What to watch for in today's games
Unbeaten Shields takes on Bryant, Cubs; Liriano faces Twins for first time
Multiple teams had off-days on Monday, but all 30 clubs are in action tonight. Here are five things to watch for:
Shields working on history: CHC @ SD, 10:10 p.m. ET
With a victory in his last start, James Shields became the first Padres pitcher to start a season with a 5-0 record since 2007. Six of his first eight starts have been quality starts, but he'll have his hands full against Jason Hammel and the Cubs. Hammel is 3-1 with a 3.26 ERA lifetime at Petco Park.
Phenom Kris Bryant makes his return to the city where he went to college before the Cubs made him the second overall pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.
Old friends reunite: MIN @ PIT, 7:05 p.m. ET
Former All-Star Francisco Liriano, who spent seven seasons with the Twins, will meet his former team for the first time as a member of the Pirates when the two teams tangle in an Interleague battle. He'll be up against Ricky Nolasco, who turned in his best outing of the season the last time out against the Tigers.
Trouble vs. Brewers: MIL @ DET, 7:08 p.m. ET
Though Anibal Sanchez has not faced the Brewers since 2012, he's struggled against Milwaukee in past starts, surrendering 51 hits in 37 1/3 innings in his career before being traded to the Tigers. He'll try to exorcise those demons against Milwaukee and Jimmy Nelson, who has given up five home runs in his past two outings after never surrendering multiple homers in any of his first 18 Major League starts.
Harang's value growing: PHI @ COL, 8:40 p.m. ET
Aaron Harang continues to build on his possible trade value with every start, having thrown eight scoreless in his last outing. He's thrown six-plus frames in eight starts, allowing one run or fewer in five of them.
Rivalry renewed: LAD @ SF, 10:15 p.m. ET
One of baseball's fiercest rivalries gets rekindled when the Dodgers head to San Francisco to open a three-game set. The Giants lead the season series, 4-2, including a three-game sweep at AT&T Park, April 21-23. Carlos Frias, who is 2-0 with a 3.31 ERA since joining the rotation, gets the ball for Los Angeles, while Tim Hudson starts for San Francisco.