Preview Roundups
September 08, 2014
LA Angels at Cleveland 1:05 PM ET
Weather may have delayed the Los Angeles Angels’ final meeting with the Cleveland Indians a few months, but little else seems to be getting in their way lately. The Angels eye their fifth straight victory on Monday when they play a makeup game for a June 18 rainout in Cleveland. Los Angeles (87-55), which owns the best record in the majors, is on a season high-tying four-game road winning streak after scoring 34 runs and batting .340 during a four-game sweep of Minnesota.
Kansas City at Detroit 4:08 PM ET
Miguel Cabrera isn't letting bone spurs in his right ankle slow down his production. The slugger looks to continue his torrid display at the plate on Monday when the Detroit Tigers host a pivotal three-game series versus the American League Central-leading Kansas City Royals.
Atlanta at Washington 7:05 PM ET
The Washington Nationals are on the cusp of winning the National League East for the second time in three years, and open a three-game home series with the second-place Atlanta Braves on Monday. The Nationals bring a seven-game division lead into the series and, despite losing nine of 13 matchups to Atlanta this season, have gone 26-18 overall since knocking the Braves out of first place on July 21. Atlanta, which hosts the Nationals for three games next week, is 20-24 during that stretch.
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates have proven their resiliency time after time and the passing of their latest such test has given them a small leg up in the race for the National League’s second wild card. The Pirates, who begin a four-game road set in Philadelphia to face the Phillies on Monday, followed a four-game skid by completing a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs over the weekend.
Chi. Cubs at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays are clinging to their slim playoff hopes as they face the visiting Chicago Cubs for the first time since June 2008. The Blue Jays are five games behind Seattle for the second American League wild card and need to take advantage of a three-game series with last-place Chicago. The Cubs limp across the border after being swept in a three-game home set against Pittsburgh over the weekend.
Baltimore at Boston 7:10 PM ET
Through devastating injuries to Matt Wieters and Manny Machado, and the struggles of slugger Chris Davis, Nelson Cruz continues to step up for the Baltimore Orioles. Cruz looks for an encore to Sunday’s seven-RBI, two-homer onslaught when the Orioles visit the Boston Red Sox on Monday for the first of three contests.
St. Louis at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals look to strengthen their hold on the National League Central when they visit the Cincinnati Reds on Monday to begin a four-game series. Winners of eight of their last nine, the Cardinals own a 4 1/2-game lead over Pittsburgh and a five-game edge on Milwaukee in the division after trailing the leaders by three games as late as Aug. 16. Jhonny Peralta had a two-run homer among three hits in a 9-1 pasting of the Brewers on Sunday -- part of a 13-hit attack for St. Louis.
Colorado at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
Michael Cuddyer returns from the disabled list for the third time this season when the Colorado Rockies visit the New York Mets on Monday, and said he is "ready to go, 100 percent." Cuddyer, who becomes a free agent at season's end, has missed 109 games with a broken shoulder and two stints because of a hamstring injury. “I would like to see him back here,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss told the Denver Post about the 35-year-old outfielder.
Oakland at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
After being shuffled to the Oakland Athletics in a trade last week, Adam Dunn didn't have to wait long to see his former team again. The veteran slugger returns to U.S. Cellular Field as the visiting Athletics open a four-game series versus the Chicago White Sox on Monday. Dunn has homered twice to make an immediate impact with his new team, and is 3-for-7 with two blasts in his career versus Monday starter Hector Noesi.
Miami at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
In dire need of a victory, the Milwaukee Brewers hope that right-hander Yovani Gallardo is able to maintain his career dominance of the visiting Miami Marlins when the teams open a four-game series on Monday. In seven career encounters with the Marlins, Gallardo is 5-0 with a 1.12 ERA, although he has not faced an improved Miami club this season. He might need to be sharp to save the reeling Brewers, who have lost 11 of 12.
Houston at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
After piecing together a successful road trip, the Seattle Mariners return to the comforts of the Pacific Northwest to open a three-game set against the Houston Astros on Monday. Seattle won five of its first six contests on its trek before seeing its offense go limp in a 1-0 setback to struggling Texas on Sunday.
San Diego at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw carries a major league-best 1.70 ERA into Monday’s contest against the visiting San Diego Padres, who have lost five straight. The Padres face an uphill battle against Kershaw and the Dodgers, who stand a season-high 19 games over .500 and hold a three-game lead over San Francisco in the National League West. Alexi Amarista is hitless in his last 15 at-bats for San Diego, which has scored three runs or fewer in 10 of its last 11 games.