Baseball Press presents "The 606", a look at the most intriguing pitching matchup of the day, with a final prediction of the winning pitcher. You may be asking yourself "What exactly does The 606 mean? There's no major league baseball for that area code- it's in Eastern Kentucky!" BBP isn't listing players from Eastern Kentucky either. The 606 is short for 60 feet and 6 inches. If you still don't understand, I direct your attention to Official Rule 1.07 from Major League Baseball, referring to the distance from the pitching mound to home plate. Now that we've got that squared away, let's take a look at today's featured pitching matchup for Tuesday, August 31st.

Yesterday, Jake Westbrook of the Cardinals pitched so-so, but J.A Happ stole the show and the Win with his two-hit complete game gem.

Loss: Jake Westbrook (7 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1.43 WHIP)

The 606 Season-to-Date Record (W-L-ND): 101-86-62, 3.75 ERA (648 ER in 1555.2 IP)

It's an AL West battle between Haren and Hernandez. (AP)

Today in the 606, two potential right-handed Cy Young Award winners square off from Safeco Field.  With both teams struggling to keep pace with the division leading Texas Rangers, each of these clubs is looking to finish the season on a high note.

RHP Dan Haren - LAA (9-12 4.45 ERA) vs. RHP Felix Hernandez - SEA (10-10, 2.47 ERA)
Dan Haren, one of the many trade acquisitions for the Halos in July, looks to pick up his third win as a member of the Angels.  Since returning to the American League West, Haren has posted a record of 2-4 with a 4.02 ERA over seven starts.  Haren was acquired on the cheap by the Angels via a trade with the Diamondbacks and regardless of his ERA and "Win" totals, he's still a very good pitcher.  Sure, he gives up home runs by the dozen, but he also posts big strikeout numbers and low walk totals.  During his last outing, Haren showed just how could he could be, as he shut down the Tampa Bay Rays over six innings, allowing just three hits and one earned run.  Haren also did something out of character, as he walked a season-high four batters.  Haren last faced the Mariners during his days with the Athletics from 2005-2007, in which he made 12 starts. During those 12 starts, he posted a 6-4 record with a 3.01 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.

The Felix Hernandez for AL Cy Young Award train just keeps rolling on as we approach the month of September.  While his W-L record may fool you, King Felix has been lights-out all season and has been even better since the All Star break.  Posting a 3-5 record with a 1.62 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP over nine starts since the Mid Summer Classic, Hernandez has brought excitement to the M's fans in what has been a disappointing season. During the month of August, Felix has a 0.98 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and a 10.6 strikeout per nine innings ratio (K/9).  He's had very little run support to work with during his starts.  During 13 of his 28 starts the season, the Mariners have failed to score more than two runs.  During those 12 starts, Felix is 1-9 with a 3.14 ERA.  When Seattle scores between three and five runs (12 of his starts between 3-5) - Felix is 6-1 with a 2.22 ERA.  In his last start against the Red Sox in Fenway Park, the Sox could muster just one earned run over seven innings, as Felix struck out nine and walked one batter.  Against the Angels this season, Hernandez is 0-2 with a 5.12 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.  For his career against the Angels, Felix is 4-7 over 19 starts with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP.  He's also posted his lowest strikeout totals against the Angels, compiling a 6.9 K/9 ratio over 128 2/3 innings.

How low can King Felix go?

Final Prediction:  Felix Hernandez