The Tangled Webs We Weave…r

The game of the day did not disappoint yesterday as Godley was a joy to watch and Luke Weaver had a solid debut the tune of 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. You might think differently seeing this line, but those 4 ER were off a Grand Slam from JD Martinez after Weaver allowed a double and two walks. He was great in those other four innings and I think he got a little rattled once guys got on base. It’s not easy going up against the heart of the Diamondbacks order the second time through in your first start of the year, you know. So we know this wasn’t a start you wanted to roll with – Arizona is no joke and you have to think Weaver had little chance regardless of his opponent of going deep in his first MLB start of the year – but the good news here is that it doesn’t sway me from taking a flier on Weaver. If he’s slotted to take Waino’s spot for the foreseeable future, he gets the Brewers, Royals, Braves, Pirates, Padres next. I’d love to take that chance and see if he sticks.

Let’s see how every other SP did yesterday:

Zack Godley – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. I’m tempted to give him the label but I won’t be hasty. I’m not shocked at all by Godley killing it against the Cardinals, though I feel bad that Godley has to be put through the gauntlet a little with the Cubs, Dodgers, Cubs, Twins ahead. I want to start him for all of it, just wish he had it a little easier, you know?

Chris O’Grady – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Oh lord. I guess this happens every so often with every pitcher, right? He’s allowed a good day here and there but this really is a Cup of Schmo. His Fastball gets a B+…only because its velocity is 87.3 and that’s the relative grade for when I was in high school. STILL MAKING GRADE JOKES WITH GRADY. Please stop. NEVER.

Trevor Bauer – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. Bauer is worth the start against bad offenses. The Angels are a bad offense. Good job.

Max Scherzer – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Scherzer just narrowly earned the Gallow’s Pole over Archer with 18 whiffs. Enjoy your CYBD: Cy Young By Default. Okay he totally deserves it though but I just miss Kershaw so badly. This is the worst and best thing you’ve ever made. I pride myself on my work.

Jon Lester – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Super solid Lester, that’s three great outings in a row, though it was against the Braves, Cards, and ChiSox. Show me some what you got against the dBacks next.

J.C. Ramirez – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 6 BBs, 4 Ks. Six walks JC? I don’t think anyone signed up for JC to succeed against the Indians and I’m already wasting too much time on Ramirez. Those Ks ain’t returning. You just had to sneak in one more. WE’RE WASTING TIME.

Chris Archer – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks. Okay so it’s a VPQS but it’s also 10 Ks. Sure, I’ll take it.

Chris Flexen – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. The latest Mets arm to result of the poor training staff is Flexen – there’s a joke there somewhere – who surprisingly had solid numbers this season in the minors (9+ K/9 and around 2.00 BB/9 marks)…but it was A+ and AA. He also allowed a HR to his first batter, which is such a standard affair in debuts, though it was on an 0-2 Curveball that wasn’t terrible. So believe it or not, I actually kinda like Flexen. I think he has a full repertoire and while his command terribly consistent, I think he actually could be of value if given more time. I’m not giving him the dreaded CoS label just yet.

Sean Manaea – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. Atta boy Manaea. Great to see the whiff rate climb above 10% again (11.1%) as he took down the Jays. It doesn’t really matter who he’s facing next – he doesn’t get Coors – I’m starting him out there. His last 12 starts have rendered a 8.35 K/9, 2.40 BB/9, 3.20 ERA, with a 6.5+ IPS as he’s faced the Indians twice, Yanks twice, Astros twice, Mariners, and Rays. Yes, also a 4.10 SIERA and 15% soft contact so there is some worry, but I think that is counteracted by the easier schedule.

Robert Stephenson – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 7 BBs, 2 Ks. Look at this start. LOOK AT IT. It’s every reason why Stephenson is not worth a lick in your dynasty league. 7 walks. No Strikeouts. Low IPS. Sure, he could and most likely will get better, but there’s no reason to invest in that when this has been the story for ages. Not to mention, I don’t like his full repertoire nearly as much as others, others who also have better command. Get this Cup of Schmo out of my sight. Wow Nick, that’s so harsh…wait are you okay? I’M SO SORRY I’M SO SORRY.

Marcus Stroman – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 6 BBs, 4 Ks. Well this game was all kinds of weird. First we have Stroman handing out walks like they are stickers for my high school metal band that’s totally going to make it, followed by getting tossed for talking to himself ala Grant Balfour, which he had been doing all game and in every start and it’s so clearly him talking to himself. But anyway, here we are with a sub 5 inning start now that I’m sure will get lost in the mix when we talk about IPS. I will do my best guys to give him a slight benefit of the doubt in that number moving forward. Regardless of it all, keep rolling with Stroman.

Luis Perdomo – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. A bad ERA, bad WHIP, and just 3 Ks. Yep, that’s a Loss. Sorry I didn’t choose O’Grady I really should have seen that one coming. Streamer Record 52-38-12.

CC Sabathia – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Blegh. I know some of us have been hoping for Sabathia to hint as his sturdy self (let’s be honest, of all pitchers here, he would be the last one I’d try to knock over. Because he’s a massive man? What? No! Because he’s such a nice guy.) but this start didn’t go well as he got pulled during a difficult fifth with 86 pitches. He gets the Tigers next, which isn’t nearly as scary without JD, but I think I sit that one out. And the following start against the Indians. And the Sawx after that. Yeah, let’s tap out here. Ohhhh you have one of those shirts too? …No.

Mike Pelfrey – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Yep, that’s Pelfrey alright.

Michael Blazek – 2.1 IP, 8 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Poor kid. He’s a Cup of Schmo that had been in relief but finally got his first MLB start and proceeded to allow back-to-back-to-back-to-back HRs against the Nats. That’s like finally getting a date with the girl of your dreams only to have her tell you that she did it out of pity. Okay that hit too close to home. WELL IMAGINE WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO BLAZEK.

Today’s Streamer

Dinelson Lamet vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – It’s hard to turn down that K upside when he’s facing the meh Pirates. There isn’t any other choice really outside of Brent Suter against the Cubs, but I don’t love that one and I’m not ready to believe in Sal Romano a second time against the Marlins. Okay so Lamet is actually pitching on Saturday now (I prefer Newcomb soooo slightly) so I guess I’m going for the upside of Sal Romano vs Miami Marlins. Hold me.

Tomorrow’s Streamer

Sean Newcomb vs. Philadelphia Phillies – I’d also consider his opponent Jerad Eickhoff, but Newcomb has shown that he can bring solid K production when not facing a solid offense.

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

Luis Castillo vs. Miami Marlins – Alright, I think I’m allowed as some assuredly dropped him after his last start out. If he’s not there I’d go with Vince Velasquez against the Braves, though that comes with some clear risk given Freeman and VV’s lackluster previous outing.

Game of the Day

Dallas Keuchel vs. Detroit Tigers – Hey, he’s back! Man that took much longer than we thought.