MLB: What to watch on May 26, 2026

• 26 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

New York Yankees @ Kansas City Royals, 4:40p

Summary

This game is the Cam Schlittler show, and right now that show is one of the best in baseball. The Yankees' 25-year-old right-hander is having a season that's turned heads across the sport, and his pNERD of 11.33 — the highest among today's starters and in the 95th percentile historically — barely needs a number to make the case.

Schlittler enters this start with a 1.50 FIP-adjacent ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and a 75:13 K:BB over 66 innings. That walk rate is the engine: only two pitchers in MLB history have posted 9 or fewer earned runs, 65+ strikeouts, and 11 or fewer walks through their first 10 starts of a season — 2021 Jacob deGrom and 2026 Cam Schlittler. His 97.7 mph heater and elite strike rate (both top-tier pNERD components) underpin an xFIP- of 63, meaning the underlying numbers are just as good as the surface ones.

On the other side, Bailey Falter's pNERD of 0.00 signals no statistical data available, making him a genuine unknown. The Yankees bring a strong tNERD of 9.20, driven by elite barrel rates and batting runs, while Kansas City's bullpen has been a liability. Schlittler is the first pitcher since Walter Johnson in 1913 to post 50+ strikeouts, fewer than 10 walks, one HR allowed, and a sub-1.50 ERA through his first nine starts. Watch this one.

(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, Kansas City Royals (2.11); radio, New York Yankees (2.22)

New York Yankees

Kansas City Royals

Cam Schlittler, New York Yankees

Bailey Falter, Kansas City Royals

No detailed stats available

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Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 3:40p

Summary

Braxton Ashcraft is quietly having a breakout season, and this game features a compelling subplot: the Cubs trying to snap a nine-game losing streak against a pitcher who's been one of the harder outs in the NL Central. The gNERD of 14.68 lands near the 95th percentile of today's slate and historically, making this one of the better watchability options on the board.

Jordan Wicks makes his 2026 season debut — which means a pNERD of 0.00, since there's simply no statistical record to evaluate yet. That's a genuine wildcard. Wicks' xERA and FIP both trend poorly due to elevated WHIP and an inability to consistently finish hitters in two-strike counts, so the debut carries some risk.

Ashcraft, meanwhile, earns a pNERD of 10.02 — well above the historical 75th percentile. He enters with a 2.89 ERA and 1.03 WHIP through 10 starts, backed by a 26.4% strikeout rate and a 47.8% ground-ball percentage. His xFIP- of 80 confirms the surface numbers are real. His last outing — seven innings, nine strikeouts, one run — reinforces the case.

The Cubs bring strong fielding (2.19 z-score) and solid offense, but they're looking to snap a nine-game skid — always a watchable situation. The Pirates add genuine baserunning value and a low-payroll tNERD boost. There's enough here to make this worth your time.

(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)

Chicago Cubs

Pittsburgh Pirates

Jordan Wicks, Chicago Cubs

No detailed stats available

Braxton Ashcraft, Pittsburgh Pirates

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St. Louis Cardinals @ Milwaukee Brewers, 4:40p

Summary

Kyle Harrison is quietly becoming one of the best young starters in baseball, and this NL Central division matchup gives you a front-row seat. With the Brewers holding a 1.5-game lead over St. Louis, every game in this series carries real stakes.

Harrison's pNERD of 10.60 — well above the 95th percentile historically — reflects what the underlying numbers already show: a 72 xFIP- means he's suppressing runs about 28% better than league average, backed by a 31%+ strikeout rate and a 59:14 K:BB ratio across 45+ innings. He's scrapped a cutter and sharpened a slurve that used to get hit hard — opponents are now just 2-for-22 against it with seven strikeouts. He's the only NL starter with an ERA below 1.85 and a strikeout rate above 30%.

McGreevy's pNERD of 4.01 is pedestrian by comparison — his SwStr% and Strike% both drag below average — though at 25, he contributes positively on the age front.

Milwaukee sits 30-20 and 1.5 games ahead of St. Louis, with this series opening a direct division showdown. Both teams carry nearly identical, above-average tNERD scores (~6.5), with the Cardinals boosted by youth and a low payroll, and the Brewers by solid baserunning and a strong bullpen. This game scores a 13.88 gNERD — comfortably in the top quarter of today's slate and historically — almost entirely on Harrison's arm. Watch it for him.

