Clay’s Off For The Playoffs

I know this opening blurb is wasted on Clayton Kershaw as you’re obviously still starting him despite his 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks game against the Phillies, I just felt it was necessary to say that he is off his game. And it’s weird. I had to go back to May of 2015 to see Kershaw allow at least 4 ER in two of three games. Before that? June of 2011 with two straight 6 ER games. It’s really really weird. He hung a terrible Slider to Aaron Altherr that Kershaw gets down all the time and it was smacked for a four-run homer (they should have a name for that). I don’t talk about real baseball in these roundups at all, but it’s hard not to be concerned about Clayton for the playoffs ahead. Maybe he just needs a few more starts to get back into rhythm, maybe he’s going to continue his ridiculous “bad in the playoffs” legacy. At least he’s creating one for you now. Womp womp.

Let’s see how every other SP did yesterday:

Jaime Garcia – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks. Whoa, 9 Ks from Jaime! I watched a ton of this game and there’s nothing here that makes me think he can do this again, let alone how the Yanks want to give him the early hook in each start for their fantastic bullpen. Don’t go streaming Garcia now.

Brent Suter – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. In Suter’s last five starts, he’s lasted 5 innings just twice. Albeit, one was three frames after missing time in the majors and another he was clearly on a pitch count, but why else was he pulled after five yesterday? I don’t like it. Too small a margin of error and now he gets the Cubs then Reds. Nope.

Dan Straily – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 8 Ks. Straily did what he was supposed to do against the Mets, though this did come after 8 ER against the Phils and 3 ER against the Braves…and 4 ER against the Phils. Jeez, you just know how to inspire your troops, don’t you Straily? He also fanned a total of 17 in his four games prior to this 8 strikeout outburst, and now has to head to Arizona. Nope nope nope.

Luis Perdomo – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 6 BBs, 2 Ks. Oh, the one game you don’t go six innings is the one where I stream you, eh? But the ER is low! Sure, but a near 2.00 WHIP and just 2 Ks? Ugh, I have to take a tie here. Not to mention that I didn’t want y’all to roll with this one in the first place. Streamer Record 77-58-17.

Nick Pivetta – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks. Look at those strikeouts against the Dodgers! Sure didn’t have the faith to start Pivetta here and I think we need to file him away as a desperate strikeout threat moving forward. I really don’t see him being a stable add in a 12-teamer next year, but occasional streaming could be there.

Raul Alcantara – 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. It was a bullpen game so let’s not waste any more time. Cool.

Ervin Santana – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Ehhhh, I’m a bit impressed as the Yankees are no slouches but just 3 Ks, an out away from a QS, no Win, and questionable WHIP? Meh.

Jameson Taillon – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. I watched a bit of this one and while I like that Taillon was nibbling like his former self, his Changeup isn’t at the place I was hoping it would be at by now. I need to temper my overall expectations for him come 2018, and while I think his Curveball has the potential to be a big strikeout pitch when mixed with his well-located heaters, the third pitch needs a lot more time. I wonder if we’ll really see him get there next year.

Matt Harvey – 4.0 IP, 7 ER, 12 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Yep, that’s Harvey alright. Here’s to hoping I can get excited about him again at some point in his career.

Patrick Corbin – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Corbin struggled out of the gate with all 4 ER coming off two HRs in the first two innings. The following three were much better with just an IBB and double in the way. It doesn’t make me totally avoid Corbin here on out and I think if you’re still playing next week, you still start him against the Marlins and Royals. Super annoying though, I know.

Buck Farmer – 2.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. Barmer, you’re doing little to rid yourself of your nickname.

Doug Fister – 2.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 0 Ks. We had caution entering this game for Fister, now we’re jumping back whenever we hear his name.

Dylan Bundy – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. He’s flashed brilliance, but also allowed 11 ER in two of his last three games as he may have hurt your playoff aspirations. Now he has one game left against the Rays that I think I’d let him ride for. Are you going to draft Bundy next season? I’m not sure I am. He’s too volatile for my tastes and might be a proper PEAS. Come at me Fast.

Today’s Streamer

Luiz Gohara vs. Washington Nationals – Not much to choose from here (assuming German Marquez is taken in your league), leaving Gohara who looked plenty better in his last start against the Nats.

Tomorrow’s Streamer

Jakob Junis vs. Toronto Blue Jays – I think Junis brings enough upside to make this the best streaming option. Tyler Chatwood against the Giants is another option but without the same ceiling.

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

Tyler Anderson vs. San Diego Padres – I know some of you are going to be chasing Danny Salazar against the Angels. I’m not doing that. I doubt he goes far in the game, he’s showed how inconsistent he can be, got demoted oh-so-recently and the Angels aren’t the “bad” offense you think they are with Mike Trout and Justin Upton.

Game of the Day

Aaron Nola vs. Yu Darvish – I live every day like it’s Nola day (New Shirt!) and we also have a possible feasting of Darvish against the Phils.