Preview Roundups
March 30, 2019
NY Mets at Washington 1:05 PM ET
Robinson Cano's return to a starring role in the New York sports landscape was a productive one in the season opener, as the eight-time All-Star homered, drove in two runs and prevented one from being scored following an alert play at second base. Cano will look to provide an encore on Saturday afternoon when the New York Mets vie for a series victory over the host Washington Nationals.
Baltimore at NY Yankees 1:05 PM ET
James Paxton makes his debut for the New York Yankees when they aim for their second straight win to begin the season against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Saturday. Paxton was acquired from Seattle in a November trade after a solid campaign for the Mariners in which he threw a no-hitter and surpassed the 200-strikeout mark for the first time.
Cleveland at Minnesota 2:10 PM ET
Marwin Gonzalez shook off a rough spring training by getting the biggest hit of the season opener and looks to build on that when the Minnesota Twins host the Cleveland Indians for the second of a three-game set Saturday. Gonzalez, who signed a two-year $21 million contract in the offseason, went 3-for-26 with 13 strikeouts in the spring before his two-run seventh-inning double gave the Twins a 2-0 victory over the Indians on Thursday.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati 2:10 PM ET
While the Cincinnati Reds made some notable moves during the offseason to bring in impact players, a pair of overlooked acquisitions provided the difference in a season-opening victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Right-hander Sonny Gray will make his first National League start for the host Reds on Saturday afternoon in the second of a three-game set.
Chi. White Sox at Kansas City 2:15 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals will try to open the season 2-0 for the first time since their 2015 World Series champion club when they host the Chicago White Sox on Saturday in the second of a three-game series. Behind seven scoreless innings from Brad Keller, a pair of triples by Adalberto Mondesi and some solid defense, the Royals took the opener for both teams with a 5-3 win Thursday.
Detroit at Toronto 3:07 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers traded shutouts in the first two games of their season-opening series. Both clubs will try to find some length and consistency in the lineup when they meet again in Toronto for the third of a four-game series on Saturday.
Atlanta at Philadelphia 4:05 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves did not add to their bullpen during the offseason, and that choice feels like an opportunity wasted entering Saturday’s contest at the Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves were blown out 10-4 in Thursday’s season opener, a game in which relievers Shane Carle and Luke Jackson – two holdovers from last season’s relief corps – combined to allow seven runs in 1 2/3 innings, all of it coming on Maikel Franco's three-run homer and Rhys Hoskins' grand slam.
Houston at Tampa Bay 6:10 PM ET
Pitching is taking center stage in the opening series, with the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays each taking a turn showing off their arms. One team will try to take an advantage in the four-game series when the Astros visit the Rays for the third of four games Saturday.
Colorado at Miami 6:10 PM ET
The Colorado Rockies haven't won a season series against the Miami Marlins since 2008, but they have to feel good about their chances of ending that dubious distinction two games into this season. The Rockies attempt to nail down a series victory Saturday when they visit the Marlins in the third contest of a four-game set.
St. Louis at Milwaukee 7:10 PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals acquired Paul Goldschmidt over the winter with an eye toward winning their first World Series title since 2011 and, after a forgettable debut, he almost singlehandedly powered his new team to its first victory of the season. The six-time All-Star looks to carry his team offensively for a second straight night Saturday when the Cardinals continue their four-game series in Milwaukee against the Brewers.
Chi. Cubs at Texas 8:05 PM ET
When Yu Darvish makes his first start against his former team Saturday, he can only hope the Chicago Cubs provide the same sort of run support they produced on Opening Day against the Texas Rangers. After a day off, the visiting Cubs hope to keep the bats as hot as they were in Thursday’s 12-4 rout of the Rangers.
San Francisco at San Diego 8:40 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants have scored one run in their first 18 innings, and the forecast calls for more of the same for the light-hitting team. The Giants look to break into the win column Saturday as they continue their four-game series against the host San Diego Padres, who set a franchise record with 17 scoreless innings pitched to start the season.
LA Angels at Oakland 9:07 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels were on the verge of beginning the season with a pair of shutout losses before staging a late rally on Friday. They attempt to pick up where they left off on Saturday, when they continue their four-game series against the host Oakland Athletics.
Arizona at LA Dodgers 9:10 PM ET
A day after playing the longest regular-season game in Dodger Stadium history, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers and could be forgiven if they cancel batting practice before their contest on Saturday. Arizona evened the four-game series with Friday’s 13-inning, 5-4 victory in a game that lasted 6 hours, 5 minutes.
Boston at Seattle 9:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox look to post their second straight victory when they visit the Seattle Mariners on Saturday in the third contest of a four-game set. The Red Sox recovered from a five-run deficit on Friday with Mitch Moreland delivering a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the ninth inning to provide for a 7-6 victory.