MLB Today: Giants, Dodgers face off; Salazar back from bug
A look at what's happening all around the major leagues Monday:
HOW THE WEST IS WON?
The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers begin a pivotal three-game series in the NL West with right-hander Jake Peavy (4-6, 4.21 ERA) scheduled to face southpaw Brett Anderson (8-8, 3.36) at Dodger Stadium. The banged-up Giants trail the first-place Dodgers by 3 1/2 games but expect to get back shortstop Brandon Crawford (tight left oblique). Los Angeles, meanwhile, was held without a hit for the second time in 10 days Sunday, ending a five-game winning streak.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Chicago Cubs return home after a six-game West Coast swing on a high note after Jake Arrieta's no-hitter Sunday night, but the team went just 2-4 against the Giants and Dodgers. Chicago is 12-2 at Wrigley Field in August and turns to Kyle Hendricks (6-6, 4.11) in the first game of a six-game homestand. Michael Lorenzen (3-8, 5.46) goes for the Cincinnati Reds.
BACK FROM BUG
Cleveland Indians right-hander Danny Salazar was scratched from his scheduled start Friday because of a virus that caused him to lose 5 pounds. Facing a hard-hitting Toronto team might not make him feel any better. Not only will Salazar have to deal with the Blue Jays' deep lineup, he'll be going against ace lefty David Price, who is 4-0 since being acquired from Detroit.
POWER PITCHING
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Archer (11-10) could set a team record in Monday night's start at Baltimore. The Tampa Bay ace is coming off a 12-strikeout performance last Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins and is tied with Price (2014) for the most double-digit strikeout games in one season at nine. The Orioles starter is lefty Wei-Yin Chen (8-6).
MOSS GROWING ON CARDS
Brandon Moss may have finally turned a corner since returning to the NL and leads the St. Louis Cardinals into a three-game series against Washington. Moss hit just .167 without a homer through his first 20 games with St. Louis after being traded in late July, but he's 4 for 12 with two homers and a triple in his past four games. John Lackey (11-8, 2.92) goes for the Cardinals against Gio Gonzalez (9-7, 4.11).
WALKING THE WALK
Paul Goldschmidt will set a Arizona Diamondbacks record with his next walk after drawing two free passes on Sunday. The slugging first baseman tied Luis Gonzalez's mark set in 2001 with 100 walks this season. He and Arizona will face right-hander Chad Bettis (6-4, 4.69) and the Colorado Rockies.
U-TURN
Rick Porcello tries to build off his best outing of the season as the Boston Red Sox face the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Porcello came off the DL following a triceps injury and tossed seven sharp innings against the Chicago White Sox his first time back. It marked a big turnaround for the 26-year-old, who has a 5.47 ERA in 21 outings.
STRONG START
Jerad Eickhoff, acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Cole Hamels deal with the Texas Rangers, makes his third big league start. He's been effective so far, posting a 2.25 ERA and retiring 16 straight batters during his last outing, a 9-4 loss to the New York Mets.