AL East clash highlights MLB.TV slate
The Yankees and Orioles, each in the thick of the American League postseason chase, go head-to-head at Oriole Park at Camden Yards looking to increase their playoff chances as part of a full slate of games streaming live on MLB.TV.
The Yankees find themselves within striking distance of the first-place Red Sox while the Orioles are not far behind as they look to jostle their way up the American League Wild Card standings in an extremely tight race.
Right-hander Sonny Gray, New York's prized non-waiver Trade Deadline acquisition, has excelled since making the move to the Bronx. The former Athletics ace has limited opponents to a .203 batting average while compiling a 3.16 ERA in pinstripes.
This evening Gray squares off against Baltimore and right-hander Kevin Gausman, who has been a completely different pitcher since the All-Star break. Gausman, who went 5-7 with a 5.85 ERA in 19 starts before the Midsummer Classic, is 5-2 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 starts since.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.
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Here's what else to watch for throughout the day (all times in ET):
Crunch time: MIN@TB, 1:10 p.m.
The Rays have a chance to gain ground on the Twins in the AL Wild Card standings as the two clubs clash at Tropicana Field for the final game of the series.
Left-hander Blake Snell takes the mound for Tampa Bay on a roll. The 24-year-old southpaw is 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA while limiting opponents to a .197 batting average over his last five starts.
Rookie hurler Aaron Slegers tries to follow up a marvelous first career outing in which he allowed just two earned runs in 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision versus the Indians, a game the Twins eventually won, 4-2.
Stymieing Stanton: WSH@MIA, 7:10 p.m.
Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton is in the midst of one the most impressive power displays of any player over the course of a season in recent history, and his at-bats are must-see TV every night.
Tonight he matches up against Washington's Giovany Gonzalez, who has held the outfielder in check throughout his career. Stanton, who owns a lifetime 1.021 OPS versus left-handed pitchers, is 6-for-29 (.207) with no home runs in 33 plate appearances versus Gonzalez.
Gonzalez attempts to build on that success when he takes the mound opposite rookie left-hander Dillon Peters, who twirled seven scoreless innings in his Major League debut against the Phillies on Sept. 1.
Dodger blues: ARI@LAD, 10:10 p.m.
The Dodgers have had their hands full of late, facing stiff competition from the rest of the National League West. Los Angeles, despite having slowed down a bit since its series with Milwaukee began on Aug. 25, still owns the best record in baseball by a wide margin.
This evening, the Dodgers turn to right-hander Kenta Maeda as he tries to get revenge on the D-backs after they got to him for seven runs in three innings his last time out.
Arizona counters with right-hander Taijuan Walker, who returns to the hill on the heels of a win in which he held the Rockies scoreless over five frames while striking out 10.
Leake's encore: HOU@SEA, 10:10 p.m.
Right-hander Mike Leake, acquired from the Cardinals prior to the Aug. 31 waiver Trade Deadline, gave the Mariners exactly what they needed in his first start with the club. The 29-year-old pitched seven innings while allowing two runs with seven strikeouts to beat the Athletics on Sept. 1.
Tonight he goes up against the best team in the AL. The Astros are scheduled to activate righty Lance McCullers off the disabled list to return to the rubber. The 23-year-old has not pitched since July 30 because of back discomfort.