There are a bunch of pitchers that have been all over the place this season, let it be of the injury variety (Clayton Kershaw), the over performing (Colby Lewis), or the flat out disappointments (Patrick Corbin…). One that we haven’t talked a whole lot about lately is Steven Matz who entering today had a 5.31 ERA across his previous seven starts. So of course he went 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks against the Marlins and I for one am super excited to see what looks to be a healthy Matz cruising through a lineup again. There is obviously a decent amount of concern still surrounding him given what feels like an inevitability to hit the DL at some point in the next year or so, but for now the kid is back on his game with an added Slider that is working wonders. He’s the perfect target for someone who needs to take a chance to get back into the game as there might be an owner who believes this start changes nothing.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
J.A. Happ – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks. Happ has been kinda killing it over his last 10 starts (3.43 ERA, 3.77 FIP/3.82 xFIP, 8.50 K/9, 2.39 BB/9) and he just keeps flying high as he shut down the Mariners. Sure, those four walks aren’t encouraging and he needs his command to be top notch to get by since his stuff just isn’t all that good, but he’s locked in right now and it would be silly to deny him those starts on your squad at this point.
Jose Quintana – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. So are we all just accepting that Quintana’s blip was just that and he’s A-OK now? Yeah, I think I’m cool with this.
Jesse Hahn – 7.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Yeah, no. I refuse to believe this is the start of something amazing from Hahn.
Jose Urena – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. It’s his second start of the season after being a reliever all year and I’m sure there will be a group of owners that are snatching Urena up after this. Two starts of one earned run ball! Just don’t. Please. Don’t do it. He was a horrid reliever and there’s no reason to believe that this is anything but small sample size. It’s going to hurt and it could easily happen next time out against the Cardinals.
Tyler Chatwood – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 8 BBs, 6 Ks. Chatwood has limited upside, pitches his home games at Coors Field, and doesn’t deserve a spot on your team. This should be the blurb for every Colorado starter not named Gray and maybe even Gray.
Corey Kluber – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. Just shave off one more ER please Kluber. You already have that studly WHIP and K rate, just go 2 ER instead of 3, okay?
Vance Worley – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. It’s really too bad having zero prospects in your farm that you can’t deal for another starter and are forced to toss Worley out there with some regularity. But he did well tonight! And I play piano twice a year. Doesn’t mean I can play Moonlight Sonata without a hitch. One of these days…
Junior Guerra – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. Guerra had the tough job of limiting the Cubs’ offense and he did that…with a little help from his friends. And when I say friends, I mean the baseball gods who graced him with just one unearned run despite 9 baserunners and only two strikeouts. That 4.41 FIP and 5.72 xFIP from this outing is more hideous than that one time I tried to make a soufflé. Did you know that you’re supposed to add eggs?! Whatever, Guerra gets the Pirates and Pads (sounds like a female-led Pirate Electronic band) next and you best be rolling with him through that.
Wade Miley – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Stop it Miley. There’s a better chance that Roger Clemens comes out of retirement to sign with the Yankees again than me picking you up.
A.J. Griffin – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Griffin had a decent rebound but has done little to get me back on his side. Thanks for nothing.
Nathan Eovaldi – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. This looks like a classic Eovaldi start, with maybe one more ER or so and one too many Ks. It’s enough to make think ehhhhhh, but not enough for you outright drop him nor get excited for owning him.
Edinson Volquez – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Volquez is a Toby once again as this start reeks of debateable milk. The sell by date is tomorrow, but I’m not so sure if I should be drinking this…
Blake Snell – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. I was hoping for a bit more from Snell given that he did oh-so-well inside of Coors last time and surely a date in O.Co would be better. Well our Call Boy wasn’t terrible, but it was a bit lacking in the WHIP/Strikeout departments. So it goes.
