LEADING OFF: Rockies-Twins in surprising 1st-place matchup

Posted May 17, 2017 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Colorado Rockies' Gerardo Parra, left, gets congratulated as he heads to the dugout on a solo home run off Minnesota Twins pitcher Phil Hughes in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) The Associated Press

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

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NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Two of baseball's biggest surprises square off when the Colorado Rockies visit Minnesota in an interleague matchup of first-place teams. Ervin Santana (6-1, 1.50 ERA) starts for the Twins against rookie German Marquez (1-2, 4.88). Both pitchers are coming off excellent outings - Santana threw two-hit ball for seven shutout innings at Cleveland, and Marquez limited the World Series champion Cubs to three hits in eight scoreless innings. The 22-year-old Marquez took a no-hitter into the seventh against Chicago and even had a two-run single for his first major league hit.

A GIANT 20?

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw goes for his 20th career win over the Giants when he starts against Johnny Cueto at AT&T Park. Kershaw is 19-9 with 1.66 ERA overall vs. San Francisco, including 11-4 with a 1.36 ERA by the Bay. Kershaw has already faced the Giants twice this year, while Cueto has opposed the Dodgers twice. In their one head-to-head matchup, Cueto won at Dodger Stadium.

SURPRISING SHOWDOWN

Royals left-hander Jason Vargas takes a 13-inning scoreless streak into his start against the upstart Yankees. The 34-year-old Vargas has suddenly emerged as one of the AL's top performers, leading the league with a 1.01 ERA through seven starts. He'll get his toughest test yet against Aaron Judge and a high-powered New York lineup, which leads the AL in runs, homers and on-base percentage. Big righty Michael Pineda is up for the Yankees.

TRY, TRY AGAIN

Embattled right-hander Matt Harvey tries to get back on track in his second start for the New York Mets since serving a three-game suspension imposed by the team for skipping a home game after a late night on the town. Harvey lost at Milwaukee last Friday, dropping to 2-3 with a 5.62 ERA. This time, he returns to Arizona - the site of his successful major league debut in 2012.

SCENE SHIFT

Freddie Freeman and Atlanta swept a two-game series in Toronto, and now they'll try to take two more from the Blue Jays at home. The teams switch stadiums without a break, with Mike Foltynewicz starting for the Braves vs. Joe Biagini. Freeman kept up his torrid pace and is hitting .343 with 14 home runs and 25 RBIs.

Minnesota Twins' Jorge Polanco, left, is congratulated by Eddie Rosario after scoring on a double by Jason Castro off Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland in the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) The Associated Press

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, right, celebrates after hitting a two-run home run with second baseman Brandon Phillips during fifth inning interleague baseball action against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Tuesday, May 16, 2017. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman hits a three-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Monday May 15, 2017. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

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