Expert MLB Picks and Previews

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

Cubs eager to apply brakes on skid in finale vs. Astros The Chicago Cubs know their losing streak won’t go on forever, but the long string of defeats definitely is getting uncomfortable. The Cubs will attempt to end their seven-game skid when they host the Houston Astros in the finale of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon. The losing streak

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers chase series win vs. Brewers The visiting Los Angels Dodgers hope Yoshinobu Yamamoto can repeat his postseason performance against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday afternoon in the finale of a three-game series between first-place teams. Yamamoto (3-4, 3.32 ERA), who threw a complete-game three-hitter against the Brewers in last year’s National League Championship Series, will oppose fellow

After postponement, slumping Yankees try to salvage short series vs. Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are comfortable waiting to the late innings to pull off comebacks and certainly at ease in those situations against the New York Yankees. The only thing that stopped the Rays so far was heavy rain postponing Saturday’s game and the Yankees will attempt to beat