Preview Roundups
April 14, 2018
Baltimore at Boston 1:05 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox continue to roll and are scoring runs in bunches - something that was a big problem for the team last season. The Red Sox will try to continue the offensive onslaught and clinch at least a split of the four-game series when they host the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.
Colorado at Washington 1:05 PM ET
Colorado star Nolan Arenado immediately appealed the five-game suspension he was dealt and is expected to again be in the lineup when the Rockies visit the Washington Nationals on Saturday in the third contest of a four-game set. Arenado and teammate Gerardo Parra (four games) were penalized on Friday for their role in Wednesday's melee with the San Diego Padres.
St. Louis at Cincinnati 1:10 PM ET
Jose Martinez and Yadier Molina already were hitting reasonably well prior to the start of this weekend's series in Cincinnati, and little has changed after facing the Reds' woeful pitching staff each of the last two days. Buoyed by a resurgent offense, the St. Louis Cardinals eye their first three-game winning streak of the season Saturday afternoon, when they meet the Reds for the third of four games at Great American Ball Park.
NY Yankees at Detroit 1:10 PM ET
The Detroit Tigers dropped their fifth straight game on Friday, but the way they hit in the last few innings should give the team some positive momentum going into the weekend. The Tigers will try to keep the bats going and even the series when they host the New York Yankees in the second of a three-game series on Saturday.
Chi. White Sox at Minnesota 2:10 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins hope to have the opportunity to extend their winning streak to four games on Saturday, but their contest against the visiting Chicago White Sox again is in jeopardy due to snow after Friday's contest was postponed. Minnesota recorded its third straight victory on Thursday, a 4-0 triumph in the opener of its four-game series against Chicago.
Atlanta at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
Role players and rookies are leading the way for the surprising Atlanta Braves, who look to continue their hot start with a second straight win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon. The Cubs hope to turn things around after dropping three of their first four home games.
Texas at Houston 4:05 PM ET
Charlie Morton enjoyed the best season of his career in his first year with the Houston Astros in 2017 and is off to another fast start as he prepares to make his third start on Saturday afternoon against the visiting Texas Rangers. A 14-game winner for the Astros a year ago, Morton has not allowed an earned run in his first two outings to continue his success at Minute Maid Park.
Toronto at Cleveland 4:10 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays look to continue their strong start with the bats when they visit two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber and the Cleveland Indians for the middle contest of a three-game set on Saturday afternoon. The Blue Jays are averaging almost six runs over the last 12 games while winning nine times after rallying from an early 4-0 deficit for an 8-4 victory over the Indians on Friday night.
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay 6:10 PM ET
The Philadelphia Phillies have rebounded from a tumultuous start to the season with six victories in the last seven outings as they prepare to visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday for the second of a three-game interleague series. First-year manager Gabe Kapler was taking criticism while the Phillies opened with four losses in five games, but they edged the Rays 2-1 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.
Milwaukee at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
The New York Mets own the best record in the majors and thus have not needed much of a contribution from offseason signee Todd Frazier. That changed on Friday night as Frazier swatted his first two homers for the Mets, who are off to their best start in franchise history and take a nine-game winning streak into Saturday's matchup against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers.
Pittsburgh at Miami 7:10 PM ET
The Miami Marlins probably won't have too many winning streaks this season but they have a chance to record their first in 2018 when they continue a three-game series with the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. Justin Bour homered and four pitchers combined on a five-hitter as the Marlins picked up a 7-2 win in the series opener.
LA Angels at Kansas City 7:15 PM ET
Since losing their season opener in Oakland, the Los Angeles Angels have been unbeatable on the road this season. They look to extend their winning streak away from home to nine games when they visit the Kansas City Royals on Saturday for the third contest of their four-game series.
San Francisco at San Diego 8:40 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants brought in Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen during the offseason to boost their lagging offense, but the early returns have been decidedly mixed. The veteran duo looks to get untracked Saturday when the Giants continue their four-game series against the host San Diego Padres, who have had their own early-season struggles at the plate.
Arizona at LA Dodgers 9:10 PM ET
While Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt continues to search for his swing, the team is receiving a welcome power boost from some unexpected sources. Daniel Descalso and Nick Ahmed each homered Friday for the red-hot Diamondbacks, who aim for an 11th straight regular-season victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday when they continue their three-game series at Chavez Ravine.
Oakland at Seattle 9:10 PM ET
Nelson Cruz is counting on coming off the 10-day disabled list when the Seattle Mariners host the Oakland Athletics on Saturday in the middle contest of a three-game set. Cruz suffered a sprained right ankle when he slipped on the dugout steps after homering on March 31.