Gerrit Cole, SP (NYY)
Cole struggled mightily in a loss to the Mets on Tuesday, allowing six runs in four innings. He gave up seven hits, including four home runs, and four walks, but here's the worst part: he didn't strike out a single batter. It was his first appearance since May 2016 that he did not strike out an opposing batter. His velocity continues to lag behind last year's which was already down from previous seasons. His slider was averaging 87 miles per hour after sitting around 89 in 2023. His four-seam fastball is averaging around 95 miles per hour through two starts, although he did hit 98.9 in Wednesday's outing. Cole's four walks were his most in a start since April 2022. The four homers were his most allowed since June 9, 2022. There isn't much to feel good about here and while it's only one start, Cole owners should be considering worst-case scenarios.
Tarik Skubal, SP (DET)
After two underwhelming starts, Skubal got back to his dominant ways on Tuesday, holding the hot-hitting Phillies scoreless with only three hits and one walk allowed in seven innings while striking out seven. His velocity was up on Wednesday as he hit triple digits three times during the game after failing to register 100-mph on any pitches prior to Tuesday. In fact, he was sitting more around 96 in his previous start when he allowed five runs (four earned) in four innings. Skubal's ability to throw 100 while countering with a 85-mph changeup in addition to a sinker/slider combination makes him one of the most intimidating arms in the game. He can obviously strike batters out, but he also generates incredibly weak contact. The young left-hander continues to make a compelling argument for the AL Cy Young award and his peripheral metrics support his outstanding performance.
Byron Buxton, OF (MIN)
The surge continues for Buxton who hit his second home run in as many games on Tuesday. He also singled and doubled in Tuesday's 5-4 loss at Arizona. He has four doubles, two homers and four RBI's in his past four games and has thrived since the Twins dropped him in the batting lineup. In fact, Buxton made his sixth straight start in the 7-spot in the lineup and is now hitting .333 with three home runs and two stolen bases in that position. His ISO climbed to .180 and his OBP just barely crept over .300. While those numbers are far from extraordinary, it's a step in the right direction for the oft-injured outfielder. We can only hope that Buxton's ascent isn't derailed by some injury. If available, he should be gobbled back up off the waiver wire.
Kyle Hendricks, SP (CHC)
Hendricks delivered another quality outing on Tuesday, holding the Giants to two runs on five hits in seven innings while striking out four. Hendricks has made two starts since returning to the rotation following a brief banishment to the Cubs bullpen. He has allowed three runs in 12.2 innings while striking out 12 in those starts. Hendricks generated a 44% chase rate on Tuesday and is suddenly getting opposing batters to swing at unhittable pitches. That either gets whiffs, as it did last week, or it gets weak contact. Not to rain on anyone's parade but both starts have come against the Giants, a below-average offense, particularly against right-handed pitching. Hendricks will have to prove he is capable of posting similar numbers against better teams if he wants to maintain a role in Chicago's volatile rotation.
Seth Lugo, SP (KC)
Lugo was excellent once again. The veteran threw six scoreless innings while allowing only two hits and two walks and striking out eight, although he had to settle for a no-decision after the Royals' bullpen blew a one-run lead. Lugo throws six to eight pitches with varying speeds and lots of movement, and although he maxes out in the low-to-mid 90's, he has shown he is capable of posting solid strikeout numbers. It's completely fair to raise some skepticism regarding his incredible numbers. For one, his LOB%, HR/FB% and BABIP imply some regression is coming. So too does his 3.80 xFIP. He's simply not THIS good.
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