Boxscore Bits: April 18th, 2022

by
April 18, 2022
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

A few thoughts on the games from the weekend:

FOR STARTERS

Weekend Starters
# Name Team IP H R ER HR BB SO TBF ERA WHIP W vFA (pi) vSI (pi) SwStr%
1 Carlos Carrasco NYM 5 3 0 0 0 2 8 20 0.00 1.00 0 93.2 18%
2 Justin Verlander HOU 8 3 0 0 0 0 8 27 0.00 0.38 1 95.3 16%
3 Drew Smyly CHC 4.2 4 0 0 0 1 4 18 0.00 1.07 0 91.7 11%
4 Ross Stripling TOR 4 2 0 0 0 0 3 14 0.00 0.50 0 91.9 89.7 8%
5 Steven Matz STL 5.2 3 0 0 0 0 6 20 0.00 0.53 1 94.9 12%
6 Alex Wood SFG 5 4 0 0 0 2 5 20 0.00 1.20 1 92.2 92.1 9%
7 Michael Wacha BOS 5 1 0 0 0 2 5 17 0.00 0.60 0 92.6 91.9 8%
8 Julio Urías LAD 5 1 0 0 0 1 5 16 0.00 0.40 0 92.9 6%
9 Andrew Heaney LAD 6 1 0 0 0 3 11 22 0.00 0.67 1 91.6 18%
10 Jordan Montgomery NYY 5 3 0 0 0 2 2 20 0.00 1.00 0 91.4 91.7 11%
11 Pablo López MIA 5.1 4 0 0 0 2 2 21 0.00 1.13 1 93.3 93 13%
12 Michael Kopech CHW 5 1 1 0 0 2 5 19 0.00 0.60 0 96.1 16%
13 Nestor Cortes NYY 5 3 0 0 0 1 12 19 0.00 0.80 0 90.3 13%
14 Zac Gallen ARI 4 2 0 0 0 1 2 15 0.00 0.75 0 93.9 12%
15 Tony Gonsolin LAD 4 3 0 0 0 3 2 18 0.00 1.50 0 93.4 15%
16 Tanner Houck BOS 5.2 2 0 0 0 3 4 19 0.00 0.88 1 95.7 94.6 5%
17 Tyler Wells BAL 4 3 0 0 0 2 3 17 0.00 1.25 0 94.5 8%
18 David Peterson NYM 4.1 3 0 0 0 2 4 18 0.00 1.15 0 94 93.7 10%
19 Bruce Zimmermann BAL 5 4 0 0 0 2 6 21 0.00 1.20 0 89.8 16%
20 Humberto Castellanos ARI 4 1 0 0 0 3 1 16 0.00 1.00 0 88.9 89.1 1%
21 Bailey Ober MIN 6 4 2 0 0 1 3 24 0.00 0.83 0 92 16%
22 Tarik Skubal DET 5.2 4 1 0 0 0 7 22 0.00 0.71 0 95.4 95.9 13%
23 Aaron Ashby MIL 4 2 3 0 1 4 4 19 0.00 1.50 0 95.6 95.4 8%
24 Marco Gonzales SEA 7 4 1 1 0 0 6 25 1.29 0.57 1 88.9 8%
25 Carlos Rodón SFG 7 2 1 1 0 2 9 25 1.29 0.57 1 97 8%
26 Miles Mikolas STL 6.2 3 1 1 0 1 7 24 1.35 0.60 1 92.8 91.9 8%
27 Yu Darvish SDP 6.2 4 1 1 1 0 8 25 1.35 0.60 1 95.5 94.4 17%
28 Chris Bassitt NYM 6 2 1 1 1 2 6 22 1.50 0.67 1 92.2 91.7 12%
29 Elieser Hernandez MIA 6 5 1 1 1 1 5 25 1.50 1.00 1 91.4 12%
30 Joe Ryan MIN 6 5 1 1 1 0 7 22 1.50 0.83 1 92.8 20%
31 Adrian Houser MIL 5.2 4 1 1 0 3 4 23 1.59 1.24 0 95 94.4 7%
32 Dylan Cease CHW 5.2 3 1 1 0 2 8 21 1.59 0.88 1 96.8 17%
33 Ian Anderson ATL 5.2 2 1 1 1 1 7 20 1.59 0.53 1 93.7 19%
34 Jordan Lyles BAL 5.1 6 1 1 0 2 4 24 1.69 1.50 0 93.4 91.6 12%
35 Antonio Senzatela COL 5 7 1 1 0 0 2 20 1.80 1.40 1 94.8 9%
36 Kris Bubic KCR 4.1 2 1 1 0 6 4 19 2.08 1.85 0 91 7%
37 Brad Keller KCR 7 3 2 2 1 2 5 26 2.57 0.71 0 94.3 93.1 11%
38 Noah Syndergaard LAA 6 5 2 2 0 0 4 23 3.00 0.83 1 95.3 95 13%
39 Alek Manoah TOR 6 4 2 2 1 2 6 24 3.00 1.00 1 93.3 91.6 18%
40 Patrick Corbin WSN 5.1 3 2 2 0 3 4 22 3.38 1.13 0 90.2 90.8 5%
