Happ goes for 18th win; Indians, Rangers start big series
Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ goes for his MLB-leading 18th win of 2016 in Thursday's series finale against the Los Angeles Angels at Rogers Centre, where the 33-year-old will try to thrust his club to a fourth series victory in their last five sets.
In his past 12 starts, Happ is 11-0 with a 2.53 ERA and 4.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and has emerged as one of the best free-agent acquisitions of the winter after signing a three-year, $36-million deal. Jered Weaver, the soft-tossing veteran with a career-worst 5.47 ERA this year, takes the mound for Los Angeles.
Here's what else is happening all around the majors today:
A VIEW FROM THE TOP
The Cleveland Indians open a four-game series at Texas, with Josh Tomlin (11-7, 4.39 ERA) facing Rangers lefty Cole Hamels (13-4, 2.80). Both clubs lead their division - the last time these teams met so late in a season with both in first place was 1999, according to STATS.
DODGER DADDY
Rob Segedin is expected to return to the Dodgers for a game against San Francisco following a one-day paternity leave and a wild start to the week. The rookie hit his first major league homer on Monday in Cincinnati, then homered off Giants ace Madison Bumgarner on Tuesday before leaving in the eighth inning and rushing to the hospital to meet his wife, Robin, for the birth of their first child. Manager Dave Roberts had to convince Segedin to take the one day of paternity leave. Matt Moore seeks his first victory with the Giants since being acquired from Tampa Bay on Aug. 1.
HEALED UP
Mariners lefty James Paxton (4-5, 3.53) is expected to come off the disabled list to pitch the opener of a series against the White Sox. Paxton took a line drive off his pitching elbow Aug. 7 and has been out since with a bruise. He threw 8 1/3 innings of one-run ball before being struck in a 3-1 win over the Angels.
LUCKY MOUND
Orioles righty Ubaldo Jimenez will get his first start since July 28, facing NL East-leading Washington. He'll pitch in place of ace Chris Tillman, who was put on the 15-day disabled list with bursitis in his shoulder. Jimenez is 5-10 with a 6.94 ERA this year, but he's done especially well at Nationals Park - 4-0 with a 0.92 ERA in four career starts.