Expert MLB Picks and Previews

Yankees play waiting game about Giancarlo Stanton before finale vs. Astros The New York Yankees have yet to make a decision on the availability of designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, who departed in the sixth inning of the series opener in Houston on Friday with lower-leg tightness. Stanton did not play in the Yankees’ 8-3 win over the Astros on Saturday,

‘Dirtbag’ Pirates pursue road sweep of power-starved Brewers The visiting Pittsburgh Pirates will turn to right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski on Sunday afternoon as they look to complete a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers. Mlodzinski (1-1, 3.28 ERA) will oppose Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison (1-1, 3.06). The Pirates scored three runs in the 10th inning en route to a 6-3 victory Saturday,

Josh Jung, Rangers shoot for series win vs. Athletics Josh Jung is having an April to remember for the Texas Rangers, who will face the Athletics in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas. Jung continued his hot streak with a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning of Saturday’s 4-3 victory. The win

Mariners, Cardinals clash again after slugfest What should have been a day to remember for Nathan Church turned into one he’d almost like to forget. The St. Louis rookie outfielder hit two home runs and robbed another with a leaping catch at the wall, but he grounded into a game-ending double play as the Cardinals fell 11-9 to the visiting

Nationals SS Nasim Nunez playing ‘nasty’ against White Sox Washington Nationals shortstop Nasim Nunez delivered two hits, four RBIs and a stolen base during Saturday’s 6-3, 10-inning victory against the host Chicago White Sox. Nunez acknowledged he was aiming to emulate one of his favorite players, current New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor — a path that might serve Nunez

Light-hitting Reds keep finding ways to win ahead of finale vs. Tigers It’s fair to call the Cincinnati Reds the surprise team of the National League a month into the season. After entering the year without an abundance of household names, the Reds are tied for second in the majors with 18 wins. Cincinnati will search for its 10th win

Rays pitcher Griffin Jax backed by powerful lineup against Twins Looking for a way to get right-handed reliever Griffin Jax back on track, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash is starting him against the team that traded him last summer, the visiting Minnesota Twins, in their series finale on Sunday. Jax was one of the American League’s top setup relievers when

Red Sox play first game under new management in series finale vs. Orioles The Boston Red Sox barely had a chance to enjoy a big day of success on the field before there was an overhaul of the coaching staff. They’ll go into Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the host Baltimore Orioles with Chad Tracy as interim manager after the

With skid over, Phillies look to build on win, take series at Braves Now that the Philadelphia Phillies have ended their 10-game losing streak, they’ll try to do on Sunday what no one else has done this season — win a series against the Atlanta Braves. The Phillies beat the Braves 8-5 in 10 innings on Saturday to square the