ANOTHER BLISTER ISSUE

We’re all used to the blister issues with Rich Hill, but the latest victim is Aaron Sanchez who had a blister on his middle finger in his start Sunday. Sanchez also dealt with blister issues in Spring Training, and it’s risen up again at the worst time. The hope is that he will lose just a bit of time. The Jays have not announced when Sanchez will pitch again, though even before this setback it was expected that his next start would be pushed back a few days. If guessing, I would posit that Sanchez means he will not make his next start meaning he won’t pitch this week.

Sanchez has not pitched well at all of late as he’s been way worse than an average big league pitcher since August started. In those six starts not a one of the following numbers is even close to a league average rate: 5.08 ERA, 1/40 WHIP, 5.88 K.9, 3.74 BB/9. Don’t know for sure, but that sure sounds like a guy who is wearing down. Who would have thought? Oh wait, everyone except the Jays who continued to let Sanchez pile up the innings even though their initial plan was to shield his arm by moving him to the bullpen.

EDITORS NOTE: Sounds like his next start won't come until September 21st. 

BULLPEN WOES IN MIAMI

A.J. Ramos has 34 saves this season.

He was hurt and the Marlins acquired Fernando Rodney.

Rodney has 25 of his own including eight saves in 11 chances with the Fish. Alas, he’s stumbled of late in a massive way with a 20.25 ERA and 3.75 WHIP over four outings.

So it’s Ramos who closes again, right? Maybe. Ramos himself admitted he’s not right. "Obviously, I can't do the same things I was doing earlier in the year," Ramos said. "I'm all about grip and finger strength. For right now, it's just being able to deal with the pain.”

There’s no clarity at all here. I would posit that Ramos is the best option right now with 5-straight scoreless outings, but he was awful in August (8.22 ERA, 1.96 WHIP over eight outings).

Just don’t know.

PEDROIA OUT OF CONTROL

Dustin Pedroia is out of control good right now. Bonkers really. Pedroia struggled last year after thumb and wrist surgery and many folks wrote off the 33 year old second baseman as just a guy and no longer a difference maker. Whoops.

Pedroia is batting .329 with 95 runs scored. The batting average is second in the American League, but it’s way more than that. Pedroia hit .406 in August. In nine games in September he’s hit .410. Folks, that’s 35 games of better than a .400 average from Pedroia. Amazing really. Moving back a bit he’s hit .373 over his last 50 games, the second half, and since being moved into the leadoff spot he’s been insanely good batting .445 over his last 28 games.

How do you like them apples?

 

The following are three Pirates stories writing about in the Post-Gazette.

MARTE UPDATE

Starling Marte has come down with a back issue at a horrible time. As of this writing it sounds like the injury isn’t serious, his back was described as “cranky,” but we just don’t know when he will return to action. Marte has been out since September 5th, and if you have to set your lineup today, like I do in a couple of leagues, you just can’t have Marte active this week.

GLASNOW UPDATE

Tyler Glasnow allowed two runs over his first relief outing covering three innings. At this point it’s unclear if he will make another start this season for the Pirates. You can move on in the fantasy game in mixed leagues.

HARRISON UPDATE

Josh Harrison tweaked his groin, and though no one is saying it directly, it sounds like a return this season may or may not be in the cards. “I just know I felt a little discomfort,” Harrison said. “At that point I was like, I don’t even want to try to keep running because if I keep trying to run I might just fall flat on my face.” The team is going to wait a day or two before running (pun intended) more tests. Regardless, he’s not going to be available this week barring a miracle recovery.

EDITOR's NOTE: The Pirates reported that Harrison will miss 4-6 weeks with the injury. 

ROTATION UPDATES

Four team updates, just cause.

The Nationals: Mat Latos on Monday, A.J. Cole on Tuesday, Tanner Roark on Wednesday.

The Cubs vs. Cardinals: Mon, Hendricks vs Leake; Tue, Hammel vs Garcia; Wed, Lester vs Martinez

The Tigers: Jordan Zimmermann has made two starts since June 30th. He started over the weekend with atrocious results as he allowed six runs while recording only three outs. Zimmermann will not take the hill for his next start (Mike Pelfrey or Mike Fulmer will step up). “He didn’t feel like he had the arm speed,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “He didn’t feel like it was there, so we’re going to throw a sim game to see if we can get that back. We’ll go from there after we see what he looks like and how he feels.” Zimmermann will make a simulated game start and see if he can find “it.” No reason to think he will at this point.

DFS DIAMONDS

*The following list of players are guys that Ray recommends as daily plays.

CATCHER: Bobby Wilson has hit .308 with a .795 OPS over 52 at-bats against lefties this season. Wilson takes on Francisco Liriano who has been a mess all season long. He just cannot get on track and that includes a 5.52 ERA and 1.49 WHIP his last 45.2 innings.

FIRST BASE: You all know how amazing Joey Votto has been. Let’s look in yet again. Over his last 52 games he’s hit .418 with a .509 OBP and .654 SLG. He has a 1.006 OPS over 33 plate appearances against Wily Peralta.

SECOND BASE: Devon Travis has five hits in nine at-bats against Jake Odorizzi. Travis has a hit in 8-striaght games and that includes nine this his last five games (he has at least two hits in five of eight).

THIRD BASE: Miguel Sano has three homers and six RBI his last six games (six runs scored too). Sano has four homers in 80 at-bats against lefties this season and owns a .814 OPS on the road this season.   

SHORTSTOP: If you want to go cheap at shortstop, and you believe in batter versus pitcher data, start Alexei Ramirez against Francisco Liriano as the veteran has 14 hits in 33 at-bats in the matchup leading to a .424/.444/.485 line.   
  
OUTFIELD: Over his eight games Rajai Davis has scored seven runs. He takes on Miguel Gonzales with six hits in 14 at-bats (.429) including three homers, and out of control number for Davis.

OUTFIELD: Let’s tap the cheap, BvP model again like we did at shortstop. Chris Coghlan has been bad all season, but Mike Leake is a batting practice pitcher for him as Coghlan has gone 11-for-19 with two homers in the matchup.

OUTFIELD: Curtis Granderson has scored 10 runs his last 10 games and he’s driven in 10 runs his last seven games. He’s also hit four homers his last six outings. Mat Latos has been terrible this season (4.74 ERA, .153 WHIP, 1.40 K/BB ratio). He last made a big league start June 7th.

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 11 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).