Clay Buchholz- BOS- Stats- Buchholz turned in some decent performances before his last klunker where he gave up 5 runs (4 earned) in 4 IP. He is trying to look at the positive efforts as something to build on for next year. Buchholz's 5.29 ERA this season is certainly not anything to look on fondly. But is is recent rebound an indication of what to expect in 2015? That would be a tough case to make. It is more likely a matter of regression to the mean as his FIP is at 4.13. This marks the 5th time in 7 seasons since Buchholz has gotten significant time as a Boston starter that his FIP has been over 4.00. His 2013 season is more of the aberration than something to hope for next season.
Chris Bassitt- CHA- Rookie- Bassitt's performance has been all over the place since he was called up from AA Birmingham. Half of his 4 major league starts have been quality ones. His ERA sits at 3.65 thanks to last night's 7.2 shutout IP. Bassitt's BB/K ratio is an unimpressive 12/16 in his 24.2 IP of work. He only pitched 34.2 innings at AA due to a broken hand. He posted a 1.56 ERA (3.24 FIP) with a 9.35 K/9 ratio. Bassitt has been a starter for the past couple of seasons and may stick at the back end of the White Sox rotation next season. However, he still could end up in the bullpen long term.
C. J. Wilson- LAA- Cold- Wilson turned in his worst start of the season last night. That's saying something because he's had a couple of real stinkers. IN 2/3 of an inning Wilson was charged with 6 runs (4 earned) on 2 hits and 4 walks. Neither of the outs were strikeouts. Wilson has had serious issues with control, reminiscent of some of his time with Texas. It was the 7th time in his last 8 starts that he has walked at least 3 batters. It adds up to 26 walks in 39.2 IP in that stretch. Wilson's 4.35 BB/9 ratio is his highest since he became a full time starter in 2010. His HR/9 of .90 is also a career high as a starter. So is his 4.61 ERA. Wilson will be 34 years old next year. If his control issues still are there in spring training that could be an indicator of a severe dip in production.
Danny Duffy- KC- Hot- Duffy was credited with 2 starts and 12.2 IP yesterday (sort of) as the Royals completed a suspended game before playing a full game started by Duffy. Altogether he was charged with 2 runs (1 earned) on 11 hits and 5 walks while striking out 11. Only 2 of the walks were actually issued yesterday. Be careful when you are looking at stats sources as some have double counted the stats from the August 31 start for Duffy in his season totals. The start yesterday was a good sign for him as he had left his last scheduled start with shoulder soreness and got through 6 IP yesterday.
James Paxton- SEA- Cold- Regression to the mean came in the XXL bulk size for Paxton yesterday. He was charged with 9 runs (8 earned) on 7 hits and 6 walks in 2.2 IP. He did manage to sneak in a strikeout. This was the first time Paxton had given up more than 3 earned runs after making 11 starts allowing 3 or fewer. Paxton's ERA was 2.06 coming into yesterday while his FIP was 2.99. After the dust settled those two numbers were much closer together, with his Era at 3.03 and FIP at 3.23. Paxton still has potential to stick in the Seattle rotation next season and is worth keeping an eye on in spring training.
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