After four starts that combined for 19 ER Taijuan Walker shocked the world by going 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hit, 1 BB, 11 Ks against the Twins. The only blemish on the evening was a Miguel Sano HR in the 4th inning as he cruised through 9 frames with only 101 pitches. This is just absurd. His Changeup was as good as it’s been all season, and he was able to switch to his Curveball as the lineup turned over to continue dominating the helpless Minnesota lineup. If this was the guy that shows up each time out, he would be in the Top 30, no question. But that’s the problem. Walker is still very young and volatile, making him a poor man’s Salazar. He has this upside (I was very high on that upside to start the year!), but I’ve seen him fail to produce with consistency. If need to chase upside, go for it as it will come with a cheaper price tag than the rest, but for those who are nearing the top of the standings, he could be a guy that pulls you out of it.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Danny Salazar – 8.0 IP, 0 ER ,1 Hit, 1 BB, 4 Ks. You’re telling me that Danny Salazar, the guy who racks up both walks and strikeouts errr day, had a Minimalist Score of 6?! Super weird.
Michael Wacha – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BB, 7 Ks. The most impressive start I’ve seen from Wacha this season, and it only came with 7 Ks. Just saying.
Matt Harvey – 7.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Great to see no walks.
Zack Greinke – 8.0 ER, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BB, 8 Ks. Aces gon—oh come on Harvey!
Kendall Graveman – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Don’t let this lure you into a false sense of confidence with Graveman. There’s an end to this tale and it’s not a good one.
Ian Kennedy – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Ehhhhhh, I really don’t trust Kennedy. I just can’t do it, and I know that he’s been successful lately. Just remember the horrific 4.42 FIP in his last 10 games.
Erasmo Ramirez – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. I don’t trust him much, but at least he recovered from a 5 ER pummeling last time out.
Jason Hammel – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. A good rebound for Hammel, but would have liked to see him go a little deeper into the game.
Gio Gonzalez – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks. Even when he does well, he doesn’t do well. That’s Gio!
David Buchanan – 7.1 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Whoa, he can allow under 4 ER?
Nick Martinez – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. That’s cool, I guess.
Johnny Cueto – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. Welcome to the Royals, where this didn’t turn into an L.
Taylor Jungmann – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. Don’t sleep on Jungmann, he can be a legitimate help i na 12 teamer.
Jeff Locke – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Blleeee…
Nathan Eovaldi – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. …gggghhhh
Scott Feldman – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. Feldman Schmeldman.
Eduardo Rodriguez – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks. Eddie just didn’t have it against the Rays.
Madison Bumgarner – 7.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks. It may be time to slot Bumgarner beneath Archer and Cole.
Rubby De La Rosa – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BB, 4 Ks. The floor is just too low these days to chase is upside.
David Phelps – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BB, 2 Ks. Phelps helps no one.
Michael Lorenzen – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. When referring to the pitches thrown by Lorenzen, you could hear “Mikey! He likes it” POP. Solo shot for McCutcheon. :(
Drew Hutchison – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BB, 1 K. This game was at home, which means he didn’t blow up. But Hutchison isn’t all that great, so he wasn’t masterful. It’s like a Cat with a buttered piece of toast on its back.
Tommy Milone – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. You didn’t start Milone, right?
Buck Farmer – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BB, 1 K. Buck has some upside to him, but I highly doubt you’ll see it this year. The something stops here.
Kyle Kendrick – 1.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks. He had shoulder inflammation that took him out in the second inning, but you don’t really care. Why? Because Kendrick 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.
Hector Santiago – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BB, 3 Ks. Man the regressions angels are getting their monthly fill against Santiago. It burns! It burns!
Wei-Yin Chen – 3.1 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. Chen is great in good matchups. The Tigers are not a good matchup.
Carlos Rodon – 3.0 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks. I get a feeling that next year will be a small breakout for Rodon. He’s just too raw of a pitcher now but he can develop over time.
Williams Perez – 4.1 IP, 9 ER, 9 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks. The days of Perez being a bottom of the barrel streamer are pretty much donezo.
Today’s Streamer
Joe Ross vs. New York Mets – He’s still owned in under 30% of leagues so jump on it when he gets the lame-o Mets.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Mat Latos vs. Los Angeles Angels – Not the greatest of matchups, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to ride out of the Latos wave.
Game of the Day
Jacob deGrom vs. Joe Ross – It’s a second helping of this duel and by golly I love it.