Pending free agent Gerrit Cole continues to surge winning his 10th straight decision on Wednesday. Cole allowed two earned runs on three hits with 10 strikeouts. This marks the fifth time this year Cole’s recorded double digit strikeouts without a walk. Of his 103 pitches, Cole generated 16 swinging strikes and 18 called for a 35.1 called plus swinging strike (CSW) percentage despite a missed call:

In an environment heavily favoring hitters, Cole owns a 1.98 ERA over his last 14 starts accompanying his 10 game win streak. 

Here’s the other notable starting pitcher performances from yesterday:

  • Zach Plesac , Cleveland: 106 pitches, 13 swinging strikes, 20 called, 31.1 CSW%. Plesac did not factor in the decision but fired six shutout innings giving up five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. Since July 16th, he’s 4-0 with a 2.00 ERA. 

  • Max Fried , Atlanta: 94 pitches, 12 swinging strikes, 21 called, 35.1 CSW%. Not only did Fried hit 98 MPH on the radar gun, he recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts in Minnesota. He’s won four straight decisions since July 15th with a 3.32 ERA in them. 

  • José Quintana , Chicago Cubs: 94 pitches, 11 swinging strikes, 18 called, 30.9 CSW%. Quintana notched his 10th win yielding two hits and one earned run with seven strikeouts. Since June 29th, he’s 6-0 with a 3.67 ERA. 

  • Dustin May, Los Angeles Dodgers: 83 pitches, 12 swinging strikes, 17 called, 35 CSW%. In only his second major league start, May missed his first quality outing by one out recording seven strikeouts over 5.2 innings allowing one earned run on five hits and one walk. 

  • Jack Flaherty , St. Louis: 97 pitches, 19 swinging strikes, 21 called, 41.2 CSW%. Flaherty led all pitchers with his CSW percentage on Wednesday but missed out on a win due to his bullpen. Flaherty racked up 10 strikeouts in seven shutout innings scattering four hits while walking one. His five starts in the second half yield a 0.86 ERA with a 43:9 K:BB. 

  • James Paxton , New York Yankees: 108 pitches, 17 swinging strikes, 18 called, 32.4 CSW%. For the first time since July second, Paxton did not allow a run in the first inning. He worked 6.2 innings giving up five hits, one earned run and a walk with seven strikeouts en route to his seventh win. 

  • Zac Gallen, Arizona: 85 pitches, 16 swinging strikes, 15 called, 36.5 CSW%. Making his Diamondbacks debut, Gallen tossed five shutout innings allowing one hit and walking three with six strikeouts. Over his last four starts, Gallen owns a 1.11 ERA with 28 strikeouts, but also 11 walks. 

Bullpen Notes: Hand secures save 28

Cleveland displayed its bullpen depth during a doubleheader sweep of the Rangers. Brad Hand notched his 28th save striking out the side in Game 1 while recording his first save since July 21st. He’s racked up 23 strikeouts his last 11.2 innings. Nick Wittgren locked down his third save in Game 2 working 1.2 clean innings with a strikeout. It’s his first save since July 17th and Wittgren’s worked at least 1.1 innings in 15 of his 39 appearances this year. 

Here’s the rest of the high leverage events from Wednesday: 

  • Ken Giles held on for his 15th save in Tampa, but also yielded a two-run home run to Mike Zunino in the process. 

  • Blown save number three for Carlos Martínez giving up the game winning single to Russell Martin following a wild pitch moving both runners into scoring position. 

  • No longer sleepless in Seattle, Anthony Bass records his second save of the season working around a hit in the ninth inning. For those fishing for saves, it appears Bass will get most of the Mariners chances going forward. 

Hitter Highlights: Gurriels go yard

For the fourth time this season, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and his brother, Yuli, homered on the same day. It’s Gurriel Jr.’s 19th and Yuli’s 23rd this year. As for Yuli Gurriel , he also racked up eight RBI with two hits and a sacrifice fly in a 14-3 rout over the Rockies. Since June 23rd, Gurriel’s appeared in 35 games with 27 runs, 11 doubles, 18 home runs, 48 RBI and a robust .379/.413/.843 slash line. His weighted on-base average sits over .500 in this time frame and his .464 isolated power fuels the power surge. 

Do not look now, but José Ramírez stayed hot homering in both games of the Indians sweep of Texas. He upped his home run total to 16 after the two games along with stealing his 23rd base in Game 1. Since June 21st, Ramirez owns a .327/.362/.673 slash with 31 runs, 11 home runs, 32 RBI and six stolen bases in 38 games. 

Michael Conforto became the second fastest player in team history to record 100 home runs with his second of the day on Wednesday. Conforto’s hit seven home runs over his last 11 games scoring 13 runs and driving in 13 of them with a .333 average and 1.403 on-base plus slugging percentage. Jeff McNeil added his 15th home run and fifth in his last 10 contests. Pete Alonso launched his 37th home run moving within two of Cody Bellinger ’s rookie home run record:

Speaking of hot hitters, Bo Bichette extended his hot streak in a win over the Rays: 

Atlanta continued its onslaught of Twins pitching. Ozzie Albies recorded his second straight four-hit game and blasted two home runs. During his five-game hitting streak, Albies owns a .480 average with a 1.380 on-base plus slugging percentage. Ronald Acuña Jr. added his 29th home run driving in two. 

During the loss, Miguel Sanó went 2-for-5 with his 20th home run and four RBI. His last 15 games yields a .308/.400/.692 slash with six home runs and 18 RBI. He’s also walked eight times in this sample. 

It can be fleeting, but when Ian Happ gets hot, home runs follow including this grand slam yesterday:

Amidst some concerns surrounding Christian Yelich ’s balky back, Keston Hiura put the Brewers offense on his last night with a major league first for the rookie:

With the Yankees setting records in a rout over Baltimore, tempers flared in the Orioles dugout:

Things happen but when the Yankees hit 43 home runs in 10 games at Camden Yards scoring 95 runs in them, frustration tends to fester. Kyle Higashioka and Gio Urshela each homered twice last night. 

What To Watch For

Can Domingo Germán tie Justin Verlander for the major league lead in wins? German goes for his 15th in Toronto tonight. 

Which Chris Sale will show up against the Angels? 

Aaron Nola and Madison Bumgarner highlight the late games with each of their teams desperately needing a win. 

Not only did the Dodgers gets a nice outing from Dustin May, but this prospect could be contributing soon:

Be sure to stay with Fantasy Alarm across all fantasy formats to remain ahead of the competition. 

 

Statistical Credits:

BaseballSavant.com

Fangraphs.com

MLB.com - Game Notes

 

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