New dad deGrom pitches on Father's Day on MLB.TV

Giants look to stay hot; Cubs go for sweep of Pirates

June 19th, 2016

Ballparks across the country will celebrate Father's Day in many different ways, but for those baseball fans who can't make it to the game with their dads, MLB.TV is here to make sure you don't miss a minute of the action from a full slate of Major League games.
Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom, who recently became a father, is among a group of several big-time arms taking the mound today, joined by Boston's David Price, Toronto's Marcus Stroman and Detroit's Jordan Zimmermann.
And the best place to catch all the fun is MLB.TV.
MLB.TV Premium returns with the same features as last year, and this week it is on sale for $49.99 -- 50 percent off -- for Father's Week. 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. You can watch a single team's live out-of-market games in full HD.
Here's what to watch for today in the Majors (all times ET):
Mets hope to avoid sweep: ATL@NYM, 1:10 p.m.
The Mets turn to deGrom (3-3, 2.82 ERA) as they look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Braves, who will counter with Julio Teheran (2-7, 2.93). deGrom has recorded at least nine strikeouts in each of his last three outings, but the Mets lost all three of those games. In fact, deGrom hasn't recorded a win since April 30, and he's lost his last three decisions. Meanwhile, the Braves are in search of their first five-game win streak since opening the 2015 season 5-0.
Stat that matters: The Braves have hit 31 home runs this season, fewest in the Majors. The Mets have hit 90 homers, second only to the Nationals in the National League.

Giants look to stay hot: SF@TB, 1:10 p.m.
The Giants are the hottest team in baseball, as they bring a seven-game win streak into the finale of their Interleague series against the Rays. Jake Peavy toes the rubber for the first-place Giants as they go for a sweep. Peavy (3-6, 5.83) was originally scheduled to start Saturday, but the Giants pushed the veteran back a day to give him more time to heal from a sore neck. Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 3.79) gets the ball for the Rays, who have dropped three straight. It's the first time Odorizzi has faced the Giants.
Stat that matters: Odorizzi has given up four runs in an inning four times this season, which is tied for third in MLB.

Tillman seeks win No. 10: TOR@BAL, 1:35 p.m.
The first-place Orioles hand the ball to Chris Tillman in the rubber game against the Blue Jays in a matchup of American League East foes. Tillman (9-1, 2.87) has won his last eight decisions. He's worked at least seven innings in each of his past two starts, yielding just one run.
Stroman (6-2, 4.76) starts for the Jays, who have won seven of their last nine games. Stroman will face the O's for the third time this year. He beat Baltimore on the road on April 19, charged with three runs on six hits in seven innings. Stroman settled for a no-decision at home in his other start against the O's on June 9, when he allowed four runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Stat that matters: Stroman has a 9.13 ERA in his last four starts against AL East clubs.

Price tries to change luck: SEA@BOS, 1:35 p.m.
Price (7-4, 4.52) starts for the Red Sox in the rubber match of their three-game series against the Mariners, who will send Taijuan Walker (3-6, 3.69) to the mound. Price has posted a 2.74 ERA over his last three starts, but he's lost all three of those outings. Price struck out 11 over eight innings in his last start, but he surrendered three runs in a loss to the Orioles.
Walker was pulled from his last start Tuesday after 3 1/3 innings, the result of tendinitis in the arch of his right foot. Walker reported no issues after a bullpen session Friday, though the Mariners will still monitor his health.
"He says it feels better, but it is in the back of your mind that you may need somebody to carry a little extra length if it does start barking again," Mariners manager Scott Servais said.
Stat that matters: The Red Sox lead MLB with 60 first-inning runs and have allowed 37. The Sox also have 14 home runs in the first inning, which is more than any other team.

Cubs go for sweep: PIT@CHC, 8:08 p.m.
Kyle Hendricks (4-6, 3.05) starts for the first-place Cubs as they look to complete a three-game sweep of the division rival Pirates, who will throw Jameson Taillon (1-0, 1.93). The Cubs have won seven of their eight meetings with the Pirates this season. Hendricks has pitched well at Wrigley Field this year, going 3-1 with a 1.99 ERA in six outings. For Taillon, tonight is his third big league start. The promising rookie took a no-hitter into the seventh inning his last time out against the Mets.
Stat that matters: The Cubs are 42-3 this season when scoring at least four runs, including a 2-0 mark in this series.