Pro Sports

LEADING OFF: Price faces old pal Archer; Verlander vs Giants

Posted May 23, 2018 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

FILE - In this May 12, 2018, file photo, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price works against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Saturday, May 12, 2018. Price ,coming off a complete-game victory over Baltimore, pitches against his original team and buddy Chris Archer when Boston visits Tampa Bay on Wednesday. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP, File) The Associated Press

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

OLD CONNECTIONS

Red Sox lefty David Price (4-4), coming off a complete-game victory over Baltimore, pitches against his original team and buddy Chris Archer (3-3) when Boston visits Tampa Bay. "There will be a little bit of banter, but it's all friendly," Archer said. Price might get a chance to face prized Rays prospect Willy Adames, who homered in his major league debut Tuesday night. The 22-year-old shortstop was acquired from Detroit in a three-team trade that sent Price from the Rays to the Tigers on July 31, 2014.

THE THROWBACK

Houston ace Justin Verlander (5-2) faces San Francisco at home. Verlander lowered his ERA to a big league-best 1.05 by tossing a five-hitter against the Angels last time out, his eighth career shutout and first since 2015 with Detroit. Jeff Samardzija (1-2) is up for the Giants.

ON SECOND THOUGHT

The Mariners are down another second baseman after Dee Gordon joined Robinson Cano on the disabled list. Gordon, who had just taken over at second for the All-Star slugger, hurt his right big toe on May 9 in Toronto and reinjured it Sunday. Seattle manager Scott Servais said the team expects the injury to heal on its own with rest and the Mariners want Gordon to stay off his feet for a while. Gordon Beckham started at second Tuesday night in Oakland. Gordon was acquired from Miami during the offseason and shifted to center field, then moved back to the infield after Cano broke his hand May 13 when hit by a pitch. Cano received an 80-game suspension two days later for a positive drug test. Gordon is batting .304 with 16 steals in 45 games. "As soon as the 10 days are up I hope to have him back out there with us," Servais said.

NEW STARTER

Adam Plutko is set to replace struggling right-hander Josh Tomlin in Cleveland's rotation when the Indians conclude a two-game interleague series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Tomlin said he "definitely wasn't surprised" by the move to the bullpen after going 0-4 with a 7.84 ERA through six starts and seven appearances. Plutko will be called up from Triple-A Columbus to make his second career start. He earned his first major league win about three weeks ago, pitching into the eighth inning against Toronto as the 26th man for a doubleheader. Jon Lester (4-1, 2.52 ERA) seeks his third straight win for the Cubs.

HALF A HUNDRED

Jacob deGrom (4-0, 1.75 ERA) tries for his 50th major league win when he starts for the New York Mets in the rubber game of a series against last-place Miami. Dan Straily (2-0, 3.60) goes for the Marlins after shutting out Atlanta for seven innings in his previous outing. Jose Bautista went 1 for 3 with a double in his Mets debut Tuesday night.

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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

FILE - In this May 16, 2018, file photo, Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws to a Los Angeles Angels batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif. Verlander and the Astros play the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Rays' Willy Adames, left, celebrates with Johnny Field after hitting a home run off Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press

Seattle Mariners' Dee Gordon stands on second base after stealing in the 11th inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, May 20, 2018, in Seattle. Gordon scored from second on a walk-off RBI single hit by Jean Segura and the Mariners won 3-2 in 11 innings. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) The Associated Press

New York Mets' Jose Bautista (11) hits a double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Rays' Willy Adames celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run off Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press

New York Mets' Jose Bautista (11) stretches while on deck during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Associated Press

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