Eury Pérez Is on Fire — And He Doesn't Even Need to Be Perfect

Eury Pérez is taking the mound for Miami, and he's finally starting to look like the pitcher everyone thought he could become.

At one point, Pérez was considered one of the best pitching prospects in the minor leagues. Injuries and inconsistency have slowed that progression, but lately, we're seeing exactly why scouts were so high on him.

Pérez hasn't allowed a run in his last two starts, spanning 13 innings. Even more impressive, he's surrendered just 13 total runs over his last 66⅓ innings across 12 starts.

That's not a small sample size. That's dominance.

And now he gets a matchup that should make him even more appealing.

Jake Irvin will take the mound for the opposition, and his numbers are going in the opposite direction. Irvin's ERA is hovering around 6.00, and he's allowed nine runs over his last nine innings across two starts.

He's also allowed at least four runs in five of his last eight starts.

If that wasn't enough, Irvin has surrendered at least one home run in seven of his last eight starts. He's also walking nearly a batter every other inning, which is a recipe for trouble against a lineup that can take advantage of free baserunners.

Meanwhile, Pérez is doing the exact opposite.

He's limiting damage, keeping runners off the bases and keeping the scoreboard clean.

That's why I don't think Pérez even needs to be at his absolute best in this matchup.

If he pitches the way he has been recently, Miami should be in excellent shape. But even if Pérez gives up a run or two, I still think the matchup favors the Marlins because Irvin has been far too hittable.

The bottom line: Pérez is on fire, and Irvin is struggling badly.

I'm willing to trust the young Miami ace and expect him to continue his recent dominance while the Marlins take advantage of an Irvin matchup that looks ripe for the picking.

Pérez doesn't need to throw another shutout for this matchup to work. He just needs to be himself — and lately, that's been more than enough.

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