Let’s take a moment and talk about universally pre-season praised Felix Hernandez and how owners are in denial that the King is the main reason their pitching is in the dumpster. Yesterday against the Red Sox, he had one of the worst SP outings we’ve seen all year with 2.1 IP, 10 ER, 12 Hits, 1 BB, 2 Ks. There is a reason we call this getting “Felix’d” as it’s the fourth time all season he’s allowed at least 7 ER. Currently, Felix is still hanging on in the Top 10, but it’s time for a major change. I’m not sure exactly where yet, but think near the back end of the Top 20, maybe a little farther. I don’t blame you for benching him in his next start, and while we have to believe he gets back on the right track, you have to be patient as we regain our trust.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Chris Archer – 5.1 IP, 7 ER, 11 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Speaking of getting Felix’d, Archer had a very disappointing start, albeit it wasn’t quite a “Felix” since most of the damage came in a horrible 6th inning. It’s the second time this season he’s allowed at least 7 ER, but only the fifth that he’s allowed over 3 ER. So we cool Archer, I’m sure you’ll hit the bullseye next time.
Masahiro Tanaka – 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks. Most likely the best start we’ll see all year from Tanaka as he shut down the Blue Jays of all teams. He hasn’t been the bonafide ace that he was in the first half of 2014, but those who have trusted him this year have been served a decent ERA with an incredible 4.55 K/BB.
Justin Verlander – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. So now that’s back-to-back 0 ER starts from Verlander and you may be thinking that he’s on to something. Then you relaize he had an xFIP of about 4.00 in both of those games…I wouldn’t be chasing after JV unless I needed to take the chance to boost my K numbers and my ERA/WHIP could bounce back if they took a major hit.
Patrick Corbin – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks. A solid outing from Corbin and he’s capable of producing like this time to time. I wouldn’t be depending on him to carry my team to the ship, but he’s a Top 50 guy here on out and should stay there.
Tyler Duffey – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hit, 5 BBs, 7 Ks. Much better than his debut, but the five walks are very disconcerting for the future. I don’t think he turns into much.
Collin McHugh – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. Ah, the McHugh of old. That’s three straight starts with a FIP under 2.00 and he has 21 Ks over that span. He gets the Rays next, and I love that matchup.
Wade Miley – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks. Am I stepping slightly into the water in hopes of jumping in? Nah, I haven’t even parked my car yet.
Johnny Cueto – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Kinda. Give me more Ks next time…or else. Or else what? Or else I’ll probably lose Ks next week :(
Chris Bassitt – 8.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BB, 6 Ks. Bassitt is hanging around in the 60s and I think that’s where he’ll be for a bit, maaaaybe a slight upgrade to the 50s, but let’s not get hasty. There is some expected regression here.
Charlie Morton – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BB, 9 Ks. You realize Morton has only punched out more than 6 batters twice all season, right? His previous season high was seven.
John Lackey – 8.1 IP, 2 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BB, 6 Ks. You’ll take this from Lackey, and it’s been a bit shocking at how consistent he’s been this season.
Josh Tomlin – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. If you’re in a K/BB league, I’d be eyeing Tomlin in a 12 teamer. He’s a low BB, decent K machine and while his stuff won’t keep a low ERA, there’s value to be had. His biggest weakness is the longball though, so keep that in mind when thinking of future matchups.
Colby Lewis – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Yeaaaahhh, this isn’t all too exciting and it’s the best start you’ve had for a bit.
Jerome Williams – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Jerome, we all know that we can’t trust you, so can you please go back to being a notoriously bad pitcher so I can keep saying “Stop Jeroming!” and feel like I’m cool?
Jimmy Nelson – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Our Call Boy did…fine. It’s not a stream that makes you super proud of yourself, but you’ll take the decent ERA/WHIP and 6 Ks.
Jon Gray – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. He did this inside of Coors, which is the most impressive part to me. Sure, it was against the Padres, but still impressive. He should be startable when playing outside of Denver.
Marco Estrada – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Bleeggghh. I don’t trust Estrada.
Jake Arrieta – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Awww, only 5 Ks from Arrieta? Sure this doesn’t hurt you, but you want more from a Top 10 guy.
Miguel Gonzalez – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Miguel…no.
Jonathon Niese – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Niese is as middling as they come, and I doubt anyone is surprised by this outing.
Jose Quintana – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BB, 4 Ks. Even when it’s not a great start from Quintana, he has a good enough floor that it’s not all that bad.
Brett Anderson – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Blegh. Brett, I feel like you’re really close to being a great value pitcher, but you just can’t strikeout enough guys and get Singled Out too often.
Andrew Cashner – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. He really is super bad. I don’t have a good reason for why he’s still in the Top 75. When was the last time you got a start from Cashner that you said “Awesome!”
Brad Hand – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 11 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. What did the five fingers say to the face? HAND. Because he slaps you in the face when you start him. It sounded better in my head, okay?
Jake Peavy – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. You know what they call it Jacob’s Ladder? Oh, you don’t? Dang, I was hoping you’d tell me. Maybe it’s because it’s really easy to fall when Peavy starts? I’M THE ONE WHO MAKES THE JOKES AROUND HERE.
Mike Foltynewicz – 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BB, 5 Ks. I really liked Folty. I really did. I question if he’ll continue to get a chance to start next season, but if he does, there is a slight chance that he’s an ultra sleeper and people will finally learn how to spell Foltynewicz.
Gio Gonzalez – 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. As if I needed reinforcement to tell y’all that Gio is not your dude.
Matt Shoemaker – 1.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks. The clock struck midnight last time out, and it takes a while before it returns. You mean like 24 hours? Get out of my article.
David Holmberg – 2.0 IP, 7 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 0 Ks. David brought his slingshot expecting to face Goliath, but instead it was his brother, Shmoliath.
Today’s Streamers
Taylor Jungmann vs. Philadelphia Phillies – He’s a groundball specialist who can churn out a victory and gather the Ks along the way.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
NONE – There really isn’t a great matchup for you to go with here. First you have CC Sabathia against the Twins where he could get a Win, but it’ll be at the cost of a good ERA/WHIP. Then you’d consider Chris Tillman vs. Oakland, but he hasn’t looked the same since his ankle injury. You could consider Carlos Rodon after his 11 K night, but he’s a Cherry Bomb and taking a big risk like that on Monday isn’t ideal. If you need something, consider those options and see what you’re game for.
Game of the Day
Madison Bumgarner vs. Joe Ross – It’s an ace in Bumgarner vs. the exciting fresh stuff in Ross. That’s my kind of ballgame.