Thursday’s 10-game MLB slate will start with a Houston Astros-New York Yankees matchup at 1:05 p.m. ET and end with a 9:38 matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels. There are a few interesting pitching matchups worth getting excited about in the lineup, and we’ve idenfited a couple of them here.
Best matchup: Lance McCullers vs. Gerrit Cole
Thursday’s first matchup between the Astros and Yankees offers the best pitching battle of the day. Cole is among MLB’s leaders in strikeouts with 62 and is averaging just shy of 15 Ks per nine innings. He’s reached double-digits in Ks in his last three starts and will face a lineup that doesn’t strike out often. McCullers is coming off his best performance of the year and struck out nine batters in seven innings against the Tampa Bay Rays his last time out. His BABIP (.213) is under .300 for a third straight season, but the Yankees are starting to turn things around at the plate.
Sleeper matchup: Brandon Woodruff vs. Zack Wheeler
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Woodruff is 2-0 in 2021 with a .80 WHIP and a .80 ERA. His strikeout numbers don't pop out at you, but he's been consistent and has tallied six or more Ks in five straight starts. The Phladelhia Phillies’ Zach Wheeler is in the same boat as Woondruff. He’s reached nine or more Ks twice in six starts and has dropped below six just once. Neither of these pitchers ar flashy, but both can get the job done.
Here’s a look at the pitching matchups for Thursday’s 10-game MLB slate on May 6th.
Astros vs. Yankees: Lance McCullers Jr. vs. Gerrit Cole
Brewers vs. Phillies: Brandon Woodruff vs. Zack Wheeler
Tigers vs. Red Sox: Spencer Turnbull vs. Nathan Eovaldi
Rangers vs. Twins: Jordan Lyles vs. Michael Pineda
Mets vs. Cardinals: Taijuan Walker vs. John Gant
Indians vs. Royals: Triston McKenzie vs. Danny Duffy
Blue Jays vs. Athletics: Hyun Jin Ryu vs. Mike Fiers
Braves vs. Nationals: Drew Smyly vs. Jon Lester
Diamondbacks vs. Marlins: Madison Bumgarner vs. TBD
Rays vs. Angels: Josh Fleming vs. Andre Heaney