Expert MLB Picks and Previews

Cubs aim to extend offensive surge at expense of skidding Mets The Chicago Cubs have a chance Saturday to do something they have achieved only twice since 1900. The New York Mets can only hope they don’t inch closer to yet another bit of ignoble history. The Cubs will look to remain red-hot Saturday afternoon when they host the free-falling

Reds’ bullpen geared up for another look at Twins The stout Cincinnati bullpen appears to be at full strength as the Reds prepare for the middle contest of a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis. Connor Phillips (2.25 ERA), Graham Ashcraft (1.64 ERA), Tony Santillan (0.00 ERA) and Emilio Pagan (six saves, 4.35 ERA) held

D-backs’ Michael Soroka, riding hot streak, turns focus to Blue Jays The Arizona Diamondbacks will return home as one of the hottest teams in baseball, set to open a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night in Phoenix. Since a 9-6 win over the Detroit Tigers on March 30, the Diamondbacks have won 11 times. Only the

White Sox eager to halt woes in opener of road trip vs. A’s The Chicago White Sox possess the worst record in the majors as they head out on a six-game road trip. The first three games will be against the Athletics, beginning Friday night in West Sacramento, Calif. Chicago has won just six of 19 games this season and

The Mets head into Wrigley Field at 7-12 and in a real skid, having dropped eight straight entering Friday’s 2:20 p.m. ET first pitch. Chicago is 9-9, coming off back-to-back wins over Philadelphia, and this matchup sets up with Kodai Senga against Edward Cabrera in a game airing on WPIX and Marquee Sports Network. This is a pretty important spot

Atlanta opens this NL East series at 12-7, first in the division, after taking the rubber game against Miami and heading to Philadelphia with a healthier overall profile than it had a week ago. The Phillies are 8-10, fourth in the East, and they are trying to stop a slide after dropping another ugly one to the Cubs before Thursday’s

Cincinnati opens this interleague series at 11-8, tied for first in the NL Central, but the shape of that record is a little uneven. The Reds are 5-5 over their last 10, they just got shut out 3-0 by San Francisco on Thursday, and they have been much better on the road at 5-2 than at home so far. Minnesota

The Dodgers open this four-game set at Coors Field with the best record in the National League West at 14-4, a three-game winning streak, and an 8-2 mark over their last 10. Colorado is 7-12, fourth in the division, but it did come home off a 3-2 win in Houston on Thursday. First pitch is set for 8:40 p.m. ET