Preview Roundups
September 22, 2018
Philadelphia at Atlanta 1:05 PM ET
Ozzie Albies belted 20 homers in the first half of the season before a major power outage, but the Atlanta Braves second baseman put his team in position to clinch the National League East title at home Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Albies, mired in a 1-for-22 slump, blasted just his third longball of the second half to jump start a five-run seventh inning Friday as the Braves rallied for a 6-5 victory, lowering their magic number to clinch the division crown to two.
San Francisco at St. Louis 1:05 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals began their final homestand of 2018 with a victory and look to make it two in a row when they continue their three-game series against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday afternoon. St. Louis squandered a two-run lead in the seventh inning but received a two-run double from pinch-hitter Matt Adams in the eighth as it posted its fourth win in five games.
Baltimore at NY Yankees 4:05 PM ET
The New York Yankees struggled against the last-place Baltimore Orioles for much of the season, but they have exerted their dominance in the series over the past two-plus months. New York looks to make it six consecutive wins over the major league-worst Orioles when the teams resume their three-game series Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
NY Mets at Washington 4:05 PM ET
The Washington Nationals entered the season with expectations of winning a third consecutive National League East title. With eight games remaining, the goals are much more modest - a winning record - for the Nationals, who will try to rebound from consecutive losses when they continue a four-game set against the visiting New York Mets on Saturday afternoon.
Tampa Bay at Toronto 4:07 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays produced a loud answer to a dispiriting loss and look to build off that effort when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon for the third of a four-game set between American League East rivals. The Rays damaged their slim hopes for a wild-card spot by coughing up a six-run lead in the ninth inning Friday but responded with 15 hits in an 11-3 rout just 24 hours later.
Kansas City at Detroit 6:10 PM ET
Victor Martinez has been named an All-Star five times and played in 1,972 games over 16 seasons in the majors, including 968 with the Detroit Tigers. The 39-year-old designated hitter will play in one more time Saturday before effectively calling it a career when the Tigers host the Kansas City Royals for the third of a four-game set.
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers opened their final road trip in impressive fashion and look to keep the pressure on in the National League Central division race when they continue a three-game series at the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. Four home runs - including the 30th of the season by Travis Shaw - led the Brewers to an 8-3 victory in the series opener Friday night.
Boston at Cleveland 7:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox can set a new franchise record for wins in a season when they go for No. 106 against the host Cleveland Indians on Saturday night in a battle of two playoff-bound teams. The Red Sox rested several regulars in the series opener Friday but registered 13 hits en route to a 7-5 victory that tied the record set by the 1912 team which went 105-47 in 152 contests.
Chi. Cubs at Chi. White Sox 7:10 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs have been pounded in two straight games, a trend they hope to cut short when they play the middle contest of a three-game series at the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. After falling 9-0 at Arizona on Wednesday, the Cubs opened the Windy City Showdown with a 10-4 loss on Friday.
Cincinnati at Miami 7:10 PM ET
The Miami Marlins are poised for their eighth last-place division finish in club history, but their pitching at home over the final two-thirds of the season is one area in which they can feel good about heading into the offseason. The Marlins set their sights on a fourth win in six games Saturday when they host the Cincinnati Reds for the third contest of their four-game set.
LA Angels at Houston 7:10 PM ET
The Houston Astros have clinched a playoff berth and will continue to work on capturing the American League West crown when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. The Astros wrapped up the postseason spot with an 11-3 trouncing of the Angels on Friday, maintaining their 3 1/2-game lead over Oakland in the division race.
Seattle at Texas 8:05 PM ET
The Texas Rangers fired manager Jeff Banister, and veteran slugger Adrian Beltre responded with a big performance hours later. Beltre and the Rangers look to improve to 2-0 under interim skipper Don Wakamatsu when they host the Seattle Mariners on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series.
Colorado at Arizona 8:10 PM ET
Shortstop Trevor Story won’t be in the lineup Saturday when the Colorado Rockies continue their three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks, but the National League MVP candidate could return for the start of the team’s final homestand on Monday. Rookie Garrett Hampson has been starting in place of Story, who has missed the last three contests due to an elbow injury.
Minnesota at Oakland 9:05 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics have done some amazing things over the last few days and hope to continue doing so when they host the Minnesota Twins on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. After outscoring the Los Angeles Angels 31-3 in back-to-back victories, Oakland squandered a four-run lead in the opener versus Minnesota and battled back to forge a tie before posting a 7-6 triumph in 10 innings.
San Diego at LA Dodgers 9:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers saw their lead in the National League West reduced by a game after losing the opener of their three-game series against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers will attempt to remain at least 1 1/2 games ahead of Colorado in the division when they host the Padres on Saturday for the middle contest of the set.