Preview Roundups
April 14, 2017
Pittsburgh at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs haven’t lost a series since last September, and they’ll try to get a leg up on continuing that trend when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates for the opener of a three-game set Friday. The Cubs were 14-4-1 against the Pirates a year ago and won eight of nine meetings at Wrigley Field, including a pair of three-game sweeps.
Philadelphia at Washington 4:05 PM ET
The Philadelphia Phillies made an early statement with a series win over the Washington Nationals at home last weekend, but they limp into a three-game series in the nation's capital beginning Friday afternoon. After winning two of three against the Nationals - including Saturday's 17-3 rout that included a 12-run first inning - the Phillies then dropped three in a row to the New York Mets.
St. Louis at NY Yankees 7:05 PM ET
The New York Yankees will look for a little more out of ace Masahiro Tanaka when he makes his 2017 home debut in the opener of a three-game series with the visiting St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. Tanaka was pounded at Tampa Bay in his season debut and then gave up three runs on six hits and four walks in five rocky frames at Baltimore on Saturday.
Baltimore at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays resume their quest for their first home win of the season when they continue their four-game set against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. Toronto began the campaign with a 1-5 road trip before dropping the first three contests of its nine-game homestand, including Thursday's 2-1 setback in the series opener.
Detroit at Cleveland 7:10 PM ET
The defending American League champion Cleveland Indians hope to get back on course after losing five of their last six outings when they open a three-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers on Friday. The Indians gave up five runs in the first inning Thursday in a 10-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox and have allowed at least five runs in five of the first nine contests.
Milwaukee at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
The upstart Cincinnati Reds hit a bump in the road, but they’ll try to get back on track Friday in the second contest of a four-game set against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Milwaukee has captured three straight after snapping the Reds’ four-game winning streak with a 5-1 victory in Thursday’s series opener.
NY Mets at Miami 7:10 PM ET
Two of baseball’s hottest sluggers look to continue their early-season barrage when Yoenis Cespedes leads the visiting New York Mets into the second contest of a four-game series Friday at the Miami Marlins and red-hot Marcell Ozuna. Both players continued their recent power surge in Thursday’s 9-8 series-opening victory by the Mets in 16 innings, as Cespedes homered twice and Ozuna blasted a grand slam.
Tampa Bay at Boston 7:10 PM ET
A pair of aces will square off on the mound Friday night when the Boston Red Sox open a four-game series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. Reigning Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello will toe the rubber for the Red Sox as he pursues his 10th win in 11 decisions dating to last season, while Chris Archer gets the nod for the Rays.
San Diego at Atlanta 7:35 PM ET
Julio Teheran started the final game the Atlanta Braves played at Turner Field last season, and Friday he draws the honor of starting the inaugural game at SunTrust Park as the Braves open their new home against the San Diego Padres. The Braves finished a season-opening eight-game road trip with a victory Wednesday at Miami, and now move into their suburban stadium to begin a seven-game homestand with their ace on the mound.
Chi. White Sox at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins are putting a difficult season behind quickly with a strong start to 2017 and look to continue moving forward when they open a 10-game homestand against the Chicago White Sox on Friday. The Twins, who opened 2016 with nine straight losses and finished with the worst record in the majors, have won six of nine this season after Thursday’s 11-5 win at Detroit.
LA Angels at Kansas City 8:15 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals can thank a sputtering offense for their less-than-ideal start to the season, while the Los Angeles Angels know their rotation needs to improve if they want to build upon their best 10-game start since 2008. A pair of teams hoping to solve their early shortcomings meet for the first of three games Friday, when Los Angeles visits Kansas City.
Houston at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
Josh Reddick makes his return to Oakland on Friday as the Houston Astros look to make it three wins in a row when they continue their six-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series against the Athletics. Reddick enjoyed the most productive seasons of his career with Oakland, playing 4 1/2 campaigns with the club before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 1.
Arizona at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
Zack Greinke faces his former team Friday as the surprising Arizona Diamondbacks take a 7-3 record into the opener of a three-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers. Greinke, who joined Arizona last year after three stellar seasons with the Dodgers, recorded his first victory on Saturday but will need an even better outing to outduel Clayton Kershaw.
Texas at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
The Texas Rangers used a 47-29 record inside their division last year to create the nine-game gap between themselves and the Seattle Mariners, allowing them to win the American League West going away. The Rangers are off to a good start in repeating that success in the West this season after winning their last two series against division rivals and hope to carry that momentum into Seattle over the weekend as the teams begin a three-game set.
Colorado at San Francisco 10:15 PM ET
The Colorado Rockies still have injury issues and questions in their starting rotation, but their bullpen could finish the season as the best in franchise history. New closer Greg Holland has converted all six of his save opportunities for the Rockies, who continue their four-game series against the host San Francisco Giants on Friday.