Preview Roundups
September 04, 2014
Cincinnati at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles are a season-high 24 games over .500 and own a magic number of 16 to clinch the American League East title as they prepare to host the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday in the finale of a three-game series. Baltimore took the first two games against the Reds and have won eight straight series at home for the first time in 30 years. The Orioles are also 8-2 on their 11-game homestand and sit two games behind the Los Angeles Angels for the best record in baseball.
Boston at NY Yankees 7:05 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox have nothing left to play for as far as the standings are concerned, but knocking the rival New York Yankees back a peg or two could at least keep the fans happy. The Red Sox will attempt to put a dent in the Yankees’ postseason hopes when they visit New York for the rubber match of a three-game series on Thursday. The Yankees trail the Detroit Tigers by four games for the second wild card in the American League.
Detroit at Cleveland 7:05 PM ET
Max Scherzer looks to continue his success against Cleveland when the Detroit Tigers close a four-game set with the host Indians on Thursday. Scherzer has a 9-4 mark in 18 career starts against Cleveland with one of the victories coming on June 22 when he gave up one run and six hits over six innings. The Tigers won the first two games of the series before the Indians rolled over Justin Verlander 7-0 on Wednesday.
Toronto at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays have already clinched their first road series victory against the Tampa Bay Rays since 2007 and they will go for the sweep of the three-game set on Thursday night. The Blue Jays have slammed five homers – two by Dioner Navarro – and scored 15 runs in the series to pull within 4 ½ games of Detroit for the American League’s second wild card. Navarro has been a big thorn in the side of his former team this season with four homers and 12 RBIs in 15 contests.
Seattle at Texas 8:05 PM ET
An early September series between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners has been a chance for the Rangers to pad their postseason chances the last several years. The Mariners will try to turn the tables and take advantage of the stumbling Rangers when they visit for the start of a four-game series on Thursday. Seattle is a half-game behind the Detroit Tigers in the race for the second American League wild card while Texas owns the worst record in the majors.
LA Angels at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
Los Angeles’ 10-game road trip hasn’t started well and the Angels hope to change their fortunes on Thursday when they open a four-game set against the Minnesota Twins. Los Angeles suffered a two-game sweep in Houston to begin the trip but didn’t lose any of its 4 1/2-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West. Minnesota won for just the third time in 11 games when it routed the Chicago White Sox 11-4 on Wednesday.
St. Louis at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals have flipped the script in the National League Central over the past week and they can start penning the final chapter Thursday. The surging Cardinals travel to Milwaukee for a four-game set with the Brewers, who have lost eight straight to put their playoff hopes in danger. The Brewers, who have been outscored 55-16 during their skid, are only a half-game ahead of Atlanta for the second wild card.
Arizona at San Diego 9:10 PM ET
The San Diego Padres may not be streaking toward the postseason but they are certainly giving the franchise some things to build on over the last month. The Arizona Diamondbacks, who visit the Padres for the finale of a four-game series Thursday, are not providing quite as much hope for the future with their recent play. San Diego has won six of its last eight games but had some familiar offensive problems creep up in Wednesday’s 6-1 loss.