Scherzer clashes with Brewers on MLB.TV

The Nationals and Brewers, two clubs with postseason aspirations, meet for the final time during the regular season at Nationals Park as part of an abbreviated eight-game slate streaming live on MLB.TV today.
Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer will toe the rubber in the series finale at 12:05 p.m. ET, facing a potent Brewers offense that ranks near the top of the Majors in several offensive categories.
Scherzer is looking to rebound from a rare rough outing, in which he allowed back-to-back-to-back homers to the first three D-backs batters before settling in. The 32-year-old did not factor in the decision, tying his season high for runs allowed (five) and season low in innings (five).
After Matt Garza went on the 10-day disabled list with a right calf strain on Wednesday, the Brewers will send Michael Blazek to the mound to oppose Scherzer. Blazek, who has pitched 6 1/3 innings of relief this season, will be making his first career start.
MLB.TV Premium is now available for $79.99 yearly or $24.99 monthly, with nearly two dozen features for subscribers to access and interact with live out-of-market Major League Baseball games at 60 frames per second on any of the more than 400 supported devices. MLB.TV Single Team subscriptions are also available at $59.99 yearly.
Here's what else to watch for throughout the day (all times in ET):
Battle in the Bronx: TB@NYY, 7:05 p.m.
The Rays and Yankees clash in the opening contest of a pivotal four-game set in the Bronx. Both teams are attempting to gain ground on the Red Sox in a tight American League East race.
Chris Archer gets the ball for Tampa Bay coming off back-to-back stellar starts, despite no wins to show for them. The 28-year-old righty has been excellent over four July starts, striking out 36 in 25 2/3 frames to pair with a 3.16 ERA.
The Yankees turn to CC Sabathia to oppose Archer. Sabathia has won consecutive starts to begin the second half, allowing just one run over 11 innings.

Chi-Town rivalry finale: CHC@CWS, 8:10 p.m.
Crosstown foes meet for the final time in 2017, as the Cubs and left-hander Jon Lester face off against the White Sox and right-hander Mike Pelfrey on the South Side of Chicago.

Lester enters the matchup on a roll, picking up victories in each of his first two second-half outings. The 33-year-old has given up just three runs in 15 innings, while striking out 16, since the break.
Pelfrey has yet to earn a win in the second half, but he's held his own in two starts. The veteran righty allowed three runs (two earned) in 9 2/3 innings over his last two outings.
Flexen's debut: NYM@SD, 9:10 p.m.
The Mets' No. 17 prospect per MLBPipeline.com, right-hander Chris Flexen is scheduled to make his Major League debut vs. the Padres in the last game of the day.
Flexen's Minor League numbers this year are phenomenal, as the 23-year-old is 6-1 with a 1.76 ERA in 10 starts between Class A Advanced St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton, while holding opposing hitters to a .183 batting average.

Right-hander Luis Perdomo takes the hill for San Diego looking to secure his first victory of the second half. Perdomo gave up four runs (one earned) in six innings last time out vs. the Giants.
Tussle in Toronto: OAK@TOR: 12:37 p.m.
The A's, already sellers, and the Blue Jays, reportedly looking to sell, are unlikely to make postseason runs in 2017, but both clubs still have plenty of talent on their rosters.

That should be evident this afternoon, when Oakland lefty Sean Manaea (8-5, 3.82 ERA) takes on righty Marcus Stroman (9-5, 2.98) at Rogers Centre. Both hurlers are having strong seasons, despite their teams' sub-.500 records.