Preview Roundups
July 13, 2018
Texas at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
While the Baltimore Orioles haven't had much reason for optimism all season, the Texas Rangers had to believe getting back to .500 in the near future was a possibility, that is, until the calendar flipped to July. The Rangers hope to put a halt to their recent struggles Friday when they kick off the final leg of their 10-game trek with the first of three contests at Baltimore.
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
If the Milwaukee Brewers don’t end up winning the National League Central, their performance within the division might end up being to blame. The Brewers will try to reverse their struggles against division rivals when they continue a five-game road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.
NY Yankees at Cleveland 7:10 PM ET
The New York Yankees hope to continue their torrid power surge when they visit the American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians on Friday night for the second of a four-game series. The Yankees belted three homers - two from Brett Gardner - in Thursday’s 7-4 triumph and own 26 in 12 contests this month to increase their season total to 157 - 26 more than any other team in the majors.
Philadelphia at Miami 7:10 PM ET
The Philadelphia Phillies rebounded from being shut out in their previous encounter to record their 11th win in 15 outings and regain sole possession of first place in the National League East. The Phillies (52-40) look to bolster their position atop the division Friday when they visit their third city in as many nights to open a three-game series against the Miami Marlins (39-56).
Toronto at Boston 7:10 PM ET
Perhaps a blowout loss to the hated New York Yankees almost two weeks ago was a good thing for the Boston Red Sox, who haven't had to sweat very much while posting 10 straight victories. The Red Sox attempt to match their longest winning streak since September 15-25, 2016, on Friday when they host the second of four games against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Washington at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
Noah Syndergaard will make his first start in seven weeks when the last-place New York Mets host the Washington Nationals on Friday for the second of a four-game series between National League East rivals. The 25-year-old won four of his first five decisions this season before suffering a strained ligament in his right index finger and hopes to help the Mets even the series after a 5-4 loss on Thursday night.
Arizona at Atlanta 7:35 PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks arrive in Atlanta to open the final series before the All-Star break Friday against the Braves, and will need their bullpen to stabilize after two rough outings in a row. One day after Arizona relievers allowed 14 runs in a blowout loss at Colorado that forced the Diamondbacks to cover 4 2/3 innings with position players pitching, the bullpen gave up three runs late Thursday in a 5-1 defeat - Arizona’s ninth loss in its past 13 games.
Kansas City at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox will enter the All-Star break with two of the three worst records in baseball after the conclusion of their three-game series, which begins Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Chicago (31-61) has won five of the first seven of 19 meetings this season, part of the reason why it is five games ahead of Kansas City (26-66) in the battle to avoid last place in the American League Central.
Detroit at Houston 8:10 PM ET
Coming off their first series loss at home in more than two months, the Houston Astros look to head into the All-Star break on a high note when they host the Detroit Tigers on Friday night in the opener of a three-game set. The American League West winners had won six in a row before they were cooled off by division rival Oakland, losing three of four.
Tampa Bay at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive as they seek an eighth win in nine games Friday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, who are struggling away from home. Eddie Rosario belted a two-run homer as the Twins posted a 5-1 victory in Thursday's opener of the four-game series to pull within 7 1/2 games of first-place Cleveland in the American League Central.
Cincinnati at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals have been spinning their wheels in the National League Central after splitting 10 contests in July. The Cardinals (47-44) look to find their rhythm and maintain their dominance of the Cincinnati Reds (41-52) on Friday when the division rivals open a three-game series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
Seattle at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
After struggling at Coors Field for much of the season, the Colorado Rockies are showing signs of reclaiming their home-field advantage. The Rockies are 20-23 at home but can take a step closer to the .500 mark on Friday, when they begin a three-game interleague series against the Seattle Mariners.
LA Angels at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
After winning two of three in a home installment of the Freeway Series last weekend, the Los Angeles Angels hope to at least duplicate the result when they visit the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game interleague set that begins Friday. The Angels sandwiched one-run victories around a 3-1 loss when they hosted the Dodgers and followed by taking two of three from Seattle to finish at 4-2 on their homestand.
Chi. Cubs at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs look to head into the All-Star break on a high note when they begin a three-game series against the host San Diego Padres on Friday. The Cubs had their three-series winning streak snapped by San Francisco on Wednesday, while San Diego is limping into the break having lost 18 of its last 24 games.
Oakland at San Francisco 10:15 PM ET
With the four best records in baseball belonging to American League teams, the Oakland Athletics' chances of making the postseason appeared all but dead midway through last month. The Athletics are 19-5 since falling two games below .500 four weeks ago and wrap up a 10-game road trip with the first of three at the San Francisco Giants on Friday night.