It’s the MLB Game Day Recap Day 38 which means it’s time to talk about baseball. Simple old basic baseball. You can watch it in snippets here. You can watch it in its entirety here. There was no overarching storyline today. It was just baseball happening. That happens. We could have re-treaded the Jeff McNeil/Francisco Lindor rat/raccoon, but that’s really more TMZ than baseball. There’s not much to say tonight, just watch and enjoy baseball. It’s only May. It makes me happy because there’s so much more baseball to go.
Climbing Up
Alex Bregman went 3 for 4 in today’s 8-4 loss to the Blue Jays. He blasted two doubles and a single while scoring two runs off Yordan Alvarez’s bat, but it wasn’t enough for the Astros to outslug Toronto. Bregman now has 10 hits across his past five games to go along with six runs scored, one home run, and three RBIs. As much as no one wants to admit it, Bregman is still an elite hitter even without the aid of trash can banging. Out of shortstops with at least 36 at-bats, Bregman ranks third in average at .327, tenth in runs with 20, tied for ninth in homers with 5, and tied for fifth in RBIs with 20. That’s an elite SS that also has third base eligibility. We don’t have to like him, but if he can win you a fantasy title, get him on your roster.
Letdown
Luis Castillo turned in his worst start since Opening Day in the follow-up to Wade Miley’s no-hitter. Castillo fooled absolute no one recording only three swings and misses across four innings in Cleveland. The Indians scored runs off Luis on a sacrifice fly, single, double, and triple before David Bell pulled his starter. Things could have been even worse as Castillo allowed two more unearned runs to score on a Tyler Naquin dropped fly ball. There is plenty of reason for optimism regarding Castillo, as he still hasn’t faced any NL Central foes more than once. The problem, the optimism might not match the results. Castillo has moved from a clear buy to a mid-level buy that really operates as a hold. I still believe in him, but I’m starting to think those that don’t have a higher chance of being right than two starts ago.
Who’s Hot
Kevin Gausman went six strong innings allowing only one run against the Padres today. Gausman allowed only three hits and a walk with the Padres lone run coming on an RBI groundout by Austin Nola. Shockingly, Gausman’s ERA and WHIP from the past two weeks both barely moved after this start. He had an absurd 1.35 ERA and 0.70 WHIP to go with 24 strikeouts in 20 innings the past 14 days. Mix in Gausman’s 7 K’s in 6inning tonight, and he is looking like a league winner right now. Taken outside the top 100 in nearly all leagues, Gausman has provided excellent ROI through six weeks. Someone who might remain “hot” for the entire season, Luis Castillo managers might want to try and flip him for Kevin today. The odds are you don’t succeed, but you have to try, right?
Who’s Not
Joe Musgrove started opposite of Kevin Gausman and struggled again Saturday. Five innings and four earned runs are not awful, but it’s not the Joe Musgrove of early April. Totaling 13.0 innings and a 6.92 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP across his past two weeks, things have not been good for Joe. It’s not to say the no-hitter has caught up to him, but more he’s regressed to his mean. A true potential breakout into the stratosphere pitcher, Musgrove appears to still be in just the “very good” tier. He will turn things around and get hot once more, but his hot and cold streaks are disappointing. Musgrove could be elite if he puts it all together, but it looks like he’s not there yet.
The Emilio Bonifacio Award
Jean Segura went 3 for 4 with a solo home run tonight against Atlanta. That makes Jean 7 for 9 in his two games since returning from the IL with 3 runs scored and 3 RBIs to go with tonight’s homer. That’s Cobb-ian. Obviously, he’s not going to keep this up, but if he keeps it going for a week he’ll get another Bonifacio. Qualifying at 2B, 3B, and SS, Segura is now hitting .391 on the year in a Phillies lineup that is quite good. Normally not the paragraph for add recommendations, go add him. He’s massively under-rostered. Get those percentages up people.
The James Shields Award
Max Scherzer is ageless, dropping a 7.1 inning, 14 K performance against the Yankees today. The catcher no one expected to be the starter in NY, Kyle Higoshioka took Mad Max deep. Outside of that, one there was only one other hit and walk for Scherzer. He’s a pure stud and at this point doubting his age is always a losing bet. Aaron Civale gave up only one run in 7.0 innings against the Reds in Cleveland’s win tonight. Consistently forgotten behind Bieber and Plesac, Civale appears to be the next great Cleveland SP. Another trade target, try and acquire him, and don’t feel bad if you’re “overpaying” for him. You’re not. Our last Shields winner is a return performance for Garrett Richards for the second time in three starts. Richards allowed four runs in seven innings, so this was a rather forgettable start in terms of Shields winners.
The Brad Lidge Award
Hector Neris blew the save in Atlanta today allowing two runs on two walks and one hit, a two-run game-tying homer by Pablo Sandoval. In terms of Neris blowups, this was no bad at all. In terms of a fan perspective, this one really sucked since he had a two-run lead with two outs and no one on in the ninth. Ultimately, with Archie Bradley on the IL, there isn’t a true threat to Neris. Sam Coonrod has picked up some rogue saves, but it’s still Neris’ job. It’s rough to be a Neris manager, but also you drafted Hector Neris. You know what you got yourself into. Keep riding it out, because this rollercoaster ride was always going to be a rollercoaster. Enjoy it?
Conclusion
The MLB Game Day Recap is all about baseball. Just enjoy baseball. That’s it, enjoy it.
Goodnight.
