America and Baseball: Games To Watch On July 4

America and Baseball: Games To Watch On July 4

Tyler Vaysman
3 years ago
3 min read
America and Baseball: Games To Watch On July 4

There is no better way to celebrate Independence Day than to enjoy America’s pastime. The fourth of July is full of interesting matchups, so let’s take a look at some of the best games to watch.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals - 11:05 am ET

Players to watch:

Dodgers - Max Muncy (.264/.415/.564, 18 HR, 42 RBI, 48 R)
Nationals - Kyle Schwarber (.250/.338/.568, 25 HR, 53 RBI, 42 R)

Kick your day off right with a matchup of two of the best in the National League as the Dodgers and Nationals square off.

Coming into the weekend, both of these teams were second in their respective divisions, although the Dodgers have a far superior record.

What is most interesting about this matchup is the pitching. This was supposed to be Trevor Bauer’s spot until he was put on administrative leave as his domestic abuse case is being investigated.

As a result, the Dodgers have not announced a starter to take on the Nationals’ Joe Ross (5-7, 4.02 ERA).

Houston Astros vs. Cleveland Indians - 1:10 pm ET

Players to watch:

Astros - Jose Altuve (.286/.375/.509, 18 HR, 47 RBI, 60 R)
Indians - Jose Ramirez (.265/.345/.537, 18 HR, 50 RBI, 54 R)

The Astros and Indians will finish their four-game series on Sunday in a battle of postseason hopefuls. The Indians are trying to keep pace with the White Sox, who they entered the weekend trailing in the AL Central by five games.

The Astros, which features the game’s best offense averaging 5.62 runs per game, are trying to maintain their lead in the AL West. Heading into the weekend, they led the Oakland Athletics by 1.5 games.

This matchup features Astros’ ace Zack Greinke (8-2, 3.65 ERA), taking on the Indians’ Cal Quantrill (0-2, 4.11 ERA).

Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds - 1:10 pm ET

Players to watch:

Cubs - Kris Bryant (.264/.349/.502, 15 HR, 41 RBI, 45 R)
Reds - Jesse Winker (.320/.399/.585, 19 HR, 48 RBI, 56 R)

While both of these teams trail the Milwaukee Brewers in the standings, the Cubs and Reds both are hoping to make a run at the NL Central title.

Offensively, the Reds are one of the best teams in the majors as they rank fifth, averaging 4.97 runs per game. Of course, this is aided by the play of Jesse Winker and Nick Castellanos, both of whom were elected as NL. All-Star starters.

The Cubs, on the other hand, have the advantage on defense, ranking 13th, allowing opponents 4.25 runs per game.

Both of these teams will feature their best pitchers as the Cubs will send Kyle Hendricks (10-4, 3.98 ERA) to the mound while the Reds counter with lefty Wade Miley (6-4, 3.09 ERA).

Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics - 4:07 pm ET

Players to watch:

Red Sox - Rafael Devers (.288/359/.582, 20 HR, 69 RBI, 55 R)
Athletics - Matt Olson (.287/.372/.566 , 20 HR, 53 RBI, 51 R)

Two of the American League’s best will finish their series Sunday as the Red Sox, and Athletics do battle.

Coming into the series, the Red Sox have created some separation between them and the rest of the division while the Athletics trailed the Astros in the AL West.

Boston has the second-best offense in the majors as they are averaging 5.18 runs per game. Third baseman Rafael Devers and shortstop Xander Bogaerts will both be starters for the AL All-Star team.

Oakland’s pitching has been solid as they rank 11th with a 3.92 staff earned run average.

Boston will send Nick Pivetta (6-3, 4.43 ERA) to take on James Kaprielian (4-2, 3.06 ERA).

New York Mets vs. New York Yankees - 7:08 pm ET

Players to watch:

Mets - Pete Alonso (.260/.344/.464, 13 HR, 40 RBI, 33 R)
Yankees - Aaron Judge (.285/.382/.522, 18 HR, 42 RBI, 44 R)

The Subway Series is featured on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball as the New York Mets, and Yankees square off.

While their records were similar coming into the series, their standings in their respective divisions are vastly different.

The Mets lead the NL. East while the Yankees have fallen to fourth in the AL East behind the Red Sox, Rays, and Blue Jays.

The Mets will send righty Tylor Megill (0-0, 4.82 ERA) to the mound while the Yankees have not decided on their starter.

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