Rating: 2 Units

Right-hander Triston McKenzie (3-3, 2.70 ERA) will make his eighth start of the season for the Guardians. McKenzie has lasted at least six innings in all four of his May starts, including back-to-back seven-inning outings in his last two appearances. He held Minnesota to three runs and three hits on May 15, then limited Houston to one run and three hits on Monday. McKenzie has always been a thorn in Detroit's side. Last August, he carried a perfect game into the eighth inning and struck out 11. A single by Harold Castro with two outs in the eighth spoiled McKenzie's bid for perfection. In four career starts against the Tigers, McKenzie is 2-0 with an 0.78 ERA. He hasn't put up big strikeout totals this season -- his high is seven -- but he's been very effective. He'll be opposed by rookie right-hander Elvin Rodriguez (0-0, 9.39), who made his first major league start on Monday. He gave up a first-inning grand slam to Minnesota's Max Kepler.

Rating: 2 Units

Cobb is making just his third career start against the Reds, a team he has dominated in his two previous outings. Cobb is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA, allowing just two runs on 12 hits over 14 innings, striking out 11 and walking just two. The Reds counter with right-hander Tyler Mahle (2-5, 6.32). After back-to-back quality starts, Mahle was tagged for a career-high eight runs on nine hits in just four-plus innings against the Cubs in Tuesday's 11-4 loss. Mahle will have to solve the Giants, a franchise that has given him fits over his career. Mahle is 0-3 with a 9.18 ERA in four starts, including May 20, 2021, when Mahle was charged with seven runs on seven hits in just two innings of a 19-4 San Francisco win.

Rating: 2 Units

Right-hander Jose Urquidy (4-1, 4.24 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Astros today. He's coming off a 5-2 victory Sunday against visiting Texas. He allowed just one run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings and matched his career high with 10 strikeouts. The Mariners are set to counter with right-hander Logan Gilbert (4-2, 2.60), who is winless over his past four starts after winning his previous four. Gilbert is 0-1 with a 7.07 ERA in three career starts against the Astros.

Rating: 2 Units

Chicago White Sox right-hander Johnny Cueto has shown remarkable consistency in his first two outings with the club, scattering eight hits and 12 strikeouts over 12 scoreless innings. Cueto (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will face Cubs right-hander Keegan Thompson (4-0, 1.54) in an interleague matchup.  Chicago recalled Cueto from Triple-A Charlotte this month, and he wasted little time in making an impression. For the first time in a 15-season career, he has started a season with consecutive scoreless outings of at least six innings. Thompson is set to oppose him as the Cubs begin a stretch of 11 games in nine days. Eight of his 10 appearances this season have come in relief.

Rating: 2 Units

The Dodgers have won six straight games against Arizona this season and are 23-5 vs. the D-backs over the past two seasons. Arizona will turn to starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (3-2, 3.49 ERA) today. The right-hander is looking for his first career victory against the Dodgers after going 0-6 with a 5.89 ERA in his previous nine appearances, all starts. Kelly last faced Los Angeles on May 17, when he allowed eight runs on five hits over two innings in a 12-3 Arizona loss. The Dodgers will counter with right-hander Tony Gonsolin (4-0, 1.62), who continued to be impressive with another strong outing on Sunday. He yielded one run and three hits over six innings in a no-decision against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Rating: 2 Units

Sandy Alcantara, the established ace of the Miami pitching staff, will be matched up against a rookie trying to hold onto his position today when the visiting Marlins meet the Atlanta Braves. Alcantara (4-2, 2.11 ERA) pitched a complete game in his last turn on Sunday against the Braves. The right-hander struck out seven on 115 pitches -- both season highs -- en route to producing the fourth complete game. Alcantara is 3-1 with a 1.83 ERA in eight career starts versus the Braves. Atlanta hitters are batting only .176 against Alcantara. Left-hander Tucker Davidson is the latest young arm to try to nail down the spot at the No. 5 starter. The Braves have tried Kyle Muller, Huascar Ynoa and Bryce Elder with mixed results. Davidson (1-1, 8.71) showed great promise in his first start on May 17 when he threw five shutout innings against Milwaukee. He followed that up by allowing five runs on four hits with four walks in 2 2/3 innings in a loss to Philadelphia six days later.

Rating: 2 Units

Matthew Liberatore (0-0, 7.71 ERA) will get the start for the Cardinals today. It will be the 22-year-old left-hander's second career major league appearance. Liberatore allowed seven hits and four runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 21. He struck out three and walked two. Adrian Houser (3-4, 2.98 ERA) will be looking to shift momentum back in Milwaukee's favor, and he will be aiming for his third consecutive quality start. After tossing six innings and giving up just one run, which was unearned, on May 17 against the Atlanta, Braves, Houser held the Padres to one run in six innings on Monday. He limited San Diego to three hits and two walks while striking out four.

Rating: 2 Units

Verlander, who is scheduled to start the series opener tonight, is 6-1 and leads the league in lowest ERA (1.22), WHIP (0.72) and batting average against (.161). He hasn't been scored upon in his past three starts, including in six innings Saturday against the visiting Texas Rangers. He scattered six hits and struck out eight without walking a batter in the 2-1 win. After having Thursday off to regroup, the Mariners will counter with right-hander Chris Flexen (1-6, 4.98). Flexen has allowed 14 earned runs over his past three starts after getting limited run support earlier in the season. He's 0-5 with a 6.16 ERA in six career starts against Houston.

Rating: 2 Units

Right-hander Alek Manoah (5-1, 1.62 ERA) will be on the mound for Toronto today to make his ninth start of the season. Manoah hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any start this season and is coming off his longest outing of the year -- eight innings (one run, seven hits) in a 3-1 victory over Cincinnati. He's faced the Angels once in his career, getting a victory last season when he held Los Angeles to two runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out 11 in the game. Los Angeles right-hander Chase Silseth (1-1, 2.61) will make the third start of his career since being called up from Double-A Rocket City (Ala.) on May 13. It'll be his first chance to pitch against a major league team other than the Oakland Athletics.

Rating: 2 Units

The Royals will send Brad Keller (1-4, 3.20 ERA) to the mound to face Bailey Ober (1-1, 2.55) in a clash of right-handers. Keller is 3-4 with a 3.43 ERA in 10 career starts against the Twins. Ober is also facing the same opponent as his last outing. On Sunday, he pitched well enough to get the win but was lucky to not take the loss. He allowed one run on six hits in five innings, but he was the pitcher of record until the Twins scored five runs in the eighth and two in the ninth for a 7-6 comeback win. Ober has faced the Royals three times in his career, recording no decisions and a 3.38 ERA.

Rating: 2 Units

The starting pitchers for the series opener are Miami's Trevor Rogers (3-5, 5.20 ERA) and Atlanta's Ian Anderson (3-3, 4.07). Rogers made his latest start against the Braves on May 20. Dealing with a high pitch count (88), the lefty took a loss when he allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts in four innings. Rogers has awful career numbers vs. Atlanta going 0-5 with a 6.15 ERA in six starts.

Rating: 2 Units

The Mets will look to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season tonight when they host the Phillies in the opener of a three-game series. Carlos Carrasco (4-1, 3.50 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against left-hander Bailey Falter (0-1, 3.75). Carrasco earned a win on Saturday when he gave up one run over 5 1/3 innings as the Mets beat the Colorado Rockies 5-1 in the opener of a doubleheader. He is 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA in three career games (one start) against the Phillies. Falter made his first major league start of the season on May 11, when he gave up one run in 4 2/3 innings during a no-decision against the Seattle Mariners. His four other outings this year, and 21 of his 22 appearances last year, have come in relief.

Rating: 2 Units

Left-hander Martin Perez (3-2, 1.64 ERA) will start today for Texas against Oakland right-hander Frankie Montas (2-4, 3.55). Oakland is just 4-6 in the past 10 games but returns home with a bit of momentum, having scored 34 runs in the past eight contests. The rate of 4.3 runs per game is significantly better than the club's 3.4 average for the season. Still, the A's have won just two of their past 10 series. In nine career games (six starts) vs. the Rangers, Montas is 2-3 with a 5.03 ERA.  Perez produced his best pitching performance of the year in his most recent start, going the distance in a 3-0 win at Houston on Friday. He allowed eight hits and a walk while striking out five. The victory was Perez's third in as many outings.