Rick Porcello – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. Love the Ks, hate that he got burned for another two earned runs in his final inning. Keep sticking with Porcello, who is now 13-2, by the way. Doesn’t it feel good when such off-handed comments are so positive? Oh, by the way, I now have an amazing loft overlooking Central Park. Sigh…
Mike Fiers – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. Ehhhh we’re still a long way apart from being buds again. We were buds?! Sure, whatever Fiers. THIS IS SO EXCITING!
Jameson Taillon – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. That K/BB is so nice, but he allowed a pair of solo shots that turned a productive outing all around into one that you feel a bit dirty enjoying. Like that classic Dusty Donut phrase I used to have way back when before abandoning. I just felt I could do better, you know? Why are we talking about your personal life? That’s a low blow man. Real low.
Scott Kazmir – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. Meh, I think Kaz has a little more in the tank than one would think given his 3.64 ERA (3.16 FIP and 3.65 xFIP) with a 10.34 K/9 over his previous 9 starts, but that’s inflated by a single 10 K night and I just can’t find myself getting too excited about Kaz. I mean, obviously hold him in a 12 teamer, but don’t get too enamored.
Vince Velasquez – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. It’s an interesting situation with VV, as I think he’s overrated but at the same time there are a bunch of pitchers that fail to instill excitement hanging out in the 50s, forcing me to lift Velasquez farther than I think he ought to be. He really should have done better than this against the Buckos, though.
Anibal Sanchez – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. Don’t wait for Sanchez to call you back despite the super cool plans you have ready to go. He’s a huge flake.
Jon Lester – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 7 Ks. Is a demotion in order for Lester? He’s starting to express a horrid 4.00 FIP and 3.68 xFIP, his strikeout rate is a good, but not great 8.68 K/9, and he walked at least three batters for the third straight game. Something is clearly up with the fella. I’ll probably do some digging tomorrow, but in the short term be cautious.
Lucas Giolito – 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks. Giolito got called up once again for the Nats against San Diego and promptly showed why we’ve been calling him undeveloped. Give the kid more time in the minors and he can be great. This is only hurting his confidence and slowing down his development. Anyway, it’s up in the air if he gets another start in the majors (please bring on Austin Voth already), so don’t hold on tight.
Jeff Samardzija – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Loose Lips is still sinking ships. I’m curious if my bold preseason prediction that he’d be outside the Top 50 SP by season’s end will come to fruition – he’s currently #46 on ESPN’s Player Rater for starting pitchers…
Brandon Finnegan – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. He’s a Young Gun in the youngest sense of the term. There’s still a lot of work to be done here, but the Reds just don’t care at this point.
Zack Godley – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Ah yes, The False God. No need to spend time here.
Christian Friedrich – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks. It must have been weird being held back so much during your days in Colorado, you know?
Tommy Milone – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Milone Schmilone.
Tyrell Jenkins – 3.1 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks. This is as Cup of Schmo as it gets.
Mike Mayers – 1.1 IP, 9 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. Well…same with Mayers. Both are Schmo, okay?
Tim Lincecum – 1.1 IP, 8 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks. Wait, so The Freak isn’t going to make a fantasy impact after all? Shocking.
Today’s Streamers
Jake Peavy vs. Cincinnati Reds – There is pretty much no one I want to start on Monday, so we’re going with Peavy since he gets the Reds and has had some success that could be repeated. Congrats Jake, hope you feel special.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Bud Norris vs. Tampa Bay Rays – I imagine many are giving up on Norris – wrongly so – which means you can jump on board for what looks to be a solid day at the park.
Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer
Adam Conley vs. Philadelphia Phillies – Conley can do well given a weak opponent in front of him. Other options include his opponent Zach Eflin, as well as Tyler Duffey against the Braves if you need some K upside in your life.
Game of the Day
Drew Pomeranz vs. Justin Verlander – I want to see how Pomeranz rebounds after his clunker of a fourth inning last time out. Meanwhile, I want Jimmy V to continue being a baller.