The Marlins and Diamondbacks play a Monday afternoon get-away day game as Patrick Corbin makes his major league debut against Mark Buehrle. Corbin replaced Josh Collmenter in the Arizona rotation. Patrick comes with a great three-true outcome resume in the minors, although he gives up a high number of hits for someone with such a good strikeout rate (8.3 per nine innings for his career). Buehrle has been hurt by run support, as the Marlins scored nine runs in one of his games, but two in the other three combined.
Look out Below, Duane! Photo: © Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE
I just wanted to mention that that Duane Below is making his first start of the season for Detroit, facing Kansas City tonight. He comes in with an ERA of 0.00 based on five relief appearances. It’s difficult for him to have an ERA Below zero, unless his current ERA is measured on the Fahrenheit scale in which case it would be -18.00 Centigrade!
The Yankees trail Baltimore by 1 1/2 games as the Orioles visit the Bronx for a three-game series. Jason Hammel and Hiroki Kuroda open the series. Hammel provided the opposition with little opportunity to score this season, with a .194/.257/.280 opposition slash line. He strikes out enough batters to keep hits against him low, and his good control limits free passes. Kuroda combines a .373 OBP with the bases empty with a .364 BA with runners in scoring position.
Yu Darvish goes extra-international as the Rangers travel to Toronto to face Kyle Drabek. Both pitchers own ERAs under 2.50. Both have been a bit wild, and Kyle’s ERA is well below his FIP and xFIP. Drabek has kept his hits allowed low, and Yu kept the ball in the park, which so far covered up their weaknesses.
Finally, Felix Hernandez takes on Jeremy Hellickson as the Mariners travel to Tampa Bay. The King is pitching as well as a team could want, with two home runs allowed, eight walks allowed, and 33 strikeouts in 36 innings. Hellickson kept his ERA low by being stingy with runners in scoring position, allowing one hit in 20 at bats so far.
Enjoy!