Price faces former Rays teammates on MLB.TV

Cubs go for sweep; Scherzer starts against Mets

June 29th, 2016

A full schedule of games gets underway this afternoon with seven matinees on tap, beginning when Boston's David Price starts against the Rays, one of his former clubs.
Also this afternoon, Astros ace Dallas Keuchel takes the mound on the West Coast, while the Cubs go for a three-game sweep of the Reds. The fun doesn't stop there, with Max Scherzer pitching for the Nationals and Masahiro Tanaka getting the ball for the Yankees later this evening.
And the best place to catch all the action is on MLB.TV.
MLB.TV Premium has returned with the same features as last year, and is only $99.99 for the rest of the season. 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 $79.99 yearly subscription. 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):
Price faces former club: BOS@TB, 12:10 p.m.
Price starts for the Red Sox in the rubber game against the Rays, the organization that drafted and developed the ace left-hander. Price has 110 strikeouts this year, tied with Corey Kluber for the most in the American League. Price will be looking to rebound after a rough outing in his last start, when he allowed six runs on 12 hits in 2 1/3 innings against the Rangers.
Matt Moore starts for the Rays, who have lost 12 of their last 13 games. Moore has worked at least six innings in four straight outings, after doing so only once in his previous six starts.
Moore and Price were good friends during their time together with the Rays, and they've been in contact since the starting pitching matchups were finalized for this series.
"I just told him I hope it's not a rubber match, because I'd hate to do that to him," Moore said. "He's a good buddy and I look up to him a lot."
Stat that matters: Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is 10-for-24 (.417) lifetime against Moore, with three homers, three doubles and eight RBIs.

Cubs go for sweep: CHC@CIN, 12:35 p.m.
With their eyes on a three-game sweep of the Reds, the Cubs turn to Kyle Hendricks. The Cubs have won eight of nine meetings with the Reds this season, outscoring Cincinnati, 78-30. Hendricks has struggled on the road this year, going 1-5 with a 3.79 ERA in seven starts, compared to 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA in seven outings at home. Cody Reed makes his third career start for the Reds.
Stat that matters: Cubs star third baseman Kris Bryant has as many home runs in Cincinnati this season (five in 29 at-bats) as he had on the road all of last season (five in 292 at-bats).

Keuchel, Weaver rematch: HOU@LAA, 3:35 p.m.
The Astros send ace Keuchel to the mound in the finale of a three-game series against the Angels, who will counter with veteran Jered Weaver. It's the second duel between these two starters this year. The first meeting was May 28, also at Angel Stadium, when Keuchel earned the win with seven innings of two-run ball and Weaver took the loss after allowing four runs in six innings.
Stat that matters: Astros star second baseman Jose Altuve has reached base safely in a career-best 31 consecutive games, the longest active streak in MLB.

Scherzer goes for Nats: NYM@WSH, 7:05 p.m.
The first-place Nationals send Scherzer to the mound in the series finale against the rival Mets. In five starts in June, Scherzer is 3-1 with a 2.38 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 34 innings. He faced the Mets once before this season, allowing two runs in 6 1/3 innings in a loss on May 17 in New York.
Logan Verrett starts for the Mets in place of Steven Matz, who was pushed back to Thursday in order to get extra rest because of bone spurs in his pitching elbow. Verrett has worked out of both the bullpen and rotation this year, going 1-2 with a 5.79 ERA in four starts.
Stat that matters: Scherzer has recorded at least 10 strikeouts in four of his five starts this month.

Martinez returns to the Bronx: TEX@NYY, 7:05 p.m.
The first-place Rangers lead MLB with 51 wins, and they will look to win a series tonight against the Yankees behind starter Nick Martinez, who played his college baseball at Fordham University in the Bronx, a short subway ride from Yankee Stadium. It's the third straight start for Martinez, who began the year in the bullpen.
Tanaka starts for the Yankees, who have lost three in a row. Tanaka leads the Yankees with 10 quality starts this year and has won his last two decisions.
Stat that matters:Ian Desmond is hitting .432 (16-for-37), with four homers during his 10-game hitting streak.