MLB Probable Pitchers Today: Top 5 must-watch pitching showdowns ft. Braves' Chris Sale vs Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen: July 9

Several MLB games will be taking place on Tuesday across North America. Although the league's teams may find themselves in various positions pertaining to the standings, all of the MLB teams in action will be hoping for a reliable outing from their starters.

Today, we will examine the top MLB starting matchups for July 9, as well as provide some context regarding expected performances.

Top 5 MLB Pitching Matchups - July 9

Bobby Miller vs Zack Wheeler

The Dodgers will send 25-year-old Bobby Miller to the mound against the Phillies, the league's premier offensive team.

Since returning from injury in early June, Miller has struggled to a 6.12 ERA. Now 1-1, the Illinois-born right-hander has allowed five earned runs in his last seven innings.

The Philadelphia Phillies will send Zack Wheeler to the bump. One of his team's top arms, Wheeler is now 9-4 with a 2.74 ERA in 111 innings pitched. The Gold Glover has, however, struggled against LA and has a 4.72 ERA against them in six career games.

"Zack Wheeler, Wicked 95mph Two Seamer." - Pitching Ninja

Carlos Rodon vs Ryan Pepiot

Carlos Rodon will seek to turn his negative slide around on Tuesday as his New York Yankees commence a three-game set at Tropicana Field.

After pitching to a 3.67 ERA in May, Rodon's figure rose to 7.76 in June. Moreover, in his last two starts, the former Cy Young contender is 0-2 with a 9.58 ERA.

Rays starter Ryan Pepiot was pulled after just four innings of work in his last start against the Kansas City Royals. Now 4-5 on the season, Pepiot made the pivot to the rotation for the 2024 MLB season. The 6-foot-3 26-year-old enters the game with a 4.40 ERA figure.

Yusei Kikuchi vs Blake Snell

In the middle of a nine-game western road trip, the Toronto Blue Jays will be the first club to see defending NL Cy Young Blake Snell in action for over a month.

Snell had previously been sidelined with a groin injury and was activated from the IL on Tuesday. Since inking a one-year, $32 million deal with the San Francisco Giants last March, Snell is 0-3 with a 9.51 ERA.

"Blake Snell caps off his night with six punchouts in three total frames" - Sacramento River Cats

Yusei Kikuchi will take the ball for the Jays. An imminent free agent, the Japanese pitcher's name has often popped up in trade rumors. However, Kikuchi has struggled this season and now owns a 4-8 record and a 4.12 ERA.

Logan Gilbert vs Adam Mazur

Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert will seek to get things back on the right track as his team visits the Padres at Petco Park in San Diego.

In June, Gilbert was one of the best pitchers in the MLB and racked up an ERA figure of just 1.51. However, since the beginning of July, Gilbert has struggled. The right-hander has allowed six runs in his past 11.1 innings, saddling him with a 4.76 ERA in his past two starts.

The Padres will look to rookie right-hander Adam Mazur to keep Seattle at bay. A 2022 second-round pick, the 23-year-old is nursing a 7.52 ERA in addition to a 1-2 record.

Chris Sale vs Zac Gallen

Perhaps the most high-profile pitching matchup of Tuesday will take place between Chris Sale of the Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen.

The 2024 season has given fans a chance to see vintage Chris Sale. Heading into Tuesday with a league-best 11 wins, Sale has spun a 2.71 ERA in 16 starts and tossed six innings of one-run ball in his last start against the Giants.

"8-Time All-Star. Chris Sale earns his first All-Star selection since 2018." - Bally Sports: Braves

Zac Gallen will make his 14th start to the year. The starter for the NL at last year's All-Star game, Gallen is once again putting up very strong numbers. Now 6-4 with a 3.04 ERA, the New Jersey native had a slight hiccup in his last start, when he allowed three earned runs in four innings against the Dodgers.