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What to watch for in today's games

A host of afternoon games are on Major League Baseball's Memorial Day schedule.

The early leading candidate for the American League Cy Young Award toes the rubber in Baltimore, the best team in the Majors opens a series in the Bronx and two of the National League's best collide in our nation's capital.

Here are four games to watch:

Keuchel looks to remain unbeaten: HOU @ BAL, 1:35 p.m. ET
Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel had two rather pedestrian outings -- allowing four runs in each -- before regaining his form in his most recent start, against the A's. Keuchel allowed one unearned run over seven innings in that start, and goes for his fourth straight victory today against the Orioles.

Keuchel (6-0, 1.67 ERA) is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in two career starts against Baltimore.

Royals visit the Bronx: KC @ NYY, 1:05 p.m. ET
The Royals bring baseball's best record into New York today to open a three-game series. The Royals took two of three from the Yankees earlier this month, outscoring New York, 19-6, in a three-game series in Kansas City.

Jeremy Guthrie (4-2, 4.75 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals, with the Yankees sending Nathan Eovaldi (3-1, 4.73 ERA) to the hill.

Two of the NL's best collide: WSH @ CHC, 2:20 p.m. ET
The Nationals went into the season as World Series favorites by many. The Cubs, with a bright future ahead, were thought to be a few years away from blossoming into a serious contender. Washington, now in first place, is finding its way after early struggles, whereas Chicago has streaked out to a second-place start.

Cubs left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada (0-0, 3.86 ERA) makes his second start after a strikeout-filled 2015 debut; Tanner Roark (0-2, 2.66 ERA) takes the ball for the Nats.

Freak goes for four in a row: SF @ MIL, 2:10 p.m. ET
Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum isn't necessarily "The Freak" of old, but he is reinventing himself after a few down years from his peak. He isn't striking out batters the way he did in his heyday, but his sinker has led him to three straight victories, as he's shut out opponents in three of his last four starts.

Brewers right-hander Kyle Lohse (3-4, 5.53 ERA) looks to make his third straight quality start after a slow beginning to his season.

Cash Kruth is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @cashkruth.