Boxscore Bits: May 6th, 2022
by Paul Sporer
May 6, 2022
A few thoughts on the games from Thursday’s games:
FOR STARTERS
Thursday’s Starters
| # | Name | Team | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | TBF | ERA | WHIP | W | vFA (pi) | vSI (pi) | SwStr% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shohei Ohtani | LAA | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 28 | 0.00 | 0.86 | 1 | 97.8 | 28% | |
| 2 | José Urquidy | HOU | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 23 | 0.00 | 1.17 | 0 | 93 | 8% | |
| 3 | Rich Hill | BOS | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 17 | 0.00 | 0.40 | 0 | 89 | 13% | |
| 4 | Mauricio Llovera | SFG | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 96.2 | 12% | |
| 5 | Aaron Nola | PHI | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 25 | 1.29 | 0.57 | 0 | 93.3 | 91.6 | 14% |
| 6 | Nick Martinez | SDP | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 25 | 1.29 | 0.71 | 1 | 94 | 93.9 | 9% |
| 7 | Miles Mikolas | STL | 5.2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 25 | 1.59 | 1.76 | 1 | 93.5 | 93.5 | 5% |
| 8 | Tarik Skubal | DET | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 23 | 3.00 | 1.00 | 0 | 94.3 | 95.3 | 17% |
| 9 | Jesús Luzardo | MIA | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 23 | 3.00 | 1.00 | 0 | 96.9 | 96.8 | 10% |
| 10 | Shane McClanahan | TBR | 5.1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 21 | 3.38 | 0.94 | 1 | 98 | 7% | |
| 11 | Antonio Senzatela | COL | 4.1 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 4.15 | 2.08 | 0 | 94 | 6% | |
| 12 | Chris Archer | MIN | 4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 17 | 4.50 | 1.25 | 0 | 93 | 17% | |
| 13 | Robbie Ray | SEA | 6.2 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 28 | 5.40 | 1.20 | 0 | 93.4 | 12% | |
| 14 | Spenser Watkins | BAL | 4.2 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 5.79 | 1.93 | 0 | 91.8 | 8% | |
| 15 | Aaron Civale | CLE | 5.2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 24 | 6.35 | 1.06 | 1 | 91.7 | 91.4 | 15% |
| 16 | Adrian Houser | MIL | 5 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 24 | 7.20 | 1.60 | 1 | 95.1 | 95.1 | 12% |
| 17 | José Berríos | TOR | 4.2 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 11.57 | 1.93 | 0 | 94.6 | 93.8 | 4% |
| 18 | Aaron Sanchez | WSN | 4.1 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 22 | 12.46 | 1.85 | 0 | 91.7 | 92.2 | 6% |
| 19 | Taijuan Walker | NYM | 4 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 13.50 | 2.75 | 0 | 93.9 | 92.3 | 9% |
| 20 | Hunter Greene | CIN | 2.2 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 18 | 27.00 | 3.75 | 0 | 97.9 | 8% | |
| 21 | Tanner Houck | BOS | 2.1 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 27.39 | 2.61 | 0 | 96.1 | 11% |
Sorted by ERA
- Shohei Ohtani is actually making the decision between SP and hitter a difficult one each week now. It’s not because I’m worried about his hitting, by the way, as he still has 4 HR/SB despite the relatively modest 105 wRC+. His pitching is just so excellent right now: 3.08 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 38% K, and 33% K-BB in 26.3 IP.
- Rich Hill finally reached 5 IP and his ratios are now sparkling at 2.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, but he still isn’t a must-roster or anything with almost no shot at wins and just a 19% K rate. I’d still prefer someone like Michael King over Hill.
- Tanner Houck was destroyed in a painful 2.3 IP/7 ER outing behind Hill. There is no sugar-coating this, it was trash, but it will likely lead to some cuts and I think that’s too far. Rough outings stink, They happen, though, and overreacting to them can definitely hurt. I’m holding Houck.
- Hunter Greene can’t really be started in any format right now and I’m not even sure he should be held anywhere. Your team context can determine where you are in 15s and deeper, but if it’s not a keeper, I’m not bending over backwards to retain him.
- José Berríos got blasted again. There is nothing good in his stat line that I can reference to calm any fears as it is undoubtedly ugly, but I can’t cut him yet. I just have to see more than 6 starts again to do so, especially when 3 were good. The 3 bad ones are just spoiling the line.
