Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming

Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers Live | Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers | Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers Streaming | Phoenix vs LA Lakers NBA Live Stream | Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Webcast

9:00 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

The Lakers’ swagger is more of a stagger after consecutive losses in the Western Conference finals. After leaving town last week to chants of “We want Boston,” Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol realize they won’t even get the chance to defend their NBA title unless Los Angeles starts defending the Phoenix Suns. Although Gasol says Game 5 on Thursday night is “a must-win for us,” the champions’ California cool shows few signs of cracking, beyond Bryant’s grumbling about missed defensive assignments. After surviving a near-identical jam in last season’s conference finals against Denver, the Lakers came away with a confidence they can rise to any occasion—even a best-two-of-three series against a surging, shot-making opponent with rising confidence of its own.

The Lakers have been in this situation three previous times over the past two playoffs: a series tied at 2, with Game 5 at home. Los Angeles won each time, beating Houston and the Nuggets last season before trouncing Oklahoma City last month in the first round. Overall, they’ve won Game 5 seven straight times at home. Yet the Suns hold every smidgen of momentum heading back to Staples Center after winning the last two games with a gimmicky zone defense, impressive bench play and another phenomenal exhibition of offense. Los Angeles’ 58 percent shooting in its first two victories masked its full series of ineffective defense so far: Los Angeles has yielded 113 points per game, and Phoenix has shaken off a brief spell of outside shooting problems. At least the Lakers are back home, where they haven’t lost in seven playoff games this spring.

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Houston Astros vs Milwaukee Brewers Live Streaming

Houston Astros vs Milwaukee Brewers Live | Houston Astros vs Milwaukee Brewers | Houston Astros vs Milwaukee Brewers Streaming | Houston vs Milwaukee MLB Live Stream | Houston Astros vs Milwaukee Brewers Live Webcast

1:10 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

After finally providing their ace with some much-needed run support, the Houston Astros have a chance to win consecutive games and a series for the first time in two weeks.The Astros look to accomplish both as they conclude a three-game road set against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. Lance Berkman had three hits, Carlos Lee added two with two RBIs and Roy Oswalt held Milwaukee to four hits in eight innings as Houston snapped a three-game skid with a 5-0 win Wednesday. The Astros pounded out 12 hits and scored some runs for Oswalt after they averaged a major league-low 2.07 runs during his previous nine starts. Though Houston is last in the majors in runs and batting average, its latest effort could be something to build on. The Astros haven’t won two in a row or a series since sweeping a three-game set at St. Louis from May 11-13.

Berkman broke out after going 0 for 4 in a 6-1 loss at Milwaukee on Tuesday. He’s a lifetime .321 hitter against the Brewers, who have lost 12 of 15. Lee, who totaled two hits over his previous five games, is batting .199 this season, but .304 in his last six against Milwaukee. The Astros hope to replicate Wednesday’s performance at the plate for scheduled starter Brett Myers. Myers takes the ball looking to continue his dominance against the Brewers while trying for a second consecutive victory. The right-hander, 2-1 with a 1.74 ERA in four starts against Milwaukee, allowed one run and struck out seven in seven innings of a 2-1 win over AL East-leading Tampa Bay on Friday. Milwaukee hopes Dave Bush can bounce back from his worst outing of the season while trying to avoid a sixth straight loss. The right-hander allowed seven runs and six hits while getting just one out in a 15-3 loss at Minnesota on Friday. It was the worst start by a Brewer since Ben Hendrickson gave up six runs without recording an out against the Twins on May 20, 2006.

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Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Live Streaming

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Live | Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs | Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Streaming | LA Dodgers vs Chi Cubs MLB Live Stream | Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Live Webcast

2:20 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

While John Ely expects to have some supporters among the Wrigley Field crowd, he hopes his Los Angeles Dodger teammates continue to provide him with plenty of offense in his return home. A native of south suburban Chicago, the rookie right-hander tries for his fourth straight victory to help the Dodgers win their road series against the Cubs on Thursday. Though Ely grew up on the south side rooting for the White Sox, it’s likely to be a special moment when he pitches near home for the first time while plenty of friends and family look on from the North Side park. Ely, who was traded by the White Sox to Los Angeles as part of a December deal involving Juan Pierre(notes), has been a pleasant surprise for the Dodgers. After allowing five runs in losing his major league debut against the New York Mets on April 28, the 24-year-old Ely is 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his last four starts. He gave up two runs and the first walk of his career in six innings of a 6-4 win over Detroit on Saturday.

