Pro Sports

LEADING OFF: Arrieta aims for 20; Bradley halfway to Joe D

Posted May 25, 2016 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Boston Red Sox's Jackie Bradley Jr. follows through on a double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Boston, Tuesday, May 24, 2016. Bradley extended his hitting streak to 28 games. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The Associated Press

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

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GOING FOR 20

Jake Arrieta (8-0, 1.29 ERA) tries to win his 20th straight regular-season decision when the Cubs face the Cardinals. Chicago has won each of Arrieta's last 22 starts, in part because it is averaging eight runs per game over Arrieta's nine outings this season. Arrieta can tie Chris Sale for the major league lead in wins.

HALFWAY THERE

Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. tries to extend his hitting streak to 29 games when Boston hosts Colorado. Chad Bettis (4-2, 4.18 ERA) pitches for the Rockies. Bradley had two more hits Tuesday night and is halfway to Joe DiMaggio's major league record of 56 consecutive games set in 1941.

SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE

Mets lefty Steven Matz (6-1, 2.81 ERA) brings a six-game winning streak into the series finale against Washington. He has never lost on the road (5-0) or faced the Nationals. Washington counters with Tanner Roark (3-3, 2.89), who is 5-0 with a 3.05 ERA in 11 career appearances against the Mets.

GETTING CLOSE

Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez is expected to play a second rehab game with Double-A Trenton as he gets ready to return from a strained right hamstring. The 40-year-old Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with two singles and an RBI for the Thunder against New Hampshire on Tuesday night. New York, which has won six straight, is leaning toward activating him from the disabled list for a trip that starts Friday at Tampa Bay but could shorten Rodriguez's time in the minors if he feels good.

STILL RAKING

Ichiro Suzuki looks to start a new streak after his recent hitting tear ended with an 0-for-5 showing Tuesday. Suzuki tied a Marlins record with 10 hits in the previous three games and became the first 42-year-old to go on such a streak since Cap Anson in 1894. Suzuki has 2,960 hits in his major league career and 4,238 between the majors and Japan - the latter total is 18 behind Pete Rose's career mark.

TURNING TO JOSE

For all the fanfare around Chris Sale this season, Jose Quintana (5-3, 1.98 ERA) has pitched awfully well for the White Sox, too. Cleveland roughed up Sale for six runs in 3 1/3 innings Tuesday and tries to do the same against Quintana, who has lost his last two starts in part because of poor run support - Chicago scored just one run in each of those defeats.

COAST TO COAST

The Marlins and Rays head to the Gulf side of Florida to continue their four-game series, with LHP Justin Nicolino (2-2, 4.30) going for Miami and RHP Matt Andriese (3-0, 2.11) trying to win his fourth consecutive start for Tampa Bay. Nicolino is winless in his last three outings, with a 5.63 ERA during that stretch.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez stands in the dugout during a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) The Associated Press

Miami Marlins' Ichiro Suzuki, of Japan, hits a single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, May 23, 2016, in Miami. Suzuki had four hits as the Marlins rallied past the Rays 7-6. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) The Associated Press

Chicago Cubs left fielder Jorge Soler, left, and center fielder Matt Szczur celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in a baseball game, Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in St. Louis. The Cubs won the game 12-3. (AP Photo/Billy Hurst) The Associated Press

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez hits a single in the seventh inning of a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder in a baseball game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) The Associated Press

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez smiles as he answers a question after a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder in a baseball against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) The Associated Press

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez gets a hit during a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) The Associated Press

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez watches his pop-up during a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder, against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) The Associated Press

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez pops up during a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder, against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) The Associated Press

Boston Red Sox's Jackie Bradley Jr. tosses the bat after hitting a double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Boston, Tuesday, May 24, 2016. With the hit, Bradley extended his hitting streak to 28 games. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The Associated Press

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