Roto Riteup: June 11, 2017

Carlos Martinez popped 100 mph in the ninth inning of his first shutout ever:

https://twitter.com/statcast/status/873650475412979712

Martinez allowed just four hits and a walk while fanning 11 Phillies. He now has a 2.33 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 68 strikeouts, and 19 walks in his last 65.7 innings, spanning nine starts.

On the Agenda:

• The Newcomber Shines
• Hoffman Handles the Cubs
• Verlander’s Foul Play
• Fiers Torches Angels; Stays Hot
• In Other News
• What I’m Watching

The Newcomber Shines

Sean Newcomb made his MLB debut in the frontend of a doubleheader in Atlanta and looked fantastic, allowing just an unearned run in six and a third innings of work with seven punchouts and two walks (one of which was intentional). Walks have been a huge issue for Newcomb coming up through the minors with a 13% rate in 348 innings. He got ahead of the Mets early and often with a 65% first-pitch strike rate. He peppered his 93-mph fastball in the zone and then got them to chase his filthy 77-mph curveball (17 curves thrown, 8 swung at out of the zone). Here is a sampling of his seven Ks (click through on the tweet to see a few others):

https://twitter.com/SportsGuyTweets/status/873608558495006721

Hoffman Handles the Cubs

Normally pointing out that a pitcher has only made one of his four starts at home is a way of giving him cover for some struggles since pitchers tend to do better in their own ballpark, but with a Rockies pitcher, it can be an indictment or at least a note of caution given how tough life can be at Coors Field for pitchers. Jeff Hoffman put up his third straight dazzling road start, this time taming the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The 24-year old righty used mostly his fastball (73%) and curve (17%) en route to a 6.3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 8 K line. We still have to see how well his incredible stuff plays in Coors, but it’s hard not to see the #9 overall pick from 2014 as an all-formats arm right now.

Verlander’s Foul Play

Justin Verlander was again underwhelming as he has yet to recapture his elite 2016 form. He threw five innings in a no-decision with five hits, four walks, three runs, and three strikeouts. The Red Sox ran his pitch count up to 108 thanks in part to 26 foul balls. Verlander “leads” the league in foul ball rate (fouls per swing) at 44%. I highlighted this issue in a recent piece and he’s well aware of what’s happening, too:

Verlander: "A lot of foul balls. It seems to be the general theme this year. I need to get guys to swing and miss or put it in play weakly."

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) June 11, 2017

Verlander: "Fouling balls off right now, it's killing me. It's extending at-bats. … They're spoiling really good pitches."

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) June 11, 2017

This was a problem at times earlier in Verlander’s career, too. The opposition grinding through at-bats against Verlander has not only cut his strikeout from 28% to 20%, but it has also spurred a career-worst 11% walk rate. I’m not sure whether it’s his sequencing or just his stuff being incrementally less effective, but something needs to change.

Fiers Torches Angels to Stay Hot

Mike Fiers allowed a ridiculous 16 homers in his first seven starts of the season, including two or more in the last six during that run. All told, he had a 5.75 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 36 innings with an impossibly high 39% HR/FB rate. Barring injury or removal role, it seemed like Fiers had nowhere to go but down.

The fact that the Astros kept running him out there suggested a modicum of health and their continued trust in him has paid off. He had his best start of the season on Saturday, allowing just an unearned run on two hits and two walks over seven and a third innings. He also fanned eight. Over his last five, he has a 2.48 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 29 IP with just two homers allowed, including three straight homer-free outings.

In Other News

• Aaron Judge sentenced another ball to death with his MLB-best 19th HR leaving at 121.1 mph, a new Statcast high.
• Yonder Alonso collected seven hits in a doubleheader against Tampa Bay, pushing his AVG to .314 for the season.
• Newly anointed Nationals closer Koda Glover blew a save and then the guy he replaced, Shawn Kelley, finished the job in the 11th when he allowed a three-run shot to Robinson Chirinos; they are going to have to make a move or two to bolster that anemic bullpen.
• Delino DeShields stole third twice, running his season total to 12.
• Steven Matz went 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 2 K in his season debut.
• Jameson Taillon will start on Monday, just five weeks after surgery for testicular cancer; what an absolute stud.
• Cesar Hernandez has been placed on the DL with an oblique strain.
• Zack Britton will begin his rehab on June 19th returning from a forearm strain.
• Giancarlo Stanton was hit in the right hand, but is expected to be back by Tuesday and could pinch-hit on Sunday
• Matt Andriese is likely headed right back to the DL with the groin issue; Jacob Faria would likely return to take his spot.
• Jose Berrios was filthy in SF:

Jose Berrios doesn't get the call on one breaking ball, so he throws another pic.twitter.com/WRZSNkRAqU

— Superdrunkmark69 (@cjzer0) June 10, 2017

What I’m Watching

Here are the pitchers and pitching matchups I’m keeping an eye on today:

• Chris Archer v. Jesse Hahn at the Trop
• Carlos Carrasco looks to rebound after a dud his last time out
• Seth Lugo makes his debut after a scintillating WBC
• Lugo squares off against Jaime Garcia, who has been sharp for the Braves (3.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP)
• Aaron Nola and Adam Wainwright have been frustratingly inconsistent this year; they go toe-to-toe in St. Louis this afternoon
• Antonio Senzatela has outclassed Jake Arrieta so far this year, can he do it today when they face off at Wrigley?
• Somebody named Austin BIbens-Dirkx pitches today, except that’s definitely not a real name so the Rangers might not have a starting pitcher today
• James Paxton makes his second start off the DL; he’s become must-watch for me every fifth day
• Robbie Ray looks to put up back-to-back gems at home, but Milwaukee will likely present a bigger challenge than San Diego did earlier this week
• Daniel Norris and Drew Pomeranz are both toting ERAs north of 4.00, but both lefties have impressive stuff when they’re on so hopefully they have their good stuff tonight in Fenway