I often skip over talking in depth about the absolute studs because you guys don’t need to be told that Clayton Kershaw is great or that Chris Sale should be rostered everywhere. Still, I want you guys to realize what Jose Fernandez is doing right now. After tonight’s line of 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 12 Ks, he now holds a K/9 of 13.35. He’s nearly 2 full points above the next qualified starter (that would be Stephen Strasburg, you beautiful bastard), and if he were a reliever, it would rank #8 in the majors. That’s absurd. Meanwhile, his FIP/xFIP sit at 2.31 and 2.49, he’s walked just one batter in each of his last two starts and he fully deserves his spot as the 6th overall SP in fantasy. Yes he may get shut down with a week or left in the year, but let’s be real. It would be silly trading away this kind of production for the next 3 and a half months before you’ve locked that championship bout. If you’re cruising come July/August, then I understand, but it’s too early to trade away these baller stat lines every week.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
CC Sabathia – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Um, guys, CC has only allowed 1 ER in his last three starts. He’s averaged 7 Ks each time and I was legit starting to question if he could actually be a guy to turn to. But then I saw he gets a repeat game against the Jays next time out. Ugh, why does it have to be this way? But what about after that? Then it’s the O’s again…then the Tigers…Then the Twins!…Then the Rockies…yeah. Abandon ship!
J.A. Happ – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Hmmm, Happ didn’t capitalize vs the Rays/Twins in his last two starts and finally took advantage against the Yanks. He’s one of the better Tobys around, but with his sub 6.00 K/9, it’s tough to recommend rostering him outside of poor matchups. Feel free to run him out there again vs. the Yanks next time, though.
Lance McCullers – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 6 BBs, 10 Ks. This start so perfectly sums up McCullers. He has massive K upside with his fantastic Knuckle-Curveball, though his walks are still a major issue that could make it all a moot point. Sidenote: Have you ever said the word ‘moot’ without following it with ‘point’ ? Isn’t a moot what they call a cow fart? Wow. No. No, they definitely don’t.
Joe Ross – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Yes the strikeouts are down, but dude that 1.00 WHIP with yet another low ERA game is so tasty.
Jon Gray – 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. Gray did this against the Red Sawx so you have to be a little impressed. I don’t hate the guy – I even added him as an addendum to the typical Colorado blurb and HEY! I didn’t do it this time – I just am worried like a parent waiting for his kid to come home. Worried that Gray is going to be the dark side of himself more than the light. Would you call it a Gray area? That’s why I mentioned the dark and light. Oh, so you would? Yes, I would. K.
Mike Leake – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Leake certainly turned a corner and I’d keep rolling with him if I owned him.
Matt Wisler – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. Our Call Boy gave a us a quality start a meh WHIP and 7 Ks. If you ran with Wisler it was just to find something serviceable and I guess this will do.
Gerrit Cole – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Leave it to Cole to hold a 2.00 WHIP and 0.00 ERA. Seriously, there are only going to be about five starts – ten tops – that don’t have blemishes and I’d be looking to sell high if someone believes Cole is the real deal.
Wily Peralta – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Wily wasn’t so Wily, which is wily in its actual definition, but not in ours. Whatever, point is don’t start him.
Kevin Gausman – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Long balls got to Gausman. Like Godzilla sized long balls. But seriously, I wouldn’t worry about it, and given Gaus’ talents, you still salvaged a sizeable amount of Ks + a decent WHIP.
Drew Smyly – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. If you’re looking for a prime sell high guy, Smyly may fit the bill as his K/9 is heavily influenced from his first couple of starts, and has struck out six or fewer batters in all but one of his last seven games. I should have seen it earlier, my bad guys.
Patrick Corbin – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. I’m not really sure why I keep holding onto Corbin turning it around. I won’t be kind to him on Monday, that’s for sure.
Clay Buchholz – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. I’m a bit shocked Clay is getting more chances to royally screw up. He’s had just three starts all year under 4 ER. And he’s started ten times. Think about that for a second. Think about it.
Today’s Streamers
Michael Fulmer vs. Oakland Athletics – Fulmer figured it out last time out by using his Changeup more frequently, earning 11 Ks against another weak team. Look for him to capitalize, and if you need more options, you can take a chance on Robbie Ray against the Padres or bank on Matt Shoemaker to give a near repeat performance of his 12 Ks as he faces the Astros.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Chase Anderson vs. Cincinnati Reds – There are only three considerable choices today, with the worst being Wade Miley against the the Twins. The other two are Chase against the Reds, which is decent given Chase’s okay production lately and the Reds being, well, the Reds. Also out there is Matt Moore against the Yankees, which definitely holds more upside as Moore has well underperformed his peripherals, but it’s a huge risk given his vast amount of clunkers this year.
Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer
Nathan Eovaldi vs. Tampa Bay Rays – There are a good amount of leagues where Eovaldi is still available and he’s a good bet for a solid outing given his recent success and the Rays’ general lack of it. Discount options include Jimmy Nelson against the Reds and conversely Brandon Finnegan against the Brew Crew, though the latter has a bigger risk attached given his ever growing walk rates.
Game of the Day
Julio Urias vs. New York Mets – Guys, IT’S HAPPENING. Okay, it won’t be happening all too much since the Dodgers are limiting his pitches/innings + he probably won’t go more than five or so, but hot damn you know I’m breaking it all down for you guys GIF style on Saturday morning. Much better than cartoons, I promise.