MLB Probable Pitchers Today: Top 5 must-watch pitching showdowns ft Phillies' Aaron Nola vs. Braves' Max Fried: July 5

As all 30 MLB teams are in action on Friday, fans can also look forward to seeing some of the best pitchers in the game in action. Indeed, Friday, July 5 seems to have an above-average array of aces on offer for fans to enjoy.

Here's a closer look at the top MLB pitching matchups for July 5 and what fans might be able to expect.

Top MLB Pitching Matchups for July 5

#1. Luis Severino vs. Paul Skenes

Rookie flamethrower Paul Skenes will get the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they welcome opposing pitcher Luis Severino and the New York Mets to PNC Park.

Skenes is now 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA on the season. Over his past four starts, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick has allowed just three earned runs and logged some 32 strikeouts across 20 innings of work.

"Paul Skenes day" - Beamer

For the Mets, Luis Severino will be looking to pick up his sixth win. On June 23, the 6-foot-2 Dominican set a season-high number for strikeouts, fanning 10 members of the Chicago Cubs while tossing six shutout innings.

#2. Kevin Gausman vs. Luis Castillo

The 2023 AL strikeout leader will lead the Toronto Blue Jays into a three-game series at T-Mobile Park against the Seattle Mariners.

After one of the best seasons of his career in 2023, Gausman has struggled this season. Now 6-7 with a 4.75 ERA, he was chased after just 4.1 innings on June 30 after he coughed up seven earned runs against the New York Yankees.

Luis Castillo has certainly contributed to the fact that the Mariners boast the third-lowest starting ERA in MLB this season. In an AL-most 18 starts, the Dominican is 6-9 with a 3.87 ERA. Despite keeping his runs against down, Castillo has not logged a win since June 14 and will be looking for his first career victory against Toronto.

#3. Tanner Houck vs. Nestor Cortes

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will respectively be sending their strongest pitchers to the mound on Friday to kick off a three-game set in the Bronx.

Although he was pulled early in his last start against the San Diego Padres, Tanner Houck has been nothing short of brilliant for the Red Sox this year. Despite making just $770,000, Houck's 2.67 ERA ranks sixth in MLB among starters, and his 107 frames on the mound tie him for seventh. In his most recent start against the Yankees last September, he pitched six scoreless innings.

"Running out of things to say about Tanner Houck's slider." - Red Sox

While his run support has been frustrating, Nestor Cortes has been the best all-around arm for New York this year. In addition to boasting a 3.51 ERA, the Cuban's 1.10 WHIP leads the entire rotation.

#4. Griffin Canning vs. Justin Steele

Griffin Canning will take the ball for the Los Angeles Angels as they visit Wrigley Field for the first time since 2019. Now 3-8 on the season, Canning's 4.71 was not helped by his last outing, which saw him allow four earned runs in six innings to the Tigers.

Although Cubs starter Justin Steele has pitched to a 3.20 ERA this season, the Mississippi-native has not been credited with a win since Sept. 4, 2023. Steele's frustration reached a head in his last start against the Brewers, wherein he became visibly upset after his teammates committed a succession of errors.

"Justin Steele was not happy as he came off the field after the 3rd inning. The Cubs made a pair of mistakes and the Brewers tied it at 2." - Andy Martinez

#5. Aaron Nola vs. Max Fried

One of the most highly-anticipated pitching showdown in MLB will take place in Atlanta, as the first-placed Philadelphia Phillies come to town.

For Philadelphia, Austin Nola will take the ball. Since inking an eight-year, $172 million extension with his club, Nola is 9-4 with a 3.43 ERA. Over his career, the Louisiana native has fared well against the Braves, pitching to a 3.58 ERA alongside 206 strikeouts in 34 career games against the divisional foe.

Along with Reynaldo Lopez and Chris Sale, Max Fried has been one of Atlanta's most effective starters in 2024. Over his past three starts, he has been especially dominant. Coming into Friday's game against Philly, Fried has allowed just three earned runs over the past 17 innings that have made up his last three starts.