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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Three pitchers who shut down opposing offenses in July

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 8/2/23

In the month of July, we got some dominant performances from pitchers across the league. But there were a few, in particiular, that stood out. With the MLB seeing a boost in offense in 2023, three pitchers gave opposing hitters fits in the batter's box, showing their swing-and-miss stuff as they look to carry their success into August.

These are the pitchers who pitched lights out in the month of July.

Blake Snell, San Diego Padres: Snell is putting together another Cy Young caliber year in 2023 and July is looking like one of his finest months as a professional.

Going 4-1 with an MLB-leading 0.56 ERA with 42 strikeouts over 32 innings pitched, he helped improve his already great numbers while doing all he can to keep the Padres in the playoff hunt. Snell has been all the Padres expected when they traded for him in 2021, posting an 8-8 record with a 2.50 ERA in 119 innings this season.

Set to become a free agent at the end of the season, Snell will look to continue his dominance and parlay that into a big payday in the offseason.

Blake Snell's last 13 starts:

74 IP
6 ER
42 H
41 BB (13.7%)
108 K
0.73 ERA
1.12 WHIP
94.9% LOB%
59.3% strikes

In July alone:

32 IP
2 ER
22 H
26 BB (18.7%)
42 K
0.56 ERA
1.50 WHIP
56.9% strikes

Not sure I've ever seen a run like this. Hard to think it is sustainable.
— Jesse Roche (@jaroche6) August 1, 2023

Corbin Burnes, Milwaukee Brewers: After a mediocre start to his season, Burnes is looking like the ace the Brewers need him to be in July.

Going 4-1 with a 1.85 ERA, the right-hander added 47 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched while helping keep the Brewers in a heated battle for first place in the National League Central division. After July, his numbers sit at 9-6 with a 3.44 ERA with 136 strikeouts in 133.1 innings pitched.

With three straight seasons having an ERA under 3.00, Burnes will need to continue his July form to have a chance to continue this streak in 2023.

In six July starts, Corbin Burnes went 4-1 with a 1.85 ERA and 10.85 strikeouts per nine. His 39 innings were tops in MLB.

...

Batters were burnt to a crisp last month by the #Brewers ace. #ThisIsMyCrew
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) August 1, 2023

Devin Williams, Milwaukee Brewers: Arguably the best closer in baseball, Williams has been great again in July. He converted 10 of his 11 saves while striking out 21 batters in 11.2 innings pitched, leading to a 1.54 ERA while continuing to torture the Cincinnati Reds.

On the season his numbers have been just as good with a 5-2 record, 27 saves, a 1.52 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 41.1 innings pitched. Possessing one of the toughest pitches to hit in the MLB in his "Airbender", Williams has been one of the best relief pitchers since his debut in 2019 and has continued to show that in July.