Into The Lion’s Den

Even this late into the season, there are still surprises to be had, with Daniel Mengden being the latest following a CGSHO with 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks against the Tigers. I can see many running to wire right now to snag him before anyone else, but I’m not so sure that you should. First off, the Phils and Tigers are far from powerhouse offenses and Mengden is slated to face the Mariners and head to Arlington in his final two starts. Not great…and I know that face. That’s a face of “Maybe the Mariners…?” I’m not loving it. The only change I’m seeing here from Mengden in these two outings in his Fastball, which returned 5.3 pVAL in these two starts alone. The velocity didn’t change, the movement didn’t change, he just had two great nights with the pitch while the Phils/Tigers couldn’t take advantage of the mistakes he threw with it. This isn’t a new man and while it’s conceivable that he keeps that feel for one more start against the Mariners, it’s a tough bet to make while there’s no chance I’m starting him in Texas. And no, he won’t be a target of mine for 2018.

Let’s see how every other SP did yesterday:

Chris Sale – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 13 Ks. Aces gonna ace. I said I had a feeling this was going to be a good one. It was okay.

Matt Moore – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Lots of good starts for questionable arms today, which started with Mengden and continues here with Moore. I don’t see him suddenly turning the corner here after a full season being a massive detriment to anyone’s team and I’d hate to trust that down the stretch. Yes, I know he has a 3.25 ERA across his last 7 starts. That’s with him demolishing his 4.40 FIP and it’s his best selling point. That’s not so good that I want to chase it and overlook a meh 7.50 K/9 and 2.84 BB/9 in that time.

Blake Snell – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. From a pitch selection standpoint, nothing has changed here for Moore. Whiff rates are still up, though, with a 13%+ rate for the fifth time in six games. Yanks are next with a chance to get the Orioles in his final start of the year and I want to say I’d roll with it. I do worry about facing the Yankees, though, and with his zone rates hovering around 45% mixed with a F-Strike rate well under 55% still I worry he’s still very prone to a blowup.

Anibal Sanchez – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks. What on earth has gotten into Sanchez? That’s nine strikeouts in his last two starts (against the ChiSox and A’s, keep in mind) as he earned a Gallows Pole via 17 whiffs last night. He’s been getting more whiffs with his Split-Change and overall with 17.7% and 16.5% whiff marks in these two outings, but it’s not such a large leap with the pitch specifically that I’m completely buying it. Still, he gets the Royals next and there is clearly strikeout upside after these two starts. Obviously not an ideal stream but could be helpful.

Lucas Sims – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. This is Sims’ ceiling. The one I made for him and all that he’s going to get because I hate being pieces of flair for my Sims.

Jake Thompson – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. He had those two starts of 6 and 7 Ks, which made rethink Thompson for a moment, but seeing a pair of 5 ER starts so close by and one without a strikeout is enough to turn me away.

Steven Brault – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Even with time as a reliever this season, Brault still carries a 5.46 K/9. Yikes.

Gio Gonzalez – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. Super solid from Gio, who still gets the easiest of all schedules. Man, it’s good being a National.

Jake Junis – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Our Call Boy got the job done, though I’m a little disappointed it didn’t come with a few more strikeouts. It’s kinda like getting a small burger with just a few fries. It was tasty, but they couldn’t throw in a few more? Streamer Record 78-58-17.

Ricky Nolasco – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Sure, whatever Nolasco.

Brad Peacock – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Stop flaunting your feathers, Peacock. It’s getting annoying watching your draft stock continue to rise. At the same time, I hope it gives him a better chance of holding a rotation spot out of the gate in 2018 so…Fine.

Josh Tomlin – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. You ran with Tomlin and you’re happy about it. Really happy about it. I wouldn’t have done that as I don’t like Tomlin all too much, but that’s because he asked for a bite of my PB&J when we were kids and ate half the freakin’ thing. Also because he’s not a good fantasy starter, but that’s not the point.

Jose Urena – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. It’s the 3 ER rule and Urena pulled it off. This time…Seriously, I don’t like Urena much even with his schedule. Just not good enough stuff even with a heater in the mid 90s.

