Luiz Will Go Fara In This League

With September comes the expansion of rosters, making it an exciting time for a pitching enthusiast like me. We get new looks at plenty of arms across the league and while a good amount are nothing to write home about, sometimes someone with the intriguing scouting report of Luiz Gohara comes along and I have to sit down. At the end of the day it was 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks, which will make you think that I’m going to give him the ole’ Cup of Schmo, but nay. NAY. He was pumping 96-97mph heat with solid command of his Fastball, which is a great foundation to build on. Slider was good, not amazing, but good, with a Changeup I think can develop a bit more into the better #2 pitch. Overall, pretty impressive for a 21-year-old and while I’d be cautious trusting him right now, he can be a very sneaky play for 2018 if he gets a spot in the rotation. I wrote a GIF Breakdown over at Rotographs that I highly recommend for some extra reading, but for now there’s a small chance he could be your savior, but it’s clearly a risky play.

Let’s see how every other SP did yesterday:

Gerrit Cole – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 8 Ks. Cole’s last four starts: 5 ER, 0 ER, 5 ER, 0 ER. Can’t wait for the next one. I’m not serious as you should be starting Cole next time out, but I hate how real his volatility is.

Gio Gonzalez – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Phew, I was worried we wouldn’t be able to extended that ERA/xFIP gap some more before the end of the year. CLOSE ONE GIO.

Kenta Maeda – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. Leave it to Roberts to pull Maeda after five frames and 85 pitches. It’s stupid. STUPID. I wonder if he’s even going to stick in the rotation, which is so preposterous but there it is. It’s been an emotional ride.

Sean Manaea – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. I have no idea where I’m slotting Manaea for next year. He clearly has Top 20 upside, but man is he inconsistent and makes me nervous every time he pitches. As for now, I think he’s earned your trust…after his next start against the Sawx. I can see some teams rolling with him there if need be.

Jose Quintana – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. There’s the Quintana we know and love. Please don’t leave me.

Carlos Carrasco – 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Of course after we discuss how Carrasco is a Cherry Bomb, he dominates. This isn’t over, Cookie.

Luis Castillo – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks. It’s been a wonderful season with Castillo, who was officially shut down after this outing, and what a beautiful send-off as he earned 23 whiffs for a Gallows Pole. He ends the year with a 3.12 ERA, 9.87 BB/9, 58.8% GB rate, a 1.07 WHIP and 6 IPS. Y’all know my love for him and I’m happy he held a 3.22 BB/9 as I’m sure it will make some argument for people to shy away, but man am I scared about next year’s drafts. I know there will be people that just don’t know him all too well given he pitches for the Reds, but I’d be shocked if I didn’t see plenty of hype posts in the off-season with his draft stock soaring. I want him around pick 150-160 as a #4 for my squad, probably, and I can see people jumping for him sooner. Don’t do this to me y’all, I CALLED DIBS.

Johnny Cueto – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Cueto went into Coors and quelled the fears we had about him. Okay, that’s a little exaggerated as he still needs to face the Dodgers twice…wait. Am I now back on the Cueto train? The Dodgers aren’t the offense they used to be…ugggggh my gut says stay away.

Doug Fister – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks. This is getting absurd as Fister took advantage of his matchup against the Jays. No reason to stop owning Fister and let’s hope he doesn’t hit the wall before the end of September.

Jack Flaherty – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks. This just in, the Padres are terrible. I’m not too shocked to see four walks to Flaherty’s name, and it’s unknown if he’ll get more starts with Wainwright possibly returning soon. If he did get another it would be against the Reds and I can’t say I’m liking that too much.

Reynaldo Lopez – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Lopez is ready to be your favorite man next week as he gets two starts against the Royals and Tigers. Hallelujah!

Taijuan Walker – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. I’m telling you, the Dodgers are falling from their top tier offense on Monday. But regardless of that, I’m impressed by Walker, but it shouldn’t be shocking that he follows a 10 strikeout game with this effort. I mean, he had tallied just 12 strikeouts in his previous four games, after all.

Robert Gsellman – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Sooooo Gsellman has a 2.91 ERA in his four starts back in the Mets rotation since August 16th. He also has a 4.15 K/9, 4.52 ERA, and 5.31 xFIP. And pitches for the Mets. No thanks.

Jason Hammel – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Even if it came with a near 2.00 WHIP, I’m happy with a 3.00 ERA, 6 Ks and a Quality Start From Hammel.

Dinelson Lamet – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 8 Ks. Lamet got the Cards and Lamet kept cruising. I have to hand it to him as he’s had a tough schedule and has forced us to continue rolling with him. Now he faces the Twins, hosts Arizona + Colorado, then heads to San Fran and I think I’m down for it all. Wild.

Andrew Moore – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Give me Moore! Ha, just kidding. Still a Cup of Schmo.

Kyle Freeland – 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Freeland is a TEEs and not someone I’d be chasing as he heads to Arizona next time out.

Lance McCullers Jr. – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. It was a a debatable DLH situation as the time was long enough but it’s McCullers and you have a week to win. I think you’re all clear to roll with him moving forward.

Dillon Peters – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Does Peters get two starts next week? I’m hoping he does as he wasn’t previously slated for it, but now could get the Phils on Monday. And I want to roll with him then.

Tyler Skaggs – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks. Skaggs finally got back on the right track after striking out just eight in his previous three games combined. Now he has to face Houston and this party is getting shut down by the cops before 10:00pm.

Julio Teheran – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks. This was at home so clearly Teheran was going to do poorly. Or maybe because he’s not very good. Can’t decide.

Matt Boyd – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Another start, another day of Boyd Watching.

Miguel Gonzalez – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Miguel…no.

Cole Hamels – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Hamels, if you can’t deal with the Braves in Atlanta, why are you on my team.

Joe Biagini – 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. Poor Biagini. He had a great start last time out but has a rough schedule that just isn’t fair. Now the O’s and Twins are a little easier than the Sawx, but that’s a bit of a risk to take twice in one week.

Matt Garza – 2.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Garza is back and once again making owners feel like this.

Aaron Slegers – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. I had a small hope that Slegers could do well here and propel himself into being a sneaky deep add for two starts next week. So much for that.

Nick Pivetta – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. I really have to stop believing in you. I also need to acknowledge that the Mets have put up crooked numbers in two of the last three games. Streamer Record 70-54-16.

Blake Snell – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. Huh. I’d expect a poor outing from Snell to come paired with plenty of walks, but here’s a 7:0 K per BB and I don’t hate this…? A pair of HRs and five singles led to 6 ER and I’m not ready to call it quits on Snell. 11 Whiffs in 80 pitches (13.8% whiff rate) gives him a good bonus point or two.

Today’s Streamer

Tyler Mahle vs. New York Mets – Hey! It’s the Mets!

Tomorrow’s Streamer

Mike Leake vs. Los Angeles Angels – There are no good options today so I’ll go with Leake after his studly outing last time out.

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

Edwin Jackson vs. Philadelphia Phillies – The Phils are terrible and EJax has the Nats on his side. Mike Montgomery could work as a desperate weekend stream as well.

Game of the Day

Aaron Nola vs. Tanner Roark – IT’S NOLA DAY. Yes I believe he can turn it around.