41 Zach Plesac CLE 5.1 7 2 2 2 1 4 24 3.38 1.50 0 90.9 10%
42 Hunter Greene CIN 5.1 5 3 2 1 0 6 21 3.38 0.94 0 100.9 19%
43 MacKenzie Gore SDP 5.1 3 2 2 1 2 3 20 3.38 0.94 0 95.6 7%
44 Matt Brash SEA 5.1 2 2 2 1 6 5 21 3.38 1.50 1 96.2 7%
45 Corey Kluber TBR 5 4 2 2 1 0 4 19 3.60 0.80 0 88.6 9%
46 Paul Blackburn OAK 5 5 2 2 0 0 3 19 3.60 1.00 0 93 92.5 11%
47 Ranger Suárez PHI 5 6 2 2 1 3 4 22 3.60 1.80 1 92.5 92.3 4%
48 Erick Fedde WSN 5 4 2 2 0 2 6 21 3.60 1.20 1 92.9 5%
49 Kyle Wright ATL 5 5 2 2 0 0 9 21 3.60 1.00 0 95.2 95.6 12%
50 Jameson Taillon NYY 4.2 3 2 2 1 1 2 18 3.86 0.86 0 93.8 93.5 4%
51 Anthony DeSclafani SFG 4.2 5 2 2 0 0 4 19 3.86 1.07 0 93 92.5 6%
52 Cal Quantrill CLE 4.2 2 2 2 0 3 2 19 3.86 1.07 0 93.1 93.2 10%
53 Daulton Jefferies OAK 4.1 7 2 2 1 1 2 20 4.15 1.85 0 94 93.3 10%
54 Bryse Wilson PIT 4.1 4 2 2 1 3 2 21 4.15 1.62 0 92.2 92 7%
55 Bryce Elder ATL 4.1 3 2 2 0 5 3 23 4.15 1.85 0 90.8 9%
56 Chris Flexen 플렉센 SEA 6 5 3 3 1 1 3 24 4.50 1.00 0 91.1 7%
57 Matt Manning DET 2 5 1 1 0 0 2 10 4.50 2.50 0 93.1 93 13%
58 Drew Rasmussen TBR 5 5 3 3 1 0 2 20 5.40 1.00 0 96.3 13%
59 Adam Oller OAK 3.1 5 3 2 0 3 3 18 5.40 2.40 0 94 9%
60 Vince Velasquez CHW 4.2 5 4 3 0 3 5 23 5.79 1.71 0 93.2 93.3 13%
61 Josh Rogers WSN 4.1 6 3 3 0 2 2 20 6.23 1.85 0 90.1 89.4 8%
62 José Suarez LAA 4.1 5 3 3 1 3 3 20 6.23 1.85 0 92.3 91.5 10%
63 Martín Pérez TEX 4 5 4 3 0 3 5 19 6.75 2.00 0 93.2 92.4 10%
64 Jose Quintana PIT 4 5 3 3 0 3 2 20 6.75 2.00 0 90.2 90.9 5%
65 Vladimir Gutierrez CIN 4 5 3 3 0 3 3 20 6.75 2.00 0 93 5%
66 Aaron Civale CLE 4 4 4 3 1 1 5 17 6.75 1.25 0 89.9 89.8 11%
67 Nick Martinez SDP 5 7 4 4 3 4 3 24 7.20 2.20 0 93.7 93 13%
68 Taylor Hearn TEX 3.2 6 3 3 0 1 4 18 7.36 1.91 0 94.1 93.4 4%
69 Jake Odorizzi HOU 4.1 8 4 4 0 3 1 23 8.31 2.54 0 92.5 92.6 7%
70 Zach Davies ARI 4.1 7 5 4 2 1 2 21 8.31 1.85 0 88.1 7%
71 Germán Márquez COL 4.1 10 4 4 0 1 3 23 8.31 2.54 0 95.2 94.4 4%
72 Austin Gomber COL 4.1 8 5 4 1 4 2 23 8.31 2.77 0 91.7 4%
73 Zach Eflin PHI 4 6 4 4 0 1 4 18 9.00 1.75 0 93.2 92.6 6%
74 Dakota Hudson STL 3 3 4 3 0 2 2 15 9.00 1.67 0 92.5 92.8 6%
75 Mitch Keller PIT 3.2 7 4 4 0 3 4 21 9.82 2.73 0 96.3 6%
76 Marcus Stroman CHC 4 6 5 5 1 1 4 19 11.25 1.75 0 92.8 92.4 6%
77 Hyun Jin Ryu 류현진 TOR 4 6 5 5 1 0 1 18 11.25 1.50 0 88.9 8%
78 José Urquidy HOU 4 8 6 6 1 1 2 21 13.50 2.25 0 93.2 4%
79 Reid Detmers LAA 3.1 6 5 5 0 1 5 18 13.50 2.10 0 93.4 11%
80 Tyler Mahle CIN 3.2 7 7 7 0 2 5 20 17.18 2.45 0 93.5 12%
81 Freddy Peralta MIL 3 7 6 6 0 2 4 19 18.00 3.00 0 93.2 17%
82 Mark Leiter CHC 3.1 5 7 7 1 4 4 19 18.90 2.70 0 91.3 91.5 11%
83 Zack Wheeler PHI 3 8 7 7 0 3 3 21 21.00 3.67 0 94.5 93.8 8%
Chart is sortable; initial sort is by ERA

