I’ve been saying it for a long, long time (even ranking him lowest on Fantasy Pros in the preseason), but if you still own Francisco Liriano, he has got to go. Treat yo’ self to a waiver wire hottie, especially after giving owners a line of 3.1 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks last night against the Angels. That walk rate is never going to get better, he’s missing inside the strike zone more than ever, and his upside doesn’t come out and party nearly as often like he’s all wified up. You used to be cool Francisco, but now I have to drop you like my plate after hearing some horrible news on the phone. It’s all slow motion n stuff as my face is hit with a blank thousand yard stare as we cut to me choking back tears as I’m on the wire searching for anything else to own. It didn’t have to be this way.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Drew Pomeranz – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks. Pom played the Rockies in Petco, which actually isn’t as scary as you’d think given that the Rockies on the road hold a below average wOBA. Anyway, it’s super promising to see Pomeranz keep the walks in check and continue what he’s been doing all along…which means I’d sell him as his price is as high as ever. I don’t believe that he can keep it up for much longer. Womp womp.
Danny Salazar – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 9 Ks. Aces gonna ace.
Noah Syndergaard – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks. What Salazar said.
John Lackey – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks. Hot damn, can Lackey keep this up? Short answer, yes. Longer answer: Yessir. Actually long answer: Yeah, he’s in a groove right now, but not a Top 25 pitcher. There will be so bumps along the way, but not enough to sell high.
R.A. Dickey – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks. His Knuckleball was on fire yesterday, but the problem is that these things come and go like the wind because I am so poetic. You know who told me he was a great poet? Dickey. He gave me one of his poems to read and its first line was “My hands were wet like wet leaves.” Don’t trust a knuckleballer.
Archie Bradley – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 10 Ks. The biggest change I’m seeing from Bradley over these last two starts is an increased ability to A) throw his Curveball for a strike and B) get a boatload more whiffs with the pitch. I’m not sold that his command is good enough to keep this up, especially with his horrible control history, but you best be riding this hot hand until further notice.
Doug Fister – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Our Call Boy got the job done despite a freakin’ 18 pitch at-bat soaking up his possible longevity. Whatever, you’ll take this and run.
Ricky Nolasco – 7.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. Ah yes, the classic One Night Bland.
Brandon Finnegan – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. Finnegan enjoys his walks like he enjoys his beer – way too many every single day. Are you calling him a drunk? Maybe, but let’s stick to the important things, like his inability to stop walking guys. Don’t put your faith in Brandon, he’s got a lot left to do.
Adam Wainwright – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. Look at Waino doing some work today. Keep it up kiddo.
Kenta Maeda – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. I GOT YOUR KENTAS HERE! $3.50 A POP! GET EM WHILE THEY’RE HOT! What are you talking about. I’m telling you to sell Maeda. Ohhhhh.
Johnny Cueto – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 1 Ks. What is this, a 1.50 WHIP and just one strikeout? Yeah that ERA is low but there is more to life than a goose egg in the ER department, like good mozzarella sticks. You haven’t lived until you’ve had the right mozzarella sticks.
Jake Odorizzi – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. Meehhhh. I mean if I started him I’m fine with it, but it’s getting tougher and tougher to believe Odorizzi deserves to be anywhere close to the Top 30 when he so rarely shows me a start that gets me amped up. Fun fact: Outside of his first start of the year, Odorizzi has struck out more than six batters just once, with seven strikeouts against the Marlins. Just sayin’.
David Price – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. Ugh, Price is being too much like Price this year where owners can get super pumped like once every few weeks, then either blow up or is good but not great otherwise. 10 baserunners in seven isn’t great. Just five Ks isn’t great. Stop messing with us David.
Julio Teheran – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. He allowed a pair of HRs to Corey Seager and that was that. Keep rolling with Julio.
Jered Weaver – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. For all the hate I give Weaver, this is his third start of his last four where he’s given up 3 ER or fewer. Yeah, that’s the best endorsement for Weaver you’ll ever get from me, and that’s pretty sad.
Jordan Zimmermann – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. If you’re not used to boring starts from JZ, get used to it.
Chris Rusin – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Rusin 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 not named Gray and maybe even Gray.
Tom Koehler – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. Whatever, don’t care Tom.
Yu Darvish – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. The Mariners aren’t a team to be messed around with, but the main focus is if his velocity is still up. And hot damn is it up as he hit 99.9 mph yesterday. He didn’t average as high as last weekend’s debut, but still well above his previous marks in 2013 and 2014. I have a feeling Darvish is going to be Top 10 ROS, so pull a JT and buy buy buy.
Vincent Velasquez – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. If you haven’t sold Vince yet, you’re doing it wrong.
Gio Gonzalez – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks. Ever since I led with Gio, he’s just been tanking like he’s owned by former Gov. Schwarzenegger – 7, 6, 5 ER in his last three starts. At least next should be 4 ER, right? This one hurts a bit more though since it came against the Reds. Ouch.
Carlos Rodon – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. So Rodon wasn’t actually fixed all along. I’ve seen better twists in episodes of Full House.
Edinson Volquez – 6.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. Over his last 8 starts, Volquez now has a 5.51 ERA, 6.80 K/9 and a 3.49 BB/9. Yuck.
Chris Tillman – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Tillman just doing Tillman things. I’ll give him one more shot to show that he’s actually turned a corner this year, but until then…you can’t spell win with Tillman.
Nathan Eovaldi – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. And looks like Eovaldi’s success may have just been noise after all. Or not, this was the O’s after all. Still, I don’t think Eovaldi provides Top 50 value ROS.
Taijuan Walker – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. And the slide continues for Walker after his super duper April.
Jimmy Nelson – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks. Nelson’s value was blasting off at the speed of light in the eyes of many, and I think this will bring them back to Earf. It’s about time.
Jesse Hahn – 0.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. Surrender now, you don’t want to fight.
Today’s Streamers
Junior Guerra vs. Philadelphia Phillies – At this point, you have to keep rolling with Junior as he faces weak opponents. Other options include his opponent Jeremy Hellickson (yes, that Hellickson) and Nate Karns against the Rangers, with super discount options coming from Matt Andriese vs. the Twins, Mike Foltynewicz against the Dodgers, and Ervin Santana facing the Rays. It’s a flip of the coin day if you’re into that.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Jon Gray vs. San Diego Padres – He’s got two things going for him here: It’s not in Coors and it’s against the Friars. This was going to be Tyler Duffey’s spot, but he couldn’t handle the A’s and it’s hard to put faith in him even against the Rays.
Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer
James Paxton vs. Cleveland Indians – I don’t love this start, but there really isn’t much else to turn to + if Paxton brings the heat he had last time out, it could be a super fun time.
Game of the Day
Clayton Kershaw vs. Atlanta Braves – As if Kersh needed any help this year. Stephen Strasburg against the Reds could also be a ballertastic time.