Preview: Tigers at Indians
GAME: Detroit Tigers (78-70) at Cleveland Indians (86-62)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Cleveland Indians are single-handedly trying to bury the postseason chances of division rival Detroit, but they received a huge blow to their own championship aspirations in their latest victory over the Tigers. The Indians have won 13 of 14 meetings versus Detroit this season and look to complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Tigers on Sunday.
Cleveland maintained its domination in the season series despite losing starter Carlos Carrasco two pitches into Saturday's 1-0 victory with a non-displaced fracture in his pitching hand. The Indians received 10 scoreless innings of three-hit ball from eight relievers before Jose Ramirez delivered a walk-off single to pad the team's lead to eight games atop the American League Central and slice its magic number to seven. Detroit has scored five runs during a three-game skid to fall three games back of the second wild card. The Tigers have lost 11 of 20 since Aug. 26 -- the last time they received a victory from a starting pitcher.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, TBS, FSN Detroit, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Daniel Norris (2-2, 3.81 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (11-7, 4.06)
Norris deserved a better fate last time out after turning in his best start of the season, but he had to settle for a no-decision despite striking out 11 and permitting two runs over 6 2/3 innings against Minnesota. He was injured in a start versus the Indians on July 4, but he has not allowed more than three runs in any of his seven starts since returning. Norris has made five road starts, posting a 3.54 ERA.
Bauer turned in an ugly line in his last start versus the Chicago White Sox, giving up six runs in 5 1/3 innings, but all but one of the runs came in the sixth inning. He managed to escape with the victory in his previous outing versus Houston despite surrendering five runs and a pair of homers over five innings. J.D. Martinez is 7-for-19 and Ian Kinsler 7-for-22 against Bauer, who is 4-2 with a bloated 6.55 ERA versus Detroit.
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians CF Rajai Davis is the first player since Ichiro Suzuki to steal 40 bases at age 35 or older.
2. Kinsler is 10-for-55 versus Cleveland in 2016.
3. Indians 2B Jason Kipnis is 4-for-9 in the series and 19-for-53 on the season against Detroit.
PREDICTION: Indians 4, Tigers 3
GAME: Detroit Tigers (78-70) at Cleveland Indians (86-62)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Cleveland Indians are single-handedly trying to bury the postseason chances of division rival Detroit, but they received a huge blow to their own championship aspirations in their latest victory over the Tigers. The Indians have won 13 of 14 meetings versus Detroit this season and look to complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Tigers on Sunday.
Cleveland maintained its domination in the season series despite losing starter Carlos Carrasco two pitches into Saturday's 1-0 victory with a non-displaced fracture in his pitching hand. The Indians received 10 scoreless innings of three-hit ball from eight relievers before Jose Ramirez delivered a walk-off single to pad the team's lead to eight games atop the American League Central and slice its magic number to seven. Detroit has scored five runs during a three-game skid to fall three games back of the second wild card. The Tigers have lost 11 of 20 since Aug. 26 -- the last time they received a victory from a starting pitcher.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, TBS, FSN Detroit, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Daniel Norris (2-2, 3.81 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (11-7, 4.06)
Norris deserved a better fate last time out after turning in his best start of the season, but he had to settle for a no-decision despite striking out 11 and permitting two runs over 6 2/3 innings against Minnesota. He was injured in a start versus the Indians on July 4, but he has not allowed more than three runs in any of his seven starts since returning. Norris has made five road starts, posting a 3.54 ERA.
Bauer turned in an ugly line in his last start versus the Chicago White Sox, giving up six runs in 5 1/3 innings, but all but one of the runs came in the sixth inning. He managed to escape with the victory in his previous outing versus Houston despite surrendering five runs and a pair of homers over five innings. J.D. Martinez is 7-for-19 and Ian Kinsler 7-for-22 against Bauer, who is 4-2 with a bloated 6.55 ERA versus Detroit.
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians CF Rajai Davis is the first player since Ichiro Suzuki to steal 40 bases at age 35 or older.
2. Kinsler is 10-for-55 versus Cleveland in 2016.
3. Indians 2B Jason Kipnis is 4-for-9 in the series and 19-for-53 on the season against Detroit.
PREDICTION: Indians 4, Tigers 3
Preview: Twins at Mets
GAME: Minnesota Twins (55-94) at New York Mets (79-69)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The New York Mets are experiencing a roller coaster of emotions in a 24-hour period as they prepare to wrap up a three-game interleague series against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Sunday. New York's collective psyche received a boost Friday with the news that Jacob deGrom would start the series finale, only to find out the next day that he will require elbow surgery.
"I actually watched Jake's bullpen yesterday and it was outstanding," Mets manager Terry Collins told reporters Saturday. "And 15 minutes after batting practice was over, he walked in and said, 'I can't pitch.'" Nevertheless, New York moved into a tie with San Francisco for the top wild-card spot in the National League with its 10th win in 13 games, a 3-2 victory in 12 innings. The Mets set a franchise record for home runs in a season (201) in dramatic fashion Saturday courtesy of Curtis Granderson, who belted a tying blast in the 11th before delivering a walk-off shot in the 12th. Byron Buxton is flexing his muscles down the stretch for Minnesota with six home runs over his last 16 games.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (6-9, 5.08 ERA) vs. Mets RH Gabriel Ynoa (1-0, 15.19)
Gibson halted a rocky stretch with a masterful performance in his last outing, limiting Detroit to one run and five hits over eight innings. It was the first victory since Aug. 17 for Gibson, who was tagged for 18 runs and surrendered five homers in 22 frames over his four previous turns. The 28-year-old Gibson actually has pitched better away from home, logging a 5-2 record and 4.80 ERA in 10 road starts.
Collins nixed the idea of starting Noah Syndergaard on regular rest Sunday, electing to give his ace an extra day and go with Ynoa, who is coming off the longest of his six appearances in the majors. The 23-year-old Dominican worked two innings against Washington on Monday, giving up two runs and three hits. He failed to retire a batter while yielding three runs at Cincinnati in his previous appearance.
WALK-OFFS
1. Granderson is the first player in franchise history with a pair of extra-inning homers in the same game.
2. Twins 1B Joe Mauer is 2-for-28 over his last seven games.
3. Mets LHP Steven Matz, out since Aug. 14 with a shoulder impingement, threw a bullpen session Saturday and reported no issues.
PREDICTION: Twins 5, Mets 3
GAME: Minnesota Twins (55-94) at New York Mets (79-69)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The New York Mets are experiencing a roller coaster of emotions in a 24-hour period as they prepare to wrap up a three-game interleague series against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Sunday. New York's collective psyche received a boost Friday with the news that Jacob deGrom would start the series finale, only to find out the next day that he will require elbow surgery.
"I actually watched Jake's bullpen yesterday and it was outstanding," Mets manager Terry Collins told reporters Saturday. "And 15 minutes after batting practice was over, he walked in and said, 'I can't pitch.'" Nevertheless, New York moved into a tie with San Francisco for the top wild-card spot in the National League with its 10th win in 13 games, a 3-2 victory in 12 innings. The Mets set a franchise record for home runs in a season (201) in dramatic fashion Saturday courtesy of Curtis Granderson, who belted a tying blast in the 11th before delivering a walk-off shot in the 12th. Byron Buxton is flexing his muscles down the stretch for Minnesota with six home runs over his last 16 games.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (6-9, 5.08 ERA) vs. Mets RH Gabriel Ynoa (1-0, 15.19)
Gibson halted a rocky stretch with a masterful performance in his last outing, limiting Detroit to one run and five hits over eight innings. It was the first victory since Aug. 17 for Gibson, who was tagged for 18 runs and surrendered five homers in 22 frames over his four previous turns. The 28-year-old Gibson actually has pitched better away from home, logging a 5-2 record and 4.80 ERA in 10 road starts.
Collins nixed the idea of starting Noah Syndergaard on regular rest Sunday, electing to give his ace an extra day and go with Ynoa, who is coming off the longest of his six appearances in the majors. The 23-year-old Dominican worked two innings against Washington on Monday, giving up two runs and three hits. He failed to retire a batter while yielding three runs at Cincinnati in his previous appearance.
WALK-OFFS
1. Granderson is the first player in franchise history with a pair of extra-inning homers in the same game.
2. Twins 1B Joe Mauer is 2-for-28 over his last seven games.
3. Mets LHP Steven Matz, out since Aug. 14 with a shoulder impingement, threw a bullpen session Saturday and reported no issues.
PREDICTION: Twins 5, Mets 3
Preview: Nationals at Braves
GAME: Washington Nationals (88-60) at Atlanta Braves (57-91)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Atlanta Braves won't be sad to face the soon-to-be National League East champion Washington Nationals and rookie Trea Turner for the last time this season on Sunday when the NL's worst team hosts the finale of a three-game series. The 23-year-old has tormented the Braves this season, and belted two homers among his three hits in Saturday’s 7-3 loss – just the third Atlanta victory against Washington in 18 tries.
