LEADING OFF: Machado, O's in Beantown after near-beaning
A look at what's happening all around the majors today:
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BIRDS IN BEANTOWN
The Orioles face Boston at Fenway Park in their first meeting since tempers flared a week ago at Camden Yards. Manny Machado rankled the Red Sox with a late slide into second baseman Dustin Pedroia, then two days later, Matt Barnes buzzed the Baltimore star with a fastball behind the head. The dustup drew a lot of heat, and Barnes was suspended four games.
LONE STAR LOSSES
Houston missed the playoffs last season, and the Rangers really hurt them. The Astros were just 4-15 against their intrastate rivals, and are only 10-28 since Jeff Banister became the Texas manager in 2015. They meet for the first time this year, with Houston-area native Andrew Cashner starting for the Rangers and Lance McCullers pitching for the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
NOT A PERFECT 10
The Royals try to avoid a 10th straight loss when they host the White Sox. Kansas City is stuck in its worst skid since dropping 12 in a row in April 2012. Jason Vargas starts for the Royals after losing to Chicago last week.
TEST TIME
Mets ace Noah Syndergaard is having an MRI, a day after he left a shaky start with a possible lat strain. He refused to have an MRI on his biceps Friday, but will now get checked after giving up five runs in the first inning of a 23-5 loss at Washington. Syndergaard was pulled with one out in the second after his 38th pitch. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said this problem "may or may not be related to his previous complaint, which was in the bicep, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens."
DOING OK?
The Brewers might have a better feel for how slugger Ryan Braun is feeling. He left Sunday's game because of arm soreness and tightness in his right trapezius, a large muscle that extends from the shoulder into the upper back. Braun, hitting .287 with seven home runs, said he doesn't expect to go on the disabled list. The former NL MVP has missed time with lower back tightness this season and last year.
FIRE UP THE COLES
Pirates righty RHP Gerrit Cole (1-3, 3.60 ERA) is scheduled to make his 100th career start when Cincinnati visits PNC Park. He is 0-6 in eight starts against the Reds.