Preview Roundups
April 21, 2017
Boston at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
Mookie Betts and the Boston Red Sox have answered a slow start out of the blocks by running full speed ahead over the last eight contests. Betts collected 15 hits to help Boston claim six wins in that stretch heading into Friday's opener of a three-game series against the host Baltimore Orioles.
NY Yankees at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
CC Sabathia's days as the unquestioned ace of the New York Yankees have long since passed, but the veteran left-hander is pitching like a top-of-the-rotation starter through his first three outings. Sabathia will get the start as the sizzling Yankees open a six-game road trip Friday night against the slumping Pittsburgh Pirates.
Atlanta at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves have enjoyed pronounced highs and lows already this season, as manager Brian Snitker's charges answered a five-game losing skid by winning five in a row before getting swept in a three to conclude a seven-game homestand at SunTrust Park. The Braves look to stop the bleeding when they begin a nine-game road trip on Friday with the first of three contests against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Chi. Cubs at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds hope to be a surprise challenger to the World Series champion Chicago Cubs in the National League Central, and the young Reds can make a statement to that effect when they host the Cubs for a three-game series starting Friday. Cincinnati leads Chicago by a half-game entering the weekend, but the Reds have cooled after their hot start, dropping five of their last seven.
Houston at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
Steven Souza Jr. is off to the best start of his career and the outfielder has been a major reason why the Tampa Bay Rays boast eight wins in 10 home games while batting .432 at Tropicana Field with 11 of his 15 RBIs. Souza looks to continue leading the way when the Rays host the surging Houston Astros on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.
Washington at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper are flexing their muscles and the Washington Nationals are in the early stages of kicking sand in the face of their division rivals heading into Friday's opener of a three-game series versus the host New York Mets. Zimmerman, who has hit safely in 12 of 15 contests, launched a grand slam on Wednesday and went deep the following day as Washington won its fourth straight and seventh in nine games with a 3-2 victory over Atlanta.
Kansas City at Texas 8:05 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers each entered their four-game series struggling to score runs, and those struggles continued as the teams combined to push across one over 13 innings on Thursday. The teams will each try to cross the plate in the standard nine frames when Texas hosts the second game of the set on Friday.
Cleveland at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
The Chicago White Sox went 5-4 on their just-completed road trip but come home with a sour taste after dropping two of three to the New York Yankees. The White Sox began that trek by winning a series in Cleveland and will try to get a leg up on their division rival again when they host the Indians for the opener of their three-game set on Friday.
Detroit at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
Justin Verlander attempts to rebound from one of the ugliest outings of his career when the Detroit Tigers continue their nine-game road trip with a visit to the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Verlander was shelled in his last start against the Cleveland Indians, matching his career worst by surrendering nine runs.
St. Louis at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
Eric Thames is the hottest hitter in the majors and the Milwaukee Brewers are trying to ride his bat to series wins. Thames will try to add to his major-league lead in home runs and clinch at least a tie of the four-game set when the Brewers visit the St. Louis Cardinals for the second contest on Friday.
San Francisco at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
Johnny Cueto looks to remain perfect on the season when he takes the ball for the San Francisco Giants on Friday in the opener of a three-game series at the Colorado Rockies. San Francisco lost three of four to National League West rival Colorado a week ago, with Cueto supplying the lone victory to improve to 3-0 on the season.
LA Dodgers at Arizona 9:40 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers have scored 17 runs while going 2-4 on the road this season, with 10 coming in one victory. Los Angeles will try to improve its performance away from home when it visits the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday for the opener of their three-game series.
Seattle at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics have turned it up offensively, scoring a total of 22 runs during a three-game winning streak that has followed a four-game slide. Oakland hopes to continue its onslaught Friday as it hosts the Seattle Mariners for the second contest of their four-game series.
Toronto at LA Angels 10:07 PM ET
A lack of offense recently has ruined what was the Los Angeles Angels' best start in 43 years, while nearly three weeks of run-scoring ineptitude has already sent the Toronto Blue Jays to their worst start in club history. Two teams in desperate need of a quick turnaround meet up for the opener of a four-game set Friday when Los Angeles hosts Toronto.
Miami at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
Wil Myers became the face of the San Diego Padres last season and represented the team in the All-Star Game at Petco Park but appears to be on to bigger things this year. The standout first baseman looks to extend his National League-best hitting streak to 12 games on Friday, when the Padres host the Miami Marlins in the opener of their three-game series.