MLB: What to watch on May 19, 2026

• 19 May 2026
• mlbw

Here are today's MLB games, ordered by watchability, based on how interesting the teams and starting pitchers look. Higher is better. For more information, read this post.

Notes:

• Pitcher 'no data': Pitchers only have a pNERD score once they've started at least one game and have at least 20 innings pitched. I also show 'no data' when I can't correctly link a starting pitcher with their stats.
• Generated by the mlb-watchability project on GitHub.

Detail

Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs, 4:40p

Summary

Jacob Misiorowski is arguably the most electric young arm in baseball right now, and this game — the highest gNERD score among today's slate and near the top of all historical scores — is the one to watch. The Cubs counter with Ben Brown, who is no slouch himself, making for a genuine pitching showcase at Wrigley.

Misiorowski's pNERD of 13.41 is the highest on today's board and sits in the top 5% of all pitchers historically. The numbers behind it are staggering: his xFIP- of 55 means he's pitching about 45% better than league average, and his 99.7 mph average fastball velocity is more than two standard deviations above the norm. He currently leads MLB in strikeouts per nine innings at 14.1, and is tied for the major league lead with 80 total strikeouts. In his May 8 start he threw the seven fastest pitches by a starter in the pitch-tracking era, then capped his May 13 outing with a 103.2 mph fastball on his 93rd pitch. Worth noting: this is not the first time Misiorowski has dealt with cramping this year — he also left a start earlier in May with a hamstring cramp — so his health bears watching.

Brown's pNERD of 8.02 is well above average, with an xFIP- of 76 and solid velocity of 96.6 mph. The Cubs bring the stronger team profile (tNERD 8.91), led by elite fielding and batting runs, though their bullpen is a weak spot. Milwaukee's young roster and strong bullpen round out a matchup with legitimate watchability on both sides of the ball.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, Chicago Cubs (3.01); radio, Chicago Cubs (3.15)

Milwaukee Brewers

Chicago Cubs

Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers

Ben Brown, Chicago Cubs

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Los Angeles Dodgers @ San Diego Padres, 6:40p

Summary

Two elite teams neck-and-neck in the NL West, a legitimate strikeout artist on one mound and a pitcher still finding his footing post-injury on the other — this game has genuine watchability, and the numbers back it up.

With a gNERD of 16.25, this game ranks near the top of today's slate and well above the historical 75th percentile. Much of that is driven by two of the highest team scores you'll see: the Padres sit at 29-18, virtually identical to the Dodgers at 29-19, making this a legitimate division race game. The Dodgers' tNERD of 9.96 is near the top of what's been recorded, powered by strong batting runs, fielding, and a solid bullpen. The Padres' 8.56 is propped up by an excellent bullpen and, notably, strong broadcaster ratings on both TV and radio.

On the mound, Sheehan has 49 strikeouts in 41.2 innings, and his pNERD of 8.99 — above the historical 75th percentile — reflects a strong xFIP- and elite swinging-strike rate. His luck component is notably positive, meaning he's been pitching better than his surface numbers suggest. He'll do something no Dodgers pitcher has done yet in 2026: start on four days rest.

The counterpart is a question mark: Griffin Canning is making his fourth start of the season after missing the first five weeks recovering from last year's left Achilles surgery. His pNERD of 0.00 reflects no available statistical profile, and his expected ERA sits at 4.39 — suggesting the ugly surface numbers overstate his struggles, but command and sequencing issues remain real. This matchup asymmetry keeps things interesting.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, San Diego Padres (3.47); radio, San Diego Padres (3.37)

Los Angeles Dodgers

San Diego Padres

Emmet Sheehan, Los Angeles Dodgers

Griffin Canning, San Diego Padres

No detailed stats available

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Cincinnati Reds @ Philadelphia Phillies, 3:40p

Summary

Two of the best young arms in baseball squaring off makes this a must-watch pitching duel, and the NERD scores agree — a gNERD of 15.91 puts this game in roughly the 90th percentile historically and near the top of today's slate.

