LEADING OFF: Yelich crunching Cards, Sale slump, deGrom OK?
A look at what's happening around the majors today:
DON'T PITCH TO HIM
NL MVP Christian Yelich gets yet another chance to feast on St. Louis pitching when the Brewers visit Busch Stadium.
The teams have already played seven times this season — Yelich has eight home runs and 19 RBIs in those matchups, going 12 for 24 with eight walks for an incredible 2.167 OPS.
Cardinals right-hander Jack Flaherty is 1-2 with a 4.58 ERA in seven career starts against Milwaukee.
TOUGH START
Chris Sale (0-4, 8.50 ERA) faces Detroit when the Red Sox begin a 10-game homestand. The All-Star lefty has been tagged for 17 runs and 23 hits over 18 innings in his four starts this season.
The World Series champs return to Fenway Park after a three-game sweep of AL East-leading Tampa Bay.
CHECK UP?
The Mets might find out more about ace Jacob deGrom, who was scratched from a start in St. Louis over the weekend after saying he felt soreness in his right arm.
The team originally said deGrom would get an MRI on Monday back in New York. But the Mets then said he might not need one, adding his elbow trouble likely was a result of altering his routine during a recent bout of strep throat.
OH BABY!
A day off for the Cubs comes at a perfect time for David Bote. Moments after hitting a game-ending single in the ninth inning Sunday to beat Arizona, Bote rushed off to Colorado — his wife, Rachel, was set for the birth of the couple's third child.
Chicago next plays on Tuesday, taking on the Dodgers at Wrigley Field.
BOO-WHO
Bryce Harper usually heard his share of boos when he played at Citi Field as a member of the Washington Nationals. Now with another NL East rival, the slugging outfielder figures to get the same treatment when the Phillies visit the New York Mets' home field for the first time this season.
Jake Arrieta (3-1, 2.25 ERA) starts for Philadelphia vs. Steven Matz (1-1, 4.96). Matz allowed eight runs without recording an out in his previous start, last week in Philly.
ONE AND WON
A whopping 10 MLB games were decided by one run on Sunday. The Rangers nearly blew a nine-run lead before holding off Houston 11-10 and the Dodgers edged Milwaukee 6-5 on Cody Bellinger's homer in the ninth off Josh Hader.
