Rich Hill pitched a complete game two-hit shutout last night against the Mighty Orioles walking just one batter and striking out 10 for his second win. Where the heck was this guy in April when Justin Masterson and Steven Wright were starting? Am I really asking that question about a 35-year-old southpaw journeyman who hasn’t started a big league game since 2009, and was out of baseball in July? Yeah I guess I am asking that because Hill has been an absolute monster since debuting with the Sawx two weeks ago in Tampa Bay. In just three starts, he’s pitched 23.0 IP, allowing just 10 hits and 3 ER, with a 30/2 K/BB rate. Yes, my friends, the Hill Has Ks. That was almost your headline. Also, not for nothing, the three earned runs were surrendered to the Blue Jays, and I mean, come on, it’s the Blue Jays. And just in case you thought this story couldn’t get any sweeter, Rich was pitching for the Independent League’s Long Island Ducks just months ago. He holds a 1.70 ERA and 0.52 WHIP through three starts and although I love what he’s doing, he’s scheduled to take on the Yankees in New York next week and I wouldn’t call it a slam dunk. If you’re feeling lucky, by all means ride the snake, but I’m not sure I’d risk my fantasy season on Rich Hill, despite how awesome he’s been. But cool story, bro!
Here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseball Friday night:
Carlos Carrasco – 9.0 IP, 1 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 15 K, 14th win. He’s got a 1.35 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in his past three starts with 33 strikeouts! I think Carlos Carrasco just won my fantasy league, you guys. I am so happy I didn’t drop you in May.
Carlos Martinez – 0.1 IP, 1 hit. Left the game with tightness in his right shoulder. He’s scheduled for an MRI Saturday, and who knows if he’ll make his start Wednesday in Pittsburgh. If you need the roster spot I couldn’t blame you for losing C-Mart at this point.
Khris Davis – 2-for-4, HR (24). Go ahead 9th inning homer. He’s batting .380 with 2 homers in the past week. THE POWER OF KHRIS COMPELS ME! Grey told you to BUY but I feel like at this point, we shouldn’t have to tell you to buy a 24-homer hitter in September. If you read razzball, you probably know your way around some fantasy, and Davis’ seven September homers hopefully have you sitting real pretty at this point.
Gerrit Cole – 7.0 IP, 4 hits, ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 18th win. Cole has been dominant over his past four starts, he’s got 3 wins in 27.1 IP, allowing just 7 runs with a 32/5 K/BB rate. He hit 200 strikeouts for the season and is rocking a sweet 2.60 ERA, and 1.09 WHIP with 18 wins. He’s certainly in the conversation for NL Cy Young and fantasy owners who drafted him certainly got the ace they were hoping for. Why wasn’t I one of these owners?
Jon Lester – 7.0 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 6 K and his 12th loss. Lester has also been great down the stretch for the Cubs. Despite 3 losses, he’s got a 2.65 ERA in September with 32 strikeouts. Unlike Cole, he’s probably not the fantasy pitcher you were looking for when you drafted him too early, but he’s doing what the Cubs paid him to do so quit complaining.
Jayson Werth – 2-for-4, HR (12), 2 RBI. Is it Werth owning a guy that bats .228 just for some home runs? If you need power, then yes, Werth is absolutely worth it. Baby he’s worth it! Uh huh he’s worth it!
Aaron Altherr – 4-for-5, 2 HR (5), 5 RBI. It’s getting hot Altherr! Sing it, Nelly!
Cody Asche – 2-for-4, 2-run HR (12). Bold predictions are fun to make in September because no one remembers them in March. Long time razzball favorite is starting look like the player we all thought he was with 5 homers, 10 RBI, 5 runs, a SB and hitting .308 in the past two weeks. I boldly predict Cody is on a lot of my teams next season.
Jerad Eickoff – 7.0 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, BB, 10 K and his 2nd win. Eickoff! Gesundheit! Dude has gone seven innings in each of his past three starts, allowing just 3 ER, with a 23/6 K/BB rate. Not sure I’d hold him for his start next week vs. the Mets but he’s a name to remember for next year.
Ben Revere – 2-for-4, RBI, SB (6). If Revere were leading off for the Blue Jays all season he’d be a top 10 outfielder, yet he’s still not owned in all leagues. These are the issues I’m shocked none of the GOP candidates are addressing.
Josh Donaldson – 1-for-3, HR (40). While Jose Bautista was 1-for-4 with a HR (37). Nothing is more American than Canadian baseballers hitting home runs. Bring the pennant back home to Canada where it belongs!
Kevin Pillar – 2-for-3, HR (12), SB (24). A Pillar of consistency in a line up filled with rock stars, the fact that he may or may not be under 50% owned is criminal. Who can tell how accurate those ownership rates are at this time of year anyway? K-Pillz has 2 homers and 6 SB in the past two weeks, and plays for the Blue Jays. That’s all you need to know.
