Opposite dugout: Orioles put powerful bats to work vs. Nats' big arms in Battle of the Beltways

Opposite dugout: Orioles put powerful bats to work vs. Nats' big arms in Battle of the Beltways
Manager: Buck Showalter, fifth year Record: 48-40 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: DH/LF Nelson Cruz (.290/.356/.582, 27 HR, 71 RBIs); CF Adam Jones (.310/.334/.504, 16 HR, 53 RBIs); 1B/OF Steve Pearce (.326/.381/.581, 172 at-bats, 14 doubles, 10 HR, 30 RBIs); RHP Chris Tillman (7-4, 4.21 ERA) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 3-1, 20 runs scored, 17 runs allowed Pitching probables July 7: Chris Tillman vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN HD July 8: Bud Norris vs. Doug Fister, 7 p.m., MASN...
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Opposite dugout: Red Sox still scuffling on offense entering big series vs. Birds

Opposite dugout: Red Sox still scuffling on offense entering big series vs. Birds
Manager: John Farrell, second year Record: 38-47 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: DH David Ortiz (.252/.351/.483, 19 HR, 53 RBIs); 1B Mike Napoli (.277/.397/.460, 10 HR, 32 RBIs); LHP Jon Lester (9-7, 2.92 ERA, 1.18 WHIP); RHP John Lackey (9-5, 3.62 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 5-5, 32 runs scored, 39 runs allowed Pitching probables July 5 (Game 1): Jon Lester vs. Miguel Gonzalez, 1 p.m., MASN2 HD July 5 (Game 2): John Lackey vs. Ubaldo Jimenez, 7 p.m., FOX July 6: Jake Peavy vs....
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Opposite dugout: Cubs send out top three starters, meet Nats for second time in three series

Opposite dugout: Cubs send out top three starters, meet Nats for second time in three series
Manager: Rick Renteria, first year Record: 37-46 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Anthony Rizzo (.281/.392/.502, 17 HR, 44 RBIs); SS Starlin Castro (.288/.334/.470, 25 doubles, 11 HR, 48 RBIs); RHP Jake Arrieta (5-1, 1.81 ERA, 1.01 WHIP); RHP Jason Hammel (7-5, 2.98 ERA, 1.01 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 2-2, 14 runs scored, 15 runs allowed Pitching probables July 4: Jason Hammel vs. Tanner Roark, 11 a.m., MASN HD July 5: Jeff Samardzija vs. Gio Gonzalez, 4 p.m., MASN HD July 6: Jake...
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Opposite dugout: Rockies pit powerhouse offense against Nats' major league-best pitching staff

Opposite dugout: Rockies pit powerhouse offense against Nats' major league-best pitching staff
Manager: Walt Weiss, second year Record: 36-46 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: SS Troy Tulowitzki (.353/.445/.618, 16 doubles, 18 HR, 46 RBIs); LF Corey Dickerson (.343/.403/.623, 13 doubles, 10 HR, 33 RBIs); 1B Justin Morneau (.307/.342/.516, 19 doubles, 13 HR, 58 RBIs); LHP Tyler Matzek (1-2, 4.24 ERA) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 3-4, 29 runs scored, 27 runs allowed Pitching probables June 30: Yohan Flande vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD July 1: Christian Friedrich vs. Stephen...
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Opposite dugout: Struggling Rangers send Darvish to hill in series vs. O's

Opposite dugout: Struggling Rangers send Darvish to hill in series vs. O's
Manager: Ron Washington, eighth year Record: 37-44 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 3B Adrian Beltre (.332/.376/.508, 18 doubles, 9 HR, 42 RBIs); RF Alex Rios (.304/.336/.438, 27 XBH, 34 RBIs, 13 SB); RHP Yu Darvish (8-4, 2.42 ERA, 1.18 WHIP); RHP Nick Tepesch (3-3, 3.65 ERA) Season series vs. O's: 1-2, 16 runs scored, 20 runs allowed Pitching probables June 30: Joe Saunders vs. Ubaldo Jimenez, 7 p.m., MASN HD July 1: Nick Martinez vs. TBD, 7 p.m., MASN HD July 2: Nick Tepesch vs. Chris...
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Opposite dugout: Rays' bats show improvement as team emerges from rough patch

