Preview Roundups
April 07, 2018
Baltimore at NY Yankees 1:05 PM ET
It took more than five hours, but the Baltimore Orioles were able to put together their first winning streak of the season Friday night in New York. The Orioles will try to claim their third straight over the Yankees when the teams continue their four-game series in the Bronx on Saturday.
NY Mets at Washington 1:05 PM ET
It is only seven games, but the Washington Nationals have not played like the team that won three of the past four National League East titles. The Nationals bring a three-game losing streak into Saturday’s home contest against the New York Mets, taking Friday off after being outscored 28-9 during their slide - including an 8-2 rout in Thursday's home opener.
Tampa Bay at Boston 1:05 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox have used dominant pitching and extra-inning magic to put together baseball's longest winning streak at six games in a row. They will try to extend their run and continue the Tampa Bay Rays' six-game slide when the teams continue a three-game series at Fenway Park on Saturday afternoon.
Detroit at Chi. White Sox 2:10 PM ET
It is fitting that the promotion for Saturday afternoon's contest between the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox is a winter hat giveaway since game time temperatures in the Windy City are expected to be in the upper 30s. The players, though, will be used to it after enduring similar conditions Thursday, when Detroit spoiled Chicago's home opener with a 9-7 victory in 10 innings.
Seattle at Minnesota 2:10 PM ET
It is a pretty good bet Minnesota's second home game of the season won't include a bald eagle landing on the shoulder of the opposing pitcher in pregame festivities. The Twins face the Seattle Mariners in the second contest of a three-game set on Saturday and the first game will be recalled for the coolness of Seattle left-hander James Paxton.
Arizona at St. Louis 2:15 PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks send ace Zack Greinke to the mound as they go for a fifth straight victory Saturday afternoon in the middle contest of a three-game series against the host St. Louis Cardinals. Robbie Ray and four relievers held St. Louis to just two hits in its home opener Thursday for a 3-1 victory as the Diamondbacks equaled their best seven-game start in franchise history at 6-1.
Chi. Cubs at Milwaukee 4:05 PM ET
The shutout streak is over for the Milwaukee Brewers, but the late-inning magic continues. The Brewers snapped out of their offensive funk Friday and picked up their third one-run victory, and they’ll try to keep the positive momentum going when they host the Chicago Cubs for the third game of a four-game series Saturday.
Kansas City at Cleveland 4:10 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians know they can't count on Michael Brantley too heavily right away after missing 223 of a possible 324 games over the last two years, but Friday's season debut was another reminder of what his presence means to their struggling lineup. The Indians eye consecutive wins for the first time this season Saturday when they host the Kansas City Royals for the second of a three-game set.
LA Dodgers at San Francisco 6:05 PM ET
The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants was put on hold Friday when a major storm forced the first rainout at AT&T Park since 2006. The teams will attempt to start an abbreviated two-game series Saturday when the Dodgers’ Rich Hill faces the Giants’ Chris Stratton for the second time in less than a week.
Miami at Philadelphia 6:05 PM ET
The Philadelphia Phillies look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season when they host the National League East-rival Miami Marlins on Saturday for the second of a three-game set. The Phillies, who lost four of the first five games on the road, enjoyed their home opener Thursday as Maikel Franco snapped out of an early slump with a triple, a homer and four RBIs in a 5-0 victory over the Marlins.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to their best start since 1976, and they’ll try to stay hot when they host the Cincinnati Reds in the third contest of a four-game series Saturday. The Pirates are tied for the best record in the majors at 6-1.
San Diego at Houston 7:10 PM ET
After a miserable seven-game homestand to begin the season, the San Diego Padres had no problem walking into the home of the defending World Series champions and ending their five-game winning streak. The Padres attempt to build on their most complete performance of the young season Saturday when they continue their three-game road set against the Houston Astros.
Toronto at Texas 8:05 PM ET
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is likely out until midseason because of foot injuries, but the team may have found a capable solution in the meantime. The veteran duo of Yangervis Solarte and Aledmys Diaz is off to a strong start for the Blue Jays, who continue their three-game series against the host Texas Rangers on Saturday.
Atlanta at Colorado 8:10 PM ET
One of the biggest surprises of the early days of the major league season is the productivity of the Atlanta Braves' offense, as they play the middle game of a three-game set Saturday at the Colorado Rockies leading the majors in runs scored. Atlanta rolled to its third consecutive victory Friday in chilly Denver, banging out 11 hits in an 8-3 triumph that gives the Braves 56 runs scored and 74 hits through eight games and a team batting average of .303.
Oakland at LA Angels 9:07 PM ET
Justin Upton's tiebreaking three-run homer in the seventh inning Friday was the most important hit, but it's the long ball that Los Angeles rookie Shohei Ohtani clobbered that drew the most attention. The Angels designated hitting/pitching phenom won't have the opportunity to homer for a fourth straight game when Los Angeles hosts the Oakland Athletics on Saturday in the second contest of their three-game series, which wraps Sunday with Ohtani making his second career start on the mound.