After a short 11-game schedule Thursday, we have a full slate on Friday, with the first game starting at 7:05 p.m. ET between the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. We are going to look at the best pitching matchup and the sleeper pitching matchup that could turn out to be a pitchers’ duel.
Best Matchup: Trevor Bauer vs. Alex Wood
The best game on Friday night could be one of the last ones on the schedule between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants at 9:45 p.m. ET. The Giants have the best record in baseball (28-16) and are in first place in the NL West. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is currently in third place in the division.
Trevor Bauer will be on the mound for the Dodgers, who will be opposed by Alex Wood for the Giants. The reigning NL Cy Young award winner has a record of 4-2 with an ERA of 2.20 through nine starts. In his most recent start against the Marlins, Bauer threw seven shutout innings, gave up only two hits, and put up 10 strikeouts. The 30-year-old pitcher will look to build off that road start on Friday night. In six road starts, he has a record of 1-2 and a 2.89 ERA this season.
As for Wood, he’s been one of the reasons why the Giants’ starting rotation has been one of the best this season. The former Dodgers pitcher has a record of 5-0 with an ERA of 1.75 in six starts. Wood doesn’t have same amount of strikeouts that Bauer has (77 in 57.1 IP), but has given the Giants at least 5.0 innings every start this year. It should be a fun pitchers duel as San Francisco tries to prove that they aren’t a fluke.
Sleeper Matchup: Tyler Anderson vs. Ian Anderson
Last weekend, we had the battles of the Andersons as Ian Anderson faced off against Brett Anderson of the Milwaukee Brewers. On Friday, we will get another battle of the Andersons, but this time it will feature Tyler Anderson of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Ian Anderson has a record of 3-1 and an ERA of 3.20 through eight starts. In his recent start against the Brewers, the 23-year-old pitcher only allowed 2 hits, 1 earned run, 4 walks, but produced 4 strikeouts in 6.0 IP. Meanwhile, Tyler Anderson has been solid for Pittsburgh, with a 3-3 record and 3.50 ERA. In his last outing against Giants, the 31-year-old gave up 6 hits (2 HRs), 4 earned runs, 2 walks, but still recorded 7 strikeouts in 5.0 IP.
Here’s a look at the pitching matchups for Friday’s 15-game MLB slate on May 21st.
Orioles vs. Nationals: Jorge Lopez vs. Stephen Strasburg
Red Sox vs. Phillies: Martin Perez vs. Aaron Nola
White Sox vs. Phillies: Carlos Rodon vs. Jordan Montgomery
Brewers vs. Reds: Adrian Houser vs. Jeff Hoffman
Twins vs. Indians: Randy Dobnak vs. Triston McKenzie
Mets vs. Marlins: TBD vs. Pablo Lopez
Pirates vs. Braves: Tyler Anderson vs. Ian Anderson
Rays vs. Blue Jays: Tyler Glasnow vs. Anthony Kay
Astros vs. Rangers: Tyler Ivey vs. Kyle Gibson
Tigers vs. Royals: Jose Urena vs. Mike Minor
Cubs vs. Cardinals: Kyle Hendricks vs. Carlos Martinez
Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Seth Frankoff vs. German Marquez
Athletics vs. Angels: James Kaprielian vs. Jose Quintana
Dodgers vs. Giants: Trevor Bauer vs. Alex Wood
Mariners vs. Padres: Chris Flexen vs. Chris Paddack