Weekend Watch

Saturday, July 27

Cubs LHP Jon Lester (illness) returns to the hill after being scratched from his mid-week start due to an illness. He will take on RHP Chase Anderson, as he looks to pitch the Cubbies back into first place after being dropped from the perch as a result of Friday's series-opening loss in Cream City against the Brew Crew.

The Cubs have enjoyed weekend play, as they're 4-0 in their past four showings on a Saturday. They're just 6-14 in the past 20 games on the road against a right-handed starting pitcher, however, while going 3-8 in the past 11 road outings against a team with a winning overall mark. The Cubs turn to the southpaw Lester to get back on the horse. They're 36-16 across the lefty's past 52 outings, while going 42-19 in the past 61 starts against National League Central Division opponents, while going 8-3 in his past 11 starts in Game 2 of a series. They're also 7-2 across his past nine outings when working on seven or more days of rest, too.

 The Brewers look to keep up their winning ways, but it will be a test with Anderson on the bump. The Brew Crew are 1-4 across Anderson's past five outings, 1-5 in his past six when working on six days or more of rest and 0-5 in his past five in Game 2 of a series. They're also 0-4 across his past four outings inside the division. The Brewers are 7-3 in the past 10 overall, and 5-1 in the past six against a left-handed starting pitcher, though, while cashing in six of the past seven against teams with a winning overall mark. They're also 8-2 in the past 10 at home vs. LHP.

In this series the under is 29-8 across the past 37 meetings, and 28-11-2 in the past 41 battles at Miller Park. The under is also 4-0 in Anderson's past four home outings against the Cubs, and 5-0 in his past five meetings against Chicago overall. The under is also 4-0 in Lester's past four against the Brewers. The Cubs have won just twice in the past nine trips to Milwaukee, but they're 6-1 in the past seven outings by Lester against the Brew Crew.

Indians RHP Mike Clevinger faces off against Royals RHP Glenn Sparkman at Kauffman Stadium, as Cleveland looks to keep pace with Minnesota in the AL Central. The Indians are two games back of the Twins, and they look to stay hot against the lowly Royals. Clevinger spun six scoreless innings with four hits allowed, no walks and nine strikeouts in a win on July 3 in Kansas City, and he has turned in three quality starts in four outings since getting tuned up in Baltimore before the All-Star break. Sparkman faced the Indians last time out, allowing five runs - four earned - and nine hits with two walks and just one strikeout in a loss in Cleveland on July 21. The Royawls are 1-3 across his past four outings, and 3-7 in his past 10 overall. He also allowed five earned runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision in Cleveland back on June 25.

The Rangers roll out RHP Adrian Sampson against RHP Homer Bailey and the Athletics on Saturday night at 9:07 p.m. ET. The Rangers have picked up just one win in the past five road outings vs. RHP, and they're 1-5 in the past six against a righty. As far as Sampson is concerned, they're a dismal 0-9 across his past nine road outings and 0-6 in his past six tries agaisnt teams with a winning overall mark. The A's are 7-1 in their past eight in Game 3 of a series, while going 5-1 in the past six appearances on Saturday. More importantly, they're 11-3 in the past 14 following a loss, and 6-2 in the past eight at home. However, they have managed just one win in the past five divisional games while going 0-5 in the past five vs. RHP. Texas enters 7-19 in the past 26 trips to the Bay Area against the divisional rivals.

Weather Report

The early-afternoon battles will be precipitation-free with light and variable winds. However, the Twins and White Sox will experience a strong 14-17 mph wind blowing out to left field, so watch the over in that one. The Pirates and Mets will also deal with a 10-13 mph jetstream to left field at Citi Field. All other venues are in the clear in terms of rain and wind.

Sunday, July 28

Astros LHP Wade Miley takes the ball for Sunday's interleague series finale against Cardinals RHP Dakota Hudson. Miley enters play with an 8-4 record, 3.18 ERA and 100 strikeouts across 121 2/3 innings with a solid 1.11 WHIP. The 'Stros are 4-1 across his past five outings, and 6-3 in his past nine outings. In his last outing he allowed two earned runs, four hits and two walks with six strikeouts across eight innings in a no-decision against the A's. He hasn't lost at home, however, since May 29. The Cards have Hudson on the hill, and he puts his 10-4 record, 3.61 ERA and 1.50 WHIP on the line. He has picked up victories in four consecutive appearances, and the Cardinals are 11-1 over his past 12 outings. They're also 4-0 in his past four at home.

Indians RHP Trevor Bauer and LHP Danny Duffy do battle in the series finale on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. The Indians are 7-1 in 'Bauer Outage's' past eight against losing teams, 7-1 in his past eight on a grass surface and 5-1 in his past six inside the division while posting a 7-2 record in his past nine starts overall. Cleveland is also 11-5 in his past 16 starts on the road. They also enter the game with an impressive 21-5 mark in the past 26 games against left-handed starting pitchers. The Royals are just 7-15 in Duffy's past 22 home starts, 10-23 in his past 33 inside the division and 1-9 in his past 10 at home against teams with a winning overall record. They're 3-13 in his past 16 against the Indians, and 0-5 in his past five at home agtainst the Indians. On the flip side, the Indians are a perfect 7-0 in his past seven road starts against the Royals.

In the Sunday Night Baseball game, the Yankees use RHP Domingo German against Red Sox LHP Chris Sale. German rolls in with a 12-2 record, 4.03 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. While he is 6-1 at home and 6-1 on the road, he has a 5.66 ERA in his 49 1/3 innings on the road, so he has been very hittable away from home. While he is 2-0 across his past three outings in 15 2/3 innings, he also sports a 5.74 ERA and .333 opponent on-base percentage. Sale picked up a much-needed victory last time out in St. Petersburg, allowing two earned runs, four hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts over six innings in a win over the Rays, his second consecutive quality start. He has 22 strikeouts in the past 12 innings, too. The last time he faced the Yankees, he allowed four earned runs, seven hits and a walk with 10 strikeouts in a loss at The Stadium on May 31.

Weather Report

On Sunday, the wind will once again be a factor on the south side of Chicago, with breezes from 10-13 mph blowing out again to left field. The Indians and Royals will be dealing with a 14-17 mph wind blowing out to the fountains past the left-center field power alley, benefiting the right-handed hitters. In the evening game at Fenway Park, the Yankees and Red Sox will deal with a 9-11 mph wind blowing out to straightaway center field, too. No precipitation in the forecast, however.