Friday:

  • Stripling put up 4 scoreless in a spot-start situation and should continue to fill in for Hyun-Jin Ryu (forearm inflammation), but he goes to HOU this week, so be very careful.
  • López looks healthy right now and the strikeouts will come if he continues to post a 16% SwStr rate.
  • I want to feel good about Gonsolin’s first 2 starts, especially since one was in Colorado, but he is quite fortunate to have allowed just 1 ER with a 10.3 H/9, 15% K, and 12% BB rate. The 15% SwStr rate says more Ks are coming, but last year’s elevated BB% (14%) is back with a 12% mark through 2 starts. He’s a team streamer for now and I’d likely bench him v. ATL.
  • Skubal only had back-to-back HR-free outings 3x last year so it’s nice to see him open with a pair this year and his command was much better in Friday’s start, too, though facing the Royals instead of the White Sox certainly helps that.
  • Gonzales/Mikolas are essentially lefty/righty versions of the same pitcher: finesse control artists. Both are team streamers right now as I wouldn’t want to let my leaguemates get a chance at them during the starts I don’t want to use them. Mikolas has a 2-start next week (wk. of 4/25), so jump now where you can since the price will go up this weekend.
  • Ryan bounced back with a gem against the Red Sox after an uncharacteristic 4 BB in his season debut. I’m a huge fan an starting him easily in 10s and above.
  • Gore’s debut was solid given the opponent (ATL). The biggest hurdle right now is how long he will remain in the rotation with Blake Snell and Mike Clevinger working their way back. For now, Gore should be rostered everywhere because if he dominates, they will figure out how to get him starts even if Snell and Clev-dog return healthy.
  • Brad Keller has looked great in a couple of outings, with increased changeup usage (+9 pts to 14%) now giving him 4 distinct pitches (4S, SI, SL, CH) and driving early success against lefties (.206 OPS in 25 PA; career .724 in 1111 PA). Standard streamer in 10s, but I’m elevating him to team streamer in 12s and 15s as he could be a sub-4.00 ERA guy if these early changes are indicative of real improvement.
  • Wright was excellent again and the former top prospect is one of the early standouts who could be a true breakout. With 70 IP spread across 4 seasons, there was nothing to take from his previous MLB work, but he’s been wonderful in AAA (3.43 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 24% K in 278 IP) and now has a real chance for extended time in the majors. I’m buying anywhere he is still available.
  • Jeff actually put me on Fedde as I’d been ignoring him. He is only a streamer in 12s, but I can see holding him in 15s, especially with 2 great starts in his next 3: ARI on 4/20, MIA on 4/26, and at SF on 5/1.
  • Still holding Rasmussen, but as a 5-or-fewer IP guy, he has a tiny margin for error and if the Ks don’t start coming, he becomes a tough hold in 10s and 12s.
  • I’m a long-term Odorizzi stan, but I’ve dropped him to streamer status across all but the absolute deepest formats (AL Only, 18+ mixers) and cut him for Josh Naylor in my Main Event (earlier it said Michael Lorenzen. It doesn’t really matter, but I just wanted to be accurate. I cut Carlos Hernandez for Lorenzen).
  • Mitch Keller’s velo spike from Spring Training has carried over to the regular season, but positive results haven’t followed with the pitch yielding a 1.071 OPS in 17 PA so far. Feel free to cut him anywhere if you’re chasing someone off the wire. If you’re a Keller stan, I understand wanting to see more than 2 starts, too.
  • Detmers had a brutal 4th inning that included the pen allowing all 3 inherited runners to score thanks in part to Joe Maddon intentionally walking Corey Seager with the bases loaded because… who the hell knows? I’m holding Detmers right now with starts against BAL and CLE on deck.
  • Peralta’s command has been spotty at best through two starts, leading to some poor results, but there is nothing actionable here. I’m not sitting him in any format, even with a trip to PHI this week.

