Preview Roundups
April 10, 2018
Tampa Bay at Chi. White Sox 2:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays are starting to warm up with the bats and look to win two in a row for the first time this season when they visit the Chicago White Sox Tuesday afternoon for the middle contest of a three-game series. The Rays coughed up a five-run lead Sunday in a demoralizing loss at Boston despite a season-high 11 hits and topped that with 14 one day later in a much-needed 5-4 win to open the series.
Pittsburgh at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs’ home opener is always a special occasion on the North Side, but Mother Nature decided the hoopla would come one day later than scheduled. The Cubs make their debut at Wrigley Field on Tuesday afternoon as they open a three-game series against the red-hot Pittsburgh Pirates after a snowstorm took center stage Monday, but they'll do so without Anthony Rizzo as the first baseman appears headed to the 10-day disabled list for the first time with back tightness.
Detroit at Cleveland 6:10 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians are still working on their offensive woes, but they can move over .500 for the first time this season when they host the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night for the second of a four-game series. The Indians managed just four hits, including Bradley Zimmer’s two-run blast, while reigning Cy Young winner Corey Kluber struck out 13 in a 2-0 victory over the Tigers on Monday to extend their win streak to three.
Atlanta at Washington 7:05 PM ET
The 1-2 combination of Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg is a big reason why the Washington Nationals are the overwhelming favorites to win another National League East title. After Scherzer stifled Atlanta with a complete-game shutout in the series opener, Strasburg aims for his 11th career victory against the Braves when the Nationals host the middle contest of a three-game set Tuesday night.
Toronto at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays aim to clinch their third straight series win when they continue a three-game set against the host Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. After dropping their first two games of the season, the Blue Jays have won seven of nine, claiming series against the Chicago White Sox and Texas before opening the set at Camden Yards with a 7-1 victory.
Cincinnati at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
The Philadelphia Phillies returned from an uneven season-opening road trip to find their offense rarin' to go. After erupting for 34 runs en route to winning three of the first four contests of their six-game homestand, the Phillies look to even their record on Tuesday when they continue a three-game series versus the visiting Cincinnati Reds.
NY Mets at Miami 7:10 PM ET
Signed to a three-year, $39 million contract in January, Jay Bruce has paid immediate dividends to begin the young season with a seven-game hitting streak. The three-time All-Star aims to continue his good fortune as the New York Mets vie for their seventh straight victory in Tuesday's middle contest of a three-game road series versus the Miami Marlins.
NY Yankees at Boston 7:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox edged out the rival New York Yankees for the American League East title last season and started 2018 in a similar fashion, rolling to wins in eight of the first nine games. The Red Sox will test themselves against their rivals for the first time this season when they host the Yankees on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series.
LA Angels at Texas 8:05 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels landed Zack Cozart via free agency and re-signed Justin Upton during the offseason in an effort to fortify the top of their batting order, and the early returns suggest the vision to protect Mike Trout was right on target. The Angels attempt to record their sixth win in seven tries on Tuesday, when they continue their three-game road series against the Texas Rangers.
Houston at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
The Houston Astros' dynamic lineup has struggled to provide offense since their explosive start, but their ability to keep the other team from scoring has proven to be enough more often than not. Buoyed by the stingiest pitching staff in the majors, the Astros set their sights on a fourth straight victory Tuesday, when they continue their three-game series against the host Minnesota Twins.
Seattle at Kansas City 8:15 PM ET
Eric Skoglund has a tough act to follow when he makes his season debut for the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. The 25-year-old left-hander takes the ball for the second contest of a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners, who managed only one hit in the opener.
Milwaukee at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers have had issues in the back end of their bullpen since losing their All-Star closer to injury, but it appears the St. Louis Cardinals aren’t in the clear after adding an All-Star closer to their relief corps. After both teams’ bullpens had a tough time during the late innings in the series opener, they’ll try to give themselves a little more breathing room when the series continues Tuesday in St. Louis.
San Diego at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
Victories have been elusive for the San Diego Padres in the early going this season as they attempt to post back-to-back wins for the first time when they visit the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. San Diego used a 13-hit attack in Monday's opener to edge Colorado 7-6 for only its third triumph of the year.
Oakland at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
The defending National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a 3-6 start and hope their bats begin to wake up as they host the Oakland Athletics in a two-game interleague series beginning Tuesday. Los Angeles, which won at San Francisco 2-1 in 10 innings Sunday, is hitting .213 and tries to get better against Oakland (4-7), which has lost three of four after Sunday's 6-1 setback to the Angels in Anaheim.
Arizona at San Francisco 10:15 PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks are 8-2 despite missing two of their middle-of-the-order hitters, which should cause some concern for the rest of the National League West. Starting pitching has been the early key for Arizona, which continues its three-game series against the host San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.