Preview Roundups
July 15, 2018
Texas at Baltimore 1:05 PM ET
After battling injuries and ineffectiveness for the first three-plus months of the season, Jonathan Schoop this month is looking more like the young player who appeared in his first All-Star Game last season. The Baltimore Orioles' second baseman attempts to get his team a rare series victory on Sunday, when it hosts the Texas Rangers for the rubber match of their three-game set.
Toronto at Boston 1:05 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox were a few outs away from following a 10-game winning streak with back-to-back losses, but the major's best team decided that was unacceptable. The Red Sox will try to go into the All-Star break with their 12th win in 13 games and a series victory when they host the Toronto Blue Jays in the finale of a four-game set on Sunday.
NY Yankees at Cleveland 1:10 PM ET
If the Cleveland Indians' goal entering the weekend was to prove they are a team different from the one that got swept by the New York Yankees earlier in the season, they appear to be falling short. The Indians attempt to end the first half on a high note and earn a split of their four-game series when they host the Yankees on Sunday.
Philadelphia at Miami 1:10 PM ET
The Philadelphia Phillies lost Saturday's contest at the Miami Marlins and also won't have their scheduled starter for the finale of a three-game series Sunday afternoon. Zach Eflin was set to start the Phillies' final game before the All-Star break but was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a blister.
Washington at NY Mets 1:10 PM ET
The Washington Nationals are hoping to make a run after the All-Star break, but they're limping into the intermission and could use a win in the final game before the midsummer classic Sunday at the New York Mets. The Nationals have lost two of the first three in the four-game set, including a 7-4 decision Saturday that dropped them below .500 (47-48).
Arizona at Atlanta 1:35 PM ET
Strong play away from home has led the Arizona Diamondbacks into contention in the National League West, and they aim to win a franchise-record 54th contest before the All-Star break while capping a road sweep of the Atlanta Braves on Sunday in the finale of a three-game series. Arizona stifled the Braves offense for the second consecutive game in Saturday’s 3-0 victory, winning for the 14th time in its past 18 road contests.
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh 1:35 PM ET
A week ago the Pittsburgh Pirates were fighting to stay out of the National League Central cellar, but now they’re trying to finish off a rare five-game sweep of a Milwaukee Brewers team they just knocked out of the division lead. The Pirates have won seven of their last eight to pull within two games of .500, and they’ll try to go into the All-Star break with another win over the visiting Brewers on Sunday.
Kansas City at Chi. White Sox 2:10 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals are guaranteed to head into the All-Star break with the worst record in the American League Central but have a chance to finish out the first half with rare back-to-back wins. The Royals will try to secure consecutive victories for the first time since May 29-30 when they visit the Chicago White Sox for the finale of a three-game series on Sunday.
Detroit at Houston 2:10 PM ET
Justin Verlander made a major impact when he was traded to the world champion Houston Astros last July and faces his only former team for the first time Sunday when the Detroit Tigers visit for the finale of the three-game set. Verlander went 183-114 in 13 seasons with the Tigers before posting a 9-1 record, including the postseason, with Houston last year and has carried that performance level over to 2018.
Tampa Bay at Minnesota 2:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays hope to build off a historic offensive outburst when they visit the Minnesota Twins on Sunday afternoon to complete a four-game set before heading into the All-Star break. The Rays matched a franchise record with 19 runs and pounded out a season-high 20 hits, including three homers, in a come-from-behind victory Saturday that clinched the season series for the ninth time in the last 12 years (9-1-2).
Cincinnati at St. Louis 2:15 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds' offense is feasting on the St. Louis Cardinals' bullpen this weekend. The Reds will try to pound their way to a series sweep and take some momentum into the break when they visit the Cardinals for the finale of the three-game set on Sunday.
Seattle at Colorado 3:10 PM ET
The All-Star break can’t come soon enough for the Seattle Mariners, who own the fourth-best record in the major leagues but have dropped seven of their last 10 games. The Mariners opened their three-game interleague series against the host Colorado Rockies with back-to-back losses and look to avoid a sweep on Sunday.
Oakland at San Francisco 4:05 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics attempt to go into the All-Star break with six consecutive series victories when they visit the San Francisco Giants on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game interleague set. Oakland avoided its first series loss since enduring a three-game sweep by Houston from June 12-14 by edging the Giants 4-3 on Saturday.
LA Angels at LA Dodgers 4:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers may want to consider pitching around Kole Calhoun when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game Freeway Series. Calhoun has hit three of his nine homers on the season in the first two contests of the set, including a two-out shot in the 10th inning on Saturday that gave the Dodgers a 5-4 victory.
Chi. Cubs at San Diego 4:10 PM ET
Thousands of Chicago Cubs fans have taken over Petco Park during this weekend's series against the San Diego Padres, and they've had plenty to cheer about in the first two days. Chicago aims for a sweep of the three-game set on Sunday after rallying for a 5-4, 10-inning win in the opener and collecting 13 hits in Saturday’s 11-6 victory.