Preview Roundups
August 24, 2018
Cincinnati at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs have the best record in the National League despite disappointing numbers from some of their biggest offensive stars. One of those sluggers is heating up, however, and the Cubs will try for a third straight victory when they continue their four-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Friday afternoon.
NY Yankees at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
The New York Yankees have spent the bulk of August playing mostly sub-.500 teams, but they haven't been able to make much of a dent in the American League East standings. The Yankees hope to make some more headway in that regard beginning Friday when they visit Baltimore for the first of four games against the league-worst Orioles.
Philadelphia at Toronto 7:07 PM ET
After receiving a sterling start from their National League Cy Young candidate to snap a four-game losing skid, the Philadelphia Phillies look to a former recipient of that award to keep them headed in the right direction. Jake Arrieta takes the mound on Friday as the Phillies (69-58) begin their final interleague series with the opener of a three-game set versus the host Toronto Blue Jays (58-69).
Atlanta at Miami 7:10 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves will play the second contest of their four-game series against the host Miami Marlins on Friday, and nobody can blame Ronald Acuna Jr. for looking forward to the matchup. The 20-year-old rookie belted a 432-foot homer in the second inning of Thursday’s series-opening 5-0 victory, his 21st blast of the season that marked the sixth consecutive game against Miami in which he's gone deep - the longest such streak by a rookie against one opponent in major-league history.
Boston at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox are the first team in the major leagues to reach the 90-win mark this season, and they start the push toward 100 when they open a three-game series against the host Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. The American League East-leading Red Sox are coming off a four-game set against AL Central-leading Cleveland in which they scored 17 runs while winning the final two contests.
Washington at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
The Washington Nationals' offense was held in check in their last outing after erupting for 18 runs and 28 hits in the previous two games. Washington (64-64) looks to heat up its bats once again versus a New York Mets club that it lit up for 29 runs during a two-game sweep 3 1/2 weeks ago when the National League East rivals open a three-game series on Friday at Citi Field.
Chi. White Sox at Detroit 7:10 PM ET
The Detroit Tigers and Nicholas Castellanos try to continue their dominance of the Chicago White Sox when the American League Central teams reconvene for the second contest of their four-game series Friday at Comerica Park. Detroit improved to 10-3 versus Chicago this season with a 7-2 victory Thursday as Castellanos, the reigning AL Player of the Week, belted a solo home run among his two hits.
Oakland at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
The Oakland Athletics still have a grasp of the second wild card in the American League, but their hopes of winning a division title are in danger of slipping away. Oakland looks to avoid a third consecutive loss when it visits the Minnesota Twins on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series.
Pittsburgh at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers' hold on the National League's final wild-card spot is tenuous at best, making this weekend a bad time to welcome a team it has struggled against this season. The Brewers attempt to solve the riddle of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday when the NL Central rivals meet in Milwaukee for the opener of a three-game set.
Cleveland at Kansas City 8:15 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians just battled the team with the best record in baseball and now take aim at a club with one of the worst when they visit the Kansas City Royals on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Cleveland lost the final two games of its set against American League East-leading Boston for a four-game split and look to halt the minor slide against the Royals, who own the second-worst record in the majors.
St. Louis at Colorado 8:40 PM ET
The Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals are both riding hot streaks and each team is making a run at first place in their respective divisions. The Cardinals and Rockies are also locked in a duel for the top two wild cards in the National League as they prepare to open a three-game series on Friday night at Colorado's Coors Field.
Seattle at Arizona 9:40 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners are struggling to keep pace with the Houston Astros and the Oakland Athletics in the American League West, and the schedule isn't getting any easier. The Mariners will try to bust out of the slump when they enter their fifth consecutive series against a playoff contender by visiting the National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.
Houston at LA Angels 10:07 PM ET
The Houston Astros are clinging to their spot atop the American League West while battling through a tough road trip against division foes. The Astros will try to finish strong when they reach the last stop of the trip with a visit to the Los Angeles Angels in the opener of a three-game set on Friday.
San Diego at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
The return of closer Kenley Jansen has failed to provide a stabilizing effect on the skidding Los Angeles Dodgers, who attempt to get back on track against the National League's worst team. The Dodgers had a day off to regroup from a sweep by visiting St. Louis and look to bounce back in Friday's opener of a three-game home set versus the San Diego Padres.
Texas at San Francisco 10:15 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants are drifting out of the postseason race in the National League while the Texas Rangers are sitting in last place - both far from the two pennant winners that met in the 2010 World Series. The teams will renew acquaintances this weekend, when the Giants host the Rangers in the opener of a three-game interleague series on Friday.