It's been a rollercoaster of a season for Max Friend who got off to a very rocky start, however the former All-Star has settled down and hasn't allowed an ER in his previous two starts/15 IP. There is a good chance that changes against arguably the most difficult matchup in the Dodgers who possess the sixth lowest K Rate against opposing southpaws, in addition to sporting the 5th highest OPS.

Dean Kremer has struggled so far this season and has failed to record six strikeouts in 4/6 starts. Kremer's 9.0% Swinging Strike Percentage is lower than his career average of 9.7%. He gets a plus matchup against a Reds team that strikes out a lot, however that is somewhat neutralized by this game being in a difficult pitching environment in Cincinnati.

This is a big number for Joe Boyle in what is certainly a difficult matchup against a Marlins lineup that possesses the 4th lowest K rate in the league. Boyle has some electric stuff but has only gone more than 5 IP in one of his six starts this season. Considering his outs line is 15.5 and heavily juiced to the under, I think 6 Ks is a tall order versus this stingy Miami lineup.

Jon Gray has pitched well to start the season but has failed to go 6+ IP in 4/6 starts on the season. He is also coming off an 97 pitch outing which is the most pitches he's thrown in a game since June 7th of last season. He gets a really tough draw against a Royals lineup that he has not only struggled against historically, but is top 10 in OPS, while having the second lowest K rate in the majors.

Ryan Feltner's numbers may not appear to be overly impressive, however his strikeout metrics are impressive. Feltner is averaging a career high 12% Swinging Strike percentage and gets a plus matchup today against a Pirates lineup that sports the sixth highest K Rate, in addition to the lowest OPS against opposing right handed pitchers.

This is simply a huge number for Nestor Cortes in what I would argue is even a difficult matchup. Cortes has failed to record seven strikeouts in six of his seven starts this season. Meanwhile, the Tigers lineup is tough on lefties as they possess the 12th lowest K rate against opposing southpaws.

Brandon Pfaadt has pitched well recently and is coming off arguably off arguably the best game of his young career against the Mariners where he piled up an impressive 11 Ks. He will face an extremely stingy Padres lineup that is firmly ranked in the bottom 5 in K rate against opposing right handed pitchers.

Karl Anthony Towns has returned to Minnesota's lineup and after a couple of quiet games appears to have gotten his legs back. This is a criminally low number for a scorer the caliber for KAT in a playoff setting where he could play upwards of 40 minutes. He logged 39 minutes in the 4th and deciding game against the Suns which was certainly a welcome sign on his way to scoring 28 points. He is facing a much better defense in Denver, however this line should be at least 20.5 if he is going to log 35+ minutes again.

This is a tough spot for Andrew Abbott who has been struggling to strike out batters this season. Abbott is sporting a subpar 7.36 K/9 and his underlying metrics do not paint a pretty picture. His SwStr% is just 6.8%, compared to last season when it was 10.9%. Abbott also gets a tough draw versus an Orioles lineup that is ranked in the bottom 10 in K Rate, in addition to being top 10 in OPS against opposing southpaws.