We gots the strikeouts!!! Both pitchers performed admirably yesterday. Jimmy Nelson went for six innings with just four hits and three walks, allowing no runs and throwing seven strikeouts. Lance McCullers had 7 Ks as well, throwing 7 IP, with four hits and no walks, but allowing three runs, including a two-run home run to Avisail Garcia. Overall, some good results (finally) from some of our guys. On to the streaming pitchers for tomorrow!
Streaming Pitchers: 6/10/2015
Charlie Morton RHP PIT (vs MIL)
I’ve discussed Charlie Morton before. He’s a solid pitcher with a great ground ball rate that, after last week’s game, sits at an astounding 72.7%. The Pittsburgh defense has gobbled up a large amount of those worm burners, keeping his BABIP at a super low .262 that isn’t that unbelievable. What is unbelievable, to me at least, is that he has been so successful with such a low amount of strikeouts. Through 19 innings, he’s had just six punch outs. Normally, not having the Ks is a recipe for disaster, but with his ability to keep the ball on the ground and his incredible control (1.89 BB/9), he has the stuff to make it work. His xFIP- is at 90, meaning he has been 10% better than the average pitcher by xFIP. He’s got a chance to keep that good mojo going as he faces the Brewers, who are miserable away from Miller Park, with a 74 wRC+. They also haven’t had much luck against righties either, with a 81 wRC+ against them. With PNC Park there to help keep in the few fly balls he’s allowed, he’s got a chance to have a huge start at home against the Brewers.
Erasmo Ramirez RHP TB (vs LAA)
The pitcher formerly known as “The Eraser” has had his share of ups and downs. Filled with promise as a prospect, he came to the majors and has mostly underwhelmed. But we’ve seen time and time again that pitchers can take time to develop, and it might be starting to come together with the Rays now. In his five starts since going back to the rotation, Ramirez has had a swinging strike rate of 13.5%, which would be good for 8th if he qualified for the leaderboard on FanGraphs.com. His contact rate has decreased in each of his last four starts, which looks to me like he’s getting more comfortable with starting as time goes along. Over those five starts he has gone 4-1, with a 2.86 ERA, a 7.94 K/9, a 3.49 BB/9, and a 41.7% ground ball rate. He’s been pretty lucky with the balls in play, with a .225 BABIP, as well as with stranded runners (78.8% LOB). But the FIP shows him as mostly an average pitcher, and the swinging strike rate shows that more strikeout potential is there. He gets a good matchup here, as the Angels are hitting at a lowly 81 wRC+ on the road, and a 95 wRC+ against righties.
Good luck and happy streaming!
