MLB Today: Sale's strikeout streak, Verlander returns
Here's what's happening in Major League Baseball right now:
ANOTHER 10K
Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale takes a streak of seven straight outings with at least 10 strikeouts into his start at St. Louis. The left-hander, who's fanned 85 batters during the improbable run, is the first pitcher with double-digit strikeouts in seven consecutive starts since Randy Johnson in 2001.
Date | Opp | IP | SO | R | BB |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 23 | MIN | 8 | 10 | 4 | 1 |
May 28 | BAL | 7.2 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
June 3 | TEX | 7 | 13 | 0 | 2 |
June 8 | HOU | 8 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
June 14 | TB | 6.2 | 12 | 2 | 3 |
June 19 | TEX | 8 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
June 24 | MIN | 6.2 | 10 | 6 | 1 |
HAMILTON'S RETURN
Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton will come off the disabled list and play at Baltimore. The former AL MVP got into just seven games for the Rangers before straining his left hamstring in early June. Hamilton says he's ''good to go,'' even though he's not quite at 100 percent. "I was hoping to play (Monday), but we decided to give me a day to recover after the travel and the workout," he said. "I'd like to get a week or 10 days in with the team and manage it and then get the All-Star break to give it some rest."
FUTURES GAME
In the opener of a three-game set between young teams on the rise, the Chicago Cubs visit Citi Field. Jonathon Niese pitches for the New York Mets against a club rumored to have interest in trading for him. Third baseman Daniel Murphy is expected back from the disabled list for a scuffling New York lineup that needs help. Chicago swept four games from the Mets last month at Wrigley Field.
X MAN
Rookie Xavier Scruggs is giving the Cardinals a big boost, helping them post the best record in the majors. The 27-year-old first baseman is 9 for 19 with six RBIs in seven games since being promoted from Triple-A. St. Louis has won six in a row and now hosts the White Sox.
GP | PA | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | 19 | .474 | .474 | .579 | 1.053 |
JUST IN TIME
Detroit Tigers star Justin Verlander is set to start at home against Pittsburgh after a back issue caused him to miss a start. He is 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA in two starts this season, which began with him on the disabled list because of a triceps injury. Gerrit Cole, leading the majors with 11 wins, starts for the Pirates.
STAR TURN
Ascending ace Dallas Keuchel (9-3) struck out 12 against the Yankees in his last start. Now, he gets the ball for the AL West-best Astros in a matchup against the Central-leading Royals in what could be an improbable postseason preview.
- With files from theScore