Expert MLB Picks and Previews

D-backs’ Ketel Marte brings hot bat into series finale vs. Rockies Three-time All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte has spent much of this season underperforming with the bat. But the Arizona Diamondbacks star is on a hot streak and has increased his batting average 42 points in just seven games entering Sunday afternoon’s contest against the Colorado Rockies in Phoenix. Marte

Nationals aim to clinch road series against Braves The Washington Nationals have an opportunity to become the first team to clinch a road series this season against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday afternoon in the finale of the three-game set. Washington evened the weekend series on Saturday in an atypical way for the upstart club. The Nationals, who lead baseball

Mike Trout, Angels aspire for rare feat in matchup vs. Rangers The Los Angeles Angels will try to finish their first three-game series sweep of the season on Sunday when they close their 10-game homestand with a contest against the Texas Rangers in Anaheim, Calif. The Angels, just 8-24 over their past 32 games, followed a 9-6 win over Jacob

Padres a study of contrasts as series with A’s closes San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen cracked a joke about a lack of hitting on Saturday night, when his team managed only two hits in a 2-0 shutout of the visiting Athletics. “If you want to put it into football terms, we got our safety and got out of there,”

White Sox, Giants eager to land final blow in series rubber game Two sparkplug outfielders who have helped deliver wins in vastly different ways the last two days hope to continue to be a nuisance for opposing pitchers Sunday afternoon when Sam Antonacci and the Chicago White Sox face Harrison Bader and the host San Francisco Giants. The teams have

Facing Marlins, last-place Mets try to salvage series The reeling New York Mets will look to avoid being swept on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Miami Marlins in the finale of a three-game series between the National League East foes. Christian Scott (0-0, 4.12 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against fellow right-hander Tyler Phillips (0-0, 1.20),

Cards rookie Bryan Torres strives for more magic vs. Reds Regardless of what happens when the Cincinnati Reds host the St. Louis Cardinals in the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon, it will be hard to top the heartwarming debut of rookie Bryan Torres. The National League Central rivals played for the first time this season on

After complete-game shutout, Royals pursue another win vs. Mariners After Stephen Kolek gave the Kansas City Royals’ bullpen a day off, Seth Lugo will try to help claim a series win against the visiting Seattle Mariners on Sunday afternoon. Kolek delivered a complete-game, four-hit shutout in the Royals’ 5-0 victory on Saturday. He walked one, struck out two and needed

Behind Bailey Ober, Twins vie for series sweep of Red Sox A strong pitching matchup is on tap as the visiting Minnesota Twins look to complete a three-game series sweep of the Boston Red Sox on Sunday afternoon. Standing in the way of Bailey Ober (5-2, 3.63 ERA) and the Twins is fellow right-hander Sonny Gray (5-1, 2.93), who has