Matchups

Zack Greinke attempts to rebound from his first loss in more than two months and complete a three-game sweep for the Los Angeles Dodgers when he takes the mound Thursday afternoon against the host Cincinnati Reds. The major-league leader in ERA with a minuscule 1.67, Greinke is seeking his second victory over the Reds in a 12-day span.

Miguel Cabrera is looking every bit like the slugger who won two American League MVP honors as well as three batting titles in four years. The veteran slugger is riding an 11-game hitting streak heading into the rubber match of the three-game series with the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Thursday afternoon.

Edwin Encarnacion and the Toronto Blue Jays are showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. The slugger has homered in three straight contests and carries a career-high 21-game hitting streak into the finale of the Blue Jays' three-game series versus the host Texas Rangers on Thursday afternoon.

The Baltimore Orioles have ended a six-game losing streak and attempt to split a four-game set with Kansas City when they visit the Royals on Thursday. Baltimore smashed five homers to account for all the runs in Wednesday's 8-5 victory and sits two games behind the Minnesota Twins in the competition for the American League's second wild card.

San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner attempts to cool down the Chicago hitters when the Giants host the Cubs in the finale of a three-game series. The hero of the 2014 postseason has won four consecutive starts and seven of his last eight.

Michael Cuddyer and the New York Mets have feasted on the Philadelphia Phillies this season. Cuddyer looks to continue his good fortune as the Mets attempt to complete a four-game sweep of Philadelphia for the first time since Sept. 6-9, 2002, when the National League East rivals meet at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday.

Washington Nationals right-hander Joe Ross has always followed in older brother Tyson’s footsteps, and his team needs him to do so Thursday in the rubber match of a three-game series with the visiting San Diego Padres. Ross gets the ball as the Nationals try to get back on track following a 6-5 loss to the elder Ross brother Wednesday.

Shortstop Eduardo Escobar continues to put up big numbers when his Minnesota Twins face the Tampa Bay Rays pitching staff. Escobar looks to follow up a two-home run performance as the visiting Twins go for a three-game sweep of the Rays on Thursday night and attempt to extend their season-best winning streak to seven contests.

The Pittsburgh Pirates own the second-best record in the National League despite the struggles of ace Gerrit Cole, who will look to avoid a winless August when he faces the host Miami Marlins on Thursday in the finale of a four-game series. Cole was a league-best 13-3 at the All-Star break but has won only once in seven starts since.

The Seattle Mariners have only seen two players win the American League MVP in their 38-plus years and probably aren’t going to add to that total considering they are headed for their fifth losing season in six years, but Nelson Cruz is making himself a case anyway. Cruz looks to reach the 40-homer mark for the second time in as many years on Thursday when his Mariners visit the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a four-game series.

Arizona will be happy to see St. Louis leave town, but it might be too late as the Diamondbacks try to avoid a sweep when they host the Cardinals on Thursday in the finale of their four-game series. St. Louis made it seven straight victories over Arizona and won for the 12th time in the last 13 meetings with a 3-1 victory Wednesday to maintain its 4 1/2-game lead over Pittsburgh in the National League Central while dealing the Diamondbacks another blow to their fading postseason hopes.