(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, Milwaukee Brewers (2.66); radio, Milwaukee Brewers (2.56)

St. Louis Cardinals

Milwaukee Brewers

Michael McGreevy, St. Louis Cardinals

Kyle Harrison, Milwaukee Brewers

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Atlanta Braves @ Boston Red Sox, 3:45p

Summary

I have enough information to write a strong summary. Let me compile what I know:

• Strider returned from a left oblique strain in early May, had a rough debut at Coors, then settled in nicely with back-to-back strong starts including a 9-K outing vs. Miami and a solid start vs. Boston (1 run, 4 K)
• The Braves are MLB's best team with a dominant record
• The Red Sox have a high luck score (19.0, z=1.57), meaning they're underperforming their underlying numbers and due for improvement
• Both teams have strong tNERD scores, and the gNERD of 13.88 is well above the historical median of ~10.10
• Ranger Suarez has an xFIP- of 82, suggesting he's been quite effective despite lower velocity; his luck score is also notably negative (-26), meaning he's been outperforming his underlying numbers

Spencer Strider's return narrative + two strong offenses + a gNERD well above the historical median make this game worth your time. Strider began 2026 on the IL with a left oblique strain and wasn't activated until May 3. Since then, he's been pitching like a frontline starter again. In his most recent start he struck out nine over 6.1 innings and generated 15 whiffs. His pNERD of 6.05 is solidly above the historical median, backed by a 91 xFIP- and strong swinging-strike numbers. On the other side, Ranger Suárez carries an xFIP- of 82 — well into the upper tier of today's starters — though his luck component of -26 suggests he's been outperforming his underlying numbers and may be due for some regression. The Braves bring a tNERD of 8.21, driven by strong batting runs and barrel rate, while the Red Sox (tNERD: 7.77) compensate for below-average offense with elite fielding and a bullpen that's been quietly excellent. Strider's last start came against this same Red Sox lineup, where he allowed just one run on three hits across his outing. At a gNERD of 13.88 — above the 75th percentile historically and near the top of today's slate — this matchup between MLB's best team and a scrappy Boston squad is a legitimate watch.

(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)

Atlanta Braves

Boston Red Sox

Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves

Ranger Suarez, Boston Red Sox

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Cincinnati Reds @ New York Mets, 4:10p

Summary

Chase Burns is the main event here, and he's putting on quite a show in 2026. The 23-year-old flamethrower sits at 98.1 mph and carries a pNERD of 10.98 — well above the 95th percentile historically — making him the clearest reason to tune in, regardless of what else is happening.

Burns has six wins and a 1.83 ERA on the season, and his underlying numbers back it up: an xFIP- of 78 signals he's genuinely elite, not just lucky. His 2.11 z-score in swinging strike rate is the kind of number that translates to a lot of uncomfortable at-bats for opposing hitters. At just 23, he's the youngest starter in today's slate, which adds another layer to an already compelling profile.

The game's gNERD of 12.55 lands above the historical median of 10.10 and near the top of today's slate, though the team context is more modest. The Mets sit at 22-31 and last in the NL East, and Francisco Lindor's status is uncertain and Juan Soto is listed as day-to-day with illness — which doesn't help a lineup that already ranks among the worst offensively by batting runs. The Reds' bullpen is a genuine liability (the worst component on either roster), so if Burns exits early, brace yourself.

The Mets' TBD starter is a true unknown, which cuts both ways — it might be a spot starter or an opener, which could make for an uneven watch. Burns alone earns this one 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)

Cincinnati Reds

New York Mets

Chase Burns, Cincinnati Reds

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Washington Nationals @ Cleveland Guardians, 3:10p

Summary

Two young, Tommy John-scarred pitchers, a Nationals team that runs the bases like they mean it, and a gNERD of 12.50 — this one lands solidly above the historical median and near the top of today's slate.

The Nationals are the more interesting team here: Cavalli entered the weekend with a 2-3 record in 11 starts, working his way back from Tommy John surgery, and has shown real range — struggling through a rough four-inning outing against Minnesota before taking a shutout into the seventh against Baltimore and then tossing seven solid innings in a 2-1 loss to the Mets. His 96.3 mph velocity grades out well, and his xFIP- of 96 suggests he's a slightly above-average arm. Washington's tNERD of 8.62 is the real engine here — strong baserunning, solid offense, and a young, cheap roster all contribute. The Guardians counter with a reliable bullpen and a similarly young club, though their low barrel rate is a mild drag on watchability. Joey Cantillo's xFIP- of 105 is a tick below average, but at 26 he's still developing. Neither pitcher is a star turn, but the Nationals' all-around game makes this worth your afternoon.

