Expert MLB Picks and Previews

Slumping Blue Jays again turn to RHP Dylan Cease against Angels The Toronto Blue Jays need a repeat of the result from the last time Dylan Cease opposed the Los Angeles Angels. The Blue Jays open a six-game homestand Friday night against the Angels in a four-game losing streak after a 2-5 road trip. In his start against the host

Mariners craving consistency entering series with White Sox A pair of right-handers with stellar ERAs but few victories will face off on Friday as the Chicago White Sox host the Seattle Mariners in the opener of a three-game series. Seattle’s Emerson Hancock (2-1, 2.59 ERA) and Chicago counterpart Sean Burke (2-2, 2.72) know what it takes to keep their teams

Chris Sale, Braves look to take down two-time champion Dodgers The team with the best record in the major leagues will match up with the two-time defending champions this weekend as the Atlanta Braves and host Los Angeles Dodgers each have something to prove. The Braves arrive from Seattle after their first series loss of the season in 12 tries,

Brandon Marsh, Phillies eager to continue torrid play in clash vs. A’s When the Philadelphia Phillies were 9-19, it seemed as if nothing was going their way. The rejuvenated Phillies are happy to have some luck on their side as they head into Thursday night’s home game against the Athletics. Since Don Mattingly replaced Rob Thomson as Philadelphia’s manager, the

The Athletics visit the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. It is the final game of this three-game series, and Philadelphia has already taken control after winning the first two matchups, including a 6-3 result on Wednesday. The Athletics come in at 18-18 and still sit first in the

The Baltimore Orioles visit the Miami Marlins on Thursday night at loanDepot Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. It is the finale of a three-game interleague set, and Baltimore has already taken the first two games after winning 9-7 on Tuesday and 7-4 on Wednesday. The Orioles come in at 17-20 and third in the AL East.

The Tampa Bay Rays visit the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night at Fenway Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. It is an AL East matchup with a pretty clear market tension: Tampa Bay has been the better team all season, but Boston is at home with a young starter who has looked sharp in limited work.

The St. Louis Cardinals head to PETCO Park on Thursday night to open a four-game series against the San Diego Padres, with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET. It is a good late-window matchup on ESPN, mostly because both clubs are sitting second in their divisions and neither one feels like a finished product yet. St. Louis comes in

The New York Mets visit the Colorado Rockies on Thursday afternoon at Coors Field, with first pitch scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET. This was supposed to be an off day, but the series had to be rearranged after rain and snow pushed the schedule around in Denver. Now the Mets have a chance to finish off a sweep before moving