Rich Schultz/Getty Images. Pictured: New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom.
Jacob deGrom’s dominance has been one of the most talked-about topics in Major League Baseball this season. What he’s doing hasn’t been seen in so long that when he does not throw an eight-inning shutout, us baseball fans are disappointed.
His June 26 start was the first time this season he had a single-game ERA over 1.80. He also didn’t strike out at least six batters for the first time in 13 starts. DeGrom’s “bad outing” raised his season ERA from 0.50 to 0.69 and his batting average against from .113 to .115 overall.
He continues to be a must-watch player in baseball. And it’s not just for his success, but to see how amazing his numbers are after a so-so start.
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Casey Mize — Detroit Tigers
Yahoo: 58%, ESPN: 61%
Mize ended a four-game streak of allowing three earned runs with a six inning, one-run win against Houston on June 26. Not every start looks good and he hasn’t struck out batters consistently, but one of the key pitchers in the Tigers’ rotation is going to keep the club in the majority of games he starts. He gets the White Sox this week, which is a team he has allowed nine hits, six earned runs and a 12:3 K/BB ratio in 13 innings pitched.
Alex Wood — San Francisco Giants
Yahoo: 61%, ESPN: 66%
His numbers look good from his June 26 start, but needed 92 pitches to get into the sixth inning. Wood still came through with eight strikeouts and only one walk. His 3.91 ERA is a bit high, but his Expected ERA and FIP is 3.96 and his Expected Fielder Independent Pitching is 3.58. The southpaw is attached to a good team and faces the Arizona Diamondbacks in his lone start.
Steven Matz — Toronto Blue Jays
Yahoo: 45%, ESPN: 49%
Matz will be activated from the COVID-19 list and start Wednesday, his first outing in 15 days. It will be at “home” in Buffalo against the Mariners. Prior to missing two weeks, Matz had allowed two runs or fewer in three of four starts.
Jon Gray — Colorado Rockies
Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 19%
In his first start back from a right flexor strain, Gray was superb in a no-decision, striking out 10 Brewers in five innings. It’s realistic he has one or two more starts as a Colorad pitcher before being traded to a contender. He has been excellent on a bad team and could be a second-half boon in fantasy play.
Kolby Allard — Texas Rangers
Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 8%
The 23-year-old has a 3.46 ERA as a starter this season, compared to a 3.15 ERA as a reliever. Allard has allowed four walks in 26 innings as a starter and has limited hitters to a .224/.255/.367 slash line, better than his time in the bullpen. He lines up to pitch against Oakland by the bay. The Athletics have had issues against lefties at home.
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Injuries
Dinelson Lamet left his June 26 start with forearm fatigue.
Mike Soroka is out for the remainder of the season after re-tearing his right Achilles. He is expected to be out until at least July 2022.
New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman does not expect Corey Kluber to return until August or September.
Zach Plesac threw a 40-pitch bullpen session June 24. He is recovering from a broken right thumb.
Cleveland also is without Aaron Civale. He is expected to miss four-to-five weeks with a sprained right middle finger.
John Means will not pitch for the Orioles until after the All-Star break.
Two-Start Pitchers
This is a projected list. Starts are subject to change and not all starters have been named.
Spencer Howard (PHI) – at CIN, vs SD
Vince Velasquez (PHI) – vs MIA, vs SD
Wade Miley and Tony Santillan (CIN) – vs SD, vs CHC
Jerad Eickhoff (NYM) – at WSH, at NYY
Tylor Megill (NYM) – at ATL, at NYY
Eli Morgan and Jean Carlos Mejia (CLE) – vs DET, vs HOU
Matt Manning (DET) – at CLE, vs CHW
Michael King and Jameson Taillon (NYY) – vs LAA, vs NYM
Danny Duffy and Brad Keller (KC) – at BOS, vs MIN
Garrett Richards and Nick Pivetta (BOS) – vs KC, at OAK
Zack Greinke and Jose Urquidy (HOU) – vs BAL, at CLE
Kenta Maeda and Bailey Ober (MIN) – at CHW, at KC
Lucas Giolito and Dylan Cease (CHW) – vs MIN, at DET
Freddy Peralta and Brandon Woodruff (MIL) – vs CHC, at PIT
Jacob Faria (ARI) – at STL, vs SF
Carlos Martinez (STL) – vs ARI, at COL
Kyle Freeland and German Marquez (COL) – vs PIT, vs STL
Mike Foltynewicz (TEX) – at OAK, at SEA
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