LEADING OFF: Texas visits Toronto, site of wild playoff game

Posted May 02, 2016 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista hits a two-run home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer during the third inning of a baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla., Saturday, April 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) The Associated Press

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

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FLIPPY

Jose Bautista and the Toronto Blue Jays welcome Texas to town for the first time since their raucous Game 5 of the AL Division Series. That decisive matchup at Rogers Centre last October included Bautista's high-flying bat flip, a couple of angry confrontations and fans throwing debris.

FAMILIAR FACE

Giants newcomer Johnny Cueto returns to Great American Ball Park to face the Reds. The All-Star made the first 213 starts of his career for Cincinnati before being traded last July to Kansas City in a package that included pitcher Brandon Finnegan. Cueto signed with San Francisco in the offseason and has done well so far, going 4-1 with a 2.65 ERA. He'll face Finnegan (1-1, 3.86) in this matchup.

BACK AGAIN

Jason Hammel (3-0, 0.75) carries the NL's best ERA into Pittsburgh when the Cubs visit PNC Park for the first time since last year's wild-card game. Jake Arrieta outpitched Gerrit Cole to win that matchup 4-0 in October. Cole will start this game against Hammel.

A HOME RUN

AL Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel starts the series opener vs. Minnesota at Minute Maid Park. The Astros lefty is 2-3 with a 4.41 ERA overall this season, but has won 17 straight decisions at home dating to 2014.

WANTS ONE

At 0-4, James Shields starts for the Padres at home against Colorado. He is 13-11 with a 3.86 ERA in 38 starts with San Diego since signing a $75 million, four-year contract as a free agent before the 2015 season.

Pittsburgh Pirates' Gregory Polanco returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tim Adleman during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, May 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) The Associated Press

Texas Rangers' Prince Fielder, left, and Ian Desmond celebrate their runs scored on a single by Delino DeShields against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 1, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jim Cowsert) The Associated Press

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