I Pivy the Fool

(Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

I didn’t think that I would be talking about Nick Pivetta tonight, but after a line of 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks and 15 whiffs that earn him his first ever Gallows Pole I don’t have much of a choice. He earned 11 whiffs on 44 breaking balls thrown, and while that number isn’t so high the fact that he threw so many breakers is what makes me happy. I still question if Pivetta has the fastball command or good enough breaking pitches to make this work, but this is an excellent first step. Now let’s see if he can do it again as he gets the Reds next Wednesday. I’m thinking a resounding “No” but I want to be wrong. Prove me wrong, Pivetta. Prove me wrong.

Let’s see how every other SP did Thursday:

Tyler Anderson – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. I think it’s time for Blame it on the Padres. I didn’t expect Anderson to rebound this much after his 7 ER outing, but hey, good for him. Now at least I can consider him for starts outside Coors and against poor teams for a stream. Not to own? Pffft nah. Too low of a floor for that without enough upside.

Yonny Chirinos – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. This was a “bullpen game”, but Chirinos managed to get through five frames in just 54 pitches. This is as fortunate as the Rays will get all year. So you’re saying Chirinos isn’t worth it? Let me put it this way. Yonny? More like Yawny. I wish I didn’t ask. Me too.

Jon Lester – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. Whoa whoa whoa, Lester, this is supposed to be entering a spiraling descent, what is this? Ohhh right, he’s still at #40 on The List as starts like this are still possible. I’d be selling high if you own him, but he should still be helpful through the year. Probably.

Joey Lucchesi – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. I almost led with Joey, but I’m anticipating a little more excitement over Pivetta. I need to quell both of it, as Lucchesi really isn’t someone you want to pursue. Think Newcomb with worse strikeout ability and a worse curveball, but slightly better fastball command and a touch fewer walks. But we don’t like Newcomb and that sounds like the same value. You’re on point tonight. I’ve been working out.

David Price – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Aces gonna ace. That’s 14 shutout innings thus far from Price. I hope y’all don’t think he’s still hurt.

Steven Brault – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks. Brault, if you want me to ever take you seriously, you have to get rid of this whole “I’m going to walk four guys” thing. First of all, it’s Five guys, not Four guys, and you have to work on proper grammar. You can do better Probably, but this is what you’re getting. You see this disappointment Brault? That’s what you do to owners.

Andrew Cashner – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. I Cashed Out and expected a horrible start from Cashner. What we got was a dope line and Orioles fan staring at the TV in disbelief. Just like they drew it up. Do you think tha— No. Please don’t add Cashner.

Jacob deGrom – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Aces gonna kinda ace. Just give me like one or two more Ks, alright?

Kyle Gibson – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Gibson, you know that 3 whiffs is like the exact opposite of what you did last week right? And you understand this means we’re donezo, right? Yeah…. Now’s when I do that popular thing of walking away hoping they pull me back in. Seduce me again Gibson.

Robbie Ray – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 5 BBs, 9 Ks. I can’t be the only one that finds it ridiculous that this start is great all the way through, even with five walks to his name. It’s like your friend who doesn’t study for the test but gets a better grade than you.

James Paxton – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Yeah, I’ll definitely take this from Pax. Way to bring back the velocity of touching 97/98 and slinging cutters like it’s your J-O-B.

Daniel Mengden – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. I don’t believe in Mengden being anything more than a super rare streamer. It’s just not for me, Meng.

Martin Perez – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks. If you started Perez tonight, you made a Grave Mistake.

James Shields – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks. If James were to be in the armory supplier business, his slogan would be “OK Shields”. I kinda wish he had 0 strikeouts instead of one so that would work a little better, but let’s be honest. He’d made em out of twigs and whatever grass he could find. During WWII.

Caleb Smith – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 6 BBs, 4 Ks. Ugggggh. He still had 13 whiffs in this game – fourth best on the day – and I wonder if he’ll suddenly be that sleeper later this year, but six walks? Seriously? You sound like my grandpa bragging at the old folks home. Oh Janice, you went for two walks this week? I HAD SIX. Oh I’m taking the loss here too. I deserve it. Streaming Record: 2-4 There’s plenty of time left, don’t worry about me.

Masahiro Tanaka – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. If you’re curious like me, Tanaka is going even deeper, this time throwing just 19 four-seamers + sinkers + cutters in favor of sliders and splitters + 1 curveball across 93 pitches. I love it, you should love it, and you’ll take this start and the many others ahead.

Adam Wainwright – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks. Flaherty was taken from us for this. FOR THIS. Like he did to Beltran, Waino has once again taken the hopes and dreams away from thousands. Not millions? Come on, not that many people are such masochists that they root for the Mets.

Homer Bailey – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. Awww man. I was hoping Bailey was going to build off his start against the Nats last week and this was everything I remember hating about Homer Bale in season’s past. Welp, on to the next guy.

Stephen Strasburg – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Blegh. We know Stras is better, it’s just painful to see this. We’ll get through this like we got past the first season of GoT after…well you know.

Brent Suter – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. You shouldn’t be surprised, we knew this would happen Suter or later.

Jordan Zimmermann – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Yep, that’s Zimmermann alright. I’m a little upset I didn’t pick him for the WHERST, but you live and learn. Then get Luvs.

Today’s Streamer

CC Sabathia vs. Baltimore Orioles – The D’Ohs are bad and CC has a long-time track record of doing well against them + a decent chance at a Win.

Tomorrow’s Streamer

Mike Minor vs. Toronto Blue Jays – I’m not too afraid of the Jays and I think Minor has it in him to spin off a good outing. I’d also consider Andrew Triggs against the Angels.

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

Reynaldo Lopez vs. Detroit Tigers – A pretty easy one given how well he performed against the Jays last time out.

Game of the Day

Luis Castillo vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – The first game wasn’t so pretty, but I have faith it’s going to be a lot better today.

You Are The WHERST

Daniel Gossett vs. Los Angeles Angels – I’m trying to go a little against the grain, turning down McCarthy in Coors or Perdomo against the Astros. Gotta get creative.