David Price had a respectable start against the Jays yesterday, allowing 3 ER in 6.2 innings. He allowed 2 HR in the effort, which has been one of his many issues this season. His HR/9 is a crazy 1.42 vs. 0.89 for his career. If you're a Price owner, I'd continue to shop him in hopes that his name value is inflated. Price has a pitiful 8.7% SwStr%, and is far too susceptible to the HR that will kill him against the power hitting teams, a la the New York Yankees whom are in the Red Sox division. Expect average results rest of season, and also keep in mind they may begin limited Price's innings after he threw just 74 last year.
Lou Trivino picked up the save for the A's last night, striking out 2 in his lone inning. Trivino has a sparkling 1.30 ERA and is the next in line closer if Oakland decides to move Blake Treinen. However, it's worth nothing that Trivino's SIERA is nearly 2 runs higher than his ERA at 3.16. So while Trivino would be a must add if Treinen is traded, he isn't likely to be a top closer in terms of peripherals for the rest of the season since his ERA is a bit deceiving.
The best player in baseball (yes I said it) hit his 23rd HR of the season yesterday, a grand slam off what would be the 13th pitch of his at-bat (the first grand slam on a 13 pitch at bat since 1992). Of course I am talking about Mookie Betts. Betts is batting nearly .350 with an OPS well over 1.000. He's the total package, and at the top of the Red Sox lineup, I think he has a great chance to finish the season ranked as the #1 player in fantasy. His short DL stint a few weeks back may prevent that, but we'll see. Betts makes fantasy baseball quite difficult; why you ask? Last year he finished the season with a 108 wRC+, and this year it's 197. He's already surpassed all of last season's WAR. It's crazy we've seen such a difference year-over-year.
JA Happ was the unlucky loser last night, giving up 5 runs in 3.2 innings. All the runs were unearned. It was an inning that you may never see again; Jays had a chance at a double play, on which closer inspection the second baseman never touched the bag, resulting in both runners being safe. After an IF single, Justin Smoak dropped a foul ball, giving Mookie Betts a second chance, in which he promptly hit a grand slam. It was a 43 pitch inning and ended Happ's night. I digress, but long story short, despite last night Happ is a solid option in fantasy. His K% of 26.3% is solid, as is his 3.65 SIERA. The numbers don't wow you, but they're great mid-rotation numbers. Hopefully he lands in a better situation than Toronto in the next few weeks, perhaps with a better defense.
Luis Severino had a very rare poor start, and one that may look alarming as he recorded just 1 strikeout in 5 innings while allowing 9 hits and 4 ER. His velocity was down early on at "just" 96 MPH (average 98 MPH), but he eventually clocked in above 98 later in the game. Hopefully it was just an off night against a good offense, but anytime I see a ton of hits and few K's from a pitcher with Severino's talent, it's a red flag.
