I’m excited for the Fourth of July, as I’m sure any other American readers are. If you’re going to be shooting off fireworks, I heard a piece of advice today that just makes so much sense: I don’t care if your firework didn’t go off, don’t look in the tube. No good can come from that. Really, just be safe, be smart, but have fun! If you’re watching baseball, here are some good streaming pitchers for the Fourth.
Streaming Pitchers: 7/4/2015
Joe Blanton RHP KC (vs. MIN)
All pitchers, and all pitcher seasons, have their ups and downs. Joe Blanton is no different. After two great starts in a row, one had to wonder when the bad was coming. Well it came, and it seemed to have come all at once. He allowed five runs and only made it through 2.2 innings, grabbing just two strikeouts while walking four. He’ll get to pitch in his home park in his next turn, which will help keep the home run wannabes in the park. There probably won’t be many, as the Twins are coming to town. Minnesota has only hit a 74 wRC+ away from home and an 88 wRC+ against righties. Blanton may not seem like a good choice, but don’t let one bad start spoil the opportunity he has here for you.
Kendall Graveman RHP OAK (vs. SEA)
Let’s get this out of the way right now: Kendall Graveman isn’t going to get you very many strikeouts. His season rate sits at 5.66 K/9. But his control (2.96 BB/9) and his ground balls (47.4% GB) keep him being in the conversation for being an average starter. Also keeping him in that conversation are his sinker and his cutter. Looking at the break he had from his first few miserable starts this year to his more recent stretch, you can see he made some adjustments to become an even more useful pitcher. Since May 23, Graveman has a 2.01 ERA, 6.20 K/9, 2.35 BB/9 and a 48.8 GB%. Pitching half his games in O.Co Coliseum helps too, as he will do here. The Mariners are just the team for Graveman to keep it going. They’re hitting a measly 85 wRC+ away from home and an 86 wRC+ against righties. Look for Graveman to continue his solid string of pitching performances here.