Opposite dugout: Rays' bats show improvement as team emerges from rough patch
Manager: Joe Maddon, ninth year Record: 32-48 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 3B Evan Longoria (.264/.330/.405, 10 HR, 37 RBIs); 1B James Loney (.289/.344/.381, 21 XBH, 38 RBIs); RF Kevin Kiermaier (.300/.354/.567, 8 doubles, 4 HR, 9 RBIs); RHP Alex Cobb (2-6, 4.10 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 1-7, 18 runs scored, 35 runs allowed Pitching probables June 27 (Game 1): Alex Colome vs. Kevin Gausman, 1 p.m., MASN2 HD June 27 (Game 2): Jake Odorizzi vs. Chris Tillman, 7 p.m., MASN2...
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Opposite dugout: Cubs set to throw solid rotation, strong bullpen at Nats in Chicago

Opposite dugout: Cubs set to throw solid rotation, strong bullpen at Nats in Chicago
Manager: Rick Renteria, first year Record: 32-44 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Anthony Rizzo (.284/.399/.524, 17 HR, 44 RBIs, 52 R); SS Starlin Castro (.287/.333/.479, 23 doubles, 11 HR, 45 RBIs); RHP Jeff Samardzija (2-6, 2.53 ERA, 1.19 WHIP); RHP Jason Hammel (6-5, 2.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 3-4, 36 runs scored, 31 runs allowed Pitching probables June 26: Travis Wood vs. Doug Fister, 8 p.m., MASN HD June 27: Jason Hammel vs. Tanner Roark, 4 p.m., MASN HD June 28...
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Opposite dugout: NL-leading Brewers wielding hot bats with Nats coming to town

Opposite dugout: NL-leading Brewers wielding hot bats with Nats coming to town
Manager: Ron Roenicke, fourth year Record: 47-30 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: C Jonathan Lucroy (.331/.397/.520, 26 doubles, 8 HR, 39 RBIs); CF Carlos Gomez (.317/.382/.532, 20 doubles, 12 HR, 40 RBIs); 3B Aramis Ramirez (.297/.341/.500, 10 HR, 38 RBIs); RHP Yovani Gallardo (5-4, 3.34 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 3-4, 27 runs scored, 31 runs allowed Pitching probables June 23: Matt Garza vs. Gio Gonzalez, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD June 24: Yovani Gallardo vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 8...
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Opposite dugout: Tanaka, Yankees welcome Birds to New York with first place within reach

Opposite dugout: Tanaka, Yankees welcome Birds to New York with first place within reach
Manager: Joe Girardi, seventh year Record: 38-33 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 1B Mark Teixeira (.250/.367/.460, 11 HR, 33 RBIs); CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.279/.346/.396, 21 XBH, 31 RBIs, 20 SB); C Brian McCann (.223/.288/.367, 8 HR, 33 RBIs); RHP Masahiro Tanaka (11-1, 1.99 ERA, 0.95 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 1-2, 13 runs scored, 21 runs allowed Pitching probables June 20: Hiroki Kuroda vs. Ubaldo Jimenez, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 21: Vidal Nuno vs. Bud Norris, 1 p.m., MASN HD June 22:...
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Opposite dugout: First place on the line with Braves set to play four in Washington

Opposite dugout: First place on the line with Braves set to play four in Washington
Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, fourth year Record: 36-35 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: C Evan Gattis (.294/.346/.588, 16 HR, 38 RBIs); LF Justin Upton (.278/.351/.510, 14 HR, 13 doubles, 37 RBIs); RHP Julio Teheran (6-4, 2.31 ERA, 0.93 WHIP); RHP Gavin Floyd (1-2, 2.98 ERA) Season series vs. Nats: 5-1, 32 runs scored, 16 runs allowed Pitching probables June 19: Gavin Floyd vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 20: Mike Minor vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD June 21: Julio Teheran vs....
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Opposite dugout: Improved Astros look to stay hot with strong set of pitchers on mound in D.C.

