MLB on Sling TV: Nationals at Giants, Cardinals at Marlins on FS1; All the Action on FOX Sports Regional Networks
(All times Eastern, starters subject to change)
Washington Nationals (Ross 7-4, 3.49) vs. San Francisco Giants (Peavy 5-9, 5.42)
4:05pm ET on FS1
Joe Ross went on the DL on July 3 with shoulder inflammation, after suffering through a pair of rough outings that saw his ERA balloon from 3.11 to 3.49, as he gave up 8 runs on 20 hits and a walk over 11 ⅓ innings. In his final start before going on the DL, the velocity on his sinker had fallen from a season high of 93.4 to 91.8, reported MASN. In a single-A rehab stint on the 24th, he pitched 3 scoreless innings, striking out 3. The Yankees were reportedly interested in picking him in a trade for Aroldis Chapman, but that ain’t happening, as Chapman got shipped to the Cubs.
After awaking to an ERA of 9.00 following his 6-inning, 7-run stint against Cincy on May 4, Jake Peavy was a serviceable back-of-the-rotation guy for two months, posting a 3.34 ERA over 12 starts. His last two starts, however, have harkened back to early-season Peavy, as he gave up 10 runs on 7 hits (5 homers – 5!!!) and 3 walks, while fanning 11 over 11 innings. His fastball has settled in a tick below 89 mph, while his changeup has stayed right around 83 mph – that isn’t a lot of separation.
St. Louis Cardinals (Garcia 7-7, 3.97) vs.Miami Marlins (Cosart 0-1, 5.95)
7:10pm ET on FS1
Because of a doubleheader necessitated by a rainout, the Cardinals last week were forced to feed Mike Mayers to the lions. Making his Major League debut at 24 years of age, Mayers had, according to Game Score, the second worst inaugural outing since at least 1913, as he lasted just 1 ⅓ innings, and gave up 9 runs (all earned) on 8 hits and 2 walks. He gave up a grand slam to the fourth batter he ever faced – let that sink in for a moment – and later in the inning gave up a 2-run single to opposing pitcher Scott Kazmir. Fate being a cruel mistress, the Cards again this week had a doubleheader, and now must call on veteran Jaime Garcia to pitch on short rest. It’s understandable the Cards are reluctant to hand the ball over to another young untested minor leaguer, but having a talented, but injury prone guy go on three days rest seems crazy, especially since Garcia has never before done it. Fingers crossed!
Jarred Cosart’s 2016 got off to a tough start as he took the hill three times and compiled a 7.98 ERA over 14 ⅔ innings with 16 hits, 14 runs, 15 walks and just 8 K’s. Well wouldn’t you know it, Cosart had an oblique strain and went first to the DL and then to the minors, where he fared only marginally better, giving up 6 runs over 11 ⅔ innings, with 4 K’s and 5 walks. In his first start back, however, he held the lowly Phillies scoreless for 5 innings, giving up just 3 hits, 0 walks and fanning 3.
Watch the Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco Giants at 4:05pm ET, followed by the St. Louis Cardinals vs. the Miami Marlins at 7:15pm ET on FS1 on Saturday by subscribing to Sling Blue..
And here’s the action from the FOX Sports regional networks across the land…
New York Yankees (Eovaldi 9-6, 4.80) at Tampa Bay Rays (Smyly 2-11, 5.42)
6:10pm ET on Fox Sports Sun & YES
Chicago White Sox (Gonzalez 2-5, 4.28) at Minnesota Twins (Milone 3-3, 4.97)
7:10pm ET on FOX Sports North
Houston Astros (Fiers 7-4, 4.69) at Detroit Tigers (Verlander 10-6, 3.64)
7:10pm ET on FOX Sports Detroit
Oakland Athletics (Overton 1-1, 8.40) at Cleveland Indians (Tomlin 10-3, 3.48)
7:10pm ET on SportsTime Ohio, WKYC 3
Philadelphia Phillies (Hellickson 7-7, 3.65) at Atlanta Braves (Teheran 3-8, 2.71)
7:10pm ET on FOX Sports South
Pittsburgh Pirates (Jameson Taillon 2-1, 3.83) at Milwaukee Brewers (Anderson 5-10, 5.40)
7:10pm ET on FOX Sports Wisconsin
Kansas City Royals (Kennedy 6-9, 4.41) at Texas Rangers (Perez 7-7, 4.38)
8:05pm ET on FOX Sports Kansas City & FOX Sports Southwest
Cincinnati Reds (DeSclafani 6-0, 3.09) at San Diego Padres (Friedrich 4-6, 5.00)
8:40pm ET on FOX Sports Cincinnati & FOX Sports San Diego
Boston Red Sox (Pomeranz 8-8, 2.84) at Los Angeles Angels (Santiago 9-4, 4.28)
9:05pm ET on FOX Sports West
Arizona Diamondbacks (Shipley 0-1, 10.13) at Los Angeles Dodgers (Kazmir 9-3, 4.35)
9:10pm ET on FOX Sports Arizona
Watch baseball on FOX Sports Regional Networks by subscribing to Sling Blue.
All stats courtesy of ESPN, Baseball Reference, and FanGraphs