LEADING OFF: Harper slumping, Fernandez rolling in NL East
A look at what's happening all around the majors today:
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PITCHED AROUND
Struggling Bryce Harper hopes to get some pitches to hit when the Nationals host the Cardinals for a four-game set. Harper sat Wednesday before grounding out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning in a 2-0 loss to the Mets. The NL MVP has had a tough month, with opponents consistently pitching around him. He's hitting .197 with two homers in May but also has a .458 on-base percentage thanks to 31 walks.
FERNANDEZ ROLLING
RHP Jose Fernandez (6-2, 3.02 ERA) pitches for the Marlins as they close a four-game series with Florida-rival Tampa Bay. Fernandez has 31 strikeouts over his last three starts (20 innings) and has won his past five decisions. The Rays send out LHP Drew Smyly (2-5, 3.54).
SHADES OF GRAY
Rockies RHP Jon Gray (1-2, 6.75) tries to get back on track against the Red Sox. The hard-throwing youngster was pitching well until allowing nine runs in 3 1/3 innings during a 13-7 loss to the Cardinals in his last outing. Clay Buchholz (2-4, 5.92) will pitch for Boston, which has scored eight or more runs 10 times in its last 14 home games.
CC'S
Yankees LHP CC Sabathia (3-2, 3.41) looks to keep up his resurgence as a solid starter for New York. He faces the Blue Jays having allowed just one run over 13 innings during his past two starts, both victories. He hasn't allowed a home run since April 16 and has held opponents to three or fewer runs in each of his six starts. LHP J.A. Happ (5-2, 3.43) will take the mound for Toronto.
Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
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