With a sweep of the doubleheader against the Guardians on Friday, the Twins stand just 1 1/2 game out of the AL Central division lead. Cleveland sends Gavin Williams against Simeon Woods Richardson in Minnesota Saturday evening. Williams comes into the game with a 4.91 ERA. With 23 starts in his career he owns a 3.76 ERA with a high K rate. The problem comes from a high walk rate, and a high BABIP this season. Woods Richardson takes a 3.87 ERA into the game with a low strikeout rate but a .283 BABIP.

The second leg of the college roommate trip takes the guys to Milwaukee to see Nick Martinez of the Reds pitch against Tobias Myers of the Brewers. (I believe we have seen the Reds a lot as the road team over the years.) Martinez pitched much better as a reliever this season, with a 1.86 ERA in 53 1/3 innings. He owns a 6.16 ERA in 30 2/3 innings as a starter. The rookie Myers owns a 3.02 ERA in his first 17 appearances. His low walk rate stands as his early career strength.

The Phillies and the Diamondbacks battle with Aaron Nola facing Zac Gallen. Nola allowed 20 home runs in 142 1/3 innings, but his .277 OBP allowed means there are not a lot of men on base to score on those long balls. Gallen struggled lately, with a 5.35 ERA in his last seven starts. He walked 17 batters in 37 innings.

Finally, Dodger Stadium feature a rookie rumble as Paul Skenes leads the Pirates against River Ryan. Skenes currently ranks ninth in Tom Tango Cy Young Points, pretty good for someone with just fourteen starts. Ryan owns a 1.72 ERA in three starts. He walked nine batters in 15 innings, but allowed just one home run.

Enjoy!