Xander Bogaerts – 3-for-4, 2 runs, RBI. More bold predictions? Sure, why not! I have not tried to hide my bias for the Great X, but Xandah Bogahts will be a top 25 player next year! Mahk my wahds! No one denies this!
Carlos Rodon – 6.0 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K, 9th win. Rodon was pretty wild in this one, and not in the party hard, Times Square, Planet Hollywood, BIG APPLE wild kind of way, but he did get the win in a risky start at Yankee stadium. He’s a guy I’ll want to draft everywhere next year, but not sure I’d hold him for his start next week versus Detroit. There are likely better options.
Eddie Rosario – 1-for-4, 3 RBI. Grey told you to BUY. In the last two weeks, Eddie Money has 8 runs, 3 homers, 10 RBI, a SB and is hitting .294. He also plays second base which is a barren wasteland riddled with fire, ash and dust, where the very air you breathe is poisonous fume.
Nick Castellanos – 3-for-4, 2 runs. He’s got a five game hitting streak and is hitting .409 in the past week. Where is the power though, Helios? Don’t you like-a the sauce?!
Glen Perkins – 1.0 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, BB, 3 K, BS (3). Gave up a home run to Rajai Davis (2-for-4, 2-run HR (8)). OK, I think it’s safe to say if you need saves you should be looking elsewhere at this point.
Noah Syndergaard – 7.2 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 11 K, 9th win. Please trade him to my team, Mets. You have an overabundance of trill young pitchers, why not share the wealth with those of us who don’t. We’ll give you washed-up veteran who can’t play defense, rookie outfielder who can’t hit breaking balls and player to be named later.
Lucas Duda – 2-for-4, 2 HR (24), 6 RBI. Duda bides! Shomer shabbos! Hope you had a easy fast, Luke. Seriously, if I had an intern I would make him google how many Friday night home runs hit by this Duda. But I don’t have an intern, so you’re just going to have to take my word for it.
Curtis Granderson – 2-for-5, HR (24), 4 RBI. I would never in a million years have drafted and or even picked up off waivers, one Curtis Granderson. yes he has 24 homers, 11 stolen bases and 94 runs scored. I guess that’s why I’m losing 8 out of 10 of my fantasy leagues. Womp womp.
Jose Fernandez – 5.0 IP, 9 hits, 6 ER, BB, 2 K, 6-0. You think you can give up six runs and still get the win, what team do you think you’re playing for, the Blue Jays?!
Dee Gordon – 3-for-5, 2 runs, SB (54). The Marlins had 20 hits, with 3-hit games from Christian Yelich, and Miguel Rojas. I wouldn’t get too excited because the Braves had 16 hits as well, so no pitcher came out of this one looking good. I guess these teams were due, better September than never.
Justin Bour – 3-for-5, 3-run HR (20). Grey told you to BUY and he’s batting .309 with 4 homers and 13 RBI in the past two weeks. Who needs Giancarlo Stanton, right? I do. I really, really, really do need you Giancarlo. Please come back.
Nelson Cruz – 1-for-4, HR (43). I hope he gets to 50 home runs so someone drafts him in the first round next year. Is that as crazy as I think it is? Probably not.
Albert Pujols – 2-for-4, 2-run HR (37). I miss owning you, Alby. There’s always last year.
C.J. Cron – 2-for-4, 2-run HR (15). Some sweet Cron Air for you, Nic Cage! Is Cron going to be a 30 homer hitter next season? Stay tuned to 2016 to find out!
Sean Doolittle – 1.1 IP, 2 hits, BB, 2 K, SV (2). I guess he’s the closer again. It only took six months to get his second save. :/
A.J. Pollock – 2-for-4, Grand Slam HR (19), 5 RBI. I took the Jackson Pollock approach when drafting A.J. and was just like “Fudge it.” Man am I glad I went abstract expressionist on that bish. In the past two weeks, A.J. has 12 runs, 3 homers, 12 RBI, 3 SB and is batting .357. That will win you some fantasy leagues, folks!
Carlos Gonzalez – 2-for-3, 3 runs, HR (38). 25 homers post all-star break. 7 homers in September. 23 homers at Coors. Trading for him in early July before he busts out? Priceless.
Corey Dickerson – 3-for-4, 2 runs, HR (8), 3 RBI. He’s batting close to .500 with 2 homers in the past week. Corey is going to be a tough one to rank next year because I could totally see him being a top 20 player that goes in the 6th, 7th, 8th round, but I could also see him being injured all year again and making me a very sad person.
Jarrett Parker – 1-for-3, HR (3). He’s only started two games, but he somehow has three homers and a stolen base already. Sounds to me like someone should be starting more games, no? I should be Mr. Manager! He’s batting .444 with two homers in the past week, and I think he should see plenty of playing time over the final week. If you’re looking for a hot bat, Parker right here.
Thanks for reading! Questions? Problems? Complaints to management? Advice, small gifts or large bribes? Please leave it in the comments below. Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap as fantasy baseball continues next week, all week long!
