Key things to watch for in today's games

No pitcher is more locked in at the moment than Zack Greinke. The Dodgers right-hander will ride a 43 2/3 scoreless-innings streak into today's series finale against the Mets at Citi Field.

Originally slated to start Friday's game, Greinke's start was pushed back so he could fly home to Los Angeles to be with his wife Emily for the birth of their first child. The new father won his last start against the Nationals, allowing just three hits in eight innings for his fourth straight win. Greinke also struck out a season-high 11 batters and lowered his ERA to an MLB-best 1.30.

Even with those numbers, getting a win won't come easy for Greinke with Jacob deGrom set to take the hill for New York. The Mets' only All-Star has allowed three earned runs just once since May 16. The right-hander allowed two runs on three hits over six innings for the win in his last start against the Nationals.

Here are a few more intriguing games to keep an eye on today.

Cole for the win: WSH @ PIT, 1:35 p.m. ET
Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole, the MLB leader with 13 wins, goes for No. 14 in the series finale against the Nationals at PNC Park.

Video: PIT@KC: Cole holds Royals to two earned runs

Cole took just his fourth loss of the season on Tuesday against the Royals, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits in 7 1/3 innings. Cole hasn't dropped consecutive starts since August 2013.

Meanwhile, right-hander Joe Ross gets the nod for the Nationals. In his fourth career start on Tuesday against the Mets, the 22-year-old allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in 6 1/3 innings for the loss. Ross has 27 strikeouts and just two walks this season.

Keuchel's a K machine: HOU @ KC, 2:10 p.m. ET
After a dominant performance against the Rangers, Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel takes the hill in the series finale against the Royals. He picked up his 12th win of the season last Sunday, allowing just two hits in seven inning and fanning a career-high 13 batters. Keuchel beat the Royals on June 30, allowing seven hits in eight innings.

Video: TEX@HOU: Keuchel fans 13 in seven scoreless frames

Royals fireballer Yordano Ventura gets the nod that would have gone to Jason Vargas before Vargas' season-ending left elbow injury. Ventura was demoted to Triple-A to make room for Vargas on the roster last Tuesday, but was immediately recalled after Vargas' injury.

In his last start against the Pirates, Ventura allowed a season-high six runs on 10 hits in four innings for the loss. The right-hander hasn't tossed more than five innings since May 31.

Heaney's hot start: TEX @ LAA, 3:35 p.m. ET
In just five Major League starts, left-hander Andrew Heaney has cemented his place in the Angels' rotation. Since being called up on June 24, Heaney has gone 4-0 with a 1.57 ERA. He'll look to continue that success against the Rangers at Angel Stadium in the series finale.

Video: LAA@SEA: Heaney whiffs Cano, strands pair of runners

In his last start against the Red Sox, Heaney allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings for the win. The left-hander has pitched at least six innings in all five starts.

Meanwhile, Rangers right-hander Nick Martinez allowed seven runs in four innings against the Rockies on Monday after being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock. He's struggled as of late, going 0-3 with a 6.98 ERA in his last five Major League starts.