Preview Roundups
July 18, 2017
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
Starling Marte makes his long-awaited return to the lineup Tuesday night for the Pittsburgh Pirates after serving an 80-game suspension for testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance Nandrolone. Marte, suspended on April 18, will be in left field when the Pirates host the Milwaukee Brewers in the second of their four-game series.
Texas at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles needed to play 34 innings before taking their first lead following the All-Star break and the result was the first victory on their current 10-game homestand. Baltimore has a chance to put together consecutive quality starts by its beleaguered rotation when it continues a four-game set Tuesday against the visiting Texas Rangers.
Arizona at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks are facing their first serious adversity of the season as they continue their road trip with a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds beginning Tuesday. Arizona (53-39) has lost five straight -- getting outscored 28-10 -- and dropped 11 of its last 14 games after getting swept in Atlanta over the weekend but still owns a sizable advantage for one of the two wild card spots in the National League.
Philadelphia at Miami 7:10 PM ET
Giancarlo Stanton didn't successfully defend his Home Run Derby title last week, but the slugger is no stranger to testing the limits of the ball park. After recording his third multi-homer game in his last nine outings and 24th career, Stanton aims to continue flexing his muscles on Tuesday as the host Miami Marlins vie for a series victory against the major league-worst Philadelphia Phillies.
St. Louis at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals are attempting to climb back into the National League Central race at the expense of the New York Mets. Winners of four of their last six contests, the visiting Cardinals vie for their fourth straight victory over the Mets on Tuesday when they play the second outing of a four-game series at Citi Field.
Toronto at Boston 7:10 PM ET
The All-Star break did little to jump-start the offense of the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox, who have dropped seven of 10 games and failed to score more than three runs in any of the losses. Boston has scored in only four of its last 42 innings as it continues a four-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.
Chi. Cubs at Atlanta 7:35 PM ET
Anthony Rizzo is stringing together home runs and the Chicago Cubs are stringing together victories, entering the middle contest of a three-game series Tuesday at the Atlanta Braves. Rizzo blasted a homer for the third consecutive game in Monday’s 4-3 victory in Atlanta, the fourth consecutive win for the defending World Series champions to move them 1 ½ games ahead of the Braves as both teams chase a National League wild-card berth.
LA Dodgers at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers have a great chance at matching their season-high 10-game winning streak when they go with ace Clayton Kershaw in the opener of a two-game series at the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. The Dodgers' nine-game run includes five one-run wins, the latest a 3-2 triumph to cap a sweep in Miami on Sunday.
Seattle at Houston 8:10 PM ET
The Houston Astros lead the major leagues in home runs, but it was the Seattle Mariners who used the long ball most effectively during the opener of their three-game set. Seattle matched its season best of four blasts - including back-to-back, 10th-inning shots by Kyle Seager and Danny Valencia - in a 9-7 victory and looks to slay the Astros again Tuesday in the middle contest of the series.
NY Yankees at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
After finishing last season with the worst record in the major leagues, the Minnesota Twins are attempting to turn things around in a huge way. Minnesota looks to grab hold of the second wild card in the American League when it hosts the New York Yankees on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series.
Detroit at Kansas City 8:15 PM ET
The Detroit Tigers have been atrocious away from the Motor City, but they certainly have made themselves at home this season when opposing the Kansas City Royals. Winners of three in a row overall, the Tigers vie for their sixth triumph in eight encounters with the reeling Royals on Tuesday as the American League Central rivals continue their three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.
San Diego at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
The Colorado Rockies have recorded consecutive wins for the first time in four-plus weeks and attempt to continue to dig out of a deep decline when they host the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Colorado lost 15 of 20 games as it fell out of contention in the National League West but has scored 22 runs in the back-to-back victories, including a 9-6 triumph Monday in the opener of a three-game set.
Tampa Bay at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays look to inch closer to first place in the American League East when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Tampa Bay climbed within two games of Boston for the top spot in the division after edging Oakland 3-2 in the series opener.
Washington at LA Angels 10:07 PM ET
The red-hot Washington Nationals continue their nine-game road trip coming out of the All-Star break with a two-game series against the Los Angeles Angels beginning Tuesday and a bolstered bullpen in tow. Left-hander Sean Doolittle and righty Ryan Madson, acquired in a trade with Oakland on Sunday, will join the team in Anaheim and are expected to help shore up the weakest link in first-place Washington's arsenal as its bullpen ERA of 5.31 is last in baseball.
Cleveland at San Francisco 10:15 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians have halted a season-high four-game losing streak and look to protect their American League Central lead when they visit the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Cleveland ended its slide with a 5-3 victory on Monday, maintaining its 1 1/2-game division lead over Minnesota.