Friday’s streaking and slumping pitchers

Streaking

Shaun Marcum, Toronto Blue Jays (8-5. 3.36)

Marcum is 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA in his last three starts and has not surrendered more than two earned runs in each of those starts.

Marcum, who missed time with an elbow injury early, has relinquished just 16 hits in his last three starts. He also has 14 strikeouts against seven walks in that stretch.

The Blue Jays are 5-0 in Marcum's last five against the Boston Red Sox and are 10-2 in their last 12 overall against the Red Sox.

Dave Bush, Milwaukee Brewers (7-9, 4.26)

Bush, who had just two wins in his first 10 starts, is 2-0 and has a solid 1.77 ERA in his last three outings.

In his last home start, a triumph over the Washington Nationals, Bush surrendered one earned run in six IP. He is also 3-1 in his last six at home and has relinquished more than two ERs just twice in each of his last six starts at Miller Park.

The Brewers are 7-0 in Bush's last seven starts against a team with a losing record and are 5-1 in their last six against the Pittsburgh Pirates.


Slumping

Brian Bannister, Kansas City Royals (7-12, 5.96)

Bannister, who is winless in his last nine, is 0-3 in his last three with a 12.75 ERA. He has also relinquished 17 earned runs and six homers in his last eight IP.

Bannister is 5-5 at home and has a 3.72 ERA. In his last home start, a setback to the Boston Red Sox, he surrendered three earned runs on six hits in four innings. He is 0-3 in his last four starts at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals are 6-18 in their last 24 home games against the Detroit Tigers.