I Just Fried In Your Arms Tonight

(Photo From Icon Sportswire)

You have questions about Max Fried after his incredible 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 11 Ks start against the Cardinals and I’ve got answers. His curveball was as good as you’ll ever see it, using it to stun batters on called strike threes and planting it in the dirt – 44% CSW on 34 thrown – and he was incredibly comfortable the entire day matching the hook with his heater. They say he throws a cutter, I think it’s just a four-seamer, and his changeup was pretty blegh, but it still added up to a 36/101 CSW day. Should you pick him up? Not really. This was the Cards, it was one of those perfect days, and I didn’t see an arsenal that screamed “I can be this good often” in one of my more poetic sentences. There’s also Luiz Gohara waiting to get his chance as well, so this isn’t a long term thing. Would I take a chance against the Brew Crew next and Jays after? Sure, why not. Would I spill a ton of FAAB money tonight? Definitely not.

Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:

Joey Lucchesi – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. Ayyyy Lucchesi is back! Kinda. Sorta. Just 85 pitches and 4 whiffs, but it came with 25 called strikes making for a 34% CSW. So we’re all good. He gets the Diamondbacks + Dodgers + Cubs to end the first half and I’m a little skeptical of that schedule, though if he succeeds, we’re sure going to feel good about him in the second half.

Dereck Rodriguez – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. That’s a beautiful two-start week Dereck, I appreciate everything you do. 35/102 CSW as he pounded the zone constantly with all his pitches, though I would like him to focus up with his four-seamer more often. I pretty much consider him a Toby now, though there’s a gray area as to how the rotation shapes up once Cueto and Samardzija are back in the next week or so. He has to stay, right? If so, it’s the Cards next (awww yis) + Cubs (blegh), so short term let’s grab him for St. Louis and see what happens.

Chris Sale – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Yankees Schmankees, am I right?

Ryne Stanek – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. Today’s starter but not a starter but the actual starter was Vidal Nuno who last 4.2 innings on 66 pitches of 1 ER ball. That’s cool. Nothing I care about, but alright man do your thing.

Andrew Cashner – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Instead of Cash Money like this start, Andrew is normally Cash…Funny? Cash…Bunny? Please make it stop. Okay okay, Cash…Punny? Noooooooooooo.

Jhoulys Chacin – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Remember kids, Chacin will do well when Jhoulyst expect it.

Tyler Mahle – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 12 Ks. Wow. Seriously. Wow. Mahle killed it with his heater upstairs, barely going in the bottom half with the pitch and kept his changeups and slider under the zone. Take note kids, this works incredibly well – 26 whiffs (Gallows Pole) and 47/113 CSW is stupid good as he faced the Brewers and that’s a 2.18 ERA in his six June starts with a 26% K rate in that time. I can’t tell you this will stick, but he’s on a lovely run and I’m at least considering a start against the Cubs now. Probably not, but at least I can fathom it.

German Marquez – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks. Oh right, there is some upside in Marquez. It’s really too bad this is a Birthday Party and not a casual Friday kind of deal.

Tyler Skaggs – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. I’ve been hating a ton on Skaggs all year and he just keeps killing it. There are times when I don’t fully understand it, but I need to respect it. This is one of those times.

Vince Velasquez – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. VV took a linebacker off his right arm, then threw lefty to first base for the out. It was all kinds of amazing, yet sad as he’s heading to the DL now. I hope it’s just for the two weeks, we’ll see.

Edwin Jackson – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. This is crazy. Seriously. Two starts from EJax without a single walk. AND he played the Indians. It’s ridiculous and stupid and I love it. Well, not him. Don’t love him and ignore him on the wire. But this is what baseball does and it’s wonderful.

Pablo Lopez – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. It’s another MLB debut for the Marlins – legit debut, not just “first start” debut – and Lopez is…pretty much a Cup of Schmo. All his pitches move as he uses a two-seamer, slider, and changeup to get through innings, but I’m not seeing anything overpowering here to make me think he can do this against a team that doesn’t rhyme with Pets. Ignore this. What part? All of it.

