The Pittsburgh Pirates rediscovered their offense to snap a four-game losing skid and put themselves in position to win their second series of the season against the Cincinnati Reds heading into Thursday afternoon's rubber match at Great American Ball Park. The Pirates (27-21) had mustered just 11 runs during their four-game losing streak after averaging 6.3 in winning eight of their previous nine contests.

The Los Angeles Angels failed to overcome a fast start by Toronto to fall short in the opener of their 10-game road trip, but a late surge against the Blue Jays the following night evened their three-game series at one victory apiece. The visiting Angels (27-22) aim to ride that momentum into Thursday afternoon's rubber match against the Blue Jays (23-26), who have lost eight of their last 10.

The Chicago White Sox are enjoying their best stretch of the season, and they look to complete their eight-game homestand with a 6-2 record when they face the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday afternoon. Chicago is 2-1 entering the finale of the four-game set, and Wednesday's 11-1 victory was its best offensive output since it scored 14 runs in its season opener.

The Seattle Mariners attempt to extend their winning streak to six games when they visit the American League West-rival Oakland Athletics on Thursday afternoon for the finale of their three-game series. After capturing the final three contests of its four-game home set versus Detroit, Seattle has posted a pair of one-run victories in Oakland.

The Houston Astros attempt to extend a pair of winning streaks when they begin their seven-game road trip Thursday with the opener of a four-game series against the Cleveland Indians. Houston, which has won two straight away from home, topped San Francisco 4-1 on Wednesday for its third consecutive overall victory.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello already has seen more of the Tampa Bay Rays in less than two months than most pitchers do of one opponent in a season. Porcello will make his 11th start of the year -- and fourth against the Rays -- when the American League East-leading Red Sox go for a three-game sweep at Tampa Bay on Thursday.

The Texas Rangers racked up the runs during a confidence-building series against the New York Yankees and look to continue the production when they open a four-game series versus the visiting Kansas City Royals on Thursday. Texas belted seven homers and produced 23 runs while winning two of three from New York, including Wednesday's 12-10 triumph.

Off to the best 50-game start in club history, the Milwaukee Brewers look to keep rolling when they open a four-game series against the visiting New York Mets on Thursday. Milwaukee surged to the top of the National League Central by winning 10 of 13 contests and opened its 10-game homestand with a three-game sweep of Arizona.