Saturday:

  • Cookie Carrasco was brilliant for a 2nd straight start and should be rostered in all formats right now. His sub-60% roster rates at ESPN and Yahoo! are too low in my estimation.
  • Urias still wasn’t at 2021’s velo of 94 mph, but it did jump a half mph to 92.9 and he looked a lot better against CIN.
  • Gallen was decent enough in his season debut and I’m pitching him while healthy even with NYM and LAD as his next 2 starts.
  • Tyler Wells rebounded with 4 scoreless against NYY and gets a trip to OAK this weekend. He is firmly in streamer status right now, but I could see him elevating into team streamer or deep league regular start as the season evolves. Keep tabs on him.
  • Thor’s 14% SwStr through 2 starts suggests the Ks are coming despite the tiny 12% K rate thus far. I’m starting him everywhere.
  • Another healthy serving of 100 mph heaters (39) fueled a 2nd gem from Greene. He has now excelled at ATL and at LAD to open his career. He is not only a must-roster arm, but also a must-start.
  • I highlighted my feelings on Blackburn after 2 strong starts in this tweet.
  • Manning left early with shoulder discomfort and it’s been labeled as a precautionary measure, but he is cuttable across virtually any format if you have someone you’re targeting.
  • Hearn and N.Martinez will have their ups and downs so a bad 2nd start from both doesn’t really change my outlook on either.
  • It wasn’t too surprising to see Ryu hit the IL after another dud. If you have IL spots, feel free to hold, but formats like the NFBC where you simply get 7 reserve spots and that’s it, he’s a cut.
  • We haven’t gotten anything on Tr.Rogers to make us think his start was anything more than a dud outing so I’m not even considering sitting him.

Sunday:

