It’s the MLB Game Day Recap Day 15, that means it’s time to talk about the fact we are in week two of the season. For you non mathematicians, that means we are nearly 10% complete with the season. It’s no longer overreaction time if you team is struggling. Putting it in NFL terms, every team is either 2-0, 1-1, or 0-2. That means every team can come back from a bad start, but an additional two weeks of subpar performance and it becomes time to panic. We’ve already seen two no hitters. Chances are you won’t remember much from these first two weeks, but there’s enough that has happened for us to be beyond a blip on the radar. We are in full blown baseball season
Climbing Up
Two weeks into the season and Nick Solak is starting to truly heat up. Over his past 10 games he has 10 hits, 7 runs, 2 homers, 6 RBIs and 2 stolen bases over 37 at bats. That’s a 5 tool player that qualifies at 2B, 3B and OF. Solak was a popular breakout candidate in the fantasy community and it is no surprise to see him producing. That said, it’s very possible he’s under rostered and under appreciated in your league. If you’re looking for a guy who does everything right, you can find very few players as consistent as Nick Solak, especially at his price point.
Letdown
Mitch Keller wasn’t expected to light the world on fire against the Padres, but boy did he stink. He got hit hard early giving up 4 in the 1st and it didn’t get any better as the start went along. 3.1 innings, 7 earned, 9 hits, 3 walks and only 1 K. It was a disaster start with no redeeming quality. While the Padres are a top end offense, Keller was pitching at home coming off a 5.0 inning, 1 run start. It still feels early, but it might be time to put the Padres on the ‘no start’ list for anyone other than elite starters.
Who’s Hot
Jed Lowrie went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. It’s his 6th straight game with a hit and 5th straight game with 2 hits. He’s scored 9 runs, hit 2 homers, and drove in 12 runs over his past 10 games. It’s frankly impressive that he’s been able to play in 10 games at all played only 9 over the past 2 seasons. Prior to having injuries debilitate his recent seasons, Lowrie was one of the most consistently solid hitters at 2B. It’s surprising, but it looks like at age 37 Lowrie is not done and is very much a rosterable asset. He might not keep it up for a full, whether healthy or not, but while he’s on this hot streak he needs to be owned everywhere.
Who’s Not
Patrick Corbin is not a rosterable asset. It sounds like a shocking statement, but when you look at his 2020 the guy has been hit hard for then just a few starts this year. He’s been flat out bad for awhile now. I’ve preached that he’s not someone to own, ranking his as my #47 SP asset starting the year. His two horrific starts this year show that was too lofty of a ranking. Get whatever you can get for Corbin and run. Starters have peaks and valleys throughout their careers, but Corbin will not have a peak again. Remember Jordan Zimmermann? Corbin is the left handed Zimmerann. A very good starter who’s in his decline in Washington. Get him off your roster ASAP. It might hurt to do it, but he’s toast.
The Emilio Bonifacio Award
Jake Cronenworth had a perfect game in Pittsburgh today. Part of the destruction of Mitch Keller party, Cronenworth went 2 for 2 with 2 walks, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Instead of settling for the poetic 4 2’s, Cronenworth had 5. As a 1B, 2B, and SS eligible infielder on one of the best teams in baseball, Cronenworth has a boatload of value in fantasy. Overlooked but some analysts [me] as not being a vital part of the Padres 2021 plans, Jake simply has proved those analysts [me] wrong. Entering tonight his 2021 OPS of .835 is a near replica of 2020’s .831. Cronenworth is simply continuing what he did last year, and buying that type of production would be smart.
The James Shields Award
Michael Pineda was the only starter to earn a Shields tonight. He went 7.0 innings strong, shutting down the Red Sox’s extremely hot offense before his bullpen nearly blew the game. Pineda has been an enigma for years, as he puts together quality starts like this one mixed with absolute blowups. His first three starts this year have been lights out, but his track record shows a blowup is imminent. He’s a frustrating to own pitcher, but maybe he has finally figured out how to be consistent. If he has, he could be a top 10 starter pitching in Minnesota. A very nice buy low, Pineda could have a big resurgence this year and moving a slumping asset to acquire him could be a league winning move, or you’re just acquiring Michael Pineda.
The Brad Lidge Award
Joe Jimenez was once the next Tigers closer. Now he’s just another high velocity arm that can’t get outs. Jimenez gave up 3 runs tonight without giving up a hit. He walked 3 while recording only 1 out, and all 3 of those walks came around to score. This might not be the worst blowup of the season, but it quite possibly might be the only Lidge Award winner where the pitcher doesn’t give up a hit. There’s effectively wild, then there’s wild, then there’s whatever Joe Jimenez was tonight. These type of pitchers exist far more than they should, as Jimenez is on his last legs as a Tiger which might also be the last legs of his major league career.
Conclusion
The MLB Game Day Recap is all about baseball, and we only have 90% of the baseball season left. Week two has come and gone, and boy does it feel like the season just started! Week two? It doesn’t feel like week two. From rainouts, to protest canceled games, to Covid canceled games it feels like we’ve seen it all. 3 homer games, no hitters, fights. All by week two? It’s been an absolutely crazy run and it’s still Week two. Week two! It’s going to be absolutely crazy when it’s week 25 and the postseason is about to start. I’d be remiss to not include a write up about Jackie Robinson. It’s not wrong to say the world would not be as great at it is without him. He’s the greatest for what he was able to do. Thank you Jackie.
Goodnight.
