We have many terms here at Pitcher List, with one of our most popular being DLH, which stands for Disabled List Hangover. It’s a quick term that tells owners not to start a pitcher during their first start back from a DL stint. Y’all know it. After missing two weeks, Michael Fulmer returned from his brief stint to face the Rangers and, well, obeyed the DLH rules with a 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks line. That’s terrible. My gut felt that Fulmer could have denied the DLH Gods their bidding, but he simply couldn’t find a groove, allowing runs in each of the first four frames. I understand being upset as an owner. This is far from what you wanted and with a guy like Fulmer that was Top 20 for a good amount of the year, you were hoping to get something back right away. But DLH is real and often lasts just one outing. However, I think we need to play this one safe – it’s not like Fulmer was killing it in his starts prior to the DL – and give him one extra start of rest as he faces the Dodgers next. It’s possible he spins a gem, but considering he’s much easier schedule after, I think it’s the right move to make.
Let’s see how every other SP did yesterday:
Chad Bettis – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. So Bettis isn’t a smart bet to make fantasy wise, but in real life baseball I’m incredibly happy for him. It’s obviously been a challenging road for Bettis as he’s recovered from testicular cancer to pitch for the Rockies again and I can’t help but imagine how incredible a moment it must have been, not only to return but to pitch seven shutout innings as well. Welcome back, Bettis.
Zack Greinke – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks. Aces gonna ace. I didn’t put you behind deGrom and you rewarded me for it. Thanks duder.
Julio Teheran – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks. Of course Teheran has one of his best starts of the year…on the road…inside Coors. Duh. It just makes too much sense. So do we believe in Teheran now? After allowing 16 ER in his previous three starts combined? Yeah not a chance.
Jerad Eickhoff – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. So it’s not all too exciting, but this sure is a dub if you ran with him as a streamer. Just go a little deeper or cut back on the walks, alright? Streamer Record 61-45-14.
Jose Quintana – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks. Ehhhh, this is fine, I guess. Four strikeouts are meh, a 1.60 WHIP is blegh, but 1 ER and a Win? Fine.
Nick Tepesch – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks. Leave it to Tepesch to go six frames of 1 ER ball and not strike out a single batter. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FEED MY FAMILY WITH THIS.
Luis Cessa – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. The Yankees pitching staff is so hurt right now that even their backup in Cessa left the game early and is getting an MRI on his back. It’s not like he was fantasy relevant anyway and for the 20th time maybe this means Chance Adams can get a game or two.
Kevin Gausman – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. 16 Whiffs for Gausman as he still underthrew his Splitter (about 17% rate) but his Four-Seamer command was phenomenal. That Fastball is the crux of his success and as long as he’s feeling that pitch, he should be golden.
Jake Junis – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. Yeah, I’m not investing in this at all. Junis is so prone to bad starts he disqualified for the Olympics. In what? BEING TWO-FACED. I don’t get it. Why do you do this. Great question.
Collin McHugh – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. This was my favorite start of the night as McHugh got back on track after his previous start against the ChiSox. He handled Coors-Lite well and despite not dominating – just 8 whiffs to his name – I’ll definitely take this and his super easy schedule the rest of the way: A’s, Angels, Rangers await next.
Rafael Montero – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. This is one of the best starts you’ll see from Montero. Don’t you dare buy high here.
Jake Odorizzi – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. A 1.00 WHIP and 3.00 ERA as he lasted long enough for the Quality Start? Yes I will certainly take that.
Martin Perez – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. Sure, whatever Perez.
Travis Wood – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. It’s the wrong wood! I resist making innuedos about this every time I say it. The things I do for you guys.
Trevor Bauer – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks. Man, Bauer is in one incredible groove right now. That’s a 1.88 ERA, 33 Ks and just five walks across his last four starts with a 7.2 IPS. Hot damn that’s gorgeous. This one was in Fenway and he still fanned eleven, but nothing really changes after last week’s lede with him as Bauer still holds the same floor he’s always had. He’ll probably tell you himself that he expects regression to come. But he threw over 25% Sliders/Cutters! The most of the season! Yep I want to believe this too and obviously am holding and all of that, but it would be unwise to throw out everything we know about Bauer after just four starts.
