While the National League playoff picture continues to evolve, so does the race for the Cy Young Award. With all three taking the mound on Thursday, let the debate begin. For starters, a poll which ran from last night prior to publish featured Jacob deGrom getting 41 percent of the votes, Aaron Nola 32-percent and Max Scherzer 27-percent. Here’s how each fared on Thursday.

It’s going to be difficult to overlook what Jacob deGrom ’s accomplished this season but he fell to 8-8 losing at home giving up four hits, two runs (one earned) and four walks with 10 strikeouts. During this outing, deGrom generated 19 swinging strikes but only three called of his 108 pitches and seemed frustrated with the strike zone often on Thursday. He’s made 23 straight starts giving up three runs or less, one short of the Mets franchise record set by Dwight Gooden in 1985. Plus, deGrom’s fired 18 consecutive quality starts, leads the majors in ERA (1.71) and has 214 strikeouts on the season. Can the analytical voters pull an upset in the voting?

Surging of late, Aaron Nola outdueled Max Scherzer in Washington firing eighth shutout innings limiting the Nationals to five hits and a walk with nine strikeouts. Nola produces 20 swinging strikes (10 from his curveball) and 18 called of his 102 pitches. Over his last three starts, Nola’s 3-0 yielding one earned run in 21 innings with 25 strikeouts. Nola’s also won 15 games against three losses and if he can pitch the Phillies into the postseason, recency bias could push him to the forefront of this race.

As the defending winner of the award, counting out Max Scherzer does not make sense, especially given his 244 strikeouts so far this year to go along with his 16-6 record. Scherzer took the loss on Thursday, but held the Phillies to two hits, two earned runs and four walks 10 strikeouts. It’s going to be tough to beat Scherzer in numbers alone since he leads the National League in wins, innings, strikeouts and WHIP (0.89). It’s going to fun to watch unfold, just like the teams fighting for the playoffs.

 

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That Just Happened

Not to be overshadowed by the pitchers in the National League, David Price continued his hot streak holding the Indians to three hits in eight shutout innings and striking out seven. Price moved to 5-0 in the second half with a 1.12 ERA his last six starts (40.1 innings) and 39 strikeouts versus seven walks.

One day removed from seeing his hit streak end, Greg Allen did finish 2-for-3 with his 12th stolen base. Allen’s hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games going 22-for-57 (.386) with 11 runs, a double, home run, six RBI and six stolen bases since July 15th.

With Seranthony Dominguez struggling with his slider in the second half, Pat Neshek converted his fourth save of the season on Thursday, and second in his last four appearances. Neshek’s only pitched in 19 games so far, but owns a 1.06 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in them. As for Dominguez, he’s struggled to a 6.10 ERA, 6.74 FIP and 1.65 WHIP in 10.1 innings since the break and his hold on the closer role with the Phillies in playoff contention seems tenuous.

Nick Castellanos stayed hot hitting his 19th home run and has hit .410 his last 10 games (16-for-39) with nine runs, four doubles, three homers and 12 RBI. Plus, he gets the White Sox all weekend against whom Castellanos has hit .400 with a 1.205 on-base plus slugging, five home runs in 55 at-bats and 17 RBI in 13 games this season in town for the weekend.

Those looking for middle infield help in deeper formats, Ronny Rodriguez extended his hit streak to eight games on Thursday and hit his first home run of the season.

Death, taxes and Madison Bumgarner against the Mets in Citi Field? Bumgarner won his fifth game of the season limiting the Mets to five hits, one earned run and struck out eight. Bumgarner has held opponents to three runs of less in 12 of 15 starts and moved to 6-0 at Citi Field in six starts with a 0.59 ERA in 46 innings.

Todd Frazier provided the only blemish to Bumgarner’s day hitting his 14th home run in the eighth inning. Frazier’s knocked in 14 runs the last 17 games with a .323 average (20-for-62).

Another sullied outing for Kirby Yates . He blew his first save of the season giving up a walk-off two run home run to Ian Desmond . Yates has lost three of his last five appearances yielding a home run in each of them. His strong strikeout to walk rate (17:1) in August masks five earned runs in 7.2 innings. Could Craig Stammen get the next save chance?

Both Desmond and David Dahl homered for the Rockies in their comeback win. Dahl went 2-for-3 with his seventh home run and third since his recent recall. Desmond has 12 RBI his last seven games since August 16th.

Kyle Freeland did not garner the win, but pitched 6.1 strong innings allowing seven hits, two earned runs and a walk with seven strikeouts. Since July second, Freeland’s thrown six quality starts with a 2.40 ERA and the Rockies are 9-1 in them. Plus, Freeland’s 5-1 his last 13 starts with a 2.25 ERA in 80 innings. Not too shabby.

Ronald Acuna Jr. hit his 21sth home run and was hit by a pitch in Miami. Only Mickey Mantle (23), Giancarlo Stanton and Ken Griffey Jr. (22) have hit more in their Age-20 season in the majors. As for Acuna, he’s slashing a robust .337/.418/.787 in August with 22 runs, 10 home runs, 18 RBI and five stolen bases.

A nice bounce back outing for Sean Newcomb who threw six shutout innings giving up two hits and three walks with eight strikeouts en route to his 11th win. Newcomb had yielded 12 earned runs his previous two starts, but moved to 4-0 against the Marlins this year with a 0.75 ERA in 24 innings against them.

Mallex Smith racked up three more hits and stole his 27th base of the season. Smith has recorded multiple hits in seven of his last eight contests and leads the majors with eight steals in August.

For those seeking stolen bases, targeting players when they face Noah Syndergaard and, now Tyler Glasnow could provide a boost in the category. Kansas City stole three bases last night with Alex Gordon going 2-for-3 with a run, double and two steals to raise his total to seven this year. Whit Merrifield went 3-for-4 with a run and his 28th stolen base.

A complete game for Cole Hamels and his fourth win in five starts with the Cubs. Hamels allowed eight hits, an earned run and two walks with seven strikeouts. Since his acquisition, Hamels moved to 4-0 with a 0.79 ERA in 34 innings with 30 strikeouts, eight walks and a 0.94 WHIP.

Flying below the radar, Phil Ervin’s making the most of his playing time with the Reds. Ervin went 2-for-4 with their only RBI and stole his fourth base. In the second half, Ervin’s slashing .341/.375/.576 with 12 runs, six doubles, four home runs, 18 RBI and three stolen bases.

Khris Davis launched his major league leading 39th home run and sits on the precipice of reaching 40 in three straight seasons. He’s hit five in the last five games and 18 over his last 29 to fuel his ascension to first in the category and slugging his way into the Most Valuable Player conversation.

 

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What to Watch For

C.C. Sabathia returns to the mound for the Yankees and will a hot Alex Cobb in Baltimore. If the Yankees lead late, who gets the save chance?

Will the Braves seek retribution for Ronald Acuna in tonight’s game? Miami’s plunked the talented rookie in two straight games.

Detroit welcomes back Michael Fulmer to the rotation as do the Giants with Dereck Rodriguez starting at home against the Rangers.

Two hot teams will match-up in Coors with the Cardinals facing the Rockies as the National League races heat up. Can Rich Hill do the same for the Dodgers against the Padres? If he does, will Kenley Jansen close it out?

Be sure to check back Saturday morning for a recap on Fantasy Alarm in the Round Up. Also, be sure to read Justin Mason’s evening football updates to stay ahead of the competition.

 

Statistical Credits:

MLB.com

Fangraphs.com

BaseballSavant.com