Kenta Maeda – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks. When I lay in my bed thinking of Maeda, this is what I dream of. Nine Ks! Seven Frames! 1.00 WHIP…Then suddenly I see the man in the corner. THE LOSS MAN?! WHY ARE YOU HERE? Dreams man. They mess you up. Maeda will be in the mid 40s tomorrow.

Matt Boyd – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. It’s a PQS with a 1.00 WHIP and 7 Ks. This is the most I would ever hope for from Boyd so I’m taking the dub in my streaming records, please let me know if I shouldn’t in the comments. Streaming Record: 49-27. Sidenote: I feel bad that I haven’t been able to answer questions recently, keep them coming I may be slow today, but things are easing up this week thankfully. Thanks guys, y’all rock.

Bartolo Colon – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. The Groan Ranger gave you a Win, but at what cost? At what cost?!

Jacob deGrom – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Kinda, I feel weird saying that with a PQS, but 8 Ks are legit.

Sam Gaviglio – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. I think if you ran with Gaviglio, you’re okay with this. No win, but a 1.00 WHIP and 5 Ks help.

Jeremy Hellickson – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Oh hey, The Devil is back! I wonder if he’ll seduce again like last time.

Felix Hernandez – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Sure, whatever Felix. No I don’t want you on my 12-teamer.

Adam Plutko – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. That’s a Philly and Plutko is as boring as they come. The more he falters, the stronger Bieber gets…

Adalberto Mejia – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks. The only way I can imagine someone owning Adalberto is if you’re combining your devout Twins love with your fantasy team. Don’t let Mejia Law ruin your season.

Trevor Williams – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Yep, there’s the Williams we all know and hate.

Carlos Rodon – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. This the blegh start I’ve been expecting from Rodon this year. There will be better ones, of course, but don’t be so surprised.

Justin Verlander – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. How pumped were you for two starts of Verlander this week? I was too…I was too…I’m not worried about the long haul, but he is falling under deGrom/Sevy/Kershaw tomorrow.

Sonny Gray – 2.1 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks. I know it won’t happen, but after Jon was sent to the Minors, Sonny sure is pitching like he’s supposed to be there too. The best case scenario here in my mind is a “DL” stint, Gray takes time off mentally, gets confidence back in “rehab” and can be productive for a month or two in the second half. With Loaisiga and German pitching well, the Yanks can make it happen when Tanaka returns.

Jason Hammel – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 13 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Hammel is the kind of kind that orders 13 hits for himself and puts it your tab. I can’t pay for this!

Shelby Miller – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. Miller got the Giants and is still a bit rusty. 27 Fouls to 19 CSW as well tells you a lot (CSW should be higher than Fouls), though his velocity is still comfortably over 94mph. Not out of the question he rebounds to be a Toby and change in the second half, but I’m sure not investing now.

Tyler Chatwood – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. I get it Chatwood. This is what happens when you have a 2.00 K/BB. It just doesn’t work.

Luke Weaver – 4.2 IP, 8 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Weaver Weaver Weaver, what are we going to do with you. I mean, I already dropped him over a week ago. Okay that’s not what I meant. I’m just disappointed to see a talent like him take such a large step back, you know?

Today’s Streamer

Dan Straily vs. New York Mets – Not a huge fan at the options here with tough opponents for some other options, so I’ll go with the worst team in Straily and the Mets.

Tomorrow’s Streamer

Nathan Eovaldi vs. Miami Marlins – This is a clear choice to me. I’d also consider Nick Kingham most likely getting that start against the Dodgers or even Mike Fiers against the Jays if I’m super desperate.

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

Zack Wheeler vs. Toronto Blue Jays – I’m kind amazed he’s still so un-owned (12%!) and a date with the Jays should work well.

Game of the Day

Zack Godley vs. Derek Holland – I know this is weird with other excellent matchups, but I want Godley to get his command down and see if Holland can keep it going against the Diamondbacks.