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07/17 02:57 CDT LEADING OFF: Angels streaking, Homer's odyssey, Reds-Cubs
LEADING OFF: Angels streaking, Homer's odyssey, Reds-Cubs
By The Associated Press
A look at what's happening around the majors today:
PULLING TOGETHER
The grieving Angels go for their sixth consecutive victory since the All-Star
break when they host Houston again. Los Angeles (50-46) has won eight of 11
since the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs and moved four games above .500 for the
first time since June 2018. Star outfielder Mike Trout hopes to return to the
lineup after missing the past two games with a mildly strained right calf.
All-Star righty Gerrit Cole (9-5, 3.23 ERA), who graduated from nearby Orange
Lutheran High School, pitches for the Astros against an opener and Flix Pea
(7-2, 4.32 ERA), who threw the final seven innings of the Angels' combined
no-hitter last week.
HOMER'S ODYSSEY
Homer Bailey makes his Oakland Athletics debut against last-place Seattle after
being acquired from Kansas City in a trade Sunday. Bailey (7-6, 4.80 ERA)
arrived Tuesday in the Bay Area and headed straight to join his new team at the
Coliseum, saying he knew "absolutely zero" players on the A's. The right-hander
is 3-0 with a 2.83 ERA in his last six starts for his longest winning streak
since four consecutive victories in 2014 for Cincinnati. Oakland has won five
in a row to move within 4 games of the AL West-leading Astros, matching their
smallest advantage since May 9.
UNFRIENDLY CONFINES
Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish (2-4, 4.72 ERA) faces Sonny Gray (5-5, 3.42) and
the Reds in the rubber match of a three-game series between NL Central foes.
Darvish, who has 13 no-decisions in 19 starts this season, is still looking for
his first win at Wrigley Field since signing with Chicago last year. Gray will
be making his first career appearance at the iconic ballpark.
PLAYING WITHOUT A FULL DECK
Already missing injured regulars Yadier Molina and Marcell Ozuna, the St. Louis
Cardinals will also be minus Matt Carpenter for a while after the infielder was
placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a bruised right foot. Carpenter
fouled a pitch off the top of his foot Monday night and left the game. The team
said X-rays were negative. "Just got to wear this boot for four to five days
and then hopefully the swelling and inflammation goes down and I can start
doing what I need to do," Carpenter said. "They're optimistic it won't be more
than a week." Carpenter is the seventh Cardinals player on the injured list. He
was just activated last Thursday after being sidelined since June 29 with a
lower back strain.
ON THE MEND
Indians ace Corey Kluber is scheduled to throw 20 fastballs in his first
bullpen since breaking his right arm when he was struck by a line drive May 1.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner is on the 60-day injured list. Cleveland
manager Terry Francona called the session "a big step, a good step," but
cautioned that Kluber is still weeks from potentially beginning a minor league
rehab assignment. The surging Indians have won three straight and eight of 10
to move within five games of first-place Minnesota in the AL Central, the
tightest margin since May 19.
SUMMER HEAT
One night after the latest surly clash between Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia and
the Tampa Bay Rays, the AL East rivals meet again in the Bronx. Yonny Chirinos
(8-4, 3.11 ERA) faces New York right-hander Domingo Germn (11-2, 3.40) in the
third game of a four-game set. Chirinos has made seven straight quality starts.
Germn is 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA in two starts since returning from the injured
list.
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