  • Smyly is a run of the mill streamer, but no one expected a gem in Coors! A start v. PIT this week already gave him some FAAB appeal.
  • Heaney was a popular pick for “This Year’s Robbie Ray” and the early returns support that beautifully. He has a 40% K and 8% BB in 10.3 scoreless IP, including a tiny 0.68 WHIP. Health and consistency will be his primary hurdles, but there’s lots to like. He should be rostered in all 12s and 15s as well as most 10s.
  • Nasty Nestor! Cortes doesn’t overpower the opposition with his 91-mph fastball from the left side, but his 3-pitch mix has kept them off balance through two starts, giving him a 2.72 ERA/1.03 WHIP in 82.7 IP as a starter since last year. I’m a big fan and would roster him in anything from 10s and up as a key team streamer in 10s and 12s, and full-time start in 15s.
  • Zimmermann is also a crafty lefty finding some early success with a 0.00 ERA through two starts (9 IP). His changeup is driving the success as he has dropped his slider usage 8 pts and put it directly into his changeup, up 8 pts to a career-high 34%. He has allowed a paltry .125/.176/.125 with 7 Ks in 17 PA. I’m keeping an eye on this. The current O’s regime haven’t really made a major mark on the team yet, entering just their third full season at the helm so I’m careful not to just immediately dismiss their SPs the way we did under the last regime. John Means was the only guy drafted from their rotation, but Zimmermann and Tyler Wells have garnered my attention early on.
  • Ober’s Ks haven’t been there yet (16%), but the 15% SwStr says be patient. Most importantly, he has allowed just a single homer through 2 starts. While we can certainly enjoy the lack of homers, we are a long way from saying this is a bankable change. Even with the homers, he is a start in virtually all formats so make sure he is rostered in your league (just 40% at Y!).
  • Ashby got his first start of the year, though it was just to give the others an extra day of rest, not his full-time installation into starting. Even with the control issues (17% BB) and swingman role, Ashby should be on a roster in most formats. Guys like Ashby, Spencer Strider, Garrett Whitlock, and Roansy Contreras are almost more fantasy viable in the 3-5 IP reliever role because they are likely to be in line for more wins as opposed to starting and not finishing five.
  • Brash’s stuff is absolutely filthy, but the downside is that it can be tough to command, evidenced by his 17% BB rate through his first 10.7 IP. There will be volatility here, so prepare for the ups and downs. The ups should be good enough to sustain the downs making him an easy start for now, especially with KC and at MIA being his next 2 starts.
  • Elder didn’t let 5 BB destroy his outing, but even if he had dominated, it probably wouldn’t matter as he seems destined to lose his spot with Morton, Fried, Anderson, Ynoa, and Wright being their go-to five. If he is indeed sent back down, keep tabs on the 23-year-old righty.
  • At least Civale nabbed 5 Ks! His 4.28 SIERA says he is essentially his normal self even despite the 11% BB rate. A 43% LOB rate is comically out of the norm (career 75%) so I’m not super worried yet even with 1.4 mph velo dip.
  • Mahle getting crushed at LAD is tough since he is usually a road-only kind of starter (career 5.04 road ERA), but of course the Dodgers are about as tough a matchup as you can get outside of a trip to Coors. Speaking of, Mahle gets STL at home and then a trip Coors so have fun with all of that.
  • Wheeler was thrashed at MIA, but if we consider this essentially a Spring Training of sorts for him, it’s less worrisome. Even with some concerns, there isn’t really anything to do about it. I can’t envision sitting him in any league.

A POTENTIAL RE-WARD?

Taylor Ward was a FAAB favorite across some segments of the fantasy industry upon returning from the IL. It helped that he opened with a combo meal on Saturday, going 2-for-3 with 2 BB and then adding a 1-for-3 with 2 BB effort on Sunday as well. A couple good games alone isn’t the only thing driving interest, though. Joe Maddon has stated that he’s the starting RF with Brandon Marsh and Jo Adell platoon and he has batted fourth, third, and second (in Monday’s posted lineup) so they clearly like him. He posted a solid 111 wRC+ in 237 PA last year with 8 HR. He was also excellent in Triple-A, hitting .330/.439/.588 with 39 HR, 23 SB, 15% BB, and 21% K rate over 837 PA. I’m buying in and see him as viable in any league with 5 OF while likely worth at least a reserve spot in most 3 OF setups.

COMBO MEALS

Shoutout to ESPN’s Fantasy Focus podcast for coming up with the “combo meal” term when guys get a HR and SB in the same game. Here are the weekend (Fri-Sun) combo meals:

MULTI-HR/MULTI-SB

Guys with 2+ HR or SB over the weekend (Fri-Sun):

WTWT

Here is What To Watch Today for Monday, April 18th:

  • Two of early season must-adds square off in NY: Alex Cobb v. Tylor Megill
  • I’m eager to see how Shane McClanahan’s stuff fares against a solid Cubs lineup.
  • Michael Lorenzen was a very popular add this wknd so all eyes on him at HOU tonight.
  • Can Aaron Nola survive Coors?
  • Will Nick Lodolo rebound from an ugly MLB debut?
  • What can Clayton Kershaw do for an encore after his brilliant season debut?

 





 

Paul is the Editor of Rotographs and Content Director for OOTP Perfect Team. Follow Paul on Twitter @sporer and on Twitch at sporer.

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MRDXolmember
2 years ago

Be careful with optimism for homer-free outings from historically gopher ball prone guys— especially Skubal and Ober. Cold & wet weather across the country but esp in the Midwest helped suppress balls that would’ve been long gone if hit in June. Statcast has both guys as having given up hard contact so far, Ober especially.

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Paul Sporermember
2 years ago
Reply to  MRDXol

Totally agree! Faaaar from out of the woods on their HR issues. Joe Ryan, too.

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