Indians rookie Jeanmar Gomez takes the hill in Detroit against Tigers ace Justin Verlander. In five starts, Gomez held opponents to a 1.84 ERA, mostly on a strong walks per 9 of 2.15. Twelve of the 27 hits he allowed have gone for extra bases, but nine of those came with the bases empty, including all three home runs. With runners in scoring position, the opposition is hitting just .143. With his low K rate, I suspect that won’t last. Verlander produced his best work at home this season, posting a 2.78 ERA in Detroit, based mostly on a lower walk rate.

Shaun Marcum and the Blue Jays face AL ERA lead Clay Buchholz in Boston. Marcum pitched his worst start of the year against Boston on August 11th, but followed that up with a one-hitter against Oakland. Four of his 18 home runs allowed this season came against the Red Sox. Buchholz has allowed just one home run in 64 2/3 innings at Fenway Park this year.

After splitting two extra inning games Saturday night, the White Sox and Royals return for an afternoon game with John Danks battling Zack Greinke. Right-handed batters are hitting just .197 against the left-handed Danks with a .551 OPS. Greinke did not repeat his Cy Young season as his strikeouts fell and home runs allowed rose. He’s allowed just two runs over his last 14 innings, however, so maybe he’s starting to get his groove back. He’s only allowed two home runs in his last ten starts.

Finally, Bronson Arroyo takes on Clayton Kershaw as the Reds finish their series with the Dodgers. Arroyo shines on the road where his low walk rate helps him hold batters to a .275 OBP. Kershaw improved his walk rate this season, and the Reds saw that first hand. Clayton walked just one Cincinnati batter in 7 1/3 innings of work in their first meeting, allowing one run.

Enjoy!