The Rockies and Reds offer a nice afternoon pitching matchup as Jhoulys Chacin takes on Johnny Cueto. Chacin’s season is very interesting. He’s a few innings over his total from 2010, with a lower strikeout rate and a much higher home run rate. Jhoulys allowed many fewer hits however, so his ERA is not up that much. Cueto has a shot at leading the NL in ERA. At 2.06 right now, he’ll need to pitch 48 2/3 more innings to qualify for the title.

The Indians go for a sweep of the Tigers as Justin Verlander visits Fausto Carmona. Verlander goes for his 17th win as he’s looking more and more like the Cy Young winner this season. He threw a 2-hit, 12 K shutout the only time he faced Cleveland this year, and that wasn’t his best pitched game of the season! Carmona has pitched better since the start of July, with a 2.60 ERA in his last five starts. He only walked seven in 27 2/3 innings in that time, but he allowed three home runs and struck out just nine batters.

Finally, the Brewers go for a sweep of the Cardinals and a commanding lead in the NL Central. St. Louis send Chris Carpenter against Yovani Gallardo. Milwaukee knocked Chris around this season, with 12 hits and 10 runs in 11 innings of work, including two home runs. All those hits are despite 10 strikeouts by Carpenter. Gallardo can match his 2010 win total of 14 with a victory today, which is his single season high. He’s also on pace to reach a new high in home runs allowed, beating the 21 given up in 2009. In his one start against St. Louis this season, he pitched eight shutout innings, allowing one hit and four walks.

Enjoy!