After a couple days of below-average scoring, a whopping 182 runs were scored last night across MLB, yielding a rare night where the average per team eclipsed six runs. The onslaught was led by the unlikeliest of offenses as the Marlins schooled the Brewers, mugging them 16-0. Casey Stengel once claimed, “Good pitching will stop good hitting.” But what about the opposite — what happens when cruddy pitching meets cruddy hitting? If Tuesday was any indication, cruddy hitting crushes cruddy pitching as the Orioles outslugged the Rangers 12-11 in Arlington.
TOP-3 HITTING STARS
Pedro Severino: 3-for-5 with three homers, three runs and four RBI.
After playing musical chairs behind the plate the first two month of the season, the Orioles called up Chance Sisco, coincidentally on the same day they drafted Oregon State backstop Adley Rutschman to kick off the 2019 MLB Player Draft. Severino will likely receive more playing time than the usual backup, and in today’s catching climate he’s worth a look in deep formats employing two receivers.
Jay Bruce: 3-for-4 with two homers, three runs and six RBI.
Initially acquired as a bench bat, Bruce’s playing time expectation increased with unfortunate news Andrew McCutchen will miss the duration of the season. In addition to Bruce, Scott Kingery gains the most as the converted infielder is one of the few Phillies capable of playing center field while Odubel Herrera is on administrative leave. Another beneficiary is Cesar Hernandez, as last season’s leadoff hitter returned to the top spot last night. If he stays at the top of the order, Hernandez gains about 50 extra plate appearances.
Miguel Cabrera: 3-for-4 with a homer, three runs and five RBI.
In his first game after likely being jettisoned by many fantasy clubs over the weekend, Miggy took Blake Snell deep for only his third homer of the season, adding his ninth two-bagger as well. Perhaps this is the beginning of renaissance for the future Hall-of-Famer but keep expectations in check.
TOP-3 PITCHING STARS
Pablo Lopez: 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 7 K, 1 BB.
Lopez’s line is even more impressive since the game was in Miller Park, not at home in The Aquarium. The 23-year-old righty is having a solid season, fanning almost a batter an inning (62 in 63.2 IP) while sporting a below average walk rate. His 3.82 xFIP and 3.92 SIERA portend some correction on his actual 4.52 ERA.
Shane Bieber: 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 7 K, 1 BB
On a night where many top pitchers were shelled, the Indians sophomore held the vaunted Twins offense to two runs, both on solo shots. Bieber is having a stellar campaign, with the only blemish being 15 homers allowed in 75.2 frames. However, if he can continue limiting walks while fanning well over a batter an inning (92 K, 18 BB), the damage from the long ball will be minimal.
Hyun-Jin Ryu: 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 K, 0 BB
Ryu continues to post numbers of which a younger Clayton Kershaw would be envious. The temptation is to sell high, since the 32-year-old veteran hasn’t topped 150 IP since 2014. However, with the state of current pitching, the better play is hold Ryu and hope he avoids the injury bug. Your team, your call.
NOTABLE TRANSACTIONS
Cubs activated Pedro Strop from the IL: Strop stepped right into ninth-inning duties, registering a save in his fist game back. Strop should be one of the top closers the rest of the season.
Brewers reinstated Travis Shaw from the IL: Many were frustrated Keston Hiura was sent back to Triple-A despite more than holding his own, especially since Shaw has been in a season-long funk. However, Shaw is coming off consecutive 30-HR seasons and deserves another chance. Don’t overlook the possibility Shaw sees some time at first base if Jesus Aguilar and Eric Thames don’t pick up the pace.
Indians put Jefry Rodriguez on the 10-day IL and activated OF Tyler Naquin from the 10-day IL: The Tribe should put bubble-wrap around Bieber between starts as injuries to their rotation mount. Adam Plutko is an option to replace Rodriguez, while Zach Plesac also remains in the Bigs. Naquin is slated for a reserve role in the weak Indians outfield.
Mets reinstated Jeff McNeil from the 10-day IL: McNeil is earmarked for second base until Robinson Cano returns, then is likely headed back to left field as Todd Frazier is getting it done at the hot corner. Regardless of where, McNeil will be a regular.
NOTABLE INJURIES
Brian Dozier was hit on the elbow by a pitch and removed from Tuesday’s game. He’s sitting Wednesday but avoided anything serious and should be back in action as soon as Thursday.
Gary Sanchez was struck on the elbow via a Lourdes Gurriel Jr. swing but says he’s OK and expects to play Wednesday.
Adam Jones tweaked his hamstring hustling to first on a groundball. It’s not thought to be serious, but he’s expected to miss Wednesday’s contest. With Peralta back, Arizona can make sure Jones is 100 percent.
ON TAP FOR WEDNESDAY
Jimmy Nelson makes his long-awaited 2019 debut. Despite Tuesday night’s explosion, it’s fine to start Nelson against the Marlins, the lowest scoring team in the league.
Joey Lucchesi was originally slated to start, but the Padres have opted to push him to Thursday, recalling Cal Quantrill for today’s matinee with the Cubs in Petco Park.