Turner is 7-for-9 with three homers and three stolen bases in the series, and is batting .482 with six homers, 16 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 12 games against the Braves in 2016. Washington has dominated the Braves the past two seasons, winning 29-of-37 meetings. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 21 games Saturday to front another strong showing from the Braves’ offense. Atlanta is averaging 5.1 runs per game since Aug. 2, and center fielder Ender Inciarte and third baseman Adonis Garcia combined to go 5-for-8 with five runs scored Saturday.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FSN South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Joe Ross (7-4, 3.49 ERA) vs. Braves RH Matt Wisler (6-12, 5.00)
Ross has not pitched in the majors since July 2 due to shoulder inflammation, and a return to health could make him a valuable option for the Nationals in the postseason. The 23-year-old threw 42 pitches in his final rehabilitation outing with Triple-A Syracuse but extended his workload to 60 pitches in a simulated game last weekend. Ross went 4-0 with a 4.25 ERA in his final eight starts before the injury, but allowed 20 hits in his final 11 1/3 innings.
A sore right side forced Wisler to miss a scheduled start Sept. 5 and he struggled upon returning Tuesday against Miami, allowing six runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings. He pitched great in his other two starts since returning from Triple-A Gwinnett, giving up only two runs in 14 innings in victories over Arizona and San Diego. Wisler, who turned 24 on Monday, lost in his only start against Washington this season, surrendering three runs on four hits in six innings on April 13.
WALK-OFFS
1. Inciarte raised his average since the All-Star break to .355 with his ninth multi-hit game this month.
2. The Nationals have dominated the NL East this season, going 48-21 against division competition.
3. Atlanta relievers have posted a 3.25 ERA in September with 22 walks and 58 strikeouts.
PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Braves 4
GAME: Washington Nationals (88-60) at Atlanta Braves (57-91)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Atlanta Braves won't be sad to face the soon-to-be National League East champion Washington Nationals and rookie Trea Turner for the last time this season on Sunday when the NL's worst team hosts the finale of a three-game series. The 23-year-old has tormented the Braves this season, and belted two homers among his three hits in Saturday’s 7-3 loss – just the third Atlanta victory against Washington in 18 tries.
Turner is 7-for-9 with three homers and three stolen bases in the series, and is batting .482 with six homers, 16 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 12 games against the Braves in 2016. Washington has dominated the Braves the past two seasons, winning 29-of-37 meetings. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 21 games Saturday to front another strong showing from the Braves’ offense. Atlanta is averaging 5.1 runs per game since Aug. 2, and center fielder Ender Inciarte and third baseman Adonis Garcia combined to go 5-for-8 with five runs scored Saturday.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FSN South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Joe Ross (7-4, 3.49 ERA) vs. Braves RH Matt Wisler (6-12, 5.00)
Ross has not pitched in the majors since July 2 due to shoulder inflammation, and a return to health could make him a valuable option for the Nationals in the postseason. The 23-year-old threw 42 pitches in his final rehabilitation outing with Triple-A Syracuse but extended his workload to 60 pitches in a simulated game last weekend. Ross went 4-0 with a 4.25 ERA in his final eight starts before the injury, but allowed 20 hits in his final 11 1/3 innings.
A sore right side forced Wisler to miss a scheduled start Sept. 5 and he struggled upon returning Tuesday against Miami, allowing six runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings. He pitched great in his other two starts since returning from Triple-A Gwinnett, giving up only two runs in 14 innings in victories over Arizona and San Diego. Wisler, who turned 24 on Monday, lost in his only start against Washington this season, surrendering three runs on four hits in six innings on April 13.
WALK-OFFS
1. Inciarte raised his average since the All-Star break to .355 with his ninth multi-hit game this month.
2. The Nationals have dominated the NL East this season, going 48-21 against division competition.
3. Atlanta relievers have posted a 3.25 ERA in September with 22 walks and 58 strikeouts.
PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Braves 4
Preview: Pirates at Reds
GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (74-74) at Cincinnati Reds (62-86)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Pittsburgh Pirates seemed to throw in the towel last week when they shut down ace Gerrit Cole during a lengthy solid, but a solid run of late is keeping postseason hope at a low simmer. The Pirates will try to wrap up a four-game sweep and earn their fifth straight win when they visit the Cincinnati Reds for the series finale on Sunday.
Pittsburgh averaged 3.5 runs in dropping 13 of 16 games to fall four under .500 but has totaled 41 runs in winning the last four. Sean Rodriguez homered in both ends of a doubleheader sweep on Saturday as the Pirates stayed five games out in the race for the second National League wild card with 14 contests left in the regular season and four remaining on an 11-game road trip. The Reds tried to play spoiler by taking three of four at Pittsburgh last weekend but is having trouble finding the same result at home. Cincinnati is just trying to get its young pitching staff to the finish line healthy and has allowed a total of 33 runs during a four-game slide.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Ivan Nova (12-6, 4.03 ERA) vs. Reds RH Dan Straily (12-8, 3.81)
Nova has been a consistent bright spot since coming over from the New York Yankees at the trade deadline and recorded his fifth straight start allowing two or fewer earned runs while striking out 11 over six innings at Philadelphia on Tuesday. The Dominican Republic native has issued only three walks in 52 1/3 innings with Pittsburgh. One of Nova's best starts with the Pirates came against Cincinnati on Sept. 8, when he allowed one run in a complete-game win.
Straily, 27, is the veteran in the Reds rotation and did not show much fatigue at the end of the long season when he held Milwaukee to two runs and three hits in eight innings to earn a win on Tuesday. The California native allowed three earned runs or fewer in 13 of his last 14 starts. Straily went up against Nova on Sept. 8 and absorbed a loss while surrendering three runs in five innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Reds pitching staff has allowed 238 home runs, one short of tying the NL record (2001 Colorado Rockies)
2. Pirates LF Starling Marte (back) sat out both games on Saturday and is day-to-day.
3. Cincinnati SS Zack Cozart (knee) has missed seven straight games and remains day-to-day.
PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Reds 3
GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (74-74) at Cincinnati Reds (62-86)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Pittsburgh Pirates seemed to throw in the towel last week when they shut down ace Gerrit Cole during a lengthy solid, but a solid run of late is keeping postseason hope at a low simmer. The Pirates will try to wrap up a four-game sweep and earn their fifth straight win when they visit the Cincinnati Reds for the series finale on Sunday.
Pittsburgh averaged 3.5 runs in dropping 13 of 16 games to fall four under .500 but has totaled 41 runs in winning the last four. Sean Rodriguez homered in both ends of a doubleheader sweep on Saturday as the Pirates stayed five games out in the race for the second National League wild card with 14 contests left in the regular season and four remaining on an 11-game road trip. The Reds tried to play spoiler by taking three of four at Pittsburgh last weekend but is having trouble finding the same result at home. Cincinnati is just trying to get its young pitching staff to the finish line healthy and has allowed a total of 33 runs during a four-game slide.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Ivan Nova (12-6, 4.03 ERA) vs. Reds RH Dan Straily (12-8, 3.81)
Nova has been a consistent bright spot since coming over from the New York Yankees at the trade deadline and recorded his fifth straight start allowing two or fewer earned runs while striking out 11 over six innings at Philadelphia on Tuesday. The Dominican Republic native has issued only three walks in 52 1/3 innings with Pittsburgh. One of Nova's best starts with the Pirates came against Cincinnati on Sept. 8, when he allowed one run in a complete-game win.
Straily, 27, is the veteran in the Reds rotation and did not show much fatigue at the end of the long season when he held Milwaukee to two runs and three hits in eight innings to earn a win on Tuesday. The California native allowed three earned runs or fewer in 13 of his last 14 starts. Straily went up against Nova on Sept. 8 and absorbed a loss while surrendering three runs in five innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Reds pitching staff has allowed 238 home runs, one short of tying the NL record (2001 Colorado Rockies)
2. Pirates LF Starling Marte (back) sat out both games on Saturday and is day-to-day.
3. Cincinnati SS Zack Cozart (knee) has missed seven straight games and remains day-to-day.
PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Reds 3
Preview: Nationals at Braves
GAME: Washington Nationals (88-60) at Atlanta Braves (57-91)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Atlanta Braves won't be sad to face the soon-to-be National League East champion Washington Nationals and rookie Trea Turner for the last time this season on Sunday when the NL's worst team hosts the finale of a three-game series. The 23-year-old has tormented the Braves this season, and belted two homers among his three hits in Saturday’s 7-3 loss – just the third Atlanta victory against Washington in 18 tries.
Turner is 7-for-9 with three homers and three stolen bases in the series, and is batting .482 with six homers, 16 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 12 games against the Braves in 2016. Washington has dominated the Braves the past two seasons, winning 29-of-37 meetings. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 21 games Saturday to front another strong showing from the Braves’ offense. Atlanta is averaging 5.1 runs per game since Aug. 2, and center fielder Ender Inciarte and third baseman Adonis Garcia combined to go 5-for-8 with five runs scored Saturday.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FSN South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Joe Ross (7-4, 3.49 ERA) vs. Braves RH Matt Wisler (6-12, 5.00)
Ross has not pitched in the majors since July 2 due to shoulder inflammation, and a return to health could make him a valuable option for the Nationals in the postseason. The 23-year-old threw 42 pitches in his final rehabilitation outing with Triple-A Syracuse but extended his workload to 60 pitches in a simulated game last weekend. Ross went 4-0 with a 4.25 ERA in his final eight starts before the injury, but allowed 20 hits in his final 11 1/3 innings.
