LEADING OFF: Scherzer vs Tanaka, Shields unbeaten, Jays roll

By foxsports
Published

A look at what's happening all around the major leagues today:

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TRY HITTING THIS

Bryce Harper and the Nationals face Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka and his darting split-finger fastball for the first time. New York has won six in row; Max Scherzer starts for visiting Washington, which has lost eight of 10.

STILL UNBEATEN

James Shields is undefeated this season and winless in his career against Atlanta. Guess which streak he's hoping to end when he pitches at Turner Field? Shields (7-0) is off to the best start for a Padres pitcher since Andy Hawkins was 11-0 in 1985. He is 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts against the Braves - both with Tampa Bay, most recently in 2012.

STREAKING

Chris Colabello of the Blue Jays has the longest active hitting streak in the majors at 18 games. He'll try to extend it when Mark Buehrle and Toronto take a six-game winning streak into their matchup with Dan Haren and the Marlins.

CHECKUP

Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday will be evaluated a day after he strained his right quadriceps. He fell awkwardly in left field chasing down a bloop double by Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez at Busch Stadium.

OUT IN LEFT FIELD

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is trying to learn left field. He has a sore hip that will require surgery. He can't catch, but he can hit and run without problem. Mesoraco would like to try to play left field while Marlon Byrd recovers from a broken wrist. Mesoraco will play left field at Triple-A Louisville this week and see how it goes.

ALMOST

Carlos Rodon will get another chance to show the Astros what they could have had. He was a candidate to be the overall top pick in the 2014 draft, but they passed on him and selected Brady Aiken. The White Sox took Rodon with the third choice, and he'll start against Dallas Keuchel in Chicago. AL West-leading Houston has lost five in a row.