Lynning For A Change

(Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire)

I didn’t think I’d have much to say about Lance Lynn this year but I imagine that going 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks in your first start for the Yankees might make a few people super curious what to do. It’s actually pretty simple: We kill the Batman. Wait, no. You pick up Lynn for now against the Rangers, Rays, Marlins, ChiSox, and Tigers next. Yeah, that’s his schedule and it’s dumb and wonderful and I wonder if Sonny Gray would be the sudden hero if he had that schedule. Oh and this start? Yeah, Blame it on the ChiSox. Alright, I have to mention that it was interesting to see Lynn throw 14/108 curveballs, but at the same time, it was still 79/108 heaters and that’s his schtick. Just trust the schedule, don’t overthink this, and be happy you have a good Win option on your squad who can not kill your ratios…hopefully.

Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:

Jake Arrieta – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. So the gameplan for Arrieta these days has been sinkers + sliders as strike pitches and to put away batters…nothing. He’s done a great job inducing weak contact – 78.3mph EV on his sinker here – and I think the current title of Spiderman for him (the greatest Toby) is as fitting as it gets. Atta boy Arrieta.

Trevor Bauer – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 11 Ks. Aces gonna ace. I’m just so proud of him.

Wei-Yin Chen – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. This is the kind of Chen music that even gets the kids asking you to put it on. You know full well how special a moment this is as you rush over to your collection, gently placing the needle on the vinyl, and flashing a large grin as your little ones dance their hearts out. So young, you think. So naive.

Kyle Freeland – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Freeland doesn’t care if it’s the worst place to pitch in the majors, he’ll still churn out a great outing. I’m so conflicted on Freeland and you have every right to be upset at my low rank of him. I just…I just don’t see it lasting – it’s like Tyler Anderson back in 2016 – and there’s too much telling me no. Vargas Rule it all you want, though.

Dereck Rodriguez – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. Whoa, strikeouts! I should have given Dereck at least a “Maybe” in the Sit/Start as the Astros are without Altuve, Correa, and Springer – that’s on me, y’all – and Dereck took full advantage. I’ve been a bit hesitant to raise him in the ranks as I just don’t see strikeouts being a part of his game and just 9 whiffs here speaks to that. He pounded the zone often and the Astros weren’t able to do a whole lot with it. It’s a case where I’m going to keep rolling with Dereck until he falters and I would love for him to take a step further as we go on this journey together. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m a bit lower than most on Dereck entering 2019.

Cole Hamels – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. I expected more from Hamels in the strikeout department, but I’ll take that ERA. Just nine changeups thrown is a bit odd and his cutter was pretty terrible (2/20 CSW), but I’m willing to look past it. I’m liking Hamels’ a little more as a Cub.

Jake Junis – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks. Weird to see just 12 whiffs with 8 Ks, but 30/87 CSW is solid. I wish there was something else to point to here, but it was all his slider with his fastball not getting him killed. It’s nothing something to bank on moving forward.

Wade LeBlanc – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Super boring, but LeBlanc ain’t gonna hint at 10 strikeouts against for a long time. Be happy with a sub .50 WHIP and let’s move on.

Charlie Morton – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks. Aces gonna ace. McCullers went down to kick off the Astros’ rotation making some sort of change – it only took four months – Morton would be the next. Are you serious Nick, get out of here with that Juju. I can’t help it! Morton is the most injury prone pitcher in the majors…among those without names that rhyme with Itch Thrill.

Joe Musgrove – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. Musgrove went into Coors without a hiccup and now it’s three starts of 4 ER total…with 2 Ks each time and under 10% whiff rates. This includes a start against the Mets! It’s hard for me to fully endorse because of that dwindling strikeout rate, but I see Musgrove as a Toby and that’s a cool thing.

Nick Tropeano – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Hey, Tropeano wasn’t terrible! Seriously, four his five prior were at least 4 ER. Maybe there’s a time he becomes a consistent solid streaming type, but now is not that time. Note: I should mention Tropeano left this game with shoulder tightness, but you shouldn’t be rolling with him even healthy.

Zack Godley – 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Command was overall much better here, save for the multiple HBPs where the ball got away. Still need to see a little more from his cutter to get totally on board, but loving the 32/94 CSW and feeling decent about this.

Luke Weaver – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. It’s a two-start week for Weaver and if you rolled the dice, so far so good. Can’t say that he’s fixed and will finish this week strong – Blame it on the Marlins n all – and I’m not liking 4/18 SNIP on his deuce as six were smacked for a near 87mph EV. I like that he’s throwing strikes, but that’s a little too hittable for my taste.

Martin Perez – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Sure, whatever Perez.

Matt Boyd – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Funny, in the Pitcher List Discord server I was asked about Tropeano vs. Boyd vs. Musgrove as a spot start and I picked Boyd. Full transparency y’all. He was on a roll for three starts and added a tick of velocity in those outings…but at the same time I still had Boyd waaaay down on The List. Anyway, it was the worst of the lot, so it goes, and we’re back to Boyd Watching…I think. Why, what did you just see. I saw that his fastball was at 92mph. It was 89/90 prior, then 90/91, and now 92. Huh. It was a terrible pitch – 7/41 CSW YEESH – so I’ll write it off but…huh.

Dylan Covey – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Remember kids, Don’t Covey Thy Dylan.

Kyle Gibson – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Blegh. Gibson was able to handle the Indians in the past, but this was his fourth meeting with the Tribe and easily his worst. It’s now three of his last four starts tallying 11 ER and you’re a little worried…even if the one outlier was 1 ER against the Sawx. Going further, it’s a 4.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 23% K rate, and 8% walk rate in his last eight starts. Maybe I’m a bit too high on Gibson and he belongs in the mid-40s. I’ll think about it.

Noah Syndergaard – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. This was a major Careful Icarus as the Reds scored all four in the seventh frame, with two HBPs and two singles all coming around to score. Yep, that’s how Thor gets beat. His 19 whiffs were good for a Gallows Pole – changeups and sliders for 12/38 whiffs – though you’re probably pretty upset with what you’ve seen from Syndergaard. I wouldn’t get worried, that 7th was weird and he had a 20% whiff rate. Everything is fine.

Homer Bailey – 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 11 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. It was the Mets and Bailey…well I think I can go back to calling him Homer Bale now as we don’t know if we’going to get the man in the box or the one on stage. But come on man, The Mets?! Streaming Record: 67-38

Today’s Streamer

Sal Romano vs. New York Mets – I’m taking a chance here as I know there is some upside in the tank with Romano and the Mets are horrible. It’s him or Mike Montgomery against the Royals and I just don’t want to go with Monty anymore.

Tomorrow’s Streamer

Trevor Richards vs. St. Louis Cardinals – I’m also considering German Marquez against the Pirates, but that’s in Coors and this isn’t.

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

Ivan Nova vs. San Francisco Giants – If you look at the slate, you’ll understand that I have no choice.

Game of the Day

Nick Pivetta vs. Zack Greinke – This just sounds super fun. And a little stressful, but fun.