(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, Cleveland Guardians (2.16); radio, Cleveland Guardians (3.14)

Washington Nationals

Cleveland Guardians

Cade Cavalli, Washington Nationals

Joey Cantillo, Cleveland Guardians

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Seattle Mariners @ Athletics, 6:40p

Summary

Emerson Hancock's breakout 2026 season is the main event here, and his underlying numbers back up what the eye test has been saying. The Athletics bring a young, low-payroll roster with a significant luck component that suggests they've been underperforming their true talent — meaning they're a more dangerous opponent than their record might indicate.

Hancock looks like the next success story from the Mariners' pitching lab, and the stats support the narrative. He's dropped his arm angle from 27 degrees in 2024 to 14 degrees in 2026, and the change has meaningfully improved movement on his pitches. His xFIP- of 78 is well above average, driving the bulk of his 7.49 pNERD — one of the stronger pitcher scores in today's slate. Severino counters with solid velocity at 96.7 mph but an xFIP- right at league average, making this a notably lopsided pitching matchup on paper.

The Athletics' tNERD gets a significant boost from a luck component of 1.48 — they've been underperforming their underlying numbers substantially, so expect some regression toward better offense. At a gNERD of 12.44, this game sits comfortably above the historical median of 10.10, and near the 75th percentile of today's games. Worth your time, mostly for Hancock.

(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, Seattle Mariners (2.52)

Seattle Mariners

Athletics

Emerson Hancock, Seattle Mariners

Luis Severino, Athletics

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Philadelphia Phillies @ San Diego Padres, 6:40p

Summary

The Padres' elite bullpen and sparkling defense make San Diego a legitimately fun team to watch, and a struggling Aaron Nola going up against a surging Petco Park crowd adds some genuine stakes to this one. The Phillies, meanwhile, are a .500 team whose offense has gone ice cold, which doesn't exactly scream appointment viewing.

The Padres (31-22) host the Phillies (27-27), and the gap in standings tells part of the story. San Diego's tNERD of 9.04 is the real engine of this game's watchability — their bullpen and defense are both legitimate strengths. The Padres rank among the best in fielding and their bullpen has been one of the most valuable in baseball, both contributing meaningfully to that tNERD. The Phillies' offense has been a drag: their batting runs sit well below average, though their own bullpen is solid and their baserunning is a quiet bright spot.

On the mound, neither starter posts a standout pNERD, but the contrast is sharp. Nola has struggled badly of late, allowing 13 runs on 20 hits over his last three outings, and his xFIP- of 92 suggests he's actually pitching better than results show — his luck component is a positive 56, meaning he's been significantly unlucky and is due for better outcomes. Vásquez enters at 5-2 with 45 strikeouts in 54⅔ innings, though his xFIP- of 104 is slightly above average, hinting his surface results may be a touch generous. Schwarber has 11 homers in 26 career games at Petco Park, so there's at least one compelling subplot worth tracking. The gNERD of 11.76 lands right around the middle of today's slate and just above the historical median — a perfectly watchable game, not a must-see.

(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 Diego Padres (3.47); radio, San Diego Padres (3.37)

Philadelphia Phillies

San Diego Padres

Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies

Randy Vásquez, San Diego Padres

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Miami Marlins @ Toronto Blue Jays, 4:07p

Summary

I have enough information on Alcantara. I don't have specific search results for Braydon Fisher, but I can work with his pNERD components and the broader context. Let me write the summary.

Sandy Alcantara's ongoing comeback story — from 2022 Cy Young winner to Tommy John surgery to a genuinely encouraging 2026 — gives this mid-tier gNERD game (11.59, right at today's average of 11.12) more texture than the numbers alone suggest. The counterpart, Braydon Fisher, is the more analytically compelling arm on paper.

Alcantara's first ten starts of 2026 have been a real step forward, with a 3.51 FIP and a spot around the top 20 in WAR among qualified starters. His fastball sits at 97.3 mph (well above average), though he's never been a big swing-and-miss guy, and post-Tommy John he's gotten less so — which the near-zero swinging-strike component confirms. Alcantara could be the hottest name on the trade block this season, making every start a potential showcase. Fisher, at 25, posts a stronger xFIP- (86) and earns the higher pNERD of the two at 6.80 — his youth and underlying efficiency are genuinely worth watching. Miami's tNERD (7.32) is the real team-side driver here, boosted by elite baserunning and the low-payroll/young-roster factors; Toronto's offense (-18.1 batting runs, low barrel rate) is a drag. A solid game to put on, particularly if you're tracking whether Alcantara's revival is real.

