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LEADING OFF: MadBum faces Thor; Price in prime time vs Yanks

Posted May 01, 2016 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz, right, celebrates his solo home run in front of New York Yankees' Brian McCann during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Boston, Saturday, April 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer The Associated Press

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

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MADBUM VS. THOR

There's a marquee pitching matchup in New York - if the weather holds. Steady rain is in the forecast and well could dampen the duel between Giants ace Madison Bumgarner (2-2) and young Mets star Noah Syndergaard (2-0). Bumgarner has won all three of his starts at Citi Field with an 0.78 ERA. Syndergaard has 38 strikeouts, matching Pedro Martinez for the most by a Mets pitcher in the first four starts of a season. New York has won eight straight overall, the longest current streak in the majors.

PRICE IN PRIME TIME

David Price gets his first real taste of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry when Boston tries for a three-game sweep at Fenway Park on national television at 8:05 p.m. The ace lefty is 3-0 despite a 5.76 ERA in five starts with the Red Sox since signing as a free agent last offseason for $217 million over seven years. He has 46 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings. Price faced New York in spring training, striking out six in four effective innings. His lone blemish came on Aaron Hicks' solo homer.

BREAKTHROUGH AT BUSCH

Already assured their first series win in St. Louis since May 2007, the Washington Nationals go for a three-game sweep after boosting their record to 8-24 at 11-year-old Busch Stadium. The NL East leaders are 16-7 overall this season, their best start since moving from Montreal in 2005. Washington right-hander Max Scherzer (2-1) is 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA in two career starts in his hometown. He faces Carlos Martinez, who has won his first four starts while compiling a 1.93 ERA.

BACK ON THE BUMP

Texas left-hander Cole Hamels faces the Angels, his first start in 11 days. He skipped a turn Monday because of a sore groin but threw two bullpen sessions during the week without any issues. Hamels (3-0, 2.52 ERA) has won his last 10 regular-season decisions, a career best, and the Rangers have won his last 14 starts. The only time Texas has won more consecutive starts by one pitcher was Ferguson Jenkins from 1978-79 - winning 15 in a row started by the Hall of Famer.

SUPER START

Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale is 5-0 with a 1.66 ERA in five outings this season heading into his matchup with Baltimore right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (1-2).

FAMILIAR FACE

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw (2-1, 2.43 ERA) makes his sixth start of the season for the Los Angeles Dodgers when they host former teammate Matt Kemp and the San Diego Padres.

Washington Nationals' Jayson Werth, right, is congratulated by third base coach Bob Henley after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday, April 30, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press

FILE - In this April 26, 2016 file photo, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during a baseball game in Toronto. Expectations for both Chicago baseball teams this year are high as the Cubs and White Sox lead their perspective leagues three weeks into the season. (Fred Thornhill/The Canadian Press via AP, File) The Associated Press

New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, second from right, stands at the railing in the dug out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Saturday, April 30, 2016. The Red Sox won 8-0. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The Associated Press

New York Yankees' Starlin Castro rubs his face between pitches during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Saturday, April 30, 2016. The Red Sox won 8-0. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The Associated Press

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, left, talks with Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly during batting practice prior to a baseball game, Thursday, April 28, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press

San Diego Padres' Matt Kemp hits an RBI double as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal watches along with home plate umpire Mark Wegner during the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press

San Diego Padres' Matt Kemp watches his three-run home run, along with Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 29, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press

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