Astros look to Verlander to clinch on MLB.TV

September 17th, 2017

Now that the Indians have clinched the American League Central title, who will be next to clinch? You'll only know by following all the action at MLB.TV.
The Astros woke up Sunday with another chance to clinch the AL West with a magic number of one. Houston beat the Mariners 8-6 on Saturday, but the Angels beat the Rangers 2-0, giving the Astros a chance to clinch Sunday with (12-8, 3.58 ERA) taking the mound in his first start at Minute Maid Park. 
The Red Sox still have a ways to go in the American League East with the Yankees on their heels. The Dodgers shaved their magic number to five to clinch the National League West with Saturday's 3-2 win over Washington, and the Cubs lead the NL Central, though it looks like that race will come down to the wire with the Brewers closing the gap.
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Here's what to watch for Sunday (all times ET):
Astros eyeing October: SEA@HOU, 2:10 p.m.
Verlander, a former AL MVP and CY Young Award winner, is 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two starts with his new team. The excitement will be palable with his MMP debut. 
Seattle will counter with , who is replacing the struggling . Moore (1-3, 5.36) has allowed just four hits and three runs in 12 innings in two September appearances.
W-Indians with nothing to lose: KC@CLE, 1:10 p.m.
With Cleveland clinching the AL Central, it's unclear how hard Terry Francona will ride his horse, . But Kluber still has something to pitch for, as he's working on another  AL Cy Young Award. Kluber (16-4, 2.44 ERA), who leads the AL in ERA, and is tied for first in wins, complete games (five) and shutouts (three), opposes lefty Danny Duffy (8-8, 3.78).

Young studs swing off: OAK@PHI, 1:35 p.m.
Neither the A's or Phillies are playing for the postseason, but both are using this time to get long looks at young, talented players. And both teams have impressive young sluggers. Tune in to this afternoon game to watch the Phillies' and the A's swing off, if for nothing else.

Everyone knows about Hoskins, who has slugged 18 home runs in his first 35 career games. But how about Olson? He hit a mammoth home run Friday night, his 19th in 51 games, and smacked a solo HR on Saturday. These rookies are worth watching.

NL Central rivals clash: STL@CHC, 2:20 p.m., MLB.TV
It should be another great atmosphere at Wrigley Field for the latest chapter in this longtime rivalry after the Cubs took the first two games of this series. The Cubs won 8-2 on Friday in a game when tensions ran high, then 4-1 on Saturday. Chicago is 10-4 against St. Louis this season, and continues to build momentum atop the NL Central.
The Cubs own a five-game lead over the Cardinals with 14 games to play, and a four-game lead over the second-place Brewers. Sunday should be a good pitching matchup, with (11-7, 3.01) opposing lefty (10-11, 4.25).

NLCS preview?: LAD@WSH, 8:08 p.m.
The Dodgers won their fourth straight game Saturday and seem completely healed from the mysterious ailments of earlier this month, when they went 1-11 to start September. That's changed on the heels of some stellar pitching performances, most recently by Rich Hill (five innings seven K's) on Saturday.
(5-7, 3.59) gets the ball Sunday night against (13-4, 2.64), who could be chasing an NL Cy Young Award.