(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, Toronto Blue Jays (3.10); radio, Toronto Blue Jays (2.39)

Miami Marlins

Toronto Blue Jays

Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins

Braydon Fisher, Toronto Blue Jays

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Minnesota Twins @ Chicago White Sox, 4:40p

Summary

Two AL Central neighbors hovering near .500 square off in a game that's solidly watchable — anchored by Joe Ryan's quietly effective season and a White Sox lineup with a surprising amount of pop. The gNERD of 11.11 lands right at the historical median and near today's average, making this a middle-of-the-pack game that's worth a look but won't demand you rearrange your schedule.

Joe Ryan carries a 3-3 record with a 0.97 WHIP over 56.2 innings this season, and his xFIP- of 85 — well below league average — confirms he's been genuinely good rather than lucky. His pNERD of 6.07 is above the historical 75th percentile, so he's the main reason to tune in on the pitching side. Sean Burke's pNERD of 4.39 is more modest; his xFIP- sits right at league average, though his youth (26) gives him a small boost.

The White Sox's 72 home runs rank second in Major League Baseball, and their barrel rate (top-20% among today's teams) backs that up. Munetaka Murakami (17 HR) and Miguel Vargas (.876 OPS) headline a lineup that's punished mistakes. The Sox's high tNERD (7.83) is driven largely by their youth and low payroll — a legitimately watchable team that's outperforming expectations. The Twins, meanwhile, grade out as a below-average tNERD squad, dragged down by poor baserunning and fielding.

Both clubs sit near .500 in a tight AL Central, 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, 9.)

Recommended broadcasts: TV, Minnesota Twins (2.30); radio, Chicago White Sox (2.57)

Minnesota Twins

Chicago White Sox

Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins

Sean Burke, Chicago White Sox

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Houston Astros @ Texas Rangers, 5:05p

Summary

Jack Leiter's early-season promise has given way to a rougher stretch, but his underlying stuff still makes him the reason to tune in here — his opponent on the mound, Jason Alexander, is a statistical cipher.

This Texas-Houston rivalry game lands right at the historical median gNERD, and the team numbers don't do much to elevate it: both clubs carry below-average tNERDs, dragged down in Houston's case by a bullpen that's been a liability and negative baserunning on both sides. What saves this one from the bargain bin is Leiter. In 2026, Leiter added considerably more movement to his principal pitches, with his breaking balls seeing the greatest leaps. His pNERD of 7.78 — well above the historical 75th percentile — reflects a 96.6 mph fastball and a solid xFIP-, suggesting real underlying quality. The catch: through his first six starts, Leiter holds a 5.17 ERA and has allowed three or more earned runs in four straight starts. His luck component of +26 is enormous, meaning he's been badly outpitching his results — expect some regression toward the quality his underlying numbers suggest. Manager Skip Schumaker acknowledged Leiter has been battling an ankle injury, adding another variable. Jason Alexander's pNERD of 0.00 means we're flying blind on him statistically. One good arm, one unknown, two middling teams — watchable, but don't cancel plans.

(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, Houston Astros (2.17); radio, Texas Rangers (2.08)

Houston Astros

Texas Rangers

Jason Alexander, Houston Astros

No detailed stats available

Jack Leiter, Texas Rangers

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Colorado Rockies @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:10p

Summary

The Dodgers are a genuinely watchable team dropped into a lopsided matchup — their tNERD of 10.77 is the highest in today's slate — but both starting pitchers are struggling badly enough to make this more of a run-scoring exhibition than a pitching showcase.

The Dodgers sit at 34-20 while the Rockies limp in at 20-35, and the numbers behind those records tell the story. Los Angeles brings elite offense (46.5 batting runs above average, strong barrel rate) and a solid bullpen, all of which push their tNERD to the top of today's games. Colorado, meanwhile, posts a -44.2 batting runs figure that ranks among the worst in the sport, dragging their tNERD down to 1.62.

On the mound, neither starter inspires confidence. Freeland's xFIP- of 109 and his 1-5 record with a 7.04 ERA reflect a pitcher who's been hit hard; his pNERD of 3.85 gets a boost mainly from a significant luck component suggesting he's been even worse than his underlying numbers. Lauer is in rougher shape — an xFIP- of 132 is genuinely poor — and the Dodgers are 16-1 when they hit at least two home runs, which feels like a near-certainty here. The Dodgers are also dealing with a lengthy injury list, but their depth has kept them rolling. Watch for the LA offense; skip if you need a reason to care about the final score.

(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, Los Angeles Dodgers (2.45); radio, Los Angeles Dodgers (2.51)

Colorado Rockies

Los Angeles Dodgers

Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies

Eric Lauer, Los Angeles Dodgers

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Arizona Diamondbacks @ San Francisco Giants, 6:45p

Summary

Two middling starters, a Giants offense that can't barrel up a baseball, and a gNERD of 7.39 make this one of the less watchable games on today's slate. Still, Rodriguez's bounce-back arc adds a layer of genuine interest.

