LEADING OFF: Scherzer vs streaking Phils, Jiménez on HR tear

A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday:

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OCTOBER ON THEIR MINDS

Max Scherzer (9-4, 2.75 ERA) makes his second start for the Los Angeles Dodgers when they visit the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies in a potential playoff preview.

Bryce Harper, his former teammate with Washington, has four home runs in his last six games and has reached base in 17 straight for the Phillies, who try for their first nine-game winning streak in 10 years. Philadelphia took over the NL East lead last weekend with a three-game sweep of the New York Mets.

Scherzer dazzled in his Dodgers debut after being acquired from the Nationals in a blockbuster deal before the July 30 trade deadline. The three-time Cy Young Award winner struck out 10 and allowed two earned runs over seven innings in a win against Houston.

Aaron Nola (7-6, 4.49) pitches for the Phillies in a marquee mound matchup.

REDEMPTION LIES AT HOME

After losing their AL East lead during a 2-8 road trip, the struggling Red Sox return home to Fenway Park, where they are 33-22 this season. Boston still still holds a wild-card spot, but is four games behind first-place Tampa Bay heading into the opener of a pivotal three-game series against the Rays.

The last time the teams met, the Rays won all three matchups at home from July 30 to Aug. 1 to move atop the division.

Eduardo Rodriguez (8-6, 5.33 ERA) starts for the Red Sox against Luis Patino (2-3, 4.42).

CHISOX SOCKER

Eloy Jiménez is heating up in a hurry for the AL Central-leading White Sox.

Jiménez has hit two homers with five RBIs in two straight games. He did it Sunday night in a win at Wrigley Field, then kept connecting Monday night at Target Field against the Twins.

The 24-year-old Jiménez rejoined Chicago’s lineup...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Scherzer-vs-streaking-Phils-16376100.php