LEADING OFF: Early start at Fenway, Lackey back in St Louis

Posted April 18, 2016 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Boston Red Sox's Mookie Betts hits an RBI-single off a pitch by Toronto Blue Jays' Aaron Sanchez in the fifth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Sunday, April 17, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) The Associated Press

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

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WAKE UP!

The annual Patriots' Day game at Fenway Park begins at 11:05 a.m., with the Red Sox hosting Toronto in the finale of a four-game series. The early start coincides with the running of the Boston Marathon.

REMEMBER ME?

John Lackey, off to a 2-0 start for the Cubs despite a 5.68 ERA, returns to pitch at St. Louis. He left the Cardinals in the offseason and signed with Chicago. He has never faced the Cards in the regular season, but beat them in the clinching Game 6 of the 2013 World Series with Boston.

SLUMPING

Rockies rookie Trevor Story still leads the majors with seven home runs, but is 3 for 16 with 10 strikeouts in his last four games. Colorado opens a set at Cincinnati. ... Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton has struck out 15 times in 39 at-bats and is batting just .205. Miami takes on the Nationals.

HIT MAN

Nationals newcomer Daniel Murphy leads the majors with a .432 batting average. He takes a nine-game hitting streak going into the series opener at Miami.

HEATING UP

Noah Syndergaard pitches for the Mets in Philadelphia, trying to keep up his blazing start. He's allowed just one run in 13 innings this season and struck out 21.

Colorado Rockies' Trevor Story hits a double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) The Associated Press

Miami Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton hits a single in the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) The Associated Press

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