Preview Roundups
August 23, 2019
Washington at Chi. Cubs 2:20 PM ET
There's no place like the friendly confines of Wrigley Field for the first-place Chicago Cubs, who host the Washington Nationals in a three-game series beginning Friday afternoon that involves National League playoff contenders. Chicago faces the NL wild-card leader after completing a three-game sweep of San Francisco 1-0 on Thursday for its fifth straight victory and 44th in 63 home contests this season.
Tampa Bay at Baltimore 7:05 PM ET
If the Tampa Bay Rays manage to lock down one of the two wild cards in the American League, they will be quite comfortable playing in an opposing stadium. The Rays own a major league-leading 41 wins away from home and look to add to that total when they continue a four-game set against the lowly Baltimore Orioles on Friday night at Camden Yards.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
The Cincinnati Reds still have faint hopes of climbing back into the postseason chase, but they are just as close to the bottom of the National League Central as they are within striking distance of the second wild card. The schedule does not favor the Reds, who kick off an 11-game road trip with the first of three at the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.
Kansas City at Cleveland 7:10 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians' once-promising trip to New York ended with a washout, with the formerly white-hot team going ice-cold en route to being swept for the first time since May 20-22. The Indians aim to avert matching a season-high four-game losing skid on Friday when they return home for a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals.
Philadelphia at Miami 7:10 PM ET
The Philadelphia Phillies likely are feeling good about themselves after coming off a sweep of the reigning World Series champions, but those positive vibes will quickly vanish if their troubles continue against the National League's worst team. The Phillies have lost seven of 13 meetings with the Marlins this season heading into Friday's opener of a three-game series in Miami.
Atlanta at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
The Atlanta Braves look continue their surge when they take to the road for a six-game, three-city, two-country trip that begins with the first of three contests in the Big Apple against the upstart New York Mets on Friday night. The Braves lead the National League East by six games after winning five in a row, capped by a 3-2 comeback victory to finish off a sweep of Miami on Thursday.
Texas at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
Yoan Moncada wasted little time making an impact after returning from a three-week stint on the injured list, further solidifying what already has been a breakout season. The 24-year-old Cuban attempts to fuel his team's offense again on Friday, when the Chicago White Sox host the Texas Rangers for the second contest of their four-game series.
LA Angels at Houston 8:10 PM ET
Michael Brantley looks to extend his hitting streak to 16 games when the Houston Astros host the Los Angeles Angels on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Brantley went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs as Houston posted a 6-3 victory over Detroit on Thursday.
Arizona at Milwaukee 8:10 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers are not having much luck while going head-to-head against teams in the wild card fight in the National League, but another chance looms. The Brewers will face their third straight NL contender when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.
Detroit at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins find themselves in the middle of a two-week span during which they should be able to create some separation in the American League Central, although they were unable to take advantage of their first opportunity in their last series. The Twins hope to rebound from a disappointing result earlier in the week beginning on Friday, when they host the Detroit Tigers for the opener of their three-game set.
Colorado at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
St. Louis right-hander Jack Flaherty hasn't lost since the All-Star break, thanks to some eye-popping numbers that he will somehow try to improve on when the Cardinals host the Colorado Rockies on Friday in the second contest of their four-game series. Flaherty is 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA in his last seven starts, allowing 23 hits with 55 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings after winning at Cincinnati on Sunday without his best stuff.
NY Yankees at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers have recorded back-to-back walk-off victories and a major league-best 12 on the year as they enter a crucial three-game series against the visiting New York Yankees that begins on Friday. The Dodgers are two games ahead of New York for the best record in the majors, which brings the reward of home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
Boston at San Diego 10:10 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox are watching their postseason hopes fade after dropping two games at home this week to the Philadelphia Phillies while putting together sloppy performances. Boston will try to keep hopes alive on the west coast when it opens an eight-game trip by visiting the San Diego Padres on Friday.
Toronto at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners had their winning streak halted in the finale of their 6-3 road trip but look to begin another when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Seattle began its string of four straight wins with a pair in Toronto but had the run halted with Wednesday's 7-6 setback at Tampa Bay.