Jerad Eickhoff (SP, PHI) - Eickhoff failed to notch a second consecutive quality start, yielding four runs over six innings against the Rockies with no walks and four strikeouts. The overall start wasn't great, but the zero in the walks column is at least encouraging. Eickhoff has had uncharacteristically poor control this season, with his 3.14 BB/9 representing the highest mark of his career. His first pitch strike rate coming into the game was 53%, down 8% from 2016. The extra baserunners have combined with a below average 69% strand rate to give him an inflated 4.70 ERA, although FIP has him at nearly a run better at 3.77. He doesn't get a lot of whiffs so he needs to keep the walks in check if he's going to be worthy of owning in mixed leagues. As it is he's a streaming option at best in standard mixers, and should be avoided in most formats for his next start at home against a surprisingly strong Reds lineup.
Scott Feldman (SP, CIN) - Feldman bounced back from a dud outing his last time out to hold the Indians to just one run over six innings, notching a surprising 9 K's. He gave up only four hits and walked two, lowering his ERA to 3.99 and netting his third win. The nine strikeouts are a bit deceiving however, since over the entirety of his outing Feldman induced just nine total swings and misses. His 3.51 BB/9 is higher than he's ever posted before as a starter, and the 7.51 K/9 isn't enough to balance that out, keeping his value relegated to deep mixed and AL-Only formats. He'll square off against an un-intimidating Phillies lineup in his next start.
Scott Schebler (OF, CIN) - Our second consecutive Cincinnati Scott hit his 13th home run of the season for his only hit of the night, a solo shot that put his isolated slugging over .300 to .301. His .255 average and .324 OBP aren't eye-popping, but his power is no joke. He's got a 40% hard contact rate this season, which he's pairing with a 46% pull rate and 39% fly balls to launch a lot of balls into the bleachers. He's gone opposite field with a trio of bombs as well though, so he's not pulling this power out of thin air, so to speak. Perhaps more surprising than anything is his leap forward against left-handed pitching; he had an ugly .267 wOBA against lefties in 2016, but this year his wOBA is .432 with a 49% hard contact rate! It's safe to say most Reds fans were looking forward to seeing Jesse Winker sooner than later, but his timetable is now getting pushed back with the performance of Schebler. He's even chipping in the occasional stolen base, and shouldn't be left on any waiver wire.
Ty Blach (SP, SF) - Blach had an effective start against the Cubs, lasting seven innings while allowing three runs on eight hits with no walks and three strikeouts. He exhibited stellar command in this one, painting the outer edge of the plate for strikes and pounding the zone overall, with 72 of his 99 pitches going for strikes. This was his third consecutive quality start, but it's really hard to get excited about him given his 3.02 K/9. That is not a typo. He is an extreme contact pitcher, but he gets neither elite ground balls nor elite pop-ups. He relies on inducing weak contact, which he has managed to do more often than not so far through his first 41.2 innings of 2017, but no matter the format I just can't get past the utter lack of K's. Sprinkle on top of the profile, his peripherals - 4.41 FIP, 5.00 xFIP - and you're better off staying away.
Gerrit Cole (SP, PIT) - Gerrit Cole is reportedly being looked at by the Astros as a potential trade target, but they wouldn't have liked what they saw from him on Monday. He went just 4.2 IP with 10 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, and 2 K. He's still barely league average in the whiff department despite a small bump in velocity this year, but his control has continued to be stellar at 1.90 BB/9. Regression caught up to him a little bit today, but according to his 3.93 FIP he's still got a bit more regressing to do from his current 2.92 ERA. His 14% HR/FB is nearly double his career rate though, so as long as he can continue to limit baserunners and get that home run rate down, there won't be many blow-up starts. He'll be all systems go for his next start, at home against the Mets.
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