Opposite dugout: Improved Astros look to stay hot with strong set of pitchers on mound in D.C.
Manager: Bo Porter, second year Record: 32-39 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: RF George Springer (.245/.341/.470, 12 HR, 36 RBIs); CF Dexter Fowler (.284/.389/.412, 19 XBH, 41 R, 22 RBIs); 2B Jose Altuve (.318/.359/.428, 25 XBH, 22 RBIs, 24 SB); LHP Dallas Keuchel (8-3, 2.38 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 0-2, 3 runs scored, 11 runs allowed Pitching probables June 17: Dallas Keuchel vs. Tanner Roark, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD June 18: Scott Feldman vs. Gio Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN HD Series...
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Opposite dugout: Health issues, offensive ineffectiveness lead Rays to worst record in baseball

Opposite dugout: Health issues, offensive ineffectiveness lead Rays to worst record in baseball
Manager: Joe Maddon, ninth year Record: 27-43 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Evan Longoria (.265/.331/.397, 8 HR, 32 RBIs); OF Kevin Kiermaier (.333/.391/.651, 12 XBH, 4 RBIs); LHP Erik Bedard (3-4, 3.83 ERA); RHP Alex Cobb (2-4, 3.99 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 0-5, 8 runs scored, 22 runs allowed Pitching probables June 16: Jake Odorizzi vs. Wei-Yin Chen, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 17: Erik Bedard vs. Miguel Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 18: Alex Cobb vs. Kevin Gausman, 1 p.m.,...
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Opposite dugout: Cards send out yet another quality pitching staff to challenge Nats

Opposite dugout: Cards send out yet another quality pitching staff to challenge Nats
Manager: Mike Matheny, third year Record: 34-32 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Matt Carpenter (.294/.385/.385, 19 XBH, 24 RBIs); LF Matt Holliday (.265/.380/.378, 19 XBH, 30 RBIs); RHP Shelby Miller (7-5, 3.59 ERA); RHP Lance Lynn (6-4, 3.49 ERA) Season series vs. Nats: 2-2, 15 runs scored, 9 runs allowed Pitching probables June 13: Lance Lynn vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD June 14: Shelby Miller vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., FOX June 15: Jaime Garcia vs. Doug Fister, 2 p.m.,...
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Opposite dugout: Blue Jays look to pad AL East lead in Baltimore

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays look to pad AL East lead in Baltimore
Manager: John Gibbons, second year Record: 39-28 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: RF Jose Bautista (.311/.434/.548, 15 HR, 45 RBIs); 1B Edwin Encarnacion (.261/.350/.582, 20 HR, 16 doubles, 53 RBIs); LHP Mark Buehrle (10-2, 2.04 ERA, 1.21 WHIP); RHP Drew Hutchison (4-4, 3.96 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 3-3, 35 runs scored, 29 runs allowed Pitching probables June 12: Mark Buehrle vs. Kevin Gausman, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD June 13: Drew Hutchison vs. Ubaldo Jimenez, 7 p.m., MASN HD June...
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Opposite dugout: Giants, Nats match up two of baseball's best pitching staffs

Opposite dugout: Giants, Nats match up two of baseball's best pitching staffs
Manager: Bruce Bochy, eighth year Record: 42-21 Last 10 games: 8-2 Who to watch: LF Michael Morse (.278/.329/.550, 13 HR, 16 doubles, 42 RBIs); RF Hunter Pence (.290/.363/.468, 8 HR, 14 doubles, 23 RBIs); RHP Tim Hudson (6-2, 1.97 ERA, 0.96 WHIP); LHP Madison Bumgarner (8-3, 2.68 ERA, 90 K) Season series vs. Nats (2013): 3-3, 24 runs scored, 17 runs allowed Pitching probables June 9: Ryan Vogelsong vs. Stephen Strasburg, 10 p.m., MASN2 HD June 10: Madison Bumgarner vs. Doug Fister, 10 p.m.,...
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Opposite dugout: Red Sox struggling to find form entering AL East matchup with O's

