If Yu Darvish could only pitch against the Brewers every time out. The Cubs’ big-money, free-agent acquisition took to the hill opposite The Crew on Friday afternoon and proceeded to toss six dominant frames versus the N.L.-Central foe for the second time this season. Darvish has now allowed only two runs (one earned) while striking out 17 across 12.0 innings against the Brewers so far this season. The bad news is that he’s been tagged for 14 earned runs across his other 13.2 innings in 2018.
Encore
So what did Sean Manaea manage to do in his follow up to last Saturday’s no-no versus the Red Sox? Well, the Oakland lefty casually climbed the hill against another elite lineup in Houston on Friday night and surrendered one unearned run on four hits and a walk with seven punchouts across 7.0 innings. Manaea now carries an A.L.-best 1.03 ERA through six starts (43.2 IP).
In Case You Missed It
Keeping the hot start to his MLB career going, Braves’ phenom Ronald Acuna picked up two more hits and an RBI in Friday’s loss at Philadelphia. Acuna wen hitless over his first three big-league at bats, but since, he has gone 6-for-10 with two doubles and a homer.
Didi Gregorius is showing no signs of slowing down, as the Yankees shortstop smacked his 10th home run of the campaign Friday night. This particular roundtripper, which was the fifth in the last six games for Gregorius, came in the top of the 10th inning at Angel Stadium and served as the game winner for the Pinstripers.
The Indians lineup was certainly amped up on Friday night, launching five baseballs out of the yard during a 6-5 win over the Mariners in Cleveland. Three of the deep drives came in the first frame alone, as Francisco Lindor led things off with his fourth homer of the season before Michael Brantley and Edwin Encarnación went back-to-back later in the inning.
Speaking of Brantley, it’s certainly nice to see him healthy and swinging the bat well. The two-time All-Star has produced a strong 1.034 OPS with seven extra-base hits and seven multi-hit performances over his last 11 games.
Saturday on the Hill
Can the Dodgers find a way to push a run across against Johnny Cueto in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader in San Francisco? The Giants’ veteran righty has allowed only one run across his 26.0 innings so far this season and none over his last 13.2. In addition to his MLB-best 0.35 ERA, Cueto sports a 23-to-4 K/BB ratio and 0.65 WHIP on the year.
Another former “ace” looking to fully reassert himself, David Price will toe the rubber opposite the Rays – a club with which he spent almost seven seasons – for the third time in six starts this season. The first two matchups with Tampa Bay went quite well, as Price allowed only seven hits and three walks while striking out 10 across 14.0 combined shutout innings.
Arizona southpaw Patrick Corbin has been sensational through his first five outings of the campaign, as he will carry a 4-0 record and a 1.89 ERA into his start at the nation’s capital Saturday afternoon. Perhaps most impressive from Corbin is that he has yet to punch out less than eight batters in any of his starts so far in 2018.
You can follow Nate Miller on Twitter @Miller_RotoDad or hear him every Monday & Thursday hosting the Fantasy Alarm Fantasy Baseball Podcast along with Colby Conway.