Nate Karns and Mike Foltynewicz both struggled for us yesterday. Karns pitched 5.2 IP, with five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks while throwing four strikeouts. He had some bad luck with a .348 BABIP and a 62.5% LOB, but he didn’t keep the ball on the ground very well last night (37.5% GB). As bad as Karns was, Folty did even worse, going the same 5.2 IP, but allowing 12 hits and a walk, which led to five earned runs for him. We knew that there was risk with his fastball heavy pitch selection, and he leaned on the fastball over 70% of the time again last night. He could be a solid pitcher eventually, but he needs to learn to trust his other pitches, or else guys are going to keep sitting on that fastball. So now, let’s hope for some better luck with our streaming pitchers for tomorrow!
Streaming Pitchers: 6/11/2015
David Phelps RHP MIA (vs COL)
Ok so something happened with his strikeouts. It was thought that he might lose some strikeout ability in the move to the rotation full time, but only 6.09 K/9 is pretty small. With his tiny 4.5% swinging strike rate, there’s not a lot of room left for strikeout upside. The thing he’s done well so far this season is control. He’s only allowed 2.50 BB/9, and his HR/9 sits at a measly .78, so despite the lack of strikeouts he shouldn’t have as much damage allowed on him as he has. The culprit? An unlucky 64.9% of runners stranded on base (career 71.5% LOB rate) that has inflated his ERA. His FIP sits at 3.77, and that might be the more believable number. He gets his spacious home park to help keep fly balls in the yard, and the Rockies are only hitting a 89 wRC+ on the road. If you don’t need the strikeouts from your streaming pitcher, Phelps should be the guy for you.
Shaun Marcum RHP CLE (vs SEA)
The last time I suggested Shaun Marcum to you guys, he bombed in pretty epic with 7 ER off 2 HR in just 2.2 IP, though he had 6 K and 3 BB. Since then, he’s had a couple decent starts, allowing 5 ER in 11.2 IP and getting 9 K to just 4 BB. Since his return to the rotation, he’s had 21 IP, 21 K, 7 BB and a 3.77 xFIP. His problem has been the long ball, but pitching at home should help quell some of those fly balls. This one’s a risky play because of the gopher potential, but Seattle has been miserable on the road (90 wRC+) and against righties (89 wRC+). If you don’t mind the risk, I’d say give Marcum a try.
Good luck and happy streaming!
