Boxscore Bits: April 14, 2022

A few thoughts on the games from on Wednesday, April 13th:

FOR STARTERS

• Kershaw was perfect through 7, but anyone paying attention knew there was no shot he was going to finish it given his health issues and the fact that it was his first start of the season. He simply wasn’t stretched out to go 100+ pitches and Kershaw knows better than to carelessly push himself and risk the rest of the season. Obviously it’d be great to see him throw a perfecto, but it doesn’t make sense to push well beyond your limit in game 1 of the year.
• Kelly stood tall for a second straight start (this time v. HOU), carrying on from a strong Spring Training (7 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 13 K). His velo is up to 92.9 mph (+1.1 over ’21) and he is using his changeup a lot more up. It is up 7 pts in usage to 24% and has been excellent, allowing 1 H w/6 Ks in 13 PA. He has a 2-start (at WAS, NYM) next week and will be a popular pickup in many formats. I’m definitely eyeing him in 12s and 15s, possibly even 10s depending who I’m cutting.
• McKenzie’s season debut in relief was unsettling, but it turned out to be a blip as opposed to reason for major concern. His velo was back up to 93.9 mph and he was great for 4 IP.
• Burnes assuaged any Opening Day concerns by looking like the stud drafted in the 1st round in Baltimore.
• Despite a 56% GB rate, Gray kept the ball in the park en route to a strong outing despite 3 BB. The tough part with Gray will be knowing when to sit him since HRs can pop up against any team. He gets a 2-step against ARI and SF next week, so he is a start for me despite a tough Giants team in that second start.
• Valdez didn’t have any fastball command, particularly his 4-seamer (he throws a sinker, too), which led to 5 BB and an early day against what should’ve been a great opponent. The start didn’t hurt too badly, but a trip to ARI is usually a prime spot.
• Fried was nickeled and dimed, allowing 6 1B and a double, and it would’ve been nice to see more Ks against a weaker opponent, but this just a run-of-the-mill fine outing.
• Thompson should have bouts of streamer usefulness, especially once he is fully stretched out. He gets a 2-step at MIL and at CHC next week, so I expect him to be a mid-tier option in FAAB this weekend.
• Means leaving with forearm tightness is rough. Hold out for news before making any moves, but if he is shelved for the injury, I think he becomes a cut in leagues without IL spots and perhaps in spots with just 1-2 slots, too, though that will depend a lot more on your roster.
• A 2-out throwing error by Jeimer Candelario in the top of the 4th opened the floodgates for BOS as they ripped three straight doubles off E-Rod and spoiled his start. There is nothing actionable off this start.
• 3 HRs are the only reason Cole’s numbers aren’t where they “should” be. His velo is at 98.1 mph and swinging strike rate at 18%, both career highs. I’m quite literally 0% concerned.
• Berrios bounced back after a painful season debut. He’s fine and an all-formats must-start.
• A rough 3rd inning capped by a Sean Murphy 3-R HR spoiled an otherwise great outing by McClanahan. He still fanned 8 and went 19 pitches more than his first outing so he’s building up. He looks great and I’m very excited about him this year.
• Paddack’s velo was down over 2 mph and I’m not sure he should be rostered in anything but the absolute deepest formats.
• Curious if anyone saw Nola’s start, I didn’t get a chance to, but it looks like he lost command of the fastballs (4-seamer and sinker), leading to the 3 BB and ending his day early. No concerns here.
• Was it the nasty weather in Chicago that hampered Ray? It’s a great opponent, too, but I wouldn’t worry too much if you’re invested.
• Lodolo flopped in his debut but has a 2-step next week. I’m wondering if the dud outing will depress the price enough or will people just see a 2-step (at SD, STL) from a stud prospect and jump? I think he’s worth going for in 12s or deeper right now. 10s are borderline and would 100% depend on the cut. One bad start isn’t taking me off him completely.
• Hendricks getting smoked in PIT is rough. A 3-R shot by Ben Gamel was crusher in a 7-hit parade. He lives on a thin margin. It’ll be a risky 2-step next week v. TB and PIT.

VLAD GOES SUPER SAIYAN

The Yankees thought a busted finger could stop Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but they were wrong! He already had a homer when that happened and ripped two more after the finger injury. He added a double in for good measure, going 4-for-4 with 3 HR, 4 RBI, and 3 R.

MILLER STAYS HOT, TAGS 2

Owen Miller came into Tuesday’s game with three straight multi-hit efforts, giving him a .500 AVG and 1.342 OPS. He got his fourth with a pair of homers and a single, elevating him to .524 AVG and 1.593 OPS so far. Three of these four games have been 3 H efforts, too. So is there anything here with Miller or just a bananas .529 BABIP and 40% HR/FB rate sustaining him? Obviously, he isn’t going to be anywhere near this good, but he has usurped Bobby Bradley at 1B starting the last four games there and with playing time, there is some deep league appeal here. When he was graded by the prospect team last year, he got just a 40-hit tool, but with a 55 future. He appears to be improving that aspect of his game and at least hinting at the higher end of that skill early on with a 9% K and 4% SwStr rate. He feels like someone who can hit .260 with 15 HR if he maintains the playing time which definitely has deep league viability.

STOLEN BASES

• Myles Straw 1 (4)
• Jose Altuve 1 (2)
• Cooper Hummel 1 (1)
• Tyler Naquin 1 (1)
• Trea Turner 1 (1)
• Geraldo Perdomo 1 (1)

WTWT

Here is What To Watch Today for Wednesday, April 14th:

• Casey Mize could be looking into his future in a match against Zack Greinke.
• Brandon Woodruff looks to rebound and Adam Wainwright will likely get a million groundballs.
• Sandy Alcantara will get a tough match against Philly.
• Shohei Day!!
• Charlie Morton v. Joe Musgrove could be the  matchup of the day.
• How will Luis Severino hold up v. the Blue Jays?
• Always excited to watch Walker Buehler throw.