Rating: 2 Units

Michael Wacha (3-0, 1.76 ERA) is set to start today for the Red Sox. The right-hander is coming off a no-decision against the Seattle Mariners on Friday. He allowed two runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings with three walks and three strikeouts. The Red Sox have won six straight behind RHP Michael Wacha, who has allowed just six runs in as many outings this season. Left-hander Dallas Keuchel (2-4, 6.60) will aim to avoid his second straight loss as he gets the call for Chicago. Keuchel allowed six runs on six hits in four innings against the New York Yankees on Saturday while walking three. Keuchel failed to strike out a batter for the second time in seven starts this season. In six career regular-season appearances against the Red Sox, including five starts, Keuchel is 2-1 with a 7.04 ERA.

Rating: 2 Units

Milwaukee will start Eric Lauer (4-1, 2.16 ERA) in the series opener. He is coming off a 7-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on May 20. He struck out five batters, walked nobody and allowed five hits in that game. Lauer is 1-1 with a 7.90 ERA in four career appearances against the Cardinals, including three starts. The Cardinals will counter with Adam Wainwright (5-3, 2.87 ERA), who allowed just three runs in 20 innings while winning his first three starts this month. After failing to complete six innings during a span of three starts, Wainwright has worked 26 innings in his last four while adding stability to the injury-depleted Cardinals rotation. Wainwright is 20-13 with a 2.69 ERA in 50 career appearances against Milwaukee, including 43 starts. Last year he was 2-1 with a 3.62 ERA in five starts against them.

Rating: 2 Units

The Royals will send LHP Daniel Lynch (2-3, 4.01 ERA) to the mound to face LHP Devin Smeltzer (1-0, 1.74 ERA). The matchup will be a repeat from the teams' game May 20 in Kansas City. The Royals have the worst starting pitching ERA (4.96) and the worst bullpen ERA (4.86) in the American League. They rank 27th among starters and 29th among relievers in all of baseball. During the six-game losing streak, they have a combined ERA of 7.96, giving up at least six runs in each game. Lynch has been hot and cold in his seven starts. He has had three scoreless starts, but he has a 7.64 ERA in his other four starts. The most recent start was against the Twins, when he allowed four earned runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings. It took him 90 pitches to get that far. Smeltzer allowed just one run on five hits in 5 1/3 innings in his last start, a 6-4 victory over the Royals in the aforementioned series. He didn't strike out any, but he got in front of most of the hitters he faced. He got 14 out of 20 first-pitch strikes.

Rating: 2 Units

New York left-hander Nestor Cortes (3-1, 1.80 ERA) will start today. He has won his past two starts, though he yielded three runs and six hits in five innings on Saturday in a 7-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox. He is 0-1 with a 4.29 ERA in seven career appearances against the Rays, including two starts. Tampa Bay's Ryan Yarbrough (0-0, 4.20 ERA) will make his 10th career appearance and second start against the Yankees. The lefty is 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA vs. New York.

Rating: 2 Units

The New York Yankees won't bring a losing streak into their series finale against the visiting Baltimore Orioles tonight, but they might be down a few more key players. Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu was a late scratch before Tuesday's game because of left-wrist discomfort, and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton departed in the seventh inning because of right-calf tightness. Orioles right-hander Tyler Wells (1-3, 4.41 ERA) is scheduled to make his third start of the season against the Yankees in the series finale. He did not receive a decision in the first two appearances, both 5-2 wins by New York. Wells threw four shutout innings in Baltimore on April 16, allowing three hits, striking out three and walking two. He left with the Orioles leading 2-0. He allowed two runs and three hits over five innings on April 27 in New York, striking out four without a walk.

Rating: 2 Units

Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen has sizzled in his last five starts, and the Rays will turn to their converted starter in this evening's series finale against the visiting Miami Marlins in St. Petersburg, Fla. Rasmussen (4-1, 2.33 ERA) has slotted into the No. 2 spot and has been a shutdown starter for manager Kevin Cash, though his longest outing so far is only six innings. Across his past five showings, the Oregon State alum has won four times without a defeat while posting a 1.01 ERA. He has allowed three runs and 15 hits in 26 2/3 innings pitched, with 25 strikeouts and five walks. In two career relief appearances against Miami, Rasmussen has no record and has pitched three scoreless, hitless innings. He closed the Milwaukee Brewers' 2-1 win over the Marlins on May 9, 2021, for his only career save.

Rating: 2 Units

The Oakland Athletics' Paul Blackburn has been a master at that this season, while the Seattle Mariners' Robbie Ray, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, has frequently been stung by crooked numbers. The two veterans are scheduled to square off this afternoon in Seattle in the finale of a three-game series between the AL West rivals. Blackburn (4-0, 1.91 ERA) has allowed more than one run in an inning just once this season, and that came in the only game among his eight starts that the A's lost. Meanwhile, Ray (4-4, 4.77 ERA) has allowed a four-run inning four times this season, a three-run inning and three two-run innings.

Rating: 2 Units

Home field advantage is very cool for the Padres in this matchup.   The Padres have another quality pitching matchup in their favor…  It’s worth it to keep pushing the Padres.  Padres: RHP Yu Darvish, 4-1, 3.91 ERA, 37 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched.  Yu has been around the block.  The 6’5, 35 year old,  Japanese import has pitched himself into an impressive career winning record since his debut in 2012.  He has spent a lot of years in bullpens… but the 83-68 record as a starting pitcher is very nice.  His current WHIP is 1.13. Brewers: LHP Aaron Ashby, 0-3, 3.49 ERA, 34 strikeouts in 28 innings.  1.38 WHIP.  Aaron is very green with only 609 innings pitched in his entire MLB career so far.  He has been on the losing end of the stick more times than not. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Dodgers will turn to left-hander Julio Urias (3-3, 2.63 ERA), who has gone 2-0 with a 2.66 ERA with 17 strikeouts and four walks in five career appearances (four starts) spanning 23 2/3 innings against the Nationals. Washington, which has lost nine of its past 12 games, will counter with Erick Fedde (2-3, 4.08 ERA). The right-hander allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks over 5 2/3 innings in a 7-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. He has faced the Dodgers only as a reliever, pitching a scoreless frame in 2019. Urias is 2-0 with a 2.66 ERA in five career games (four starts) vs. the Nationals. While the Dodgers have won nine of their past 10 games, the Nationals have gone 5-14 since they last won consecutive games, May 1 and 3.

Rating: 2 Units

Detroit will turn today to right-hander Rony Garcia (0-0, 2.57 ERA), who is scheduled to make his first start of the season and only the third start of his three-year major league career. He has shined out of the bullpen this season, recording 17 strikeouts in 14 innings while posting a terrific 0.714 WHIP. The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic has faced Minnesota three times out of the bullpen in his career. He is 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA in those appearances, having allowed four runs in 2 2/3 innings. The Twins will counter with right-hander Dylan Bundy (3-2, 5.14 ERA), who is set to make his seventh start of the season. The 29-year-old Oklahoma native is looking for the 50th win of his major league career. In his most recent outing, Bundy gave up two hits in three scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics on May 17. He walked two and struck out three, and he threw 35 of 54 pitches for strikes. The Twins kept him on a limited pitch count because it was his first start back after a stint on the COVID list.

Rating: 2 Units

The A's, who have lost 13 consecutive games to the Mariners dating to last season, are scheduled to start right-hander James Kaprielian (0-2, 4.50 ERA), who is 1-0 with a 6.35 ERA in five career appearances against the Mariners, including two starts. The Mariners plan to counter with rookie right-hander George Kirby (0-1, 3.60), who will be making his fourth career major league start. The Mariners won the series opener 7-6 Monday night, as rookie Julio Rodriguez hit his first homer -- a three-run shot -- at T-Mobile Park.

Rating: 2 Units

A pair of Cy Young Award winners will be paired tonight in San Diego. Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Corbin Burnes (1-2, 2.26 ERA) will be matched against left-hander Blake Snell (0-1, 7.36) as the Padres go for a sixth straight win. Burnes won the National League Cy Young Award last season, posting an 11-5 record with a league-leading 2.43 ERA. He had 234 strikeouts and a 0.94 WHIP. Snell won the American League Cy Young Award in 2018 with Tampa Bay, posting a 21-5 record with a league-leading 1.89 ERA. He had 221 strikeouts and a 0.97 WHIP. Burnes should have the edge on Tuesday. He will make his ninth start, posting six quality starts in his first eight outings with a .190 opponents' batting average and an 0.83 WHIP. Snell, meanwhile, will make just his second start of the season.

