Preview Roundups
September 04, 2016
Toronto at Tampa Bay 1:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays have punished one of the top pitching staffs in the American League by posting 15 runs in the first two games of the series, and they go for a sweep when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. Last-place Tampa Bay scored eight times Friday and held on for a 7-5 victory the following day as they improved to 9-6 against the first-place Blue Jays in 2016.
St. Louis at Cincinnati 1:10 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals are relying on home runs in their quest to secure a sixth straight postseason appearance, with less-than-stellar results of late. The Cardinals will look to prevent their fourth consecutive loss and a series sweep at the hands of the cellar-dwelling Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, when the National League Central rivals conclude their three-game set at Great American Ball Park.
NY Yankees at Baltimore 1:35 PM ET
The New York Yankees were hoping to make a big push in the American League wild card race this weekend but seem to have left their bats in Kansas City. The Yankees will try to avoid a third consecutive shutout and a three-game sweep when they visit the Baltimore Orioles for the series finale on Sunday.
Atlanta at Philadelphia 1:35 PM ET
Maikel Franco has endured a difficult second half for the Philadelphia Phillies, hitting just .216 in 44 games since the All-Star break. But as the Phillies end a three-game home series Sunday against the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia’s third baseman looks to build off a four-hit performance in Saturday’s 6-4 loss - just his fourth multi-hit effort since Aug. 10.
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh 1:35 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates can’t afford to be dropping a series against a losing team as they battle for a National League wild card spot, and they certainly can’t be swept at home. The Pirates will try to avoid that fate and a sixth straight loss overall when they host the Milwaukee Brewers in the finale of a three-game set on Sunday.
Chi. White Sox at Minnesota 2:10 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins have been out of the postseason race for the last few months and are just trying to see what they have for the future with a roster full of talented youngsters. Those young players were on display in a win on Saturday and will try to guide the Twins to a series victory when they host the Chicago White Sox in the finale of a four-game set on Sunday.
Detroit at Kansas City 2:15 PM ET
Kansas City closer Wade Davis could be unavailable Sunday as the Royals face the visiting Detroit Tigers in the rubber match of a three-game series, but the veteran has already made his impact felt this weekend. The 30-year-old returned Friday after spending more than a month on the disabled list and immediately suffered a blown save in the series opener before recording the final two outs in Saturday’s 5-2 victory.
San Francisco at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET

If the Chicago Cubs’ four-game series with the visiting San Francisco Giants indeed ends up being a preview of a National League playoff matchup, the real thing could be a series for the ages. Each of the first three games in the set have been decided by a single run, and another strong pitching matchup awaits in the finale.

Houston at Texas 3:05 PM ET
Veteran Adrian Beltre has been flexing his muscle at the plate for the Texas Rangers, who have enjoyed a one-sided rivalry with the Houston Astros this season. With three home runs in his last four contests, Beltre looks to send the red-hot Rangers to their eighth consecutive victory on Sunday as the Lone Star State rivals complete their three-game series at Globe Life Park.
Boston at Oakland 4:05 PM ET
Their continued assault on the Oakland Athletics' pitching staff has helped the Boston Red Sox pull into a tie for first place in the American League East. Boston looks to wear out Oakland's arms one last time this season when it visits the Athletics on Sunday with its eyes set on a sweep of the three-game series.
Miami at Cleveland 4:10 PM ET
After a brief slump with the bats, the Cleveland Indians have their offense back in gear, and the 22-year-old Francisco Lindor has played a big part in the revival. Lindor is batting .500 while hitting safely in seven straight contests and the American League Central-leading Indians will try to extend their winning streak to six contests when they go for a three-game interleague sweep of the visiting Miami Marlins on Sunday.
LA Angels at Seattle 4:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners are fortunate to have a chance to win this weekend's series against the Los Angeles Angels considering how quickly they have fallen behind, but they're likely not feeling as good about their fading playoff chances at the moment. The Mariners eye only their fourth victory in their last 14 outings Sunday when they host the rubber match of a three-game set with the Angels.
Arizona at Colorado 4:10 PM ET
One day after squandering a chance to move closer to a postseason position, the Colorado Rockies vie for the series win on Sunday as they host the Arizona Diamondbacks for the rubber match of their three-game set. There were no comebacks for Colorado on Saturday as it allowed the first six runs and never recovered, dropping a 9-4 decision to fall to 3-2 on its nine-game homestand after rallying from a five-run deficit to post a 14-7 victory in the series opener.
San Diego at LA Dodgers 4:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers may not have been quite ready to embrace a youth movement before the start of the season, but doing so may end up helping them earn their fourth straight National League West title. A little more than three months after seeing good friend and fellow top prospect Julio Urias make his debut with the Dodgers, Jose De Leon will do the same Sunday as Los Angeles attempts to take the rubber match of a three-game home set versus the San Diego Padres.
Washington at NY Mets 8:08 PM ET
One day after Robert Gsellman earned his second career victory, the New York Mets turn to another rookie Sunday in the rubber match of a three-game series against the visiting Washington Nationals. Seth Lugo takes the mound looking to duplicate Gsellman’s effort after the 23-year-old helped the Mets pull within one game of St. Louis for the second NL Wild Card spot with six strong innings in Saturday’s 3-1 win.