A Quick Sip Of Jameson

(Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire)

Can we talk about Jameson Taillon? I think he’s been a bit underrated through the last three months and change as after last night’s lovely 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks he’s returned a 2.78 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 22% K rate, and 5.5% BB rate in 18 starts. Yes, the answer was introducing a slider one start prior, and I don’t see a reason why he can’t be this pitcher if not better as he gets more time with the pitch and figuring out his perfect approach. He gets the Royals, Cubs, and Reds to close out the year and I expect more of the same. You’ll be seeing him most likely drafted after the likes of Marquez, Wheeler, and maybe even Freeland, and I won’t be doing it. This isn’t as sexy as the first two, but a lot higher floor and that’s just lovely. Trust Jameson in a tumbler with a block of ice as you cozy up by the fire for another wonderful season.

Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:

Chase Anderson – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Chase was pinch-hit for prior to his fifth inning, ending his night prematurely. Annoying, I know. At the same time, were you really investing heavily in Chase against the Cubs? Why?

Liam Hendriks – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks. This was the only hit the Orioles had all game as Daniel Mengden with five no-hit frames after. Yep. One hit, one walk all day for the O’s. What. A. Game.

David Price – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. Aces gonna ace. A 3.42 ERA on the season now as he’s been absurd in the second half – 1.58 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 27% K rate, 4% BB rate. That’s what’s up y’all.

Felix Pena – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. So that’s just 3 ER in his last three games against the Astros, ChiSox, and Rangers. Does it mean you should own him? Probably not, as he gets the A’s and Astros next. That’s all that really needs to be said here, sorry for those that wanted more.

Zach Wheeler – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. He’s been absurd in the second half, now with a 1.32 ERA in his last 10 starts. Wild. I don’t see myself ranking him as high as others for next year because I wonder if this is the peak instead of the breakout plateau. His four-seamer is excellent, the secondary stuff…good. Not great and not enough to make me think he’ll avoid plenty of stumbles when his four-seamer isn’t on. That’s what might turn me away if he comes with a Top 20 price, which we might be seeing. Top 30? Yeah I’m okay with that. I think.

Derek Holland – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Mmmmmm Holland, you treat me too well. Hopefully he’s treating you well, too. Unless you’re Alex Fast, because SORRY BUDDY, YOU’RE GOING DOWN THIS WEEK.

Jake Odorizzi – 7.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Hey, you didn’t expect this. I wouldn’t have trusted Odorizzi against the Yanks, but maybe you did and you were rewarded. Nice job, don’t get cocky, kid.

Aaron Sanchez – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. Aaron is doing good things again! Too bad I can’t trust it to happen when you’re in your playoffs, but sweet! Maybe now he’s a post-post-post sleeper next year?

Anibal Sanchez – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks. That WHIP is ghastly, but at least you got the rest. Don’t overthink it, let 2018 play out and we can talk 2019 later.

Luis Severino – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. We will take this and have a party. He threw 83 pitches and wanted to stay in during a 2nd-and-3rd jam in the 6th, but conceded and was saved by Daniel Robertson.

Blake Snell – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks. Aces gonna ace. I’m going deGrom / Snell at this point…if I had a Cy Young vote. Maybe one day, maybe one day.

Stephen Strasburg – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks. Aces gonna ace. It’s nice to have you back in form right when we need you, Stras.

Ross Stripling – 3.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. This was a bit of a DLH and we didn’t expect a whole lot out of Stripling. If you did spend a start on him, this does help, so that’s nice. Not a whole lot, but at least no one is upset, right? I don’t think he returns to the rotation proper again this season, which is all kinds of messed up considering how good he’s been. It’s Brad Peacock 2.0! There’s just not enough time to ramp and nor fit him in. Maybe he does and it’s a 4-5 inning game…that’s not the best risk/reward for you to take.

Gerrit Cole – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks. Aces gonna mostly ace. A 3.60/1.40 WHIP leaves a bit to be desired, so here’s nine Ks to wipe the tears away.

Kyle Hendricks – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. I led with Hendricks last time and he’s doing more of his solid, Toby-esque work.

Wade LeBlanc – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. Ayyy, LeBlanc was as boring as he ever is. A discount Toby, I guess.

Daniel Poncedeleon – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Surprising all around as not only did Poncedeleon get a proper start, but he also succeeded. He’s not slated for another one, but hey, this was cool.

Carlos Rodon – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks. That WHIP is killing me – stop walking guys please – but you’ll take the rest and yet another QS from Rodon.This was the Royals, now he gets the Indians twice. Yikes. Proceed with caution.

Eric Skoglund – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. He’s a Cup of Schmo and I ain’t got time for this. Sorry Sko, but you know, I need to go.

Carlos Carrasco – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Not bad, but not great given those 3 ER. We need better in our playoffs from your Carrasco. I’m sorry. Don’t be sorry, be not bad. Didn’t you call this start “not bad?” I’M EMOTIONAL YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

Patrick Corbin – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. Aces wanna ace. It’s close – Seven Ks are great and hey! A Quality Start! – but getting Singled Out with a 4.00+ ERA isn’t cool at all.

Joey Lucchesi – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Blegh. It’s all the middling things going the wrong way to give you harmful marks save for a Win. I still believe in the guy, I’m just disappointed today.

Jon Gray – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. I’ve been a bit worried about Gray and he failed a bit here in Coors hosting the Dbacks. Just a bit, though as he had six Ks to go with it via 15 whiffs – 9/23 on his slider. Great to see those return and it makes me a little more confident moving forward. It was a bad stretch prior.

Aaron Nola – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Nola, no. NO. His ERA has risen 32 points over the last three starts to 2.42 and it hurts. He had five games in 27 thrown with 3+ ER, which he’s done now in the last three games. He also had five straight games of 8+ Ks leading up to this one, so all around I’M UPSET. Enough ranting, don’t do anything, yada yada yada. I feel you, that’s all.

Trevor Richards – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. Awww that’s too bad. He had a bit of bad luck go his way, but just 5 whiffs on 34 changeups isn’t going to cut it. He wasn’t hit all too hard here, but the Mets did their damage and Richards wasn’t great. I thought I’d go 2/3 between him, Urena, and Alcantara, it’s up to Sandy tonight. Streaming Record: 93-45.

Anthony DeSclafani – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Tony Disco got the Dodgers and did as well as you would expect.

Daniel Norris – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. This isn’t the man we were hyped about entering 2017. Velocity way down and 1/25 whiffs on his slider. The Astros just amplified this and it went…poorly.

Yovani Gallardo – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. It’s pretty typical to stomp on the YoGa mat.

Andrew Cashner – 2.0 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks. We all Cashed Out a loooong time ago and it’s not a terrible thing that the Orioles are locking up the #1 overall pick.

Today’s Streamer

Sandy Alcantara vs. New York Mets – I know it’s three days against the Mets. Thing is, the Marlins pitchers ain’t all that bad and no one cares about them. Alcantara can get through this and help.

Tomorrow’s Streamer

Wei-Yin Chen vs. Philadelphia Phillies – The Marlins rotation is super underrated y’all! Now they get the Phillies and this could still work, even after Chen’s last start letting me down a bit.

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

Reynaldo Lopez vs. Baltimore Orioles – There is zilch available here, so why not, chase a good outing from ReyLo against the worst team in the bigs.

Game of the Day

Clayton Kershaw vs. St. Louis Cardinals – It’s the man doing his craft. Watch it.