We have 14 games on Tuesday’s MLB schedule, with the first game beginning at 1:10 p.m. ET between the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. In the second game on the schedule, Max Scherzer will be making his regular-season debut as the Washington Nationals will open up their season against the Atlanta Braves.
Along with Scherzer, Marcus Stroman is set to make his regular season debut against the Philadelphia Phillies, while Clayton Kershaw and Yu Darvish will try to bounce back from less than stellar Opening Day starts. We are going to look at the best pitching matchup and the sleeper pitching matchup that could turn out to be a pitcher’s duel.
Best Matchup: Drew Smyly vs. Max Scherzer
The best pitching matchup on Tuesday is coming out of the NL East between the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals. Max Scherzer and the Nationals will have their Opening Day on Tuesday afternoon after not playing last week due to COVID-19 issues. Scherzer will be looking to bounce back from an average 2020 season. The former NL Cy Young winner posted a record of 5-4, 3.74 ERA, to go along with 92 strikeouts in 67.1 innings pitched. It was the first time since 2014 that he had an ERA over 3.00.
Scherzer will be opposed by Smyly, who is looking to prove that his 2020 campaign with the San Francisco Giants was not a fluke. Last season, the veteran southpaw had an ERA of 3.42 with 42 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched (14.4 K/9). Smyly signed a one-year deal in the offseason to help stabilize the backend of Atlanta’s rotation.
Sleeper Matchup: Freddy Peralta vs. Adbert Alzolay
The obvious choice here would’ve been Clayton Kershaw vs. Chris Bassitt after rough starts for both pitchers on Opening Day. However, Tuesday’s sleeper matchup is coming out the NL Central between Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers and Adbert Alzolay of the Chicago Cubs.
Both pitchers were on the fringe of making their respective teams starting rotations, but had solid performances in Spring Training. Peralta, who was a reliever last season, beat out Josh Lindblom. Last season, Peralta had a record of 3-1 and an ERA of 3.99, to go along with 47 strikeouts in 29.1 innings pitched. The 24-year-old was a starter his rookie season in 2018 with a 6-4 record and 4.25 ERA in 14 games started (16 appearances). Then the following season, he started in eight games, but made 39 appearances.
On the other side of the baseball diamond, he’ll be dueling against Alzolay, who has been used in multiple ways in Spring Training. Alzolay defeated Alec Mills for the fifth spot in the Cubbies’ rotation. In six games (four starts) last season, the 26-year-old pitcher had an ERA of 2.95 with 29 strikeouts in 21.1 innings pitched. It should be a fun outing as both guys try to prove their managers right for putting them in the rotation.
Here’s a look at the pitching matchups for Tuesday’s 14-game MLB slate on April 6th.
Twins vs. Tigers: J.A. Happ vs. Casey Mize
Braves vs. Nationals: Drew Smyly vs. Max Scherzer
Astros vs. Angels: Zack Greinke vs. Griffin Canning
Orioles vs. Yankees: Dean Kremer vs. Gerrit Cole
Pirates vs. Reds: Trevor Cahill vs. Wade Miley
Cardinals vs. Marlins: John Gant vs. Sandy Alcantara
Mets vs. Phillies: Marcus Stroman vs. Chase Anderson
Rays vs. Red Sox: Tyler Glasnow vs. Martin Perez
Brewers vs. Cubs: Freddy Peralta vs. Adbert Alzolay
Blue Jays vs. Rangers: Tanner Roark vs. Dane Dunning
Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Luke Weaver vs. German Marquez
Dodgers vs. Athletics: Clayton Kershaw vs. Chris Bassitt
White Sox vs. Mariners: Lucas Giolito vs. James Paxton
Giants vs. Padres: Aaron Sanchez vs. Yu Darvish