Spinning A Webb Of Lies

It was the MLB debut of Logan Webb for the Giants as they faced the Diamondbacks and with a decent amount of hype surrounding him, he executed via 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. It wasn’t a great start to the game, allowing an ER after two hits out of the gate, but he settled down and earned 31/93 CSW and collected seven punchouts. But do we like this guy? Maybe? He featured some solid sliders and a collection of impressive changeups, though I’m not in love with his heater. His 3/4 arm angle had him falling off the mound and created sporadic fastball command. The heater had good horizontal movement, but it was at times similar to the Feral Command we’ve discussed before with Aaron Sanchez and Fernando Romero (there’s a name!). I often go after guys that have a fastball foundation paired with one or two strong secondary pitches to complement and I’m a bit hesitant here. I just want a better-commanded fastball. Now with the A’s next, are we starting him? I don’t think you need to take the risk if you can’t handle the floor, but there could be something here if he harnesses his heater. I wouldn’t put my chips on that, but the upside is clearly there with his slider and changeup.

Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:

Jon Lester – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks. Solid rebound from Lester who has allowed under 3 ER just once in his previous six starts. He’s a Toby, but someone you can feel okay dropping if there’s something you need today or next week to earn a late season win.

Eduardo Rodriguez – 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Ayyyy alright Eduardo! We’re in this together as we discussed last start in full and you took full advantage of the Orioles like you should have. Now do it again against the Padres before you get a rest in Coors.

Ryan Yarbrough – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks. Hot dang! The Fratty Pirate doesn’t get the lead since he already got one a few starts ago but this domination of the Tigers is all kinds of remarkable. His changeup was chased a TON – 15/36 whiffs on the pitch alone! – as he earned a Gallows Pole with 20 whiffs overall. Oh and did I mentioned 35/83 CSW? Yeah he did this in just 83 pitches with a 42% CSW. This was RIDICULOUS. He’s an easy start next time out against the Orioles, but the Astros after? I guess that’s okay. Maybe. We’ll see.

Jordan Zimmermann – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. Hey, he did something well! We have to be happy about the little things, they come by so infrequently.

Steven Brault – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. Whoa, Brault exploded with eight strikeouts against the Cubs after featuring just two six strikeout games prior. Amazingly, he also did this in just 82 pitches as well as Brault pumped strikes, feeding into aggressive Cubs batters. This ain’t sticking, though. Hope you enjoyed your Birthday Party.

Jacob deGrom – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. The sole Aces Gonna Ace of the day. Do you feel special deGrom? Because you make us all feel special. 

Anthony DeSclafani – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Ehhhh I’ll take it if I ran with Tony Disco. You don’t want such a bad WHIP, but he gave you the dub against the Cardinals and you’re likely holding for the Pirates next. It’s not smooth, but it works right now.

Reggie McClain – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks. You never go full bullpen. Wait, that happens a lot these days. And hey, it worked for the Mariners! Kudos to them. I guess.

Mike Foltynewicz – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. It’s too bad he got a start against the Dodgers, I think Folty can be a strong asset down the stretch, but this does put a slight halt to his momentum. But now it’s the Mets and Jays, so hold tight, y’all.

Ariel Jurado – 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks. Not a single strikeout and only two innings of work? Yeah, I don’t want to be a part of this world.

German Marquez – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. Marquez did this in Coors! Against the Marlins. Fine, but let’s be happy for this, right? Be happy before the Red Sox come into town next time where you’ll want so badly to start him but you know you shouldn’t. Buuuut– you shouldn’t.

Hector Santiago – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Hector, bud, you’re reminding me of the Geezer Quality Start Battle of 2014. Except this isn’t a quality start. And we kinda liked those guys.

Asher Wojciechowski – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Another clear sit for the Woj as he faced the Red Sox and I’m a little disappointed that his slider and curveball didn’t perform better – just 5/35 whiffs between them. It could be on the mend with the Nationals and Rays next, but let’s wait for him to come back in full first before considering him again, save for those desperate for help ASAP.

Chris Bassitt – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. He had a date with the Astros and we sure didn’t expect a PQS, albiet it a VVPQS. Just 9 whiffs on 116 pitches from Bassitt and 25% CSW as this wasn’t a start that pushes us to consider Bassitt outside of good matchups.

Jose Berrios – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. Blegggggh. Berrios’ curveball was actually pretty solid in this one, but an error in the field extended innings and his pitch count in the second frame and it added fuel to the fire of mediocrity. Keep starting him, I’ll cross everything for you as you need him for your playoffs.

Taylor Clarke – 1.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks. Awwwww, Clarke had a few unearned runs to his name as well and had already thrown 52 pitches before getting the hook in the second frame. The Dbacks have plenty of arms to go around and it could spell the end of Clarke this year in the rotation. I hope I’m wrong, though, since his slider is good enough to sneakily produce at points down the stretch, but for anyone monitoring this, focus elsewhere for now.

Zach Eflin – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Eflin had 27% CSW in this game. Eflin also had just one swinging strike. ONE. The man pumps strikes endlessly, guys gets comfortable in the box, and things like this happen. Yes, it was a DLH of sorts as he rejoined the rotation again, but I’m not jumping to grab Eflin. Maybe as a streamer in a few eeks. Maybe.

