I decided not to post for anyone on Monday, since it’s a Monday and also because I was going to write it on the night of the Fourth of July, but as you could guess, I was a little too busy. I hope you all had a happy Fourth, and that you were able to enjoy family, friends, food and fireworks as I did. Now, on to the streaming pitchers for July 7th!
Streaming Pitchers: 7/7/2015
Felix Doubront LHP TOR (@ CWS)
Ah, Felix, my old friend. Former Red Sox pitcher Felix Doubront is in line to make his first start on Tuesday. He’s been toiling in the minor leagues, waiting for a chance to break into a starting rotation that could use some serious help. He got the call up on Friday and pitched 2.1 innings that night, and will now get the chance to make a start on Tuesday. He’s been pretty effective so far in the minors, with 8.06 K/9 and 3.38 BB/9 leading to a 2.44 ERA and a 2.77 FIP. The White Sox might be a good opponent for him to get for his first start. As a team, the White Sox have been hitting at a 73 wRC+ at home and a 56 wRC+ against lefties. This is a really good opportunity for Felix and he is available in most leagues. Go get him.
Manny Banuelos LHP ATL (@ MIL)
Once considered a top prospect in the Yankees’ system, Manny Banuelos was involved in a deal with the Braves that sent David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve to the Bronx. He’s been pitching on the farm for the Braves, still striking out a decent number of batters this year (7.51 K/9) but walking a fair share of them as well (4.14 BB/9). He’s already been up for the Braves for one start, in which he went 5.2 scoreless innings, striking out 7 and walking none, though he did hit two batters. His fastball averaged 90.3 MPH in the start, and he induced swinging strikes at 13.3% of his pitches and got a first pitch strike on 65% of the batters he faced. All of this is to say that he might still have the stuff to be competitive, or at least useful for spot starts like this one. He gets to face the Brewers, who have hit at an 83 wRC+ at home and a 72 wRC+ against lefties. I’d give him a go here.
Good luck and happy streaming!
