A look at what’s happening around the majors Thursday:
EAST TO WEST
Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yusei Kikuchi are set to square off for the first time in the major leagues when the Mariners host the Angels. Ohtani and Kikuchi attended the same high school, though at different times, and they only faced each other twice in Japan. Kikuchi, Seattle’s rookie left-hander, struck out Ohtani twice in two at-bats in 2013, and Ohtani got two hits and whiffed once against Kikuchi during a game in 2017. First pitch in Seattle is set for 11:10 a.m. Tokyo time.
OLD RIVALS
The first-place New York Yankees have won eight straight series heading into a four-game set against AL East rival Boston. Chris Sale (1-6, 4.19 ERA) pitches the opener for the Red Sox, who make their second visit to Yankee Stadium this season after dropping both games in mid-April. New York left-hander J.A. Happ (4-3, 5.09) is 8-4 against the Red Sox in the regular season.
OUCH!
The banged-up Houston Astros get a day off to rest after their latest injury. Already missing fellow stars Jose Altuve and George Springer, the AL West leaders expect to be without shortstop Carlos Correa for four to six weeks after he says he fractured a rib during a massage at home. “To sustain an injury in such an unusual way makes it even more frustrating,” the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year said in a statement issued through the team. Altuve is out indefinitely after experiencing fatigue and soreness in his surgically repaired right leg. Utility infielder Aledmys Diaz, catcher Max Stassi and right-hander Collin McHugh are also on the injured list.
NOT-SO-HOT TICKET
The Rays begin a four-game series against major league-leading Minnesota, and Tampa Bay is hoping fans actually show up to watch. Tropicana Field hosted a franchise record-low crowd of 5,786 on Tuesday, then drew 6,166 on Wednesday against Toronto. Attendance has been an issue for years, but the numbers are especially jarring with Tampa Bay among the majors’ best teams. Rays President Brian Auld issued a statement Wednesday, saying “we appreciate the support of our fans, and we believe that St. Petersburg, Tampa and the entire Tampa Bay region will rally around this exciting and compelling Rays team.”
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