Rating: 2 Units

Noah Syndergaard missed the better part of two seasons because of an arm injury that resulted in Tommy John surgery, but a fresh start with a new team seems to be just what the doctor ordered. The right-hander will start for the Los Angeles Angels tonight in Anaheim, Calif., in the first game of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers. Syndergaard got off to a great start this season, posting a 2.45 ERA over his first five starts. That included shutting out the defending American League champion Astros on two hits over 5 1/3 innings in his season debut on April 9. Today's start will be Syndergaard's third against the Rangers this season. He earned a victory on April 16 when he allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. Right-hander Dane Dunning (1-2, 3.92 ERA) will start for Texas, his ninth start of the season. He pitched against the Angels his last time out, getting a no-decision but pitching well, giving up two runs and three hits in six innings. Dunning is 1-2 with a 6.08 ERA in five career starts vs. the Angels.

Rating: 2 Units

The White Sox went 5-3 on a trip to Kansas City and New York to climb above .500, and are set to start right-hander Dylan Cease (4-1, 3.09 ERA) against Boston righty Nick Pivetta (2-4, 4.22). Cease, who took a no-decision on May 7 at Boston after pitching five innings of one-run, four-hit ball with eight strikeouts, has pitched to a 7.30 ERA in three career appearances against the Red Sox covering 12 1/3 innings. Pivetta, who opposed Cease this month, also took a no-decision despite six innings of shutout ball with five hits and eight strikeouts. He is 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA in five career appearances against Chicago, including three starts.

Rating: 2 Units

Behind impressive teams over the last three seasons, the Rays have built their overall advantage to 71-58 since starting interleague play against the then-Florida Marlins in 1998. Including the final meeting against Miami in 2018, a 6-4 Rays win on July 22, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash's club has won 15 of 17 matchups against the Marlins, including three straight in the series. Pablo Lopez (4-1, 1.57 ERA) has been Miami's ace through eight starts but  is 1-2 with a 3.27 ERA in four career starts against the Rays. Cash will send out Shane McClanahan (3-2, 2.33), who has made one career start against the Marlins. The left-hander earned the final victory of his 10-6 rookie campaign by allowing just one run.

Rating: 2 Units

The Mariners hope facing Oakland for the first time this season might change their fortunes. Seattle went 15-4 against the A's in 2021, winning the last 12 meetings. The A's are 3-7 over their past 10 games, the same record in that span as Seattle. Oakland has lost two in a row, including a 4-1 defeat Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif. The A's managed just four hits in the loss and allowed solo homers to Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. A's rookie left-hander Zach Logue (2-2, 2.04) is set to make his fourth major-league start today. While Logue has never faced the Mariners, Gonzales is 7-3 with a 3.77 ERA in 15 career appearances against the A's, including 14 starts.

Rating: 2 Units

The Guardians lost for the sixth time in eight games Sunday, 4-2 at home to the Detroit Tigers. Right-hander Zach Plesac (1-3, 4.42 ERA) is the scheduled starter for Cleveland today. He is winless over his last four starts, going 0-2 with a 6.86 ERA and an opponent OPS of .811. Plesac has faced the Astros once, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks over five innings in a 10-4 home win during his rookie season on July 31, 2019. Right-hander Luis Garcia (3-2, 3.35) has the starting assignment for Houston. Garcia had surrendered a total of three earned runs on 12 hits and five walks with 23 strikeouts in his previous three starts, going 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in that stretch. Garcia has faced the Guardians once, pitching six shutout innings while allowing three hits and recording eight strikeouts in a 9-3 home victory last July 20.

Rating: 2 Units

The St. Louis Cardinals hope they have saved some runs for the opener of a two-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays tonight that starts their nine-game homestand. The Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 18-4 on Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep and finish a 4-3 trip. It was the Cardinals' first series sweep of the season. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, have struggled to score. They failed to complete their first series sweep of the season Sunday when they lost 3-2 to the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of a three-game set. The winning run came on a homer by Toronto native Joey Votto. The Blue Jays, who completed a 4-2 homestand against the Seattle Mariners and Reds, will open a six-game trip today. In three games against the depleted Reds, the Blue Jays scored a total of seven runs. They were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position on Sunday. Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas (3-2, 1.68 ERA) will oppose Toronto right-hander Jose Berrios (3-2, 4.83).

Rating: 2 Units

The Minnesota Twins swept a three-game home series from the Detroit Tigers last month. They'll look to duplicate that feat beginning today. The Twins have won four straight and six of their last seven games. They swept a three-game road series at Kansas City over the weekend, including a 7-6 triumph on Sunday. The first-place Twins now get a chance to pad their division lead against the Tigers, who are tied with the Royals for last place in the American League Central.

Rating: 2 Units

The first game of the series features Wheeler (2-3, 3.49 ERA) against rookie Atlanta left-hander Tucker Davidson (1-0, 5.87). Over his last four starts, Wheeler is 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA. He has not allowed a run in three of those outings and has allowed only three runs in 26 innings in that stretch. Wheeler is coming off perhaps his best start of the season when he threw seven scoreless innings in a 3-0 win over the San Diego Padres last Wednesday. Wheeler allowed only four hits and struck out a season-high nine batters.

Rating: 2 Units

The Padres will send rookie MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 2.17 ERA) to the mound this afternoon against Alex Wood (3-2, 3.93) in a match of left-handers. Gore, 23, the Padres' first-round pick in the 2017 draft, will face the Giants for the first time. He is coming off his first relief appearance in the majors in a piggyback role to Mike Clevinger last Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Wood will make his eighth start of the season and his second against the Padres. Wood is 4-2 lifetime against the Padres with a 2.93 ERA in 17 appearances (11 starts). He has given the Padres 25 runs (23 earned) on 61 hits and 19 walks with 75 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings.

Rating: 2 Units

The Diamondbacks will try to complete the historic sweep against Chicago left-hander Wade Miley (1-0, 2.70 ERA). The 35-year-old allowed three runs, five hits and walked five in his Chicago debut at San Diego on May 10. But he rebounded by tossing seven innings of one-hit ball, while striking out six without a walk, during Monday's 9-0 home win over Pittsburgh. Miley pitched his first four major league seasons (2011-14) in Arizona and won a career-high 16 games in 2012. However, since leaving the Diamondbacks, Miley has faced his former team once -- with Baltimore on Sept. 24, 2016, when he allowed one run, seven hits and struck out 11 over 8 2/3 innings.

Rating: 2 Units

Atlanta will turn to Ian Anderson (3-2, 3.75 ERA) as the starter today. Anderson is 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA in six career starts vs. Miami. He has struggled to contain Chisholm (5-for-13), Jesus Aguilar (4-for-11) and Jesus Sanchez (5-for-6). Right-hander Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 2.49) will take the mound for Miami today. He turned in a dominant performance against the Washington Nationals last Monday, allowing one run on three hits over eight innings of an 8-2 victory. Alcantara, 26, lost his first two starts this month but has allowed a total of two runs and five hits over his last two outings covering 15 innings. Alcantara is 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in seven career starts against the Braves.

Rating: 2 Units

This will be the rubber game of the series. The Rays have won seven of their last nine series. Right-hander Corey Kluber (1-2, 4.29 ERA) will start for the Rays in the series finale. Tampa Bay has scored just five total runs in support of Kluber's last three starts. Against the Orioles, Kluber holds a 5-1 record and 2.94 ERA in 11 career starts. Spenser Watkins (0-1, 5.10 ERA) goes to the mound for the Orioles. The right-hander went 1-3 in four starts last season vs. the Rays, though he hasn't won a game since beating Tampa Bay on July 19. Tampa Bay has won 28 of its last 31 meetings with the Orioles, including four of five this season.

Rating: 2 Units

The Dodgers will send Tony Gonsolin (4-0, 1.64 ERA) to the mound. Gonsolin is 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA in one career start in 2021 against the Phillies. Zach Eflin (1-3, 3.90 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Phillies. Eflin gave up five hits and one run in six strong innings in his last start against San Diego. Eflin has struggled in six career starts against the Dodgers, going 0-3 with an 8.78 ERA.

