LEADING OFF: Strasburg vs Urias, O's battle illness

By foxsports
Published

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

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STRASBURG VS. URIAS

One phenom faces another when Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg (13-0, 2.51) takes on young Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias (1-2, 4.95). Strasburg, the first overall pick in the 2009 draft, has emerged as an NL Cy Young Award candidate, especially with Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw battling an injury. Urias is just 19 but could compete for Cy Youngs in the future. For now, he's trying to rebound from a rough start against AL East-leading Baltimore in his last start.

FLU BIRDS

The Orioles are limping into getaway day at the end of their four-game series against the Yankees. First baseman Chris Davis missed his third straight game Wednesday because of flu-like symptoms, and manager Buck Showalter and third baseman Manny Machado also missed Wednesday with similar symptoms. The O's could also be without catcher Matt Wieters again - he was out of the lineup for a second straight game Wednesday after being hit by a pitch in the right foot Monday.

HELP WANTED?

The Red Sox need to find yet another closer after Koji Uehara went on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a right pectoral strain. Uehara was filling in for injured closer Craig Kimbrel, and now team president Dave Dombrowski may have to plug another hole before the Aug. 1 deadline. Knuckleballer Steven Wright (11-5, 2.78) pitches the opener of a four-game series against Minnesota, which counters with right-hander Tyler Duffey (5-6, 5.23).

SONNY SIDE UP

Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray (4-8, 5.12) snapped a career-worst seven-game losing streak in his most recent start and will hope to build on that momentum against the Tampa Bay Rays. Gray is 2-1 with a 3.11 ERA in six career starts against the Rays and 2-2 with a 7.01 ERA in five starts against the Eastern Division this year. Tampa Bay counters with Matt Moore (5-7, 4.33), who may be auditioning to be traded to a contender before the Aug. 1 deadline.