Jonathan Schoop (BAL) - Jonathan Schoop helped to power the Orioles on Friday night, but they fell short to the Tigers. Schoop hit a two-run home run off Detroit start Michael Fulmer in the 6th inning. On the season, Schoop has quietly been one of the team's best surprise, hitting .275/.308/.468 with 22 home runs and 75 RBI. What's been even more valuable for fantasy owners has been his consistency - hitting at least 4 home runs in each month while hitting above .250 in all but one.
Rick Porcello (BOS) - In what could turn out to be the most important series of the year, Rick Porcello shut down the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday for his major league-leading 20th win. Porcello's final line on the night was 7.0 IP, 6H, 2ER, 1BB, and 7 K's. Porcello has exceeded expectations this season, taking steps forward in ERA, walk rate, and strikeout rate. With an 84% contact rate, he remains a pitch-to-contact arm, but it suits him.
Kevin Gausman (BAL) - Kevin Gausman pitched pretty well, but he didn't pitch well enough as Baltimore fell to the Tigers in a key AL wild card matchup. Gausman finished with 6.0 IP, 7H, 3ER, 2BB, and 7K's. On the season, Gausman has an excellent 155 strikeouts over 152 innings through 26 starts, but the Orioles have treated him with kid gloves and he has only averaged less than 6 innings per game. He currently has already thrown 39 more innings than he next highest mark in his career.
Blake Snell (TB) - Blake Snell was completely dismantled by the Yankees on Friday night, failing to get out of the 3rd inning after throwing 81 pitches. On the surface, it looked like it would be a good matchup for the rookie left-hander, but he clearly didn't have his best stuff and finished with a line of 2.2IP, 6H, 3ER, 3BB, and 3 K's. Snell has been a mixed bag this season, posting above league average strikeout rate, but struggling with his command. The extra base runners have burned him to a degree, but his 4.46 xFIP demonstrates that his 3.62 ERA is still a little fortunate. With 4 legitimate pitches, the upside is definitely there for him to take a step forward in the coming years.
Tyler Skaggs ( LAA) - Despite being around the major leagues since 2012, Tyler Skaggs has been better much a strikeout pitcher at the major league level. We saw him flash strikeout ability in the minor leagues, but it has never translated to big time strikeout numbers, that is, until this year. All those strikeouts come with volatility, particularly against right-handed batters, who has a .345 wOBA and 5 homeruns over just 32 innings thrown this season. He remains a borderline rosterable option in season long formats and an interesting option in all others. He pitched pretty well on Friday, going 6 strong innings while allowing no earned runs on just 2 hits with 8 strikeouts (and 4 walks).