A sore right side forced Wisler to miss a scheduled start Sept. 5 and he struggled upon returning Tuesday against Miami, allowing six runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings. He pitched great in his other two starts since returning from Triple-A Gwinnett, giving up only two runs in 14 innings in victories over Arizona and San Diego. Wisler, who turned 24 on Monday, lost in his only start against Washington this season, surrendering three runs on four hits in six innings on April 13.
WALK-OFFS
1. Inciarte raised his average since the All-Star break to .355 with his ninth multi-hit game this month.
2. The Nationals have dominated the NL East this season, going 48-21 against division competition.
3. Atlanta relievers have posted a 3.25 ERA in September with 22 walks and 58 strikeouts.
PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Braves 4
GAME: Washington Nationals (88-60) at Atlanta Braves (57-91)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Atlanta Braves won't be sad to face the soon-to-be National League East champion Washington Nationals and rookie Trea Turner for the last time this season on Sunday when the NL's worst team hosts the finale of a three-game series. The 23-year-old has tormented the Braves this season, and belted two homers among his three hits in Saturday’s 7-3 loss – just the third Atlanta victory against Washington in 18 tries.
Turner is 7-for-9 with three homers and three stolen bases in the series, and is batting .482 with six homers, 16 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 12 games against the Braves in 2016. Washington has dominated the Braves the past two seasons, winning 29-of-37 meetings. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 21 games Saturday to front another strong showing from the Braves’ offense. Atlanta is averaging 5.1 runs per game since Aug. 2, and center fielder Ender Inciarte and third baseman Adonis Garcia combined to go 5-for-8 with five runs scored Saturday.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FSN South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Joe Ross (7-4, 3.49 ERA) vs. Braves RH Matt Wisler (6-12, 5.00)
Ross has not pitched in the majors since July 2 due to shoulder inflammation, and a return to health could make him a valuable option for the Nationals in the postseason. The 23-year-old threw 42 pitches in his final rehabilitation outing with Triple-A Syracuse but extended his workload to 60 pitches in a simulated game last weekend. Ross went 4-0 with a 4.25 ERA in his final eight starts before the injury, but allowed 20 hits in his final 11 1/3 innings.
A sore right side forced Wisler to miss a scheduled start Sept. 5 and he struggled upon returning Tuesday against Miami, allowing six runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings. He pitched great in his other two starts since returning from Triple-A Gwinnett, giving up only two runs in 14 innings in victories over Arizona and San Diego. Wisler, who turned 24 on Monday, lost in his only start against Washington this season, surrendering three runs on four hits in six innings on April 13.
WALK-OFFS
1. Inciarte raised his average since the All-Star break to .355 with his ninth multi-hit game this month.
2. The Nationals have dominated the NL East this season, going 48-21 against division competition.
3. Atlanta relievers have posted a 3.25 ERA in September with 22 walks and 58 strikeouts.
PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Braves 4
Preview: Rays at Orioles
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (64-84) at Baltimore Orioles (81-67)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The last-place Tampa Bay Rays go after their second straight series victory over an American League East contender when they visit the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday for the finale of a four-game set. The Rays, who took two of three at Toronto earlier in the week, send red-hot right-hander Jake Odorizzi to the mound after Saturday’s 5-2 victory.
Evan Longoria is 7-for-13 in the series with a homer in each game, eight RBIs and five runs scored for Tampa Bay, which can finish with a winning 11-game road trip after losing the first three encounters. The Orioles fell three games back of first-place Boston in the AL East with Saturday’s loss, but hold a comfortable three-game lead in the race for a wild-card spot. Baltimore’s Mark Trumbo, the major league leader with 42 homers, could return to the lineup Sunday after missing the last two games with back spasms. J.J. Hardy has been the hottest offensive player for the Orioles of late, going 9-for-15 with seven RBIs during a five-game hitting streak.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), MASN 2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (9-6, 3.81 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Wade Miley (8-13, 5.80)
Odorizzi rebounded from a rough start against Baltimore to limit Toronto to a pair of runs over seven innings last time out to continue a strong second half. The 26-year-old had given up seven runs across four innings versus Baltimore on Sept. 6, dropping to 1-2 with a 6.58 ERA against the Orioles in 2016. Adam Jones is 11-for-31 with two homers versus Odorizzi, who is 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA since the All-Star break.
Miley is suffering through a three-game losing streak after permitting six runs and eight hits over 1 1/3 innings last Monday at Boston. The Louisiana native, who is allowing right-handed hitters to bat .306 overall, is 1-5 with an 8.41 ERA in eight starts since being acquired from Seattle. Kevin Kiermaier is 4-for-10 with a homer versus Miley, who beat the Rays on May 10 while with Seattle to improve to 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA against them in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis, who is just 4-for-31 over his last nine games, needs one homer to reach 200 with the Orioles in his career.
2. Tampa Bay shortstops made an AL-high 19 errors in the first 110 games and have just one in the last 38 contests.
3. The Orioles are 46-27 overall at home this season, but have dropped 11 of their last 18 game at Camden Yards.
PREDICTION: Rays 6, Orioles 2
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (64-84) at Baltimore Orioles (81-67)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The last-place Tampa Bay Rays go after their second straight series victory over an American League East contender when they visit the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday for the finale of a four-game set. The Rays, who took two of three at Toronto earlier in the week, send red-hot right-hander Jake Odorizzi to the mound after Saturday’s 5-2 victory.
Evan Longoria is 7-for-13 in the series with a homer in each game, eight RBIs and five runs scored for Tampa Bay, which can finish with a winning 11-game road trip after losing the first three encounters. The Orioles fell three games back of first-place Boston in the AL East with Saturday’s loss, but hold a comfortable three-game lead in the race for a wild-card spot. Baltimore’s Mark Trumbo, the major league leader with 42 homers, could return to the lineup Sunday after missing the last two games with back spasms. J.J. Hardy has been the hottest offensive player for the Orioles of late, going 9-for-15 with seven RBIs during a five-game hitting streak.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), MASN 2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (9-6, 3.81 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Wade Miley (8-13, 5.80)
Odorizzi rebounded from a rough start against Baltimore to limit Toronto to a pair of runs over seven innings last time out to continue a strong second half. The 26-year-old had given up seven runs across four innings versus Baltimore on Sept. 6, dropping to 1-2 with a 6.58 ERA against the Orioles in 2016. Adam Jones is 11-for-31 with two homers versus Odorizzi, who is 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA since the All-Star break.
Miley is suffering through a three-game losing streak after permitting six runs and eight hits over 1 1/3 innings last Monday at Boston. The Louisiana native, who is allowing right-handed hitters to bat .306 overall, is 1-5 with an 8.41 ERA in eight starts since being acquired from Seattle. Kevin Kiermaier is 4-for-10 with a homer versus Miley, who beat the Rays on May 10 while with Seattle to improve to 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA against them in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis, who is just 4-for-31 over his last nine games, needs one homer to reach 200 with the Orioles in his career.
2. Tampa Bay shortstops made an AL-high 19 errors in the first 110 games and have just one in the last 38 contests.
3. The Orioles are 46-27 overall at home this season, but have dropped 11 of their last 18 game at Camden Yards.
PREDICTION: Rays 6, Orioles 2
Preview: Rays at Orioles
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (64-84) at Baltimore Orioles (81-67)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The last-place Tampa Bay Rays go after their second straight series victory over an American League East contender when they visit the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday for the finale of a four-game set. The Rays, who took two of three at Toronto earlier in the week, send red-hot right-hander Jake Odorizzi to the mound after Saturday’s 5-2 victory.
Evan Longoria is 7-for-13 in the series with a homer in each game, eight RBIs and five runs scored for Tampa Bay, which can finish with a winning 11-game road trip after losing the first three encounters. The Orioles fell three games back of first-place Boston in the AL East with Saturday’s loss, but hold a comfortable three-game lead in the race for a wild-card spot. Baltimore’s Mark Trumbo, the major league leader with 42 homers, could return to the lineup Sunday after missing the last two games with back spasms. J.J. Hardy has been the hottest offensive player for the Orioles of late, going 9-for-15 with seven RBIs during a five-game hitting streak.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), MASN 2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (9-6, 3.81 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Wade Miley (8-13, 5.80)
Odorizzi rebounded from a rough start against Baltimore to limit Toronto to a pair of runs over seven innings last time out to continue a strong second half. The 26-year-old had given up seven runs across four innings versus Baltimore on Sept. 6, dropping to 1-2 with a 6.58 ERA against the Orioles in 2016. Adam Jones is 11-for-31 with two homers versus Odorizzi, who is 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA since the All-Star break.
