LEADING OFF: Marlins streak the right way, Sale vs Astros
A look at what's happening around the majors today:
MARLINS ON THE MOVE
Something unexpected is happening with the baseball team in Miami. The Marlins are actually winning some games.
Miami (16-31) has won six straight, capped by Garrett Cooper's two-out grand slam in the ninth inning to beat Detroit on Thursday. There might be a chance for the Marlins to take the streak even further: The next four games at Washington against the struggling Nationals, who have lost five in a row under manager Dave Martinez.
Miami still probably won't be a playoff contender anytime soon, but the wins have to be an encouraging sign for team CEO Derek Jeter, who has made known he believes the club is underachieving. The winning streak has come right after a seven-game skid that saddled the Marlins with the worst record in the majors.
"Just as bad as it looks one day, it looks great six days later," manager Don Mattingly said.
SALE VS. ASTROS, PART II
Red Sox ace Chris Sale gets his second crack in a week at facing Houston's potent lineup when he starts at Minute Maid Park. The seven-time All-Star is one of the few pitchers to slow the Astros in recent weeks, helping snap their 10-game winning streak Sunday at Fenway Park when he struck out 10 in 5 1/3 innings.
Sale had a slow start to the season, but has been dominant of late, fanning 51 over 26 1/3 innings in May.
A'S UP, MARINERS DOWN
Oakland hosts Seattle for a three-game set this weekend with the teams rapidly going in different directions.
After a rough start, the Athletics (25-25) are rolling. They're coming off a three-game sweep at Cleveland and have been boosted by the return of Gold Glove first baseman Matt Olson. The A's also expect an update on slugger Khris Davis, who's missed time with an ailing left hip.
Domingo Santana and the Mariners started the season with a 13-2 record — including two wins over the A's in Tokyo to begin the year — but have sunk to 23-29 and the bottom of the AL West. They're batting just .227 and have a 6.20 ERA in May.
DIRECTIONS, PLEASE
The Baltimore Orioles visit Coors Field for the first time in 15 years when they take on the Rockies.
The O's have won only once in Colorado — it was the last time they played there, on June 20, 2004, when Brian Roberts hit a grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning. That victory came just a few years after the retirement of future Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.
The last four Orioles-Rockies series have been played at Camden Yards.