The story here is the pitching, full stop. Chase Burns, still just 23, has been the single most valuable pitcher in the National League so far in 2026 according to Baseball Reference. The Reds have been without ace Hunter Greene all season, and Burns has more than filled the void, posting a pNERD of 10.20 — well above the historical 95th percentile. His 98.1 mph fastball grades out as one of the hardest in baseball, and his swinging-strike rate is elite. Hitters have whiffed on 47 percent of swings against Burns' slider.

Opposing him is Jesús Luzardo, whose pNERD of 11.84 is even higher — and whose xFIP- of 63 is genuinely eye-popping, suggesting he's been pitching at a level well above average. His luck component is notably positive, meaning he's been underperforming his underlying numbers and could actually get better. Neither team's offense has been particularly scary — both sit below average in batting runs — which ironically sharpens the focus on what should be a dominant pitching performance from both sides.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, Philadelphia Phillies (2.92); radio, Philadelphia Phillies (2.69)

Cincinnati Reds

Philadelphia Phillies

Chase Burns, Cincinnati Reds

Jesús Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies

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Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees, 4:05p

Summary

Two elite pitchers, one loaded lineup, and a divisional rivalry that always delivers — this game is about as watchable as it gets. At a gNERD of 15.59, it sits near the 95th percentile of all games historically, and it's the highest-scoring game today.

Dylan Cease enters with dominant strikeout metrics and elite run prevention, posting a 34.6% strikeout rate through nine starts. His pNERD of 10.11 is driven by an xFIP- of 61 — well over two standard deviations better than average — and the main knock is occasional command lapses, with a 9.7% walk rate that can elevate pitch counts early. Will Warren has quietly developed into a reliable strikeout arm himself, with a 29.8% strikeout rate and an xFIP- of 68 that earns him a pNERD of 8.04. Warren also carries a luck value of +15, meaning he's been underperforming his underlying numbers and is due for better results.

The Yankees bring the highest tNERD of any team today (10.27), powered by a barrel rate more than two standard deviations above average and a .495 slugging percentage at home. Toronto's tNERD (2.76) reflects a lineup that's struggled offensively and on the bases. The Yankees are 5-0 at home against division opponents this year, making this a genuinely lopsided matchup on paper — but with two pitchers this good, the game itself should be worth your time regardless of the outcome.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, Toronto Blue Jays (3.10); radio, Toronto Blue Jays (2.39)

Toronto Blue Jays

New York Yankees

Dylan Cease, Toronto Blue Jays

Will Warren, New York Yankees

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New York Mets @ Washington Nationals, 3:45p

Summary

The main reason to watch this game is Nolan McLean, the Mets' rookie right-hander who has quietly become one of the most watchable young starters in baseball. The Nationals' lineup and their leaky bullpen add some intrigue on the other side.

McLean's pNERD of 10.11 lands well above the 75th percentile historically and near the top of today's slate. Still technically a rookie after staying under 50 innings in 2025, the 24-year-old has posted a strong line through eight starts in 2026, ranking among the league leaders in strikeouts with 57 and sitting fifth in WHIP. His xFIP- of 68 confirms the underlying quality isn't smoke and mirrors. He features a mid-90s fastball with heavy sink, an elite sweeper, and a high-spin curveball exceeding 3,200 RPM — a combination that has generated an xFIP- 32 points below league average. His 95.4 mph velocity and quick 16.6-second pace add to the watchability.

Washington's tNERD of 7.04 is the more interesting team score here. Clay Holmes recently sustained a fractured right fibula, adding to Mets roster uncertainty, but it's the Nationals who bring the bigger team-level quirks: strong baserunning (+5.1 runs), positive batting runs, and a young roster (27.1 avg age) all boost their score. Their bullpen, however, is a liability at -15.4 runs — meaning late leads could evaporate.