Ely’s teammates have helped ease his transition to the majors, providing him with an average of 5.68 runs. Ely will try to help the Dodgers take this series after they evened the set with an 8-5 win Wednesday. The game was delayed 18 minutes after the lights went out at Wrigley. James Loney was a home run short of the cycle, and Casey Blake homered for the fourth time in eight games as Los Angeles won for the 13th time in 16 contests. Blake is 14 for 34 with eight RBIs in his last nine games, but 6 for 25 with two homers against Chicago scheduled starter Ted Lilly. Since throwing six shutout innings to beat Milwaukee in his season debut April 24, Lilly is 0-4 with a 5.12 ERA in his last five games. He was better in his last outing, giving up two runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 2-1 loss at Texas on Friday. The left-hander has pitched well against the Dodgers, going 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA in five starts. Chicago manager Lou Piniella said Carlos Zambrano will be available out of the bullpen for this contest as he continues to move closer to returning to the starting rotation next week at Pittsburgh.

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Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies Live Streaming

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies Live | Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies | Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies Streaming | Arizona vs Colorado MLB Live Stream | Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies Live Webcast

3:10 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

Colorado is on the verge of sweeping its first series of the season. However, it must get by Arizona’s Dan Haren to accomplish that feat. The Rockies look to extend their season high winning streak to five games with a rare home win over Haren and the Diamondbacks on Thursday. After Ubaldo Jimenez continued his dominance with six strong innings in a 7-3 win over Arizona on Wednesday, Colorado is in position to for its first series sweep since winning three in a row against Milwaukee from Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Seth Smith homered twice for the Rockies, who have scored at least seven runs in two of their last four games. Troy Tulowitzki doubled to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. He’s batting .342 during that span, and is 7 for 18 with four doubles and eight runs in five games against the Diamondbacks in 2010. While Colorado was able to provide more than enough offense for Jimenez to record his major league-leading ninth win, the Rockies hope to get the best of Haren at Coors Field.

The Arizona right-hander is 6-4 with a 3.08 ERA in 12 starts against the Rockies, including 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA in six at Colorado. He allowed two runs and struck out 10 in eight innings of a 5-3 win at Coors on April 26. In his last start, Haren avoided a third straight loss by giving up four runs and striking out eight in eight innings of an 8-6 win over Toronto on Friday. He also had two doubles and three RBIs.Looking to avoid a fourth consecutive loss, Arizona might need to get its offense on track to help Haren continue his success in Denver. Mark Reynolds hit a three-run homer in the ninth Wednesday for the Diamondbacks, who have totaled nine runs during their three-game skid and dropped the first two of a nine-game trip. Reynolds is batting .232 this season, but .333 with two homers and nine RBIs in his last six games. However, he’s 1 for 8 against Colorado’s scheduled starter Jason Hammel. Hammel is expected to take the ball even though he’s still bothered by a right groin strain.

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Washington Nationals vs San Francisco Giants Live Streaming

Washington Nationals vs San Francisco Giants Live | Washington Nationals vs San Francisco Giants | Washington Nationals vs San Francisco Giants Streaming | Washington vs San Francisco MLB Live Stream | Washington Nationals vs San Francisco Giants Live Webcast

3:45 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

The San Francisco Giants have seen one of their Cy Young Award winners get roughed up in back-to-back outings. They would prefer avoiding a similar experience with the other. A day after Tim Lincecum struggled with his control once again, Barry Zito hopes to rebound from his worst start of the season Thursday afternoon when the Giants decide their three-game set with the visiting Washington Nationals. Lincecum and Zito were fifth and sixth, respectively, in NL ERA as of May 19, but those numbers have gone up considerably. Lincecum, the two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, gave up five runs and walked five at Arizona last Thursday, and struggled with his control again Wednesday against the Nationals. He again walked five, and this time allowed six runs over 4 2-3 innings as Washington beat the Giants 7-3.

While Lincecum’s ERA has increased to 3.00 over those two starts, Zito had his take a sharp climb Friday at Oakland. The 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner hadn’t allowed more than three runs in a start this season, but let his former team score six runs over 6 2-3 innings in a 6-1 loss. Zito is 2-2 with a 4.33 ERA in six career starts against Washington, but he’s been flawless against two of the Nationals’ biggest run producers. Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham are a combined 0 for 15 with four strikeouts versus the lefty. While the Giants’ top starters haven’t been quite as dominant of late, the offense has been worse as they’ve lost six of seven. San Francisco has totaled 16 runs and hit .204 during its struggles. The Giants might be able to have more success against Craig Stammen, who’s winless in his last six starts. Stammen has allowed four runs in each of his last three outings, doing so over 5 1-3 innings Saturday against Baltimore in a 7-6 victory.

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St. Louis Cardinals vs San Diego Padres Live Streaming

St. Louis Cardinals vs San Diego Padres Live | St. Louis Cardinals vs San Diego Padres | St. Louis Cardinals vs San Diego Padres Streaming | St. Louis vs San Diego MLB Live Stream | St. Louis Cardinals vs San Diego Padres Live Webcast

6:35 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

The San Diego Padres finished last in the majors in runs per game in 2009, and their offense has been inconsistent throughout the first two months of this season. Jerry Hairston Jr. has provided just enough this week. Despite totaling three runs in the first two games of their series with St. Louis - two on Hairston home runs - the first-place Padres will go for their first three-game sweep of the Cardinals in nearly 15 years on Thursday afternoon. Low-scoring games in this series have been no surprise considering the clubs have the NL’s two lowest ERAs. San Diego has been especially stingy at home, with its staff posting a 2.11 ERA and six shutouts while going 14-9 at Petco Park. St. Louis has managed one run in 22 innings there this week, barely avoiding a second straight 1-0 loss thanks to Ryan Ludwick’s RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning Wednesday.

The Padres’ offense averaged 3.9 runs last year and has been held to two or fewer runs 16 times in 2010, but the club has still found a way to win three one-run games during its four-game winning streak. St. Louis’ offense has also been sputtering. Sluggers Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday were a combined 0 for 10 on Wednesday, and Pujols has been held without an RBI in 11 straight games. With Brad Penny on the disabled list, the Cardinals will give P.J. Walters his second major league start and first of 2010. After Penny was injured in Saturday’s 10-7 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, Walters gave up two runs in four innings of relief. The right-hander had been dominant for Triple-A Memphis before he was called up, going 1-0 with an 0.48 ERA, 23 strikeouts and three walks in three starts. Walters debuted in the majors last year, posting a 9.56 ERA in eight appearances. In his lone start, he gave up three runs in four innings of the Cardinals’ 8-7 loss to the Chicago Cubs on April 17, 2009.

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Oakland Athletics vs Baltimore Orioles Live Streaming

Oakland Athletics vs Baltimore Orioles Live | Oakland Athletics vs Baltimore Orioles | Oakland Athletics vs Baltimore Orioles Streaming | Oakland vs Baltimore MLB Live Stream | Oakland Athletics vs Baltimore Orioles Live Webcast

7:05 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

A seven-game homerless drought is now behind the Oakland Athletics. Their string of road series losses, though, remains intact. The Athletics haven’t won a series away from home since their first one of the season, a drought they can end Thursday night when they conclude a three-game set with the lowly Baltimore Orioles. Adam Rosales hit a three-run shot Wednesday night for Oakland’s first homer in eight games, and the Athletics evened this series with a 6-1 win. Rosales ended Oakland’s longest stretch without a home run in 27 years, helping snap the team’s six-game road losing streak. The A’s were held to six runs during that skid. They haven’t won a road series since taking two of three games from the Angels from April 9-11. Oakland is 18-9 at home and 6-14 on the road, matching Baltimore, Seattle and the Mets for the fewest road wins in the majors. The A’s, though, have won four of five overall and 17 of their last 21 at Camden Yards. Rosales is batting .350 in six career games against the Orioles. His four RBIs on Wednesday matched a career high.

Oakland center fielder Rajai Davis helped out with three hits and a career-high three steals. Davis has been alternating with Cliff Pennington at the top of the lineup. Coco Crisp was slated to fill that role after signing as a free agent in the offseason, but he was put on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this year Wednesday. Crisp was out all season with a fractured pinky before being activated Friday, going 2 for 6 before straining a muscle in his chest. The A’s haven’t needed much production from their lineup over the last five games, with their staff posting a 1.23 ERA. Gio Gonzalez, set to take the mound for Oakland, has won two straight starts and was particularly strong in the last one, surrendering two hits in eight innings of a 1-0 victory over San Francisco on Saturday. The left-hander struck out five, walked one and retired his final 20 batters in a 95-pitch gem.

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Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets Live Streaming

Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets Live | Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets | Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets Streaming | Philadelphia vs NY Mets MLB Live Stream | Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets Live Webcast

7:10 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

One look at the Philadelphia Phillies’ lineup reveals enough offensive threats to make nearly any club jealous. It also serves as a reminder of the backbone to consecutive pennant winners. Right now, the Phillies would love to remember what any sort of run production feels like. Philadelphia has been shut out in three of its last four games, and will have to solve an emerging Mike Pelfrey on Thursday night if it plans on avoiding a three-game sweep by the New York Mets. Only a few days ago, the Phillies were off to a great start in an attempt to lead the NL in runs for the fourth time in five years despite only having 2007 MVP Jimmy Rollins for 12 games. Since Saturday, however, Philadelphia has looked lost at the plate in losing four straight. The Phillies were one-hit by Boston on Saturday, left 13 men on base in an 8-0 loss at Citi Field on Tuesday and manager Charlie Manuel closed the clubhouse for 15 minutes after Wednesday’s 5-0 defeat.

The Phillies haven’t been blanked in three straight games since May 20-24, 1983, though that team won the NL pennant. They’ll have a tough challenge Thursday against Pelfrey, who’s 4-0 with a 2.43 ERA at home. Pelfrey’s only loss came at Citizens Bank Park on May 1. He allowed six runs and eight hits over four innings of a 10-0 defeat, and has given up four homers in his last two starts against the Phillies. Excluding the May 1 defeat, Pelfrey has a 2.05 ERA. He most recently held the Yankees to one run over six innings in Saturday’s 5-3 victory.. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley are hitting a combined .161 over the last four games, but that won’t be enough to make Pelfrey careless. Howard is 11 for 25 against Pelfrey, while four of Utley’s eight hits have been homers.The Mets, meanwhile have outscored last season’s two World Series representatives 24-7 in winning four straight. Jose Reyes has been the catalyst offensively, going 9 for 19 and hitting his first homer Wednesday.

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Atlanta Braves vs Florida Marlins Live Streaming

Atlanta Braves vs Florida Marlins Live | Atlanta Braves vs Florida Marlins | Atlanta Braves vs Florida Marlins Streaming | Atlanta vs Florida MLB Live Stream | Atlanta Braves vs Florida Marlins Live Webcast

7:10 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

An enlivened offense is one big reason the Atlanta Braves have one of the majors’ best records in May. Tim Hudson is another. The resurgent right-hander looks to cap his brilliant month by winning a fifth straight decision Thursday night as the Braves finish their road trip and decide their three-game set with the Florida Marlins. Atlanta ranked 25th in the majors in runs and 29th in batting average during April, but the club’s 128 runs in May are more than any other NL team. The Braves bounced back from consecutive losses by beating Florida 7-3 on Wednesday, scoring six runs in the seventh inning to improve to 15-8 this month - second only to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Even struggling shortstop Yunel Escobar chipped in, singling twice in the seventh to snap an 0-for-15 slump and raise his average to .188. Having Hudson on the mound has made things even tougher for opponents. The 34-year-old made only seven starts last season after recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he’s quickly returned to form in 2010.

Hudson has allowed a total of two runs and 12 hits in 22 innings while winning his last three starts, and he’s 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA in five May outings. He limited Pittsburgh to three hits in eight innings of a 7-0 win Friday night. Hudson is 8-2 with a 2.92 ERA in 15 career starts against Florida, including a 6-1 record in Miami. The Braves have won both previous meetings between Hudson and Ricky Nolasco, who lost four of his first five decisions against Atlanta but has won his last two. Nolasco may still be especially careful with the middle of Atlanta’s lineup. Chipper Jones and Brian McCann each have four homers off him, with Jones going 11 for 26 and McCann 10 for 31. Nolasco will be trying to bounce back from his worst outing of the year. The right-hander allowed eight runs and 10 hits - including two homers - in 5 1-3 innings of Friday’s 8-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

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Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds Live Streaming

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds Live | Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds | Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds Streaming | Pittsburgh vs Cincinnati MLB Live Stream | Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds Live Webcast

7:10 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

May has been the best month of Johnny Cueto’s young career, and the Cincinnati Reds have watched him look particularly good in four starts this season. In one, he was nearly perfect. Cueto faces the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night for the first time since holding them to two baserunners in his first career shutout, and he’ll be seeking his fifth straight win in the finale of a four-game set at Great American Ball Park. Cueto had experienced previous success both in May and against the Pirates before facing them at PNC Park on May 11. The right-hander had a career 3.80 ERA in May, and was 6-2 with a 3.88 ERA in nine lifetime starts against the Pirates. His 10th outing, however, was the best of his three-year career with Cincinnati. An infield single and a hit batsmen were the only baserunners Pittsburgh could muster in Cueto’s 9-0 gem.

Cueto hasn’t been quite that dominant in his two starts since, but he’s still been good. He allowed one run over seven innings in a 6-3 win over Milwaukee on May 17, and two runs over six innings in a 6-4 victory at Cleveland on Saturday before leaving with a minor blister. Cueto, who’s holding opponents to a .190 average this month, improved to 8-4 with a 3.23 ERA in 15 career May starts. The two Pirates to have some success against Cueto also happen to be the team’s two biggest run producers. Garrett Jones is 5 for 13 with two doubles against Cueto, while Andrew McCutchen is 5 for 14 with two homers. Those two couldn’t produce any runs Wednesday, however, and neither could the rest of Pittsburgh’s lineup. The Pirates were held to six singles in a 4-0 loss, their NL-worst seventh shutout. Three of those have come against the Reds.

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Chicago White Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Live Streaming

Chicago White Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Live | Chicago White Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays | Chicago White Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Streaming | Chi White Sox vs Tampa Bay MLB Live Stream | Chicago White Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Live Webcast

7:10 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

The Tampa Bay Rays’ poor hitting at Tropicana Field has lasted for nearly a month now. Jeff Niemann, in particular, is deserving of much more run support there.Following a terrible performance against an AL East rival, the Rays look to avoid losing a season-high fourth straight game as they send Niemann to the mound against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night. Tampa Bay has the majors’ best record, but it was swept in a three-game series with Boston, tightening the AL East race. The Rays, who lost 11-3 to the Red Sox on Wednesday night, lead the Yankees by 3 1/2 games and Boston by 5 1/2. Overall, Tampa Bay has been strong at the plate, but another unproductive series from its hitters at home is troubling. The Rays have been held to three or fewer runs in nine of 11 games at Tropicana Field, and went 2 for 25 with runners in scoring position versus Boston.

Center fielder B.J. Upton, batting .146 in his last 23 games, is expected back in the lineup after getting a night off. Upton is hitting .353 in 11 home games versus the White Sox, and another big performance against them in the opener of this four-game series would certainly be welcome by Niemann. Niemann is still seeking his first win at Tropicana Field this season despite a 2.95 ERA in four starts there. Tampa Bay’s poor hitting is clearly the culprit, with Niemann getting a total of five runs to work in those contests. He won his last outing, giving up two runs in seven innings of a 4-2 victory over Houston on Saturday night. The right-hander hasn’t given up more than three runs in any of his nine starts. Niemann is 1-2 with a 4.67 ERA in three starts versus the White Sox. Chicago will give the ball to Gavin Floyd, who was sharp in his last start, yielding one run and striking out seven in 6 1-3 innings to earn a win in Chicago’s 4-1 victory over Florida on Saturday. Floyd gave up five or more runs in each of his previous three outings.

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Kansas City Royals vs Boston Red Sox Live Streaming

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7:10 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

Considering how the Boston Red Sox handled a stretch of games against four of the majors’ elite teams, facing the lowly Kansas City Royals at home appears to be a far simpler task. With Daisuke Matsuzaka on the mound for the first time since flirting with a no-hitter, the Red Sox hope to extend their longest winning streak of the season to six Thursday night as they begin a four-game set with the Royals. Not only has Boston played 11 of its last 13 games on the road, but its last four series were against the reigning World Series champion Yankees and division leaders Minnesota, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. The Red Sox have still managed to win eight of nine and five in a row, putting their mediocre start behind them. They became the first team to sweep major league-best Tampa Bay this week, outscoring the host Rays 19-4 in three games.

David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre have keyed Boston’s run. Ortiz is 16 for 39 with six homers and 16 RBIs in his last 11 games, while Beltre has six multihit efforts in his last eight games, going 4 for 5 with two homers and six RBIs on Wednesday. The team’s starting pitching has been arguably even more impressive. Boston starters have a 1.60 ERA in the last eight games after posting a 5.18 ERA before that. Matsuzaka has allowed five or more runs three times since coming off the disabled list, but his other two outings have been brilliant.Saturday’s effort may have been the best of his career. He lost a no-hitter on Juan Castro’s bloop single with two outs in the eighth inning of a 5-0 win at Philadelphia. Matsuzaka struck out 10 Royals in his major league debut April 5, 2007, a total that still matches his career high. He’s posted a 2.84 ERA while winning both of his starts against Kansas City. The Royals have been surprisingly good on offense this season, leading the majors with a .280 batting average - thanks in part to Billy Butler.

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New York Yankees vs Minnesota Twins Live Streaming

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8:10 pm EDT Thu May 27, 2010

The New York Yankees are becoming accustomed to getting strong pitching at Minnesota. Javier Vazquez, though, hasn’t been as fortunate. With a chance to sweep their first series at Target Field, the Yankees hope Vazquez can end his struggles in road games against the Twins on Thursday night. New York earned two victories over Minnesota on Wednesday, winning 1-0 to complete a contest that was halted by rain the night before, then getting a homer from Nick Swisher in the top of the ninth to take the series’ middle game 3-2. The Yankees also got a clutch homer in the first game, with Derek Jeter going deep while adding a highlight-reel play at shortstop that saved at least one run. But pitching continues to lead the way for them in Minnesota. New York has posted a 1.83 ERA in winning six straight road games against the Twins, including one contest en route to sweeping last year’s divisional series matchup.

Matching up with Yankees pitching has only extended Minnesota’s woes at the plate. The Twins have lost three straight and six of eight, scoring three runs or fewer in each of the defeats. New York had lost 10 of 15 prior to this series and has a chance to win three in a row for the first time since a six-game run from May 2-8, but Vazquez’s struggles in road games against Minnesota could end its momentum. Vazquez is 1-5 with a 6.21 ERA in seven starts at Minnesota. In two outings there with the Yankees, he’s 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. The veteran right-hander, though, appears to be settling down following a terrible start, going 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA over his last two outings. He is coming off his best performance of the season, allowing one hit and striking out six in six shutout innings of a 2-1 win over the Mets on Friday night.

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