LEADING OFF: Phillies on the clock, Stroman seeks control
A look at what's happening all around the majors Thursday:
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DRAFT DAY
The Phillies have the first pick in this year's amateur draft, with the first two rounds (and two "competitive balance rounds") happening at MLB Network's Secaucus, New Jersey, studios beginning at 7 p.m. EDT. Philadelphia's top options include New Jersey high school LHP Jason Groome, Mercer OF Kyle Lewis, California high school OF Mickey Moniak, Florida LHP A.J. Puk, Louisville OF Corey Ray and Tennessee 3B Nick Senzel.
BACK UNDER CONTROL?
Blue Jays RHP Marcus Stroman (5-2, 4.82 ERA) tries to rediscover the strike zone in a start against the Orioles. Stroman easily set a career high when he walked five in a 6-4 loss to the Red Sox in his last start. The lack of control was uncharacteristic for the 25-year-old - he's walked just 2.23 batters per nine innings in his career.
IMPROVING WAINO
Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright (5-4, 5.40) looks to keep his ERA trending in the right direction after a lackluster start to the season. The 34-year-old is 2-1 with a 3.04 ERA over his last four starts after beginning the year 3-3 with a 6.80 mark. Despite the improvements, he's still allowing hits and home runs at the highest rates of his career after missing almost all of 2015 with an Achilles tendon injury. Cincinnati pitches LHP Brandon Finnegan (2-4, 3.89).
NOT SO SUPER NOVA
Yankees RHP Ivan Nova (4-3, 4.41) has allowed at least one home run in six consecutive starts, an unfortunate streak he'll try to end against the Angels. Nova has perhaps been catching too much of the plate, allowing as many home runs this season (eight) as walks. The homer struggles are a bit perplexing, too, because Nova ranks fourth in the majors with a 59 percent groundball rate (minimum 40 innings pitched).
LOCKED IN
Pirates LHP Jeff Locke (5-3, 4.28) seeks his fifth consecutive win when the Pirates open a series in Colorado. Locke allowed three runs - including two homers- over seven innings in an 8-7 win over the Angels in his last start. The Rockies send out RHP Chad Bettis (4-5, 5.58).