Chris Sale makes his final case for the AL Cy Young award as he faces the Tigers and Justin Verlander, the White Sox trying to spoil the Tigers push to the playoffs. Sale only has four decisions in ten road starts, despite a 1.97 ERA away from home. If he’s 6-2 in those games instead of 3-1, he would have a much better chance at gaining votes for the honor. Verlander owns a 4.73 ERA in September despite just two home runs and five walks allowed in 26 2/3 innings. He’s allowed a .294 BA with runners in scoring position, however.

East coast fans get a chance to see the Angels and Athletics battle as Hector Santiago takes on Jon Lester this afternoon. Santiago handled the A’s well this season, with a 1.00 ERA in 18 innings, both runs coming on solo homers. Lester walked 16 and struck out 64 in 69 2/3 innings since joining the Athletics.

The Nationals can clinch best record in the NL with a win over the Mets and a Dodgers loss, as Washington holds the tie-breaker by winning the season series against Los Angeles 4-2. Dillon Gee visits Gio Gonzalez. The Nats tagged Gee for four home runs in 18 innings this season. Gonzalez needs a win to reach .500 for the season. His three-true outcome numbers are all good, but poor numbers with runners on base inflated his ERA.

Finally, the Dodgers can clinch the NL West with a win over the Giants, while a San Francisco win or a Milwaukee loss puts the Giants in the post-season. Tim Hudson takes on Clayton Kershaw. Hudson is in the midst of a terrible September, 0-3 with a 9.92 ERA in four starts. He allowed just one home run and four walks in 16 1/3 innings, but also 30 hits. Kershaw handles the Giants like the rest of the league, 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA, two walks and 25 strikeouts in 24 innings.

Enjoy!