Rating: 2 Units

The Twins will send Joe Ryan (4-2, 2.39 ERA) to the mound to face fellow right-hander Brad Keller (1-3, 2.89). Minnesota recorded a 6-4 victory in the series opener on Friday. The Twins saw a 4-1 lead trimmed to a run before rookie Jose Miranda drove in two runs with a double in the eighth inning. Miranda entered the game mired in an 0-for-20 skid. The Royals rank in the bottom third of the American League in runs per game, while the Twins are in the middle third. But the two starters will make things difficult for whoever is batting. Ryan has a WHIP of 0.96, with Keller not far behind at 1.01. Keller owns a 3-3 record with a 3.20 ERA in nine career starts against Minnesota. Ryan has been everything manager Rocco Baldelli could have hoped for in Ryan's first full season with the Twins. Ryan has allowed more than two earned runs on just one occasion in seven starts. In his last start against the Guardians, he allowed one run on four hits in six innings, striking out five and walking none. The only run he allowed came on a solo home run by Jose Ramirez. And he finished strong, closing with two shutout innings before exiting after a career-high 103 pitches.

Rating: 2 Units

A pair of right-handers will start today as Atlanta sends Kyle Wright (3-2, 2.79 ERA) against Miami's Elieser Hernandez (2-3, 6.15). Hernandez is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts in May. In his last start on May 15 against Milwaukee, he allowed five runs (two earned) in four innings to suffer his second straight loss. Hernandez has allowed 10 homers in 33 2/3 innings this season. Hernandez owns a 1-1 record with a 3.22 ERA in 11 career appearances (six starts) vs. the Braves. He pitched against Atlanta on April 23 and allowed five runs on seven hits -- three home runs -- in 4 2/3 innings. Wright is coming off his sixth quality start of the season. He allowed three runs (one earned) in 6 1/3 innings against the San Diego Padres on May 15. He struck out nine and walked two but received no decision.

Rating: 2 Units

After beginning the season in relief, Boston's Garrett Whitlock (1-1, 2.43 ERA) is slated to make his sixth start of the season, and his career, today. Whitlock has allowed three runs or fewer in each outing this season, though he has yet to log a win as a starter after getting a third straight no-decision on Monday in the Red Sox's 6-3 win over the Houston Astros. Seattle will turn to Chris Flexen (1-6, 4.35), who has lost four consecutive starts since an April 22 win over the Kansas City Royals. He fell to the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday despite striking out seven, as he allowed three runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Rating: 2 Units

Today's opener will feature a battle of right-handers, New York's Carlos Carrasco (3-1, 3.73 ERA) and Colorado's German Marquez (1-3, 6.16). Marquez was an All-Star last year, but his ERA this season is nearly two runs higher than his 4.36 career mark. The Rockies need him to pitch like an ace if they are to have any chance in the ultra-competitive National League West.

Rating: 2 Units

Cortes (2-1, 1.35 ERA), who was New York's 36th-round pick in the 2013 draft, has allowed two earned runs in his past 16 starts. That matches teammate Luis Severino (2018) for the Yankees' second-longest streak of allowing three runs or fewer. The record is more than a century old, 20 by Russ Ford (1910-1911). The 5-foot-11 left-hander's last two appearances were among the most impressive of his 23 career starts. On May 9, he came within five outs of a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers before settling for a one-hit, 7 1/3-inning performance in a 1-0 victory. He followed that Sunday afternoon by allowing one run on three hits in the longest outing of his career, eight complete innings, in a 5-1 win in Chicago.

Rating: 2 Units

After defeating the Seattle Mariners with a season-high 12-run, 16-hit performance on Thursday, the Boston Red Sox look to build upon that victory as the four-game series continues today. Michael Wacha (3-0, 1.38 ERA) is expected to come off the injured list to start for Boston. Consider that the Mariners are 8-15 on the road.

Rating: 2 Units

Cincinnati will start right-hander Luis Castillo (0-1, 5.59 ERA) today against Toronto left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu (0-0, 9.00). It will be Castillo's first career start against Toronto. Ryu has faced Cincinnati seven times in his career (all starts), each when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 4-2 with a 3.70 ERA. Toronto did not play on Thursday. The Blue Jays are averaging 3.68 runs per game, 10th in the American League entering Thursday.

Rating: 2 Units

The Tampa Bay Rays will look to continue their mastery of the host Baltimore Orioles when they open a three-game series today. The Rays opened the season with a three-game sweep of the visiting Orioles in St. Petersburg, Fla., after defeating Baltimore in 18 of the teams' 19 meetings last year, including going 9-0 at Camden Yards. Tampa Bay, which has won two in a row and five of its last seven games, will hand the ball to left-hander Jalen Beeks (1-0, 1.72 ERA), a reliever who will be making his first start of the season. Beeks has made nine appearances totaling 15 2/3 innings this season, including 1 2/3 innings against the Orioles. Beeks allowed two hits to go along with four strikeouts and a walk during an 8-0 win on April 10. The Orioles, who lost six straight games until defeating the Yankees, 9-6, on Thursday, will counter with right-hander Tyler Wells (1-3, 4.18 ERA). Wells allowed three runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and no walks over four innings in a 5-1 loss at Detroit on Sunday in his last start. Wells struggled mightily against the Rays earlier this season. He lasted just 1 2/3 innings in which he gave up four runs on three hits with two strikeouts and two walks in an 8-0 loss on April 10.

Rating: 2 Units

In the series opener, St. Louis right-hander Adam Wainwright (4-3, 3.15 ERA) is scheduled to face Pittsburgh right-hander Zach Thompson (2-3, 5.47). Wainwright can't pull out a deed, but he nearly owns the Pirates. In 48 games, including 42 starts, against them, he is 22-7 with a 3.65 ERA. And the 40-year-old might be getting better with age against the Pirates. Wainwright comes into Friday with a 32-inning scoreless streak against Pittsburgh, dating to June 26, 2021. At PNC Park, site of this weekend's series, he has pitched 20 straight scoreless innings dating to Sept. 7, 2019. Last season, Wainwright compiled a 0.30 ERA in four starts against the Pirates. Then he blanked Pittsburgh over six innings in an Opening Day win this year.

Rating: 2 Units

Right-hander Noah Syndergaard (3-1, 2.45 ERA) will take the mound for the Angels, and Texas will counter with right-hander Jon Gray (0-1, 5.51). Syndergaard already has a win over the Rangers in Arlington this season, going six innings in a 7-2 Los Angeles victory on April 16. Syndergaard grew up in Mansfield, Texas, about a 20-minute drive from Globe Life Field, and it was the first time he had pitched in his "hometown."

Rating: 2 Units

Freddy Peralta (2-1, 4.40 ERA) is Milwaukee's expected starter today, and he has been stellar over his last four appearances. Peralta has allowed just five earned runs in his last 21 2/3 innings, good for an ERA of 2.08. Peralta has made four appearances, including three starts, against the Braves, and he is 2-1 with a 4.41 ERA in 16 1/3 innings.

Rating: 2 Units

The three-game series with the Mariners will open a six-game homestand for the Blue Jays. They dropped the rubber match of a three-game series 3-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday to complete a 2-7 trip. They have lost four straight series as their hitting woes continue. Kikuchi (1-1, 4.15 ERA) signed with the Blue Jays as a free agent after pitching three seasons with the Mariners. He was 15-24 with a 4.97 ERA, over 70 starts with Seattle.

Rating: 2 Units

The Yankees, who took three of four games against the Chicago White Sox this past weekend, are a major league-best 25-9. The Orioles got swept in their three-game series by the host Detroit Tigers after arriving in Motown having won six of eight games. The Yankees, whose 167 runs are second-most in the American League, will look to take advantage of Orioles rookie right-hander Kyle Bradish (1-1, 4.24 ERA), who was fantastic in his last start. He allowed two earned runs on four hits to go along with 11 strikeouts and no walks in seven innings in a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. Bradish's third start of the season came after he held Boston to two earned runs on five hits in six innings during a 3-1 loss on April 29 in his major league debut. He surrendered four earned runs on six hits over four innings during a 9-4 win over the Minnesota Twins on May 4. The Yankees will counter with Luis Severino (2-0, 4.08), who is no stranger to the Orioles. The right-hander has dominated Baltimore in 11 games (nine starts) throughout his career. He's 6-1 with a 3.59 ERA with 58 strikeouts and 15 walks in 57 2/3 innings. He's picked up the victory in each of his last five starts against the Orioles dating to May 2017.

Rating: 2 Units

It's the final game of a six-game western road trip that started with Chicago winning two of three games in San Diego. The Cubs then bounced back from a 4-3 loss to Arizona in Friday night's series opener to pull out a 4-2 victory on Saturday night. Left-hander Justin Steele (1-4, 5.32 ERA) will start for the Cubs. He pitched five shutout innings in a 9-0 win over Milwaukee in his first start of the season on April 9 but hasn't won in five starts since. Right-hander Humberto Castellanos (2-1, 4.32) will get the nod for Arizona, which will attempt to win its fourth consecutive series.

