Yes, this is a two-start article, but we’re going let this edition serve as a reminder of a few things for the rest of the fantasy season as Andrew Cashner was recently the star of a trade between the Marlins and Padres. As a result, let us remember:
- Andrew Cashner’s not good.
- Leaving Petco Park to pitch is not good. (Even with improvements to the Park Factor, it’s still a net positive for pitchers)
- A horrendous pitcher that throws twice in a week isn’t a better option; they’re an exponentially worse option.
- Andrew Cashner’s not good.
Did the Marlins actually break their bank in this trade? No, and they’ve done that before (see: post WS win seasons). However, I may rather have all four players on the Padres side of this deal rather than the post-hype non-sleeper Andrew Cashner and, wait for it, Colin Rea. Now pitching in Miami, Cashner has a few things in his favor, like facing the Philies and Braves more often, but with only eight weeks left in the season the opportunities are minimal.
Let’s also set a record straight: Matt Shoemaker (the other SP I considered highlighting) Andrew Cashner is not. For a long stretch this season Matt Shoemaker has mirrored the norm of Clayton Kershaw. Cashner’s upped his K’s in his past 3+ starts, but let me close this little segment about why points 1 and 4 above are stout: he’s having the worst season of his career without an inflated stat, like BABIP, to blame for the numbers. 4.76 ERA, 4.94 FIP, and worse in every major category from 2015.
It may be worth it in real life for the Marlins as they push for the playoffs, but for your fantasy squad Andrew Cashner’s still not good. Which, this week, makes him doubly bad. Don’t break your bank to go get him.
Pitchers are listed in order by rank. Colors represent worst 8 or best 8 opponents according to team wOBA for last 14 days.
THE BEST
| Player | Opponents | ERA/FIP | K9/BB9 |
| Madison Bumgarner (SF) | @PHI, @WSH | 2.09/2.97 | 10.15/2.15 |
| Danny Salazar (CLE) | MIN, @NYY | 2.97/3.31 | 10.14/3.82 |
| Stephen Strasburg (WSH) | @ARI, SF | 2.68/2.93 | 10.93/2.54 |
| Yu Darvish (TEX) | @BAL, @HOU | 3.09/2.58 | 12.66/3.09 |
| Carlos Carrasco (CLE) | MIN, @NYY | 2.45/4.02 | 8.44/2.55 |
| Lance McCullers (HOU) | TOR, TEX | 3.18/2.76 | 11.79/5.19 |
| David Price (BOS) | @SEA, @LAD | 4.26/3.28 | 9.46/1.94 |
THE REPLICAS
| Player | Opponents | ERA/FIP | K9/BB9 |
| Danny Duffy (KC) | @TB, TOR | 3.22/3.50 | 9.83/1.97 |
| Masahiro Tanaka (NYY) | @NYM, CLE | 3.16/3.34 | 7.25/1.81 |
| Matt Shoemaker (LAA) | OAK, @SEA | 4.17/3.29 | 8.80/1.82 |
| Chris Archer (TB) | KC, MIN | 4.42/4.05 | 10.70/3.52 |
THE STANDARDS
| Player | Opponents | ERA/FIP | K9/BB9 |
| Brandon McCarthy (LAD) | @COL, BOS | 2.39/2.65 | 11.28/3.08 |
| Jonathan Gray (COL) | LAD, MIA | 3.94/3.80 | 9.36/2.87 |
| Adam Conley (MIA) | @CHC, @COL | 3.38/3.80 | 8.59/3.61 |
| Jaime Garcia (STL) | @CIN, ATL | 3.97/3.85 | 7.40/3.15 |
| Jason Hammel (CHC) | MIA, @OAK | 3.23/4.34 | 7.64/2.76 |
| Dylan Bundy (BAL) | TEX, @CWS | 3.46/4.35 | 8.48/2.77 |
THE KNOCKOFFS
| Player | Opponents | ERA/FIP | K9/BB9 |
| Matt Moore (TB) | KC, MIN | 4.08/4.54 | 7.55/2.77 |
| James Paxton (SEA) | BOS, LAA | 4.27/3.09 | 8.40/2.34 |
| Andrew Cashner (MIA) | MIL, PHI | 4.76/4.94 | 7.60/3.40 |
| Michael Foltynewicz (ATL) | PIT, @STL | 4.30/4.87 | 7.79/2.42 |
THE 
| Player | Opponents | ERA/FIP | K9/BB9 |
| Zach Eflin (PHI) | SF, @SD | 4.23/4.51 | 4.39/1.95 |
| Marcus Stroman (TOR) | @HOU, @KC | 4.92/3.93 | 6.72/2.33 |
| CC Sabathia (NYY) | @NYM, CLE | 3.95/4.03 | 6.81/3.36 |
| Sonny Gray (OAK) | @LAA, CHC | 5.43/4.73 | 7.36/3.34 |
| Doug Fister (HOU) | TOR, TEX | 3.73/4.62 | 5.63/3.15 |
| Jimmy Nelson (MIL) | @SD, @ARI | 3.71/4.79 | 6.77/4.00 |
| Archie Bradley (ARI) | WSH, MIL | 4.17/4.53 | 8.67/4.50 |
| Yordano Ventura (KC) | @TB, TOR | 4.88/4.88 | 6.77/3.62 |
| Logan Verrett (NYM) | NYY, @DET | 4.12/5.06 | 6.17/3.87 |
| Wade LeBlanc (SEA) | BOS, LAA | 4.26/5.27 | 6.39/1.42 |
| Kyle Gibson (MIN) | @CLE, @TB | 4.54/4.22 | 6.63/2.91 |
| Tyler Duffey (MIN) | @CLE, @TB | 6.12/2.80 | 7.03/2.31 |
| Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS) | @SEA, @LAD | 6.51/6.07 | 6.89/3.45 |
| Cody Reed (CIN) | STL, @PIT | 7.07/6.05 | 9.34/3.35 |
| Anthony Ranaudo (CWS) | @DET, BAL | 8.71/9.43 | 4.35/10.45 |
All players listed are projected for two starts, and this list is subject to changes after the article is posted.
Good luck in Week 18! Now’s the time to break your bank for a Starting Pitcher if you’re in massive need of one, but please, oh, please don’t go doing it for Andrew Cashner. Throw that cash elsewhere (like David Price on a buy low!)
