The Nationals play their annual 4th of July 11:00 AM start as Madison Bumgarner leads the Giants against Stephen Strasburg. Bumgarner is putting together two very consistent seasons. In about 1/2 the innings of 2014, he has about 1/2 the strikeouts, 1/2 the walks, and 1/2 the home runs allowed, His ERA is the tiniest bit higher, 2.99 vs. 2.98 in 2014. Strasburg seems to be back to himself after a stint on the disabled list. He struck out 15 and walked two in in 12 innings since his return, allowing two runs.

The Mariners send Felix Hernandez against the Athletics, hoping not to be buried by Kendall Graveman. Hernandez is coming off a June in which he posted a 5.51 ERA as he seemed to lose his control. Hernandez walked 16 batters in 32 2/3 innings. Graveman pitches well overall, but owns a 5.86 ERA at home. It’s unusual, as Oakland is a big park, but Graveman allowed six of his eight home runs at home despite pitching around 40% of his innings in Oakland.

The Twins try to even their series with the Royals as Mike Pelfrey faces Joe Blanton. Pelfrey’s ERA is low given his BA and OBP allowed, .289 and .356. Part of it is that most of the extra base hits he allowed came with the bases empty, and part of it is that his 17 GDPs induced makes his effective OBP much lower. Blanton is off to a good start with 26 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings.

Finally, the Mets and Dodgers offer another great matchup as Matt Harvey battles Zack Greinke, the extrovert versus the pitcher with social anxiety. Harvey’s strikeouts and walks are great since coming back from Tommy John surgery, but he allowed as many home runs this season in 99 1/3 innings as he did in 237 2/3 innings his first two seasons. Greinke believes he avoided serious injury by saving his stress inducing pitches for important out situations. His 1.58 ERA leads the majors.

Enjoy!