Rating: 2 Units

Colorado hit three homers in a 10-4 win over the Kansas City Royals to end a five-game losing streak. The Rockies will look to win the series against Kansas City when the teams play a matinee game today in Denver. The Royals will send Daniel Lynch (2-2, 4.01 ERA) against Colorado's Austin Gomber (2-3, 4.36) in a matchup of left-handers. Kansas City won the first game of the weekend series on Friday night thanks to a season-high 18 hits. But the Royals' pitching has been less than stellar against the Rockies. Kansas City has allowed 10 runs in each of the first two games of the series but hopes Lynch can stop that trend today. Gomber has faced Kansas City three times in his career -- twice as a starter -- and his 2-0. He has not allowed a run in 12 2/3 innings against the Royals.

Rating: 2 Units

The Mets, who haven't lost a series this season, will look to win another one today when they are scheduled to host the Seattle Mariners in the rubber match of a three-game interleague set. Right-hander Carlos Carrasco (3-1, 3.19 ERA) is slated to take the mound for the Mets against the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, left-hander Robbie Ray (3-3, 4.22 ERA). The Mets squandered a four-run lead Saturday by allowing a single run in the sixth and three more in the seventh, before Mazeika led off the bottom of the inning by hitting Andres Munoz's first pitch well into the right field seats for the tie-breaking run in a 5-4 victory. Carrasco won his second straight start Tuesday, when he allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings as the Mets beat the Washington Nationals 4-2. Ray also won Tuesday after surrendering two runs over 5 2/3 innings in the Mariners' 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Carrasco is 5-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 10 career appearances (nine starts) against the Mariners. Ray is 3-1 with a 2.60 ERA in six starts against the Mets.

Rating: 2 Units

There should be no reason to fret for the Houston Astros after their pitching, which had been so dominant the past couple of weeks, let them down. They'll be right back at it this afternoon to finish a three-game road series against the Washington Nationals about 15 hours after their 11-game winning streak came to a halt. The Astros send out right-hander Justin Verlander (4-1, 1.55 ERA) to try to put the team back on track. Verlander has faced the Nationals just twice in his 460-game career, winning both of those starts (in 2010 and 2013 when he was with the Detroit Tigers). Left-hander Patrick Corbin (0-5, 6.06 ERA) is slated to make the start for Washington. Corbin has worked five or more innings in each of his past three starts. The Nationals are 0-7 when he starts this season.

Rating: 2 Units

Rating: 2 Units

Kansas City will send Carlos Hernandez (0-2, 7.15 ERA) to the mound against German Marquez (0-3, 6.47) in a matchup of winless right-handers. Hernandez hasn't faced the Rockies in his career and will have to deal with pitching at altitude. Marquez hopes his most recent start can be a catalyst to a turnaround. The team's lone All-Star last season has struggled much of this year, but he logged a quality start in his last outing in Arizona, allowing three earned runs in six innings. It wasn't enough to prevent his third straight loss, but Rockies manager Bud Black saw some improvement in his pitcher's start. Marquez got a no-decision in his only career start against the Royals despite allowing just two run over six innings back on Aug. 24, 2017, in Kansas City.

Rating: 2 Units

After outscoring the White Sox 25-11 to open the set, the Yankees will aim to keep rolling on Saturday. New York has won 17 of its past 19 and 24 of 32 to begin the season. Today's pitching matchup pits a pair of left-handers in Jordan Montgomery of New York and Chicago's Dallas Keuchel.  Montgomery (0-1, 2.90 ERA) is coming off Sunday's no-decision against the Texas Rangers, when he scattered two runs on four hits in six innings with zero walks and five strikeouts. Control has been a strong suit for Montgomery thus far; he hasn't walked a batter in three straight starts and has issued just five free passes in 31 innings. In three career starts against the White Sox, Montgomery is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 20 innings. Keuchel (2-3, 6.86) stopped a three-start losing streak Sunday at Boston with six innings of two-run, eight-hit ball with one walk and five strikeouts. He is 4-4 with a 2.23 ERA in nine career starts against the Yankees.

Rating: 2 Units

The Astros hold an 11-game winning streak. After beating Washington on Friday night, they've won four games on what's scheduled to be a nine-game road trip. The Nationals have won four home games all season, dipping to 4-14 at Nationals Park. The Houston pitching staff is in a good spot after Framber Valdez logged 7 2/3 innings and gave up one run. The Astros will go with right-hander Cristian Javier (2-0, 0.83 ERA) today as Houston skips over Jake Odorizzi's spot in the order. Odorizzi got off to a slow 2022 season but has won three straight games, giving up one run in 17 2/3 innings.

Rating: 2 Units

Milwaukee, which beat Miami 2-1 on Friday, is led by left-hander Josh Hader, who has been selected the National League Reliever of the Year three times over the past four seasons. He got the save in the series opener with a perfect ninth inning. Hader was better than ever last year, posting a career-best 1.23 ERA with 34 saves in 35 chances. This year, Hader has a 0.00 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings. He is 13-for-13 on save chances and has allowed just two hits and five walks. As for the starters today, Miami will go with left-hander Trevor Rogers (1-4, 5.00 ERA) while Milwaukee will start lefty Eric Lauer (3-0, 1.82). The Marlins are just 1-5 when Rogers starts.

Rating: 2 Units

The pitching matchup today features Atlanta right-hander Charlie Morton (2-4, 5.65 ERA) and San Diego left-hander Sean Manaea (2-3, 3.75).  Morton bounced back in his last start on Sunday against Milwaukee. The veteran had endured four consecutive subpar performances, losing three, but he looked good while throwing five shutout innings to beat the Brewers. Morton lost to the Padres on April 14, allowing five runs in five innings during an 11-1 defeat. He has made 10 career starts against San Diego, going 6-2 with a 2.66 ERA. Manaea lost his latest start against the Miami Marlins on May 7, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out a season-high eight. Manaea has allowed 13 runs (12 earned) over his past 17 innings across three starts.

Rating: 2 Units

The Phillies will send right-hander Kyle Gibson (3-1, 2.94 ERA) to the mound today. In three lifetime appearances (two starts) against the Dodgers, Gibson is 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA. In a home start against Los Angeles last August, Gibson gave up six runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. The Dodgers fell Thursday for the third time in four games despite a valiant comeback attempt. Los Angeles tied the game 7-7 after trailing by six runs but still ended up with just its third defeat in 13 home games. Poised to get the Dodgers out of their funk, as he has done so many times in the past, is Clayton Kershaw (4-0, 1.80 ERA). The veteran left-hander has given up one run or none in four of his five starts. He is coming off a road victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, when he gave up five hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings. Kershaw had just two strikeouts against the Cubs, which was more a product of an aggressive Chicago offense. He got 21 outs on just 81 pitches. Now Kershaw faces another offense known for going on the attack early in counts.

Rating: 2 Units

The Los Angeles Angels will send Chase Silseth to the mound to make his major league debut tonight against the host Oakland A's in the opener of a four-game series. The Angels needed an extra starter because of a Saturday doubleheader, and they elected to promote Silseth from Double-A Rocket City after the right-hander went 2-0 with a 1.73 ERA in five starts for the Trash Pandas. Silseth, 21, was an 11th-round selection in 2021 as part a draft in which the Angels drafted all pitchers. The University of Arizona product will be the first player drafted in 2021 to reach the big leagues in all of baseball. Silseth lasted six innings in each of his past three starts, but the Angels will have a bullpen rested and ready thanks to an off day on Thursday. Anchored by closer Raisel Iglesias, the Angels' bullpen has been solid. The relief corps, which currently also includes Aaron Loup, Jimmy Herget, Oliver Ortega, Ryan Tepera, Mike Mayers and Jaime Barria, has an 8-3 record and a 3.49 ERA. Right-hander Daulton Jefferies (1-5, 5.22 ERA) starts Friday for Oakland. He lost each of his past five starts after winning his initial outing of the season.

Rating: 2 Units

Greinke (0-2, 2.67 ERA) will be opposed by left-hander Kyle Freeland (1-3, 3.94). Kansas City is coming off 3-1 road loss to the Texas Rangers on Thursday night, while Colorado had a much-needed off day. Despite his record, Greinke has been pitching well -- and efficiently. In a time when strikeouts account for nearly a third of all outs across baseball, Greinke has been throwing few pitches, striking out only 7.5 percent of the batters he has faced through his first six starts. He has fanned just 10 batters in 33 2/3 innings, and in only two of his six starts has he struck out more than one. Rockies starter Kyle Freeland has been good at home off a team loss in his career. Colorado is 5-0 in its past five home games against losing AL teams.