Miley is suffering through a three-game losing streak after permitting six runs and eight hits over 1 1/3 innings last Monday at Boston. The Louisiana native, who is allowing right-handed hitters to bat .306 overall, is 1-5 with an 8.41 ERA in eight starts since being acquired from Seattle. Kevin Kiermaier is 4-for-10 with a homer versus Miley, who beat the Rays on May 10 while with Seattle to improve to 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA against them in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis, who is just 4-for-31 over his last nine games, needs one homer to reach 200 with the Orioles in his career.
2. Tampa Bay shortstops made an AL-high 19 errors in the first 110 games and have just one in the last 38 contests.
3. The Orioles are 46-27 overall at home this season, but have dropped 11 of their last 18 game at Camden Yards.
PREDICTION: Rays 6, Orioles 2
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (64-84) at Baltimore Orioles (81-67)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The last-place Tampa Bay Rays go after their second straight series victory over an American League East contender when they visit the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday for the finale of a four-game set. The Rays, who took two of three at Toronto earlier in the week, send red-hot right-hander Jake Odorizzi to the mound after Saturday’s 5-2 victory.
Evan Longoria is 7-for-13 in the series with a homer in each game, eight RBIs and five runs scored for Tampa Bay, which can finish with a winning 11-game road trip after losing the first three encounters. The Orioles fell three games back of first-place Boston in the AL East with Saturday’s loss, but hold a comfortable three-game lead in the race for a wild-card spot. Baltimore’s Mark Trumbo, the major league leader with 42 homers, could return to the lineup Sunday after missing the last two games with back spasms. J.J. Hardy has been the hottest offensive player for the Orioles of late, going 9-for-15 with seven RBIs during a five-game hitting streak.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), MASN 2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (9-6, 3.81 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Wade Miley (8-13, 5.80)
Odorizzi rebounded from a rough start against Baltimore to limit Toronto to a pair of runs over seven innings last time out to continue a strong second half. The 26-year-old had given up seven runs across four innings versus Baltimore on Sept. 6, dropping to 1-2 with a 6.58 ERA against the Orioles in 2016. Adam Jones is 11-for-31 with two homers versus Odorizzi, who is 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA since the All-Star break.
Miley is suffering through a three-game losing streak after permitting six runs and eight hits over 1 1/3 innings last Monday at Boston. The Louisiana native, who is allowing right-handed hitters to bat .306 overall, is 1-5 with an 8.41 ERA in eight starts since being acquired from Seattle. Kevin Kiermaier is 4-for-10 with a homer versus Miley, who beat the Rays on May 10 while with Seattle to improve to 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA against them in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis, who is just 4-for-31 over his last nine games, needs one homer to reach 200 with the Orioles in his career.
2. Tampa Bay shortstops made an AL-high 19 errors in the first 110 games and have just one in the last 38 contests.
3. The Orioles are 46-27 overall at home this season, but have dropped 11 of their last 18 game at Camden Yards.
PREDICTION: Rays 6, Orioles 2
Preview: White Sox at Royals
GAME: Chicago White Sox (72-76) at Kansas City Royals (75-73)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Kansas City Royals left-hander Danny Duffy has one complete game in his six seasons in the major leagues and it came against his next opponent. Duffy will make his fifth start of the year against the visiting Chicago White Sox on Sunday as the Royals play the third of a four-game set against their American League Central rival.
Duffy went the distance against the White Sox on Aug. 11, allowing one run on seven hits to improve to 5-2 lifetime against Chicago. Kansas City halted a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory on Saturday night to give manager Ned Yost his 1,000th career win. Melky Cabrera is 10-for-21 during a five-game hitting streak and has four straight multiple-hit games for the White Sox. Chicago left-hander Jose Quintana, who has 21 quality starts this season, will oppose Duffy on Sunday.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH José Quintana (12-10, 3.05 ERA) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (11-2, 3.15)
Quintana bounced back from a pair of shaky outings with an outstanding effort versus Cleveland in his last turn, yielding one run on five hits over eight innings. It was the ninth quality start in 11 outings since the All-Star break for Quintana, including a no-decision at Kansas City on Aug. 10 in which he gave up one run over 7 1/3 innings. He must be wary of catcher Salvador Perez, who is 19-for-54 with two homers against him.
Duffy was saddled with his third-straight no-decision despite surrendering three runs on only three hits over 7 1/3 innings versus Oakland on Tuesday. Duffy had won five consecutive starts prior to his current four-start winless drought, which has included a total of seven home runs in that span. Duffy has been unable to solve White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (10-for-28), but has limited Todd Frazier to one hit in 11 at-bats.
WALK-OFFS
1. Abreu has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games against Kansas City.
2. Royals CF Jarrod Dyson is riding a 10-game hitting streak.
3. White Sox DH Justin Morneau has missed five straight games due to a neck injury.
PREDICTION: Royals 3, White Sox 2
GAME: Chicago White Sox (72-76) at Kansas City Royals (75-73)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Kansas City Royals left-hander Danny Duffy has one complete game in his six seasons in the major leagues and it came against his next opponent. Duffy will make his fifth start of the year against the visiting Chicago White Sox on Sunday as the Royals play the third of a four-game set against their American League Central rival.
Duffy went the distance against the White Sox on Aug. 11, allowing one run on seven hits to improve to 5-2 lifetime against Chicago. Kansas City halted a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory on Saturday night to give manager Ned Yost his 1,000th career win. Melky Cabrera is 10-for-21 during a five-game hitting streak and has four straight multiple-hit games for the White Sox. Chicago left-hander Jose Quintana, who has 21 quality starts this season, will oppose Duffy on Sunday.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH José Quintana (12-10, 3.05 ERA) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (11-2, 3.15)
Quintana bounced back from a pair of shaky outings with an outstanding effort versus Cleveland in his last turn, yielding one run on five hits over eight innings. It was the ninth quality start in 11 outings since the All-Star break for Quintana, including a no-decision at Kansas City on Aug. 10 in which he gave up one run over 7 1/3 innings. He must be wary of catcher Salvador Perez, who is 19-for-54 with two homers against him.
Duffy was saddled with his third-straight no-decision despite surrendering three runs on only three hits over 7 1/3 innings versus Oakland on Tuesday. Duffy had won five consecutive starts prior to his current four-start winless drought, which has included a total of seven home runs in that span. Duffy has been unable to solve White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (10-for-28), but has limited Todd Frazier to one hit in 11 at-bats.
WALK-OFFS
1. Abreu has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games against Kansas City.
2. Royals CF Jarrod Dyson is riding a 10-game hitting streak.
3. White Sox DH Justin Morneau has missed five straight games due to a neck injury.
PREDICTION: Royals 3, White Sox 2
Preview: Brewers at Cubs
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (67-82) at Chicago Cubs (94-54)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 2:20 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Chicago Cubs can rest easily knowing the Milwaukee Brewers won’t be in the postseason. The Brewers are the only team to win a series from the National League Central champion Cubs in September, and they’ll try to add another series victory with a win Sunday at Wrigley Field.
The Brewers pounded four homers – two from Ryan Braun – in an 11-3 drubbing of the Cubs on Saturday, taking a 2-1 lead in the four-game set. The Cubs still hold an 11-7 advantage in the season series, but the Brewers have had their number of late – albeit against a watered-down Chicago lineup in this series. The Cubs have rested most of their starters since clinching the division Thursday night and will continue to give regulars time off to prepare for the playoffs. There will be no rest for major league ERA leader Kyle Hendricks, who is 9-1 with a 1.21 ERA at home, and will oppose right-hander Wily Peralta, who is 0-4 in five career starts at Wrigley Field.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), ABC 7 (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Wily Peralta (6-10, 5.42 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (15-7, 2.03)
Peralta was sent to the minors for nearly two months, but he has pitched better upon his recall, going 2-3 with a 3.50 ERA in seven starts. The 27-year-old was a tough-luck loser last time out, as he gave up three runs and six hits over six innings in a 3-0 loss at Cincinnati. Peralta is 4-7 with a 4.15 ERA in 12 starts against the Cubs.
Hendricks has won four straight starts and six straight decisions while posting eight consecutive quality starts. The 26-year-old took a no-hitter to the ninth inning Monday at St. Louis before surrendering a home run to lead off the ninth. Hendricks is 5-2 with a 2.01 ERA in nine starts against the Brewers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 16-for-32 with seven homers versus Peralta.
2. Braun, who has 29 career homers against the Cubs, is 2-for-14 with five strikeouts and no extra-base hits against Hendricks.
3. Chicago CF Dexter Fowler is riding a seven-game hitting streak but is 3-for-14 against Peralta.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 2
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (67-82) at Chicago Cubs (94-54)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 2:20 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Chicago Cubs can rest easily knowing the Milwaukee Brewers won’t be in the postseason. The Brewers are the only team to win a series from the National League Central champion Cubs in September, and they’ll try to add another series victory with a win Sunday at Wrigley Field.
