MLB Probable Pitchers Today: Top 5 Must-watch MLB Pitching Battles ft Yankees' Carlos Rodon vs Blue Jays' Jose Berrios: June 27

As we prepare to kick off yet another weekend of MLB action, all eyes will be on the pitching corps. Although Thursday will feature only nine MLB affairs, some of the best and brightest arms in the league will get the opportunity to show off their stuff.

Today, we will be examining the top five MLB pitching matchups for June 27, and seeing which team could gain the upper hand on account of those mound selections.

Top 5 MLB Pitching Matchups for June 27

Shota Imanaga vs Jordan Hicks

This past offseason, the San Francisco Giants showed considerable interest in NPB ace Shota Imanaga. However, the 30-year-old eventually inked a deal with the Chicago Cubs and has been one of the best pitchers in MLB ever since.

On Thursday, Imanaga will make his first career start against the Giants. Now 7-2 with a 2.96 ERA, Imanaga had his worst outing of the season in his last appearance. Against the Mets on June 21, Imanaga was yanked after allowing ten runs in three innings.

For the Giants, Jordan Hicks will get the ball at home. Since inking a four-year, $44 million deal in San Francisco, the 27-year-old has made a shift to the rotation, with encouraging results. Now 4-4, Hicks sports a 3.24 ERA in 80 innings of work this season.

Jon Gray vs Corbin Burnes

This weekend's four-game series between the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards marks a rematch of the 2023 ALDS.

For the visiting Rangers, Jon Gray will make the first start of the series. From late May until early June, Gray was sidelined with a groin strain and has struggled since his return. Although Gray owned a 2.32 ERA and 0.96 WHIP before his injury, he has now allowed ten earned runs in fourteen innings since his return.

For the O's, Corbin Burnes will take the ball. The winner of the 2021 Cy Young as a member of the Brewers, Burnes inked a one-year deal with Baltimore this offseason. Now 8-3, Burnes is beating his 2021 figures in nearly every category. Heading into Thursday's game, the 29-year-old sports a 2.35 ERA, 2.2 walks per nine innings and a 1.013 WHIP, all figures that top his 2021 performance.

Carlos Rodon vs Jose Berrios

Thursday night will mark the first game of a four-game set between the New York Yankees and Blue Jays in Toronto. Entering the game, the Yankees' 3.32 starter ERA is the lowest in the AL. However, over the past week, the Bombers' 6.91 ERA figure is the worst in MLB.

Carlos Rodon will be called upon to make his seventeenth start of the year. After a nightmarish 2023 campaign, Rodon has recovered. Through sixteen games on the bump, the 31-year-old is 9-4 with a 3.86 ERA.

The Blue Jays will send out Jose Berrios to counter Rodon. Now 6-6 on the season, the Puerto Rican owns a 3.43 ERA through 16 starts this year. However, in 12 career games against the Yankees, Berrios is 3-7 with a 5.21 ERA.

Andrew Abbott vs Miles Mikolas

Both Andrew Abbott and Miles Mikolas will be entering the Cardinals' game against the Reds on Thursday with a 6-6 record.

Abbott, in his second MLB season, has allowed a league-high 15 home runs this season but struck out a career-high 10 Red Sox hitters last Friday. On the season, Abbott holds a 3.40 ERA.

Veteran Miles Mikolas will get the start for the St. Louis Cardinals. Now in his ninth season, the two-time All-Star is 5-7 with a career 5.26 ERA against the Reds. On the season, the 35-year-old is 6-6 with a 4.68 ERA.

Chris Sale vs Drew Thorpe (Probable)

After being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night, the Chicago White Sox will welcome the Braves to Guaranteed Rate Field. Chicago, which touts the worst record in MLB, is now 32 games behind the Guardians in the AL Central.

Former Cy Young winner Chris Sale will take the ball for the visiting Braves. After several injury-plagued seasons, Sale's ten wins now lead the National League. In his last start against the Yankees, Sale allowed just one earned run over five innings while striking out eight.

While it is not confirmed, Drew Thorpe is the likely starter for Chicago. A 23-year-old rookie, Thorpe had a strong last outing against the Tigers, pitching six scoreless innings. On the season, the Utah-born Thorpe is 1-1 with a 5.02 ERA.