Preview Roundups
August 25, 2014
Tampa Bay at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles look to get their offense back in gear after a rough road trip when they start an 11-game homestand with the first of four contests against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. The Orioles were swept in three games by the Chicago Cubs over the weekend to complete their first losing road trip of the season (4-5), scoring two or fewer runs in all the defeats. Baltimore still owns a comfortable six-game lead on the second-place New York Yankees in the American League East.
Washington at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
The Washington Nationals hope to continue their hot stretch Monday when they open a three-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Washington has won 12 of its last 13 games, including Sunday's 14-6 victory over San Francisco in which Ian Desmond, Bryce Harper and Danny Espinosa all homered. Tanner Roark will get the nod for the Nationals, who enter this series leading the Atlanta Braves by eight games in the National League East.
St. Louis at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals were unable to take advantage of the golden opportunity afforded them by the Pittsburgh Pirates. After failing to gain ground as the Pirates won two of three against first-place Milwaukee over the weekend, St. Louis looks to vent its frustration when it travels to the Steel City to open a three-game series on Monday. The Cardinals dropped two of three to last-place Philadelphia to remain 1 1/2 games behind the Brewers in the National League Central.
Boston at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox have been just the thing that opposing teams have needed when battling for postseason spots. The Toronto Blue Jays will try to become the latest team to take advantage of the struggling Red Sox when they host Boston in the opener of a three-game series on Monday. The Blue Jays are only 6-14 in August and have slipped 5 1/2 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the race for the second American League wild card spot.
NY Yankees at Kansas City 7:10 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals are winners of 24 of their last 31 games and have advanced to the top spot in the American League Central. The New York Yankees, who visit the Royals for a one-game makeup Monday, are winners of four straight as they try to stay in contention for a postseason spot. The Yankees begin a stretch with 22 of the next 31 games against teams owning winning records.
Oakland at Houston 8:10 PM ET
The injury bug has hit at the worst time of the year for the Oakland Athletics, who begin a seven-game road trip Monday against the Houston Astros. Closer Sean Doolittle was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right intercostal muscle Sunday, when the Athletics lost for the ninth time in their last 13 games and fell one game behind the Los Angeles Angels in the American League West.
Miami at LA Angels 10:05 PM ET
Two of the best young superstars in baseball meet Monday when the Los Angeles Angels host the Miami Marlins, who stand four games back of the second wild card spot in the National League. The three-game series features two legitimate MVP candidates in the Angels’ Mike Trout and the Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton, who grew up in the Los Angeles area. Trout is batting .288 with 29 homers and 91 RBIs for the Angels, who hold a one-game lead over Oakland in the American League West.
Milwaukee at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers look to bolster their lead in the National League Central when they open a nine-game road trip against the San Diego Padres on Monday. Milwaukee salvaged the finale of its three-game series with Pittsburgh to finish a 2-3 homestand, but the division leader has made itself at home on the road with a 36-27 mark. Aramis Ramirez went 5-for-9 with two runs scored in his last three contests for the Brewers, who own a 1 1/2-game advantage over second-place St. Louis.
Texas at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001 and are in control of the second American League wild card spot. The Mariners will attempt to hang onto their spot when they host the Texas Rangers in the opener of a three-game series on Monday. The Rangers spent the last half-decade among the leaders in the American League West but own the worst record in the majors in an injury-plagued 2014.
Colorado at San Francisco 10:15 PM ET
After dropping two of three to the National League's best team on the road, the San Francisco Giants hope a return home for four games with the NL-worst Colorado Rockies will help them strengthen their hold on the NL's second wild card. The Giants are clinging to a one-game lead over Atlanta for the final playoff spot after losing the final two games at Washington over the weekend. San Francisco's Jake Peavy aims to win a third consecutive start.