I’m sure you guys have some questions about Matt Andriese, who surprised all of us by going 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks in his second start of the year. He’s now sporting an identical 0.56 WHIP and ERA and how could you not run to the wire and pick him up? Well, I’d be careful. I mean sure, go ahead and pick up the hot hand, worse comes to worse it’s just one bad start and that happens. I’m here to tell you that I don’t see Andriese as a guy that will be a member of your staff for long. His two opponents were the A’s and Angels, his stuff isn’t all too great, his xFIP is 4.50 from these two outings with an identical 4.50 K/9, and he doesn’t pitch for a winning team. Essentially, you’re relying on the Baseball Gods above to steer balls into gloves for Andriese to succeed. That doesn’t sound like a fun time to me, those guys up there are jerks.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Jake Arrieta – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Good to see a lower walk rate as well.
Mike Foltynewicz – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Our hesitant Call Boy got the job done in a big way against the Royals. On the plus side he attacked the zone a ton – over 71% strikes thrown – but he didn’t nibble too much, and generally elevated his Fastball more than spotted at the knees. Mix that with just seven whiffs on the evening and I’m not buying that Folty is a legit asset. You know how much of a fan I was last year and I need to hold restraint this season.
Scott Kazmir – 8.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Kaz just had to allow a 2-run HR with two outs in the ninth to stop that CG from happening. Anyway, I’m not buying Kaz unless he’s involved in weak matchups.
Aaron Nola – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks. He gave a few more unearned runs as well, but that doesn’t matter for you! I’m in love with The Big Easy and I just can’t hide it.
Colby Lewis – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. Sorry Lewis, I know you have allowed 2 or fewer ER in five of your eight starts this year, I just don’t like chasing a guy with a 4.42 xFIP and 6.58 K/9.
Mike Wright – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. A good ole One Night Bland.
Jake Peavy – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. I feel like this is a dying man’s last wishes. Can I please see the sun’s rays just one more time? Sure Peavy, whatever makes this easier for you.
Jhoulys Chacin – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Welcome to the Angels’ Chacin, where you’re still not a trusted entity.
Jose Quintana – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Quintana got another QS? YOU DON’T SAY.
Ervin Santana – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Ervin’s K upside makes him a slightly more alluring streamer choice, and he can do this sometimes. Not a guy I like throwing out there in 12 teamers week to week, but if you need help on weekends and he gets a matchup against, say, the Indians, he can do this. My bad for not talking about this before said start against the Indians. That one is on me guys.
Ivan Nova – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. It’s hard to get excited about Nova’s return to the rotation when he’s just giving me just five Ks in two starts. I’d consider him for the stream in O.Co next if you needed a guy.
Kendry Flores – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks. It was a double-header with the Marlins/Nats and Flores started what was an extended reliever game for the Fish. Move along.
Stephen Strasburg – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. Hmmm, Strasburg has a 4.05 ERA across his last five starts now…but also a FIP of 2.81 (2.75 xFIP) and a 10.64 K/9 across the season. I still love him and so should you.
Corey Kluber – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. Blegh, I thought we had put this behind us Klubs! Whatever, he gets the Reds next and we’ll forget all about this.
Anibal Sanchez – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Aniballllin’! – Said no one over the past year. Or maybe five years because no one talks like that anymore.
Dillon Gee – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Gee is back in the rotation after Young and Medlen have hit the DL, but don’t get excited. He’s just as boring as the pair.
Patrick Corbin – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. So it wasn’t the easiest matchup for Corbin, but it doesn’t help turn me into a believer again.
Marco Estrada – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. Look at Estrada finally realizing his high xFIP and walk rates in one start combined. Look he’s got some good starts in him, don’t get me wrong, but I think Estrada will have plenty of bumps in the road to make those solid outings forgettable.
Luis Perdomo – 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. It’s still undecided if Perdomo gets another start for the Pads, but it doesn’t matter. He’s just a Cup of Schmo.
Clay Buchholz – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. I understand there’s some of you out there that still believes in Bucky like Steve Rodgers, but I insist that you let it go ASAP.
Hisashi Iwakuma – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. We could have had it all Iwakuma. Big plans were in order, but then you decided to be stupid and not live out your potential. Not cool.
Tim Adleman – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Yeaaah Adleman is pretty boring. It’s conceivable he throws a middling start here and there, though the upside is more limited than original Star Wars Trilogy DVDs without the horrible CGI (do those even exist?).
Carlos Martinez – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. I’ve been slowly leaving the CMart train and while I still believe he’s a good asset on your team, I don’t see the Top 30 upside, and I may be pushing him back even further tomorrow. We’ll see.
Kendall Graveman – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks. I think this Ken needs a Bar more than his girl, you know?
Eddie Butler – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. Butler 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. Well, maybe not Gray but we’ll see about that.
Collin McHugh – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. Guys, don’t trust McHugh. Like at all. Please. Do it for her. Who? You know, her.
Justin Nicolino – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 1 Ks. Oh dear Nico, has there been a guy with a 1.50 K/9 after four starts in the season? Yikes…
Jeff Locke – 5.1 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. He’s Top Five! On the Anti-List…
Tanner Roark – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Wait, you’re saying Roark isn’t legit?! Pack it up boys, The Balls have Dropped.
Wily Peralta – 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Stop being so Wily!
Logan Verrett – 2.2 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks. With Matz sidelined due to a tight forearm, Verrett got the start in Coors. I feel like he dove in front of the bullet for all of us Matz owners. We will never forget your sacrifice.
Today’s Streamers
Tyler Duffey vs. Cleveland Indians – Yes he is a two-pitch pitcher and that is a little scary, but when you have a deuce this good you can get away with it against teams like the Indians.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
John Lamb vs. Cleveland Indians – This is more of a deeper play than in shallow leagues – in those go with Adam Conley vs. the Phils – but I think Lamb provides sneaky value through the year and he’s owned in just 2.3% of ESPN Leagues.
Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer
Juan Nicasio vs. Atlanta Braves – He’s owned in under 30% of ESPN leagues and gets one of his best matchups of the year. Go for it.
Game of the Day
Jose Fernandez vs. Joe Ross – It’s two of my favorite guys squaring off. It’s like a 2-for-1 Happy Hour.