Holy smokes what has gotten into Marco Estrada? First he flirted with a no hitter against the Orioles last week, then yesterday he went 8.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks like a primo stud against the Rays as he lost a perfect game with one out in the 8th. Well, the last time he had double digit Ks was 2012 and I don’t believe A) he’ll go deep enough into games to rack up the K numbers B) he has the elite ability to make it consistent, soooo I hope you enjoyed them while they lasted. I’m not going to endorse Estrada as he’s been consistently poor for a good while now, pitches in the AL Beast, and has an xFIP of 4.21, but I wouldn’t blame you if you went all POLO! next time vs. Boston. I wouldn’t, but you do you man.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Ivan Nova – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. Almost led with him instead as the young Yank pitched his first game after a 14 month recovery from TJS. I watched a good amount of his start, and his Fastball was lively with some solid hooks, but he’s still a bit raw and his command was a bit questionable. There’s upside to be had, and it’ll click for him soon, I’m not sure it’ll be as soon as his next time vs. the Angels.
Jimmy Nelson – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Naaahhh, I’m done believing your antics for now. You’re only two starts removed from an ugly 7 spot.
Jordan Zimmermann – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. I can’t trust a guy who only strikes out 3 across eight innings. He was 21 for 27 with balls in play, which doesn’t make me all too thrilled.
Phil Hughes – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. Hughes is trying to make up lost time to take back the MFRTSPA from May and Pelfrey.
Shelby Miller – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. The regression is coming guys, I swear it.
Carlos Carrasco – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Finally the Cleveland defense doesn’t take Carrasco on a trip to BABIP hell and Carlos does what he’s been trying to do all season.
Nathan Karns – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Really nice job in Toronto, and he actually carried a no-no into the 6th inning. He’s allowed just 2 ER now in his last three starts across 17.1 IP, and he’s as hot as streamers get.
Jaime Garcia – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Garcia just keeps on rolling with another 0 walk evening. The Ks aren’t going to blow you away, but his unreal groundball rate – 67.2%! – is super solid.
Andrew Heaney – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. It doesn’t looks like Heaney will get an extended chance as he’s only a stop gap til the incredible Weaver returns from an injured hip. Heaney wasn’t all too impressive in the minors this year, but he was highly regarded last season with the Fish, and he has some upside to produce starts like this with some consistency. I think there’s too much risk and not enough reward here, but you can do worse than a few dates with Heaney.
Ryan Vogelsong – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Nothing like improving your FIP/xFIP to a steady 4.57/4.59.
Clay Buchholz – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. This is the first start that I’d be really happy with from Buchholz since June 2nd. He’s perpetuating the imagine of inconsistent like it’s his J-O-B.
Lance McCullers – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. He had one shaky inning in the fourth, where his walk struggles returned, but otherwise look very solid. I’m right on the fence with the future outlook of McCullers, but I still think he’s safer than a bunch of guys under him given his solid upside. He gets the Royals and Sox next, and if he can stand up to them with a pair of fists he’ll have my true endorsement moving forward.
Mike Leake – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. I wouldn’t even trust you to fix my pipes. You’re not the real plumber!
Kendall Graveman – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Back to his boring self that may have earned him a spot at the end of The List, but I don’t see all too much value with Graveman despite allowing only 6 ER total across his last 4 starts.
Mat Latos – 7.0 IP, 5 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. You thought he turned a corner when he gave you double-digit Ks a few weeks ago, didn’t you? So much for that.
Ian Kennedy – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks. Bleeegggh.
Bud Norris – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Nud Borris can’t even give us the strikeouts we want when he doesn’t blow up. What are you good for?
Danny Duffy – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. The Duff man has some of the worst peripherals you’ll see. Stay away.
Mike Bolsinger – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Bolsinger on the other hand doesn’t have such bad numbers under the hood, including a 3.07 FIP, 3.34 xFIP, 56.2% GB rate and 8.53 K/9. The walks need a little help and he doesn’t frequently go past the 6th inning, but he one of the better streamer options who is rosterable in a deep 12 teamer.
Chris Sale – 6.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks. So he kept the double-digit K train alive, but he was left in too long and bad things happened.
Kyle Hendricks – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. He’ll be taking a hit on Monday as the Ks have come down and he hasn’t been nearly as efficient and sturdy as before.
Bartolo Colon – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. The Big Apple has fallen too far from the tree.
Buck Farmer – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. He had a roller coaster day as he struck out five consecutive batters, then later allowed five consecutive hits. I don’t think he has all too much upside and I wouldn’t be rolling with him.
Allen Webster – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Got your dictionary handy Allen? Look up “unstartable”.
Gerrit Cole – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. The first real clunker of the season, but it comes after a start of 4/3 K per BB and makes me sliiiightly worried. Well far away from dealing him, but my ears are perked.
Cole Hamels – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. What is up with Coles today? Did they realize we have more efficient ways of generating power in these modern times?
David Hale – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. Hale 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.
Roenis Elias – 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. This is why we can’t have nice things. I’m not the only one who wanted to see a repeat performance of his 10 K outing.
Wandy Rodriguez – 4.0 IP, 8 ER, 11 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. The Wandyman can’t.
Today’s Streamers
NONE – Yeah, I’m sitting this one out. Some teams have the day off, half of the pitchers are wildly owned and the other half have poor matchups, such as at Coors field and facing the Nationals, or are just plain bad like Colby Lewis and Adam Warren. If I had to go with someone, I guess I’d take my chances with Tyler Jungmann vs. the Mets, but you’re probably getting the wrong side of that coin flip…which doesn’t make sense if you think about it but whatever just roll with it.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Brett Anderson at Miami Marlins – Give me the solid stream pick in Anderson in spacious Marlins Park any day.
Game of the Day
Lance Lynn vs. Milwaukee Brewers – It’s his first start after returning from the DL, and I for one am interested to see how he looks.