The Dodgers go for a sweep of the Nationals as Alex Wood takes on Stephen Strasburg. The Nationals have called up 19-year-old Juan Soto for the game to replace the injured Howie Kendrick.
Soto started the 2018 season with Class-A Hagerstown. After hitting ..373/.486/.814 with five home runs and 24 RBIs in 74 plate appearances, the outfielder was promoted to High-A Potomac. At Potomac he hit .371/.466/.790 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in 73 plate appearances. In May, Soto was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg, where he hit .296/.387/.556 with two home runs and eight RBIs in 31 plate appearances before Saturday.
So the Nationals are looking for a level where Soto can’t hit. Players who make to the majors at age 19 have a high probability of being great players.
Wood has yet to record a victory in nine starts this season despite a 3.35 ERA. His three-true outcome numbers are outstanding. The Dodgers have won five of his starts, but he tends not to stick around long enough for the win. Strasburg keeps batters off base, but gives up some power. Seventeen of the 49 hits against him have gone for extra bases, including eight home runs.
The Padres send Jordan Lyles against the Pirates and Trevor Williams. After 13 relief appearances with a 3.66 ERA, Lyles made two starts and allowed just two runs in 12 1/3 innings, only one of them earned. He’s striking out batters at a higher rate and walking them at a lower rate than he did as a reliever. Williams in a low strike out, high walk pitcher, but he is not allowing many hits. He changed something this season as he is now allowing more fly balls than grounders. He is throwing more change ups than sliders now, but I wonder if he’s simply getting more backspin on his four-seam fastball.
The Phillies continue to impress, and they try to take three out of four in St. Louis. Aaron Nola faces Jack Flaherty. Nola is a great three-true outcomes pitcher. While his strikeout rate is good, his home run and walk rates are excellent. He allowed a .218 BA, and just a .267 OBP. Flaherty is another good young pitcher the Cardinals always seem to control in their system. He posted a 2.87 ERA in three starts, with only two of the 15 hits against him going for extra bases.
Finally, the Indians and Astros present a great Sunday night game. Carlos Carrasco battles Lance McCullers. Both are 5-2 with ERAs in the 3.60s. McCullers does a better job of keeping the ball in the park, Carrasco of limiting walks.
Enjoy!
from baseballmusings.com https://ift.tt/2rXoQEF
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