Preview Roundups
April 07, 2017
Atlanta at Pittsburgh 1:05 PM ET
Andrew McCutchen made a handful of stellar plays in his first two games in right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and now he looks to get going offensively starting Friday in the home opener against the Atlanta Braves. The long-time Pirates center fielder took away a two-run homer and threw out a runner at the plate in Pittsburgh’s extra-inning loss Wednesday, which preceded a rainout of Thursday’s series finale.
Boston at Detroit 1:10 PM ET
Two teams heavily impacted by bad weather in the early going meeting Friday in Detroit, where the Tigers open their home schedule with the first of four games against the Boston Red Sox. Detroit was rained out twice in a season-opening series at the Chicago White Sox, which resulted in a two-game split after its 11-2 loss Thursday afternoon.
Washington at Philadelphia 3:05 PM ET
Max Scherzer begins defense of his National League Cy Young Award on Friday when the Washington Nationals open a three-game series at Philadelphia. The Phillies return home after losing two of three to the Cincinnati Reds, while the Nationals' bullpen struggled in Friday's loss to Miami as the team failed to complete a three-game sweep.
LA Dodgers at Colorado 4:10 PM ET
Denver native Kyle Freeland has yet to make his first official pitch in the majors, but his first taste of big-league action this season against the Los Angeles Dodgers proved to be a bit of a struggle. One of the Colorado Rockies' top pitching prospects will make his major-league debut Friday when the Rockies host the Dodgers in their home opener.
San Francisco at San Diego 6:40 PM ET
Brandon Crawford may seem like an unlikely fifth-place hitter for the San Francisco Giants, but his recent production suggests that he’s in the perfect spot. Crawford looks to continue his hot start Friday as the Giants begin a three-game series against the host San Diego Padres, who opened the season by dropping three of their first four games on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
NY Yankees at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The Baltimore Orioles are thriving on the mound in the early going and now take on a struggling offense when the New York Yankees visit for the opener of a three-game series Friday night. Dylan Bundy struck out eight batters over seven innings to lead the Orioles to a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, two days after six pitchers combined to help Baltimore secure a 3-2 victory in 11 innings.
Miami at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
Zack Wheeler makes the 50th start of his career Friday night when the New York Mets host the Miami Marlins, as the former first-round draft pick returns to a major-league mound for the first time in two years, six months and 13 days. Wheeler missed all of the past two seasons due to Tommy John surgery and related setbacks, but reached the mid-90s with his fastball in spring training.
Toronto at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
Kendrys Morales made a major impact for the first time this season in the series opener and hopes to build off that performance when his Toronto Blue Jays visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday in the second of a four-game set. Morales delivered a two-out grand slam in the third inning Thursday and the Blue Jays held on for their first victory of the season - a 5-2 triumph.
Oakland at Texas 8:05 PM ET
After being swept in their season-opening three-game series against Cleveland, the Texas Rangers seek their first win of 2017 when they host the Oakland Athletics on Friday. Texas, the reigning American League West champions, will need better pitching performances after allowing 21 runs in the set versus the Indians.
Kansas City at Houston 8:10 PM ET
Despite a solid showing by the bullpen, the Kansas City Royals missed out on a chance to defend their World Series crown last year in part due to a lackluster offense. Neither area is faring particularly well for the Royals in the early going of the 2017 season - a trend they would like to end no later than Friday, when they begin a three-game series against the host Houston Astros.
Minnesota at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
Especially considering they are coming off their worst season as a franchise since moving to Minnesota in 1961, the most surprising team through the first week of the season has to be the Twins. Minnesota swept Kansas City in dominant fashion and will look to keep the momentum going into Friday's series opener against the host Chicago White Sox.
Chi. Cubs at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs have to wait a few more days for their home opener, but the reigning World Series champions will invade the park they’ve dubbed Wrigley Field North on Friday as they begin a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs were 4-5 at Miller Park last season after going 8-2 there in 2015.
Cincinnati at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds struggled through three straight sub-.500 seasons and the opening series of 2017 showed some signs that things could be different this time around. The Reds look to build off winning two of their first three contests when they visit the Central Division-rival St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night to begin a three-game set.
Cleveland at Arizona 9:40 PM ET
Nobody knows quite what to expect this season from Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley, but the early returns have been promising. Brantley likely will be in the lineup Friday as the unbeaten Indians begin a three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks, who opened the season by taking three of four from San Francisco.
Seattle at LA Angels 10:07 PM ET
After a disappointing start to the season, the Seattle Mariners look to make it two wins in a row when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Seattle scored a total of four runs in losing its first three contests of 2017 before salvaging the finale of its four-game set at Houston on Thursday.