Thursday has a full slate of games scheduled in MLB with a few winning streaks on the line tonight. Here’s a look at the matchups today in what has been an exciting start to the 2022 regular season.

A’s Look to Take Series against Tampa Bay

The Oakland A’s face the defending AL East Champion Tampa Bay Rays in the final matchup of their four-game series at Tropicana Field. Oakland has won two of the first three games and looks to take the series on the road with a win tonight. The A’s are now 3-3 on the season. Tampa started the year winning their first three games and has fallen to 4-2 during their struggles on this homestand. 

If it weren’t for their extra-inning win in the second game of this series, Tampa would be looking to avoid a sweep tonight. For Oakland, lefty Cole Irvin will make his second start and seek his first victory, while Tampa sends Josh Fleming to the mound to make his first start of the year. He has made one appearance in relief and will open the game today for the Rays.

The Rays will get their bats going against Irvin and even up the series with a win.

Reds and Dodgers Begin Series in LA

The Los Angeles Dodgers face their NL rival Cincinnati Reds at home in the first game of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium. The Reds go on the road after losing a two-game series against Cleveland at home, while the Dodgers swept their mini-series against the Minnesota Twins on the road, winning the second game of the series with a 7-0 shutout on Wednesday.

These teams split the season series in 2021, winning three games apiece. The last time these teams matched up, Los Angeles took two of three games in Cincinnati. Luis Cessa will get the start for the Reds in his third appearance and first start of the season, while Walker Buehler gets his second start for the Dodgers. He won his first start on opening day and is 1-3 with a 3.23 ERA in his career against Cincinnati. 

Los Angeles will win their third straight game in their home opener in what will likely be a sold-out Dodger Stadium.

Mariners Hope to Avoid Sweep vs. White Sox

The Seattle Mariners will play the final game of the series in Chicago against the White Sox on Thursday afternoon. The Sox seek their fifth straight win and a sweep in this three-game homestand against Seattle. The Mariners dropped their fourth straight game in Wednesday’s 6-4 loss. In addition, they have been struggling with runners in scoring position since starting the season 2-0, leaving 16 runners stranded in the last two games alone.

The White Sox were the pre-season favorite to win the American League Central title and have looked the part since the start of the campaign. They started the season with a 5-4 loss to Detroit on the road, losing in the ninth inning, but have responded with four straight victories to take over first place in the division. In addition, their pitching has been dominant against the Mariners, as they are fifth in the league with a 2.52 ERA.

The White Sox will get the series sweep against the struggling Mariners at home this afternoon.