A Self Maeda Man

I don’t really want to lead with Kenta Maeda but there’s not much else to talk about, with the only interesting event not even happening to a pitcher that started tonight and I can’t break the rules n all. So yeah, Maeda went 3.0 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks and some of you are upset. I get it. It’s weird seeing him toe the line with limited innings per start for so long and then suddenly explode like he’s been holding in his gut for so long. Dude, just four more starts and we were golden. If you’re worried about Maeda getting displaced when McCarthy returns, I wouldn’t. Ryu will get hurt, and Stripling/Stewart are not going to take his spot, the Dodgers will be the Dodgers. He’ll be good for your playoffs and we’ll be cool.

Let’s see how every other SP did yesterday:

Collin McHugh – 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Can’t help but think What happened?! when seeing this stat line, but McHugh had tallied over 90 pitches by the fifth and was pulled in a jam. No injuries, we cool. Bigger news is that the Astros just acquired Justin Verlander, which only helps his value (ROS schedule and higher Win chance), does nothing to McHugh’s, and essentially kills Brad Peacock’s. IT’S NOT FAIR. Now I’d wait a moment to see if they announce a six-man rotation but Charlie Morton gets the fifth spot with McCullers returning a week from Monday. So maybe one more start from Peacock and then we’re donezo. At least Mike Fiers is done? Watch this be a sad joke with Fiers getting #6 and Peacock heads to the pen. Don’t they know what they are doing to us?!

Zack Greinke – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Sorry, I’m still distracted by the whole Peacock thing. Will somebody please think of the Peacock?!

Jacob deGrom – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Nope, not good enough deGrom, still behind Greinke. But it was a VPQS…Yeah, you’re the VP, he’s the Prez. He even has a Z! Step it up.

Kyle Hendricks – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. It’s just so boring. BORING. But he got the Braves and he’s a good play. In fact, his schedule after this – @PIT, MIL, STL, @MIL, @STL is something I can get behind. Not like you were in one of the 10% of ESPN leagues where he’s on the wire, but yeah just go and start him and be cool n stuff.

CC Sabathia – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 6 Ks. I’m conflicted on Sabathia. On one hand, this is the 11th start of his last 15 where he’s allowed 2 ER or fewer – near a 75% chance. And that’s dope n all. But his strikeout rate is pretty dang bad, walks are up, and I’m not sure this is a risk you want to take. It really does depend on your league and situation, just don’t shy away from CC is the wire is that barren.

Michael Wacha – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Solid stuff from Wacha who hasn’t been all too consistent lately. Now he gets the Padres and Pirates next and we’re super happy.

Matt Cain – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. Cain started this game as Bumgarner was scratched due to “flu-like symptoms.” But I thought Beer gets drunk on Bumgarner? Um, stop talking about Bumgarner, Cain pitched. Why? It’s Cain. Can we talk about Bumgarner again? …Fine. Bumgarner’s cure for a hangover is smiling in the mirror. He never does that. BECAUSE HE’S NEVER HUNGOVER. Speaking of drunk…Heyyyooo, it’s just delirious Nick. Seriously, I wouldn’t do that to y’all.

Zach Davies – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Hey Davies, look at you having the toughest schedule of anyone and not caring about it. Alright, I’m going to change it a little come Monday as I think I messed up ranking the Nationals as a top tier offense. They are clearly reeling like my fishing rod every 10 seconds because I get bored when I fish and at least it’s something to do. I really would stay away from Davies ROS, for the record. It’s just such a tough schedule and I don’t think his upside is worth it.

Edward Lively – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Whoa, Rageddy Ann! Didn’t know you had it in you. Seriously, it was just Jharel cotton.

Nick Martinez – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. Martinez, stop confusing our readers. We all know you can’t strikeout guys on the regular just like I can’t say no to Aaron Nola. You’re my boy, Easy A.

Sean Newcomb – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. Even with the 7 strikeouts, you only got five innings, which makes this a 2.20 WHIP. Yikes.

Robert Stephenson – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. I feel like this is more of a testament to how bad the Mets offense is and less of Stephenson in a groove. Still, he gets the Brewers, Mets, Pirates next and I’m a little tempted to roll with him. Walks will be an issue and could do him in, but the Ks might be there too…make the right bets for your situation. Streamer Record 69-52-14. Magic number is 8!

Odrisamer Despaigne – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. It’s okay Odrisamer, at the end of the day you still have the sexiest name of all starters. Despaigne…

Bartolo Colon – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks. A VVPQS with 8 Ks from Paul Funyun? YES PLEASE.

Miguel Gonzalez – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. It’s a VPQS with 5 Ks, and you can’t ask for more from Gonzalez, but overall, you know the drill. Miguel…No.

Gio Gonzalez – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. Ouch. There was a part of me that was hoping Gio could squeeze out six more starts as maintained the massive disparity between his ERA and xFIP. Essentially I wanted that conversation with people saying “See, he did it the whole season!” to which I’d enjoy saying it wouldn’t happen next year. We still have a 1.70 point difference (2.58 ERA vs. 4.25) so there’s hope. There’s always hope. 

Eduardo Rodriguez – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. I led with Eduardo last time suggesting that you look elsewhere and he rewards me with an absolutely horrendous evening in the Bronx. Poor fella, I think he might be a bit of a steal next year for deeper leagues, possibly as your final arm for your staff. It’s a bit hard to expect more than that at this point.

Marco Estrada – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. I feel like with every small bit of momentum Estrada gets, he then runs into a pole and makes everyone upset once again. It’s a terrible cycle that you’re putting us through. Kinda like swimming in circles screaming POLO!

Jeremy Hellickson – 4.2 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. The Devil is real and he lives in Baltimore. Pfffft, we already knew that. Fast, stay out of my roundup.

Today’s Streamer

Chris Stratton vs. St. Louis Cardinals – It’s Stratton or Joe Biagini against the Orioles, and I’m leaning Stratton who has been feeling his Fastball/Curveball combination. Does this mean I have to take Biagini? Honestly, I’d rather roll the dice with Flaherty and if you scroll down you’ll see that I already said that I don’t like doing that. But here I am. Because I have to make streamer picks and I’m not going to give y’all a big ole “NONE” in September. That just seems wrong. So here: Jack Flaherty vs. San Francisco Giants. May the ghost of Bob Shepard have mercy on us all.

Tomorrow’s Streamer

Tyler Mahle vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – I don’t like this. At all. But I don’t want to trust A.J. Griffin anymore as he faces the Angels, and me and Jose Urena aren’t cool despite facing the Phils. I’ll take my chances that Mahle suffered from the jitters in his first start and finds a groove against a bad Pirates offense. Chris Stratton vs. St. Louis Cardinals – Cueto is taking the Friday start so now Stratton is call on Saturday. Yay.

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

Edwin Jackson vs. Milwaukee Brewers – Not only am I surprised to be endorsing Jackson, but I’m amazed I’m happy I get to. This season has been a weird one.

Game of the Day

Jack Flaherty vs. Johnny Cueto– Flaherty is making his MLB debut, which I wouldn’t be starting him for. I know it’s the Giants and his minor league numbers are cool n all but I really don’t like starting guys during their debuts. A) I don’t have all the intel I want yet without watching them first B) Jitters are a thing and C) All the numbers we have are not the same as facing MLB hitting. But hey, this should be fun and I’m all for snatching him first and assessing after. Oh, and I guess Cueto is back but whatever.