Roto Riteup: August 18, 2017

Pedro Martinez was back on the mound Thursday:

Man oh man, he was so good – especially in 2000.

On the Agenda:

  • Severino Bounces Back
  • Corbin with Another Gem
  • Jackson Drops ERA Below 3.00 w/Washington
  • Donaldson Clubs Two More HRs
  • Other News

Severino Bounces Back

Luis Severino was pasted by the Red Sox back on August 12th, allowing 10 runs (8 of ‘em earned) on 10 base runners in just 4.3 innings, but he got back on track on Thursday night. The Mets got just an unearned run in 6.3 innings with nine strikeouts, three walks, and four hits. He also logged his first MLB hit! With 150 innings, he’s just an inning shy of last year’s total and about 12 away from his 161.7 from 2015. There could be some manipulation of his start days to keep his innings from getting too far out of hand (especially with playoff considerations in NY), but I think we’ll avoid any sort of hard shutdown to limit workload.

Corbin with Another Gem

The most surprising aspect of Patrick Corbin toting a 3.13 ERA over his last 12 starts (along with 78 Ks in 72 IP) is the fact that it’s brought his season ERA down to just 4.25 in 144 IP. That’s because he had a 5.38 ERA (Nate Silver’s favorite player!) through his first 13 starts. We’ve seen a glimpse of the 5.38 Corbin this month when he allowed eight runs (seven earned) in 3 IP at the Cubs. But that start accounts for 28% of his earned runs during these last 12. An elite slider has driven Corbin’s success. It’s been great all year, but over this surge it’s allowing a .437 OPS (5th) with a 50% K rate (2nd) among 43 pitchers with at least 200 thrown.

Jackson Drops ERA Below 3.00 w/Washington

We know the Baltimore Orioles aren’t exactly great at developing their young pitching, but they can’t even get the most out of stud veterans like Edwin Jackson! He posted an ugly 7.20 ERA in just five innings with the O’s before being cut and winding up with the nearby Washington Nationals where he’s inexplicably put up a 2.92 ERA in 37 IP, with four quality starts in six tries including a 7 IP/1 ER gem at San Diego last night. Jackson managed just a 5.55 ERA in 280.3 IP from 2014-16. His velo is back up to 94 mph and he’s rocking a five-pitch mix, four of which have netted plus value with the Nats.

Donaldson Clubs Two More HRs

Over his last 20 games, Josh Donaldson has completely turned his season around. On July 25th, he had a .237/.363/.420 line with 9 HR, 29 RBI, and 23 R in 248 PA. Over a month missed to injury is folded into that sample and many believed he was playing at less than 100% which explained the muted numbers, but he’s looked like the MVP Donaldson over his last 20 games. In that span he has a filthy .377/.494/.913 line with 11 HR (including a pair yesterday), 23 RBI, and 18 R in 87 PA. From a bottom line standpoint, he’s now just 13 points away from his 2016 OPS total at .940. Unfortunately, the injury will curb his four-year streak of at least 155 games played (three of them at 158), but Donaldson appears to be back at his top level.

Other News





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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Anon
6 years ago

Jackson is still only 33? With the good (if superficial) numbers and a velo boost, he seems like a lock to break the record for most franchises played for. He’s at 12, Dotel holds the record with 13.

(in some sense, he’s already there since he played for both the Devil Rays and the Rays 🙂 )

I probably missed someone but I think Jackson, Zobrist and James Shields are the last remaining Devil Rays with Melvin Upton having not played this year.

***EDIT: Jason Hammel as well

The Three True Outcomes
6 years ago
Reply to  Anon

Jose Bautista played 12 games as a devil ray. JP Howell. Justin Ruggiano too.