Entering the 2015 season, Chase Anderson was a pitcher I kept my eye on as a deep sleeper. At 26 years old he had a 8.27 K/9 in 2014, and an xFIP of 3.67, and there was a chance that he could take a step forward this year. Unfortunately, Anderson went in the opposite direction, lowering his strikeout rate (6.54 K/9) and raising his ERA (4.40) despite an improved walk rate. Last night, however, was a glimpse of what could have been as the Diamondback went 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks. I know what you’re asking me. Is he beginning to believe? No. No I do not. Chase didn’t have a single game above 7 Ks all season – of which he only had two prior to last night – and I can’t invest in the possibility that he’ll carry this momentum through the end of the year. Sorry Mr. Anderson, it is inevitable.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
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Marcus Stroman – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. How can you not love Stroman right now? He’s had three starts including now a pair against the Yankees and has simply dominated through each outing. Sure, the Ks haven’t returned in good form yet, but he’s inducing only 19.0% Hard Contact and has only walked four batters in 19.0 innings. He gets the O’s then Rays next, and you best be loving Stroberry for the end of 2015 and beyond.
Zach Davies – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Did you know that Davies hasn’t fanned more than four batters in all of his five starts? What about his 4.22 FIP and 4.29 xFIP to go with a 4.67 ERA? Don’t be a Shmavies, avoid Davies.
Lance Lynn – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Interesting. He’s still struggling to rack up the strikeouts that he’s known for, but no walks and a calm outing is much appreciated. Lynn was droppable for streamers before this start, and I have a feeling he’ll run into trouble next time out against the Pirates. You may be rewarded with patience if you stick around for his final outing against the Braves, though. No guarantee he gets that start, however, as the Cards could readjust their rotation down the stretch to prepare for playoff baseball.
Adam Conley – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. A bunch of average to below-average starters had solid evenings on Wednesday, and I’m going to write this one up as Blame it on the Marlins.
Drew Smyly – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. I’m loving Smyly the rest of the way and so should you.
Jake Peavy – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. He has one of the best matchups around til the end, so keep riding this train if you need the streamer.
Phil Hughes – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. It’s too late Hughes. The MFRTSPA is not you. Sorry bucko.
Ivan Nova – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Nova is starting to hint a bit at the upside he flashed in 2013. I don’t trust it short term, but he deserves a look during 2016.
Andrew Cashner – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 5 BBs, 6 Ks. Don’t care, still going Cashed Out.
Justin Verlander – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks. Hard not to be pleased with 8 Ks and a decent WHIP, and I’m curious where people put him for 2016. I’m starting to notice that there are a lot of guys I don’t like in the 25-50 range, but I’m probably going to have to shove them in there anyway. Verlander is one of these fellas, but I’m willing to bet I’m lower on him than most. I believe many are still reminiscing on the Verlander of old, and expecting him to keep producing in nearly the same fashion. The low ERA outings are gone, and walks will be an issue despite his very much improved 2.15 BB/9 this year. It’s one of those times I’m going with my gut. I get the feeling I’ll rarely be comfortable starting JV next year and that’s not someone I like endorsing.
Kyle Hendricks – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks. He had a solid matchup against the Brewers and took advantage. He has a solid pair of matchups the rest of the way, so keep on keeping on.
Roenis Elias – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks. Don’t be mistaken, there is K upside with Elias. Problem is that everything else is too volatile that you can’t invest in it.
Carlos Frias – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. There’s a name I haven’t heard in a while. Maybe Frias showed up because the Pope is in town.
Colby Lewis – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Is Lewis a Toby? Nah, he’s too inconsistent.
Mike Fiers – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Blegh and you want more Ks from Fiers.
Nick Tropeano – 4.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Finally, Nick is doing something to defend our awesome name. Too bad it’s not going to last :(
Max Scherzer – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 12 Ks. What a roller-coaster it’s been for Scherzer owners. It’s really hard to dislike a start featuring 12 Ks, but a 1.50 WHIP and a poor ERA is making me question my feelings more than getting a kiss from Sandra in the 6th grade.
Rick Porcello – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 11 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. He got Singled Out, which often results in an increased K rate. It’s not legit guys. Seriously.
Bartolo Colon – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks. Our Call Boy was…ehhhhh. The WHIP is cool, but barren Ks and the ERA isn’t good. The Big Apple didn’t even escape with a Win as the Braves took their second straight against the Mets. That’s not cool bud.
Williams Perez – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. Sir W was about as lame as Colon. You guys are good for nothing.
Yordano Ventura – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Annnnnd here’s why I won’t be owning Ventura next year. It’s just too frustrating watching him lock in for one outing and then only strike out four batters in another. Sure it’s possible he puts it all together, but dang it’s painful to endure.
Chris Tillman – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. You can’t spell Win with Tillman. Um, Nick. Tillman actually won this game. Well…fine. He’s still not good. BLAMO.
Christian Bergman – 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks. Bergman 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.
David Buchanan – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. I want little to do with Buchanan and I bet he wants little to do with me. We have that respect about each other.
Corey Kluber – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Blegh, Kluber this is just wrong. I’m not so sure where to place you next season, but don’t worry, he’s still a Top 10 guy. I think.
Brandon Finnegan – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. The Ks are cool, but a trio of homers tore his start a new one. As I mentioned last time, Finnegan isn’t going to win you your championship. Just how it is.
Frankie Montas – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. The ChiSox elected to push back Chris Sale to tonight’s game, leaving the 22-year-old Montas to have a spot start. Yep, this is your good ole Cup of Schmo.
Charlie Morton – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. The spark that we once had – however brief a few days are – has been lost in the chaos Morton has created. I know who you can be! I know who you really are! Nah, that’s just some delusional damsel who allowed a brief moment of infatuation blind her from the truth. Morton isn’t someone you want to roster.
Felix Doubront – 4.2 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. The Wrong Felix.
Today’s Streamer
I hate this outing, but it’s a mess of bad matchups out there for Friday. If you need a chance at a low ERA and Win, Gallardo is the best one I can see, though I’d hate to blindly throw him out there if the H2H matchup didn’t dictate a risky play.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Rich Hill vs. Baltimore Orioles – It’s a high upside play. He could easily fall on his face, but if you’re trying to make a big splash with a guy today, Hill is the pitcher I’d look to stream.
Game of the Day
Chris Sale vs. Michael Pineda – Two excellent pitchers square off in a game that actually means something…for the Yanks but you know what I mean.