Adam Conley – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks. It’s a VPQS from Conley without a single strikeout. If you’re outside a QS league, you’re lucky he got a Win because otherwise this did zilch for you. And of course…HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FEED MY FAMILY WITH THIS? Twice in one night. Huh.
Doug Fister – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. This is hard to look at, like how Cotton’s season has gone thus far…
Jharel Cotton – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. …Oh hey. Didn’t see you there buddy. How’d it go toda–oh. Right. Not good. Do they say it’s going to get better? No? Uh huh. Well hang tough, they still call you a Young Gun don’t they?
Ty Blach – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks. Blach.
Asher Wojciechowski – 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. And now we’re back to call you Woeretsdfniowefjn. For those not following, I add one correct letter to Asher’s name for each good outing he gives us. Like my 17 year old self, he lost a J today.
Yovani Gallardo – 4.0 IP, 8 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Let’s all have a moment of silence for the Mariners as YoGa is their last remaining starter from opening day. Ouch.
Today’s Streamer
Dinelson Lamet vs. Philadelphia Phillies – It’s hard to turn this outing away as Lamet could fan over 8 batters and not kill your ratios against a poor Philly offense.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Nick Pivetta vs. San Diego Padres – I know it didn’t go well against the Mets, but this is still your best bet.
Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer
Edwin Jackson vs. San Diego Padres – Yeah, this is crazy. It’s EJax! But it’s also the Padres and he’s been surprisingly serviceable for the Nats in his five starts + a cheap way to earn a Win.
Game of the Day
Jacob deGrom vs. Sonny Gray – Two Top 25 arms go at it as the Mets play their yearly World Series.
Picking up Happ. Drop McHugh, Morton, Rodon, Rodriguez… Or Fulmer? Just playing with that last part, but should I just stick to the list and drop McHugh?
Really close one here.
The List came out before McHugh’s start last night against the dBacks and I think I prefer him slightly over Morton right now.
Good news is that if one doesn’t work out, you can play hot potato
That means that since McHugh won’t start for another five days now, you can drop him now to hold Morton for his start against Arizona (if you need it), then make the swap after.
McHugh or Castillo ROS?
McHugh. Easier schedule and we know he’ll be pitching through September.
David,
I’ll answer you so that Nick doesn’t have to. The top 100 list IS his ROS ranks. So Castillo over McHugh.
Well….that whole tier is incredibly close and seeing McHugh perform inside of Arizona is a major factor to consider.
Considering the concerns of Castillo getting shut down and McHugh erasing the fears created by his blowup against the White Sox, I’m inclined to favor McHugh over Castillo since the publication of The List yesterday.
Gotta drop Manaea.
McHugh, Clevinger, or keep rolling with Manaea?
I’d get McHugh.
Starting Castillo @CHC tonight?
I think so, though this is a bit of the make-or-break start for Castillo after two straight without the command we saw across his previous six games.
Sooooo glad I took that chance. One hell of a start @CHC.
Sweet! He was on again and it was fantastic.
PS: Thanks! and Dbl-Thanks for turning me on to him in the first place!!
Yo Nick!! After Peacock’s dud today, would you consider dropping him for Manaea? I have the playoffs locked up, so trying to look a bit ahead…
Nope, I’d hold Peacock
Hey Nick,
Sorry I’m late to comment, but I don’t think DLH is totally applicable for Fulmer. He’s experiencing an ulnar nerve impingement… so imagine pitching with no sensation in your ring and little fingers, and a crunchy feeling in the back of your elbow/tricep.
I’m shocked Detroit hasn’t shut him down yet, but I think it may be inevitable. Treatment for ulnar nerve impingement at the elbow comes down to rest, cortisone shot to relieve pain/swelling temporarily, or surgery. I think rest would be the best call for a budding ace of a non-competitive team.
Anyway, just my 2c. Thanks as always for all of your work – I enjoyed this McHugh start, thanks for the tip to pick him up :)
Jeff
That’s a great point Jeff, I generally assume all pitchers have their “healthy box ticked” when they return from the hill and I didn’t consider that Fulmer might just be “healthy enough” instead of ready to roll fully.
I wonder if we’ll get more details about it this week.