Rating: 2 Units

New York is 16-2 in its past 18 games and its 23-8 start is its best since 2003. The Yankees have scored 62 of their 150 runs in the seventh inning or beyond after scoring nine times in their final three innings of a 15-7 win over the White Sox on Thursday. Gerrit Cole (2-0, 2.67 ERA), who is 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA in his past three outings, will start for the Yankees on Friday. He allowed one run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings and struck out 10 in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers on Sunday. He wound up with a no-decision after allowing Kole Calhoun's tying homer on his final pitch. Cole is 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA in three career starts against the White Sox. He last faced them May 22, 2021, in New York, when he allowed four hits in seven scoreless innings. Chicago is 7-3 in its past 10 games overall but also 1-8 in its past nine games against the Yankees.

Rating: 2 Units

Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (1-2, 3.34 ERA) is slated to start against right-hander Josiah Gray (4-2, 3.45). The Astros ran their winning streak to 10 games and moved into first place in the American League West by winning twice Thursday afternoon. After beating the host Minnesota Twins 11-3 in the completion of a game suspended due to thunderstorms Wednesday night, Houston earned a 5-0 win in the regularly scheduled contest. The Nationals fell 4-1 to the visiting New York Mets on Thursday in the rubber game of a three-game series. Washington has dropped six of its past eight games.

Rating: 2 Units

Dodgers left-hander Tyler Anderson (3-0, 2.78 ERA) will enter today's start coming off consecutive victories. In his first season with the club, Anderson has been in the rotation since lefty Andrew Heaney went on the injured list due to shoulder discomfort on April 20. In his most recent outing, Anderson gave up two runs over five innings in the Dodgers' 6-2 road victory over the Chicago Cubs during the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday. Over four lifetime starts against the Phillies, Anderson is 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA. Philadelphia will send right-hander Zack Wheeler (1-3, 4.10 ERA) to the mound on Thursday in his return from the COVID-19 injured list. In five career starts against the Dodgers, Wheeler is 2-2 with a 4.66 ERA.

Rating: 2 Units

The Reds, last in the NL, responded to their first series win last weekend against Pittsburgh by winning another against NL Central leader Milwaukee, taking two of three, including a 14-11 win Wednesday. The series loss in Cincinnati didn't seem to dampen Pittsburgh's desire. The Pirates bounced back to take two of three from the NL's top team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, including a 5-3 win Wednesday. Also consider that the Over is 13-2-1 in Reds last 16 overall and 18-5-3 in Reds last 26 games vs. a right-handed starter.

Rating: 2 Units

The Mets will look to maintain their unbeaten series record when they visit the Washington Nationals in a matinee finale of a three-game set. Taijuan Walker (0-0, 4.91 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Joan Adon (1-5, 6.99 ERA) in a battle of right-handers. Adon made his lone appearance against the Mets on April 9, when he took the loss after allowing four runs over 4 1/3 innings in New York's 5-0 victory.

Rating: 2 Units

The visiting Mets will look to lock up another series win tonight when they oppose the Washington Nationals in the middle game of a three-game set between the NL East rivals. Tylor Megill (4-1, 2.43 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Mets against Aaron Sanchez (1-2, 8.56) in a battle of right-handers. Megill absorbed his first loss of the season in his most recent start, when he allowed three runs over 5 1/3 innings as the Mets fell 9-2 to the Atlanta Braves on May 4. Sanchez took a defeat on Thursday, when he gave up seven runs (six earned) over 4 1/3 innings as the Nationals fell 9-7 to the Colorado Rockies. Megill is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in three career starts against the Nationals. Sanchez has never opposed the Mets.

Rating: 2 Units

Arizona has won 11 of its past 14 games to move three games over .500 at 17-14, and the team's starting pitchers are 7-0 with a 1.41 ERA over the past 11 games. Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen and Madison Bumgarner each have sub-2.00 ERAs for the Diamondbacks, who had the worst record in the National League last season. Arizona, which has won its first five meetings against Miami this season, will turn to Kelly (3-1, 1.22 ERA) for the series finale. The right-hander continued his impressive beginning with another strong outing on Friday. He allowed one run on seven hits over 8 2/3 innings in a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies. The Marlins have dropped three straight games and nine of their past 10. They could use a strong outing from Sandy Alcantara (2-2, 3.03 ERA) after Jesus Luzardo lasted just 2 2/3 innings on Tuesday in a 9-3 loss.

Rating: 2 Units

For the series finale, the Phillies are expected to call up left-hander Bailey Falter (0-1, 4.91 ERA) from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make the second start of his career. All four of his previous major league outings this year came in relief. Right-hander Logan Gilbert (4-0, 1.36 ERA), the American League's Pitcher of the Month for April, is set to start for Seattle. Gilbert had won four consecutive starts before getting a no-decision against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, when he yielded four runs (three earned) in five innings. Neither Falter nor Gilbert has faced the opposition before.

Rating: 2 Units

New York's Jameson Taillon (2-1, 2.84 ERA) will face the Blue Jays for the third time this season and the second straight outing. The right-hander held them to two runs and five hits on April 11 in a 3-0 loss in New York and then allowed one run on five hits in a season-high six innings of a 9-1 win at Toronto on May 3. Jose Berrios (2-1, 5.34 ERA), who is coming off his worst outing of the season, will start for the Blue Jays. Berrios took his first loss of the season when he allowed season highs of six runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings of a 6-5 defeat against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday. Berrios is 2-2 with a 4.83 ERA in six career starts against the Yankees. He last faced them on April 13 in New York, when he allowed three runs (including solo homers by Anthony Rizzo and Judge) in a five-inning no-decision.

Rating: 2 Units'

Before Monday, the Dodgers had beaten the Pirates 16 straight times. In those 16 games, they amassed 111 runs while holding Pittsburgh to 46 runs. Los Angeles is 24-3 against the Pirates since 2017. Thus Monday's game seems like the outlier, pending today's outcome. In the series finale, Los Angeles right-hander Ryan Pepiot will make his major league debut, facing Pittsburgh left-hander Dillon Peters (3-1, 2.16 ERA). This season for Oklahoma City, Pepiot has a 2.05 ERA in six starts, with 36 strikeouts and 12 walks in 26 1/3 innings. Pepiot, the Pacific Coast League pitcher of the month for April, gave up two runs and struck out seven in 4 2/3 innings against Albuquerque on Friday. Peters, meanwhile, almost assuredly will be used as an opener, especially since he just pitched Sunday -- when he did not record an out in a relief appearance and gave up four runs and one hit and three walks in Pittsburgh's 7-3 loss at Cincinnati.

Rating: 2 Units

Left-hander Reid Detmers (1-1, 5.32 ERA) will be on the mound for the Angels on Tuesday to make his sixth start of the season and the 11th of his career. He has never faced the Rays. Right-hander Corey Kluber (1-1, 2.36 ERA) will make his sixth start of the year for the Rays, coming off two outstanding outings. His last time out, on Wednesday in Oakland, he shut out the A's on three hits over six innings, striking out seven and walking only one but getting a no-decision. His previous start, on April 29, he allowed just one run on one hit and no walks in six innings in a win over the visiting Minnesota Twins.

Rating: 2 Units

The Houston Astros will go for their eighth win in a row when they visit the Minnesota Twins to open a nine-game road trip tonight in Minneapolis. Houston is coming off a four-game home sweep of the Detroit Tigers. That followed the Astros' three-game sweep, also at home, against the Seattle Mariners. During their seven-game win streak, the Astros have allowed only eight runs. Their pitchers combined for three shutouts and limited opponents to two runs apiece in the other four wins. Houston right-hander Justin Verlander (3-1, 1.93 ERA) is slated to start the series opener. Verlander has 229 career victories, and his next win will move him past Luis Tiant, Will White and Sam Jones for sole possession of No. 66 on the all-time list. In 38 career starts against Minnesota, Verlander is 20-10 with a 2.91 ERA.