Luke Weaver – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. And Weaver just keeps dealing. I have to say, I watched some of this and his command is simply phenomenal and he’s pitching like a seasoned vet who happens to touch 97+. I think people are going to think he’s overrated entering 2018, but I’m on board. Wish I could love his Curveball more, though.

Alex Wood – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. Beautiful Wood. BEAUTIFUL. It’s possible he gets two starts next week as the Dodgers let Wood finish the season on Sunday to allow Kershaw/Darvish/Hill to line up for the opening playoff round, so monitor the situation carefully as I’d start Wood for both possible games.

Andrew Cashner – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. It’s a VPQS for Cashner with 2 Ks. This is as boring as they come.

Tyler Chatwood – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Our back up Call Boy got the job for Quality Start leagues, though there isn’t much to write home about here.

Luis Severino – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Talk about disappointing as Severino labored through three innings, getting pulled without even getting a taste of the fourth. Blegh. Obviously you’re starting him next time, but still. Blegh.

James Shields – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. Every time I look at Shields’ line, it looks like the equivalent of a 15-year-old’s messy room. There’s stuff everywhere as I feel like a parent asking “what is this Shields?!”

Aaron Wilkerson – 2.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks. He’s a Cup of Schmo. Just move on and pray for Jimmy Nelson’s career.

Rookie Davis – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. He’s back with a vengeance. Actually, I hope not because otherwise he’s gotta learn a thing or two about rampages from Sterling Archer. I don’t have much hope for Davis – he’s a Cup of Schmo as well – and I’d ignore him for the rest of the year. Probably next year too.

Felix Hernandez – 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Felix is still in rehab mode here, though I expected a little better than this. I think you’re okay starting him against the A’s next week.

Rafael Montero – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Blegh. It was a fun two weeks Montero, but we’re done here.

Robbie Ray – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 6 Ks. But it was the Padres! It’s weird that I was on the Ray train here, but he’s pitching against poor teams and that generally means good things. Great things! ELITE THINGS! This is more like Tilite, which is Chris Tillman quality. You don’t want Tillman quality.

Bartolo Colon – 3.1 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Okay okay, I’m getting a little worried that he won’t survive in 2018, but someone has to sign Paul Funyun for a one year deal, right? Please?

Dinelson Lamet – 5.1 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Probably the most disappointing start of the night as I expected before from Lamet facing the dbacks in Petco. The strikeouts weren’t even there to make up for the poor ratios! Ugh, now you get the Dodgers and I can’t start you there. It’s been fun Lamet, I wonder where you go next year…he could fall flat on his face or actually be a decent arm through the season. While I’m leaning toward the former, he’s an intriguing starter to consider at the end of your draft.

Wade Miley – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks. Yep, that’s Miley alright.

Jon Lester – 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks. I know Lester, the Rays are soooo intimidating. What a strong offense you had to deal with there inside the Trop. But seriously, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FEED MY FAMILY WITH THIS? 

Brett Anderson – 1.1 IP, 8 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. There are times in life when you realize the person in front of you just isn’t someone that you’re going to connect with. You don’t have to be everyone’s friend and they don’t have to be yours. Goodbye, Mr. Anderson.

Today’s Streamer

Tyler Anderson vs. San Diego Padres – I know some of you are going to be chasing Danny Salazar against the Angels. I’m not doing that. I doubt he goes far in the game, he’s showed how inconsistent he can be, got demoted oh-so-recently and the Angels aren’t the “bad” offense you think they are with Mike Trout and Justin Upton.

Tomorrow’s Streamer

Kyle Gibson vs. Detroit Tigers – I know Gibson didn’t do well against the Jays last time, but he also fanned 8 and had to deal with Josh Donaldson being ridiculous. Other considerations are Reynaldo Lopez against the Royals and Ben Lively against the Braves if you need an extra arm.

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

Miguel Gonzalez vs. Oakland Athletics – It’s in O.Co and as much as I dislike Miguel, there’s a chance he pulls this off. Shudders

Game of the Day

Danny Salazar vs. Los Angeles Angels – A lot of people are streaming him. I’m not and I want to be wrong.