LEADING OFF: Scherzer back from neck trouble, Mizzou matchup

A look at what’s happening all around the majors today:

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MAX EFFORT

Nationals ace Max Scherzer pitches for the first time since leaving his previous start because of neck spasms. Scherzer (12-5, 2.21 ERA) was pushed back to give him extra time to get ready going into this game at Miami. The right-hander leads the NL with 201 strikeouts.

SHOW ME SHOWDOWN

Ian Kennedy (4-7) and the Kansas City Royals host Carlos Martinez (7-9) and the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a four-game matchup. The Missouri postseason contenders play twice at Kauffman Stadium, then two more at Busch Stadium.

BIRD BAT

A lot of fans wondered why Baltimore even bothered to acquire infielder Tim Beckham from Tampa Bay right before the trade deadline. Since the swap, Beckman is hitting .583 (14 for 24) with six RBIs in six games. The Orioles have perked up lately, winning seven of nine and getting back into contention for a playoff spot going into this series in Anaheim vs. the Angels.

LOOKING GOOD

Cubs righty Jake Arrieta (10-8, 3.88 ERA) is 3-2 with a 2.08 ERA over his last six starts, showing flashes of the form that helped him win the NL Cy Young Award in 2015. He’ll pitch when Chicago opens a series at San Francisco.

LEADING OFF: Dodgers go for 10 in a row, Scherzer checked

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

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NO STOPPING THEM

Yasiel Puig and the Dodgers try for their third 10-game winning streak this season when they face Julio Teheran (7-9, 5.09 ERA) and the Braves in Atlanta. Los Angeles, which has the best record in the majors at 75-31, won 10 in a row from June 16-25 and 11 straight from July 4-19. Since a loss to the Padres on July 2, the Dodgers are 20-2, with the only defeats coming at home to the Braves on July 20 and 21. Teheran is 0-6 with a 5.32 ERA against Los Angeles.

SLEEP TIGHT

Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals are hoping a good night's sleep will help his aching neck. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner hit his first career homer Tuesday night in Miami, but pitched only one inning before exiting because of a neck spasm. Scherzer slept funny and left the game as a precaution, the Nationals said. He left with Washington leading 6-0, but the Marlins rallied for a 7-6 victory. Scherzer came into the game 12-5 with a 2.23 ERA and league-best 201 strikeouts for the NL East leaders.

DREARY DAYS

Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka (8-9, 5.09) pitches the series finale against Detroit in the Bronx. Tanaka is 0-5 with a 14.81 ERA in six day starts this year, allowing 44 hits in 20 2/3 innings. In his last outing - at night - he struck out a career-high 14 and took a perfect game into the sixth vs. Tampa Bay.

NICE START

Brewers lefty Brent Suter (2-1, 2.40 ERA) will move up in the rotation to start on regular rest against St. Louis at Miller Park. Since joining the Milwaukee rotation on July 3, the rookie is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in five starts.

GETTING CLOSE

Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco could be available as he recovers from a hamstring injury. He's been on the disabled list, but might be activated when Pittsburgh takes on the visiting Reds.

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Scherzer to replace teammate Strasburg on National League All-Star roster

National League All-Star manager Terry Collins of the New York Mets announced today his selection of Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer to the active NL All-Star roster as a replacement for his teammate, Stephen Strasburg, who will not pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game.

This marks the fourth consecutive Midsummer Classic for Scherzer and his second in as many years as a National. Scherzer, one of the game's top power pitchers, was the American League's starting pitcher at the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York. In 18 starts this season, Scherzer is 9-6 with a 3.21 ERA and a Major League-best 155 strikeouts in his 120.2 innings pitched (85 H, 32 BB). The 31-year-old Missouri native has limited opponents to a .195 batting average and has posted a 0.97 WHIP. After throwing two no-hitters in the 2015 season, Scherzer made more history on May 11th of this season by tying a Major League record with 20 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers. He joined Roger Clemens (twice), Kerry Wood and Randy Johnson as the only pitchers in history to reach 20 strikeouts in a game. Scherzer will join teammates Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, Wilson Ramos and Strasburg as NL All-Stars.


Strasburg, 27, has a perfect 11-0 mark with a 2.71 ERA this season, his seventh in the Major Leagues. This year the top overall selection of the 2009 Draft has fanned 123 batters in his 99.2 innings, yielding just 75 hits and 28 walks. The right-hander, who was activated from the disabled list on July 3rd, has a franchise-record streak of winning 14 straight decisions. The last NL starter to begin a season with an 11-0 record was Andy Hawkins of the San Diego Padres in 1985. 

Strasburg, a San Diego native who attended San Diego State University and played baseball under Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, is invited to his hometown with full All-Star honors.

MLB All-Star Week includes the MLB All-Star Game presented by MasterCard at Petco Park (July 12th), Gatorade All-Star Workout Day featuring the T-Mobile Home Run Derby (July 11th), All-Star Sunday featuring the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game and All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game (July 10th), All-Star FanFest at the San Diego Convention Center (July 8th-12th), plus a lineup of additional events taking place around the city. The 87th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @AllStarGame on social media.