Rating: 2 Units

Wright has ascended to become Atlanta's top right-handed starter in the early portion of the season. The 2017 first-round pick has produced quality starts in each of his first five starts, two of them six-inning scoreless outings. Wright took his first loss in his most recent start last Tuesday in the second game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets when he allowed three runs over seven innings. Wright didn't have his overpowering stuff -- a season-low three strikeouts -- but he kept the game close. Wright has two career appearances, one start, against the Red Sox. He has a 2.08 ERA after allowing two runs in 8 2/3 innings. He made his major league debut in relief against Boston in 2018. The Braves are coming off a 2-1 series win against the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. The Red Sox have dropped five in a row after being swept in a three-game series by the Chicago White Sox. The Red Sox are 4-14 over their past 18 games and have been hurt by the inability to win a close game. Of their 29 games, 17 have been decided by two or fewer runs, 10 by one run.

Rating: 2 Units

The Nationals completed a nine-game road trip Sunday by falling to the Los Angeles Angels, 5-4, in the rubber game of a three-game series. With the win in the second game, the Mets became the first team this season to reach 20 victories and won yet another series. New York entered Monday with the best on-base percentage (.335) in the majors and the second-lowest ERA (3.24) in the National League. The loss Sunday made the Nationals just the second team in baseball to reach 20 defeats and dropped Washington 10 games behind the Mets. Only the Cincinnati Reds are farther out of first place. Corbin took the loss despite throwing a complete game last Wednesday, when he allowed five runs (three earned) over eight innings as the Nationals fell to the Colorado Rockies, 5-2. He is 5-8 with a 4.34 ERA in 21 career games (20 starts) against the Mets.

Rating: 2 Units

The Brewers enter play today riding a season-high, three-game losing streak. They will look to change their fortunes against Reds rookie right-hander Hunter Greene (1-4, 8.71 ERA), who will attempt to get back on track. It's been a rough ride for the top player in Cincinnati's farm system since he won his major league debut at Atlanta on April 10. Greene has lost each of his subsequent four starts and has thrown fewer than five innings in each of the past three. His first career appearance against the Brewers was the roughest of his young career. In taking a 10-5 loss on Thursday, Greene allowed five home runs, matching the club record by a pitcher in a game. Luis Urias and Christian Yelich opened the game with home runs, and things didn't get much better from there.  Greene was tagged for eight runs on nine hits while striking out seven and walking one over just 2 2/3 innings. Since throwing a major-league-record 39 pitches over 100 mph against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his second start, Greene is 0-3 with a 13.06 ERA, having allowed 15 runs in 10 1/3 innings.

Rating: 2 Units

Detroit has been blanked in its past two games. The Tigers managed just one hit while falling 5-0 against the host Houston Astros on Sunday, then collected just four against the A's on Monday. Over the past five games, the Tigers are 1-for-33 with runners in scoring position. Frankie Montas (2-2, 3.44 ERA) will start the first game of the doubleheader for Oakland. Montas wound up with a no-decision in his latest start, against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, despite tossing seven scoreless innings and striking out six. Montas has given up two or fewer earned runs and lasted at least six innings in four of his six starts this year. He is 4-2 with a 5.01 ERA in seven career appearances against Detroit, including six starts. He will be opposed by left-hander Tarik Skubal (1-2, 3.04 ERA). lost both of his career starts against Oakland, both last season, giving up eight runs (seven earned) in nine innings.

Rating: 2 Units

Two right-handers will start against each other today with Elieser Hernandez (2-1, 6.66 ERA) going for the Marlins and Humberto Castellanos (2-1, 4.12) pitching for Arizona. Hernandez has struggled in his four career starts against Arizona with an 0-2 record and 7.80 ERA. He had a no decision in his start last week when the Diamondbacks beat the Marlins 8-7 in Miami. He allowed five hits and five earned runs with three strikeouts and three walks in four innings. Castellanos had his first career start against Miami last week in a 5-4 win. He got the victory after not allowing a run on four hits in 5 2/3 innings and striking out four and not issuing a walk.

Rating: 2 Units

The Padres have faced only three teams with winning records -- the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks -- and they are 5-5 against those National League West rivals. Against everyone else, the Padres are 14-5. They already have completed their season series against the hapless Cincinnati Reds with a 6-0 sweep. This past weekend, the Padres took three of four from the Marlins despite being outscored 13-8. Miami entered the series with a four-game losing streak. Tonight the Chicago Cubs will play in San Diego with a five-game losing streak. The only team beneath the Cubs in the National League Central is Cincinnati. Plus, the Cubs have holes in their rotation. Marcus Stroman was placed on the injured list Sunday just before he was scheduled to pitch against the Dodgers. Justin Steele, who was scheduled to open the three-game series against the Padres on Monday night, was pushed up a day and started Sunday, but he left the game before the start of the fifth with thumb soreness. Right-hander Kyle Hendricks (1-3, 5.64 ERA) will npw start Monday's game against Padres left-handed rookie MacKenzie Gore (2-0, 1.71).

Rating: 2 Units

How's this for a jolt for the red-hot Chicago White Sox? Third baseman Yoan Moncada is expected to make his season debut tonight as the White Sox aim to stretch their winning streak to seven games when they host the Cleveland Guardians. Moncada hasn't played since Chicago's American League Division Series loss to Houston last year. He suffered a right oblique strain on the last day of spring training and landed on the injured list before excelling during a six-game rehab stint at Triple-A Charlotte. Moncada went 7-for-22 and hit two home runs for the Knights. Guardians right-hander Zach Plesac (1-3, 4.44 ERA) is set to start against White Sox righty Michael Kopech (0-1, 1.17). Kopech, ERA would lead the American League if he had enough innings to qualify.

Rating: 2 Units

Milwaukee leads the NL Central but is coming off back-to-back losses in Atlanta. The Brewers’ 4.76 runs per game rank second in MLB, but they scored just 2 runs in each of those setbacks against the Braves. The Reds took 2 of 3 from the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend, notching their first series win of 2022. At 3.57 RPG, Cincinnati ranks as a bottom-third offense. The Reds’ 6.39 RPG allowed ranks last.

Rating: 2 Units

Right-hander Zac Gallen, one of three Arizona starters with an ERA of 1.50 or less, will start today against Colorado right-hander German Marquez (0-2, 6.92 ERA) in the rubber match of the three-game series. Gallen (1-0, 1.27) does not qualify to be among the National League ERA leaders because he has pitched 21 1/3 innings in Arizona's 28 games (a pitcher must pitch at least one inning per number of games played by his team to be rated among the leaders). Gallen is 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA in seven career starts against the Rockies. Marquez has faced the Diamondbacks 19 times, including 18 starts, in his career and is 5-5 with a 3.98 ERA.

Rating: 2 Units

As Minnesota surges, Oakland is heading in the opposite direction. The Athletics have lost eight games in a row and are seeking their first win since April 27 against the San Francisco Giants. Twins right-hander Chris Paddack (1-2, 3.15 ERA) is scheduled to make his fifth start of the season. Paddack is looking for back-to-back victories after a strong performance Monday in which he allowed one run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out three. Athletics right-hander Daulton Jefferies (1-4, 4.81 ERA) is set to make his sixth start of the season and the eighth start of his career. The 26-year-old California native, making his first appearance against the Twins, already has set a career high with 24 1/3 innings pitched this season. Jefferies earned a victory in his season debut April 10 against the Philadelphia Phillies but has been tagged with four losses in a row since then. In his most recent outing, he gave up six runs (all earned) on 11 hits in five innings against the Tampa Bay Rays when he walked none and struck out four.

Rating: 2 Units

Right-hander Jake Odorizzi (2-2, 4.15 ERA) will start the series finale for the Astros today. His previous outing not only marked his second consecutive quality start, but his 6 2/3 scoreless innings marked his longest appearance with Houston. Odorizzi allowed four hits and one walk with three strikeouts in a 3-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on May 2, on the heels of allowing one run on one hit and one walk with four strikeouts over six innings in a 5-1 victory at Texas.  Odorizzi is 6-2 with a 3.35 ERA over 14 career starts against the Tigers.

Rating: 2 Units

The Cleveland Guardians will try to capture their four-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays today, but they know the task will be a tall one. That's because they will be facing one of the top pitchers in the American League this season in right-hander Alek Manoah (4-0, 1.45 ERA). He's tied for the most wins in the majors and has the second-best ERA in the AL. He has a 13-2 record in 25 career starts. The Guardians will recall left-hander Konnor Pilkington (0-0, 0.00) from Triple-A Columbus to make his first major-league start.