- This actually wasn’t too bad of a start from Aaron Civale given the opponent (5.7 IP/4 ER/8 Ks) thanks in large part to the strikeouts. It doesn’t really move the needle much as he remains a deeper league streamer.
- I guess the third time is a charm as Taijuan Walker was blasted by Philly, a team he has faced in all three of his starts this year. This doesn’t alter his status as a standard streamer and with a trip to Washington on the docket next week, I’d be inclined to scoop him if you are streaming starters.
- If the defense isn’t failing Aaron Nola, it’s the bullpen melting down and robbing fantasy managers of the easy win after his gem.
- Chris Archer has some Rich Hill vibes as his 3.26 ERA isn’t too bad (the 1.29 WHIP on the other hand…), but he has yet to reach 5 IP so wins literally can’t happen. He does have a 24% K rate, essentially trading WHIP for Ks in the Hill comparison.
- Those of you wishing for Nick Martinez to implode so MacKenzie Gore has a path to the rotation with Clevinger and Snell returning will have to wish harder. He has gotten his walks in check with just 3 in the last two starts after 9 in the two before that. They aren’t moving him to the bullpen for Gore. Hold your Gore shares when he is optioned back (hasn’t happened yet) upon Snell’s return (out on rehab now).
- Tarik Skubal’s HR-free season wouldn’t last forever and a pair of solos were the lone damage in a great start at HOU. He softened the blow of the two earned runs with 9 Ks and a clean 1.00 WHIP.
- José Urquidy was solid against the inept DET offense. He still managed just 3 Ks, though, which is a bit underwhelming. We will take what we can get here and it’s still a strong outing. I’m not sure it’s enough to make me confident about throwing him at MIN next week, though.
- It was a hostile environment for Shane McClanahan as the Mariners have a 116 wRC+ against lefties and their 13% BB rate is tops in the league. He came out of it pretty well all things considered and still managed 5 Ks despite a meager 7% SwStr, well off his 16% season mark. He got the win, too, we take these kinda starts all day!
- Robbie Ray continues to look a lot like his pre-2021 iteration. Well, that’s not even 100% true because his Ks are down at just 20% on the season. He does still have a 12% SwStr rate which suggests the Ks will get back. I don’t know if the 1.4 mph in fastball velo will return, though.
- Miles Mikolas seemed to be content letting the park take care of things with a ton of contact (93% Z-Contact) and just a 5% SwStr rate.
MULTI-HR GAMES
- Willy Adames (7, 8)
- Manny Machado (6, 7)
- Ryan Mountcastle (3, 4)
NOTABLE CALLUPS
- Royce Lewis, SS | MIN – Lewis is coming up for Carlos Correa and could force his way into a longer stay if he remains on fire. He has a .310/.430/.563 line in 107 PA with 3 HR and 8 SB. His plate skills have greatly improved with a 9-point jump in walk rate to 16%. He has dabbled with the outfield (though not this year) which could be an avenue to sticking in the majors when Correa returns.
- Jarren Duran, OF | BOS – Strikeouts were the big reason Durran’s first run in MLB didn’t go well (49 wRC+). He is hitting well with a .397/.478/.638 line including 2 HR and 7 SB in 67 PA (199 wRC+). He has a 19% K rate and 13% BB rate, but his 14% SwStr is that much different than his 16% in MLB and 15% in Triple-A last year, so I’m not sure we will see much improvement there. None of Boston’s everyday outfield is doing well, but I imagine Jackie Bradley Jr.’s playing time is in the most danger.
DRAFTKINGS GAME
- I do a few DraftKings games throughout the week and I’ve got a $5 gm setup for Friday if you’re interested, click here
WTWT
Here is What To Watch Today for Friday, May 6th:
- I’m eager to see if Beau Brieske can stand up on the road against another tough foe (at LAD last weekend).
- Josh Winder looks to show his debut start wasn’t a fluke (6 IP/2 H/0 ER/7 K).
- Eric Lauer has become must-watch with this fast start.
- I’m a Sandy Alcantara superfan, so I’m definitely tuning into him at SD.
- Alex Cobb is hoping to rebound after his disastrous return from the IL.