LEADING OFF: Samardzija, Kluber go for 1st wins
A look at what's happening all around the major leagues Friday:
---
CENTRALLY LOCATED
White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija has had a rough beginning with his new team, giving up nine runs over 13 innings in outings against division foes Kansas City and Minnesota. Earning that first win won't be any easier this time. He is set to face the NL Central champion Tigers and David Price. The lefty brings a spotless record into the game. He hasn't allowed an earned run in 14 1-3 innings this season.
CATCHING ON
Miami manager Mike Redmond says it's "always a touchy situation" to put a slumping veteran on the bench. He's giving Jarrod Saltalamacchia a "couple of days to regroup" after the catcher started out 2 for 22 with 11 strikeouts with two recent throwing errors. Starting in his place has been the catcher the Marlins are counting on for their future, rookie J.T. Realmuto.
CY WINLESS
American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber will make his third start of the season for Cleveland -- at Minnesota -- and he's still seeking his first victory. The right-hander has pitched well, with 17 strikeouts over 13 2-3 innings and a sparkling walks-and-hits-per-inning-pitched ratio of 0.95.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Atlanta Braves open a nine-game, three-city road trip with an interleague series against the Toronto Blue Jays, a rematch of the 1992 World Series. Braves right-hander Julio Teheran (2-0, 1.50 ERA) faces Toronto righty Drew Hutchison (1-0, 6.97) in the opener. Atlanta will also visit the New York Mets and Philadelphia on their 10-day trip.
BE ROYAL
After dropping their first series of the season at Minnesota, Kansas City heads home to face the Oakland Athletics. Dropping two of three to a struggling team and losing right fielder Alex Rios to a broken left hand has done nothing to shake the confidence of the defending AL champions. "These guys feel like they can win any ballgame as long as they still have an out left," left-hander Jason Vargas said.
Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
EDITORS' PICKS
- The Age Of Mike Trout
- The BBTN 100 counts down the top 25 players in baseball for 2015.
Rankings »
- MLB Confidential
- MLB players weigh in on baseball's best player, PEDs and what they really think about A-Rod's return.
MLB Confidential »
- Baseball's Top 50 Prospects
- Where does the recently-signed Yoan Moncada land on Keith Law's prospect rankings?
Top 50 update
MORE MLB HEADLINES
- Keith Law: Blog archive
- MLB Draft: Blog archive
- Eric Karabell: Fantasy blog archive
Comments
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms. Learn more.