Rating: 2 Units

Michael Wacha (3-0, 1.38 ERA) will look to continue Boston's recent trend of starting pitchers allowing two or fewer runs in 13 of the last 15 games. Wacha dealt 5 2/3 shutout innings Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels. Just one baserunner reached scoring position against Wacha, who retired 15 of the 20 total batters he faced. The right-hander hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his five starts, the last three of which he has won. For the season, his .148 opponent's batting average is the lowest in the American League. Dallas Keuchel (1-3, 8.40) will get the ball despite struggling mightily with command in recent starts. Last Sunday against the Angels, the big southpaw allowed four earned runs on six hits and five walks. It was his second straight start with five free passes and his third consecutive loss. Following his last outing, Keuchel had allowed more hits (24) and earned runs (14) than any White Sox starter.

Rating: 2 Units

The red-hot Brewers, who have won nine of their past 10 games, prevailed 6-3 in the series opener on Friday. Milwaukee has won 18 of its past 23. Milwaukee's Corbin Burnes (1-1, 1.93) will be matched against Atlanta's Max Fried (3-2, 3.00) in the series that matches two teams that met in the 2021 National League Division Series. Burnes, who led the major leagues with a 2.43 ERA a year ago, has picked up where he left off. The right-hander will be making his sixth start and leads the league with 43 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings. He had 234 strikeouts in 2022. Burnes worked seven innings and allowed two runs with 10 strikeouts and one walk against the Chicago Cubs in a 2-0 loss on May 1. It was his third straight start with at least 10 strikeouts, allowing him to join Yovani Gallardo as the franchise's only players to accomplish that feat.

Rating: 2 Units

Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (0-2, 5.33) is the scheduled starter for the Tigers today. He allowed six runs (including a season-high four earned runs) on eight hits with five strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings in his previous start, a 6-3 road loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 1. Rodriguez has recorded fewer than three earned runs once in his five starts this season, his first with the Tigers. He is 1-3 with an 8.53 ERA over six career starts against the Astros.

Rating: 2 Units

Los Angeles' Clayton Kershaw (3-0, 2.35 ERA) is expected to stay on schedule for Game 1 of the doubleheader this afternoon. The star left-hander has allowed one or no runs in three of his four starts, including on April 30, when he gave up one and four hits in six innings vs. Detroit. Kershaw also struck out seven, leaving him with 2,700 for his career and breaking Don Sutton's franchise record. Cubs left-hander Drew Smyly (1-2, 2.79 ERA), is scheduled to come off the bereavement list to start Game 1. Smyly threw 9 2/3 scoreless innings in his first two starts, but he yielded runs six over 9 2/3 innings while losing his past two outings. Over his career, Smyly is 0-1 with an ERA of 4.24 in five appearances, three of them starts, against the Dodgers.

Rating: 2 Units

The Diamondbacks enter the weekend series still buzzing about the events of their sweep-clinching, 8-7 win over the Marlins on Wednesday.The Diamondbacks, who relied on their bullpen for the win, have one of the best rotations in baseball with Bumgarner (1-1, 1.50 ERA), Zac Gallen (1-0, 1.27) and Merrill Kelly (2-1, 1.27) with ERAs under 2.00 in a combined 73 1/3 innings pitched. Friday's matchup between Kelly and fellow right-hander Chad Kuhl (3-0, 1.90) has the makings of a pitchers' duel. Kelly, making his sixth start of the season, is limiting opponents to a .208 batting average.  Kuhl's lifetime numbers against the Diamondbacks are ugly, going 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA in three appearances (two starts).

Rating: 2 Units

The Seattle Mariners will send out their hottest arm Friday night when they attempt to end a four-game losing streak as they oppose the visiting Tampa Bay Rays today. Early season sensation Logan Gilbert gets the call for the Mariners, who dropped a 4-3 decision in the series opener on Thursday. A former first-round pick, Gilbert -- who turned 25 Thursday -- is pitching more like a cagey veteran than a hurler trying to find his way through his sophomore campaign in the majors. After posting a 23-3 record in three years at Stetson University -- the central Florida school that produced Cy Young Award winners Jacob deGrom and Corey Kluber -- the Mariners took the Winter Park, Fla., native with the 14th pick in 2018. He has delivered top-of-the-rotation offerings so far. Gilbert (4-0, 0.64 ERA) made four starts in a dominating April, which included victories over reigning division champions Tampa Bay and the Chicago White Sox. That showing earned him the American League Pitcher of the Month Award for April.

Rating: 2 Units

Twins right-hander Josh Winder (1-0, 2.20 ERA) will make the fifth appearance and second start of his rookie campaign. The 25-year-old from Virginia Military Institute made his starting debut Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays and earned his first career victory by allowing no runs on two hits in six innings. He has walked four and struck out 12 in 16 1/3 innings this season. Friday would have been left-hander Cole Irvin's turn in the Athletics' rotation, but he was placed on the injured list Thursday because of shoulder soreness. Irvin (2-1, 2.93 ERA) is expected to be sidelined until at least late May. Oakland had not announced a starter in Irvin's place, but rookie left-hander Zach Logue is a possible choice. If Logue gets the call, it would be his second game overall and the first start of his career.

Rating: 2 Units

Milwaukee will send left-hander Eric Lauer (2-0, 1.93 ERA) to the mound in the first game. Lauer will be making his fifth start of the season. In his last outing, against the Chicago Cubs on April 30, he allowed only one run over seven innings, with 11 strikeouts and one walk. He joined Teddy Higuera (1988) as the club's only left-handed pitcher to have consecutive 10-strikeout games. Lauer fanned 13 in six innings against Philadelphia on April 24. Lauer made one regular-season appearance against the Braves last season and received a no-decision after allowing three runs in three innings in the Brewers' 6-3 loss. He also faced Atlanta in Game 4 of the NLDS and allowed two runs in 3 2/3 innings of a 5-4 loss. The Braves could start Kyle Muller, who started on Sunday in the series finale against Texas, or they could recall another pitcher from the minor leagues or go with Spencer Strider, the hard-throwing rookie. Strider has pitched three-plus innings in three of his five relief appearances and could serve as an opener.

Rating: 2 Units

Houston heads to the extended weekend series against the Tigers after sweeping Seattle at home. The Astros won 7-2 on Wednesday behind sterling pitching from former Detroit star Justin Verlander and three hits and three RBIs from Alex Bregman. Astros pitching did not allow a Seattle runner to reach third base in the first two games of the series, when the Mariners were shut out 3-0 and 4-0, respectively. A Eugenio Suarez home run in the seventh inning off Verlander on Wednesday marked the first time in the series that Seattle had a runner reach third base and ended a 26 1/3-inning scoreless streak for Astros pitching. Houston pitching allowed two runs on just 14 hits -- 13 of them singles -- in the three-game set. The Astros' starting pitching, led by Verlander, is 7-2 with a 2.25 ERA in its last nine games, including seven quality starts.

Rating: 2 Units

The Phillies will hand the ball to right-hander Aaron Nola (1-3, 3.90 ERA). Nola holds a 9-5 record with a 3.32 ERA in 22 career starts against the Mets. In Nola's last start, last Friday against the Mets, he tossed six innings and gave up seven hits and three runs to go with nine strikeouts and no walks. The Mets combined for a no-hitter in that game. The Phillies are 2-4 against the Mets this season. After a solid start, the Mets produced a rare flat effort in a 9-2 loss Wednesday to the Atlanta Braves. The Mets had won their first seven series before splitting four games with the Braves.

Rating: 2 Units

The Nationals won the first game of the series, 10-2 on Tuesday night, and Colorado bounced back with a 5-2 win on Wednesday night. For the rubber game, Washington will send Aaron Sanchez (1-1, 6.75 ERA) against Antonio Senzatela (2-1, 3.66) in a matchup of righties. Sanchez is looking for his first win of the season in a ballpark where he has pitched well in the past. Overall he is 1-1 with 4.37 ERA against the Rockies in four starts over his career, with three of those starts and both decisions coming at Coors Field. He has a 4.50 ERA in Denver.

Rating: 2 Units

Houser (2-2, 2.53 ERA) will be opposed by Cincinnati's hard-throwing rookie right-hander Hunter Greene (1-3, 6.00 ERA). Struggling might be an understatement to describe the Reds, who have lost 19 of their last 20 games to drop to 3-21, the worst start in club history. Cincinnati has lost 12 straight road games for the first time since 1945. The Brewers pounded out an 18-4 victory over the Reds on Wednesday night behind a franchise-record eight RBIs from Rowdy Tellez, who had a grand slam, a two-run homer and a two-run double, along with a single. Milwaukee has won 13 of its last 16.