There was a pitcher last year by the name of Hector Santiago who had a fantastic first half. He held a miniscule 2.33 ERA in 108+ innings despite a 3.96 FIP and 4.50 xFIP. It all came undone in the 2nd half, but that’s not the point. The points it that while I want to say this is a repeat of last year, there may actually be something here after he went 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 10 Ks against the Chi Sox. Why is this year different? Because he’s throwing over 2 MPH harder on his Fastball. His Changeup is moving 1.5 inches more horizontally, inducing a bunch more grounders as he uses it more often. It’s all trending up for Santiago and while I’m not going to tell you that he’s suddenly a Top 50 guy, I’m saying that you’re not crazy for picking him up after a night like this. He may have taken the step forward that we never thought he could and it’ll cost you zilch to take that flier. That’s a price even the Rays could afford.
Let’s see what every other SP did yesterday:
John Lackey – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks. Lackey has now had 11 Ks or more just seven times in his 390 games started. This was fantastic, so hold if you’ve got it, don’t buy if you don’t. K? K….KKKKKKKKK.
Jordan Lyles – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. Is this because I do my blurb every time? It’s because I do my blurb every time. Welp, this is a time so…Lyles 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.
Noah Syndergaard – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks. Aces gonna ace. I brought Thor to #5 earlier today in The List and even without his best stuff he still dominated the Phils. I’m in love guys, and I don’t know what to do.
J.A. Happ – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks. That Happened and you were Happy it Happened. I’m tempted to squeak him into the Top 70 next week, no joke y’all.
Jose Fernandez – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks. Aces gonna kinda ace. We have yet see JoFer really dominate, though after a shaky first two innings, the fella was freakin’ blistering through the next four – pretty impressive when he had already thrown over fifty pitches before entering the 3rd inning.
Jerad Eickhoff – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks. Our Call Boy felt like cheating despite his sub 20% ownage rate in ESPN leagues as he got a romantic date with the Mets once again. Eickhoff’s matchups are absurdly good through the first half, and if you don’t own him yet you’re just being lazy.
Clay Buchholz – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Bucky did well against the visiting Blue Jays, but how did he strike out just two batters? Doesn’t he know the Jays have fanned more than any other team in the MLB? Yes, they have a K% nearly 3 points higher than the freakin’ Padres. Anywho, if you’re really that desperate for some upside you can go pickup Clay. Me? Well I’m going to wait until I see him flash his true upside before grabbing the Buckster.
Dan Straily – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks. Straily is back and as boring as ever. I don’t think he’ll be even a Toby, so don’t get your hopes up.
Mike Leake – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks. Yeah, I still don’t like you outside of the occasional stream.
Phil Hughes – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks. This game ended after six, though that was probably for the best for guys who ran with Hughes as our secondary Call Boy. This is technically a QS and he did strikeout a batter per inning despite the 1.33 WHIP. Soooo yay?
Tanner Roark – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks. Keep it up Roark and hopefully we’ll see Giolito sooner rather than later. Please.
Jake Peavy – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. Yeah, this is why we’re avoiding Peavy this year.
Chase Anderson – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 11 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. Blegh. There is some K upside with Chase but this is pretty dang bad against the Twins.
Archie Bradley – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks. He was called up and made some people excited. I was more excited when I remembered to floss this morning. I remember every morning.
Carlos Rodon – 0.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. Rodon got Felix’d as he didn’t get a chance to get comfortable vs. the Halos. The first batter of the game singled on the second pitch, and he just looked uncomfortable pitching from the stretch. All hits were singles and better days await, even though I am worried that his stuff isn’t close to the level of polish most people think it is.
Today’s Streamer
Ervin Santana vs. Milwaukee Brewers – Ervin isn’t as bad as you think and his K upside can finally be true to itself against the Brew Crew. This is assuming Vincent Velasquez is taken in your league.
Logan Verrett vs. Philadelphia Phillies – You could worse than Verrett, who has been decent with some K upside here and there. Nothing special, but serviceable.
Tomorrow’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.
Game of the Day
Vincent Velasquez vs. New York Mets – The Roman Kindergartener’s Ten (VV) gets his shot to keep rolling after his incredible 16 K performance last week and I’m pumped to see it.