An already exciting MLB season somehow manages to get better with each week. This week’s top pitching matchups from May 2-May 8 certainly look to continue this trend with a number of aces squaring off. Note that all game times are in EST and each matchup is subject to change.
Trevor Rogers (MIA) vs. Max Scherzer (WSN) 1:05 PM
There are few pitchers entering this week with more momentum than Rogers (1.29 ERA). He’s combined to go 13 scoreless innings over his last two starts, racking up 15 strikeouts in the process. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Scherzer (3.00 ERA) who is looking to recover from a disastrous start against the Blue Jays. Surrendering five earned runs in five innings of work blew up his entire stat sheet. Before that, however, he pitched his two best games of the season, striking out 19 over 13 scoreless.
Aaron Sanchez (SF) vs. German Marquez (COL) 8:40 PM
One of the many pleasant surprises on the Giants’ roster this year, Sanchez (2.22 ERA) is having his best season since 2016. While he’s yet to throw a pitch in the sixth inning this year or eclipse 82 pitches, he’s been highly effective at limiting damage. Even though he’s allowed nine walks and 17 hits in just over 24 innings, he’s yet to allow more than two runs in any start. Meanwhile, Marquez (4.13 ERA) is coming off his worst start of the year (four runs, four innings). He’ll hope to bounce back and perform more like he did two weeks ago when he struck out eight Phillies over six innings of two-run ball.
Photo by the Denver Post
Carlos Rodon (CWS) vs. Jeff Hoffman (CIN) 6:40 PM
Arguably the best pitcher in the AL right now, Rodon (0.72 ERA) just had one of his most dominant starts ever. With a career-high 12 strikeouts, he held the Tigers to only one run and two hits over six innings. Likewise, Hoffman (3.33 ERA) just finished up the best month of his career. Granted, he ended the month on a low note after giving up three runs over four innings vs. the Dodgers. Before that, he was much better against the Diamondbacks, holding them to one earned run through five innings.
Kyle Gibson (TEX) vs. J.A. Happ (MIN) 7:40 PM
Yet another pitcher in the midst of their best season yet, Gibson (2.16 ERA) is finally coming into his own this year. Following an eight-inning shutout against the Orioles on April 18, he’s had back-to-back six-inning starts giving up only one run. The veteran Happ (1.96 ERA) is also having his strongest season in years. After a shaky start, he’s been outstanding in his last two outings, going 7.1 scoreless on April 23 before allowing just two earned runs over another seven innings on the 28th.
Shane Bieber (CLE) vs. Brady Singer (KCR) 8:10 PM
With a league-leading 68 strikeouts, Bieber (2.76 ERA) has reached double-digit punch outs in five out of six starts this season. Most recently, he faced a loaded White Sox lineup and managed to strike out 11 over six innings. Conversely, Singer (3.09 ERA) narrowly avoided disaster last week when he took a line drive off his left heel. While he exited the game after only two innings, x-rays came back negative and he claims he’s good to go for his next start. After allowing just one run over seven innings in his prior start, for the Royals’ sake he better be right.
Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images
JT Brubaker (PIT) vs. Yu Darvish (SD) 8:10 PM
Brubaker (2.63 ERA) is quietly having a really good season for the Pirates. Though he had his weakest start of the year last week (3 runs, five innings) he’s currently riding a three-game streak without allowing a walk. For someone who struggled a bit with control issues last year, this is a very promising sign. As for Darvish (2.13 ERA), he’s fresh off a commanding performance against the Giants. Over 6.1 innings, he struck out a season-high 12 batters, all while surrendering just one run.
Brandon Woodruff (MIL) vs. Zack Wheeler (PHI) 1:05 PM
Woodruff (1.80 ERA) is coming off yet another strong outing against one of the league’s best teams. Facing the Dodgers, he went six innings, striking out six and allowing only two runs. Wheeler (3.49) also had a solid outing on Saturday. After giving up four runs in the first inning, he hunkered down and held the Mets scoreless over the next six innings.
Photo by Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer
Jose Berrios (MIN) vs. Spencer Turnbull (DET) 7:10 PM
While he may not be pitching deep into games, Berrios (3.04 ERA) has been a (mostly) consistent starter for the Twins. Though he hasn’t yet recaptured the dominance he displayed in his six-inning, 12-strikeout shutout in his season debut, he’s been an adequate member of the rotation. Last week, he was solid against the Indians, conceding two runs over 5.2 innings. Turnbull (4.55 ERA) is another pitcher showing some unexpected upside this season. While he labored against the Yankees on Saturday (four runs, five innings), he was highly efficient in his first two starts. Needing just 62 pitches to get through five innings in his debut, he followed this up by throwing just 81 in six innings last week.
Steven Matz (TOR) vs. Cristian Javier (HOU) 7:10 PM
Matz’s (4.00 ERA) phenomenal season hit a bit of a speed bump last week when the Nationals clobbered him to the tune of six runs in 3.2 innings. Don’t put too much stock into that blowup, however, as he was excellent through his first four starts, allowing only six runs in 23.1 innings. Javier (0.87 ERA) is currently in the middle of a similar run, having gone three starts in a row without allowing a run to score. His last start in particular was the best of his young career as he tossed seven shutout innings against the Mariners.
Featured Image Courtesy of Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images
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