LEADING OFF: Harper slumping, Fernandez rolling in NL East

Posted May 25, 2016 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Washington Nationals Bryce Harper swings to ground out in the eight inning, as a pinch hitter in a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, May 25, 2016, in Washington. New York won 2-0. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) The Associated Press

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

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PITCHED AROUND

Struggling Bryce Harper hopes to get some pitches to hit when the Nationals host the Cardinals for a four-game set. Harper sat Wednesday before grounding out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning in a 2-0 loss to the Mets. The NL MVP has had a tough month, with opponents consistently pitching around him. He's hitting .197 with two homers in May but also has a .458 on-base percentage thanks to 31 walks.

FERNANDEZ ROLLING

RHP Jose Fernandez (6-2, 3.02 ERA) pitches for the Marlins as they close a four-game series with Florida-rival Tampa Bay. Fernandez has 31 strikeouts over his last three starts (20 innings) and has won his past five decisions. The Rays send out LHP Drew Smyly (2-5, 3.54).

SHADES OF GRAY

Rockies RHP Jon Gray (1-2, 6.75) tries to get back on track against the Red Sox. The hard-throwing youngster was pitching well until allowing nine runs in 3 1/3 innings during a 13-7 loss to the Cardinals in his last outing. Clay Buchholz (2-4, 5.92) will pitch for Boston.

CC'S

Yankees LHP CC Sabathia (3-2, 3.41) looks to keep up his resurgence as a solid starter for New York. He faces the Blue Jays having allowed just one run over 13 innings during his past two starts, both victories. He hasn't allowed a home run since April 16 and has held opponents to three or fewer runs in each of his six starts. LHP J.A. Happ (5-2, 3.43) will take the mound for Toronto.

Washington Nationals Bryce Harper in the teams' dugout prior to a baseball game against the New York Mets at Nationals Park, Wednesday, May 25, 2016, in Washington. Harpers was not in today's lineup but came in as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, only to ground out in the game that the Mets won 2-0. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) The Associated Press

Miami Marlins' Jose Fernandez delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, May 21, 2016, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) The Associated Press

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, May 19, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The Associated Press

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