It can be hard to trust pitchers that are generally out of the spotlight, though it’s getting really tough to not give Drew Smyly the attention he deserves after going 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks last night. That’s two straight starts of eleven strikeouts and I really don’t see him slowing down in a big way. Sure, it’ll probably mean starts of 6/7 strikeouts moving forward and he gets the Yanks + Jays in his next two starts, but you’re going to be a happy owner as he cruises through the season presenting Top 15 upside for the price of a 150th overall or deeper pick.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Stephen Strasburg – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks. Aces gonna ace. Great to see Stras earn that early pick.
Mat Latos – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. I think we have to stop ignoring Latos now, even if this was against the Angels. Wait, he’s only pitched against the A’s, Twins, Angels thus far…okay, I’ll kinda ignore him as his true test awaits as he faces the Rangers and O’s next.
Robert Stephenson – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Ehhhh, Stephenson won’t be up long if even for his next start and I haven’t been impressed with what I’ve seen. His name has been tossed around for a while as a good prospect pitcher, but he doesn’t seem to have that luscious upside we crave.
Robbie Ray – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks. Finally we get to see the upside we’ve been waiting for from Ray. Too bad it was against the Giants so few people ran with it, but remember this outing for those times you need strikeouts entering the weekend in H2H.
Jason Hammel – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks. Did you realize that Hammel has now only given up two ERs across all three outings this year? Keep it going Hammel and we’ll be ready to trade you around June to miss your constant second half woes.
Carlos Carrasco – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. Aces gonna kinda ace. You want better than three walks and just five strikeouts from Carrasco, but it’s a Win/QS with a good ERA. He gets Detroit next and don’t you even think about sitting him.
Logan Verrett – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Our secondary Call Boy was brilliant as he faced the Phillies. Sadly for Verrett, he’ll get pushed out of the rotation as Jacob DeGrom makes his return this weekend. You did good kid, you did good.
Matt Shoemaker – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. I still don’t trust Shoemaker as the Chi Sox have looked pretty weak lately. Sorry bud.
Michael Pineda – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. Finally we get some upside from Pineda. Sure, we needed to see trees of green in Oakland to let it out, but hopefully he will build on this. That would be super cool Pineda.
Marcus Stroman – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. I know I keep saying the Ks will come and I understand if you’re faith is starting to waver. Mine is a little as well. But the Ks will come. I’m pretty sure. Alright, let’s make a deal. If they don’t show up during his next two games against Oakland and Tampa Bay, then I will shut my mouth. Deal? Deal.
Williams Perez – 3.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks. A blegh start for Sir dub? No way.
Jaime Garcia – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks. Four walks? Why are you acting out like this Garcia? This is the equivalent of Schilling claiming to be a Yankee fan. There maaaay be an owner who sees this and believes his stud start last time out was just a fluke, making Garcia an awesome buy low. Doubt it, but a man can dream.
Derek Holland – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. I guess this is cool. It’s like that leftover 1/4 of a sandwich in your fridge from that awesome place you love. Not much substance but it’s got a few good bites in it.
Joe Kelly – 0.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. Kelly left with a shoulder injury in the first. Poor fella.
Mike Wright – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. How many “Wright” jokes can I make this season? The Wright amount. Which equates to zero regarding how many times you should start Mike.
Yordano Ventura – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks. And this is why you’ll never be Top 30 Ventura. Excuse me, I’m going to go cry in a corner now on behalf of his absurdly good stuff.
Adam Conley – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks. So the Ks returned, but it came with a Price. Wait. Was David traded to the Marlins?! You know, you could say “hey you accidently capitalized a letter there.” But this is way more fun. Maybe.
Wily Peralta – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. Even when his ERA is torn to bits he still puts up bad numbers. Against the Twins.
Eric Surkamp – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Blegh.
Colin Rea – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. I don’t want Rea life. I want the fantasy. I swear I’ll stop using that joke. Sometime.
Vincent Velasquez – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. What?! Fewer than 12 Ks? This is unacceptable. It is a little disappointing given the Mets, but an error extended 3rd upped his pitch count and tacked on three unearned runs through a Lucas Duda blast with two outs. But don’t worry, he’s still in the NL Easy and keep riding him into that glorious sunset.
Ervin Santana – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. Blegh. Our Call Boy couldn’t express his K upside against the Brewers. Thanks for nothing Santana.
Matt Cain – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. Cain ain’t what he used to be.
Scott Feldman – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks. Feldman Schmeldman.
Francisco Liriano – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks. I’m so happy you’re off the DL. Really, so happy.
Jorge De La Rosa – 2.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 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.
Wade Miley – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. Remember kids, when it comes to Miley, you should Wade, not Roe. That joked sounded a lot better in head. Don’t roster Miley, okay?
Alex Wood – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks. Yeah, I’m definitely not buying the whole increased velocity + new arm angle schtuff.
Shane Greene – 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. Welp, so much for that. Okay, that’s harsh. It’s possible he recovers and the upside returns, but this is reminding me way too much of last year’s roller coaster. I don’t want to be stuck at the top of the loop-de-loop again.
Today’s Streamer
Rick Porcello vs. Tampa Bay Rays – Porcello was starting to look like his second half self last time out, and he gets a solid matchup to keep the momentum.
Bartolo Colon vs. Philadelphia Phillies – The Big Apple against a poor team = a decent stream.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Nate Karns vs. Cleveland Indians – Karns has been keeping up his strikeout numbers and the Indians are a solid matchup to continue the momentum.
Game of the Day
Chris Sale vs. Garrett Richards – Stud southpaw against unharnessed super good raw stuff. Yes please.