Jason Hammel will not make his start Friday due to right elbow tightness. He might not even make the postseason roster at this point since it’s pretty clear that he won’t be able to start for the club. On the season Hammel has been impressive with a career best 15 victories. However, he’s tanked in the second half faster than my blood pressure when I leap out of bed in the middle of the night (I have low blood pressure). Over his last seven starts Hammel has gone 2-5 for the Cubs with 31 strikeouts in 32.1 innings. That’s the good part folks. Over his seven starts he has an 8.35 ERA and 1.79 WHIP as he’s been blasted for nine homers leading to a 2.51 HR/9 mark. The beatings surged his ERA to 3.83, a three year high, and his 1.21 WHIP was also a three year high. Still solid, but nothing elite. Finally, Hammel failed – AGAIN – to pitch 180-innings. The guy has been in the big leagues for 11 years and he’s never hit 180-innings pitched. His body just can’t handle the innings. It’s a fact. He will finish with 166.2 innings pitched this season. He will be over drafted next season. He won’t be better than an SP4 on my board, probably even lower, as he simply isn’t as good as folks think he is.

Daniel Norris will start for the Tigers Friday versus the Braves (in Atlanta), followed by Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Verlander. Through 13 games this season Norris has a 3.59 ERA and 62 punchouts in 62.2 innings. Sat the same time, he’s WHIP is an unsightly 1.44. He hasn’t gone deep into games, never more than 6.1 innings this season, though he has gone five innings in 9-straight outings. He is on a nice roll of late allowing five earned runs with 23 strikeouts over his last three starts (17 innings). The Tigers game with the Indians Thursday was postponed because of rain by the way, and the game will be made up Monday if necessary.

Drew Pomeranz said that his forearm is alright and that he will be able to come out of the bullpen in the playoffs for the Red Sox. Over his last three starts Pom allowed 10 runs over 10.2 innings as it certainly seems like he has worn down because of all the innings.

Joe Ross threw four innings of one run ball Thursday. He struck out five while needing 90 pitchers. He will finish the year with a 3.43 ERA. A bright future.

Masahiro Tanaka (forearm) said that after throwing a bullpen session Thursday the he will be ready to make his start Saturday against the Orioles. The Yankees haven’t committed to allowing Tanaka to start. It’s possible the Yankees will be eliminated by then, and if they are why would they risk Tanaka in a meaningless late season start when he’s not 100 percent? Answer is – they wouldn’t. I’d suspect he won’t throw another pitch in the regular season.

Who doesn’t love Bob Ross? If you don’t, you’re a horrible human being.

 

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).