Games of the Day

The mismatch of the day goes to the first game of the day, Zach Godley against Chad Kuhl as the Diamondbacks take on the Pirates. Godley comes into the game with a 1.99 ERA thanks to a low BA allowed and few extra base hits. Kuhl owns a 6.29 ERA due to a high BA allowed and many extra base hits. Kuhl’s three-true outcome stats indicate he shouldn’t be that bad, and Godley’s indicate he should be that good. Kuhl’s xFIP is 4.98, Godley’s is 3.25.

The Yankees and Orioles play the rubber game of their series, with Masahiro Tanaka taking on Kevin Gausman, two good pitchers having poor years. On May 15th, the New York Post talked about the Yankees rotation caving in. Since that time, the rotation owns a 2.85 ERA with an 8-4 record in 14 games. In the last nine starts, the starters allowed three runs or less. In fact, Tanaka’s penultimate game was the last really poor outing by a Yankees starter. Gausman had a better May, hurt by one bad start. He does allow quite a few hits, however.

In the game between the Rays and the Rangers, Chris Archer faces Austin Bibens-Dirkx. I don’t have much to say, but I had to work Austin Bibens-Dirkx into a post. You don’t see a rkx combination very often. At seasonal age 32, he is hardly a prospect.

Finally, my current favorite for Cy Young is Antonio Senzatela, who leads the Rockies against the Mariners and James Paxton. Senzatela limits hits despite a low strikeout rate, and limits them both home and away. If he ends the season with a 3.19 ERA with half his games in Coors, he should take home the trophy. Paxton looks a little like the Clayton Kershaw at his best. He’s striking out tons of batters and has yet to allow a home run. If his walk rate was lower, he would be right there with Kershaw.

Enjoy!

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