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Posted at 10:45 AM EST

6:10 PM EST. Note the earlier start time, as more MLB teams are starting at dinner time so as not to give their fans, that they care so much about, time to eat anywhere but at the ballpark.

Charlie Morton (RHP) posted personal bests in strikeouts, WHIP and wins last year in Houston. So far, he's on track to surpass last year's career season at age 34 and while there is no doubt that Morton is dealing it, he’s not dealing it at the level that his 1.94 ERA suggests. Morton's stellar ERA is a product of good pitching and plenty of luck as shown by a low 24% hit rate and an incredibly high 89% strand rate. He's upped his velocity and managed to squeeze out more Ks, but the increased strikeout rate has come at the expense of control. Morton's had troubles by allowing 7 HRs already in 55 frames, which isn’t terrible but it’s higher than his previous levels over the past three seasons. In his last start, the free-swinging Orioles got to Morton for six hits and three runs in six innings. Look, dude is good but he’s not this good and was never this good in his previous 11 years at this level. As soon as his hit and strand rates normalize, his ERA will rise. Morton will win more games than he loses so it’s important to pick spots against him. The Indians taking back a price at home is not a bad place to start.

Michael Clevinger (RHP) has been outstanding thus far with a 2.87 ERA after nine starts but he pitches in the shadows of Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and to a lesser extent Trevor Bauer. Missing bats consistently with three pitches contributed to Clevinger striking out 137 batters in 122 innings last year and he’s continued to strike em out this year with 33 K’s in his last 34 innings over his last five starts. Missing more bats with his slider (23% swing and miss rate) and change-up (19%) is one reason Clevinger continues to rack up K’s. Hitters are chasing his change-up out of the zone and are having a difficult time connecting (61.9% Zone-Contact%) with his slider in the zone. This is a very good pitcher at home pitching for a very good team while taking back a price.

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