As the 2021 season continues to roll on, offense has finally started to take off and boy is it refreshing to see. As much as I like a good pitcher’s duel, the summer months just wouldn’t feel the same without seeing the ball leave the yard repetitively. This offensive boom has me questioning, is the No-Hitter craze over? I want nothing else. With that said I’ll continue with my No-Hitter of the week pick for a couple of more weeks, and if one doesn’t happen I’m trashing it. So this week I’m going with Tyler Glasnow. He takes on Seattle, need I say more.
News Time! Starting with one of my favorite pitchers in the league, Zac Gallen threw a 46 pitch simulated game last week. This is a great sign considering he had a UCL injury. Also reported, John Means has no structural damage to his shoulder (you can wipe the sweat off your brow). Also, Chris Sale threw a bullpen session. Adbert Alzolay hit the 10 day IL, as did Sonny Gray. Jacob deGrom was removed from his last start after 6 innings due to a flexor strain but he says he’s “not worried about it”. Also Notable, Luis Severino suffered a groin injury in a rehab start. Lastly, Sixto Sanchez has resumed his throwing program and I for one can not wait for this guy to get back in the bigs. That’s the news, now let’s get to the two start pitchers this week.
THE MUST STARTS
1. Tyler Glasnow TB: (6/14 @ CHW)(6/19 @ SEA)
2. Lance Lynn CHW: (6/14 vs TB)(6/19 @ HOU)
– Lynn and Glasnow face off on Monday which should be a great watch.
3. Hyun-Jin Ryu TOR: (6/15 vs NYY)(6/20 @ BAL)
– He’s been good this year but the month of June hasn’t been kind to RYU. His 2 starts though, came against the Astros and the White Sox. His matchups this week are much more intriguing.
4. Freddy Peralta MIL: (6/15 vs CIN)(6/20 @ COL)
– I’ve long questioned Peralta’s long-term viability as a starter considering his lack of a 3rd pitch. However, with each passing week, he continues to shine. His fastball-Slider combo is lethal and he just keeps racking up the strikeouts.
5. Taijuan Walker NYM: (6/15 vs CHC)(6/20 @ WAS)
– He’s coming off one of his best starts of the season against Baltimore and I like him in both these matchups as well. Opponents are batting a minuscule .183 against him this year, so he’s an easy selection as must-start for me.
6. Sean Manaea OAK: (6/14 vs LAA)(6/20 @ NYY)
– He’s enjoying a career year so far and is also in the midst of a 15 inning scoreless streak. His K/9 is way above his career average, which is a big part of his success this season. With two decent matchups this week coupled with his recent dominance it makes him a must-start.
7. Alex Wood SF: (6/14 vs ARI)(6/19 vs PHI)
– His last two starts have plummeted his numbers quite a bit. His line in those two starts was 9 IP, 9 Hits, 11 ER, 7 BB, and only 4 K’s. I’m chalking it up to a bad stretch that gets righted by a start against Arizona.
THE QUESTIONABLES
8. Luis Castillo CIN: (6/15 @ MIL)(6/20 @ SD)
– His season numbers are tragic but if we search for a silver lining it can be found recently. He hasn’t allowed more than 3 earned runs in each of his last 3 starts. For him, this year, that is a win. The matchups are not good this week and if he pitches decently in both, maybe, just maybe he can start to gain a little trust back.
9. Casey Mize DET: (6/14 @ KC)(6/19 @ LAA)
– Since April 29th Mize has not allowed more than 3 earned runs in any start. An impressive stat for the young pitcher. He’s got two good matchups this week so I expect 2 quality starts from him.
10. Adam Wainwright STL: (6/14 vs MIA)(6/19 @ ATL)
– Three of his last four starts have been of the quality variety, and he’s got two pretty good matchups this week. I’m starting him.
11. Nathan Eovaldi BOS: (6/14 vs TOR)(6/20 @ KC)
– Most of his key numbers are in line with his career averages this season. We know who he is and I for one do not like these matchups for him. However, with a potent Red Sox lineup behind him, he doesn’t have to be great to get a win.
12. Tony Gonsolin LAD: (6/14 vs PHI)(6/20 @ ARI)
– I hyped Gonsolin up last week only to be let down. He walked 5 in just 1.2 innings but I’m not concerned. Expect much better performances this week especially with Arizona on the slate.
13. Jordan Montgomery NYY: (6/15 @ TOR)(6/20 vs OAK)
– Montgomery has been steady this year, he’s slightly overachieved my expectation for sure. However, he’s running into two hot offenses so tread lightly this week.
14. Alek Manoah TOR: (6/14 @ BOS)(6/19 @ BAL)
– The mountain has had a strong start to his career and showed he has the mental fortitude to pitch in this league in his last start. Although Boston is a tough matchup, he then gets Baltimore on Saturday. It’s enough for me to take a shot and start him this week.
POINTS LEAGUE PLAYS
15. Austin Gomber COL: (6/14 vs SD)(6/19 vs MIL)
16. Shane McClanahan TB: (6/15 @ CHW)(6/20 @ SEA)
17. Tucker Davidson ATL: (6/15 vs BOS)(6/20 vs STL)
18. Marco Gonzales SEA: (6/14 vs MIN)(6/20 vs TB)
19. Dallas Keuchel CHW: (6/15 vs TB)(6/20 @ HOU)
20. Jake Odorizzi HOU: (6/15 vs TEX)(6/20 vs CHW)
21. Brad Keller KC: (6/14 vs DET)(6/20 vs BOS)
22. Dylan Bundy LAA: (6/14 @ OAK)(6/20 vs DET)
NO THANK YOU
Patrick Corbin WAS: (6/15 vs PIT)(6/20 vs NYM), Jake Arrieta CHC: (6/14 @ NYM)(6/19 vs MIA), Ryan Weathers SD: (6/14 @ COL)(6/20 vs CIN), Vladimir Gutierrez CIN: (6/14 @ MIL)(6/19 @ SD), Jon Lester WAS: (6/14 vs PIT)(6/19 vs NYM), David Peterson NYM: (6/14 vs CHC)(6/19 @ WAS), Tyler Anderson PIT: (6/14 @ WAS)(6/20 vs CLE), Spencer Howard PHI: (6/14 @ LAD)(6/20 @ SF), Jean-Carlos Mejia CLE: (6/14 vs BAL)(6/19 @ PIT), Cal Quantrill CLE: (6/15 vs BAL)(6/20 @ PIT), Matt Harvey BAL: (6/14 @ CLE)(6/19 vs TOR), Eric Lauer MIL: (6/14 vs CIN)(6/20 @ COL), Randy Dobnak MIN: (6/14 @ SEA)(6/20 @ TEX), Chi Chi Gonzalez COL: (6/15 vs SD)(6/20 vs MIL), Braxton Garrett MIA: (6/14 @ STL)(6/20 @ CHC), Tyler Alexander DET: (6/15 @ KC)(6/20 @ LAA)
