Facing Indians, Tigers look to flip 2016 script

METS AT MARLINS (APRIL 13-16)

The Marlins would like to think they can challenge the Mets and Washington Nationals for the National League East title, but they’ll need to do better against the Mets at Marlins Park than they did in 2016, when they were 3-6. Noah Syndergaard was particularly good in his two starts at Marlins Park last year, striking out 17 in 13 innings and allowing three runs.

TIGERS AT INDIANS (APRIL 14-16)

The Tigers are aiming to dethrone the Indians as American League Central champs after finishing second last season, eight games back. The teams meet for the first time this season after the Indians dominated the Tigers last year, winning 14 of 18. The Tigers had won the previous three season series by a combined 37-19. Righthanders Corey Kluber and Josh

Tomlin each beat the Tigers three times in 2016, and designated hitter Carlos Santana had six doubles and four home runs while going 19-for-64 (.297).

PIRATES AT CUBS (APRIL 14-16)

These teams went in opposite directions after meeting in the NL wild-card game in 2015 — the Cubs won their first World Series since 1908 while the Pirates went 78-83 to end their run of three postseason appearances. They meet for the first time of 2017 after the Cubs dominated the series last year, going 14-4. First baseman Anthony Rizzo batted .435 (30-for-69) with 12 doubles, seven homers and 19 RBI against the Pirates, and right-handers

Jake Arrieta and Kyle Hendricks earned three wins apiece.

RAYS AT RED SOX (APRIL 14-17)

The Red Sox wrap up a seven- game homestand with four games against the Rays, including the unorthodox morning game on Patriots Day. The Red Sox won last year’s season series 12-7, including 6-3 at Fenway Park. Evan

Longoria is second among active players with 30 career home runs against Boston (Jose Bautista has 41), including 16 at Fenway. Moo

kie Betts, the AL MVP runnerup last season, has hit .331 with a .936 on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS) and eight home runs in 42 career games against the Rays.

DIAMONDBACKS AT DODGERS (APRIL 14-17)

Los Angeles has won the NL West the last four years and is a heavy favorite to make it five. Exposed as a pretender last year, Arizona dropped 12 of 19 games to Big Blue. The Diamondbacks have improved, thanks to the return of outfielders A.J. Pollock and David Peralta. Longtime Dodgers basher Paul Goldschmidt has a .570 slugging percentage vs. Los Angeles, including 24 home runs (one per 15.4 at-bats). Dodgers rookies were tough on Arizona last year: Right-hander Kenta Maeda was 3-1 with a 2.97 ERA,

Corey Seager had a .975 OPS and center fielder Joc Pederson hit seven home runs in 37 at-bats.

ANGELS AT ASTROS (APRIL 17-20)

Among the reasons the Angels had their worst season under manager Mike Scioscia last year was their spotty play within the AL West (35-41). The Angels were under .500 against three of their four division rivals and struggled the most with the Astros, winning six of 19 games. The Angels won half of those games in their last visit to Houston, taking three of four in late September. They had gotten swept in the previous two series there.