Preview Roundups
July 19, 2017
Chi. Cubs at Atlanta 12:10 PM ET
Maybe the All-Star break provided the reset the Chicago Cubs needed, as the defending World Series champions look to sweep their second series in a row Wednesday at the Atlanta Braves. The Cubs have won five in a row since the break, the first time since 1993 they have won their first five games after the All-Star break, and catcher Wilson Contreras drove in three runs while second baseman Javier Baez collected three hits in Tuesday’s 5-1 victory.
Philadelphia at Miami 12:10 PM ET
Bright spots have been few and far between for the major league-worst Philadelphia Phillies, although Nick Williams is doing his best to make a favorable impression. The 23-year-old has two homers and eight RBIs during his three straight multi-hit performances heading into the team's rubber match of the three-game series versus the host Miami Marlins on Wednesday afternoon.
NY Yankees at Minnesota 1:10 PM ET
While still in pursuit of first place in the American League East, the New York Yankees attempt to extend their lead in the wild-card race when they visit the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon for the rubber match of their three-game series. New York is 3 1/2 games behind Boston for the top spot in the division and owns a 1 1/2-game lead over Minnesota for the second wild card after Tuesday's 6-3 win.
Seattle at Houston 2:10 PM ET
The Houston Astros have experienced a superb season thus far but won't see All-Star Carlos Correa on the field again until sometime in September. Marwin Gonzalez again will assume Correa's shortstop position Wednesday for the finale of Houston's three-game series against the visiting Seattle Mariners after the 22-year-old Correa was forecasted to miss six to eight weeks with a torn ligament in his left thumb.
San Diego at Colorado 3:10 PM ET
The Colorado Rockies are recovering from a dismal slide and look to record their fourth consecutive victory when they conclude a three-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon. The Rockies have rolled up 31 runs during their mini-streak that follows a 5-15 stretch and sustained their revival with a 9-7 victory over the Padres on Tuesday.
Tampa Bay at Oakland 3:35 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays attempt to build off a comeback victory and complete a three-game sweep when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday afternoon. Tampa Bay improved to 4-1 on its six-game road trip Tuesday as it staged a two-out, two-run rally in the ninth inning to post a 4-3 victory.
Cleveland at San Francisco 3:45 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants last won a series at the beginning of the month and they have the opportunity to do so again when they conclude their three-game interleague set against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday afternoon. San Francisco won for just the second time in nine games when it notched a 2-1, 10-inning victory over the Indians on Tuesday to gain a split of the first two contests.
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
Zach Davies has won four consecutive starts since he was pounded by Pittsburgh a month ago and will get another crack at the Pirates when the visiting Milwaukee Brewers continue their four-game series at PNC Park on Wednesday night. Milwaukee is coming back to the pack in the National League Central following its first three-game skid in over a month.
Texas at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles are picking themselves off the mat following a weekend beating at the hands of the World Series champion Chicago Cubs. Buoyed by back-to-back quality starts for the first time since June 1-2, the Orioles look to make it three straight wins Wednesday night when they continue their four-game set against the visiting Texas Rangers.
Arizona at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
Already coming off one of their biggest offensive outbursts of the season, the Arizona Diamondbacks expect to have another potent bat in the lineup when they continue a three-game road series against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. Outfielder J.D. Martinez, acquired Tuesday from Detroit, is expected to join the Diamondbacks on Wednesday and provide another powerful bat in the middle of the lineup.
St. Louis at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals have rebounded from a disastrous stretch by playing their best baseball over the last 2 1/2 weeks. Manager Mike Matheny's club vies for its 14th win in 21 outings overall and fifth straight over the host New York Mets on Wednesday when they play the third contest of a four-game series at Citi Field.
Toronto at Boston 7:10 PM ET
If the Toronto Blue Jays are to make any kind of run for a playoff spot, right-hander Aaron Sanchez will have to be among the players leading the charge. A 15-game winner in 2016, Sanchez is coming off his first victory of the season as he prepares to make the start Wednesday when visiting Toronto resumes its four-game series against the Boston Red Sox.
LA Dodgers at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
Even for a franchise with a history as rich as the Los Angeles Dodgers', no edition of the club over the last century-plus has played better for a longer period of time than this season's squad. The Dodgers eye a season-best 11-game winning streak and their 31st victory in 35 games Wednesday, when they attempt to complete a two-game sweep of the host Chicago White Sox.
Detroit at Kansas City 8:15 PM ET
After parting ways with a former All-Star, the Detroit Tigers will send another potential trade commodity to the mound on Wednesday as struggling veteran Justin Verlander faces the host Kansas City Royals. The 2011 American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner is enduring his worst season since 2008, but his ability to dominate could make him an attractive option at the right price.
Washington at LA Angels 10:07 PM ET
The Washington Nationals reportedly still are exploring the trade market even after adding two relievers earlier this week, but it’s hard to believe they have much more room for improvement. The Nationals are 21 games over .500 and riding a six-game winning streak as they head into Wednesday’s contest against the host Los Angeles Angels, who will be without leadoff hitter Cameron Maybin for the next few weeks.