Foster Griffin's pNERD of 4.36 is solidly average, with an xFIP- of 95 and below-average velocity at 91.2 mph. The Mets' own tNERD of 4.80 reflects a team that's been struggling offensively (-26.3 batting runs), though their bullpen has been a genuine asset. At 13.15, this gNERD sits comfortably above the historical median of 10.10 — McLean alone makes it worth a look.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, New York Mets (3.32); radio, New York Mets (3.05)

New York Mets

Washington Nationals

Nolan McLean, New York Mets

Foster Griffin, Washington Nationals

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Boston Red Sox @ Kansas City Royals, 4:40p

Summary

Ranger Suárez is quietly having a strong season, and watching him work is the main reason to tune in here — even if the Royals are throwing a bullpen game opposite him. Both clubs are hovering around .500 from the wrong side, but Suárez gives this one a real anchor.

Boston signed Suárez to a five-year, $130 million deal this offseason, and he's delivered: he carries a 19-inning scoreless streak into this start, allowing just four runs over his last six outings. His pNERD of 6.19 is solidly above the historical median of 4.55, backed by an xFIP- of 79 — meaning he's suppressing runs well beyond league average. He was cruising last time out against the Phillies and, despite a rough inning, still didn't allow a run while striking out eight over 5.1 innings in his first start back from a brief injury absence.

On the other side, the Royals will run a bullpen game after scheduled starter Kris Bubic was placed on the 15-day IL with left elbow soreness. Bailey Falter, listed as the "starter," is essentially a long reliever with no statistical profile to speak of — hence the pNERD of 0.

Boston's tNERD of 7.48 is propped up by elite fielding and strong baserunning, even as the Red Sox are navigating significant injury absences — Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, Garrett Crochet, Kutter Crawford, and Tanner Houck are all on the IL — and rank 29th in runs scored. Both teams carry notable positive luck scores, suggesting their offenses may be even weaker than they look. The gNERD of 12.00 lands right at the 50th percentile historically — watch for Suárez; skip if pitching depth is your thing.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, Boston Red Sox (2.47); radio, Boston Red Sox (2.64)

Boston Red Sox

Kansas City Royals

Ranger Suarez, Boston Red Sox

Bailey Falter, Kansas City Royals

No detailed stats available

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Atlanta Braves @ Miami Marlins, 1:10p

Summary

Both teams have something to prove here: Atlanta is looking to bounce back after a 12-0 shellacking the night before, while Miami sends out Braxton Garrett — fresh off Tommy John surgery and a disastrous 1⅓-inning debut — in just his second start back.

The Braves are the top team in the NL East at 32-16, and their tNERD of 7.66 reflects it — strong batting runs, barrel rate, and fielding all contribute. The Marlins put up a 12-0 win the night before, their highest-scoring game of the 2026 season, doing all the damage in the first five innings. The bigger storyline on the mound: Garrett was called up to fill a rotation spot after Robby Snelling's UCL sprain, having himself just returned from UCL surgery in 2024 — and in his first start back, he allowed five runs in 1⅓ innings against Minnesota. With a pNERD of 0.00, there's simply no statistical track record to evaluate him on right now. Meanwhile, Pérez is getting this start as part of a six-man rotation, giving Sale and Strider extra rest. His pNERD (3.87) is modest but his underlying numbers are fine — a 95 xFIP- suggests slightly above-average effectiveness. The Marlins' tNERD (7.32) is boosted by excellent baserunning and the value of a young, cheap roster. Garrett has made five career starts against Atlanta, going 0-3. Also worth watching: Ronald Acuña Jr. is back from the IL, rejoining a lineup that already ranks among the game's best. At a gNERD of 11.92 — right around the historical median — this is a perfectly watchable game, with the Acuña return and Garrett's uncertain health adding a bit of extra texture.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, Atlanta Braves (2.36); radio, Atlanta Braves (2.36)

Atlanta Braves

Miami Marlins

Martín Pérez, Atlanta Braves

Braxton Garrett, Miami Marlins

No detailed stats available

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Cleveland Guardians @ Detroit Tigers, 3:40p

Summary

Parker Messick is the reason to watch this game — a young lefty with an xFIP- of 72 who works at a brisk pace and is quietly one of the better starters in the AL. Detroit's struggling offense and shaky defense make this more of a showcase than a contest.

