The Yankees travel to Washington as Masahiro Tanaka faces the Nationals and Gio Gonzalez. Coming into the season, these looked like teams that could meet in the World Series. The Yankees are certainly playing like that, while the Nationals are still recovering from injuries.
Tanaka is repeating his high ERA of 2017, and for the same reason. His walk and strikeout rates are good, but he allowed eight home runs in 46 1/3 innings this season. The timing of the home runs are off, too. Despite a low OBP allowed, half those long balls came with men on base. Gonzalez allowed 21 home runs in 2017, the highest amount he allowed in a season. He fixed it this year, with just one home run allowed. Gonzalez is throwing more sinkers and fewer four-seam fastballs this season.
The Astros continue their series with the Angels as Gerrit Cole takes on Jaime Barria. Cole is engaged in a Cy Young battle with teammate Justin Verlander. By some measures, Verlander leads the race, by others, it’s Cole. Like Gonzalez above, Cole cut down on his home runs allowed, giving up just three so far in 56 2/3 innings. Cole cut back on his sinker, and is throwing more four-seam fastballs. His ground ball rate is down, but so is his percentage of home runs on fly balls. He’s getting batters to swing under the fastball. Barria is off to a good start in his major league career, giving up five runs in his four starts. The opposition is just 3 for 14 against him with runners in scoring position.
Enjoy!
from baseballmusings.com https://ift.tt/2Kry3gm
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