Opening Day preview: Aces in action today

Harvey vs. Keuchel among highlights on MLB.TV slate

March 24th, 2016

The regular season is less than two weeks away, but fans can watch some of baseball's best pitchers today in Spring Training action.
Today's schedule features seven hurlers who will start for their clubs on Opening Day: Matt Harvey, Clayton Kershaw, Jake Arrieta, Dallas Keuchel, Madison Bumgarner, Chris Sale and Wily Peralta.
All seven will take the mound in games available for streaming live on MLB.TV. Here are a few things to watch for throughout the day (all times ET):
Pair of aces: HOU@NYM, 1:10 p.m., MLB.TV
The Mets have their final split-squad action of the spring, with Harvey set to start at home in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Harvey increased his workload to 71 pitches and 3 1/3 innings his last time out in a Minor League game on Saturday. He's preparing for the first Opening Day start of his career, on April 3 against the Royals in a World Series rematch.
Keuchel, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, gets the ball for the visiting Astros. It will be the third Grapefruit League start for Keuchel, who has allowed two hits and one run with five strikeouts in five innings this spring. Star shortstop Carlos Correa is expected to make the trip to Tradition Field.

Arrieta, MadBum duel: CHC@SF, 7:05 p.m., MLB.TV
Fans can catch the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner in action when Arrieta makes his third spring start for the Cubs. He'll be opposed by Giants ace lefty Bumgarner in today's best starting pitching matchup in the Cactus League.
Cubs regulars Jason Heyward, Dexter Fowler and Anthony Rizzo are expected to make the trip to Scottsdale.
Bumgarner will be looking to build arm strength in this start, as he has not worked more than three innings in any of his three spring outings.

Kershaw takes the mound: LAD@CLE, 10:05 p.m., MLB.TV
The Dodgers are back in action following a day off on Wednesday, with Kershaw set to take the hill after dealing with a foul bunt off his foot and a fender bender in the last few days. Dodgers outfielder Scott Van Slyke is expected to return to the field after missing three games with a sore hip flexor.
Trevor Bauer will start for the Indians. He has made three appearances (two starts) in the Cactus League, allowing four runs in nine innings.

Sale goes for White Sox: LAA@CWS, 4:05 p.m., MLB.TV
Sale makes his second Cactus League appearance against the visiting Angels. This may be Sale's final extended effort of the spring as he tapers back in preparation for his Opening Day assignment in Oakland.
Zach Duke and Zach Putnam are also scheduled to pitch for the White Sox.
The Angels, who were off on Wednesday, will give the ball to rotation candidate Matt Shoemaker, who has been charged with 13 runs in 14 innings this spring. Tyler Skaggs is expected to pitch two innings in what would be his first game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2014.

Peralta faces champs: KC@MIL, 4:05 p.m., MLB.TV
The Brewers return to action following a day off on Wednesday to host the defending World Series champion Royals. Peralta, named Milwaukee's Opening Day starter on Monday, will be looking for better results in this outing. He's allowed 23 hits in 10 Cactus League innings, including three home runs.
Dillon Gee will start for the Royals, with Kelvin Herrera, Brian Duensing, Danny Duffy and John Lannan also slated to pitch.