I’m sure there were a lot of people super pumped about the return of Taijuan Walker yesterday, and that ended pretty dang poorly with a line of 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks. Here’s my take away from this and it’s going to be quick: The first quick hit is mention my theory about starting guys after extended DL stints and here’s exhibit ZMY (we’ve had so many, we needed more letters). While Walker says his foot is healed, I don’t trust that for a second. It’s going to be something we hear about again this season and I can’t expect him to be a Top 30 guy ROS. It’s just how it is. Now if you want to sell, by all means though it may be a better bet to let him have a good start under his belt and sell while people think he’s turning it around.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Jake Arrieta – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Aces gonna ace. He’s still Top 10 as he trounces weak teams with ease.
Corey Kluber – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. Aces gonna ace. I think Kluber is being vastly underrated, FWIW.
Chris Archer – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. Now this is getting pretty cool. Archer keeps on rolling, especially against the Twins that have given so many pitchers tough outings lately. I’m liking what I’m seeing, though I am still cautious about the Jays/Sawx/O’s matchups he could have in early September that might bust your playoff hopes. I’d be tempted to sell high if someone is trusting Archer to be back for good despite that fact that I like rolling with for the next few weeks.
Ross Stripling – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Instead of Jose De Leon we got Stripling, which was the right choice not because of how Stripling actually did, but because De Leon has looked like De Agneau in the minors lately. Anyway, don’t go after Stripling, he might be an occasional streaming choice if he gets more chances but even that is questionable.
Carlos Rodon – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. Probably the most intriguing line of the night came from Sir Rodon as he came back from the DL. He’s a PEAS as there is clear upside here, but I’m not ready to jump all over it just yet. Obviously start him again Miami, though I would be hesitant to be trusting him too much in a 10 teamer. We’ll see I need time with this one.
Danny Duffy – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Sure it’s not 16 Ks or whatever, but you best be happy Duffy is still soaring high on your squad.
Tyler Skaggs – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. So you probably read our Breakdown of Skaggs and noticed that I led with Skaggs in the SP Roundup after his first two starts. So you know the drill: Skaggs doesn’t have incredible stuff that forces him to rely on his great command to succeed. That command was questionable yesterday, and he got punished by the Mariners when he missed his spot over the plate. It’s the floor that you’re going to have to deal with as an owner. He’s so fresh in his season that we don’t know how much we’ll see him featuring great command and how much will be starts like these. How much you want to play with that risk is up to you. Personally, I see it coming back a bit better than this but it makes you think. Like the wise Olmec once said, the choice is yours and yours alone.
Matt Cain – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. He was Abel and that is the last time I make that joke. I swear.
Ivan Nova – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. Searage has fixed him! Ehhhh don’t buy that just yet. This was the Reds after all. Not sure how I feel about that start against the Dodgers. Leaning no.
Matt Garza – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Would you look at that. For once, Garza isn’t making owners feel like this.
Sonny Gray – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. I guess this is better Gray faced the Cubs, which definitely earns him some bonus points. Still don’t like him ROS.
Doug Fister – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. 1 ER and just 2 Ks? Yep, that’s a Fister start alright. Too bad that WHIP is a beating, though.
Chris Tillman – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. You can’t spell Win with Tillman. He’s been pretty bleghy in his last ten starts and this is just more of the same at this point.
Lucas Harrell – 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks. Harrell had 92 pitches in under four innings because, you know, he’s Harrell.
Chad Bettis – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Bettis 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.
Paul Clemens – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. Just don’t.
CC Sabathia – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. Come on, this has been donezo for a loonnnggg time.
Roberto Hernandez – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Hernandez is back at it again??? I’M SO HAPPY – Said no fantasy player ever. :(
Matt Boyd – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Ehhhhhh this is pretty bleghy and not what we were looking for. It’s time to start Boyd watching again. :-/
Jose Berrios – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Speaking of Ehhhhh, Berrios is still not fully polished with his stuff. It looked a little better than I what I saw on Tuesday, but not the level that we need from him.
Aaron Sanchez – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Oh great, I’m soooo happy that you’ll now be in the rotation the rest of the season. Nah, I keed I am, though it’s tough to endure a start like this when he isn’t an elite strikeout guy. I’m thinking mid 20s or so on Monday.
Eduardo Rodriguez – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. He was pulled 88 pitches as he ran into major trouble in the fifth inning. There’s some hope in EDU, but he’s too much of a wild card for me to be investing heavily in him at this time.
Stephen Strasburg – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. Strasburg cruised through three, then had a tough fourth where he struck on the side but walked in a run and allowed three straight singles as well. Womp womp. Still love the kid.
Patrick Corbin – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks. Yeah yeah yeah, Corbin is terrible and it’s super sad to see. Let’s move on or I’ll be forced to continue chopping these onions. I’M HUNGRY, OKAY?
Carlos Martinez – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. I’ve been saying he’s overrated for quite a while now and he’s not doing himself any favors these days. Let’s be real, this was the Braves we’re talking about as he allowed a pair of three run tates (Dammit Alex!) mixed in with an unearned run. The window to sell might still be there given his 3.29 ERA, and I’d be exiting stage right. Or left. Not sure about theater lingo, just ain’t my thing, you know?
Andrew Cashner – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Ahhh okay. Let’s all go Cash Out again.
Homer Bailey – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Most disappointing start of the day goes too…Well duh you know it’s Bailey. He’s better than this and sometimes it just doesn’t go your way. Bailey went out there for the fourth, allowed two singles and of course both came in from the “relief” arm of Josh Smith. Whaddyagonnado. I think you should keep holding onto to him in 12 teamers.
Jake Thompson – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. This debut wasn’t really supposed to go well and while he could be a decent streamer here and there, Thompson doesn’t enough upside despite his good command to warrant a heavy stare.
Logan Verrett – 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Man, they really need Harvey back + Thor/Matz pitching well…
Today’s Streamers
Zach Eflin vs. San Diego Padres – You may be calling me crazy after his last two starts, but those weren’t streamable Eflin outings. This one is and that changes things y’all. So Jake Thompson is getting a crack at the majors on Saturday, which means Eflin gets pushed a day to Monday. If you need a Sunday stream, the best option is most likely Archie Bradley against the Brewers, though be mindful of his floor.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Jerad Eickhoff vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – He’s owned juuuust over 30% of ESPN leagues (should be at least 50% but whatever) and he’s the only one I’d consider rolling with.
Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer
Mike Leake vs. Cincinnati Reds – I know I know. I’m not feeling great about it either. He’s been so bad in his last three starts…but this is the Reds! It’s totally possible he turns it around, and if you’d rather do Mike Fiers against the Twins or Wade Miley against the A’s then by all means. I have a feel this should be the best of the lot.
Game of the Day
Joe Musgrove vs. Yu Darvish – AWWWW YEAH. This is going to be super fun to watch. Yes I’ll be writing up a GIF Breakdown on Musgrove later today so expect that in the morning – just please don’t go sucking on me Musgrove and make me skip over a fun evening of work.