LEADING OFF: Cole vs Wacha; Jays go for 10; Harper's knee
A look at what's happening all around the major leagues today:
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ACES UP
Pittsburgh right-hander Gerrit Cole (14-5), who leads the NL in wins, faces Michael Wacha (13-4) and the Central-leading Cardinals. His last time out, Cole took a no-decision in a matchup with Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw. Wacha, meanwhile, has won three of his past four starts. Most recently, he threw seven scoreless innings at Cincinnati. With his 2.92 ERA, Wacha ranked fifth among starters for the pitching-rich Cardinals.
HOT WINGS
Troy Tulowitzki and the Blue Jays seek their 10th consecutive victory when they host the Athletics. Toronto has won all 12 games started by Tulowitzki since the star shortstop was acquired from Colorado on July 28. The Blue Jays are averaging 5.5 runs per game since the deal.
HARPER'S KNEE
The Nationals hope to have Bryce Harper back when they face Kershaw at Dodger Stadium. The star slugger was held out of the lineup Tuesday night as a precaution with a swollen left knee - the same one that's troubled Harper in the past.
OLD STOMPING GROUNDS
Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia returns to a mound he knows well as New York continues its series in Cleveland. Sabathia pitched for the Indians from 2001-08, winning the AL Cy Young Award in '07. He has more wins (51), starts (121), innings (775) and strikeouts (702) than any pitcher in Progressive Field history. Sabathia is looking for his first win since July 8.
PITCHING IN
Jacob deGrom has a 2.08 ERA in four starts since throwing a perfect inning with three strikeouts (on 10 pitches) at the All-Star Game. He's struck out 30 and walked three over 26 innings in that stretch, trimming his ERA to 2.13. The right-hander leads the first-place Mets against the Rockies.
BUMP IN THE ROAD
Giants rookie Chris Heston is 0-1 with an 8.31 ERA in two August starts after posting a 1.57 ERA in five July outings. He tries to bounce back in the finale of a two-game interleague series against the Astros. Heston tossed his first career complete game at Houston on May 12.
HOME COOKING?
Tampa Bay right-hander Jake Odorizzi, set to start at Tropicana Field against the Braves, has a 1.40 ERA in eight home starts. The Rays, however, are 4-4 in those games.