It sure has been a disappointing rookie season thus far for Blake Snell, holding a 3.86 ERA with just a 7.01 K/9 entering today’s game. But then his schedule decided to give the kid a break, and he went 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks against the Angels. Good news it that Snell threw a First-Pitch Strike to the first 12 batters he faced. That’s a really good sign for the kid. He also should have one fewer ER (and one fewer K) since his 6th inning was extended on a throwing error during an easy double play, but whatever. Anyway, great to see Snell taking advantage of the weak Halos, though I would be selling everywhere I own him. Wait, selling?! Yes duder, that schedule is not doing him any favors in the second half, and someone might see this and get prospect pumped. I liked what I saw from him today, but I don’t want to put my faith in him keeping it up against offenses miles better than Mike Trout and the RestTM.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Drew Pomeranz – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. The Dirty Cheerleader is still cruising like a champ and if you go over his last 13 starts now since May 1st, his BB/9 is 3.26. It’s not good, but it’s not revolting like we’ve seen from Pom Pom this season.
Hector Santiago – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks. Ugh, go away Santiago. We all know this is just a Blame it on the Rays situation.
Tyler Duffey – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks. When Duffey’s deuce is on, it is on. It’s unfortunate that it’s turned on as often as my ex-wife was. :(
Adam Wainwright – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks. This probably the best start of Wainwright’s season as the Pirates just can’t figure things out. I watched a bit of Waino perform as Glasnow was sitting on the bench, and I was encouraged – not sold – by his stuff. Fortunately for owners, the Cards don’t play a tough team until the middle of August (Cubs), which means you should keep on keepin’ on with Waino. On the flip side, the Cardinals’ matchups from September 12th to the 25th are tough (Cubs, Giants, @Coors, Cubs), which means I’d consider dealing him if you want something better on your H2H playoff caliber team. Just throwing it out there.
Lucas Harrell – 7.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Stop being such a TEEs Harrell.
Rich Hill – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks. I’m gonna say it. ACES GONNA ACE. Hill is freakin’ fire.
Doug Fister – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. Our Call Boy gave us exactly what we expected – a Three-Fists Compromise. Don’t forget, this was the A’s, not an actually decent team.
James Paxton – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. The crazy thing about this start is that Paxton was throwing a shoutout through seven innings with just 57 pitches. Holy jeebus. No wonder he didn’t get the Ks, the Royals were jumping early on Paxton strikes (22/28 FPS!) and it was beautiful to watch. The Ks will return next time and you’re going to be a happy Pax owner, I guarantee it.
Jason Hammel – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. Good to see Hammel gathering his cool after a complete meltdown against the Mets last time out. The second half approacheth, which means I might be a little scared to keep holding on to him. I’d test the trade waters.
Danny Duffy – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. I really like me some Duffy these days. Great velocity, excellent movement, plays in a bearable division, and he did this against the mighty Mariners today. Beautiful.
Chad Bettis – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Bettis 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.
Drew Hutchison – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Hutchison was supposed to be Aaron Sanchez’s rotation replacement, but with Marco Estrada hitting the DL, D Hutch is getting an earlier shot to redeem himself. Wait, did you say Dutch? Like the Dutch Invasion? You know, that isn’t so far off from what to expect. Be careful.
Justin Verlander – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. So this was against Toronto, but I still expect a little better than four walks leading to 10 baserunners in under six innings. No this really shouldn’t change your opinion one way or another about Jimmy V.
Tyler Glasnow – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. I watched Glasnow’s debut and you can expect a GIF Breakdown of it tomorrow in the early afternoon. Quick summary: Not nearly as much of a fan as Taillon/Fulmer or even Berrios from his debut, as Glasnow doesn’t have the command of his pitches nor that third pitch to keep him afloat later in the game. I understand the strikeout upside, and I’m sure we’ll see a great start here and there from Glasnow, I just don’t have the faith in him like the other hot schtuff prospect pitchers.
Ivan Nova – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. Yeah, it was tough to buy a start against the Padres as a true indication of his current ability.
Trevor Bauer – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. I didn’t want to raise Bauer so much in The List and now I’m already feeling that regret. I didn’t believe the magic would last forever, but I just had to do it anyway. Welp, here we are now and yes, this doesn’t necessarily mark the end for Bauer being a beast – only two walks after all – but consider him far from the “Sea of Upside” fellas.
Lucas Giolito – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks. Super disheartening start from Gio 2.0. I wonder how long he’ll actually stick around. He was supposed to start against the Reds on Sunday and got pushed back to today, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he heads back to the minors now. He really did need more seasoning in the minors. JUST A FEW MORE MINUTES IN THE OVEN. Ohhh, dinner almost ready? JUST A FEW MORE MINUTES. Right, got that part.
Chi Chi Gonzalez – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks. That’s some bad Chi flowing.
Adam Morgan – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Morgan in Coors? Yeah like that was going to turn out well.
Hyun-Jin Ryu – 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. I had to see it with my own eyes and Voila! Ryu is back in the majors. I held out for two years for this? Add it to the “don’t start guys after extended DL stints” list. I think Ryu needs another start to gather himself, and we probably won’t see him succeed until early-to-mid August. That’s when I’d want him.
Bartolo Colon – 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. The Nats took a bite out of The Big Apple and it’s why Colon isn’t a Top 70 guy. When he does poorly, you can’t even salvage a decent strikeout total.
Today’s Streamers
Scott Kazmir vs. San Diego Padres – Kaz is coming off a 10 strikeout game and the Padres are the Padres. Other options are Daniel Mengden against the Stros if your leaguemates are still in the dark, as well as Yankee rookie Chad Green going against the Indians.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Brandon McCarthy vs. San Diego Padres – He looked super good in his first start back from TJS, and he gets a welcome back gift wrapped in the form of San Diego. Adam Conley against the Reds should also end well for owners taking the risk.
Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer
A.J. Griffin vs. Minnesota Twins – It’s the last day before the All-Star Break (it’ll be super weird not doing an SP Roundup for four days…I’ll miss you guys!), and you need that Win. Go with Griffin as he faces the Twins and has a decent floor against weak teams.
Game of the Day
Noah Syndergaard vs. Stephen Strasburg – DUDE. This game is going to be ultra fun to watch. AND WE GET THE CITI FIELD SLOW-MOTION CAMERA. Jackpot!