I rarely talk about the super studs in the opener as it’s silly to spend time talking about things y’all already know. I couldn’t help myself today after Clayton Kershaw went 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 14 Ks against the Nationals last night. This start following a CGSHO featuring 13 Ks and 0 BBs. Holy beef on a stick that is sexy. It’s nice to see the #1 pitcher in the land finally go into MEGA MODE after a start to the season that didn’t represent his talent. Does anyone still think Scherzer is the best fantasy pitcher?
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Garrett Richards – 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. A CGSHO from the guy who in his previous start looked more lost than a grandfather at a Flux Pavilion concert. His Slider was a lot better, with improved command and a bit tighter spin, but I’m still not confident that it’ll show up consistently moving forward. He’s had his moments a few times already this season, only to regress later on. I need to see a few more before I’m ready to believe he’s locked in.
Chris Tillman – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the best 2015 start from Chris Tillman. If you got it, sweet, you have more cajones than I do, but if you didn’t whatevs these things happen.
Jon Lester – 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. It’s boom or bust with Lester as he either puts up a glorious start like this, or a 4/5 ER clunker. He doesn’t know how to allow only 2 or 3 ER. Still, I think we’ll be seeing more 0/1 ER games moving forward, and he’ll be rising tomorrow.
Scott Kazmir – 8.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Good to see that Kaz not only came back onto the hill yesterday, but he did in dominating fashion. Hard not to be on board for a solid #3 guy.
David Price – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 12 Ks. Dang there are a lot of studly pitchers to choose from in the Top 15. I’m a bit bearish on the Goliath slayer, but I don’t have any solid arguments for those who put him in the Top 10. He’s only had 5 of his 19 starts above 2 ER across 132.0 IP for a 2.32 ERA, 2.78 FIP and 3.20 xFIP. Hard not to be a big fan of that despite his history of inconsistency.
Colby Lewis – 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. You take your 4.41 xFIP and 6.60 K/9 and you leave us good folk alone!
R.A. Dickey – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Dickey owned a dog once and played fetch with a tennis ball. He once acted like he threw the ball while hiding it behind his back and the dog ran off, ultimately confused that he couldn’t find it. Don’t trust a knuckleballer.
Phil Hughes – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. This is fine Hughes. No one wants to start you, but this is fine.
Chad Billingsley – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. Meh.
Corey Kluber – 7.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Kluber, what is going on in there. You’ve lowered your K count by one in each of the last three starts. Pull it together man.
Tom Koehler – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. He was our Call Boy and did…eh. At least the WHIP was solid.
Erasmo Ramirez – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. It’s good, but he didn’t do much more than what three relievers could have done.
Hisashi Iwakuma – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. You’ll take it despite the 3.18 ERA as he left with the Win vs. the Yanks.
Chad Bettis – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Bettis 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.
John Lackey – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. He got Singled Out against the Mets. The freakin’ Mets.
Tyson Ross – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. You’ll take just two walks from Ross, but you want to see a better ERA and more Ks if you’ll take the hit in WHIP.
Rick Porcello – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Yup, that’s a Porcello line alright.
Jimmy Nelson – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks. Nice job racking up the Ks, but you haven’t had at least 7 since June 8th.
Manny Banuelos – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Yeah, Manny B is kinda mediocre. I could see him improving as the season develops, but I wouldn’t be investing.
Michael Pineda – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. A pair of 2-run Cano HRs were the factors that turned this meh start (2 Ks?!) into a poor one.
Jake Peavy – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. If you thought Peavy was going to be your savior, you thought wrong.
Jeremy Guthrie – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Go away Guthrie. Just go.
Jose Quintana – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Awww, you were supposed to have a solid Quintana. I mean, sure the Royals are a team that will Single Out a guy on a given night, but still.
Scott Feldman – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Feldman Schmeldman.
Vance Worley – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. He got the start because Francisco Liriano was scratched due to a tight neck, and his Thursday start is up in the air. Nooooooooo.
Doug Fister – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. A poor ERA and WHIP with only 1 K? Yup, that’s barren floor of Fister.
Anthony DeSclafani – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Tony Disco lost the passion for his dancing a long time ago. But he’s still there getting his groove on.
Bartolo Colon – 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. It’s tough to have any faith in Colon now, especially after 3 walks that are totally not his style.
Chase Anderson – 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Man, there was some promise in Chase entering the season, but it’s been rough times for Mr. Anderson. He just needs to believe. Nah, that won’t help.
Today’s Streamers
Dan Haren vs. Philadelphia Phillies – Yeah that Phils are bad. Yeah Haren still thinks he’s the ace of Miami. Yeah, not much else to go with.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Rubby De La Rosa vs. Miami Marlins – Sure, Rubby has looked a bit shaky the past, but the Marlins are an excellent matchup for the Diamondbacks’ #1 guy. Crazy to say that.
Game of the Day
Max Scherzer vs. Zack Greinke – Yes please. This should be fantastic. I have a feeling Max is going to allow 4 ER. Dunno why, maybe it’s the whole Max vs. Kersh thing that has them going different paths.