Detroit sits six games back of Cleveland as they host the Indians with Josh Tomlin facing Justin Verlander. Tomlin enters the day with an 8-1 record and a 3.32 ERA thanks in part to great control. He allowed just seven walks in 81 1/3 innings, balancing his 15 home runs allowed. Verlander is pitching better at home with 60 K in 54 innings and a 3.17 ERA.

The Cubs have come back to earth a bit lately, and face a tough opponent today as Jason Hammel battles Jose Fernandez. The vertan Hammel allowed 46 home runs in 347 innings over the last two seasons, but just eight HR in 81 1/3 innings this year. Fernandez is on a bit of a tear, with a 1.17 ERA in his last eight starts.

St. Louis send Jaime Garcia against the Mariners and James Paxton. In his two starts against AL teams, Garcia holds a 2.03 ERA with one walk and ten K in 13 innings pitched. Paxton makes his sixth start of the season, and he’s blowing away batters with 34 K in 29 2/3 innings.

Finally, the Dodgers play at the Pirates in the Sunday night game. The Pirates send Chad Kuhl, making his major league debut, against Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw continues to make his bid for greatest pitcher ever as he puts an exclamation point on an already superlative career with an 11-1 record and 1.57 ERA this season. He has already struck out 141 batters in 115 innings, and we’re not quite half-way though the season. Kuhl is 33-16 in his minor league career, moving up a level each season. He is a low K, but allows very few walks and home runs. He looks like someone who should be a solid middle of the rotation pitcher in the majors.

Enjoy!