Messick's pNERD of 8.99 ranks well above the historical 75th percentile, driven by genuinely elite underlying numbers: his career FIP sits at 2.49 across 92 innings, with 96 strikeouts. His xFIP- of 72 is the kind of number that makes you do a double-take, and he works fast — a pace component that quietly improves the viewing experience. At 25, he's still building his résumé.

On the other side, Keider Montero enters at 2-3 with a 3.65 ERA, and his pNERD of 2.68 reflects the underlying reality: an xFIP- of 113 and a swinging-strike rate near the bottom of the league. The Tigers as a team compound things with poor baserunning and genuinely bad defense (fielding runs of -14.9), which drags their tNERD down to 2.94.

Cleveland has won six of the past seven games, seizing first place in the AL Central, while Detroit has dropped 11 of its last 13, sitting eight games under .500 and 6.5 games back of the Guardians. This is also the first meeting between these teams since last fall's Wild Card series, which Detroit won 2-1 — a bit of extra texture for division fans. The gNERD of 11.26 lands right around the historical median, which feels about right: worth watching primarily for Messick, but don't expect a nail-biter.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, Detroit Tigers (2.74); radio, Cleveland Guardians (3.14)

Cleveland Guardians

Detroit Tigers

Parker Messick, Cleveland Guardians

Keider Montero, Detroit Tigers

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Pittsburgh Pirates @ St. Louis Cardinals, 4:45p

Summary

A solid but unspectacular NL Central matchup — the kind of game that won't embarrass you for watching, but probably won't be the best thing on your screen tonight either. The gNERD of 9.93 lands right around the historical median, and the pitching matchup is the main drag on the score.

Mitch Keller comes in at 4-2 with a 1.08 WHIP and 38 strikeouts, and his xFIP- of 97 confirms he's been a legitimately above-average arm. His pNERD (4.03) is fine — near the historical mean — though his below-average swinging-strike rate keeps the ceiling modest. On the other side, Liberatore has allowed nine home runs already this season, and his xFIP- of 112 flags him as a below-average starter. His youth (age 26) adds a small boost to his pNERD, but the underlying numbers are a real concern.

Both teams' tNERD scores are respectable, buoyed largely by low payrolls and, in St. Louis's case, a notably young roster. The Cardinals' bullpen has been a weak spot, however. Pittsburgh has scored only one combined run over the last two games against Philadelphia, so the Pirates offense will need to wake up against a Cardinals pen that's been struggling. St. Louis sits at 27-19 with a three-game edge on Pittsburgh's 24-23 in a division race that's still very much alive — which at least gives the game some stakes.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, St. Louis Cardinals (2.17); radio, St. Louis Cardinals (2.15)

Pittsburgh Pirates

St. Louis Cardinals

Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates

Matthew Liberatore, St. Louis Cardinals

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Chicago White Sox @ Seattle Mariners, 6:40p

Summary

The White Sox bring an unexpectedly watchable team to Seattle, though neither starter is likely to keep this game low-scoring. Anthony Kay's return from two strong seasons in Japan has been a bumpy one, and Bryce Miller's pNERD of 0.00 reflects an absence of statistical data rather than any particular promise.

The real draw here is Chicago's team profile. The White Sox post a tNERD of 8.85 — well above the historical 75th percentile — driven by a strong barrel rate, a young roster (27.1 average age, one of the youngest in the league), and a low payroll that rewards the underdog factor built into the NERD framework. Kay returned to MLB this offseason on a two-year, $12 million deal after a successful run in Japan, featuring a new cutter, an improved changeup, and a fastball still sitting at 95 mph. The underlying numbers, though, tell a harsher story: his xFIP- of 126 and weak swinging-strike and strike rates drag his pNERD to essentially zero. Kay has struggled with inconsistency this season, alternating starts and appearances following an opener. Miller's stats are unavailable, so there's no analytical case to be made for him either. At a gNERD of 9.76 — slightly below both the historical and today's game averages — this one is carried more by Chicago's intriguing youth and pop than by anything happening on the mound.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, Seattle Mariners (2.35); radio, Chicago White Sox (2.57)

