Streaking
John Lackey, Los Angeles Angels (6-1, 1.44 ERA)
Lackey has been impressive since returning from a tricep injury that kept him sidelined for the first month of the season.
The righty has 54 strikeouts in nine starts and has not conceded more than two earned runs in his last six starts. Lackey is 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA in his last three outings and is 2-0 at home with a 1.50 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP.
Lackey is 1-0 with a solid 1.20 ERA this season and is 3-2 with a 2.98 ERA in nine-career starts against Toronto. L.A. is 4-1 in Lackey’s last five starts against the AL East.
Kevin Slowey, Minnesota Twins (5-6, 3.47)
Slowey is rebounding from a miserable 0-4 start. The right-hander is 2-0 in his last three contests with a 0.43 ERA and 0.76 WHIP and is 5-2 in his last eight.
The second-year starter is coming off a complete against the Brewers. Slowey pitched nine scoreless innings, striking out nine and surrendering a mere three hits.
Slowey, victorious in his last two at home, is 2-3 with a sturdy 3.30 ERA at the Metrodome. Minnesota is also 4-1 in Slowey’s last five against a team with a losing record.
Slumping
Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants (3-12, 5.99)
Zito is one setback away from matching last season’s career-high 13 losses. The left-hander is 1-2 with a soaring 6.59 ERA in his last three tilts, conceding 10 earned runs and nine walks in 11.2 IP.
Zito is 0-8 with a lofty 7.33 ERA at home. He has also conceded at least four earned runs in each of his last four starts at AT&T Park.
San Fran is 2-8 in its last 10 home games, while the Dodgers are 13-3 in their last 16 tilts at AT&T Park.
Aaron Harang, Cincinnati Reds (3-10, 4.47)
Harang conceded 13 earned runs and five home runs in his last three starts. He is 0-1 in that span with a 6.62 ERA and 1.75 WHIP.
Harang is winless with a 6.62 career ERA against the Nats. Washington starter Tim Redding, on the other hand, is a stellar 6-1 in his last seven road tilts and 13-3 in his last 16 overall.
The Reds, winless in their last two road outings, are a meager 2-7 in their last nine outside Cincy. The Nationals, conversely, are 6-1 in their last seven contests against the Reds.