Preview Roundups
August 23, 2015
Cleveland at NY Yankees 1:05 PM ET
The New York Yankees have used this weekend to pay homage to some of the most important members of their remarkable run that featured 17 postseason appearances in 18 years – including five World Series titles. One day after Brian McCann honored a former Yankees’ great catcher with a solid effort at the plate, CC Sabathia will try to do the same from the mound for another franchise icon on Sunday when New York attempts to split a four-game set with the visiting Cleveland Indians.
Texas at Detroit 1:08 PM ET
Cole Hamels continues the quest for his first win in a Texas Rangers uniform when they wrap up a four-game series against the host Detroit Tigers on Sunday. Hamels returned from a brief layoff due to a groin issue to toss seven solid innings in a no-decision against Seattle on Monday in his third outing since joining the Rangers at the trade deadline.
Arizona at Cincinnati 1:10 PM ET
Paul Goldschmidt has seemingly snapped out of his August funk and the Arizona Diamondbacks are on the verge of obtaining a rare winning record. Goldschmidt and the visiting Diamondbacks look to complete a four-game sweep against the Cincinnati Reds and push their record over .500 for the first time in over four months when the teams meet Sunday.
Philadelphia at Miami 1:10 PM ET
The Philadelphia Phillies have been a different team since the All-Star break and the Miami Marlins are well aware of the transformation. The visiting Phillies, who are 20-12 since the Mid-Summer Classic, go after their seventh victory in eight contests against the Marlins on Sunday in the finale of a four-game set.
Minnesota at Baltimore 1:35 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins try to continue their mastery of Baltimore when they go for a season series sweep Sunday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and improve their position in the American League wild-card race. Minnesota prevailed 3-2 on Saturday for its sixth victory over Baltimore in 2015 and seventh straight dating to last season, and is 1 1/2 games behind Texas for the second playoff spot with Baltimore (one back) and the Los Angeles Angels (half-game) in between.
Kansas City at Boston 1:35 PM ET
With a 12 1/2-game lead in the American League Central and a six-game bulge for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, the Kansas City Royals are in an enviable position. Kansas City, though, has struggled with last-place Boston this season and tries to salvage a split of the four-game series when they visit the Red Sox on Sunday.
Milwaukee at Washington 1:35 PM ET
Michael Taylor is doing his part to replace the injured Denard Span in center field for the scuffling Washington Nationals, who find themselves looking up at the New York Mets in the National League East. The Nationals host the Milwaukee Brewers in the rubber match of a three-game series, and Taylor figures to be in the middle of any success the Nationals experience on offense.
LA Dodgers at Houston 2:10 PM ET
The Houston Astros began this weekend’s series against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers with Mike Fiers’ no-hitter and followed up with Saturday’s 3-1 win over Zack Greinke. They’ll look for a three-game sweep on Sunday against Clayton Kershaw, who shouldn’t count on much run support as he looks to snap the Dodgers’ four-game losing streak.
Atlanta at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
It is no secret a youthful core has thrust the Chicago Cubs into playoff contention, but veterans like Jason Hammel also are a critical component of Chicago’s postseason aspirations. The 32-year-old Hammel takes the mound Sunday as the host Cubs look to cap a four-game sweep of the struggling Atlanta Braves after Saturday’s come-from-behind 9-7 victory.
Toronto at LA Angels 3:35 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays have posted back-to-back resounding victories over the host Los Angeles Angels and attempt to complete a three-game sweep on Sunday. Red-hot Toronto, which registered a season-best 20 hits in Saturday's 15-3 trouncing to outscore the Angels 24-5 in the first two games, has won 18 of its last 22 contests.
Tampa Bay at Oakland 4:05 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays look to conclude their road trip with a three-game sweep as they visit the Oakland Athletics for the finale on Sunday. Tampa Bay improved to 4-5 on its 10-game trek with its third consecutive one-run triumph, a 5-4 comeback victory on Saturday.
Chi. White Sox at Seattle 4:10 PM ET
The Chicago White Sox have scored 25 runs during their three-game winning streak and attempt to continue the scoring spree Sunday, when they conclude their three-game series against the host Seattle Mariners. Chicago scored two runs in the ninth inning Saturday to stave off defeat and added three in the 10th for a 6-3 win that dropped Seattle to a season-worst 11 games below .500.
NY Mets at Colorado 4:10 PM ET
The New York Mets attempt to pound their way to a three-game series sweep when they visit the Colorado Rockies for the finale on Sunday. New York maintained its five-game lead over second-place Washington in the National League East by collecting 21 hits en route to its second consecutive 14-9 victory on Saturday.
St. Louis at San Diego 4:10 PM ET
Michael Wacha aims to move into a tie for the major-league lead in victories when the St. Louis Cardinals close a three-game set Sunday against the host San Diego Padres. Wacha has won his last three decisions and is going for his 15th win, which would tie Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants and Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs for most in the majors.
San Francisco at Pittsburgh 8:08 PM ET
Starling Marte has played a big part during another hot streak for the National League wild card-leading Pittsburgh Pirates, highlighting a standout week with a walk-off homer on Saturday. The 26-year-old outfielder looks to extend his hitting streak to eight games as the Pirates go after their sixth victory in seven tries this season against the visiting San Francisco Giants on Sunday night.