Games of the Day

The Mets and Nationals start their second series of the season, this time in Washington, as Bartolo Colon faces Gio Gonzalez. Despite allowing six home runs in 48 innings, Colon has not allowed much power this season. Only 13 of his 51 hits allowed went for extra bases, good for an opposition .413 slugging percentage. Gonzalez pitched even better in that regard, with one double, one triple and three home runs allowed in his 48 1/3 innings. Opponents are slugging a mere .289 against him.

The Cubs visit St. Louis with John Lackey taking on Adam Wainwright. Lackey is blowing away hitters once again with 52 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings. He has allowed a 4.74 ERA on the road. Wainwright allowed five home runs this year, a high rate for him. All of those came on the road, however. That doesn’t mean he’s pitching well at home. He owns a 4.81 ERA in St. Louis this season.

The wounded Oakland Athletics trail the Mariners by eight games as they open a series in Seattle. Rich Hill faces Taijuan Walker. Hill serves as the Oakland ace this season, as they have used seven different starters and just put Sonny Gray on the disabled list. Hill walked a few too many batters this season but makes up for it with an excellent K rate and a very low home run rate. Walker is just 2-3 despite a 2.95 ERA and playing for a first-place team. He doesn’t go deep, and the Mariners have not provided much run support.

Brandon Finnegan tries to break Cincinnati’s seven game losing streak. It’s a tough assignment, as he faces Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers. Finnegan doesn’t allow many hits, but does allow a ton of base runners due to walks. Five of the nine home runs he allowed came with men on base, which is why his ERA is high despite a .196 BA allowed with runners in scoring position. Kershaw walked just four batters this season. Since the start of 2014, he ranks third in the majors in lowest walk rate.

Finally, Drew Pomeranz and Johnny Cueto battle as the Padres take on the Giants. Pomeranz earned a decision in all eight of his starts, but he is 4-4 with 1.96 ERA. In three of his starts, the Padres scored a combined 28 runs. In the other five starts, they combined for four runs. Cueto’s 6-1 record goes very well with his 2.70 ERA. His home run rate is way down, having allowed just two in 66 2/3 innings for the Giants.

Enjoy!

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