Opposite dugout: Red Sox struggling to find form entering AL East matchup with O's
Manager: John Farrell, second year Record: 28-34 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: DH David Ortiz (.259/.363/.491, 14 HR, 38 RBIs); SS Xander Bogaerts (.293/.384/.444, 23 XBH, 17 RBIs); RHP Jake Peavy (1-3, 4.72 ERA, 1.45 WHIP); RHP Rubby De La Rosa (1-1, 2.84 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) Season series vs. O's: 4-3, 31 runs scored, 29 runs allowed Pitching probables June 9: Jake Peavy vs. Bud Norris, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 10: Brandon Workman vs. Chris Tillman, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 11: Rubby De La Rosa vs....
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Opposite dugout: Padres throw one of NL's top pitching staffs at Nats out west

Opposite dugout: Padres throw one of NL's top pitching staffs at Nats out west
Manager: Bud Black, eighth year Record: 27-33 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: LF Seth Smith (.306/.414/.538, 22 XBH, 21 RBIs); 2B Jedd Gyorko (.162/.213/.270, 5 HR, 24 RBIs); RHP Andrew Cashner (2-5, 2.35 ERA, 1.20 WHIP); RHP Tyson Ross (6-4, 2.85 ERA, 70 K) Season series vs. Nats: 2-2, 9 runs scored, 20 runs allowed Pitching probables June 6: Tyson Ross vs. Tanner Roark, 10 p.m., MASN2 HD June 7: Andrew Cashner vs. Blake Treinen, 10 p.m., MASN HD June 8: Eric Stults vs. Stephen Strasburg, 4...
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Opposite dugout: AL-leading A's bring ace pitching staff, productive lineup to Baltimore

Opposite dugout: AL-leading A's bring ace pitching staff, productive lineup to Baltimore
Manager: Bob Melvin, fourth year Record: 37-24 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 1B Brandon Moss (.284/.372/.589, 15 HR, 49 RBIs); 3B Josh Donaldson (.280/.369/.542, 16 HR, 49 RBIs); RHP Sonny Gray (6-1, 2.45 ERA, 1.15 WHIP); LHP Scott Kazmir (6-2, 2.40 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) Season series vs. O's (2013): 2-5, 26 runs scored, 48 runs allowed Pitching probables June 6: Tommy Milone vs. Wei-Yin Chen, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 7: Sonny Gray vs. Kevin Gausman, 7 p.m., FOX June 8: Scott Kazmir vs. Ubaldo...
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Opposite dugout: Rangers, O's set for series of reunions in Texas

Opposite dugout: Rangers, O's set for series of reunions in Texas
Manager: Ron Washington, eighth year Record: 29-28 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Shin-Soo Choo (.289/.414/.456, 6 HR, 18 RBIs); RF Alex Rios (.320/.352/.473, 22 XBH, 29 RBIs, 11 SB); 3B Adrian Beltre (.291/.354/.442, 5 HR, 20 RBIs); RHP Nick Martinez (1-1, 2.75 ERA) Season series vs. O's (2013): 2-5, 25 runs scored, 32 runs allowed Pitching probables June 3: Joe Saunders vs. Ubaldo Jimenez, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD June 4: Nick Martinez vs. Bud Norris, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD June 5: Colby Lewis vs....
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Opposite dugout: Struggling Phils look to get on track in D.C.

Opposite dugout: Struggling Phils look to get on track in D.C.
Manager: Ryne Sandberg, second year Record: 24-31 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 2B Chase Utley (.319/.378/.517, 30 XBH, 27 RBIs); RF Marlon Byrd (.274/.330/.476, 8 HR, 17 doubles, 32 RBIs); 1B Ryan Howard (.226/.300/.428, 11 HR, 40 RBIs); RHP A.J. Burnett (3-4, 3.79 ERA) Season series vs. Nats: 2-1, 11 runs scored, 7 runs allowed Pitching probables June 3: David Buchanan vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 4: A.J. Burnett vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 5: Kyle Kendrick...
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