It’s Flag Day, better known on the north side of Chicago as Passover (with apologies to Bob Hope.)
The Indians and Tigers get things rolling with Corey Kluber facing Alfredo Simon. Kluber pitched 15 innings so far in June with no home runs allowed and just four walks, but 16 hits led to six runs and an 0-2 record. Simon allowed just one of his five home runs at home this season, where he owns a 1.90 ERA.
The Yankees try to snap a three-game losing streak and fend off the rest of the AL East as Adam Warren faces Baltimore and Mike Wright. The right hander Warren handles left-handed batters well. While LHB hit for a higher batting average against Warren than RHB, Adam holds lefties to a lower OBP and slugging percentage. Mike make Wright so far as he comes into the game with a 2.96 ERA. He allowed four home runs in 24 1/3 innings, but that’s about the only way to score against him as seven of the eight runs allowed were driven in with homers.
Toronto tries to go to eleven as they send Marco Estrada against another tough rookie, Eduardo Rodriguez. Estrada has been tough with runners on base this year, allowing a .191 BA, but ten of the 17 hits against him in that situation went for extra bases. Rodriguez (dare I call him E-Rod?) allowed one run so far this season covering three starts. He walked seven in 20 1/3 innings but struck out 21, and allowed just eight hits.
Former teammates Cole Hamels and A.J. Burnett square off in Pittsburgh as the Pirates host the Phillies. Hamels is giving up a ton of home runs compared to last season, but his high strikeout rate should make him a great trade target. Burnett owns a 3.20 ERA in his career with the Pirates, allowing just 0.61 HR per 9 IP.
The Nationals take on the Brewers while Max Scherzer tries to get back in the win column as he faces the third outstanding rookie pitching today, Taylor Jungmann. Scherzer gave up eight runs in his last 12 2/3 innings as Washington lost both those starts. Three home runs hurt his cause. Jungmann allowed just three hits, a walk, and a run in his major league debut.
The Mariners and Astros play the rubber game of their series with Roenis Elias battling the fourth rookie star of the day, Lance McCullers. Elias is pitching better on the road this season, with all three of his wins away thanks to a 2.48 ERA. McCullers walked six and struck out 36 in his first 31 MLB innings.
Finally, Mike Bolsinger leads the Dodgers against the Padres and the undefeated James Shields. Bolsinger allowed just two home runs this season in 43 1/3 innings after giving up seven in his rookie year in 52 1/3 innings. Shields allowed 15 home runs this season, but 12 came with the bases empty. Opponents manage just a .308 OBP against him.
Enjoy!