Preview Roundups
September 23, 2016
St. Louis at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs already have won the National League Central and could clinch the best record in the NL any day now, but that doesn’t mean they will lie down for the visiting St. Louis Cardinals this weekend. The Cubs welcome the rival Cardinals to Wrigley Field for a three-game series starting Friday that will be pivotal to St. Louis’ postseason hopes.

Arizona at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks may have the Baltimore Orioles' number during their rare interleague meetings, but right-hander Yovani Gallardo routinely has gotten the better of the desert dwellers throughout his career. Gallardo looks to improve upon his 7-2 mark and 2.32 ERA in 12 career starts on Friday when he takes the mound in the opener of a three-game series at Camden Yards.
Washington at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The Washington Nationals have an opportunity to shower themselves in champagne on Friday as a third National League East title in five years is within their grasp. Washington's magic number resides at two as it enters a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
NY Yankees at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays' pursuit of a wild-card spot in the American League intensifies on their final homestand of the season, beginning Friday with the first of four games against the New York Yankees. The Yankees are three games out of the second AL wild card and four behind the Blue Jays, who hold down the top wild card spot - one game ahead of Detroit and 1 1/2 clear of the Baltimore Orioles.
Boston at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox have won eight straight games against American League East opponents for the first time in 26 years and can extend the streak to nine when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. The Red Sox pushed their lead in the AL East to 5 ½ games and reduced their magic number to five to clinch the division after sweeping four each from the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees.
Chi. White Sox at Cleveland 7:10 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians would prefer to clinch their first American League Central title since 2007 at home and have a good chance to do it this weekend against the struggling Chicago White Sox. The Indians have won five of six to trim their magic number to four and own a seven-game lead over Detroit in the AL Central as they prepare to host the White Sox on Friday to open a three-game set.
Kansas City at Detroit 7:10 PM ET
The Detroit Tigers may be a bit tired but otherwise will be in great shape when they open their final homestand of the season with the first of three straight against the Kansas City Royals on Friday. With a sweep of a doubleheader in Minnesota on Thursday, the Tigers took over sole possession of the second wild card in the American League - moving one-half game ahead of Baltimore - with 10 to play.
Atlanta at Miami 7:10 PM ET
One of baseball’s hottest teams has spent 2016 buried in the National League East basement, but the Atlanta Braves are providing plenty of optimism as they bring a six-game winning streak into Friday’s second game of a four-game set at the Miami Marlins. Matt Kemp slugged two homers in Thursday’s series-opening 6-3 victory and Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 26 games, as the Braves have won 14 of their past 22 games and are hitting .281 since the start of August.
Philadelphia at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
The New York Mets' pitching carousel took another unfortunate turn as Friday scheduled starter Steven Matz (left shoulder impingement) experienced soreness following a 20-pitch bullpen session. The Mets instead will turn to rookie Gabriel Ynoa as they attempt to strengthen their tenuous hold on the first wild card in the National League on Friday in the second contest of a four-game series versus the Philadelphia Phillies.
LA Angels at Houston 8:10 PM ET
Albert Pujols has hit more home runs against the Houston Astros than versus any other team and looks to go deep for the second straight game when the Los Angeles Angels visit their American League West rivals on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Pujols hit his 53rd career regular-season homer against Houston to account for both runs in Los Angeles' 2-0 victory on Thursday.
Seattle at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners most likely have to win their final 10 games to reach the postseason, but the schedule in front of them is favorable - with seven of those contests against two of the four worst teams in the American League. The Mariners begin their quest on Friday, when they visit the major league-worst Minnesota Twins for the opener of their three-game series.
Cincinnati at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
With his team sitting firmly in last place in the National League Central, Joey Votto attempts to continue his assault on opposing pitchers when the Cincinnati Reds visit the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers on Friday to open a three-game series. Votto is looking to become the first player since Ichiro Suzuki in 2004 to finish with a .400 average or better following the All-Star break as he enters Cincinnati's final set against Milwaukee this season batting .410 over his last 62 games.
Texas at Oakland 9:35 PM ET
The Texas Rangers would have preferred to win their second consecutive American League West championship before their home crowd, but it appears they'll do it on the road when they visit the Oakland Athletics for a three-game series beginning Friday. Texas' magic number to win their fourth division title in the last seven years is one and while winning the West is a formality, the Rangers are in a fight for best record in the AL with Cleveland and Boston.
Colorado at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
Colorado Rockies right-hander Jon Gray is emerging as a bona fide ace and he attempts to back up the best effort of his young career when he faces the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday in the second contest of a four-game set. Gray struck out a career-high 16 and pitched a four-hit shutout against the San Diego Padres in his last outing.
San Francisco at San Diego 10:40 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants ended their troublesome skid against lowly San Diego in the series opener and aim to defeat the host Padres again Friday in the second contest of a four-game set. San Francisco dropped six consecutive games to San Diego before recording a much-needed 2-1 victory Thursday.