It’s a quality, not quantity night in MLB as seven games make the schedule, but some very good pitching match-ups emerge. The only eastern game takes place in Cincinnati, with Jeff Samardzija leading the Cubs against Alfred Simon. Samardzija has yet to win in 2014 despite a 1.53 ERA in five starts. He’s doing every thing right, allowing a home run and nine walks while striking out 27. He’s gone at least seven innings in each game, but was victimized by the bullpen or the offense for two losses and three no decisions. Simon brings a 1.30 ERA into the game. He turned his career around as a reliever with the Reds after poor work in Baltimore. He continues that as a starter, allowing just 17 hits in 27 2/3 innings.

The Athletics visit the Rangers with Sonny Gray taking on Yu Darvish. Sonny pitched 64 outstanding innings in his rookie season of 2013, and in half those innings this season has seen his strikeouts shrink a bit and his walks rise a bit. He’s only allowed one home run, however, so his ERA is a bit lower at 2.25. Darvish allowed 26 homers last season, but seems to have brought that under control as he allowed just one so far in 28 innings.

The first place Brewers lead the Cardinals by 4 1/2 games as the two teams meet in St. Louis (clang, clang, clang wen the trolley…). Yovani Gallardo and Micheal Wacha do battle. Like Samardzija, Gallardo has three no-decisions despite a 1.42 ERA, but unlike Jeff, Yovani won his other two games. After high home run rates the previous three seasons, Gallardo allowed just one dinger so far in 2014. Wacha’s been very tough with men on base this season, allowing a .130 BA and a .217 slugging percentage. Seventeen of his 18 strikeouts have come with men on base, despite 20 fewer at bats with men on.

Enjoy!