Rodriguez posted ERA north of 5.00 in both 2024 and 2025, but he came into 2026 looking like a changed man, having dropped over 20 pounds. He's become less reliant on his fastball, bumping changeup usage to 35% while dropping four-seamer usage all the way to 27%. The underlying numbers, though, are less rosy than the surface results: his xFIP- of 105 and a swinging-strike rate near zero on the season give him a pNERD of just 2.51. He's at a 22:16 K:BB through six starts, and a 4.4 BB/9 will limit his effectiveness if he can't reverse course. Mahle's pNERD of 4.90 is modestly better, buoyed by a lucky-side xFIP- of 95, though his own swinging-strike numbers are similarly unimpressive. The Giants are a drag on the whole affair: their tNERD of 2.18 reflects poor baserunning and a barrel rate that ranks among the worst in today's games — a lineup that doesn't hit the ball hard and doesn't run well is a recipe for a slow evening. Arizona's fielding is a genuine bright spot, but it's not enough to move the needle much. At a gNERD of 7.39, this sits well below today's average of 11.12 — fine background baseball, but not appointment viewing.

(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)

Arizona Diamondbacks

San Francisco Giants

Eduardo Rodriguez, Arizona Diamondbacks

Tyler Mahle, San Francisco Giants

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Tampa Bay Rays @ Baltimore Orioles, 3:35p

Summary

This is a below-average matchup on paper, but the series backdrop adds some texture. The Rays (30-15, first in the AL East) are the clear class of this division, while the Orioles (20-26) are trying to avoid a series sweep after Colton Cowser hit a walk-off homer in the 13th inning — his second on consecutive days — to give Baltimore a 9-7 win on Monday. Cowser became Baltimore's first player to hit walk-off homers on consecutive days since Fred Lynn on May 10-11, 1985.

The gNERD of 6.90 sits well below both the historical median (10.10) and today's game average (11.12), and neither starting pitcher is driving much excitement. Shane Baz comes in at 1-5 with an xFIP- of 109 and a slow pace (21.2 seconds between pitches), both dragging his pNERD to a modest 3.05. His luck component is a positive 0.60, meaning he's been underperforming his already-below-average underlying numbers, so don't expect a sudden turnaround. Griffin Jax (pNERD: 4.20) brings mid-90s heat at 96.2 mph but his xFIP- of 105 signals he's a below-average starter, and his strike rate is a drag. Both teams post negative fielding runs, so clean defense isn't on the menu either. The Rays' barrel rate ranks among the worst in the data, limiting their ceiling as an offensive threat. Baltimore's bullpen is a modest bright spot with positive run value. There are better games on the slate 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.)

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

Tampa Bay Rays

Baltimore Orioles

Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays

Shane Baz, Baltimore Orioles

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Los Angeles Angels @ Detroit Tigers, 3:40p

Summary

Two cellar-dwellers combining for a combined 41-67 record, two pitchers whose underlying numbers suggest they're worse than their surface stats, and both teams ranking near the bottom of today's watchability board — this one is hard to sell. With a gNERD of 4.27, it sits at the very floor of today's games and well below the historical median of 10.1.

The Angels (20-34, fifth in the AL West) visit the Tigers (21-33, fifth in the AL Central) — a matchup of division basement dwellers that the stats aren't exactly dressing up. Both tNERD scores are dismal, with the Angels' 0.83 dragging near the bottom of today's range: poor baserunning, bad defense, and a struggling bullpen all weigh on them. Detroit's 2.30 is only marginally better. The one mildly interesting wrinkle for Detroit is a luck component of +1.24, suggesting the Tigers have been underperforming their underlying numbers and could see some improvement.

On the mound, neither starter inspires confidence analytically. Kochanowicz (pNERD 3.86) has solid velocity at 95.9 mph and youth working in his favor, but his xFIP- of 112 reflects a pitcher who's been below average. He's winless in his last seven starts, though he did last six innings in his most recent outing, walking four and striking out seven. Montero (pNERD 1.57) has a worse xFIP- of 121, and the Tigers have managed seven hits or fewer in each of their last 11 games — so his own offense may not do him many favors either.

(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, Detroit Tigers (2.74); radio, Detroit Tigers (2.64)

Los Angeles Angels

Detroit Tigers

Jack Kochanowicz, Los Angeles Angels

Keider Montero, Detroit Tigers

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