Brandon Finnegan had himself a solid opener last week, though I wasn’t confident we’d be seeing him keep a high level of play against one of the best offenses around, the Cubbies of Blue. Well, he went nearly seven innings of no-hit ball to feature a line of 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks. So here’s the schticky on this outing: He walked both David Ross and Jon Lester back-to-back as he was a bit wild, but rarely missing inside the strikezone. I still like him a bit against about 80% of MLB teams, though I can’t say I’m in love with him pitching in St. Louis followed by a repeat matchup against the Cubs. Don’t feel like you need to rush and get him now – he may be back on the wire after the Chicago game, but I think he will serve owners well at his price of nada this season in 12 teamers and deeper.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Michael Wacha – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Here’s the upside we’ve been dying to see from Wacha for a while. You have my attention now Mike, don’t screw this up…wait he gets the Reds and Padres next? Then the Nats, Phils, and Halos? Jeez man, it’s like the baseball gods are doing everything they can to help you out. At least we’ll know for sure if you’re still meh at the end of that blissful month of matchups. I’d buy high if someone feels like they were swindling you and selling high. Just don’t go nuts.
Colby Lewis – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. The Mariners are a slightly below average offense, with only a few bats that cause any sort of consistent trouble. Lewis presents consistent trouble to his owners if you can believe it after looking at this line. Well of course you can believe it. This is Colby freakin’ Lewis.
Collin McHugh – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. So the Royals aren’t looking so intimidating in April so far, but it’s still a very impressive recovery for McHugh. He gets the Tigers next though and that’s no fun.
Jose Quintana – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. That’s what Quintina Do. THAT’S WHAT HE DO.
Nick Tropeano – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Our Call Boy got the job done like it was his J-O-B. One walk was intentional and the other was the final batter he faced to lead off the sixth. Take that as you will, but he was able to work through a poor A’s lineup with general ease and there’s little reason not keep rolling with him in Minnesota next time out. FYI, if he sticks in the rotation past this weekend, he’ll then get the Mariners, Royals, and Brewers. Niiiiice.
Aaron Nola – 7.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks. I almost led with Nola, but it would have been the third headline with “No” in it in four days, Anyway, I love me some Nola still and that K/BB is simply baller from the young hurler. He still has to work out some of the kinks, but you’re going to be so happy owning him in the NL Easy. Seriously.
Jon Lester – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Lester has totalled 9 strikeouts in two starts now. Alright, I’ll stop making you worry, he’s fine.
Jon Niese – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. I see this line from Niese and I think of one of those times you see a really awesome swimming pool. Like top notch stuff. But then someone suggests you go for a quick dive and you say “Nah, I’m good”. I see that it could be fun, I may even dip my foot in from time to time, but I’m good.
Sonny Gray – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. I seem to have hit a nerve when a few people saw my ranking of Gray in today’s edition of The List, and I’ll simply point to this outing. I expect to see a lot more of these kind of outings where he doesn’t kill it in strikeouts, raises his WHIP via walks, and doesn’t save the day via ER. He may be one of the more overrated Fantasy starters out there. Great real life, not as much Fantasy.
Hisashi Iwakuma – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. The Rangers were able to string together hits through the game, making this start not nearly as good as it could have been for Iwakuma. I really like him for his price of a #150 overall player or so, even with his questionable injury problems.
Kyle Gibson – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. You really want that MFRTSPA don’t you? Nah, this is pretty bland.
Andrew Cashner – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Let’s be real here. If Cashner can’t take advantage of the Phils, then what are we really hoping for?
Jarred Cosart – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Threes and Fours are not pretty numbers for fantasy starters. Maybe some AP Testing, but not Fantasy Baseball pitchers.
Max Scherzer – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. And here starts the run of pitchers that are so much better than this but had a really really bad day. First is the Scherz against the Braves who have now annoyed the hell out of Wainwright, CMart, Jaime, and Scherzer owners. Thanks for nothing Atlanta.
David Price – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks. Then we have Price having a horrid debut start in Fenway. You’re going to love that city, I’m sure! I can see the headline tomorrow: “Over Priced” No wait. “David v. the Goliath” Maybe “The Price Is Wrong” Meh, not my best.
Justin Verlander – 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Next we have the Pirates who decided to Single Out Verlander after he performed well against the Marlins because they are jerks. I prefer Ninjas anyway.
Steven Matz – 1.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. This line looks a lot worse than Matz actually pitched. He only had one at-bat where he looked lost, was squeezed often, allowed weak hits, and was gassed in the second when he hung a hook to Yelich, then threw a great Changeup to Stanton that he saw coming and crushed like only he can. Stick with him. It’ll be okay I promise.
Yovani Gallardo – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. I wonder which gets more audible “Ohs”. Oriole fans looking at YoGa’s stat lines or people actually in Yoga. Who am I kidding the O’s have the most Ohs. Still fewer O’s than YoGa’s paycheck – Heyo! I think that about exhausts all “O” jokes.
Bud Norris – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Nud Borris is living up to his name. Shocking.
Chris Young – 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. The Astros are a powerful offense that are primed to take advantage of a flyball guy like Young. Can’t say I’m all too shocked.
Taylor Jungmann – 2.0 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. Ah yes, the Jungmann Blues. I wouldn’t call the Cards the toughest of matchups these days, which means I’d be cautious as he faces the Pirates next time out.
Today’s Streamer
Derek Holland vs. Seattle Mariners – Yeah I really hate this stream. There isn’t a single good option, so I’ll with a mediocre pitcher against a mediocre offense. Yay.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Jerad Eickhoff vs. San Diego Padres – The Padres are bad and Eickhoff is sneaky good. Yes please.
Game of the Day
Jose Fernandez vs. Noah Syndergaard – WHAT. ARE YOU SERIOUS.