I can't believe I'm going to say this, but you want to add Collin McHugh. He went 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks, which is his second straight great start after looking poor in his DLH start back on July 22nd, but that's not why I'm saying this. Seriously, that's a super small sample any schmuck can have back-to-back good starts and I wouldn't get excited, especially someone who has been so mediocre over the last two seasons. So why are you excited then? Well, over the years, I've said one thing about McHugh: If he doesn't have the vertical drop on his Slider/Cutter, then he's not going to be effective. Back in his golden season of 2014, the pitch had a zMov value around 2.0, and in future seasons that rose two inches. That's bad. This year...it's -0.3 thus far. That's two inches more drop than in 2014. Ohhhh baby. What about his horizontal movement? Yep, he's boosted that one as well to another three inches. He has a 20%+ whiff rate with the pitch across the ~50 thrown already and I'm super sold. It's hilarious given how I was so against McHugh prior to his return from the DL but seeing a significant change in his most important pitch is immense. The cherry on top of it all is his ROS schedule. Let's assume he pitches every five games the rest of the way and this is what he gets: CWS, @ARI, OAK, @LAA, TEX, @SEA, @OAK, SEA, CWS, @TEX, @BOS. That's a fantastic schedule and I'd pick him up ASAP as he's available in about 70% of ESPN leagues. Wild.
Let’s see how every other SP did yesterday:
What’s your opinion about Kuhl? I noticed he’s been improving a lot lately, and this tweet (https://twitter.com/adamdberry/status/893464764361445377) says he’s pitching 2.70 ERA since July 1st, with an opponent slash line of .221/.313/.307.
4.05 BB/9, 4.45 xFIP, sub 7.00 K/9 in that time as well. Just a 3.1% HR/FB rate doesn’t make me think that ERA is sustainable, with a sub 6 IPS that makes him a really boring option that I’m not chasing for a 12 teamer.
I know it’s not Monday yet but shouldn’t we start to get a little more excited for Garrett Richard’s one-of-these-days return? Tough to rank a guy who has only had one start that led to the DL but you snuck him in there last week didn’t you? ? Just wish I had room on my roster to stash him. Still trying to suppress my level-headed, sorta excitement ha! #DLH
I stuck him and Chase at the end since they should be considered if you want a stash for September.
Hard to get excited for Richards when the latest is that he’s been cleared to throw off a mound. That’s it!
Do you prefer Collin McHugh over Alex Wood, Luis Castillo, Drew Pomeranz, or Charlie Morton for the rest of the season and playoffs?
Nope, I want all of those arms instead.
At this point, would you drop Taillon for McHugh?
No. You have someone else who is more droppable.
Definitely not.
I’ve been stashing Reynaldo Lopez. Should I drop him to pickup Mchugh?
Yep! I’d make that swap
Would you rather throw Taillon against the Padres or Lucas Sims against the Marlins on Sunday?
Taillon.
Thoughts on Skaggs vs OAK tomorrow? Tempted to start him. What about Samardzija vs. ARI Sunday? That’s a sit, I imagine.
Is rather have shark against anyone than Skaggs.