So y’all know I love me some Joe Ross, and in what seemed like his final start of the year, he debilitated the Arizona offense, putting up an excellent line of 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. But then something magical happened. In a move we’ve been praying for since the all-star break, the Nationals front office decided to step up their game and demoted Doug Fister to the bullpen. That means both Stephen Strasburg and Mr. Ross are going to be in the rotation starting this weekend. Hallelujah! I was incredibly sad to see the amazing Ross Train reach its final destination, but I now have even more emotion that the party will continue for the foreseeable future. If he is somehow still available on your waiver wire, you best be snatching that up ASAP and plugging him in for all but the very worst matchups here on out. The guy is a beast, seriously.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Michael Wacha – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Wacha doesn’t have the consistent Ks to make me all too excited, but he’s been solid and will get a slight bump on Monday.
Matt Garza – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. That’s cool Garza, but we all know you’ll be making owners feel like this in future starts. Sidenote: Kyle Lohse was demoted to the bullpen. That means that the LoKer TOCAL is essentially Kershaw’s to win here on out. It’s a pity, since it was super closer and would have gone down to the wire. It’s a bigger pity because that was one of my favorite running gags. Best. Name. Ever.
CC Sabathia – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks. This is a Top 3 start for Sabathia all season. Too bad he wasn’t on your roster cause you’re smart and there’s no way you’re throwing him out there in HR friendly Yankee Stadium.
Aaron Brooks – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. The walks are legit, the Ks…not so much. In all levels, he’s shown an upper 6s K/9, and I doubt he’ll be flexing any better than these seven punchouts he had tonight. Still, with the walk rate it shows a decent floor for the rookie, but the don’t expect this kind of upside.
Eduardo Rodriguez – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. See, you plugged him into your lineup even though he had a poor matchup and he didn’t blow up in yer face. Well, that WHIP isn’t pretty, and it’s only 5 Ks, but Erod can be a serious provider down the stretch, and he’s the perfect guy for those needing a boost in pitching fast and on the cheap.
Mark Buehrle – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks. The Burly Buehrle keeps doing his thang. Close to Doing the Dougie, but being Marky Mark, he had to allow 3 ER.
Jason Hammel – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Hammel’s two walks came to lead off the fifth inning, and it cost him a trip to the showers. A bit disappointing, and his lack of consistency lately will affect his ranking come Monday. Expect a dip, and I’m a bit concerned at this point.
Anibal Sanchez – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks. Anyone want to defend holding onto Anibal? Anyone?
Scott Feldman – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Feldman Schmeldman.
Michael Lorenzen – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. Lorenzen hasn’t been on The List for a while and for good reason. No, it’s not because he likes Nickelback.
Zack Greinke – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks. So his 1.41 ERA had a 3.18 xFIP. It doesn’t mean he needs to pile on all of the extra ER in one start! At least this helps H2H guys? That’s not how regression works. Really? I HAD NO IDEA.
Chris Heston – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. Dang, Heston has been kinda disappointing as of late, showcasing a 1.00 K/BB over his last three starts. That’ Schwarber 3-run jack doesn’t help things, too.
Jeremy Hellickson – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks. He’s still super bad for your team. Even his name is pleading that you don’t pick him up like its trapped and trying to communicate. I have Hell in my name, do you need a bigger hint?
Matt Wisler – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. I though y’all were all the Wisler now?
Yordano Ventura – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Ugh, I guess he’ll be a post-hype sleeper at some point. 2015 is not that point.
Jose Urena – 2.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks. You know, I think Urena could be a solid pickup – said no one ever.
Odrisamer Despaigne – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks. Who’s that guy in San Diego who’s only value is a sexy last name? Despaigne.
Kyle Gibson – 4.2 IP, 8 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. If you say you own Gibson, you best be talking about Guitars.
David Buchanan – 4.0 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. Why would you even think of starting him? Seriously, I want to hear the reason.
Today’s Streamer
Aaron Nola vs. San Diego Padres – He’s in Petco, the Phils have been streaking, and Nola is a much sturdier pitcher than his sub 45% ESPN owned rate indicates.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Nathan Karns vs. New York Mets – I don’t care if they are the top of the NL East, the Mets are still a bottom tier offense, and Karns is cruising right now.
Game of the Day
Clayton Kershaw vs. Gerrit Cole – Well this is just a beast of a matchup. I mean, we know Kersh is going to Win, but it’s still mighty fun.