Our starters for yesterday did a pretty good job as both were starters for 6-0 shutouts, commanding the ball well and not allowing any home runs (obviously, with the shutout thing and all). David Phelps actually did a good job keeping the ball on the ground overall (59.1% ground ball rate), and he went 8.0 IP, with 4 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts. Shaun Marcum had a very solid start as well, going 7.0 IP and allowing no runs on only 2 hits and no walks with 5 strikeouts. It’s nice to get back on the right track, with two shutouts helping to balance out the iffy days we had earlier this week. Now, on to tomorrow’s streaming pitchers!
Streaming Pitchers: 6/13/2015
Kyle Hendricks RHP CHC (vs. CIN)
The Kyle Hendricks Bandwagon shall continue and I shall be its driver. He had another bad luck start of sorts last time out, with only 65.2% of runners left on base and a 14.3% HR/FB rate, but he still managed to allow only three runs (two earned) on six hits and no walks to go along with four strikeouts in his five innings. His 3.96 ERA for the season is a result of a pinch of bad luck, coming mostly from his low 70.8 LOB%. He currently has a 3.50 FIP and a 3.64 xFIP, suggesting a better than average pitcher. He also boasts a 7.35 K/9, a 1.84 BB/9, and a 50.5% ground ball rate, all very solid numbers. Yet he’s still owned in only 18% of leagues. So stream away with him. This matchup at home against Cincy should be a great one for him, as they only hit an 87 wRC+ on the road and a 91 wRC+ against righties. And though his next start is a tougher one at Cleveland (which means he’ll have to go against the DH), I would consider holding on to him if you have the roster space or need another full time starter. The bandwagon continues.
C.J. Wilson LHP LAA (vs OAK)
At first glance, this might not seem like a good pick. Just looking at his last five starts could send shivers down your spine. You might see that 6.00 ERA and say no thanks. And I would understand. But his stuff has played fairly well, having a K/9 at 9.30 and a ground ball rate at 45.8%. His HR/FB rate during the last five games has sat at a ridiculous 24.0%, and most of that damage has come while pitching at Toronto, at Boston and at Yankee Stadium. That rate has to come down, especially at Angel Stadium. His HR/FB rate at home has been 4.9%, and while I don’t expect it to always be that low, he obviously has a better chance to keep the ball in the park at home than at those other three places I mentioned earlier. He also gets a solid matchup against the A’s, who only hit a 97 wRC+ on the road and an 80 wRC+ against lefties. This matchup might look scary on the surface, but I think C.J. has a chance to pull off a quality start in this one.
Good luck and happy streaming!
