ALDS – Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays (Game 1)
The Tampa Bay Rays face the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of their American League Division Series on Thursday afternoon. The Sox come into the game having won three must-win games in a row just to make the playoffs while Tampa has been resting at home. Now Chicago must piece together a pitching rotation while Tampa is set, starting with their best pitcher, James Shields on Thursday.
New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays Preview 8/21/08
The New York Yankees are in danger of falling out of the American League playoff race and have a tough task on Thursday as they face Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays. Halladay is 14-9 on the season with a 2.64 ERA. He will be opposed by Sidney Ponson who is 7-3 on the season with a 4.19 ERA.
Los Angeles Angels at Tampa Bay Rays Preview 8/20/08
The top two teams in the American League conclude their series on Wednesday as Tampa Bay hosts Los Angeles. The Rays send Matt Garza to the mound on Wednesday while the Angels counter with Jered Weaver.
San Diego Padres at Arizona Diamondbacks Preview 8/20/08
An excellent pitching matchup should be on tap Wednesday night as the Arizona Diamondbacks host the San Diego Padres. Dan Haren gets the call for Arizona while Jake Peavy starts for San Diego. Haren is 13-6 on the season with a 2.96 ERA while Peavy is 9-8 with a 2.61 ERA.
Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs Preview 8/19/08
The Chicago Cubs have the best home record in baseball at 45-17 and will be heavily favored to add to that mark on Tuesday night as they host the Cincinnati Reds with Rich Harden on the mound. Harden has been excellent for the Cubs but is still looking for his first win at Wrigley Field. Harden is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA with the Cubs but hasn’t gotten a decision at home where he is 0-0 with a 2.81 ERA. Harden won his only career start against the Red back in 2004. Chicago is 5-4 against the Reds this season with four of those wins coming at home.
New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays Preview 8/19/08
The New York Yankees will try and keep scoring runs as they open up a series in Toronto on Tuesday. The Yankees had 17 hits in Sunday as they routed the Royals 15-6. They may have a tougher time on Tuesday as they face A.J. Burnett and the Toronto Blue Jays. Burnett has won five straight games and is part of a Toronto staff which has a 1.85 ERA in the last six games. Burnett is 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his last four starts versus the Yankees. New York must face Burnett, rookie David Purcey and Roy Halladay in this series.
Texas Rangers at Boston Red Sox Preview 8/13/2008
The Boston Red Sox are heavy favorites on Wednesday as they host the Texas Rangers and Jon Lester is the big reason why. He is 10-4 on the season with a 3.23 ERA. He is 6-1 at home this season with a 2.87 ERA in 12 starts. He will be opposed by Luis Mendoza who is 3-5 with a 7.50 ERA this season. Mendoza is 1-2 with a 7.50 ERA in his four starts since the All-Star break. He is 1-3 with an 8.46 ERA on the road. He was shelled earlier this year at Boston by a score of 11-3.
St. Louis Cardinals at Florida Marlins Preview 8/13/2008
Two teams battling to make the playoffs continue their series on Wednesday night as the Florida Marlins host the St. Louis Cardinals. Ricky Nolasco gets the start for Florida while Braden Looper goes for the Cardinals. Looper is 10-9 on the season with a 4.20 ERA while Nolasco is 11-7 with a 3.92 ERA.
Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Athletics Preview 8/12/2008
The Tampa Bay Rays may have a 4.5 game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the American League East but injuries are starting to mount. The Rays just placed outfielder Carl Crawford and third baseman Evan Longoria on the 15-day DL. The Rays did set a record on Sunday as they picked up their club-record 71st victory of the season in Seattle. They understand that injuries must be overcome.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves Preview 8/12/2008
The Chicago Cubs will try and take some of their home success on the road as they begin a three-game series on Tuesday in Atlanta against the Braves. The Cubs have the best home record in the National League at 45-17 but have turned it around on the road of late, winning their last five.