What a way to end the season for Max Scherzer as he no-hit the Mets with a line of 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 0 BBs, 17 Ks. It’s the second best Gamescore of all time at 104, just one behind Kerry Wood’s famous 20 strikeout afternoon. Just a Yunel Esocbar throwing error prevented a perfect game, making this outing eerily similar to 15 K game last year. Anyway, Scherzer has bounced around the rankings this year, starting at #6, then jumping up to #2 before a tumultuous middle of the season had him falling again. Given his last surge and adjustment, I see him in the Top 5 for next season, despite his probable ~3.00 ERA. The NL Easy is just too much of a feast for Scherzer.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
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Corey Kluber – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks. So a 3.49 ERA isn’t what you were hoping for from Kluber, but every under the hood predictor indicated a 3.00 ERA was expected. When you realize that he averaged about 7 innings a game with a near 10 K/9 and a small 1.82 BB/9, then you have to think that Kluber is Top 5 again next year despite all of his swings through the year. VPR may have a different story, but I’m slotting him in there in next week’s 2016 preview.
Kyle Hendricks – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks. Our Call Boy had a pretty pretty, preeee-tttaaay good game to close out a bumpy season. I’m liking Hendricks as a steady streamer next season and to help at the backend of a deep 12 teamer.
Noah Syndergaard – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks. Yes I absolutely love Thor heading into next season. I’m tempted to place him in the Top 15 and I have a feeling he’ll be a Top 10 guy by the end of next year. Crazy, I know.
Zack Greinke – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. So much for relinquishing his ERA title to Arrieta. Will it be enough to win the Cy Young? Who cares, this is fantasy, not real life. Sheesh.
Yordano Ventura – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 11 Ks. I watched the first few innings of this game and oh my he was looking as good as I’ve ever seen him. I don’t care how inconsistent he is and that I won’t have him on any team because of his lack of maturation. I love him and I always will.
Matt Harvey – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 11 Ks. About 190 innings of nearly a K per inning and a sub 3.00 ERA with just a 1.76 BB/9. That’s a top 10 SP.
Gio Gonzalez – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. A 3.79 ERA and 3.54 BB/9 is all you need to know about Gio. Yes, I know it was a 3.05 FIP and 3.59 xFIP, but his SIERRA sits at 3.78. BOOM.
Marco Estrada – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks. Wow, I really didn’t think Estrada had it in him to strikeout nine guys in a game as it was only his third start all season with more than 6 Ks. His absurd 3.13 ERA is laughable in the face of his 4.94 xFIP and 4.64 SIERRA. This paired with Estrada poor K upside will make Estrada one of the most overrated guys in next year’s drafts.
Brandon Finnegan – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. There is K upside if Brandon stays in the rotation next season, but he’ll have to address his walk rate if he wants to be very relevant.
Collin McHugh – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. Where to place McHugh for next season…I honestly have no idea right now. Most likely just inside Top 50, but there’s a chance I fall in love against and put him Top 40. His Curve is just so seductive. Look at the hump on that one…
Robbie Erlin – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Pitcher List is an equal opportunity company who does not discriminate against any pitcher. So I’ll give Erlin a fair assessment. Low K rate…4.76 ERA…90 MPH Fastball…I just don’t think you’re cut for the job.
Justin Verlander – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks. Is Verlander primed for a Top 30 season next year? I don’t really see it. I can’t believe he’s going to be peak JV again next year. I may be eating those words and who knows what happens over the winter, but I just can’t buy it.
Luis Severino – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. I like Severino for 2016, just without the same upside that guys like Matz, Stroman, EDU, and Thor hold. He does hold a better floor than EDU, though.
Tommy Milone – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Nope. Not even gonna
Justin Nicolino – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. Gazing into the crystal ball…Ahhhh Justin! Yes…yes of course…He’ll perform well for the Tigers next year…No no no, what about Nicolino? Who?
A.J. Burnett – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks. Solid Ks, but Burnett really hasn’t been at the next level that we saw in the first half. Doesn’t really matter as he’s retiring now. It’s been a pleasure discussing you, Burnett. Now go kiss your wife and enjoy yer life.
Wei-Yin Chen – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Not a bad streaming choice, and he did fine against the Yankees. I’ll like him again next year as a steady streamer.
Erik Johnson – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. I think 2016 will show Johnson as a Toby. Not much more, and I wouldn’t be drafting him, but I foresee a decent stream here and there for the ChiSox youngin.
Jake Peavy – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. Peavy has done much better in the final weeks of the season, but I’m not too happy with him for next year.
Tyler Wagner – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. He was tagged as a Cup of Schmo and hasn’t done anything that will remove it.
Chris Archer – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Even against a tough team like Toronto, Archer is enough of an ace to make it a worthy start.
Ubaldo Jimenez – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. He was a stream for those desperate for upside this weekend
Craig Breslow – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. He’s going to be in the bullpen – not rotation – for the Sox next year. Womp womp.
Chris Rusin – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Rusin 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.
Sean Nolin – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. I don’t know who this is. Ahhh I’m just kidding, you’re cool buddy. Not cool enough to come close to rostering you, but you know.
Jeremy Hellickson – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. Blegh I still don’t like you.
Hector Santiago – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. Thus concludes the full regression of Santiago after his stupidly good first half. Don’t be fooled for next year.
Aaron Harang – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. HARRRAANNNG.
Tom Koehler – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks. Even with the solid matchup, Koehler isn’t good enough to take advantage consistently.
Colby Lewis – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. I feel like some people have a soft spot for Lewis. Fortunately I am not one of them.
Ivan Nova – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. I know you’ve heard this before, but Nova has upside that will be realized at some point. I wouldn’t invest in it happening earlier next year, but I’ll be watching him through the year.
Roenis Elias – 2.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks. Too low of a floor to have any faith in him next year.
Alec Asher – 2.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks. Asher is not fantasy relevant. Let’s talk in January and I’ll see if you can even remember his first name.
Today’s Streamer
Rick Porcello vs. Cleveland Indians – It’s the final day of the season, making this the final stream pick of mine for the year. It’s a toss-up between Robbie Ray and Porcello, but I’m leaning Porcello’s upside if you’re searching for a Hail Mary to take over the lead at the last moment to win your championship.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
NONE – Unless there is a game 163 with the Angels and Astros, there will be no baseball on Monday. I know guys. I know.
Game of the Day
Clayton Kershaw vs. San Diego Padres – This is only if you love great pitching. If you enjoy baseball as a whole, you should be flipping between the Angels and Astros games. Fun exciting stuff happening there.