Jerad Liftoff

Sooooooo we’re done with Jerad Eickhoff. The final line was 3.0 IP, 7 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks, which ignores the torture of watching him allow three home-runs in a row before he recorded an out. I often talk about owners reacting too strongly to a first inning and not waiting until the whole start is over before the proper discussion – see Minor’s start – but this was…yeah, this was sad. We really liked Eickhoff’s curveball and especially his introduction of a strong cutter/slider to complement it, but that fastball, hooo boy that fastball is just too damning. He allowed five total longballs in this one – FIVE – and I just can’t sit here and say that everything will be fine. It likely won’t. Monitor it from afar if Eickhoff gets back into a groove in, say, July, but you should be chasing other things instead.

Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:

Charlie Morton – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. Aces gonna ace. He really is the most unsung ace of the season. Here’s to hoping he makes 30 starts!

Joe Musgrove – 0.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks. Musgrove got ejected after hitting Josh Donaldson and the benches clearing. Should he have been ejected? Nope. Am I bitter? Yep. Detroit is next and I’m all for rolling with Musgrove there. Just kidding, he’s getting the Braves again. I’m going for it.

Chris Sale – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Only 14 whiffs today, though. I know, it feels weird, but it was a 37% CSW so whatever, life is good. Y’all noticed he got the bump to #3 yesterday, right? But he deserved number two. Ehhhh, I can’t lift Verlander off that spot, I just can’t.

Michael Wacha – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Wacha got the Marlins in his return to the rotation and took full advantage of the opportunity, returning…19% CSW. Yeah. I’m not buying into a full Wacha recovery here.

Sandy Alcantara – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks. That’s three starts of 2 ER total and you’re really considering it. That 3.67 ERA looks so pretty, doesn’t it? What if I…*Pulls back curtain.* 5.45 SIERA! 16.3% STRIKEOUT RATE! 1.37 WHIP! 11.3% WALK RATE! Make it stop! MAKE IT STOP! *Pulls curtain down* I’m glad we understand each other.

Hyun-Jin Ryu – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. Aces gonna ace. I’ve been saying June 15th is when his clock is going to strike midnight, here’s to hoping I’m wrong as this is just getting stupid in the best way.

Anibal Sanchez – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks. Anibal isn’t giving us much of a reason to buy into continued success against, but we’ll take this early stream to the BANK like Tim Duncan fading off the block. Streaming Record: 46-25. Seriously, the dude returned two whiffs. TWO. The Diamondbacks are next and I think I’m cool with that. Just do a little more, cool? Cool.

Tanner Anderson – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. This was looking A-OK at first, but he has the same cross-step that Zach Plesac has without as good of stuff. And hey! Look at that 10% walk rate in the minors this year. Not a surprise to me, though I can imagine him getting a decent amount of strikeouts with the sweeping breaker. Every so often, not consistently. Just don’t chase this, it’s too volatile without enough of a ceiling.

Kevin Gausman – 2.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. He got the early hook after an error turned into a three-run homer and he was granted the hook. Go and drop Gausman if you want, you might be able to squeeze some last minute value from him against the Phils next, but he isn’t much longer for the rotation. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s dealt, honestly.

Mike Minor – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. The unreal 2019 breakout for Minor continues onward as he had no problem dealing with the Red Sox lineup on Monday, which may surprise those who saw Benintendi’s two-run shot in the first inning. 35/106 CSW is lovely, 7/35 whiffs on sliders is a major plus, and his velocity is still 92/93. I know the 87% LOB rate isn’t going to hold, but I think the .298 BABIP and 11% HR/FB can and that 2.52 ERA/4.00 SIERA seems more like a 3.00-3.30 to me. I’ll take that all day at his 26% K rate.

Griffin Canning – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. A PQS is a little disappointing, but earning a sub 1.00 WHIP with a handful of strikeouts against the Dodgers is a lovely thing. So are the 19 whiffs (Gallows Pole!), 35% CSW, and introduction of his changeup for 11/14 strikes. I think people are undervaluing Canning a bit – the dude is primed for a breakout in 2020 and it could arrive this summer.

Odrisamer Despaigne – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. The man with the sexiest name in baseball has returned and produced a VPQS. I’m amazed he did this well, I’m so happy for him.

Taylor Clarke – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Nothing like a good ole Cup of Schmo in the morning. It’s the best part of not sleeping anymore.

Yu Darvish – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. I won’t judge Darvish harshly here as he had to endure the word of Coors and hey! Just a 1.00 WHIP! Oh great, he gets the Dodgers next. I’m so thrilled.

German Marquez – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. He couldn’t survive outside of Coors last week, he can’t survive inside Coors this week. Yeah, but it was the Cubs both times. That’s a good point and hey, seven strikeouts! I’m conflicted on Marquez and lowered him further yesterday to #35 as I just couldn’t justify a spot in Tier 4 given his volatility. Sure, he could have the run like he did last year, but what may surprise you is the pitch that really transformed over that stretch – his slider – has returned a negative pVal this year as he just hasn’t been able to depend on it like he used to. That’s not good. You need Marquez firing on all cylinders if he’s going to be a strong asset for you, otherwise, he won’t be able to survive Coors and life will be pain. I will mention that this time last year is when we started to see Marquez go on his stupid good stretch so there’s still hope.

 

Today’s Streamer

 

For those unaware, I’m forced to make my Streamer picks under the condition of sub 20% owned in Fantasy Pros’ consolidated ownership rates.

 

Dakota Hudson vs. Miami Marlins – Let’s let this ride again as he faces a weak offense in Miami.

 

Tomorrow’s Streamer

 

Cal Quantrill vs. San Francisco Giants Jose Urena vs. St. Louis Cardinals – Quantrill got pushed back so I’m going with the Vargas Rule in Urena. Anthony deSclafani against the Indians is another decent option if you need one more.

 

Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer

 

Michael Pineda vs. Seattle Mariners – Pineda’s fastball velocity was 94/95 suddenly in his first start back from the IL. There might be something to that.

 

Game of the Day 

 

Luis Castillo vs. Trevor Bauer – Yeah, straight into my veins. Thanks.

 

(Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)