The Marlins and Braves offer a nice rookie match-up as Justin Nicolino faces Manny Banuelos. Nicolino might be described as pitching to contact, as he’s walked 11 and struck out 12 in 37 IP. It’s working as opponents have a .268 BABIP against him. Banuelos has been a little wild, walking 10 in 21 1/3 innings. Opponents have only hit .226 with men on base against him, so the players who walk aren’t advancing very far.

Wily veterans Justin Verlander and Johnny Cueto square off in Kansas City. Detroit is trying to play spoiler now, although at this point there’s not much to spoil in the Royals season. Verlander is hot, having allowed a total of four runs, one earned, in his last four starts. He looks healthy for the first time in a while. Cueto allowed 13 runs, 12 earned, in his last two starts, giving up four home runs.

The best pitching match-up takes place in Los Angeles, where runner up for the Pitcher of the Month Madison Bumgarner faces likely NL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke as the Giants take on the Dodgers. The Giants ace is 2-0 with a 1.31 ERA against the Dodgers this season in three starts, striking out 21 and walking five in 20 2/3 innings. He faced Clayton Kershaw in all three games, all won by the Giants. Greinke only faced the Giants once this season, winning despite one of his poorer games. He allowed three runs in six innings.

Enjoy!