nationals sweep – while Braves rookie Joel De La Cruz hopes to pick up his first major-league win. 

Miami at Pittsburgh 1:35 PM ET
The Miami Marlins did not do themselves any favors by dropping three straight at Cincinnati earlier in the week but have turned things around this weekend. The Marlins will try to wrap up their seven-game road trip with a winning record when they go for a three-game sweep of the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.
St. Louis at Philadelphia 1:35 PM ET
Cesar Hernandez isn't known for his power, but the 26-year-old Venezuelan has been putting a charge into the ball as of late. Hernandez will look to continue his power display at the plate on Sunday afternoon as the host Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals play the rubber match of their three-game series.
Oakland at Chi. White Sox 2:10 PM ET
Chris Sale was able to end a pesky losing streak with eight scoreless innings on Saturday, but his recent struggle to collect a win pales in comparison to Jose Quintana's elusive quest for double-digit victories in a season. Quintana takes his third shot at reaching the 10-win plateau for the first time in his career Sunday as the host Chicago White Sox conclude their season series with the Oakland Athletics in the rubber match of their three-game series.
Minnesota at Kansas City 2:15 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals were presumed to be out of the race for a playoff spot in the American League one season after their World Series title, but they have been making up lost ground over the last week. The Royals will be searching for their eighth straight win when they go for a four-game sweep of the visiting Minnesota Twins on Sunday.
NY Yankees at LA Angels 3:35 PM ET
The New York Yankees hope to continue their climb in the American League wild-card standings and complete a three-game sweep when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday for the finale of their series. A trip to the West Coast apparently has been exactly what New York needs, as the club has outscored the Angels 12-1 in winning the first two games of the series after dropping three of its last four at home.
Milwaukee at Seattle 4:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners continue their surge toward a postseason position Sunday as they attempt to complete a sweep of their three-game interleague series with the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Seattle, which has won eight straight at home, edged Milwaukee 7-6 in the opener before rolling to an 8-2 triumph Saturday and climbing within one game of Baltimore for the second wild-card spot in the American League.
Chi. Cubs at Colorado 4:10 PM ET

Jason Hammel’s history at Coors Field is a mixed bag, but Hammel is a different pitcher than he was with the Colorado Rockies early in his career. The Chicago Cubs’ right-hander looks to continue his career year when he takes on his former team in the finale of their three-game series on Sunday.

Arizona at San Diego 4:40 PM ET
The San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks may not be competing for anything meaningful this season, but the young talent on both sides has given the clubs a reason for hope in the near future. Coming off the heels of a dominant pitching performance from 24-year-old Robbie Ray, the Diamondbacks hope to salvage a split of a four-game set Sunday when they wrap up their stay in San Diego.
NY Mets at San Francisco 8:05 PM ET
If the New York Mets are to climb back into National League wild card contention, they'll need Yoenis Cespedes to keep producing as they vie for a four-game series split in San Francisco against the Giants on Sunday night. Cespedes homered twice Saturday - and nearly hit a third - in his second game back after missing the previous 14 because of a strained right quadriceps, leading New York to a 9-5 victory and maintaining its flickering hopes alive of defending the NL pennant.