I’ve always found it interesting that A.J. Burnett’s name is essentially two sentences crammed together, but more interesting is the fact that he returned from the DL to give the Pirates a line of 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Now I really liked Burnett earlier in the season, but after those first two months, the whells came off, and Burnett has had a 4.43 ERA since May 28th with a poor 7.08 K/9. It only got worse the starts leading up to his injury, and this start doesn’t inspire confidence that you should put him in your corner in the closing weeks. Look, Burnett is retiring at the end of the season and he clearly isn’t going to hold anything back as he has nothing to save up for after this season. That means he’ll most likely be pitching through a hurt arm and not at 100% for the rest of the year, even if the Pirates keep limiting his pitches like last night (64 total). It doesn’t add up to inspiring hope that he’ll be in top form like the start of the year and if I had a decent staff already with Burnett on my DL, I would just let the ole Pirate float off into the waiver sea.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Felix Hernandez – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 8 Ks. The king is back, baby.
Tyson Ross – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. No walks from Ross? WHAT.
John Lamb – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 6 BBs, 6 Ks. The six walks are making me super uncomfortable and I’m surprised he was able to work out of it for five innings.
Wily Peralta – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. I don’t like you Peralta. Not in a cab with a drab, not in a jacuzzi with a floozy.
Bartolo Colon – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. The Big Apple is still producing..ish. Sure the ERA is serviceable but the WHIP is meh and the Ks are fewer than a typical Kimbrel evening.
Shelby Miller – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Meh, can’t say I’m shocked seeing this from Miller – he has a 4.23 ERA since July 30th – and I feel bad for those questioning if they should stick with Miller or move to Bud. Well, definitely don’t go with Norris who isn’t even starting anymore, and you obviously can’t go with Coors…or laStella because he doesn’t even pitch…screw it. Just go with liquor and pick up some Walker.
Danny Salazar – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Super bleghy from Salazar who had two inherited runners score in the 7th (thanks Cleveland bullpen). It hasn’t been a fun past few weeks for Salazar owners, and it’s not easy for Salazar to get back on track with two starts against Kansas City in his next three.
Jorge De La Rosa – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. De la Rosa 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. Well, Gray has some value outside of Coors.
Derek Holland – 7.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Our Call Boy couldn’t keep the magic alive and started acting like the pitcher I feared would show up. Why can’t I just trust my gut? Freakin’ Dutch.
Alfredo Simon – 6.2 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Across 27 starts this year, Simon has a 4.97 ERA. At least that 5.89 K/9 is keeping his value alive and well…
Jaime Garcia – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. Four walks from Garcia is all I need to know that this was simply an off night from the lefty. I expect him to bounce back next time out.
Today’s Streamers
Erik Johnson vs. Minnesota Twins – Tough decision here, but given that the Twins are a patient team with no Sano and how Johnson was pounding the zone, I think Erik can skate on by for a serviceable start.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Rick Porcello vs, Tampa Bay rays – I realllllly don’t like this start but Porcello has done well recently, and his only hiccup was against the Blue Jays. The other options don’t really sit well with me, so I guess I’m going with Ricky.
Game of the Day
David Price vs. Luis Severino – Because yesterday’s game got rained out, we get this start again and for real this time. Who doesn’t like playoff-esque ball games in early September?