The Brewers pounded four homers – two from Ryan Braun – in an 11-3 drubbing of the Cubs on Saturday, taking a 2-1 lead in the four-game set. The Cubs still hold an 11-7 advantage in the season series, but the Brewers have had their number of late – albeit against a watered-down Chicago lineup in this series. The Cubs have rested most of their starters since clinching the division Thursday night and will continue to give regulars time off to prepare for the playoffs. There will be no rest for major league ERA leader Kyle Hendricks, who is 9-1 with a 1.21 ERA at home, and will oppose right-hander Wily Peralta, who is 0-4 in five career starts at Wrigley Field.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), ABC 7 (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Wily Peralta (6-10, 5.42 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (15-7, 2.03)
Peralta was sent to the minors for nearly two months, but he has pitched better upon his recall, going 2-3 with a 3.50 ERA in seven starts. The 27-year-old was a tough-luck loser last time out, as he gave up three runs and six hits over six innings in a 3-0 loss at Cincinnati. Peralta is 4-7 with a 4.15 ERA in 12 starts against the Cubs.
Hendricks has won four straight starts and six straight decisions while posting eight consecutive quality starts. The 26-year-old took a no-hitter to the ninth inning Monday at St. Louis before surrendering a home run to lead off the ninth. Hendricks is 5-2 with a 2.01 ERA in nine starts against the Brewers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 16-for-32 with seven homers versus Peralta.
2. Braun, who has 29 career homers against the Cubs, is 2-for-14 with five strikeouts and no extra-base hits against Hendricks.
3. Chicago CF Dexter Fowler is riding a seven-game hitting streak but is 3-for-14 against Peralta.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 2
Preview: Brewers at Cubs
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (67-82) at Chicago Cubs (94-54)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 2:20 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Chicago Cubs can rest easily knowing the Milwaukee Brewers won’t be in the postseason. The Brewers are the only team to win a series from the National League Central champion Cubs in September, and they’ll try to add another series victory with a win Sunday at Wrigley Field.
The Brewers pounded four homers – two from Ryan Braun – in an 11-3 drubbing of the Cubs on Saturday, taking a 2-1 lead in the four-game set. The Cubs still hold an 11-7 advantage in the season series, but the Brewers have had their number of late – albeit against a watered-down Chicago lineup in this series. The Cubs have rested most of their starters since clinching the division Thursday night and will continue to give regulars time off to prepare for the playoffs. There will be no rest for major league ERA leader Kyle Hendricks, who is 9-1 with a 1.21 ERA at home, and will oppose right-hander Wily Peralta, who is 0-4 in five career starts at Wrigley Field.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), ABC 7 (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Wily Peralta (6-10, 5.42 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (15-7, 2.03)
Peralta was sent to the minors for nearly two months, but he has pitched better upon his recall, going 2-3 with a 3.50 ERA in seven starts. The 27-year-old was a tough-luck loser last time out, as he gave up three runs and six hits over six innings in a 3-0 loss at Cincinnati. Peralta is 4-7 with a 4.15 ERA in 12 starts against the Cubs.
Hendricks has won four straight starts and six straight decisions while posting eight consecutive quality starts. The 26-year-old took a no-hitter to the ninth inning Monday at St. Louis before surrendering a home run to lead off the ninth. Hendricks is 5-2 with a 2.01 ERA in nine starts against the Brewers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 16-for-32 with seven homers versus Peralta.
2. Braun, who has 29 career homers against the Cubs, is 2-for-14 with five strikeouts and no extra-base hits against Hendricks.
3. Chicago CF Dexter Fowler is riding a seven-game hitting streak but is 3-for-14 against Peralta.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 2
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (67-82) at Chicago Cubs (94-54)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 2:20 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Chicago Cubs can rest easily knowing the Milwaukee Brewers won’t be in the postseason. The Brewers are the only team to win a series from the National League Central champion Cubs in September, and they’ll try to add another series victory with a win Sunday at Wrigley Field.
The Brewers pounded four homers – two from Ryan Braun – in an 11-3 drubbing of the Cubs on Saturday, taking a 2-1 lead in the four-game set. The Cubs still hold an 11-7 advantage in the season series, but the Brewers have had their number of late – albeit against a watered-down Chicago lineup in this series. The Cubs have rested most of their starters since clinching the division Thursday night and will continue to give regulars time off to prepare for the playoffs. There will be no rest for major league ERA leader Kyle Hendricks, who is 9-1 with a 1.21 ERA at home, and will oppose right-hander Wily Peralta, who is 0-4 in five career starts at Wrigley Field.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), ABC 7 (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Wily Peralta (6-10, 5.42 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (15-7, 2.03)
Peralta was sent to the minors for nearly two months, but he has pitched better upon his recall, going 2-3 with a 3.50 ERA in seven starts. The 27-year-old was a tough-luck loser last time out, as he gave up three runs and six hits over six innings in a 3-0 loss at Cincinnati. Peralta is 4-7 with a 4.15 ERA in 12 starts against the Cubs.
Hendricks has won four straight starts and six straight decisions while posting eight consecutive quality starts. The 26-year-old took a no-hitter to the ninth inning Monday at St. Louis before surrendering a home run to lead off the ninth. Hendricks is 5-2 with a 2.01 ERA in nine starts against the Brewers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 16-for-32 with seven homers versus Peralta.
2. Braun, who has 29 career homers against the Cubs, is 2-for-14 with five strikeouts and no extra-base hits against Hendricks.
3. Chicago CF Dexter Fowler is riding a seven-game hitting streak but is 3-for-14 against Peralta.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 2
Preview: Blue Jays at Angels
GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (81-67) at Los Angeles Angels (64-84)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 3:35 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
After a brief resurgence allowed them to feel good about themselves following a rough start to September, the Toronto Blue Jays' offense short-circuited once again last time out. The Blue Jays hope to bounce back from a frustrating loss when they attempt to win their first series in five tries Sunday, as they wrap up a four-game road set against the Los Angeles Angels.
Toronto began this month by winning only three of its first 12 contests before securing five-run victories over the Angels on Thursday and Friday to strengthen its hold in the American League wild-card race and remain within striking distance of Boston in the AL East. The Blue Jays found only frustration in Saturday's 6-1 defeat in Los Angeles, however, scoring three runs or fewer for the ninth time this month despite pounding out 10 hits in large part because they went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. The loss kept Toronto (81-67) from taking advantage of Baltimore's setback earlier in the day - leaving the division rivals tied for the lead in the wild-card chase - while increasing the Red Sox's advantage in the East to three games. The Angels put an emphatic end to their five-game slide in Saturday's rout, snapping out of their own offensive doldrums by posting their highest run total since Sept. 5.
TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (9-8, 4.55 ERA) vs. Angels RH Alex Meyer (0-3, 8.18)
Stroman remained winless over his last five turns on Tuesday, taking the loss against Tampa Bay after yielding three runs on four hits and four walks over six innings. The 25-year-old Duke product, who issued more than two free passes for the first time in 13 trips to the mound, has given up three earned runs or fewer in four of the outings since getting his last victory on Aug. 14. Stroman was roughed up in his only two appearances (one start) versus the Angels in 2014, surrendering nine earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Meyer suffered his second setback in as many starts since arriving from Minnesota in the Hector Santiago trade on Aug. 1, allowing four runs - including a pair of homers - over as many innings in a home loss to Seattle on Tuesday. The Indiana native has yet to earn a victory in six big-league appearances (three starts), failing to log more than four innings or 76 pitches in any of them. Meyer has yet to face the Blue Jays in his brief career and is 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA in September despite holding hitters to a .222 average.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels DH Albert Pujols on Saturday homered for the 30th time in 2016, joining Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez as the only players to reach the plateau at least 14 times.
2. Toronto 2B Devon Travis is batting .403 during his career-best 14-game hitting streak.
3. Los Angeles' Mike Scioscia on Saturday tied Hall-of-Famer Earl Weaver for 23rd place on the all-time list with his 1,480th managerial win.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 8, Angels 4
GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (81-67) at Los Angeles Angels (64-84)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 3:35 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
After a brief resurgence allowed them to feel good about themselves following a rough start to September, the Toronto Blue Jays' offense short-circuited once again last time out. The Blue Jays hope to bounce back from a frustrating loss when they attempt to win their first series in five tries Sunday, as they wrap up a four-game road set against the Los Angeles Angels.
Toronto began this month by winning only three of its first 12 contests before securing five-run victories over the Angels on Thursday and Friday to strengthen its hold in the American League wild-card race and remain within striking distance of Boston in the AL East. The Blue Jays found only frustration in Saturday's 6-1 defeat in Los Angeles, however, scoring three runs or fewer for the ninth time this month despite pounding out 10 hits in large part because they went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. The loss kept Toronto (81-67) from taking advantage of Baltimore's setback earlier in the day - leaving the division rivals tied for the lead in the wild-card chase - while increasing the Red Sox's advantage in the East to three games. The Angels put an emphatic end to their five-game slide in Saturday's rout, snapping out of their own offensive doldrums by posting their highest run total since Sept. 5.
TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (9-8, 4.55 ERA) vs. Angels RH Alex Meyer (0-3, 8.18)
Stroman remained winless over his last five turns on Tuesday, taking the loss against Tampa Bay after yielding three runs on four hits and four walks over six innings. The 25-year-old Duke product, who issued more than two free passes for the first time in 13 trips to the mound, has given up three earned runs or fewer in four of the outings since getting his last victory on Aug. 14. Stroman was roughed up in his only two appearances (one start) versus the Angels in 2014, surrendering nine earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Meyer suffered his second setback in as many starts since arriving from Minnesota in the Hector Santiago trade on Aug. 1, allowing four runs - including a pair of homers - over as many innings in a home loss to Seattle on Tuesday. The Indiana native has yet to earn a victory in six big-league appearances (three starts), failing to log more than four innings or 76 pitches in any of them. Meyer has yet to face the Blue Jays in his brief career and is 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA in September despite holding hitters to a .222 average.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels DH Albert Pujols on Saturday homered for the 30th time in 2016, joining Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez as the only players to reach the plateau at least 14 times.
2. Toronto 2B Devon Travis is batting .403 during his career-best 14-game hitting streak.
3. Los Angeles' Mike Scioscia on Saturday tied Hall-of-Famer Earl Weaver for 23rd place on the all-time list with his 1,480th managerial win.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 8, Angels 4
Preview: Marlins at Phillies
GAME: Miami Marlins (73-75) at Philadelphia Phillies (67-82)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Whatever hope the Miami Marlins gained by winning five of seven games is being dashed by the team's inability to beat the Philadelphia Phillies. The Marlins will try to avoid a three-game sweep when they visit the Phillies for the series finale on Sunday.
Miami seemed to fall out of it completely with 10 losses in 11 games - the last two of those setbacks coming against the Phillies at home on Sept. 5 and 6 - but roared back to .500 with a win at Atlanta on Wednesday to keep hope alive. The Marlins suffered a crushing 4-3 defeat in 13 innings in Friday's series opener and were shut out 8-0 by Jeremy Hellickson on Saturday to slip six games back in the race for the second National League wild card with 14 contests remaining. Philadelphia helped hold the Pittsburgh Pirates out of the wild card race by splitting a four-game series earlier in the week and are not just playing out the string during another losing season. The Phillies are getting strong contributions from the younger players and Tommy Joseph homered to lead the offense on Saturday.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Andrew Cashner (5-11, 5.22 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Alec Asher (1-0, 1.46)
Cashner earned his first win since coming over in a trade from San Diego when he breezed through 5 1/3 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts against Philadelphia on Sept. 7. The Texas native failed to follow up that triumph and was knocked around for seven runs on six hits and a pair of walks without a strikeout in two innings at Atlanta on Monday. Cashner has traditionally been strong against the Phillies, owning a 3-1 record with a 2.11 ERA in 11 games - five starts.
Asher has been strong in two starts since joining the team earlier this month. The 24-year-old Florida native blanked the Washington Nationals over six innings in his debut on Sept. 8 and held Pittsburgh to two runs and four hits across 6 1/3 frames on Tuesday. Asher, who had his season abbreviated by an 80-game PED suspension, saw Miami twice in 2015 and went 0-2 while allowing a total of four runs in nine innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Phillies CF Odubel Herrera is 10-for-20 in his last five games and has doubled in four straight.
2. Miami 2B Dee Gordon boasts stolen six bases in the last three games.
3. Philadelphia 1B Ryan Howard (knee) was scratched from Saturday's lineup and is day-to-day.
PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Marlins 2
GAME: Miami Marlins (73-75) at Philadelphia Phillies (67-82)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Whatever hope the Miami Marlins gained by winning five of seven games is being dashed by the team's inability to beat the Philadelphia Phillies. The Marlins will try to avoid a three-game sweep when they visit the Phillies for the series finale on Sunday.
Miami seemed to fall out of it completely with 10 losses in 11 games - the last two of those setbacks coming against the Phillies at home on Sept. 5 and 6 - but roared back to .500 with a win at Atlanta on Wednesday to keep hope alive. The Marlins suffered a crushing 4-3 defeat in 13 innings in Friday's series opener and were shut out 8-0 by Jeremy Hellickson on Saturday to slip six games back in the race for the second National League wild card with 14 contests remaining. Philadelphia helped hold the Pittsburgh Pirates out of the wild card race by splitting a four-game series earlier in the week and are not just playing out the string during another losing season. The Phillies are getting strong contributions from the younger players and Tommy Joseph homered to lead the offense on Saturday.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Andrew Cashner (5-11, 5.22 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Alec Asher (1-0, 1.46)
Cashner earned his first win since coming over in a trade from San Diego when he breezed through 5 1/3 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts against Philadelphia on Sept. 7. The Texas native failed to follow up that triumph and was knocked around for seven runs on six hits and a pair of walks without a strikeout in two innings at Atlanta on Monday. Cashner has traditionally been strong against the Phillies, owning a 3-1 record with a 2.11 ERA in 11 games - five starts.
Asher has been strong in two starts since joining the team earlier this month. The 24-year-old Florida native blanked the Washington Nationals over six innings in his debut on Sept. 8 and held Pittsburgh to two runs and four hits across 6 1/3 frames on Tuesday. Asher, who had his season abbreviated by an 80-game PED suspension, saw Miami twice in 2015 and went 0-2 while allowing a total of four runs in nine innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Phillies CF Odubel Herrera is 10-for-20 in his last five games and has doubled in four straight.
2. Miami 2B Dee Gordon boasts stolen six bases in the last three games.
3. Philadelphia 1B Ryan Howard (knee) was scratched from Saturday's lineup and is day-to-day.
PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Marlins 2
Preview: Padres at Rockies
GAME: San Diego Padres (62-86) at Colorado Rockies (71-77)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Chad Bettis hopes to follow in Jon Gray's footsteps on Sunday as the Colorado Rockies look to complete a three-game sweep against the visiting San Diego Padres. After staging a ninth-inning rally to win the series opener, Colorado received a franchise record-setting performance from Gray, who registered 16 strikeouts and allowed four hits while going the distance in an 8-0 victory on Saturday.
Tom Murphy homered twice and drove in five runs, while Nolan Arenado belted a two-run shot to raise his major league-leading RBI total to 123. The tide has turned for San Diego on its road trip, as it has been outscored 16-7 in losing the first two games of the series after registering a three-game sweep in San Francisco. The Padres failed to record an extra-base hit on Saturday and Jon Jay notched two of the club's four singles. Luis Sardinas was held in check by Gray, going 0-for-4 as his seven-game hitting streak came to a conclusion.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, ROOT (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jarred Cosart (0-3, 5.16 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (12-7, 4.78)
Cosart returns to the rotation after missing one start due to a strained groin and hamstring. The 26-year-old Texan remains in search of his first victory of the season, as he went 0-1 in four outings with Miami and is 0-2 - losing each of his last two turns - in seven starts since being acquired on July 29 in a seven-player deal. Cosart, who never has faced Colorado, has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his outings for San Diego but has reached the six-inning plateau just once.
Bettis will be making his second consecutive start against the Padres after allowing two runs and four hits over seven innings in a no-decision at San Diego last Sunday. The 27-year-old, who also hails from the Lone Star State, has won six of his last seven decisions and has given up three earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 12 outings in that span. Bettis owns a 2-1 record and 2.70 ERA in nine career games (six starts) against San Diego.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rockies 2B DJ LeMahieu went 1-for-3 on Saturday to maintain his major league-best .349 batting average.
2. San Diego C Derek Norris suffered a sprained left middle finger on Saturday and is day-to-day after X-rays came back negative.
3. Arenado's homer on Saturday was his 38th of the campaign, putting him one ahead of Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs for the National League lead.
PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Padres 4
GAME: San Diego Padres (62-86) at Colorado Rockies (71-77)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Chad Bettis hopes to follow in Jon Gray's footsteps on Sunday as the Colorado Rockies look to complete a three-game sweep against the visiting San Diego Padres. After staging a ninth-inning rally to win the series opener, Colorado received a franchise record-setting performance from Gray, who registered 16 strikeouts and allowed four hits while going the distance in an 8-0 victory on Saturday.
Tom Murphy homered twice and drove in five runs, while Nolan Arenado belted a two-run shot to raise his major league-leading RBI total to 123. The tide has turned for San Diego on its road trip, as it has been outscored 16-7 in losing the first two games of the series after registering a three-game sweep in San Francisco. The Padres failed to record an extra-base hit on Saturday and Jon Jay notched two of the club's four singles. Luis Sardinas was held in check by Gray, going 0-for-4 as his seven-game hitting streak came to a conclusion.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, ROOT (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jarred Cosart (0-3, 5.16 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (12-7, 4.78)
Cosart returns to the rotation after missing one start due to a strained groin and hamstring. The 26-year-old Texan remains in search of his first victory of the season, as he went 0-1 in four outings with Miami and is 0-2 - losing each of his last two turns - in seven starts since being acquired on July 29 in a seven-player deal. Cosart, who never has faced Colorado, has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his outings for San Diego but has reached the six-inning plateau just once.
