Once again, all three of the main contenders for the National League Cy Young race took the mound on Tuesday night featuring a rematch of Max Scherzer versus Aaron Nola and Jacob deGrom taking on the Cubs in Wrigley. While other sports feature moving days, deGrom’s start in Chicago encapsulated his season. He allowed one run on eight hits with a walk and 10 strikeouts. deGrom drove in the only Mets run in a suspended game in which he will not factor in the decision. This start marks the 24th straight game deGrom’s allowed three runs or less tying a team record held by Dwight Gooden from 1985. It’s also the 60th start of 134 in deGrom’s career during which he’s allowed one run or fewer. Last but not least, deGrom’s made 19 of his 27 starts against teams with a .500 record or better. His ERA in these outings resides at 1.47 after last night. It’s his award to lose.

Aaron Nola deserved a better fate yielding only four hits, one earned run and two walks with eight strikeouts against the Nationals. Nola’s allowed four hits or fewer in 16 of his 27 starts this year. The last Phillies pitcher to accomplish this was Grover Cleveland in 1893, let that resonate for a moment. Nola lost his bid for a 16th win with another bullpen implosion, this time Pat Neshek blew the lead serving up a home run to Anthony Rendón . Nola lowered his ERA to 2.10 in this start but trails deGrom’s (1.68). Max Scherzer only pitched five innings giving up four hits, three earned runs and five strikeouts. He’s the defending winner of the vaunted award but seems to be drifting in the race due the reasons above.

Roster Adjustments and Injury Updates

Both Eduardo Rodríguez and James Paxton will return from the disabled list and start on Saturday for their respective teams. Good news for their owners but it may pay to see how each fares prior to activating them for next week.

Kris Bryant went 1-for-2 with two walks, a run and an RBI during his rehab outing in Triple-A, He could be activated within the next couple of days. He’s been working on his swing and reports suggest his shoulder feels fine after his first two games.

Kolton Wong was placed on the 10-day disabled list and the Cardinals recalled Patrick Wisdom to take his spot on the active roster.

That Just Happened

Not only did Dellin Betances make his 34th straight appearance with at least a strikeout, but he won his fourth game pitching a clean ninth with two strikeouts. Betances has struck out 58 in 33.2 innings during this stretch with a 0.53 ERA. The Yankees have launched 13 home runs the last six games with Aaron Hicks (22), Miguel Andujar (22) and Neil Walker (9) each hitting one against the White Sox on Tuesday.

Better late than never for Randal Grichuk . He racked up four hits, including his 19th home run, in five at-bats with a run and two RBI. Over his last eight games he’s hitting .444 with three doubles and three home runs.

Jonathan Villar continues to produce with Baltimore going 3-for-4 with two runs, an RBI and his 21st stolen base. Villar’s played 24 games with the Orioles scoring 12 runs with four home runs, 12 RBI and six steals. Trey Mancini tallied two hits, is hitting .298 in the second half and has six doubles with six home runs in August.

Notching his first save since last September, Greg Holland finally recorded one in 2018, with the Nationals just like we all predicted. Holland retired the only two batters he faced and in 11 games with his new team, has a 1.00 ERA in nine innings giving up only five hits with 11 strikeouts against three walks. Sean Doolittle did have an encouraging throwing session, but Holland could get the save opportunities until Doolittle can return.

Speaking of upheaval, Héctor Neris could rise from the ashes to return to the ninth inning in Philadelphia. Seranthony Dominguez has struggled in the second half, Pat Neshek floundered last night blowing the save and taking the loss which leaves Neris. Since his recall, Neris has fired eight straight scoreless outings (7.1 innings) allowing three hits, one walk and striking out 16, not a typo. During this sample, Neris owns a 57.7 strikeout minus walk percentage, a 21.2 swinging strike percentage and a 0.55 WHIP.

Flying beneath the radar for Boston, Jackie Bradley Jr. posted his eight multiple hit game the last 15 games during which he’s hitting .358 with 12 runs, five doubles, a triple, two home runs and seven RBI.

Remember when Christian Yelich could not hit enough fly balls to reach 30 home runs? Yelich hit two more homers on Tuesday pushing his season total to 25 and drove in five during the Brewers loss. Over his last 44 games, Yelich is 67-for-191 (.315) with 14 home runs and 37 RBI.

Yes, Eugenio Suárez has broken out this season and deserves all the acclaim. However, it’s overshadowed José Peraza ’s breakout as well. Peraza went 4-for-5 with four runs and hit his ninth home run. He’s hitting .373 the last 15 games with four doubles, a triple, three home runs, five RBI and stolen two bases.

Carlos Carrasco racked up 11 strikeouts in 7.2 shutout innings to win his 16th game of the year. Since returning from the disabled list on July sixth, Carrasco’s 8-2 with a 2.13 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) spanning 63.1 innings.

Manny Machado stayed hot with four RBI in Texas last night. He’s driven in nine the last three games with two home runs in them. Kenley Jansen continues to struggle giving up three hits, two earned runs and a walk with two strikeouts in a non-save outing. Jansen’s allowed runs in four straight appearances since returning from the disabled list yielding 10 hits, seven earned runs and four home runs in four innings. He needs to be benched going forward.

Why do bullpens matter? Blake Treinen notched his 33rd save with a clean ninth and striking out one. He’s been scoreless in 27 of his last 30 games and converted 30 of his last 32 save chances with an ERA of 0.95 on the season. Roberto Osuna took the loss allowing two hits and an earned run with a walk and two strikeouts for Houston in the same game. If Oakland can make their games bullpen battles in the playoffs, they could surprise.

Jake Junis turned in the first complete game of his career giving up six hits, two earned runs and striking out seven. Since July 21st, he’s 2-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 45.1 innings.

Both Jose Martinez (16) and Tyler O’Neill (7) homered to pace St. Louis to a victory. Martinez leads the team in hits (32) and average (.372) in August. O’Neill’s homered in four of his last five starts with seven RBI. His strikeouts to walks remains troubling, but owners will stomach it for the power.

Has Trevor Story recorded the most quiet 26 home run and 21 stolen base season in recent memory? He’s hitting .291/.347/.538 this year and stolen four bases during his last seven games. Wade Davis locked down his 36th save striking out the side and has worked seven straight scoreless outings.

Back in the saddle for Kirby Yates for his sixth save retiring the only two hitters he faced. HIs owners breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Madison Bumgarner pitched seven scoreless innings allowing four hits and four walks with five strikeouts. He’s given up three runs or less in 13 of 16 starts but note his drop in strikeouts. Will Smith garnered his second win in relief pitching a clean ninth.

What To Watch For

The Mets and Cubs will resume their suspended game at one this afternoon, then Jason Vargas will oppose Alec Mills at 2:20, not quite the marquee match-up last night provided.

Two pitchers battling their ways back from injury face off in Kansas City with Michael Fulmer and Danny Duffy on the mound.

David Price will look to extend his hot stretch versus the Marlins at home. Price has a 1.12 ERA in six starts in the second half with 39 strikeouts in 40.1 innings.

Also, a nice late night battle with Zack Godley facing rookie Dereck Rodriguez trying to keep the Diamondbacks from falling out of first place as the wild west race evolves.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow morning for a recap of Wednesday’s action with Nate Miller. Also, check back later on Fantasy Alarm for Justin Mason’s updates as the NFL rosters take shape.

 

Statistical Credits:

MLB.com

Fangraphs.com

MiLB.com

Baseball-Reference.com