Check The Mike

I wish I had good things to tell you about Mike Clevinger after his 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks outing against the Red Sox, but I don’t. Just six whiffs across 81 pitches, velocity hovering at a mediocre 91.8mph, he allowed HRs off a poorly placed Fastball and a massively hung Slider, and four walks in under five innings is flat out terrible. I just don’t know what to do with him. On one hand, I know he can show up and dominate – he did so across multiple stretches this year – while he often looks flat out lost in starts and makes you question why you were ever a fan in the first place. He’s turning into a PEAS right in front of eyes, but I’m willing to ease off that full label and give him the Cherry Bomb name first. Here’s to hoping he can be sweeter more than destructive against the Royals next time out. My gut is saying he can help you there, but that’s a tough bet to make.

Let’s see how every other SP did yesterday:

Eduardo Rodriguez – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. I debated leading with Eduardo instead as he’s kinda in the same boat. I just can’t get myself fully on board as his command is far from where it needs to be. Too many deep counts and not enough starts where he finds a good rhythm throughout. I still want to own him, but I’m not liking it as much as I want to be.

Gerrit Cole – 6.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. And what is this Cole? You’re supposed to be the King of Really Good, not a shmuck who gets torched for five runs as we begin to show trust in you. Alright, this was a Careful Icarus situation as he allowed a Grand Slam in the seventh on his 112th pitch, so let’s just not do that again, okay?

Chris Stratton – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. It’s really boring and far from appealing, but this totally works as my Call Boy for the night. I feel kinda dirty taking it, but whatever. Streamer Record 66-47-14.

Taijuan Walker – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. It’s just the second time all year Walker hasn’t allowed a run, but it’s the third straight game of 4 Ks or fewer. In fact, he’s now done that in 10 of his 21 games. That’s a really bad stat. My mother told me that if I didn’t have a good stat to say, then I shouldn’t say anything at all. You aren’t allowed to talk about Yovani Gallardo, are you? He’s a very nice man.

Dillon Gee – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Golly, Gee. I didn’t know it was your birthday.

Robert Gsellman – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. We are still so far away from being at the point where I want to own Gsellman again. Not worth the risk to chase this yet.

Zach Davies – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. So I get that four of Davies’ last six starts had 1 ER or fewer prior to this one, but he really just doesn’t have much upside to chase. Including this start, he’s tallied 11 Ks in four games. That’s absolutely miserable.

Cole Hamels – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Ehhhhh it’s really boring and I don’t trust that Hamels is able to find consistency after being soooo inconsistent this season. And two strikeouts? Really?

Wade Miley – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks. Sure, whatever Miley.

Carlos Rodon – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks. And Rodon just keeps cruising along as he’s faced tough offenses. It’s just five games so I can’t give him the full APPEASED treatment, but yes I want him everywhere.

Andrew Albers – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. When I said that you should make AA a part of your life, I didn’t mean this.

Alex Wood – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. You want better than a PQS from Wood as he faced the Pirates. But you also got a sparkling WHIP and 5 Ks, so I guess we’re cool. Except SIKE, we’re not cool. Why aren’t we cool? Because his velocity was just 90.5mph. Oh that’s bad. Yeah, that’s really really bad. I’m worried, y’all.

Tyler Skaggs – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. But Skaggs! This was supposed to be your good start for the week. The good one! Blegh, I really hate trusting Skaggs and I’m glad I came to my senses and picked Stratton over him.

Chris Smith – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. If only Snowflake was unique in a good way instead of being terrible, you know?

Tim Melville – 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Melville isn’t your white whale holy grail.

Mike Foltynewicz – 5.2 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. And this is why we don’t want anything to do with Folty. He’s a PEAS and what do we do with PEAS? We pass them! That’s right children.

Carson Fulmer – 1.1 IP, 6 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks. Fulmer got himself a start for the White Sox and it was everything he dreamed it wouldn’t be. I’ve seen some people stashing Carson for dynasty leagues and I wouldn’t touch the guy. Don’t you know? It’s the wrong Fulmer!

Today’s Streamer

Nick Pivetta vs. Miami Marlins – This was a tough one as I was oddly tempted to take possible Dodger starter Brock Stewart against the Pirates, but he’ll be limited pitch-wise as he hasn’t been stretched out. Then there’s Clayton Richard against the Cardinals, but come on, that’s the wrong Clayton. The last choice was Paul Blackburn against the Orioles, which could work, but that reads super prone to getting lit up and I’d rather chase Pivetta’s strikeout upside instead.

Tomorrow’s Streamer

Andrew Heaney vs. Texas Rangers – I don’t think he’ll allow 4 HR again and the other options are Matt Moore vs the Brewers , who I never want to trust and Austin Pruitt against the Jays, which just doesn’t seem like it has a high enough ceiling.

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

Jerad Eickhoff vs. Miami Marlins – Fortunately y’all dropped Eickhoff down below 25% so he’s back on the table as there was nothing else to choose here. Phew.

Game of the Day

Lucas Giolio vs. Minnesota Twins – I’m stoked for this one and check for my GIF Breakdown for FanGraphs on Wednesday morning as we get a new look at what Big Gio has been up to.