Key Pitching Matchups: 8/26-8/28

Friday, August 26, 2016

Cleveland Indians at Texas Rangers

• Globe Life Park

RHP Corey Kluber (CLE) v. LHP Martin Perez (TEX)

The leaders of the American League Central will visit the American League West this weekend as the Rangers host the Indians.

One of the most solid pitchers in the AL and a Cy Young candidate, right-hander Corey Kluber (13-8; 3.13) will take the start on Friday night in the series opener. With a much-anticipated post-season appearance happening soon for the Indians who are five games up in the AL Central, Kluber’s experience and success on the mound will be a key to future wins. In Kluber’s last outing he allowed two runs in six and two-third innings; striking out an impressive eight batters. In his last five he has shown his Cy Young caliber ability with a 1.78 ERA and a 5-0 record in that span.

As for the Rangers,who are six and a half games up in the AL West, they will send LHP Martin Perez (8-9; 4.27) to the mound for the start on Friday evening. Unlike Kluber, Perez has struggled since the All-Star Break and also at home at Globe Life Park. Since the break he has just a 1-4 record with a disappointing 5.19 ERA.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox

• Fenway Park

LHP Danny Duffy (KC) v. LHP David Price (BOS)

Left-hander Danny Duffy is also in Cy Young consideration as he continues with one of his best seasons, hurling an impressive 11-1 record and a respectable 2.66 ERA. Although the reigning World Series Champs’ are in third place of the American League Central, they are technically still mathematically in it, just seven and a half games back behind the Indians and five games back in the Wild Card. The Royals have won every start of Duffy`s since the end of June and even in one of his worse starts last week, he still managed to work six and two-third innings with just one run allowed.

The recent buzz around Red Sox nation is whether veteran left-hander David Price is the squad’s ace or if it is knuckle-baller Steven Wright. Giving that title however doesn’t seem like a priority for the Sox as they continue to share the top of the American League East with the Toronto Blue Jays. Price did face struggles at the beginning of 2016  which is what accounts for the 4.00 ERA and 12-8 record but,  now he seems to have gotten a handle of things. In his last start on Monday night, he earned his first win as a visitor at Tropicana Field since being traded from the Rays in 2014. In that outing, Price shut the Rays out in eight innings of work.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers

• Dodger Stadium

LHP Jon Lester (CHC) v. RHP Kenta Maeda (LAD)

To say the Cubs are dominant this season, might be an understatement. They are clearly the favorite come October as long as they continue to stay on course. Left-handed veteran Jon Lester (14-4; 2.81) now has twenty quality starts this season and is 5-0 since the All-Star break. The only blemish, if you want to call it that, on Lester’s 2016 resume is his 3.68 ERA on the road.

Kenta Maeda (13-7; 3.37) has been one of the most reliable members of the Dodgers’ lineup. Maeda only went five innings in his last start against the division rival San Francisco Giants this past week and earned the win but allowed three runs on six hits; striking out four and walking four. In his last seven starts he has gone 5-1 with a 4.50 ERA where he has allowed nineteen earned runs.