There are some guys that find themselves on rosters by name alone. Justin Verlander still makes people dream of the MVP days and still get his back even after a 6 ER evening. Last better – tough not to be – but it wasn’t all too impressive as he went 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks. Look, I get that you’re looking for a big upside play and Verlander was the best risk/reward you could find. I’m going to make this easy for you. Just don’t chase it. His K/9 was under 7.00 last season, as he eclipsed 7 Ks only four times all year (all 8 Ks). His walk rate was a major part of his downfall, and I don’t think those get reduced dramatically to make a difference. Just stay away and let someone else strike false gold as you rise above them.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Mike Montgomery – 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks. He doesn’t have the stuff to be a major upside play through the year, but he’s certainly worth the add while he’s hot after a pair of CGSHO. Just don’t expect a force to be reckoned with and keep a short leash.
Chris Sale – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 12 Ks. That’s eight straight games with at least 10 Ks. I really hope you stuck with him through the mud in the beginning of the season. Don’t forget it in 2016!
Dallas Keuchel – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. I really can’t do anything to stop this train now. Might as well just sit in the baggage car and ride it out. Sigh.
Andrew Heaney – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. He gets Coors Field next so I’d wait until that to make the add and see if he get a permanent spot in the rotation.
Jordan Zimmermann – 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. He’s doing his darndest to get some more love from me after two shoutout performances, but I’m still cautious to endorse.
Kyle Hendricks – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. The Call Boy came through in a big way as he silenced the Mets bats. I’d keep rolling with his against the Marlins and the White Sox.
Jorge De La Rosa – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks. De La Rosa 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.
Danny Salazar – 7.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Why on earth is Salazar in discussions for a minimalist score? What is going on.
Erasmo Ramirez – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Huh. That’s six straight games with 2 ER or fewer. He’s also fanned over 5 batters only twice all year (7 Ks both times), holds a near 3.00 BB/9 and a 3.92 xFIP. You could do worse for an occasional stream if you play ze matchup.
Jonathon Niese – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. Welcome to the expected Niese stream.
Cole Hamels – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Hamels is one of those guys you want to love, but is shaky just often enough to make you question your ranking of him. I get the feeling he’ll be more consistent if he’s traded to a competitive team, and you’ll be reaping the benefits.
Eduardo Rodriguez – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Hot dang! He went into the belly of the beast and after a shaky first few innings he came out alive with a solid outing. Feel free to keep rolling with him and I see a big 2nd half for the Sox prospect.
Lance Lynn – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. Good to see Lynn continue the train of dominance since returning from the DL, especially with only 1 walk.
Chris Bassitt – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. He had to step in as Sonny Gray was a late scratch due to illness. Move along sir.
Rubby De La Rosa – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Now that’s four straight games of 2 ER or fewer. Sign me up! Kinda. Bottom of the staff in a 12 teamer but nothing more.
Gerrit Cole – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. I’m totes fine with this. He had back-to-back games with three walks and to see a lovely goose egg there gives me a bunch of confidence moving forward. Crisis averted.
Taylor Jungmann – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. I like his GB rate through 5 games, but his FIP/xFIP are at 3.74/3.90 and his stuff isn’t incredibly overpowering for the 6’6″ lanky mclankster. He’s also reduced his walk rate nearly in half since his promotion, which makes me think a regression is due there as well. Tread lightly, but he could be good for a stream or two.
Mat Latos – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Yeah okay Latos whatever. The cool story here was Carter Capps coming into the 8th inning and striking out the side. He is putting on one of the most dominating displays I’ve ever seen, and it’s just so incredible to watch. You can see the fear in hitters’ eyes as they foul off Fastballs right down the heart of the plate, then have embarrassing whiffs at Sliders nowhere close to the zone. It’s nuts.
Phil Hughes – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. There have only been three games all year where Hughes didn’t allow a HR. Yikes.
Danny Duffy – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. He’s been super bad y’all. Don’t go chasing after the inflated ERA of 2014. It ain’t happening
Ivan Nova – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. He was pulled after allowing 2 HR and a walk in the 6th inning and was cruising before then. I’d definitely add him if I wanted a solid addition that rewarded starts per week in a 12 teamer.
Colby Lewis – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. His name is shockingly close to Cole Blew Us. Coincidence? YOU BE THE JUDGE.
Ian Kennedy – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Interesting, Fan Graphs has this listed as just 1 ER, making it the fourth 1 ER game in four games – all off HRs. If you’re taking that as a buy low you’re sorely mistaken, but at least his xFip isn’t soooo bad at 3.74?
Ryan Vogelsong – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Seriously, you shouldn’t even be owned by the Giants.
Shelby Miller – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 10 Ks. You still may have your chance to sell as his 3.78 xFIP is inching closer to the front door like cat looking for some milk.
Carlos Frias – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks. Peeps are no longer excited about you Frias, and you’ll probably get the boot in the next month, either via a trade of a guy coming up through the system.
Marco Estrada – 2.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks. But I totally thought his last two games were 100% legit?!
Anthony DeSclafani – 6.2 IP, 6 ER, 11 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. Don’t hang on to the first few weeks of Tony Disco. YOu’re starting to become the guy who tries to convince his friends that the club is still bumping when there is no one else on the dance floor.
Miguel Gonzalez – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks. Miguel….No, eh?
Today’s Streamers
Wei-Yin Chen vs. Texas Rangers – He’s allowed 2 ER or fewer for four straight and features a 7.86 while a decent shot for the win. Sounds like a streamer pick to me.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Yovani Gallardo vs. Baltimore Orioles – This is a really interesting day of pitching, and while you could have fun and go with guys like Matt Moore and Matt Cain returning from the DL, I’m going to ride the hot hand of Gallardo if I’m desperate for the stream.
Game of the Day
James Shields vs. Taijuan Walker – It’ll be interesting to see if both pitchers follow their opposite trends or snap out.