Chicago White Sox

Seattle Mariners

Anthony Kay, Chicago White Sox

Bryce Miller, Seattle Mariners

No detailed stats available

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San Francisco Giants @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:40p

Summary

Landen Roupp has quietly become one of the more watchable starters in the NL West, and his pNERD of 7.71 — well above the historical average — reflects a genuine step forward in 2026. The Giants' offense and baserunning, however, are a different story entirely, dragging the team's tNERD down to a bleak 1.60.

Roupp enters this start at 5-3 with a 3.09 FIP and 51 strikeouts across his first eight starts, and his underlying metrics — an xFIP suggesting an expected ERA around 2.55 and an xwOBA of .255 — point to the results being legitimate. He's raised his strikeout rate from 21.4% in 2025 to 28.2% while allowing just one home run and posting a 50.8% ground-ball rate. His xFIP- of 75 (well below league average) drives the bulk of his pNERD, and his quick pace — 16.7 seconds between pitches — keeps things moving.

Ryne Nelson counters with a pNERD of 4.44, propped up mostly by his 96.2 mph velocity. His xFIP- of 111 is a drag, though a luck value of 21 suggests he's been pitching better than results show and may be due for some improvement.

The Giants rank among the worst teams in baseball in batting runs and baserunning, making their tNERD of 1.60 one of the lower scores in today's slate. At 9.12, this gNERD sits below the historical median of 10.1, but Roupp alone gives it a watchability floor worth respecting.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, San Francisco Giants (3.20); radio, San Francisco Giants (3.49)

San Francisco Giants

Arizona Diamondbacks

Landen Roupp, San Francisco Giants

Ryne Nelson, Arizona Diamondbacks

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Houston Astros @ Minnesota Twins, 4:40p

Summary

A middling gNERD of 8.45 puts this one below the historical median, and the on-field ingredients mostly confirm that assessment — though McCullers' injury-riddled backstory gives the game a subplot worth following. The Astros' rotation has been a walking MASH unit, and McCullers is one of the few survivors.

McCullers hadn't been pitching well to start 2026, and recently left a start with a broken fingernail — so just taking the ball every fifth day qualifies as a win at this point. His pNERD of 3.82 is below average, and his supporting numbers bear that out: his strike rate and swinging-strike rate are both below average, and his velocity (91.5 mph) is soft. What does work in his favor is a significant positive luck component, suggesting his underlying numbers are better than his results so far.

On the other side, Zebby Matthews carries a pNERD of 0.00, meaning we simply have no statistical read on him.

The Astros' tNERD (3.83) is dragged down by a truly ugly bullpen (-1.99 component) and a large positive luck score — Houston's rotation has been decimated by injuries, which doesn't help watchability. The Twins are similarly unremarkable at 4.25. Neither team is doing much to elevate this one.

Among today's slate, this game sits toward the lower end. Save your remote clicks for something else unless you have a rooting interest.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, Minnesota Twins (2.30); radio, Minnesota Twins (2.06)

Houston Astros

Minnesota Twins

Lance McCullers Jr., Houston Astros

Zebby Matthews, Minnesota Twins

No detailed stats available

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Texas Rangers @ Colorado Rockies, 5:40p

Summary

Two below-.500 teams, an unproven starter, and an unknown quantity on the mound at Coors Field — this one has "high-scoring mess" written all over it, and not in a fun way. With a gNERD of 6.92, it sits well below both the historical median and today's average, and the underlying numbers mostly explain why.

