FILE - In this Wednesday, May 16, 2018, file photo, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Bartolo Colon throws to a Seattle Mariners batter during the third inning of a baseball game in Seattle. Just days before his 45th birthday, Bartolo Colon (2-1, 2.82 ERA) is scheduled to pitch Monday, May 21, 2018, for last-place Texas against the hard-hitting New York Yankees, who socked nine homers and totaled 18 runs in the final two games of their series at Kansas City. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
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A look at what's happening around the majors today:
BIG SEXY AND THE BRONX BOMBERS
Three days before his 45th birthday, Bartolo Colon (2-1, 2.82 ERA) pitches for last-place Texas against the hard-hitting New York Yankees, who socked nine homers and totaled 18 runs in the final two games of their series at Kansas City. Colon is 6-9 with a 6.11 ERA in 21 career appearances against the Yankees, one of his former teams. Masahiro Tanaka (4-2, 4.73) starts for New York.
SNAKE BIT
Paul Goldschmidt and the slumping Diamondbacks try to snap out of their funk in Milwaukee. Arizona, which still leads the NL West, has lost four in a row and 10 of 11 - scoring just 22 runs in that span. "Everybody here is a victim of trying to do too much," manager Torey Lovullo said. "They want it so bad that we're doing things in a pressing manner. I just want us to remember that we're good when we're ourselves." Zack Greinke (3-2) goes on an extra day of rest against right-hander Chase Anderson (3-3), who is set to come off the disabled list. Anderson hasn't started since May 6 because of an illness. Greinke is 16-3 at Miller Park, including a 15-0 stretch when he pitched for the Brewers.
WALK YEAR
In his final season before free agency, Bryce Harper has more walks (42) than hits (34). The 2015 NL MVP is stuck in a monthlong slump as the injury-depleted Nationals have struggled to protect him in the lineup. Since April 17, Harper has had three multihit games and 15 hitless games, and his batting average has dropped from .315 to a season-low .224. His 13 home runs are still tied for fourth-most in the majors, but he's gone deep just once since May 4. He went 1 for 10 with five strikeouts as Washington was swept by the Dodgers. Next up, Harper and the Nats host last-place San Diego.
STATE RIVALS
The struggling Royals head to the other side of Missouri for an I-70 interleague series in St. Louis. Miles Mikolas (5-0, 2.63 ERA) opposes Kansas City right-hander Ian Kennedy (1-4, 4.98) in the opener of a three-game set. Mikolas has held opponents to two runs or fewer in his last six starts.
TRY AGAIN
Jason Vargas gets another chance for his first win with the Mets after a miserable first three outings that led to him being skipped in the rotation. The left-hander, signed to a $16 million, two-year contract in February to provide veteran depth in New York's rotation, is 0-3 with a 13.86 ERA. He hasn't pitched since May 8, when he allowed four runs in four innings during a loss to the Reds. Vargas went 18-11 with a 4.16 ERA for Kansas City last year, tying for the major league lead in wins.
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New York Yankees' Tyler Austin, right, celebrates with Aaron Hicks after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, May 20, 2018, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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New York Mets catcher Tomas Nido, right, tags out Arizona Diamondbacks' Jeff Mathis (2) at home plate during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 20, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Washington Nationals rightfielder Bryce Harper looks on during a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, May 20, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
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St. Louis Cardinals' Tyler O'Neill (41) and Tommy Pham (28) celebrate following a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, May 20, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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St. Louis Cardinals' Tyler O'Neill, left, is congratulated by teammate Jose Martinez after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, May 20, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper looks out from the dugout before a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, May 20, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
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Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper wear glasses before the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park, Saturday, May 19, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper wears glasses to bat during the first inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park, Saturday, May 19, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Clay Buchholz reacts as New York Mets' Amed Rosario runs the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 20, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed (13) approaches pitcher Andrew Chafin (40) for a conference on the mound during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Saturday, May 19, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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