Probable 2-start pitchers:
Cream of the crop:
Chris Sale, CWS (vs. TOR, @ CHC) – He has now notched eight straight starts with double-digit strikeouts. Eight! While Toronto isn’t prone to punchouts, the Cubs certainly are. This season, the NL’s Chicago club has whiffed 730 times which is the second-most in baseball. Surprisingly, the Cubs have the second-fewest strike outs against left-handed pitchers. I still think Sale dominates.
Dallas Keuchel, HOU (@ CLE, @ TB) – Keuchel is killing it. Not only does the Astros’ ace have back-to-back outings without allowing an earned run. Keuchel has also K’d at least seven batters in three straight performances. Plus, Cleveland (64) and Tampa Bay (90) were in the top four in strikeouts in the past week.
Corey Kluber, CLE (vs. HOU, vs. OAK) – He might be 3-9 with a 3.64 ERA, but Kluber is still clocking out his opponents. He has tallied double-digit strikeouts in back-to-back starts. Houston will be without George Springer. The Astros struck out 63 times last week, tied for sixth-most.
Potential bargains:
Chris Heston, SF (vs. NYM, vs. PHI) – Heston has failed to record a shutout after his no-hitter on June 9. However, he will have a chance to duplicate that fateful day when the Mets travel to San Francisco this week. In the past seven days, New York has scored 15 runs in six games (worst in MLB) and has a .201 team batting average in that span.
Anthony DeSclafani, CIN (@ WAS, @ MIA) – This season, DeSclafani is 3-2 with a 2.45 ERA in eight starts on the road. Both of his outings this week will be away from the GABP. The Nationals have struck out 65 times in the past week (third-most). Miami will continue to be without Giancarlo Stanton.
I’ll pass:
Matt Wisler and Manny Banuelos, ATL (@ MIL, @ COL) – The Braves were victorious against the Nationals with Wisler and Banuelos on the hill. However, they may not be as lucky this week. Both young arms will travel to Milwaukee and Colorado. The Brewers scored 54 runs in the past week (most in baseball). Coors Field can be a nightmare for both rookie and veteran pitchers.
