Skip to main content

LEADING OFF: Arrieta goes for No. 21, Keuchel right at home

  • Author:
  • Publish date:

A look at what's happening around the major leagues today:

---

EVERYTHING'S JAKE

Jake Arrieta's remarkable season can get a little more special if he can beat Pittsburgh. The right-hander, who leads the majors with 20 wins, can become the first Cubs pitcher with more than 20 victories since Ferguson Jenkins went 24-13 in 1971. A.J Burnett starts for the Pirates, who have won eight straight, in the night matchup at Wrigley Field between playoff-bound teams.

HOME, SWEET HOME

Dallas Keuchel starts for the Astros as they try to hold onto the second AL wild-card spot. The lefty is 14-0 with a 1.47 ERA at Minute Maid Park this season. He'll face AL West-leading Texas, which leads Houston by 3 1/2 games.

KEEP THE BUBBLY HANDY

The Dodgers get another chance to wrap up the NL West as they close a series at Colorado needing a win and a Giants loss to clinch. Los Angeles will be without 1B Adrian Gonzalez, who was scratched Saturday with a pinched nerve in his lower back. The issue has affected Gonzalez before, but usually dissipates with rest.

FLYING WITH CLIPPED WINGS

The banged-up Cardinals wrap a series against the Brewers hoping to edge closer to an NL Central crown. St. Louis dropped its magic number to five Saturday, but also had infielder Matt Carpenter exit with left hip tightness not long after finding out pitcher Carlos Martinez is done for the year with a shoulder strain. The Cards are already without star catcher Yadier Molina, who will be re-examined Monday for a slight ligament tear in his left thumb. John Lackey faces rookie Tyler Cravy (0-8, 6.21), who's yet to win in 12 career appearances (six starts).

ROAD WORK

The Mets have won a team-record 10 straight road games, including Saturday's victory at Cincinnati that clinched the NL East. Jacob deGrom pitches for New York at Great American Ball Park, having given up at least eight hits in three of his last five starts - before that, he'd done that just once in his prior 38 starts.

ANOTHER TRY

Braves righty Shelby Miller aims to end a drought that almost defies belief - an All-Star this year, he's 0-15 in his last 23 starts. Miller has gotten the worst run support in the majors, the main reason he's 5-16 despite a 3.00 ERA. He'll try to break the streak when he pitches at Miami.