Skip to content

MLB Today: Sale's strikeout streak, Verlander returns

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Here's what's happening in Major League Baseball right now:

ANOTHER 10K

Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale takes a streak of seven straight outings with at least 10 strikeouts into his start at St. Louis. The left-hander, who's fanned 85 batters during the improbable run, is the first pitcher with double-digit strikeouts in seven consecutive starts since Randy Johnson in 2001.

Date Opp IP SO R BB
May 23 MIN 8 10 4 1
May 28 BAL 7.2 12 0 0
June 3 TEX 7 13 0 2
June 8 HOU 8 14 1 1
June 14 TB 6.2 12 2 3
June 19 TEX 8 14 0 0
June 24 MIN 6.2 10 6 1

HAMILTON'S RETURN

Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton will come off the disabled list and play at Baltimore. The former AL MVP got into just seven games for the Rangers before straining his left hamstring in early June. Hamilton says he's ''good to go,'' even though he's not quite at 100 percent. "I was hoping to play (Monday), but we decided to give me a day to recover after the travel and the workout," he said. "I'd like to get a week or 10 days in with the team and manage it and then get the All-Star break to give it some rest."

FUTURES GAME

In the opener of a three-game set between young teams on the rise, the Chicago Cubs visit Citi Field. Jonathon Niese pitches for the New York Mets against a club rumored to have interest in trading for him. Third baseman Daniel Murphy is expected back from the disabled list for a scuffling New York lineup that needs help. Chicago swept four games from the Mets last month at Wrigley Field.

X MAN

Rookie Xavier Scruggs is giving the Cardinals a big boost, helping them post the best record in the majors. The 27-year-old first baseman is 9 for 19 with six RBIs in seven games since being promoted from Triple-A. St. Louis has won six in a row and now hosts the White Sox.

GP PA AVG OBP SLG OPS
7 19 .474 .474 .579 1.053

JUST IN TIME

Detroit Tigers star Justin Verlander is set to start at home against Pittsburgh after a back issue caused him to miss a start. He is 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA in two starts this season, which began with him on the disabled list because of a triceps injury. Gerrit Cole, leading the majors with 11 wins, starts for the Pirates.

STAR TURN

Ascending ace Dallas Keuchel (9-3) struck out 12 against the Yankees in his last start. Now, he gets the ball for the AL West-best Astros in a matchup against the Central-leading Royals in what could be an improbable postseason preview.

- With files from theScore

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox