Courtesy: Turner Sports
Major League Baseball’s All-Star Break is officially over and now all eyes are set to the postseason. In order to get there all thirty teams must first survive the second half of the regular season. As their attention focuses on the second half of the season, so does that of TBS. TBS launches its coverage of the second half of MLB’s 2016 season this Sunday in its weekly MLB broadcast Sunday MLB on TBS. This week’s broadcast will feature a cross-conference match between the Texas Rangers (American League West) and the Chicago Cubs (National League Central).
Sunday’s game between the Rangers and Cubs is the closer in a 3-game weekend series between the teams. Cole Hamels is expected to get the start for the AL West Leading Rangers. John Lackey (7 – 5) is currently scheduled to take the mound for the Cubs. Hamels’ (9 – 2) last time on the mound was roughly a week ago on July 8th when the Rangers faced the Twins. Hamels had a rough go of it in the game, allowing 5 runs on 5 hits in 4.1 innings. He walked 6, allowed 5 earned runs, and 1 home run, striking out only 4 of 24 batters faced. Thanks to the rest of the team’s bullpen, especially Tony Barnette, who was credited with the win, the Rangers were able to hold on and pick up the hard fought 6 – 5 win over the Twins in the game.
John Lackey’s last time on the mound for the Cubs was July 10th against Pittsburgh. He pitched 6 innings in the game although teammate Pedro Strop was credited with the win. Lackey had his own troubles in that game, allowing 5 runs on 7 hits, 5 earned runs, 2 walks, and 2 home runs. He struck out 9 of 28 batters over that time. That is less than half of the total batters that he faced.
The Rangers and Cubs both lead their respective division. And both teams are evenly matched in both their home and road records. The same applies with their respective season records so far. So going by the numbers, Sunday’s game between the cross-conference opponents is certain to be a tight matchup from its opening pitch to its last.
TBS’ coverage of Sunday’s game is expected to begin at 2pm ET. Brian Anderson will have the call for the game. He will be joined in the booth by MLB Hall of Famer and analyst Cal Ripken, Jr. and Ron Darling for additional commentary. More information on TBS’ MLB coverage is available online now at:
Website: http://www.tbs.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TBSNetwork
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tbs_channel
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