Mad Max, Thor part of blockbuster .TV lineup

May 22nd, 2016

Sunday afternoons in May tend to bring sunshine and great pitching, and today is no different. Aces abound on a full-slated day in the Majors, with Chris Archer, Jordan Zimmermann, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Greinke, Max Scherzer, Marcus Stroman and Madison Bumgarner all toeing the rubber.
The best place to catch all the action is on MLB.TV.
MLB.TV Premium returns with the same features as last year, but at $109.99, it is a full 20 bucks cheaper than the 2015 cost. This package has the best value and provides access to more than 400 devices and a free subscription to the MLB.com At Bat Premium app (a $19.99 value). It offers the best picture quality ever -- a new 60 frames per second -- for supported devices. Monthly signups for MLB.TV Premium are now underway as well for $24.99.
The new MLB.TV Single Team package is also now available as an $84.99 yearly subscription. You can watch a single team's live out-of-market games in full HD.
Here is a look at what to watch for today in the Majors (all times ET):
Unleash the aces: TB@DET, 1:10 p.m.
The day starts with a matchup of excellent righties, as the Rays' Archer and the Tigers' Zimmermann square off at Comerica Park. Archer (3-4, 4.38 ERA) is still trying to find his footing, though he has struck out 61 batters in 49 1/3 innings. So the wipeout stuff is still there.
For Zimmermann, his first year in Detroit had been close to perfect before allowing seven earned runs in his past start. He's allowed five home runs in his past four starts after allowing none in his first four.
Stat that matters: The Tigers' lineup is packed with right-handed hitters, which are Archer's specialty. Detroit's 13 position players have combined to hit .200 against Archer over his career, mustering just 16 hits in 80 at bats.
Brew Crew vs. Syn Citi: MIL@NYM, 1:10 p.m.
Tune in to see New York's Syndergaard, as singular a pitcher as there is in baseball today. Nobody brings the type of power to every pitch like Syndergaard does. And after a dominant performance his last time out against the Nationals (seven innings, 10 strikeouts), Thor may be ready to go on a roll.

For Milwaukee, Sunday could present the return of slugger Ryan Braun to the lineup. A sore lower back has held Braun, who is slashing .364/.429/.576, out for six of the Brewers' past seven games.
Stat that matters: It'll be an interesting matchup pitting starter Cody Anderson, who has allowed the second-most home runs in the National League, against the Mets. New York's 59 homers pace the NL.
Southpaw central: TEX@HOU, 2:10 p.m. The battle of the Lone Star State has been one-sided lately. The Rangers have won 12 of their past 14 games against the Astros. This season, they are 4-0, courtesy of a 1.82 starters ERA over those games.
That's where the key to this one lies for the Astros. They're looking to get their ace, Dallas Keuchel (2-5, 5.43 ERA), back to his 2015 American League Cy Young Award-winning form. The Rangers counter with Cole Hamels (4-0, 3.10 ERA), revving up the possibility for a matchup of marquee lefties in the heart of Texas.

Stat that matters: Keuchel rode impeccable control to his 2015 hardware, walking batters at an elite rate of 1.98 per nine innings. That number is more than doubled this season, at 4.0 walks per nine. He's allowed AL-most 64 hits and 34 earned runs, but it's those walk issues that may be the most correctable.
Catch me if you can: KC@CWS, 2:10 p.m.
The White Sox were seven games ahead of the third-place Royals as recently as May 9. Less than two weeks later, that lead has been sliced to just 2 1/2 in what's become a tightly contested AL Central. Kansas City can inch even closer with a win Sunday and earn a sweep on the South Side in the process. Carlos Rodon (1-4, 4.73 ERA) will look to be the stopper the White Sox need against Yordano Ventura (4-2, 4.85 ERA).
Stat that matters: Basically everything in Lorenzo Cain's batting line. The Royals' No. 3 hitter has been vital in awakening Kansas City from its early-season slumber. Cain slashed just .220/.297/.293 with two home runs in 22 April games. In May, he's batting .329/.367/.534 with four homers, including the one he hit Saturday.

At home on the road: ARI@STL, 2:15 p.m.
Greinke is hoping a return to Busch Stadium, where he has always thrown well, continues to help him find his groove. Greinke has been much better in May, and he has won four of his past five decisions after a tough start to the season. But it won't be easy against a Cardinals lineup that leads the NL in runs, doubles and slugging percentage.
Stat that matters: The Cards lead the NL in slugging, but the D-backs have outslugged them considerably against left-handed pitching (.477 to .386). Arizona is second in the league in that category, and it will match up against St. Louis lefty Jaime Garcia on Sunday.