The Sick Senz

Antonio Senzatela @ CHC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 86 pitches.

I could just tell you that Antonio Senzatela faced the Cubs and easily went 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 86 pitches. It’s easy, start a guy like Senz-a on the road against a poor team and you have yourself production.

But there’s more to this. Maybe. Not really. I probably should have led with someone else. It’s just that Senzatela has been on a decent stretch – allowing 3 ER or fewer in seven of his last eight starts now (six Quality Starts) – and hey, that’s something. He’s still 94/95 mph fastballs with a decent slider without much else and who knows, maybe there’s a start in September where Senz-A gets a weak team on the road again. At least now you’ll know you can feel okay about it. Yay.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:

 

Nathan Eovaldi vs TEX (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 94 pitches.

Yesss. The curveball was the secondary of choice once again and made easy work of the Rangers. Next up is Cleveland and I don’t see why this can’t be more of the same. That’s Nathan for you.

Lance Lynn @ TOR (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 86 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. The Jays are a little weaker without George Springer, but this was still a challenge for Lynn. What can I say, the man finds a way to make it work and now boasts a 2.20 ERA over 130.2 frames. Lovely.

Alek Manoah vs CWS (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 108 pitches.

Look at that, a Gallows Pole for Manoah, one start after floundering against the Nationals. His slider nor changeup did a whole lot here, but the four-seamer, my did that baby show up. 8/44 whiffs and a ton of strikes propelled Manoah through six frames and having that foundation with heaters is a legit strength. Let’s just get the slider going, too, okay?

Jordan Montgomery @ ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 75 pitches.

It sure ain’t pretty, but at least it helped. The Bear didn’t have the curveball or cutter that I’ve grown fond of, but they were decent and mixed with his sinker and cutter to earn outs. Somehow. He’ll get the Athletics next and I hope he can do well without being so dependent on luck next time.

Daniel Lynch @ HOU (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.

Despite facing the Astros twice in a row, Lynch managed to allow just 2 ER combined. Streaming Record: 77-56. Are you not entertained? His slider has been fantastic (36% CSW here) while his fastball command has helped him navigate lineups plenty better than we saw during his first callup. I wish he didn’t have to face the ChiSox next (yes, I’m still a little worried about that one), but he has a much easier schedule in September that I’ll be all over. I think you can play chicken a little longer given his next matchup, but I’d grab Lynch wherever I could next week with Chicago behind him. UPDATE: I am really dumb and for some reason skipped over the SEA matchup that comes before the ChiSox. I’d pick up Lynch for that outing in all my leagues.

Paul Blackburn vs SEA (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 97 pitches.

Blame it on the Mariners. I wish I could be a little more creative than that, but he earned 0/74 whiffs on cutters + changeups + sinkers, while he was hyper-reliant on called strikes with his fastball. Sure, his curveball was solid (all four whiffs!) but let’s not get any ideas that Blackburn is a Toby or worth a pickup. There’s a reason he’s Blackburn.

Zack Greinke vs KC (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 92 pitches.

Is it exciting? Nah. Does it get the job done? Sure. Yup, that’s Greinke. It’s a 3.41 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over nearly 156 innings with a sub 20% strikeout rate. That’s your Spider-Man, alright.

Humberto Mejia @ PIT (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 99 pitches.

Humberto tossed 82 pitches across 3.2 frames last time out and I’d say this one came as a bit of a surprise, to say the least. It all came via the 92/93 mph heater, but let’s be honest, the real hero was the Pirates offense. Go on, blame them all you want. Blame it on the Pirates. It’sTrue.gif

Kolby Allard @ BOS (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.

I expected nothing and got a PQS with a 1.17 WHIP. That’s a whole lot of something and I’m proud of Dralla for making it work against the Sawx. Sure don’t want to touch this moving forward, though – there’s no way that 91/92 mph heater will earn a 45% CSW again. Not a chance.

Huascar Ynoa vs NYY (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches.

I still have no idea how Giancarlo Stanton hit that second-inning homer, but who cares, it’s nine strikeouts with a PQS and a wonderful WHIP. I do want a few more whiffs on the slider – 5/38 ain’t right – but he’s clearly in a good place right now. Let him fly.

Marco Gonzales @ OAK (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 90 pitches.

You held onto Marco for the Athletics and he gave you a PQS. That’s what you wanted, right? He gets the Royals + Diamondbacks next and that could be better, but we have to accept that two strikeout games are part of the package with Gonzo. The man is a Toby on a Vargas Rule, nothing more.

Wil Crowe vs ARI (ND) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 89 pitches.

Womp womp. He had a solid changeup and a decent slider but he was Singled Out by the Sneks. One day we’ll all eat Crowe for doubting him. One day.

Kyle Hendricks vs COL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 104 pitches.

It’s uncommon for a pitcher to carry a PQS through six frames and lose it, but here we are. Hendricks earned a King Cole with this performance, but that won’t mask the mediocre ratios despite a date with the coveted Rockie Road. For shame, Kyle. For shame. Get that changeup in order.

 

Game of the Day 

 

Tyler Mahle vs. Corbin Burnes – I’d love to see Mahle continue his hot streak on the road + it’s Burnes and that’s always fun.

But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.

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Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)