Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

Cortes (2-1, 1.35 ERA), who was New York's 36th-round pick in the 2013 draft, has allowed two earned runs in his past 16 starts. That matches teammate Luis Severino (2018) for the Yankees' second-longest streak of allowing three runs or fewer. The record is more than a century old, 20 by Russ Ford (1910-1911). The 5-foot-11 left-hander's last two appearances were among the most impressive of his 23 career starts. On May 9, he came within five outs of a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers before settling for a one-hit, 7 1/3-inning performance in a 1-0 victory. He followed that Sunday afternoon by allowing one run on three hits in the longest outing of his career, eight complete innings, in a 5-1 win in Chicago.

Rating: 2 Units

The Twins will send Joe Ryan (4-2, 2.39 ERA) to the mound to face fellow right-hander Brad Keller (1-3, 2.89). Minnesota recorded a 6-4 victory in the series opener on Friday. The Twins saw a 4-1 lead trimmed to a run before rookie Jose Miranda drove in two runs with a double in the eighth inning. Miranda entered the game mired in an 0-for-20 skid. The Royals rank in the bottom third of the American League in runs per game, while the Twins are in the middle third. But the two starters will make things difficult for whoever is batting. Ryan has a WHIP of 0.96, with Keller not far behind at 1.01. Keller owns a 3-3 record with a 3.20 ERA in nine career starts against Minnesota. Ryan has been everything manager Rocco Baldelli could have hoped for in Ryan's first full season with the Twins. Ryan has allowed more than two earned runs on just one occasion in seven starts. In his last start against the Guardians, he allowed one run on four hits in six innings, striking out five and walking none. The only run he allowed came on a solo home run by Jose Ramirez. And he finished strong, closing with two shutout innings before exiting after a career-high 103 pitches.

Rating: 2 Units

A pair of right-handers will start today as Atlanta sends Kyle Wright (3-2, 2.79 ERA) against Miami's Elieser Hernandez (2-3, 6.15). Hernandez is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts in May. In his last start on May 15 against Milwaukee, he allowed five runs (two earned) in four innings to suffer his second straight loss. Hernandez has allowed 10 homers in 33 2/3 innings this season. Hernandez owns a 1-1 record with a 3.22 ERA in 11 career appearances (six starts) vs. the Braves. He pitched against Atlanta on April 23 and allowed five runs on seven hits -- three home runs -- in 4 2/3 innings. Wright is coming off his sixth quality start of the season. He allowed three runs (one earned) in 6 1/3 innings against the San Diego Padres on May 15. He struck out nine and walked two but received no decision.

Rating: 2 Units

Today's opener will feature a battle of right-handers, New York's Carlos Carrasco (3-1, 3.73 ERA) and Colorado's German Marquez (1-3, 6.16). Marquez was an All-Star last year, but his ERA this season is nearly two runs higher than his 4.36 career mark. The Rockies need him to pitch like an ace if they are to have any chance in the ultra-competitive National League West.

Rating: 2 Units

After beginning the season in relief, Boston's Garrett Whitlock (1-1, 2.43 ERA) is slated to make his sixth start of the season, and his career, today. Whitlock has allowed three runs or fewer in each outing this season, though he has yet to log a win as a starter after getting a third straight no-decision on Monday in the Red Sox's 6-3 win over the Houston Astros. Seattle will turn to Chris Flexen (1-6, 4.35), who has lost four consecutive starts since an April 22 win over the Kansas City Royals. He fell to the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday despite striking out seven, as he allowed three runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings.