Friday: Indians RHP Mike Clevinger vs. Astros RHP Charlie Morton
The Indians and Astros face off again after a two-week absence since Trevor Bauer made his comments about the Astros pitching staff using illegal substances to increase their spin rate. Mike Clevinger will take the bump first in this battle of terrific righties. Clevinger sports a 3-0 record with a 2.70 ERA. He has a 10-5 record with a 3.22 ERA away from Cleveland.
Charlie Morton was your average pitcher in the National League but ever since last years move away from the senior circuit he’s been a different pitcher. Morton owns the third best ERA in the American League at 2.03 but he’s also third on his own team behind Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole.
Saturday: Brewers RHP Freddy Peralta vs. Twins RHP Fernando Romero
It’s the 21 year old versus the 23 year old in the battle of rookies. In his first start, Freddy Peralta struck out 13 Rockies in his debut start while allowing only one hit. What did it? His fastball. Out of 98 pitches in the 5 1/3innings, 90 were four seamers. If Peralta wants to last in the league though, he must be more efficient both with his pitch count and secondary stuff.
Fernando Romero is off to an incredible start too. The rookie righty is 2-0 in three major league starts and it’s highlighted by a dazzling 0.54 ERA. Romero is everything the Twins could have asked for as he’s struck out 20 and only given up one run in 16 2/3 innings.
Sunday: Phillies RHP Aaron Nola vs. Cardinals RHP Jack Flaherty
Aaron Nola looks to continue his excellent 2018 campaign against the Cards this weekend as the Phils take on the Cardinals. Nola is sporting a 6-1 record with a 1.99 ERA. You could easily build a case that he is turning into the best Phillies pitcher since Roy Halladay.
Opposing Nola is the 2014 first round pick Jack Flaherty. Flaherty came up in September call-ups to end last season and got knocked around to the tune of a 6.33 ERA. So far in 2018, an adjusted two-seam fastball has lead to much better results in the form of a 2.87 ERA but no wins. This will be tough one but a memorable one if Flaherty records his first major league victory.