Expert MLB Picks and Previews

The Tampa Bay Rays visit the New York Yankees on Friday night at Yankee Stadium in a big AL East matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET, with the game listed on RAYS. Tampa Bay enters at 33-15 and first in the division, while New York comes in at 30-21 and sitting second. The Rays are the hotter

The New York Mets visit the Miami Marlins on Friday night at loanDepot Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET. The game is listed for WPIX coverage, and it opens a three-game NL East series between two teams trying to stay out of the bottom of the division. New York enters at 22-28 and fourth in the NL

The Pittsburgh Pirates visit the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night at Rogers Centre for the opener of a three-game interleague series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 PM ET, with coverage listed on SN1 and SportsNet Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh enters at 26-24 and fifth in the NL Central, while Toronto comes in at 23-27 and third in the AL East.

The Cleveland Guardians visit the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET. The game is listed for NBCSP and Guardians.TV coverage. Cleveland enters at 30-22 and first in the AL Central, while Philadelphia comes in at 25-25 and second in the NL East. The Guardians are one of the hottest

The St. Louis Cardinals open a three-game NL Central road series against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Great American Ball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM ET, with coverage listed on WSTR. St. Louis enters at 28-21 and third in the division, while Cincinnati comes in at 26-24 and fourth. The Cardinals have dropped two straight

Jarren Duran heats up for Red Sox going into home series vs. Twins After both teams banked series wins earlier this week, the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins open a three-game set in Boston with a battle of young left-handed pitchers on Friday night. The Red Sox return home with momentum following their second series sweep of the season

Cubs host Astros with both sides searching for a spark The Chicago Cubs hope a day off at home will allow them to reset mentally before they host the Houston Astros in the opener of a three-game series on Friday. The Cubs have lost five in a row and nine of 11 following a 27-12 start that had them atop

Angels’ Jose Soriano on mission to regain form vs. Athletics The Los Angeles Angels are hoping for a bounce-back effort from staff ace Jose Soriano as they try to earn a split of their four-game series with the Athletics on Thursday in Anaheim, Calif. Soriano (6-3, 2.41 ERA) was the American League Pitcher of the Month for March/April after allowing

Marlins turn to Sandy Alcantara in quest for series split vs. Braves The Miami Marlins will try to halt their slide on Thursday when they send ace Sandy Alcantara to the mound in the finale of their four-game home series against the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta bounced back from dropping the series opener to win the next two games and claim