Preview Roundups
June 30, 2018
Detroit at Toronto 1:07 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays are well out of contention in the American League at the midway point of the season, but they have managed to regain their mojo at the Rogers Centre. Toronto has won nine of its last 10 at home and looks to keep the momentum going in its four-game series against the fumbling Detroit Tigers on Saturday afternoon.
Minnesota at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
The boom-or-bust nature of the Chicago Cubs’ offense persists, and at this moment their bats are booming. The Cubs have hit double digits on the scoreboard in consecutive games - giving them a major league-best 12 this year - and they'll try to stay hot in the second of a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Saturday.
LA Angels at Baltimore 4:05 PM ET
Former MVP Mike Trout helped his team snap a demoralizing six-game losing streak in the series opener, and the Los Angeles Angels look to build off that effort when they visit the major league-worst Baltimore Orioles on Saturday afternoon. Trout, who returned to center field Friday after being relegated to designated hitter duties by a sprained finger for more than a week, homered and scored twice in the 7-1 victory for the Angels.
Cleveland at Oakland 4:05 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics attempt to extend their season-high winning streak to six games when they host the Cleveland Indians on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. After sweeping a four-game set in Detroit, the Athletics began their five-game homestand Friday with a 3-1 triumph over Cleveland.
Houston at Tampa Bay 4:10 PM ET
The American League West-leading Houston Astros hope to begin another road winning streak when they visit the surging Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday for the third of a four-game series. The Astros managed just three hits during a 3-2 loss Friday night to end an 11-game run away from home and will seek their 31st win in 43 contests on the road as ace Justin Verlander takes the mound.
Milwaukee at Cincinnati 4:10 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers attempt to defeat the Cincinnati Reds for the eighth consecutive time when they visit their National League Central rivals on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series. Cincinnati won the season's first matchup, but the Brewers have won the rest - including Friday's 8-2 triumph.
NY Mets at Miami 4:10 PM ET
Jacob deGrom has not allowed at least three runs in consecutive starts since mid-April, a streak he hopes to keep intact when the New York Mets continue their three-game series at the Miami Marlins on Saturday afternoon. DeGrom initially was scheduled to start the series opener but was pushed back one day to deal with some family issues.
Washington at Philadelphia 6:05 PM ET
Juan Soto is fresh off a legendary performance and the Washington Nationals look for a second straight offensive splurge when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series. The 19-year-old Soto became the first teenager in major-league history with a four-hit, two-homer performance as the Nationals annihilated the Phillies 17-7 on Friday.
Atlanta at St. Louis 7:15 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves know how important their current 10-game road trip is as the surprising National League East leaders look to stay in first place, and they enter Saturday’s contest at the St. Louis Cardinals hoping to build off a solid start. Atlanta won the opening game of its three-city swing Friday, getting three hits each from Dansby Swanson and Johan Camargo in a 5-1 victory that extended the Braves' division lead to three games over Philadelphia.
Boston at NY Yankees 7:15 PM ET
The New York Yankees entered the weekend as baseball's most homer-happy team and the Boston Red Sox entered as the majors' highest-scoring offense, but only one of them showed up in the series opener. After pulling into a virtual tie with Boston atop the American League East with a resounding victory Friday, the Yankees attempt to regain the division lead Saturday when they host the second of three games against the Red Sox.
Colorado at LA Dodgers 7:15 PM ET
Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is playing with a sense of urgency during this weekend’s three-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers and imploring his teammates to do the same. The three-time All-Star set the tone with a solo homer in Friday’s 3-1 victory and will be in the spotlight again Saturday night.
Chi. White Sox at Texas 9:05 PM ET
While any chance they had of challenging for a playoff spot likely fell by the wayside once they dropped 17 games under .500 in mid-June, the Texas Rangers knew taking advantage of a favorable schedule over the rest of the month could give them an opportunity to get back to the even mark. The Rangers hope to secure a fifth straight series victory Saturday, when they continue a three-game home series against the Chicago White Sox.
Kansas City at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners look to register their sixth consecutive victory when they host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Mitch Haniger hit a two-run homer and Mike Zunino belted a solo shot as Seattle posted a 4-1 victory in the series opener.
Pittsburgh at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates have enjoyed life on the road after losing five straight contests at home. The Pirates look to improve to 4-1 on their nine-game trek when they visit the San Diego Padres on Monday.
San Francisco at Arizona 10:10 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants’ revolving door in left field has stopped temporarily with Austin Slater, who hopes to show he can be an everyday solution. The 25-year-old rookie is off to a strong start in his second stint with the team this season and figures to be in the lineup again Saturday when the Giants continue their three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks.