Finally Fried

Can’t say I expected to be leading with Max Fried tonight, but after he dazzled the Cubs with a 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks line, I wanted to jump all of the waiver wire questions. In short, he’s good, but Coors is next and not worth the roster spot now. I’d describe Fried not as a great command pitcher, but “not wild.” He hovered the zone plenty with both his heater and curveball, rarely missing by a sizeable amount and truly wasting a pitch. He had some 96mph paint with his fastball and some stunning deuces, though there were some hittable fastballs that found gloves as well. He toyed with a changeup and slider as well, though I’d be surprised if either really turned into a proper third option. And that’s okay, his fastball/curveball can make him a contender to out-survive Kyle Wright once Folty returns to the rotation. I foresee a bit of a Cherry Bomb nature from him moving forward and someone to own when not facing tough opponents. There’s a small chance at a legit breakout, but he’s still behind the other popular Spice Girl options that are either on your roster or staring at you on the wire. Remember, Coors next. Sit on your hands.

Let’s see how every other SP did Thursday:

Trevor Bauer – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 6 BBs, 8 Ks. Aces gonna ace. We all got him as our SP #1, right?

Jordan Lyles – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. Sure, whatever Lyles. I’m just glad to be here. Yeah, we know.

Tyler Mahle – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. So Baseball Savant has Mahle’s breaker as a slider, though coming in at 80mph, I’m wondering if it as an adapted curveball. Either way, the pitch was super meh and his fastball did all the work – per usual. If only he had a decent secondary pitch…But Nick! This was a great start and he didn’t have it! Sure, and Lyles matched him for five innings. Baseball is a weird, weird game. I’m not investing in Mahle and I suggest you don’t either.

Stephen Strasburg – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Don’t forget these days when he allows another 4 ER in a start.

Alex Cobb – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Cobb, buddy, pal, stop wasting our time.

Aaron Sanchez – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Hey, this is what we were looking for our of Sanchez. Nothing spectacular, but serviceable. Is he worth the pickup? Well, I don’t like that his increased velocity disappeared in this one, actually dropping below last year’s mark while earning just 9 total whiffs and 21/89 CSW. These aren’t good things. He got the Tribe here and gets the Sawx next. No thanks, not on my watch. Streaming Record: 4-3.

Noah Syndergaard – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Look at this strikezone plot. See how few red dots are at the bottom half of the zone? IT’S WHAT YOU WANT.

Spencer Turnbull – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks. His first start of the year certainly slowed down the hype train, but this outing against the Royals is going to put a ton of coal back into the furnace. 33/91 CSW is lovely with 15 whiffs, featuring at-bats where his cutting fastball ate up left-handers, a big curveball that fell under the zone, and a shockingly hard slider that induced a 29% swinging-strike rate. He has the tools to succeed, though there is a touch of polish missing from the entire repertoire to truly hint at a Top 25 SP season like Buehler/Wheeler/Flaherty/etc. from last year. I’m intrigued and would love to roster him for his next start against Cleveland at the very least. Yes, over Fried.

Edinson Volquez – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks. Fans will forever be disappointed in Volquez, despite Nintendo’s best cheerleading efforts with Let’s Go EV.

Brett Anderson – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks. Yep, that’s the Anderson we all know and hate.

Yu Darvish – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. I watched this one as I was incredibly curious to see where Darvish would be in his second outing. Like you and you, and definitely Yu, I was disappointed but I’m not out. Good velocity and a filthy breaking ball, Darvish never really got settled in with his changeup or curveball, utilizing a mix of sliders and cutters to pair with his heater. The fastball command wasn’t like it has been in the past and the whole start felt shaky. There is very much of a Top 25 starter in here, though, and I think this is a perfect buy-low opportunity for worried owners. I see someone not hurt but shaking off rust and while the Cubs may limit him a little in the next start or two, you have a fantastic opportunity to get a strong starter for cheap. Go and get him as the low cost should make it worth the risk.

Jake Junis – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks. A VPQS with 8 strikeouts from Junis? I’ll take that any day. Even on a Thursday! How about Monday? Yep! On a Monday. Tuesday? Sure. Wednes– Please stop.

James Paxton – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks. It’s pretty disappointing to see Paxton with these ratios, especially against the Orioles, but hey at least you salvaged nine strikeouts right? Kinda? I’m not worried as he’s still missing bats regularly – 20 whiffs here, good for the Gallows Pole – and I feel your frustration.

Matt Harvey – 4.0 IP, 8 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Uh oh. Hey Harvey, do you mind not allowing a pair of longballs for 5 ER? I like that you’re missing bats across your repertoire – 16 whiffs! – but the inconsistency is keeping you on the wire. I could see him going on a stretch during the year and I don’t mean touching his toes. I am jealous that he can do that, though.

Eduardo Rodriguez – 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. I considered leading with The Uni (Edu) because he’s acting a whole like a bomber. Just five swings and misses across 84 pitches as he had zero feel for his changeup. Seriously, 0/16 on whiffs with the slow ball is atrocious for Erod, amplifying how his cutter just isn’t where we want it to be despite the spring hype. I’m not saying flat-out drop the man – he still deserves to be owned in 12-teamers – but if there is a phenomenal option on the wire and Edu is the clear outlier on your staff, I think you’re okay making the swap. Sure, he could recover and make you a very happy owner before the inevitable injury, but boy is he far from his ceiling right now. 

Today’s Streamer

 

For those unaware, I’m forced to make my Streamer picks under the condition of sub 20% owned in Fantasy Pros’ consolidated ownership rates.

Trent Thornton vs. Cleveland Indians – Sure, why not. It’s Cleveland.

 

Tomorrow’s Streamer

 

Lucas Giolito vs. Seattle Mariners – Very few options here and I’ll go with Giolito after he excelled in the zone with his secondary pitches and featured improved velocity.

 

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

 

Domingo German vs. Baltimore Orioles – The O’s are not that good, right? If you’re looking for a Sunday Win to put you over the edge for the week, consider Brad Keller against the Tigers or Wade LeBlanc against the ChiSox as well.

 

Game of the Day

 

Shane Bieber vs. Toronto Blues – Oh yeah! He’s a guy too!

 

(Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)