Preview Roundups
April 08, 2017
Boston at Detroit 1:10 PM ET
The depleted Boston Red Sox hope to have a more complete roster at their disposal when they continue a four-game series at the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. After placing two players on the bereavement list and another on the disabled list Thursday, the Red Sox were without key bats Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez in Friday's series opener due to a flu bug that is wreaking havoc on the clubhouse.
Minnesota at Chi. White Sox 2:10 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins are making an early statement - one they hope will continue Saturday against the host Chicago White Sox. The Twins, expected by most to be among the American League's worst teams, have won their first four games following a 3-1 victory in Friday's series opener.
Cincinnati at St. Louis 2:15 PM ET
Shortstop Zack Cozart looks to continue a hot start with the bat when his Cincinnati Reds visit the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday afternoon in search of their fourth consecutive victory. The 31-year-old, who has never batted better than .254 in a full season, boasts three straight multi-hit games and is 7-for-13 overall with three RBIs in the early going for the improved Reds.
NY Yankees at Baltimore 4:05 PM ET
The struggling New York Yankees will look for a rebound performance from their ace when they continue a three-game series at the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday. Masahiro Tanaka's season-opening loss at Tampa Bay set the tone for the Yankees' 1-3 start, which includes a 6-5 loss in the opener at Camden Yards on Friday.
Toronto at Tampa Bay 6:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays are showing signs their offense may be much improved this season and they hope to build on the hot start when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday in the third of a four-game set. The Rays, who finished 14th in the American League in scoring last season, have averaged seven runs in their three wins after outslugging the Blue Jays 10-8 on Friday.
Atlanta at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves have struggled to produce runs through four games, and they may be without their one hot hitter entering Saturday’s middle game of a three-game series at the Pittsburgh Pirates. Left fielder Matt Kemp, who has eight hits in 16 at-bats with four doubles and two homers so far, left Friday’s 5-4 loss in the sixth inning after his right hamstring tightened.
Washington at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
Aaron Nola and Jeremy Guthrie return to the mound following long absences from regular-season action on Saturday when the Philadelphia Phillies host the Washington Nationals. The Nationals aim to stay hot after winning Friday's series opener 7-6 behind a solid start from Max Scherzer and three home runs.
Kansas City at Houston 7:10 PM ET
The offensive struggles that dogged the Kansas City Royals near the end of spring training spilled over to the start of the regular season, leading to an embarrassing sweep against the majors' worst team a year ago. The Royals showed their first signs of life at the plate thanks to some help from Houston on Friday but face a formidable challenge in their attempt to keep it going one day later when they face Dallas Keuchel and the Astros in the second of their three-game set.
Miami at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
Christian Yelich hit .310 in the World Baseball Classic, and the Miami Marlins’ left fielder has carried that hot streak into the regular season as the Marlins play Saturday at the New York Mets in the middle game of a three-game series. Yelich went 2-for-5 Friday in Miami’s series-opening 7-2 victory Friday - a contest in which Yelich homered at Citi Field for the fourth consecutive game dating back to last season.
Chi. Cubs at Milwaukee 7:10 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs have given fans their money’s worth so far in 2017, playing three one-run games while their first four contests have been decided by a total of five runs. The defending world-champion Cubs wouldn’t mind a lopsided win for a change as they play the middle contest of their three-game road series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.
Oakland at Texas 8:05 PM ET
The Texas Rangers attempt to make it two wins in a row after opening the season with a three-game losing streak as they continue their three-game series against the visiting Oakland Athletics on Saturday. Texas was swept at home by Cleveland before scoring eight times in the first two innings en route to a 10-5 triumph over Oakland in Friday's series opener.
Cleveland at Arizona 8:10 PM ET
With their offense clicking out of the gate, the Arizona Diamondbacks are displaying a never-say-die attitude under new manager Torey Lovullo. Arizona has come from behind in each of its four victories and heads into Saturday’s matchup against the visiting Cleveland Indians as one of the top hitting teams in the major leagues.
LA Dodgers at Colorado 8:10 PM ET
For all the things that went right for the Los Angeles Dodgers en route to their fourth consecutive National League West title last season, they had their fair share of trouble solving left-handed starting pitching. After struggling against another southpaw Friday, the Dodgers hope they can remain undefeated against right-handers one day later as they continue a three-game set in Colorado against the Rockies.
San Francisco at San Diego 8:40 PM ET
After turning in a record-setting performance on Opening Day, ace Madison Bumgarner may need another stellar effort against the host San Diego Padres on Saturday to get the San Francisco Giants back in the win column. Much like last season, the bullpen has been a primary concern for the Giants, who have dropped four of their first five games.
Seattle at LA Angels 10:07 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels look to take advantage of the offensively challenged Seattle Mariners again Saturday as they continue their three-game home series against their American League West rivals. Los Angeles emerged victorious in its home opener Friday, pounding out 11 hits en route to a 5-1 triumph.