Bettis will be making his second consecutive start against the Padres after allowing two runs and four hits over seven innings in a no-decision at San Diego last Sunday. The 27-year-old, who also hails from the Lone Star State, has won six of his last seven decisions and has given up three earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 12 outings in that span. Bettis owns a 2-1 record and 2.70 ERA in nine career games (six starts) against San Diego.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rockies 2B DJ LeMahieu went 1-for-3 on Saturday to maintain his major league-best .349 batting average.
2. San Diego C Derek Norris suffered a sprained left middle finger on Saturday and is day-to-day after X-rays came back negative.
3. Arenado's homer on Saturday was his 38th of the campaign, putting him one ahead of Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs for the National League lead.
PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Padres 4
Preview: Athletics at Rangers
GAME: Oakland Athletics (65-83) at Texas Rangers (88-61)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 3:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Although they are marching toward an almost-certain American League West crown, the Texas Rangers will need better pitching from the front end of the rotation to be successful in October. Following another rocky outing by one of their top starters, the Rangers turn to veteran Colby Lewis in the rubber game of a three-game series with the visiting Oakland Athletics on Sunday.
Star left-hander Cole Hamels allowed six runs in six innings in the opener of the series and has a 10.50 ERA in his last four outings, while fellow standout Yu Darvish was knocked around in the second game of the set. Darvish was pounded for seven runs over five frames of Saturday's 11-2 loss, which left him with a 7.47 ERA in September and the Rangers with a 9 1/2-game lead in the division. Lewis is making his second start since returning from a lengthy stay on the disabled list and will be taking on an Oakland lineup that is suddenly putting up some impressive numbers. The A's are averaging 10 runs during a 5-1 stretch - all on the road - after they averaged just 2.7 runs over their previous 15 contests.
TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Ross Detwiler (1-3, 5.31 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Colby Lewis (6-2, 3.31)
Since a sparkling performance in which he threw eight scoreless innings in his Oakland debut last month, Detwiler has gone 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in six games (five starts). The first of those outings came at Texas on Aug. 15, when the former first-round pick was hammered for five runs on seven hits and four walks across 4 2/3 innings. Carlos Beltran is 5-for-11 with a home run against Detwiler, while Adrian Beltre has a grand slam and two walks in three plate appearances.
In his return from the disabled list last Sunday, Lewis allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings en route to a loss against the Los Angeles Angels. His lone complete game this season came at Oakland on June 16, when he let up just two hits in a 5-1 victory. The 37-year-old is 12-4 with a 2.80 ERA in his career against Oakland and has dominated both Marcus Semien (0-for-13, four strikeouts) and Stephen Vogt (1-for-20).
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics LF Khris Davis is batting .360 with three homers and 10 RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.
2. Texas has hit a home run in a season-high 18 straight games.
3. Rangers LF Carlos Gomez has homered in consecutive days and has six in 22 games since joining the team in a trade with Houston last month.
PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Athletics 6
GAME: Oakland Athletics (65-83) at Texas Rangers (88-61)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 3:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Although they are marching toward an almost-certain American League West crown, the Texas Rangers will need better pitching from the front end of the rotation to be successful in October. Following another rocky outing by one of their top starters, the Rangers turn to veteran Colby Lewis in the rubber game of a three-game series with the visiting Oakland Athletics on Sunday.
Star left-hander Cole Hamels allowed six runs in six innings in the opener of the series and has a 10.50 ERA in his last four outings, while fellow standout Yu Darvish was knocked around in the second game of the set. Darvish was pounded for seven runs over five frames of Saturday's 11-2 loss, which left him with a 7.47 ERA in September and the Rangers with a 9 1/2-game lead in the division. Lewis is making his second start since returning from a lengthy stay on the disabled list and will be taking on an Oakland lineup that is suddenly putting up some impressive numbers. The A's are averaging 10 runs during a 5-1 stretch - all on the road - after they averaged just 2.7 runs over their previous 15 contests.
TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Ross Detwiler (1-3, 5.31 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Colby Lewis (6-2, 3.31)
Since a sparkling performance in which he threw eight scoreless innings in his Oakland debut last month, Detwiler has gone 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in six games (five starts). The first of those outings came at Texas on Aug. 15, when the former first-round pick was hammered for five runs on seven hits and four walks across 4 2/3 innings. Carlos Beltran is 5-for-11 with a home run against Detwiler, while Adrian Beltre has a grand slam and two walks in three plate appearances.
In his return from the disabled list last Sunday, Lewis allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings en route to a loss against the Los Angeles Angels. His lone complete game this season came at Oakland on June 16, when he let up just two hits in a 5-1 victory. The 37-year-old is 12-4 with a 2.80 ERA in his career against Oakland and has dominated both Marcus Semien (0-for-13, four strikeouts) and Stephen Vogt (1-for-20).
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics LF Khris Davis is batting .360 with three homers and 10 RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.
2. Texas has hit a home run in a season-high 18 straight games.
3. Rangers LF Carlos Gomez has homered in consecutive days and has six in 22 games since joining the team in a trade with Houston last month.
PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Athletics 6
Preview: Astros at Mariners
GAME: Houston Astros (78-70) at Seattle Mariners (78-70)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Houston Astros look to complete a three-game sweep and surge past the host Seattle Mariners in the American League wild-card standings when the clubs meet on Sunday for the finale of their series. Houston posted its third consecutive victory Saturday after losing six of its previous seven games, edging Seattle 2-1 to pull even with Detroit and the Mariners and within three games of Baltimore and Toronto for a wild-card spot.
The Astros managed only five hits in their latest win, with Yuli Gurriel's two-run single in the sixth inning giving them all the runs they needed. Seattle has struggled to score runs of late, totaling three over its last three games while being outscored 8-1 in the first two contests against the Astros. Nori Aoki registered his second three-hit performance in seven games and Seth Smith added a pair of hits, but the rest of the Mariners notched a mere two and the club has totaled 10 thus far in the set. The AL West rivals meet in Houston for a three-game series from Sept. 26-28.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston, Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Doug Fister (12-11, 4.17 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Ariel Miranda (4-1, 4.10)
Fister's three-start losing streak ended Monday as he settled for a no-decision against Texas after giving up three runs on six hits and three walks in five innings. It was an improved effort by the 32-year-old Californian, who was battered for 18 runs - 15 earned - over 12 1/3 frames during his skid and has not worked more than five innings since tossing seven scoreless in a win at Pittsburgh on Aug. 22. Fister improved to 4-1 in six career starts against the Mariners on July 15, when he yielded three runs and five hits in five innings at Seattle.
Miranda won his third consecutive start on Monday, scattering three hits over six scoreless innings on the road against the Los Angeles Angels. The 27-year-old Cuban has allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of his seven starts for Seattle, as well as his one relief appearance. Miranda, who never has faced Houston, is 3-0 with a 3.65 ERA in five games (four starts) at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners 2B Robinson Cano had recorded just one RBI in his last 11 contests.
2. Houston 2B Jose Altuve leads the AL with a .340 average despite his 0-for-3 performance on Saturday.
3. Seattle 1B Adam Lind has been kept out of the starting lineup for five straight games due to a sprained index finger.
PREDICTION: Astros 4, Mariners 2
GAME: Houston Astros (78-70) at Seattle Mariners (78-70)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Houston Astros look to complete a three-game sweep and surge past the host Seattle Mariners in the American League wild-card standings when the clubs meet on Sunday for the finale of their series. Houston posted its third consecutive victory Saturday after losing six of its previous seven games, edging Seattle 2-1 to pull even with Detroit and the Mariners and within three games of Baltimore and Toronto for a wild-card spot.
The Astros managed only five hits in their latest win, with Yuli Gurriel's two-run single in the sixth inning giving them all the runs they needed. Seattle has struggled to score runs of late, totaling three over its last three games while being outscored 8-1 in the first two contests against the Astros. Nori Aoki registered his second three-hit performance in seven games and Seth Smith added a pair of hits, but the rest of the Mariners notched a mere two and the club has totaled 10 thus far in the set. The AL West rivals meet in Houston for a three-game series from Sept. 26-28.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston, Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Doug Fister (12-11, 4.17 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Ariel Miranda (4-1, 4.10)
Fister's three-start losing streak ended Monday as he settled for a no-decision against Texas after giving up three runs on six hits and three walks in five innings. It was an improved effort by the 32-year-old Californian, who was battered for 18 runs - 15 earned - over 12 1/3 frames during his skid and has not worked more than five innings since tossing seven scoreless in a win at Pittsburgh on Aug. 22. Fister improved to 4-1 in six career starts against the Mariners on July 15, when he yielded three runs and five hits in five innings at Seattle.
Miranda won his third consecutive start on Monday, scattering three hits over six scoreless innings on the road against the Los Angeles Angels. The 27-year-old Cuban has allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of his seven starts for Seattle, as well as his one relief appearance. Miranda, who never has faced Houston, is 3-0 with a 3.65 ERA in five games (four starts) at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners 2B Robinson Cano had recorded just one RBI in his last 11 contests.
