Streaking
Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants (15-5, 2.86 ERA)
Cain posted his fifth consecutive win on Sept. 19, when he limited Colorado to one run and four hits in eight innings. The 27-year-old, who has not lost since Aug. 6 at St. Louis, has allowed a total of four runs in 20 1/3 frames over his last three outings. Cain improved to 12-6 lifetime against the Diamondbacks when he yielded one run in five innings on Sept. 14 at Arizona.
Jarrod Parker, Oakland Athletics (11-8, 3.40 ERA)
Parker thoroughly dominated the Rangers on June 4 when he allowed one hit – an eighth-inning single to Michael Young – in eight shutout innings. He took a no-decision against the New York Yankees in his last outing when he gave up one run and six hits in eight innings. Parker has won four of his last five decisions in what has been a solid rookie campaign.
Slumping
Rick Porcello, Detroit Tigers (9-12, 4.57 ERA)
Porcello has lost his last six decisions in seven starts, but his overall ERA slightly improved. His last victory was Aug. 7. Porcello is 5-3 with a 4.50 ERA in his career against Kansas City. He gave up two runs over five innings against the Royals Aug. 30 in a loss, but beat them May 1 by allowing three runs in eight innings. Butler is 12-for-38 against Porcello.
Aaron Harang, Los Angeles Dodgers (9-10, 3.80 ERA)
Harang is looking to rebound from a rocky start last Wednesday against Washington when he allowed two runs over 4 1/3 innings. He’s 4-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 15 career games (14 starts) against the Padres. Harang tied a career high with 13 strikeouts and fanned a Dodger-record nine consecutive hitters on April 13 against San Diego. However, he hasn't won since Aug. 18 and is 3-0 in his last five starts.
Carlos Villanueva, Toronto Blue Jays (7-6, 3.88 ERA)
Villanueva will be trying to bounce back after getting crushed at Tampa Bay last Friday. The veteran right-hander was knocked around for seven runs on eight hits in just 2 1/3 innings without notching a strikeout. Villanueva has had a rough time against Baltimore twice in the last six weeks, absorbing a pair of losses while allowing a total of 10 runs in 12 1/3 innings. Chris Davis is 3-for-4 with a pair of homers off Villanueva this season.