The Brewers try to extend their NL Central lead over the Cardinals as Jimmy Nelson faces Lance Lynn. They pitch in the first game of a double header. For the first time in his career, Nelson’s strikeouts are in parity with hits innings pitched. That helped bring his ERA down about 0.8 runs from his career average. He did that while also greatly improving his walk rate. Lynn’s ERA is very good, despite being well on his way to a single season high in home runs allowed. He gave up 16 in 2012, and already allowed 12 this year. That total represents over a quarter of his hits, however, so other than home runs, the opposition does not reach base against Lynn often.

Zack Greinke takes on Buck Farmer as the Diamondbacks visit the Tigers. Greike revived his strikeout stuff, with 100 K in 84 1/3 innings this season, after striking out 134 in 158 2/3 innings last year. He’s also walking a batter every five innings. Farmer appears to have found himself in 2017, after short MLB stints in his previous three seasons. He struck out 16 batters in his first 13 innings with just six hits and three walks allowed. Farmer has yet to allow a run this season.

The Cubs battle the Mets with Jon Lester facing Zack Wheeler. Lester remains terrible on the road with a convenience store ERA of 7.11. He allowed 37 hits at home and 39 on the road, but pitched half the number of innings away. Wheeler remained hot in this last start, despite a high walk rate over the seven starts. With four wins in a row, and four losses in a row by the Nationals, the Mets are now 8 1/2 games back of first place in the NL East.

Finally, the Yankees take their home run show on the road as CC Sabathia squares off against J.C. Ramirez. Sabathia carries a five-game hot streak into the game, during which he struck out 31 in 32 1/3 innings with just six walks. That’s good for a 1.11 ERA. Ramirez does not walk many batters, but being in the strike zone led to plenty of hits, 75 in 70 2/3 innings. Twelve of those left the park.

Enjoy!