Preview Roundups
April 20, 2018
Kansas City at Detroit 1:10 PM ET
The Detroit Tigers are starting to turn things around following a dreadful start to the season that was interrupted by a string of weather-related postponements. After completing a three-game sweep of one slumping club, the Tigers prepare to face another one when they host the Kansas City Royals in a four-game set beginning with a split-doubleheader on Friday.
Cleveland at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles have the most losses in the American League, due primarily in part to a grueling early-season schedule that has seen the team play 13 of its 19 games on the road. The skidding Orioles have dropped six in a row but hope to get back on track when they kick off a 10-game homestand with the first of four against the Cleveland Indians on Friday night.
Toronto at NY Yankees 7:05 PM ET
The New York Yankees did not get off to the start they were hoping for over the first three weeks of the regular season, but Aaron Judge is trying to pull them out of the hole. Judge will attempt to continue his hot start and clinch at least a tie of the four-game series when the Yankees host the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
Wednesday's offensive explosion from the Pittsburgh Pirates is looking like the outlier in an otherwise poor stretch of offense. The Pirates will try to bounce back from being shut out in a series opener and even the four-game set at one win apiece when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies for the second matchup on Friday night.
Minnesota at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins endured a strange schedule over the last few weeks but have not lost their momentum as they prepare to visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night to open a three-game series. The Twins had four games postponed due to poor weather between April 8-15, followed that up with a two-game series as the home team in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but still managed won four of their last five contests overall.
Kansas City at Detroit 7:10 PM ET
The Detroit Tigers are starting to turn things around following a dreadful start to the season that was interrupted by a string of weather-related postponements. After completing a three-game sweep of one slumping club, the resurgent Tigers prepare to face another one when they host the Kansas City Royals in a four-game set beginning with a split-doubleheader on Friday.
NY Mets at Atlanta 7:35 PM ET
Kurt Suzuki hit 87 homers across the first 4,304 at-bats of his major-league career, but the Atlanta Braves catcher enters Friday’s home game against the New York Mets on quite the power surge. Suzuki smacked his third homer of the young season and his 18th in 204 at-bats since last July 2, helping propel the Braves to a convincing 12-4 victory over New York in Thursday’s series opener that pulled Atlanta within two games of the first-place Mets in the National League East.
Seattle at Texas 8:05 PM ET
Felix Hernandez has lost more games against the Texas Rangers than versus any other opponent during his 14 major-league seasons. The right-hander aims to improve his career record against Texas to 20-24 when the Seattle Mariners visit the Rangers on Friday for the opener of their three-game series.
Houston at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
The Houston Astros regained their footing after losing five of six by erupting for 20 runs during their three-game winning streak. The Astros aim to provide plenty of run support for reigning American League Player of the Week Justin Verlander on Friday as they open a three-game series against the host Chicago White Sox, who have matched their worst start since 1997.
Miami at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers were unable to post a third consecutive shutout in the opener of their four-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins, but they managed to break out offensively. Milwaukee reached double digits in runs for the first time this season in the 12-3 victory and looks to continue that success at the plate when it hosts Miami on Friday.
Cincinnati at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
The reeling Cincinnati Reds are bidding that a change in leadership will alter their fortunes on Friday when they open a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Jim Riggleman, who last managed in the majors with the Washington Nationals in June 2011, was named the interim manager after Bryan Price was dismissed following the Reds' 3-15 start to the season.
Chi. Cubs at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
After showing signs of getting their offense going, the Chicago Cubs will be eager to get to Coors Field for a three-game series that begins on Friday. After seven contests on the road, the Colorado Rockies also will welcome a return to their hitter-happy confines.
San Diego at Arizona 9:40 PM ET
As they have matched the best start in franchise history, the Arizona Diamondbacks are sending an early message to their rivals in the National League West. The Diamondbacks are sitting atop the division as they begin a three-game series Friday against the visiting San Diego Padres.
Boston at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
Since losing their season opener, the Boston Red Sox have gone on to win 16 of 17 contests and sport the best record in the major leagues. Boston looks to extend its winning streak to eight games when it visits the Oakland Athletics on Friday for the opener of their three-game series.
San Francisco at LA Angels 10:07 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels look to end a three-game slide when they host the San Francisco Giants on Friday in the opener of their three-game interleague series. The Angels were one of the hottest teams in baseball when they started 13-3, but they were outscored 27-3 while being swept of a three-game home set by the even hotter Boston Red Sox.
Washington at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals entered the season as the favorites to win the National League pennant, but the first month hasn't exactly followed the script for either club. However, both teams have started to pick up the pace in the last week and will try to reach the .500 mark Friday when the Nationals visit the Dodgers for the start of a three-game set.