Diamond nuggets:
MLB series to watch, fantasy analysis, minor league coverage.
CARDINALS AT CUBS (June 2-4)
The rivals meet for the first time in Chicago this season after splitting six games over two series in St. Louis earlier. Cubs catcher Willson
Contreras has hit three home runs in five games while going 6for-16 (.375), and closer Wade
Davis got the save in all three Cubs wins. Cardinals left fielder Randal
Grichuk is 7-for-19 (.368) and catcher Yadier Molina is 7-for-21 (.333) against the Cubs, and each has hit two homers and driven in five runs. The Cardinals hold a 33-30 edge in the series since the beginning of the 2014 season.
RANGERS AT ASTROS (June 2-4)
It’s another potentially heated matchup in the Silver Boot Series, but this time the two-time American League champion Rangers hope to close the gap as they pursue first-place Houston. The Astros were dominated by the Rangers last year, dropping 15 of 19 games against their bitter rival. But it has been a different story this year, and Houston won the first three of a four-game series against Texas in early May before losing the finale.
NATIONALS AT DODGERS (June 5-7)
At least the Nationals shouldn’t have to worry about Clayton Ker
shaw coming out of the bullpen in the ninth inning, as the Dodgers ace did to close out decisive Game 5 in last October’s National League Division Series. The Nationals and Dodgers have started well in 2017, so it would surprise no one if this is not just a rematch from last fall but also a preview of a postseason series this year. The Nationals have lost their last five regular-season games at Dodger Stadium, but they were 1-1 there in the NLDS.
INDIANS AT ROCKIES (June 6-7)
For surprising Colorado, this brief set offers a stimulating change of pace. Cleveland will be an exotic presence in Denver, having last played there in 2008. Dangerous, too — the Indians swept a recent three-game set in Houston from the high-flying Astros. The teams haven’t met since the Indians swept a 2014 series in Cleveland. When the Indians last came to Denver, the Rockies were the defending NL champs. They looked the part, sweeping three games.
RED SOX AT YANKEES (June 6-8)
The Yankees won both games in their first meeting this season, in late April at Fenway Park. Boston avoided the three-game sweep when a rainout forced a postponement until July. The Yankees beat Chris
Sale and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello.
Masahiro Tanaka pitched a gem against Sale, a three-hit shutout. Since 2008, the Yankees are 85-83 against Boston, including 42-42 at Yankee Stadium. In 20 games against Boston while with the Yankees, second baseman Starlin
Castro is 23-for-74 (.311) with 10 runs and seven RBI. Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia is a career .293 hitter with 12 homers in 148 games vs. the Yankees.
ANGELS AT TIGERS (June 6-8)
This was going to be a series featuring a pair of two-time AL MVP winners, Angels center fielder
Mike Trout and Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, but Trout will miss it after tearing a ligament in his thumb Sunday. The teams split a four-game series from May 11-14 in Anaheim as Trout hit three home runs while Cabrera went 2-for-17 (.118). The Angels are 22-8 against the Tigers since 2013.