2. Houston 2B Jose Altuve leads the AL with a .340 average despite his 0-for-3 performance on Saturday.
3. Seattle 1B Adam Lind has been kept out of the starting lineup for five straight games due to a sprained index finger.
PREDICTION: Astros 4, Mariners 2
Preview: Cardinals at Giants
GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (77-71) at San Francisco Giants (79-69)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
If the San Francisco Giants lose their tenuous hold on a National League wild-card spot and fail to reach the postseason, their shaky relief corps will shoulder much of the blame. The beleaguered bullpen will look to bounce back from another rough showing in Sunday’s series finale against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, who rallied for a 3-2 victory on Saturday.
Santiago Casilla suffered his ninth blown save on Saturday as the Giants fell five games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West and now share the top wild-card spot with the New York Mets, with St. Louis two games back. San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy announced last week that he would replace Casilla in the closer’s role with a committee of relievers that includes Hunter Strickland, Derek Law, Sergio Romo and Joe Nathan, but he's continued to give Casilla the ball in several high-pressure situations. St. Louis capitalized on the Giants’ bullpen woes Saturday and will try to salvage a split of the four-game series Sunday behind rookie Alex Reyes, who is making his third career start. The Cardinals could be without Matt Holliday for the rest of the season after the veteran left fielder canceled his simulated game on Saturday due to swelling in his surgically repaired right thumb.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Alex Reyes (2-1, 1.29 ERA) vs. Giants RH Albert Suarez (3-3, 4.20)
Reyes is making his first start since transitioning into the rotation last week in place of struggling Jaime Garcia, who was moved to the bullpen. The Cardinals’ top pitching prospect earned the nod after tossing 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory over the Cubs. “He’s continuing to impress us, no matter what situation we do put him into,” manager Mike Matheny told reporters. “We feel he’s going to give us the best shot right now.”
Suarez tossed five innings of one-run ball against San Diego on Tuesday and hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his last five appearances. The 26-year-old rookie has pitched well as a starter but hasn’t thrown more than five innings since working six on July 3 against Arizona. Suarez, who never has faced St. Louis, owns a 2-1 record and 3.12 ERA in 11 games (four starts) at home compared to 1-2 with a 5.13 ERA in nine games (six starts) on the road.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco relievers have a 6.19 ERA in the ninth inning or later this season.
2. St. Louis 1B Matt Adams exited Saturday’s game with a jammed left wrist but expects to be available for Sunday’s series finale.
3. Giants RF Hunter Pence is batting .465 (20-for-43) with 12 runs, two home runs and seven RBI during his 11-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Giants 2
GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (77-71) at San Francisco Giants (79-69)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 18 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
If the San Francisco Giants lose their tenuous hold on a National League wild-card spot and fail to reach the postseason, their shaky relief corps will shoulder much of the blame. The beleaguered bullpen will look to bounce back from another rough showing in Sunday’s series finale against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, who rallied for a 3-2 victory on Saturday.
Santiago Casilla suffered his ninth blown save on Saturday as the Giants fell five games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West and now share the top wild-card spot with the New York Mets, with St. Louis two games back. San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy announced last week that he would replace Casilla in the closer’s role with a committee of relievers that includes Hunter Strickland, Derek Law, Sergio Romo and Joe Nathan, but he's continued to give Casilla the ball in several high-pressure situations. St. Louis capitalized on the Giants’ bullpen woes Saturday and will try to salvage a split of the four-game series Sunday behind rookie Alex Reyes, who is making his third career start. The Cardinals could be without Matt Holliday for the rest of the season after the veteran left fielder canceled his simulated game on Saturday due to swelling in his surgically repaired right thumb.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Alex Reyes (2-1, 1.29 ERA) vs. Giants RH Albert Suarez (3-3, 4.20)
Reyes is making his first start since transitioning into the rotation last week in place of struggling Jaime Garcia, who was moved to the bullpen. The Cardinals’ top pitching prospect earned the nod after tossing 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory over the Cubs. “He’s continuing to impress us, no matter what situation we do put him into,” manager Mike Matheny told reporters. “We feel he’s going to give us the best shot right now.”
Suarez tossed five innings of one-run ball against San Diego on Tuesday and hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his last five appearances. The 26-year-old rookie has pitched well as a starter but hasn’t thrown more than five innings since working six on July 3 against Arizona. Suarez, who never has faced St. Louis, owns a 2-1 record and 3.12 ERA in 11 games (four starts) at home compared to 1-2 with a 5.13 ERA in nine games (six starts) on the road.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco relievers have a 6.19 ERA in the ninth inning or later this season.
2. St. Louis 1B Matt Adams exited Saturday’s game with a jammed left wrist but expects to be available for Sunday’s series finale.
3. Giants RF Hunter Pence is batting .465 (20-for-43) with 12 runs, two home runs and seven RBI during his 11-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Giants 2
Preview: San Francisco at Carolina
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 18, 2016
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
The Carolina Panthers didn’t lose a game until Week 16 last season, but they’re already in the unfamiliar position of trying to bounce back from a defeat. The Panthers hope to shake off their season-opening loss at Denver when they host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Carolina won its first 15 games a year ago and reached the Super Bowl before falling to the Broncos, who rallied in the fourth quarter for a 21-20 win in the rematch to open the 2016 campaign. “We didn’t do everything we needed to do to give ourselves a chance to win,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera told reporters. “I know our guys have all taken it very personal.” The 49ers turned in a dominant performance on Monday night, blanking Los Angeles 28-0, and are trying to start 2-0 for the first time since 2012. The Panthers have won four straight regular-season meetings, but San Francisco captured a playoff game in Charlotte in their most recent clash in 2013.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Panthers -13.5. O/U: 45.5
ABOUT THE 49ERS (1-0): Quarterback Blaine Gabbert had a solid debut in Kelly’s offense, completing 22-of-35 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown while adding 43 rushing yards. Carlos Hyde registered 88 yards and two touchdowns on the ground as the 49ers rolled up 150 rushing yards – fifth-most in the league in Week 1. The dominant defensive effort – holding the Rams to 185 total yards in a shutout – will be difficult to duplicate against a far more dangerous Carolina team.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (0-1): Carolina picked up where it left off last season with a powerful running game against Denver, racking up 157 yards on the ground. The Panthers didn’t do as much damage through the air, but reigning MVP Cam Newton has re-established his rapport with Kelvin Benjamin, who made six catches for 91 yards in his first game after missing all of last season. Carolina’s defense was outstanding for three quarters and limited the Broncos to 307 total yards – 159 passing – but the evening was spoiled by surrendering 14 fourth-quarter points.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Newton recorded passing and rushing touchdowns against Denver, his NFL-record 32nd career game with at least one of each.
2. Gabbert has thrown a touchdown pass in 12 straight games dating to 2013.
3. Carolina RB Jonathan Stewart, who rushed for 64 yards on 15 carries last week, has been limited by an ankle injury but is expected to be ready for Sunday.
PREDICTION: Panthers 23, 49ers 17
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 18, 2016
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
The Carolina Panthers didn’t lose a game until Week 16 last season, but they’re already in the unfamiliar position of trying to bounce back from a defeat. The Panthers hope to shake off their season-opening loss at Denver when they host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Carolina won its first 15 games a year ago and reached the Super Bowl before falling to the Broncos, who rallied in the fourth quarter for a 21-20 win in the rematch to open the 2016 campaign. “We didn’t do everything we needed to do to give ourselves a chance to win,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera told reporters. “I know our guys have all taken it very personal.” The 49ers turned in a dominant performance on Monday night, blanking Los Angeles 28-0, and are trying to start 2-0 for the first time since 2012. The Panthers have won four straight regular-season meetings, but San Francisco captured a playoff game in Charlotte in their most recent clash in 2013.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Panthers -13.5. O/U: 45.5
ABOUT THE 49ERS (1-0): Quarterback Blaine Gabbert had a solid debut in Kelly’s offense, completing 22-of-35 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown while adding 43 rushing yards. Carlos Hyde registered 88 yards and two touchdowns on the ground as the 49ers rolled up 150 rushing yards – fifth-most in the league in Week 1. The dominant defensive effort – holding the Rams to 185 total yards in a shutout – will be difficult to duplicate against a far more dangerous Carolina team.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (0-1): Carolina picked up where it left off last season with a powerful running game against Denver, racking up 157 yards on the ground. The Panthers didn’t do as much damage through the air, but reigning MVP Cam Newton has re-established his rapport with Kelvin Benjamin, who made six catches for 91 yards in his first game after missing all of last season. Carolina’s defense was outstanding for three quarters and limited the Broncos to 307 total yards – 159 passing – but the evening was spoiled by surrendering 14 fourth-quarter points.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Newton recorded passing and rushing touchdowns against Denver, his NFL-record 32nd career game with at least one of each.
2. Gabbert has thrown a touchdown pass in 12 straight games dating to 2013.
3. Carolina RB Jonathan Stewart, who rushed for 64 yards on 15 carries last week, has been limited by an ankle injury but is expected to be ready for Sunday.
PREDICTION: Panthers 23, 49ers 17
