Expert MLB Picks and Previews

Yordan Alvarez doing damage as Astros go for sweep of A’s With nine-time All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve back in the fold and just one position player of note — catcher Yainer Diaz — yet to return from a stint on the injured list, it’s easy to understand how the conversation turned to the Houston Astros’ depth, particularly given how

Personal skid snapped, Tigers’ Jack Flaherty takes aim at M’s Jack Flaherty finally notched his first win in 13 starts this season on Tuesday. The Detroit Tigers right-hander will go for two straight when he starts the finale of a three-game home series against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday afternoon. Flaherty (1-7, 5.31 ERA) hadn’t been credited with a victory

Marlins turn to Sandy Alcantara for stability, series win vs. Rays The Miami Marlins are looking for a repeat version of former Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara in hopes of winning their home series Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Marlins won a thriller on Saturday after leading 4-1 entering the ninth inning. Miami closer Pete Fairbanks

Orioles’ Shane Baz puts unblemished mark on line vs. Blue Jays Baltimore Orioles right-hander Shane Baz is undefeated against the host Toronto Blue Jays and hopes to maintain that Sunday afternoon in the rubber match of a three-game series. Baz (3-5, 4.29 ERA), who was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to Baltimore in December, has posted a 4-0 mark

MLB-best Braves rely on Bryce Elder to secure sweep vs. Pirates The Atlanta Braves, owners of MLB’s best record, will send Bryce Elder to the mound on Sunday in search of a series sweep against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. The Braves won the first two games of the three-game set and secured their 18th series victory of the season after

Yanks’ Cam Schlittler, after uncharacteristic outing, takes on Red Sox Cam Schlittler experienced a rarity five days ago when he conceded his best stuff was not consistently present. Coming off his shortest outing of the season, Schlittler hopes to return to form Sunday afternoon when the New York Yankees host the Boston Red Sox in the finale of a rain-shortened

Phillies send veteran vs. White Sox rookie in rubber game The Chicago White Sox got the best of a rookie pitcher Saturday. The Philadelphia Phillies will look to do the same Sunday in the rubber game of their three-game series against the visiting White Sox. After an 8-6 victory in Friday’s series opener, Philadelphia turned to first-year right-hander Andrew Painter

Fresh off late fireworks, Dodgers aim to continue run vs. Angels While the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani was handcuffed by his former team Friday, Freddie Freeman got the best of the club for which he rooted in his youth. Freeman hit a game-ending home run in the ninth inning in the host Dodgers’ 1-0 win over the Los Angeles

Brewers turn to Jacob Misiorowski and his heater vs. Rockies The Milwaukee Brewers began their week surging to one of the best records in baseball before dropping two home games to San Francisco. The Brewers nearly made it three straight losses before Friday night’s late offensive surge got them back into the win column. A 9-7 victory in 10 innings