METS TO SLOW DOWN HARVEY AND SYNDERGAARD
I’ve been warning folks about the potential shutdown of Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard since January. Sounds like we are about to that point of the season which means, especially for those of you in H2H setups or leagues that have playoffs, that it’s time to make sure you have a fallback plan. According to the NY Daily News both righties will at least have their workloads curtailed moving forward. In fact, it might start this week.
Harvey didn’t throw a pitch that counted in 2014. He’s thrown 154 this season. The team has always noted that they would like to limit Harvey’s workload with most thinking 185-195 as the objective. If he averaged six innings a start that would leave him with just six outings the rest of the way.
Syndergaard threw 133 innings last season and the Mets likely don’t want to exceed that number by more than 30-innings this season. He’s already tossed 135.1 innings meaning he has about the same amount of bullets left in his arm as Harvey does as the Mets likely don’t want to add more than 30 innings to Thor’s total from last season.
We don’t know if the Mets would merely skip a start here and there or shut these guys down early. With the Mets 4.5 games up on the Nationals as of this writing we will have to see what they do. Do they think long-term and shut down their mound mavens, or do they do like the Nationals did a few years back and shut down their best hurler to make sure his arm was sound for the future (you remember when the Nats shut down Strasburg, a devastating move for the club when they had a chance in the playoffs – yet they had no Strasburg to pitch)?
The return of Seven Matz could help to ease the concern for the Mets, though it will do little to placate the concerns of those who own Harvey and Syndergaard in fantasy. Bottom line is that if you own either Met make sure you’ve got mound depth. You’re going to need it.
TWINS 9TH INNING
Glen Perkins is a boss in the 9th inning. He has 31 saves in 33 chances this season, his 3rd straight effort of at least 31. However, like last year, his health is on the wane as the outings pile up. The fact he isn’t right can be seen in the 8.10 ERA he has since the All-Star break. Now we know why. Perkins has an issue with his neck, similar to the stiffness that caused him to miss a week last season in September. "He's getting some related symptoms," manager Paul Molitor said. "It's enough given his history that you want to make sure you're taking care of him the right way. Hopefully, we'll find out nothing major." In order to determine what is going on an MRI will be run and Perkins will also receive a cortisone shot in his neck. The hope is that he will be able to return this weekend against the Orioles. Hope.
It looks like Kevin Jepsen will handle the majority of the 9th inning with Perkins down, however long that might be (see Rhett Bollinger). A few notes on Jepsen.
Over his last eight outings Jepsen hasn’t allowed a run while striking out five and permitting six base runners over 7.1 innings. However, and this is a big however, the guy is 10-for-26 in save chances for his career. Giving a guy the benefit of the doubt I understand, but how can you possible do that here? Answer? You can’t. A horrible career success rate, 4.4 walks per nine and a low .245 BABIP this season (career .311) speak to the danger with Jepsen.
VENABLE TO THE RANGERS
In the least shocking development in the history of baseball, Josh Hamilton’s body is beat up and there is growing concern that he will be 
heading to the DL because of a wonky knee. The guy is just a mess. To shield themselves from what seems like an inevitable conclusion, the Rangers proactively added an outfielder they will be able to turn to if that is the case as they acquired Will Venable from the Padres for catcher Marcus Greene and a PTBNL. The Rangers also designated Michael Choice for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for Venable (they have 10 days to trade Choice, release him or outright him to Triple-A. He might even end up being the PTBNL if he clears).
Venable is a competent outfielder, and for those in AL-only leagues who didn’t blow their budget at the trade deadline he makes a very nice target. He becomes an intriguing target if/when Hamilton hits the DL. Venable has six homers and 11 steals over 308 plate appearances this year and has long been a solid power/speed option. He’s not worth a damn against lefties (.445 OPS over just 31 at-bats) but he could do a decent job when there’s a right hander on the bump.
THE UPTON BROTHERS
Justin Upton has been hot, cold, moderate, boring and streaking at different times this season. Overall his .257 average and .447 SLG are disappointing (career .273 and .473). Still, you really have no right to complain. After stealing 16 bases the last two seasons he has 18 in his first year with the Padres leaving him two steals short of his third 20/20 season. There are only five men in baseball with 20 homers and 15 steals: Upton, Manny Machado, Anthony Rizzo, Paul Goldschmidt and Ryan Braun. Stop your complaining with Justin.
What of his older brother, Melvin Upton? He’s finally hitting. Over his last 40 at-bats Melvin is batting .300 with three homers and a .908 OPS. He’s streaking making him a strong NL-only play. If he keeps this up much longer he might even become a 5th outfield option in mixed leagues. There, I said it. Keep him on your watch list.
Dominate your fantasy football league with the Fantasy Alarm team. This is not your typical draft guide with the same players in every rookies, sleepers and bust columns. Every Coaching System broken down. Every Offensive Line broken down. 30+ winning strategies. 500+ players ranked and updated every day. Check out the Preview Today!
RED ROLLING RIGHTY
Raisel Iglesias hasn’t had a consistent season. He’s started 11 games, been used out of the pen twice, and made six other starts at Triple-A in his first professional season. He’s starting to roll right now though, that’s why I’m writing about him. After allowing 10 runs over 10 innings in two starts against the Nationals and Marlins Iglesias has made six starts for the Reds with a 2.89 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and he has 37 strikeouts over 37.1 innings. I bet he’s on waivers in some shallow mixed leagues too. Might want to kick the tires because he’s also sporting a 50 percent ground ball rate with a 3.40 xFIP over those six starts.
HUTCHISON RETURN DATE
Drew Hutchison was demoted to the minors as the Jays were set to play eight games in 10 days (they only needed four starters). He should be back August 29th against the Tigers. Can’t remember a crazier season. On the road he has a 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP. At home he’s 10-1 with a 2.57 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.
DFS PLAYBOOK PRO – An exciting offering from the Alarm is the DFS Playbook Pro. I will be doing a daily breakdown of the hitters – Hitting Coach – while Howard Bender looks into the Pitchers (Pitching Coach). You can find the link to the Hitting and Pitching articles under the DFS Playbook pro tab at the top right of the screen.
OTHER LINKS TO BOOKMARK
- Note: I will be away this weekend, starting Thursday, to cover the Fanduel World Fantasy Baseball Championship where $4 million in prizes will be given away. As a result, there will be no Daily Trends piece on Thursday or Friday.
Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Friday at 8 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).