LEADING OFF: Scherzer on rare skid, Sabathia vs Felix in NY
A look at what's happening around the majors today:
SCHERZER SKID
Washington has lost each of Max Scherzer's last four starts, the longest such stretch for the three-time Cy Young winner since 2015. Scherzer hasn't started five straight team losses since the 2009-10 seasons, a six-start skid that spanned his trade from Arizona to Detroit. He faces Milwaukee, which is coming off a three-game sweep of the Mets.
STILL CHUCKING
A couple past-their-prime aces square off at Yankee Stadium with New York LHP CC Sabathia facing Mariners RHP Felíx Hernández. Sabathia (1-1, 2.66) recorded his 3,000th career strikeout in his previous outing. Hernández (1-2, 4.31) has rebounded a bit from a lousy 2018, walking just four over 31 1/3 innings this season. The banged-up Yankees may get OF Clint Frazier (sprained ankle) off the injured list.
RED HOT RED SOX
Red Sox hitters are suddenly slugging. Boston piled up 30 runs over its final three games against the White Sox this weekend, and now the Red Sox get to swing against Baltimore's struggling pitching staff. The Orioles entered Sunday with a major league-worst 5.74 ERA, allowing 75 homers — 19 more than the next highest total. Boston (17-18) has a chance to get back to .500 following a miserable start to the season.
SAN DIEGO SLAM
A day after Hunter Renfroe's pinch-hit grand slam sank the Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth, the Padres open a series against the Mets by taking on NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom. Renfroe's shot against Kenley Jansen prevented a three-game sweep against rival LA. Now San Diego hopes standout rookie RHP Chris Paddack (2-1, 1.91) can hang with deGrom, who returned to form last time out after struggling amid elbow issues and a bout of strep throat.