Jake Junis – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. We’ll take this Junis. Streaming Record: 80-53. No Win but it is slightly better than a PQS that is just inside the Win threshold for streaming + six strikeouts certainly helps. His slider wasn’t its peak self, but that’s alright and even if it was, we’d still move on given the Indians and A’s next. Maybe we’ll see you in September

Dinelson Lamet – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. We’ve been waiting for Lamet to go deeper into games and he was given a longer leash to go a full six and throw 92 pitches. LOVE IT. Now he gets the Red Sox and Dodgers next. HATE IT. It’s too bad that we’re finally getting unleashed Lamet – even if I don’t think it’s close to like it was with Clevinger or Bieber unleashed – and he’s hitting two walls out of the gate. I wouldn’t say a full-on throwback onto the wire as he can still help with strikeouts in these games if you need it, but expect a dent in your ratios.

Trent Thornton – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks. The Discount Hotel gave you a VPQS with three Ks and if you’re not in a QS league, what are we fighting for. What purpose does it all have? He was a sleeper AL-Only play anyway against the Mariners so we shrug and move on.

James Paxton – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Paxton, please. We’re running out of time. He’s closer than the line suggests with cutters for 9/24 CSW on their own and fastballs that jammed right-handers plenty, but his curveball really wasn’t doing what he wanted it to, either flying high-and-away or too far in the dirt. It’s frustrating as we’re waiting-and-waiting for his SP #2 production to show up…and we may need to wait a little longer as he gets the Dodgers next. I’m still starting him for it – Mild Shock – as Paxton in a groove = Paxton FOR THE WIN, but I understand if you want to be conservative and wait for the Mariners after. Yes, he’s taking a hit tomorrow on The List.

Zach Plesac – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Plesac got the Yankees in the second game of his rough two-start week and now we can rest easy with the Royals ahead. Just think of the future.

Hyun-Jin Ryu – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Trouble in paradise?! Just 21/101 CSW as Ryu was hit hard plenty here. Only his changeup really worked and this is the floor that bothers me – just four strikeouts when the ratios don’t help leaves you without a whole lot. But hey, it’s Ryu, surely he’ll bounce back, right? I’m starting him against the Yankees and I guarantee you I get roughly 5-10 questions asking if I am this week, even after everything he’s done for you this year. Sure, it can definitely go south, but it’s one start. One start.

Jose Suarez – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Suarez though, I have no interest in. There was a moment where his secondary pitches were working and he had a clear rotation spot, but now he’s getting opened for and he can’t find the groove we want. Nope, I’m not adding Suarez, there’s just no way. You’re forgetting the last word of that joke. I believe in my readers.

Rogelio Armenteros – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. R.A. pulling a 2009 Dickey on us here with a line that makes us not know the man exists.

Jordan Lyles – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. We were hoping Lyles could hold off the Nationals, and this just wasn’t it. He got pretty hard in this one, even turning to 17 sliders in an attempt to keep batters on their toes. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work. Good news is that the Diamondbacks and Cardinals are next and those could be some worthwhile streams.

Miles Mikolas – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. I felt like leading with Mikolas only to say we have no idea what you’re going to do, like, ever but I think you already knew after last week’s rant. This was the Reds and if you want to dance with Rocky Road next time with the Brewers on the road next, by all means. I’m sitting this one out for streamers instead.

Anibal Sanchez – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. Like Mikolas, I may have led with Anibal on another day as it may be time to move on from the fella. His success is often based his cutter and here it was just 2/15 CSW, with three of his last four games missing the pitch. I’ve labeled him as a Toby and he may still be one, but it’s a situation where he’s not as dependable as he once was. Just keep him on the list of possible drop candidates if you’re looking for room.

Hector Noesi – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. 15/80 CSW as Noesi tried to survive Coors. He did not. All of his junk failed to work, but at least he got 7 whiffs on 37 fastballs? That’s cool. Very sneaky upside play against the Phils next for those in NL-Only.

 

Today’s Streamer

 

For those unaware, I’m forced to make my streamer picks under the condition of sub-20% owned in Fantasy Pros’ consolidated ownership rates.

 

Griffin Canning vs. Chicago White Sox – It’s likely the last start of the year that I hold onto Canning and I do have slight hesitations with it given the wonkiness of his heater in his last outing, but there isn’t much else to chase here. Maybe Chase Anderson vs. the Nats or even Mitch Keller against the Cubs could work as well.

 

Tomorrow’s Streamer

 

Joe Ross vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – Guess we’re doing this. Not too many options so let’s hope his sinker/slider combination is enough to earn a dub against the Pirates.

 

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

 

Elieser Hernandez vs Atlanta Braves – All the interesting sub 20% arms have horrid matchups, so I’ll go with Elieser, who could survive the Braves after back-to-back 7 K games.

 

Game of the Day

 

Jose Quintana vs. Mitch Keller – Let’s see if Quintana’s approach from his 14 K game is still around, while Keller could take another step forward.

 

(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)