MLB-SCHEDULE
Streaking Jays open at home
UNDATED (AP) — The revitalized Toronto Blue Jays are on a tear, taking an eight-game winning streak into the start of tonight’s home series against Oakland. That includes a weekend sweep of the Yankees that moved Toronto to within 1 1-2 games of the AL East leaders.
Since acquiring shortstop Troy Tulowitzki from Colorado, the Blue Jays are 11-0 with him in the starting lineup. At the time of the deal, Toronto was in fourth place in the AL East, trailing New York by eight games.
Pittsburgh heads into St. Louis to start a key late-season series between NL Central contenders. The Pirates are coming off a sweep of the Dodgers and go into tonight’s game five games back of the Cardinals. St. Louis will start 11-game winner Carlos Martinez. The division rivals have split their 10 games this season.
Dodgers ace Zack Greinke hasn’t lost a start since June 13, a stretch of nine outings in which he’s picked up six victories. The right-hander goes at home against Washington. His last time out, Greinke moved to 11-2 this season despite allowing six earned runs over six innings at Philadelphia.
Matt Harvey takes a 10-7 mark into a start for the Mets against Colorado. He hasn’t walked a batter in 20 2-3 innings.
After finishing a four-game sweep of the Giants, the Cubs look to stretch their winning streak at Wrigley Field when they host Milwaukee. Dan Haren makes his second start for Chicago, having lost his debut after being acquired from Miami. The Cubs have opened a 3 1-2 game lead over San Francisco for the second wildcard spot in the NL.
Madison Bumgarner goes for the Giants tonight in their home series opener against AL West-leading Houston. Bumgarner is looking for his 13th win. The Astros look to Scott Kazmir to protect their one-game lead over the Angels in the division.
There is a full 15-game schedule in the majors tonight.
SOCCER-FIFA REFORMS
Former IOC exec heads up soccer task force
ZURICH (AP) — FIFA (FEE’-fuh) says former Olympic official Francois Carrard will chair a task force overseeing reforms of soccer’s governing body in the wake of corruption scandals.
The Swiss lawyer served as director general of the International Olympic Committee for 14 years until 2003, a period which included the Salt Lake City bidding scandal.
Carrard will lead a team of 12 officials picked by FIFA’s six continental confederations.
World Cup sponsors will also nominate two members to the panel.
