I was a fan of Daniel Norris way back in the beginning of April 2015. And when I say fan, I mean I thought he was a decent streamer who could crack into a solid roster spot if his K upside was expressed often enough. Well, it didn’t last year, and today marked Norris’ first crack at 2016. He was pretty decent against a strong Mariners team, going 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. Am I still a fan? Ehhhh slightly. I watched a bit of this outing and he was doing a good job with his heater, though all three runs came off solo shots from mistake heaters. Clearly there is room to improve, though that is expected in his first start back from an extended DL trip. I’m not against 12 teamers chasing Norris if you’re in need of SP help, but I’d be shocked if he pulls a Fulmer/Duffy/Paxton/Shoemaker kind of deal. He’ll be on The List on Monday, but most likely around the 70s. Just not enough immediate upside with a floor that is lower than you’d like.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
Wei-Yin Chen – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. Not only did Chen give a solid start finally, he did it against the freakin’ Cubs. Too bad he’ll have to repeat it against the Tigers. Love that Mets + Reds after, though.
Jon Lester – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks. Aces gonna ace. No I’m not worried about that walks.
Jerad Eickhoff – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Our Call Boy cruised along as his window is closer faster than having T1 in 1998. I hope you’re on board as the second half is a pretty sight ahead.
Albert Suarez – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. Hey Nick! Oh lord, what? Dude! That Suarez kid is pret-tay, preeee-tay, preee- For the love of God just spit it out – taaaay good. Six Ks! A decent WHIP and ERA! I should pick this guy up, right? No. No you should not. He now holds a sub 6.00 K/9 (and that includes his time as a reliever), and he doesn’t have a history of striking out guys in the minors. His actual stuff dictates about a 3.75 – 4.00 ERA and this is exactly the upside your chasing. It’s his ceiling, which is as decorated as my Mormon T-shirt. Oh. Okay…
Kendall Graveman – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks. One strikeout? In 20 outs? How does that even happen? If you’re starting Kendall, you’re digging your own Grave, man. I know how cringey that line is, but peak delirium Nick doesn’t care. I’LL SHOW YOU A GRAVE.
Matt Harvey – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. It’s not the greatest start, but whatever, at least we’re behind the week-ruining starts that made me eating Chubby Hubby at 1:00am. Only this perfectly delicious chocolate pretzel thing can numb my pain…
John Lamb – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks. Welp, that 8 K start was a mirage as Lamb turned back into a Lion eating your face. I mean, okay, it’s not that bad, but this is pretty bad. That WHIP/ERA hurts you and just four Ks doesn’t do a whole lot.
Matt Wisler – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks. Four walks from Wisler with just one strikeout. Note this start as it came against the Mets, who are as terrifying as a piece of paper. But you can get a paper cut! Yeah, if you’re inadequate. Just don’t touch Wisler, okay?
Zack Greinke – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Blegh, I really wanted Greinke to kill it today so that I could make the case at least to have him inside the Top 10. But nay, he’ll stay put since he couldn’t show us a beautiful start in Coors. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure not discrediting the fella after getting the worst pitching matchup there is. There was just an irrational part of me that wanted Greinke to keep up his remarkable recovery.
James Shields – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks. So he’s not the worst thing ever. Phew, that was a close one.
Jon Niese – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. I prefer the Nephew.
Vidal Nuno – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. Funny story, Adrian Sampson was supposed to start this game, but then got relieved by Nuno after injuring his elbow during the warmup pitches. Because the Mariners need to have more injury trouble with their starting rotation. Anyway, Nuno isn’t anything special – maybe a desperate weekend start when you’re hunting for a vulture dub, but like 95% should move on.
Rick Porcello – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. Probably the most disappointing outing of the evening came from Porcello. The White Sox are a bottom third offense and Porcello has been looking good lately. Well, I’m shure as headphones starting him against the Rays next time out.
Christian Friedrich – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. Friedrich got the dreaded TEEs label last time out and this is why. Blame it on the Reds… Wait, that’s not how this works.
Eddie Butler – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 11 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Butler 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.
Ricky Nolasco – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks. Oh Nolasco, this is just so you.
Tim Lincecum – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Wait, you’re telling me that his last excellent outing against the A’s wasn’t legit? Who did he play today? …The A’s. Ho’ boy…
Today’s Streamers
Cody Reed vs. San Diego Padres – The Friars are as bad as they come against hard throwing pitchers and Reed can dial it up. He should be owned in most 12 teamers anyway given his upside, but he’s owned in under 12% of ESPN leagues for some reason, so get on that.
Tomorrow’s Streamer
Brandon Finnegan vs. San Diego Padres – Y’all know I don’t like Finnegan at all. His walk rate is way too poor for me to get on board. That’s how bad the options are today, with the only other consideration being Jhoulys Chacin against the A’s. Ouch. But if you’re really behind in a H2H league and need a Hail Mary, Fin could bring a lot of Ks against a poor Padres team, which might be the answer you’re looking for.
Day After Tomorrow’s Streamer
Anthony DeSclafani vs. San Diego Padres – You may be sensing a common theme with these starters: the Padres are bad and no one likes to own Reds pitchers. Tony Disco is good enough to call this a relatively safe stream for your Sunday.
Game of the Day
Jameson Taillon vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – I’m in love with Taillon and want to see how he rebounds from a tough Cubs start. There’s also Dallas Keuchel going again and here’s to hoping he finds his way out of purgatory. Hint: Imploding is one answer, but it’s not the right one.