Jacob deGrom takes home spotlight honors with his lights-out performance against the potent Dodgers lineup. He pitched seven shutout innings, but was stuck with a no-decision (classic thing for deGrom, as the Mets can’t ever score for him). He gave up just three hits while striking out eight. It was his second straight start of at least seven innings and one or fewer runs against. Not a rare thing for him though, check out this stat (an MLB record by the way):

It was also his fifth straight start with at least six punch-outs. He has given up two or fewer runs in 12 of his past 13 starts. He is at or near the top of every pitching category and it’s looking more and more likely that he may just take home the NL Cy Young award for a second straight season. He will carry a 9-8 record and 2.61 ERA into his next outing.

Strong Outings

  • Mike Foltynewicz delivered another strong outing, tossing six innings of one-run ball in a win over the Nationals. He gave up four hits while striking out five. He has only given up two runs across 18.0 innings in September (three starts). He will carry a 7-5 record and 4.80 ERA into his next outing.
  • Eduardo Rodríguez pitched well in a no-decision against the Phillies, tossing 6.2 innings of one-run ball. He gave up four hits while striking out a day-high 12. The 12 punch-outs were a new season-high. He has been lights-out in September, giving up just two runs across 19.2 innings pitched (0.92 ERA). He will carry a 17-6 record and 3.64 ERA into his next outing in what has been a very quiet fantastic season.
  • Mike Clevinger was dominant in a losing effort, hurling eight innings of two-run ball. He gave up six hits while striking out 10. He has at least six strikeouts in 14 straight starts (has done so in all but one start this year) and this was his sixth time reaching double-digits this year. He will carry an 11-3 record and 2.68 ERA into his next start. If he can ever put together a full season, he will be a Cy Young type guy.
  • Aaron Nola pitched well on the other side of Erod, hurling seven innings of one-run ball in a no-decision. He gave up four hits while striking out nine. It was an outing that Nola badly needed after giving up nine runs in his last 10 innings (two starts). He extended his streak of at least six strikeouts to seven games. He will carry a 12-5 record and 3.62 ERA into his next outing.
  • Hyun-Jin Ryu finally bounced back from a string of poor outings, tossing seven shutout innings in a no-decision against the Mets. He gave up two hits while striking out six. He battled pitch for pitch with deGrom. Ryu had been getting knocked around in his past few outings and really needed an outing like this one to stay in the Cy Young conversation. He will carry a 12-5 record and 2.35 ERA into his next outing.
  • Jordan Lyles tossed six innings of one-run ball in a win over the Cardinals. He gave up six hits while striking out four. He continues to be a huge add for the Brewers and has been their best pitcher since they acquired him. He has given up two or fewer runs in eight of nine starts with the Brew Crew (a 2.39 ERA since the trade). He will carry an 11-8 record and 4.25 ERA into his next outing.

Hitter Highlights

Brett Gardner had a big day at the dish, going 3-5 with a pair of home runs, a double, and five RBI. Gardy is only hitting .239 in September, but he does have seven home runs and 12 RBI in just 46 at-bats this month. He has swatted a career high 25 home runs this season.

Kris Bryant went a perfect 3-3 with a home run and four RBI in the Cubs big 14-1 win over the Pirates. He is now hitting .344 with three home runs and nine RBI in September. For the year he is hitting .285 with 29 home runs, 73 RBI, and 103 runs scored. I think the shoulder is just fine.

Kyle Tucker went a perfect 4-4 in the Astros win over the Royals. They were all singles, but he also had a RBI, a run scored, and a pair of stolen bases. He is now hitting .353 with a home run, six RBI, and three stolen bases through 34 at-bats. Remind me again why the Astros can’t find an everyday spot in their lineup for this guy?

Yordan Alvarez didn’t draw the start for the Astros, but he still swatted a pinch-hit three-run home run. He is now hitting .319 with 25 home runs and 75 RBI across his first 76 games played. What he is doing is just incredible and there is a very strong chance he takes home AL ROY, despite only playing a little more than half of the season.

What to Watch for Today

Jordan Montgomery (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his first start of 2019. He probably won’t throw more than two or three innings in this one, so don’t expect a big time fantasy performance, but Montgomery has been a very solid pitcher in his career and could be a big boost for the Yankees down the stretch.

Johnny Cueto (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will look to build off his stellar first start when he takes on the Marlins at home. In his 2019 debut Cueto fired five shutout innings and only gave up one hit. A great matchup with the Marlins awaits him today and he will probably see some DFS love.

Walker Buehler (13-3, 3.14 ERA) and Zack Wheeler (11-7, 4.21 ERA) provide us with an interesting pitching duel for Sunday Night Baseball. Buehler fired seven shutout innings his last time out while striking out 11. Wheeler also pitched well his last time out, hurling seven innings of one-run ball in a win.