Texas comes in at 22-24, Colorado at 18-29 — neither team inspiring much confidence. Both tNERD scores are low, dragged down primarily by anemic offenses: Rocker has struck out 30 batters over 37.1 innings, which is fine, but his pNERD of 2.58 reflects a below-average xFIP-, a slow pace, and weak swing-and-miss numbers. There's a minor backstory worth noting: Rocker was originally drafted by the Rockies in the 38th round in 2018 but didn't sign, enrolling at Vanderbilt instead — so he's returning to the organization that passed on him, in a manner of speaking.

On the other side, Sammy Peralta carries a pNERD of 0.00, meaning we have no statistical profile to evaluate him on. He enters with a 0-0 record and 0.00 ERA, suggesting very limited MLB experience. Colorado has allowed at least seven runs in three of their last five games, so runs will likely happen — just not the kind that come from crisp pitching duels. The Rangers' positive luck component (10.0) does suggest some underlying offensive improvement may be due, but this game's watchability ceiling is modest. Skip it unless you love Coors Field chaos.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, Texas Rangers (2.01); radio, Texas Rangers (2.08)

Texas Rangers

Colorado Rockies

Kumar Rocker, Texas Rangers

Sammy Peralta, Colorado Rockies

No detailed stats available

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Baltimore Orioles @ Tampa Bay Rays, 3:40p

Summary

This one is a tough sell: a below-average gNERD of 6.30 puts it near the bottom quartile of today's slate and well below the historical median, and neither the teams nor the pitching matchup do much to rescue it. The bigger story here is the standings gap — the Rays sit at 31-15 while the Orioles come in at 21-27, and Tampa Bay holds the top spot in the AL East with a dominant .667 winning percentage, bolstered by an impressive 16-5 home record. Baltimore, meanwhile, is dealing with a brutal injury situation: the Orioles enter sitting fourth in the division, with Jordan Westburg lost for the season, and Heston Kjerstad (hamstring), Ryan Mountcastle (foot), and Jackson Holliday (finger surgery) all on the IL.

On the mound, Kyle Bradish (pNERD: 3.90) has a solid xFIP- of 91, suggesting he pitches somewhat better than average, though his slow pace drags his score down. Griffin Jax (pNERD: 3.07) is the bigger concern — an xFIP- of 113 indicates he's been giving up more than his share, and his strike rate is a mild liability. Both team scores are soft, with Tampa Bay's barrel rate ranking as one of the worst in the dataset, which at least limits the home run threat. Unless you're a committed AL East tracker watching Baltimore try to claw back into relevance, there are likely better games on the board today.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, Baltimore Orioles (2.82); radio, Baltimore Orioles (2.10)

Baltimore Orioles

Tampa Bay Rays

Kyle Bradish, Baltimore Orioles

Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays

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Athletics @ Los Angeles Angels, 6:38p

Summary

This game sits at the bottom of today's watchability rankings, and the numbers largely back that up. The Angels (16-31) are one of the worst teams in baseball by nearly every measure, and Jacob Lopez's pNERD of -2.45 — the lowest among today's starters — makes him the anchor dragging this one down.

Lopez's numbers explain the score: his xFIP- of 144 is genuinely bad, and his swinging-strike and strike rates are both well below average. He's surrendered 10 home runs already this season across just 40 innings, which is not a recipe for a tense, low-scoring affair.

Reid Detmers moved back into the Angels' rotation after working exclusively out of the bullpen in 2025, and his 93 xFIP- suggests he's been roughly league-average as a starter — a reasonable outcome given his back-and-forth career arc. His pNERD of 6.16 is the one bright spot here.

The Angels' tNERD of 1.03 is the lowest of any team today and near the historical floor, driven by poor offense, baserunning, and a leaky bullpen. The Angels have allowed 10 and 15 runs in recent losses, which is less "watchable" and more "unwatchable in a specific way." The Athletics carry a decent luck component — they're meaningfully underperforming their underlying numbers — but that storyline alone won't save a broadcast.

(A model from Anthropic generated the above text using instructions, the NERD scores, and these sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, Los Angeles Angels (2.59); radio, Los Angeles Angels (2.01)

Athletics

Los Angeles Angels

Jacob Lopez, Athletics

Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels

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