Expert MLB Picks and Previews

Orioles, Astros desperate for fast start, momentum entering series The importance of getting off to a strong start is something the Houston Astros and host Baltimore Orioles are well aware of entering Tuesday night’s series opener. “It just sets a different tone to your day (when) you score first,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “The momentum, you want to keep

Phillies eager to end awful April on high note vs. Giants April will go down as a month that manager Rob Thomson and the Philadelphia Phillies would prefer to forget. With 11 losses in their last 12 games and only nine victories on the season, the Phillies are desperate for a win Tuesday when they host the San Francisco Giants

The Miami Marlins open a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch set for 10:10 PM ET on SN LA. Miami comes in at 13-15 and second in the NL East, but the road profile is the real concern. The Marlins are 3-9 away from home and have

The Chicago Cubs visit the San Diego Padres on Monday night to open a three-game series at PETCO Park, with first pitch set for 9:40 PM ET on MARQ. Chicago enters at 17-11 and second in the NL Central, but the Cubs are trying to stop a two-game skid after running into trouble against the Dodgers over the weekend. San

The New York Yankees open a road series against the Texas Rangers on Monday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, with first pitch set for 8:05 PM ET on YES. New York enters at 18-10 and first in the AL East, although its eight-game winning streak ended Sunday in a 7-4 loss to Houston. Texas comes in at 14-14

The St. Louis Cardinals open a four-game road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night at PNC Park, with first pitch set for 6:40 PM ET. St. Louis enters at 14-13 and fifth in the NL Central, which says more about how competitive the division has been than anything else. Every team in the division is above .500, so

The Seattle Mariners visit the Minnesota Twins on Monday night to open a three-game series at Target Field, with first pitch set for 7:40 PM ET. Seattle comes in at 14-15 and third in the AL West, but the recent form is moving in the right direction. The Mariners have won four straight and six of their last eight after

The Los Angeles Angels visit the Chicago White Sox on Monday night at Rate Field, with first pitch set for 7:40 PM ET on CHSN. Los Angeles enters at 12-17 and fourth in the AL West, and the Angels are trying to stop a three-game losing streak after a frustrating extra-inning loss to Kansas City. Chicago is 11-17 and fourth

The Tampa Bay Rays visit the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night to open a three-game series at Progressive Field, with first pitch set for 6:10 PM ET. Tampa Bay enters at 16-11 and second in the AL East, and the Rays are rolling right now with four straight wins after finishing off a sweep of the Twins. Cleveland is 15-14