Kody Clawson | April 4th, 2019
It’s been a rough week for the Stream Machine. Although Julio Urias didn’t end up with the win, he did everything he could to do so, going five innings with no runs and seven strikeouts. It was a solid first start, and you have to be encouraged if you’re thinking about owning him past this one. Kyle Gibson didn’t go Tuesday, getting pushed to Wednesday instead, and he looked good to start but had just about the worst inning anyone could have. Thinking he got Billy Hamilton on a 3-2 count with two outs at the end of the fifth inning, he walked him instead. Obviously frustrated, he proceeded to melt down, ending with 4.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K. Loaisiga, meanwhile, also went Wednesday, ending with 4 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K. With the early season struggles, I’ve learned a few things. One, don’t trust pitchers coming off an injury or major illness. Two, don’t trust Rockies pitchers, PERIOD. Not an official article pick, sure, but I learned just the same.
Sonny Gray, CIN @ PIT (24% Rostered)
It’s been an interesting offseason for Sonny Gray. After blowing off some steam about how the New York Yankees used him during his time there, he seems to be more comfortable in Cincinnati, although his first game line might make you disagree (2.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 0 K). Regardless, his chance to throw what he wants when he wants should allow him to settle in and take advantage of a good situation in this start. The Pirates have been well below average to start this season (84 wRC+), and that’s even taking into account their spacious ballpark. I would imagine Gray should be able to find his way around this lineup and get a quality start in this matchup.
Others receiving votes:
Dereck Rodriguez, SF vs TB (21% Rostered)
Felix Pena, LAA vs TEX (1% Rostered)
Yonny Chirinos, TB @ SF (6% Rostered)
Remember in my Saves and Streams article when I said you’d want to try to find your bulk relievers? Yonny Chirinos used to be one of them. Well, that appears to be out the window for him, as he started against the Houston Astros on Sunday, March 31 and got his first ever win as a starter (7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K). If he can dispatch the high-powered Astros offense that well, one should imagine he might give the struggling Giants fits (57 wRC+ so far this season). He also gets to pitch in perhaps the best pitcher’s park in the majors, in AT&T Oracle Park. Yeah, that’s going to take some getting used to. I’m pretty sure with this Giants offense in this park, we’ll be mentioning them quite a bit this year.
Others receiving votes:
Tanner Roark, CIN @ PIT (12% Rostered)
Michael Wacha, STL vs SD (29% Rostered)
Ryan Yarbrough, TB @ SF (10% Rostered)
I learned to Yarbrough last year, and I liked it when I could get it. Now we get to see it in all its glory, as a starter. He did his bulk reliever thing last week (4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K), and if he can get rolling in an efficient manner, there’s no reason to think he can’t at least five and dive. That should line him up for a win, especially against this offense at this park (see Chirinos’ notes above). This is a risk-reward pick that could pay off nicely, but if you feel like going for something safer, please check out the Others Receiving Votes section below.
Others receiving votes:
Matt Strahm, SD @ STL (27% Rostered)
Anthony DeSclafani, CIN @ PIT (5% Rostered)
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