Streaking
Johnny Cueto (8-2, 3.42 ERA), Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are just 2-3 in Cueto’s last five starts but you can’t blame that on the righty. The Cincy ace owns a tidy 0.82 ERA since June 18 and the under is 4-1 in his last five outings.
Brett Cecil (8-5, 3.97 ERA), Toronto Blue Jays
It looks as though Cecil’s slide was just a minor blip on an otherwise impressive season. The young southpaw has allowed just two runs in his last two starts after surrendering 16 in his previous three outings.
"It was just a matter of going out there and repeating my delivery, figuring out how to get the ball down after it's been up so long," Cecil told AP reporters after holding the Twins to one run over seven innings. "The ball was just flat. I didn't have downward tilt on it. Now I feel like I'm back where I need to be."
Slumping
Carlos Silva (9-3, 3.45 ERA), Chicago Cubs
You have to wonder if the lack of run support finally got to Chicago’s best hurler. Despite five quality outings from Silva, the Cubs were 1-4 in the big righthander’s last five starts before he took the mound against the Dodgers last week.
Los Angeles tagged him for six runs before he was ejected in the second inning.
"He wasn't driving off his back leg very well," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said after the game. "He should be much better his next time out, about eight or nine days from now."
Silva would certainly appreciate a little help from the bats. The Cubs are averaging just 2.8 runs per game in Silva’s last six trips to the bump.
Mike Pelfrey (10-4, 3.58 ERA), New York Mets
Pelfrey was originally scheduled to start on Saturday but was pushed back to Monday because of a stiff neck. Mets backers can relate: The big righty’s performance lately has been a pain in the neck for them.
The Kansas native has allowed four or more runs in four of his last five starts and he hasn’t pitched more than 4 2/3 innings in any of his last three outings.
His last appearance might have been his worst of the campaign. He allowed 15 of 25 Braves hitters to reach base.