Preview Roundups
September 16, 2016
Milwaukee at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET

The lineup card for the Chicago Cubs over the next 2 1/2 weeks might look more like a team in spring training than one preparing for a run at the World Series. The Cubs clinched their first National League Central title since 2008 with St. Louis’ loss at San Francisco on Thursday, providing them the luxury of giving their regulars some time off - beginning with Friday’s game against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers.

Tampa Bay at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays are making quite an impact on the American League East race from last place and look to cause some more damage when they visit the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. The Rays have won four of their last five contests – all against teams in the chase for the division crown – after edging the Orioles 7-6 on Thursday in the opener of their four-game series.
Miami at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
Slugger Giancarlo Stanton could make his return to the starting lineup on Friday as the Miami Marlins look to keep their flickering postseason hopes alive when they open a three-game road series versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Stanton has received limited duty since being activated off the disabled list on Sept. 6, following a near-month absence due to a Grade 3 left groin strain.
NY Yankees at Boston 7:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox saw their loud bats quieted for the majority of their second straight contest before Hanley Ramirez belted a three-run homer to cap a five-run ninth inning for a 7-5 victory over the New York Yankees. Boston looks to ride the momentum of just its third walk-off win of the season as it plays the second contest of a four-game series versus visiting New York on Friday.
Detroit at Cleveland 7:10 PM ET
The Detroit Tigers have a last-gasp chance to make a run at the American League Central Division title when they open a three-game series at the first-place Cleveland Indians on Friday night. The Tigers are coming off a four-game split against the AL-worst Minnesota Twins to remain six games behind the Indians and in a six-team cluster fighting for the two wild cards.
Minnesota at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
Locked in a three-team battle with San Francisco and St. Louis for the two wild cards in the National League, the New York Mets couldn't ask for a more favorable schedule entering their final 16 games. The Mets kick off a 10-game homestand Friday night with the first of three against the Minnesota Twins, owners of the worst record in the majors.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
Andrew McCutchen has powered his way out of a pronounced slump with three homers in his last two contests. The 2013 National League MVP looks to keep the Pirates' faint hopes for a fourth straight postseason berth alive on Friday when club opens a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Washington at Atlanta 7:35 PM ET
The Washington Nationals continue to close in on the National League East title, and their dominance of the Atlanta Braves is a big reason why. The Nationals open a three-game series Friday in Atlanta having won 14 of the 16 meetings with the Braves this season, and start the weekend with a 10-game lead over the New York Mets and a magic number of seven to clinch the division crown.
Oakland at Texas 8:05 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics just annihilated Kansas City while sweeping a four-game set and look to continue their hot hitting when they visit the Texas Rangers on Friday for the opener of a three-game series. Oakland outscored Kansas City 43-12 and racked up 52 hits - including 20 for extra bases - while dealing a huge blow to the Royals' American League wild-card hopes.
Chi. White Sox at Kansas City 8:15 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals will try to pick up the pieces from an embarrassing and extremely damaging series when they open a four-game set with the visiting Chicago White Sox on Friday. Entering the week needing plenty of wins to remain a factor in the American League wild-card chase, the Royals dropped four straight at home to lowly Oakland by a combined score of 43-12, including a 14-5 setback on Thursday.
San Diego at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
When the Colorado Rockies begin making offseason decisions, keeping Charlie Blackmon as the leadoff hitter and center fielder will probably be their easiest. Blackmon, who enters his second year of arbitration and can expect a huge raise from his $3.5 million salary in 2016, hopes to continue his across-the-board career season when Colorado hosts the San Diego Padres for a three-game series beginning Friday.
LA Dodgers at Arizona 9:40 PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks have scored 41 runs during their four-game winning streak and look to continue the onslaught Friday, when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second contest of their four-game series. Arizona rookie Mitch Haniger delivered the key three-run homer during a five-run sixth inning to fuel Thursday's 7-3 victory.
Toronto at LA Angels 10:05 PM ET
Toronto standout Josh Donaldson didn't look like a player hampered by a sore right hip in the opener of the four-game series and looks for another strong outing when the Blue Jays visit the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. Donaldson served as the designated hitter and reached base five times on three hits and two walks in Thursday's 7-2 victory after being 0-for-23 over his past seven games.
Houston at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners seemingly frittered away their postseason chances by losing eight of nine to close out August, but they have surged back into contention on the heels of an eight-game winning streak. Seattle goes for its ninth win in a row against another wild card contender when the Houston Astros visit for the opener of a three-game series on Friday night.
St. Louis at San Francisco 10:15 PM ET
Hunter Pence's roller-coaster season has been marred by injury and a lengthy home run drought, but San Francisco’s eccentric right fielder is heating up at the right time. Pence looks to extend his hitting streak to 10 games Friday as the Giants continue their critical four-game series against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals.