Cody Allen is 31-for-35 in save conversions this season with a massive 13.29 K/9 rate. Over his first five outings he allowed eight runs. Since then he’s been about as good a reliever as there has been other than the elite of the elite. Over 59.2 innings Allen owns a 12.97 K/9 mark, a 2.87 BB/9 mark, a 2.26 ERA and 1.07 WHIP.
Ryan Braun is out of the lineup with an injured back. Sounds like he might need to have surgery this offseason as well. He needs one more steal to go 25/25 and he has 84 RBIs, 87 runs scored and a .287 batting average. Will he be able to improve upon those numbers? He could be shut down by the Brewers.
Randal Grichuk is back in the starting lineup for the Cardinals, his first start since September 9th as he’s been dealing with elbow woes. Meanwhile, Matt Holliday (quad) remains out of the starting lineup. Grichuk has hit well against lefties (.833 OPS) but hammered righties (.929) this season.
Felix Hernandez left his start Sunday with a wonky elbow. He says he will be fine and make his next start. Uh huh. Why would the Mariners let their ace pitch a meaningless game in September five days after being removed with a sore elbow? That’s crazy talk.
Derek Holland allowed three runs his first two starts of the year, and through five starts he had a 2.37 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. We rejoiced. Most started him last three times out as a result of that hot start. The reward? Dreadful pitching. Over 17 innings Holland has allowed 17 runs, has walked nine guys and owns a 2.03 WHIP. Disastrous.
CC Sabathia won Sunday allowing one run over six innings against the Mets. After 27 starts Sabathia has a 5-9 record, 4.80 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. Sounds like he might been knee surgery after the season as well. He’s allowed one runs and eight hits over his last two starts (12.2 innings). Can’t possibly trust him against the White Sox Friday, can you? The answer is no.
Jeff Samardzija had a complete game shutout Monday. Where did this come from? JS shut down the Tigers on one hit and 88 pitches 
Monday. His previous time on the bump he allowed 10 runs over three innings to the Athletics. Over his previous five outings Jeff had a 9.22 ERA and 1.98 WHIP. Just bonkers he killed it Monday.
Josh Tomlin allowed nothing Sunday over 5.2 shutout innings against the White Sox. What is going on here? Through eight starts, the league average arm, is 6-2 with a 2.43 ERA and 0.74 WHIP. Those are bonkers good numbers and numbers Tomlin should only be able to dream about. Alas, there they are. Tomlin has walked six batters in eight starts which has helped him despite the fact that he’s been bombed for 11 homers. Two huge issues that have to concern you even if you’re rolling Tomlin out there. (1) He has a .175 BABIP that is exactly .100 points below his career mark. That’s so stupid low I don’t even need to break it down. (2) Those homers. Tomlin has allowed 1.78 homers per nine and has an ERA under 2.50. Not possible. His xFIP on the year is 3.56, a full run above his current mark.
Ryan Zimmerman is still unable to swing the bat because of his oblique woes. It’s possible his season could be at an end. His season has undeniably been a disappoint (.249-16-73), but there was his incredible second half that brought some hope that if he could just stay healthy he could still be a very effective big league hitter. Over his last 39 games Zimmerman hit .311 with a 1.024 OPS as he socked 13 doubles, 11 homers and drove in 39 runs. He will only qualify at first base next season.
Just cause.
Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Thursday at 8 PM EDT and Friday at 10 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).