If you excuse my poor headline reference to the SSB community, I want to take a moment to admit I’ve been a little harsh on Jon Lester this season, who cruised to another excellent outing tonight with 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks. Lester now holds a glistening 2.06 ERA with a near 9.00 K/9 and a sub 2.00 BB/9. Excellent stuff, and I really should be having him inside the Top 15 given how he has a bit more history to back up his season. I mean, I still adore the shiz out of Matz, Nola, and Darvish, but Lester’s consistency deserves your loving. Also, complete Top 20 sidenote: Danny Salazar will be missing his next start due to “shoulder fatigue” and I’m seriously worried about it. If you can sell for someone also in the Top 20, I’d do it ASAP. Shoulder problems are rarely a “phew, glad that’s over with!” kind of deal, and often stick around past just a week or two.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Tyler Chatwood – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. Don’t care, I’m still doing it. Chatwood 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 not named Gray and maybe even Gray.
Trevor Bauer – 7.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks. That’s the thing with Bauer. He has the upside to go off on a given night. No I do not like trusting it night to night, which is why I don’t ever talk about Bauer. Don’t let this start pull you in, just acknowledge the rare K upside for those times you’re desperate for it and move along.
Michael Fulmer – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. It was Fulmer’s first real test since becoming a new man with his Changeup and it’s paid off. If there’s any way to buy low on Fulmer right now, I’d do it. I think he may be around #40 or so by next week and that’s crazy.
Mike Wright – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. It’s the wrong Wright. Who’s the right Wright? Steven Wright, right? Right.
Danny Duffy – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks. Alright, alright, (STOP WITH THE RIGHTS) I might need to be giving Duffy a bit more love. He’ll get a major boost next week, probably in the 60s or even higher.
James Paxton – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks. I’ve been waiting over two years for this upside, and it comes when I label him the Call Boy. AWWWW YEAH. Sign up with Paxton everywhere as he topped out at 101.3 mph today. WHAT. Seriously guys, don’t hesitate and grab him in all 10 teamers or deeper. It’s finally happening.
Chris Archer – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 12 Ks. Speaking of things that we’ve been anxious to arrive for a long time, I demoted Archer again this afternoon and now he’s all like “please, imma give you 12 Ks now”. If he can do this against the Dbacks, it’s hard not to think we’re going to see more of the same against the Stros next time out. If not, then I’d off this train for a long time.
Christian Friedrich – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks. Can I still give Friedrich the Colorado blurb even though he’s in San Diego now? Our PR rep says no. WHO HIRED HER IN THE FIRST PLACE? You did, Nick. Oh. Hi Sue. Hi.
Masahiro Tanaka – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. That’s a pretty boring outing from Tanaka but that ERA/WHIP is decent so we’re cool Tanaka. We’re cool.
Matt Shoemaker – 7.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. So after six innings, Shoe had allowed just four hits and collected five Ks. Then he allowed back-to-back solo shots. Then in the 8th he allowed a pair of singles, which both came in to score. So it goes. Don’t let this start discourage you from rolling with Shoemaker against the Indians next. Nor the A’s after for that matter.
Adam Morgan – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. And this is what will be holding the Phillies from being a playoff contender come August/September. That or their lacking offense, but having Morgan go every fifth day sure isn’t helping the Phils. Drinking Morgan every 5th day is helping Phillies fans, though.
Colby Lewis – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. A lame start from Lewis that qualifies for a QS because that stat is dumb. Yay.
Mike Fiers – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. If you’re gonna be bad, at least give us some strikeouts like you used to. Jeez Fiers, I don’t even know why I keep you in the Top 100 anymore.
Mike Bolsinger – 5.1 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Blegh. I remember when he was kinda hot stuff last year like a true Toby. Those were the boring days, alright.
Robbie Ray – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks. If you’re still chasing Ray’s upside, you really need to give that up like your dreams of becoming a pro at Diabolo.
Williams Perez – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. Sir dub was disappointing to no one’s surprise.
J.A. Happ – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Okay, it’s time that I admit that even after a pair of 1 ER starts and even facing the Tigers tonight, I’ve been too high on Happ. He just doesn’t strikeout enough batters and the Three-Fists Compromise you’re making it’s good enough consistently to warrant his low 70s ranking. More like early 80s or so.
Today’s Streamers
Adam Conley vs. Minnesota Twins – Conley is your best option as he sits under 20% owned in ESPN leagues. The other considerable option is Sean Manaea against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Archie Bradley vs. Tampa Bay Rays – He’s the hot hand and you may as well keep rolling with him. Other options are Chase Anderson against the A’s for the discount in you, and if you really need another guy, there’s Doug Fister against the Rangers, which could work out but I’d avoid in general.
Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer
Bartolo Colon vs. Milwaukee Brewers – He’s allowed 2 or fewer ER in each of his last three starts and could escape with an easy win. Other options includes Jimmy Nelson against the Mets, Ivan Nova vs. LAA, and Nate Karns against the Indians. I like Colon the most, but those have a decent shot at being serviceable as well.
Game of the Day
Julio Urias vs. Colorado Rockies – He gets the Mountain men outside of Coors, and I want to see if he can iron out his kinks to be the man we want him to be.