The Royals have one of their rare second-half days off this evening as they prepare for a two-game set with Cincinnati starting Tuesday. Two-thirds of the league is inactive tonight.
In the Eastern Time Zone, Pittsburgh plays host to the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks are somehow still on the periphery of the playoff picture. Pittsburgh has the third-best record in baseball behind just the Royals and the Cardinals, who unfortunately for them are in the same division. Gerrit Cole takes the mound for the Pirates. The Twins and Yankees face off in New York. Cy Gibson and Bryan Mitchell square off in that tilt as each team attempts to service their playoff hopes. Sonny Gray tosses for the woeful A's in Baltimore, where Chris Tillman hopes to keep the Orioles in control of the second AL Wild Card spot. Cleveland and Boston also play.
In the Central Time Zone, Seattle goes to Texas to face Cole Hamels. The Giants travel to St. Louis trailing Chicago in the Wild Card hunt by 3.5 games and having to face Michael Wacha. Tampa has to face Scott Kazmir in Houston with their own 2.5 game deficit in the AL Wild Card. Miami and Milwaukee will also play a baseball game.
In late games, the Angels play host to Carlos Rodon and the White Sox, who just last week swept the Angels in a three-game series and sent the Angels into their tailspin. The Braves and Padres also play with nothing on the line.
Watch baseball. Or don't. Go to a movie. It's a Monday. No one goes to movies on Mondays.