The Boston Red Sox had a new face on the mound today in Rich Hill, a name I haven’t heard in a long time. He’s been a journeyman through the minors after starting for a brief moment back in the mid aughts for the Cubs, and the 35-year-old was given the start as Sox moved to a six-man rotation. In his first start since 2009 he went a sparkling 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks shocking all as he shut down the…Rays? Ehhh okay. So I’m not going just write this off as a Blame it on the Rays despite how fun it would have been, because I actually believe that he should be picked up where owners are looking for someone with K upside to eat up some innings. His stuff doesn’t overpower, as he throws a near 50/50 split between a 91 MPH Four-Seamer and a 75 MPH Curveball, but that hook is incredible as it has a bunch of surprising horizontal movement that freezes batters as it cuts back over the plate. Sure, it’s not going to be nearly as pretty as this at all in future outings, but of all the unowned guys that put up some pretty lines lately, Hill has one of the best chances to make an impact on your roster.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Zack Greinke – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks. Aces gonna Ace. Duh.
Chris Sale – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. Well maybe not duh. I’m not sure what’s weirder: Sale leaving after only three innings or Sale only accruing three strikeouts. He just doesn’t perform well against the Twins, and it’s really really weird.
Johnny Cueto – 6.1 IP, 7 ER, 11 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. So happy Kansas City got that ace of there staff! HA…Ha…ha…
Max Scherzer – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. FINALLY we see Scherzer ace like a boss. Man it’s been ages. Yes I am still demoting him tomorrow though :-/
Masahiro Tanaka – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. He wanted the ball against the Jays and he crushed it. Hard not to be a Tanaka fan moving forward.
Kyle Gibson – 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. This is what we call a One Night Bland. Yuuuup.
Drew Smyly – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks. Dayyyyum Smyly, you’re being more seductive than offering to take me out for dinner. You mean I don’t even have to bring my wallet?!?!
Wei-Yin Chen – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. Steady Chen was upset when I said he had a bad matchup on Sunday and gave me the old bird. You mean a really old peacock? No, I meant the middle finger, but why is a peacock the first bird you thought of? I was watching a lot of NBC. That…makes a lot of sense. Carry on.
Michael Wacha – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. Wacha knows how to turn a decent outing into one I feel dirty liking. Thanks duder.
Mike Fiers – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks. Every so often, Fiers has a night like this that makes us remember why he deserves to hang around the Top 60. Hey guys, you know I can strike out more than a batter an inning sometimes right? RIGHT???
Andrew Heaney – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Sure this works, but it’s like a speedo. Sure ain’t pretty to look at.
Kyle Kendrick – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Kendrick has limited upside, pitches his home games at Coors Field, and doesn’t deserve a spot on your team. This should be the blurb for every Colorado starter. Well, Gray has some value outside of Coors.
Chi Chi Gonzalez – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. The man who sounds like he should always be shimmying grooved out a BABIP worshiper’s dream. I wouldn’t put my faith in the dancer moving forward.
Taylor Jungmann – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. Glad to see the strikeouts, sad to see the walks that led to the ER. Just chill on free passes and we be cool.
Mike Leake – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. The days of spilling Ks all over everything are gone from Leake, but at least the WHIP is good?
Patrick Corbin – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Decent from Corbin, which is kinda expected these days from the fella. He’s got a solid floor that shouldn’t go underrated.
Raisel Iglesias – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. So let’s get this out on the table. Raisel will most likely get shut down soon and even when he is starting, it doesn’t come with the cornicopia of Ks that we were getting used to. Uh oh.
Jonathon Niese – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Niese would have actually been okay stream for once. Crazy, I know.
Ryan Weber – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Even though his Fastball can move a lot horizontally at times – his super side-arm delivery allows for it – it doesn’t meant that success will follow.
Aaron Harang – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. HAAARRRANNNG did okay.
Cody Anderson – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Is Anderson turning into a Toby? Ehhhh maybe, but that 4.68 K/9 is really hard to look at.
Justin Verlander – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Yeah, I can’t say I’m all too shocked Verlander hasn’t returned to prime form, but I will say that I’m disappointed.
James Paxton – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. He got pulled before 70 pitches and struggled enough to prevent it from making much of an impact. That’s silly Paxton, get it together.
R.A. Dickey – 7.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Don’t trust a knuckleballer. Dickey once told me he could edit my artilces for me.
Randy Wolf – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks. You’d think you’d get a little more excited when Randy starts, but you’d be wrong.
Trevor Bauer – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Seriously, don’t forget this when next season comes around. Don’t forget how often he crushes your dreams.
Odrisamer Despaigne – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. HEY JIM! Yeah Bob? WHO’S THAT GUY WHO RARELY PERFORMS WELL ON THE PADRES? Why are you shouting, I think that’s Odrisamer? Ah, yes. Despaigne…
Brad Hand – 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks. All I can think of now when looking at his name is that amazing MY BRAND commercial as I’m blurring both his names together. Kinda a funny coincidence given that it means I probably need glasses. Huh. In actual news this start is bad and he should feel bad. Come on man, I’m sure he does feel bad. Well I’m glad you’re here to provide empathy for all of us.
Dan Haren – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. The Deuce of Chicago.
Francisco Liriano – 2.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. We take one step forward and two steps back like we’re focusing really hard on kicking that football. Get it together Liriano and I really hope you don’t have to rely on him next time out.
Felix Doubront – 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. The Wrong Felix.
Today’s Streamers
Logan Verrett vs. Miami Marlins – He has the stuff to be effective, especially against a weak Marlins offense.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Brett Anderson vs. Colorado Rockies – It’s Colorado outside of Coors and Anderson has the skill set to keep the Rockies at bay while playing for a team with a solid chance at winning.
Game of the Day
Taijuan Walker vs. Garrett Richards – It’s a pair of Cherry Bombs which means great things could happen. Or bad things, but you know, good things too.