LEADING OFF: KERSHAW VS TEBOW? WATCH FOR THE SLIDER

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

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HAPP ON TAP

J.A. Happ (17-4, 3.19) tries for his 18th win as the Blue Jays and Orioles continue a pivotal series in Baltimore. Happ ended an 11-decision winning streak last time out in a 6-3 loss to the Angels – it was the first time Toronto had lost with Happ pitching since June 6. Ubaldo Jimenez (5-11, 6.62) makes his second start since returning to Baltimore’s rotation. He pitched six innings of one-run ball last time out.

FOLLOW UP

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer (14-7, 2.92) pitches against Philadelphia after tossing a gem in his last start. Scherzer pitched eight innings of two-hit ball in a 4-0 win over Baltimore, striking out 10 and throwing just 95 pitches. Jerad Eickhoff (9-12, 3.87) has won three straight decisions for the Phillies.

BACK-TO-BACK AGAIN

Texas left-hander Cole Hamels takes the middle game of a series against Seattle with the Mariners trying to get closer to the AL West-leading Rangers. It will be the ninth straight time Hamels follows Yu Darvish in the rotation since the Japanese right-hander returned from right shoulder discomfort in the second game after the All-Star break. The Rangers were 10-6 in those starts with four straight wins going into Darvish’s outing Monday night.

BACK-TO-BACK AGAIN

Texas left-hander Cole Hamels takes the middle game of a series against Seattle with the Mariners trying to get closer to the AL West-leading Rangers. If Hamels starts, it will be the ninth straight time he has followed Yu Darvish in the rotation since the Japanese right-hander returned from right shoulder discomfort in the second game after the All-Star break. The Rangers were 10-6 in those starts with four straight wins going into Darvish’s outing Monday night.

TANAKA ON A ROLL

Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka (11-4, 3.11) has thrown 15 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings and looks for more against the Royals. Tanaka has 34 strikeouts and just one walk over 34 innings in August, going 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA.

ACES OUT WEST

Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto (14-4, 2.86) and Diamondbacks righty Zack Greinke (11-4, 4.29) face off in a battle of NL West aces. Cueto has just one win since the All-Star break, though he also has a 2.29 ERA over his past three starts. After seeming to turn things around with a solid June, Greinke has struggled in August, going 1-1 with a 7.84 ERA in four starts.

KERSHAW VS TEBOW?

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will face hitters in a simulated game in Los Angeles, and it just happens to coincide with the baseball tryout Tim Tebow is holding in the same city. But no, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner won’t be stepping into the batter’s box to face Kershaw, who’s working his way back from mild disk irritation. “Great athlete. I don’t know if he’s ready for the Clayton Kershaw slider, though,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts joked.