It took a pair of seven ER starts to calibrate Justin Verlander, but it may have been worth it as he’s looking like a one heck of a stud after going 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks against the Phillies last night. He’s now collected a monstrous 37 strikeouts in his last four outings while holding a 1.19 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in that span. Pretty gorgeous stuff, and it’s time for us to stop ignoring the fact that he’s holding a 9.69 K/9 while averaging nearly 6 2/3 innings per start. This isn’t a sell high situation, but rather a sit back, relax, and enjoy the patience you exhibited to wrangle a Top 30 arm at a Top 50 price. If an owner thinks he’s selling high, I’d snatch him before he faces the Angels + ChiSox + Yankees as this party isn’t coming to an end for a while.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Julio Teheran – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 12 Ks. Holy bejesus is Teheran hot right now. Well, the Brew Crew can do that, but I went over Julio’s excellent run last time he started and it’s finally reached its climax. Not much more you can do but ride it out until the inevitable fall.
Nathan Eovaldi – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Pros: just 6 ER allowed in his last four starts with a 0.88 WHIP in that span, he holds a 3.29 xFIP on the season now. Cons: He hasn’t fanned more 6 in six starts, and I’m don’t trust him to hold a sub 3.60 ERA this season. Keep riding the wave till it crashes, but don’t classify Eovaldi as a Top 45 arm.
Josh Tomlin – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. He would have been the Call Boy had it not for been people finally understanding that Tomlin is rosterable. Don’t be too confident in the fella – he still holds a 4.36 FIP – but I’d be riding him out there whenever he faces anything but a Top 10 offense.
Stephen Strasburg – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Talk about one hell of a season for Strasburg so far.
Jason Hammel – 7.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Solid stuff Hammel, just give me more than 4 Ks next time, cool?
Jake Odorizzi – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. About dang time you flexed your muscles a bit Odorizzi, though I don’t like that you needed 107 pitches to get through just five innings. But whatever I’ll take it.
Martin Perez – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. This is a Top 5 Perez start.
Jimmy Nelson – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks. It’s just the second time all year he’s had more than 6 Ks, but don’t get too excited – he faced the Braves tonight. :-/
Chris Tillman – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. I really want to say the fun phrase, but the WHIP is good despite 3 walks, the ERA is under 3.00 and 5 Ks aren’t so bad…but he got the ND, so screw it you can’t spell win with Tillman. Still like where he is right now so don’t think about dropping him.
Jeff Samardzija – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. That’s 6 ER allowed in his last five starts as he faced the Padres for the second straight game. If only he could pitch just against the Padres all year…
David Price – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. Fine, I’ll take this Price. No that ERA isn’t fun but the WHIP/Ks/W sure are.
Mike Bolsinger – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. That’s the Toby I remember from last year. Blame it on the Reds.
Francisco Liriano – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks. It’s amazing how bearable this outing is despite walking five batters in under six innings.
Jeremy Hellickson – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. This is getting pretty scary. I know I talk a lot about how Hellickson is the devil – one start he does really well and pulls you in, the next is a giant stinker that you thought you deposited earlier in the day – but it’s getting tough to ignore his 9.06 K/9 and 2.36 BB/9 with a 3.50 xFIP. I just don’t know guys, I guess you can chase him in a 12 teamer now, just get ready to let loose the moment everything bursts into flames.
Doug Fister – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. 2 ER? 6 base runners? 3 Ks? Yep, that’s the Grave Mistake alright.
Edinson Volquez – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. You’re looking for a bit better from Volquez against the Twins, but at least he provided some value in Ks and wasn’t outright terrible.
R.A. Dickey – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. Dickey told me he owned a pet gerbil. It was actually a hamster. Don’t trust a knuckleballer.
Jhoulys Chacin – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Let’s dive into Chacin for a seco— oh look! A squirrel!
Andrew Cashner – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks. Welcome back from the DL Cashner! We’re so happy you’re back in our lineups after stashing through the downtime – said no one.
Nate Karns – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Our Call Boy was as boring as a rock on the beach. But which one? You can’t tell, that’s how boring this is. Whatever, he’s still a good strikeout option at a cheap price.
Tom Koehler – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 6 Ks. Just don’t start Tom, like, ever, K?
Daniel Wright – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Nothing to see here, just a Cup of Schmo.
Kendall Graveman – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Go away Graveman.
Matt Harvey – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. I wrote about Harvey’s issues today for Washington Post, and while he did hold back on throwing Sliders past the first time through the lineup, he still got hammered for three HRs that made up four runs allowed. This guy just can’t catch a break and his Fastball came in even slower at 94.2 MPH today. I want to buy low so badly, but sometimes guys are struggling and you’re better off just staying away. Vision me weighing the scales with my hands like I’m juggling two large…eggs.
Shelby Miller – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks. I still think we’re all going to look back at the off-season trade for Miller as one of the worst in baseball history as Dansby Swanson becomes the face of the Atlanta franchise. Oh and Ender Inciarte isn’t so bad as well.
Chris Sale – 3.1 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks. What was it that I said last week? ” I understand the case for making Sale #2, though I think I’m holding with Arrieta. Let’s not forget the eight starts with at least 4 ER from last season.” I didn’t mean it to be this soon!
Ervin Santana – 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. You can do worse streaming Santana against poor offenses. The Royals are not on that list.
Jorge De La Rosa – 3.1 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks. De La Rosa 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 not named Gray and maybe even Gray.
Michael Wacha – 4.0 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks. If you keep this up, we’re going to take away your Spiderman nickname (the most prolific of Tobys) and give it to Gio Gonzalez. Step it up kiddo. Or don’t, I don’t really care as I never really liked you.
Today’s Streamers
Mike Foltynewicz vs. Milwaukee Brewers – There are actually a decent amount of streaming options here, though it’s from a lot of bleghy guys like Ross Stripling and Matt Andriese who both get weak opponents. There’s also Tyler Duffey against the Royals that could be super fun. I’m going with Folty against the brew crew since he hasn’t walked a batter in three starts and has the K upside to have some fun.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Matt Wisler vs. Milwaukee Brewers – I feel weird endorsing Wisler after he’s been so mediocre and risky, but he’s had back-to-back 7 strikeout outings and gets the Brew Crew, which is better than whatever else you can find on the wire for Thursday.
Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer
Michael Fulmer vs. Oakland Athletics – Fulmer figured it out last time out by using his Changeup more frequently, earning 11 Ks against another weak team. Look for him to capitalize, and if you need more options, you can take a chance on Robbie Ray against the Padres or bank on Matt Shoemaker to give a near repeat performance of his 12 Ks as he faces the Astros.
Game of the Day
Jake Arrieta vs. Carlos Martinez – I want to see Arrieta dominate because it’s fun as anything + I’m curious is Cmart can take the first step towards redemption (my bet is that he won’t).