:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14826381/170576898.0.jpg)
Have any trade offers you need a second opinion on? Any add/drop or streaming pitcher choices you want to bounce off of us? Stop by our Fantasy Baseball Questions thread and ask away.
Fake Teams Podcast, Episode 9
Zack and Andrew hosted episode 9 of the Fake Teams podcast on Thursday night, discussing the call ups of Gerrit Cole and Mike Zunino, the Dodgers new closer (yay!), and some sabremetric stats. Make sure you check out the podcast.
Jose Fernandez: Fantasy Ace
I tweeted last night that Jose Fernandez is pitching like a seasoned veteran, rather than a 20 year old rookie starter. Last night, Fernandez held the solid Cardinals to just two runs in 7 innings, giving up 6 hits, walking 2 and striking out a season high 10 batters. Fernandez is now 4-3 with a 3.11 ERA, 3.21 FIP, a 1.15 WHIP and a 77-27 strikeout to walk rate in 72.1 innings this season.
He has given up three runs or less in nine of his thirteen starts this season. Some scouts have called him the younger Felix Hernandez, and more and more, I am starting to think they are right.
To read more about Fernandez and the Marlins, make sure you check out the good work going on over at Fish Stripes, SB Nation's Marlins fan site.
Chris Sale dominates in loss
I am becoming more and more comfortable with the thought that White Sox ace Chris Sale should be in the conversation as a Top 5-6 starter next season. Sale dominated the Astros last night, giving up just two unearned runs, on 5 hits, a walk and striking out 14 in a 2-1 loss. Sale is now 5-5 with a 2.43 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP and a 86-19 K-BB rate in 85.1 innings this season. He has given up two runs or less in nine of his twelve starts this season, and is liimiting opposing hitters to a .186 batting average thus far. Left handed hitters have no chance against Sale, as he is limiting lefties to a triple slash line of .075-.140-.075 this season.
Round'em Up
Giancarlo Stanton is considered by many as one of the top young stars of the game, as well as one of the top power hitters in the game. Last night, Stanton didn't hit a home run, but he did go 3-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI, raising his triple slash line to .253-.346-.440 4 HRs, 9 runs, and 14 RBI in 91 at bats this season. I still see Stanton exceeding 30 home runs this season, because once he gets on a tear, he can hit 10-12 home runs in a month.
The Brewers place Ryan Braun on the DL yesterday, and you have to think that the fire sale will start fairly soon for the Brewers. At some point, guys like Aramis Ramirez, Rickie Weeks, and possibly Yovani Gallardo could be dealt to begin a rebuild around Braun, Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura.
Had anyone heard of Pirates starter Jeff Locke before this season? I had not. Well, he completely silenced the Dodgers lineup last night, giving up just two hits in 7 shutout innings in the Pirates 3-0 win. Locke walked one and struck out five to move his record to 6-1, with a 2.19 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and a 60-36 K-BB rate in 82.1 innings. You have to hand it to the Pirates pitching coach, Ray Searage, this season. He has done some amazing work with Locke and Francisco Liriano.
Giants ace Madison Bumgarner dominated the struggling Braves lineup last night, giving up just two hits, a walk and 10 strikeouts in 7 shutout innings in the Giants 6-0 win in Atlanta. Bumgarner is now 6-4 with a 3.30 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and a 89-25 K-BB rate in 89 innings. He has had a few blowup starts this season, but has given up three runs or less on 10 of his 14 starts thus far.
More from Fake Teams
Low Level Prospect Review: Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers
Deep league advice -- The gift of Gaby
A Few Thoughts on Position Scarcity
Five relievers who could be closing by July 31st
Waiting in the Wings: Zack Wheeler
Minor League Level Review (AA): Sano and Rosario Coming, Puello and Walker Rolling