Johnny Cueto has been exactly what the Giants had hoped for this season with a 2.98 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 14-5 record for the Giants. He hasn’t been that guy in the second half though as his last nine starts he’s 1-4 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.36 WHIP as he is struggling for relevance. That said, he’s been better his last four outings with a 3.33 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. Again, overall been great, but there’s not much to see at the moment that leads me to think a return to Cueto’s first half excellence is likely. Still, should be solid ROTW.

Jerad Eickhoff has had a rather impressive first full season for the Phillies with a 3.90 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 7.46 K/9 and 2.12 BB/9 rate through 27 games. He might only be 9-13, but he’s pitched really well with my only concern being the long ball (1.22 per nine). Eickhoff has tossed back-to-back quality starts, and over his last seven outings it’s a 3.88 K/BB ratio and 1.10 WHIP, with that uninspiring 1.51 HR/9 mark. Jerad has been better at home (3.35. 1.21 WHIP, 3.76 K/BB) than on the road (4.56 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 3.24 K/BB) this season.

Tom Koehler has gone 9-10 over 150 innings this season with a 4.02 ERA. But if you’ve been paying attention to my work you will have noted and taken advantage of his strong recent work. After seven games in a row with three runs allowed or less Tom klunked up the last time out with five runs allowed in five innings to the Mets. Still, that poor effort left him with a 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 3.50 K/BB ratio over his last eight trips to the hill. Keep an eye on the homers as he’s allowed five in four games. I’d still expect a solid final month.

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Seth Lugo allowed two runs over six innings against the Marlins as he continues to fill in for Steven Matz who had a setback with his shoulder and will not start this week as planned. Lugo will make at least one more start, but at this point I simply cannot believe Matz will have an injury free September, can you? He’s a disaster physically making Lugo a solid option in NL-only leagues. Lugo has a 2.60 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 7.27 strikeouts per nine, 2.86 walks per nine and a 1.09 GB/FB ratio. Nothing great there and I have to admit that it could all go horribly wrong as he’s allowed just one homer to this point. That rate is going to increase substantially.

Collin McHugh has gone 9-10 with a 4.80 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. He’s just not come around. He hasn’t. He’s allowed three runs his last two starts so that’s something. He’s also allowed three earned runs or less in 5-of-6 outings. If Quality Starts are your goal, McHugh is your man. If anything else is your goal keep looking, despite the 146 strikeouts in 148 innings and mere 2.49 BB/9 rate.

Jake Odorizzi held the Red Sox, in Boston, to three runs over six innings. That’s the 9th straight game in which he’s allowed three or fewer earned runs. Moreover, since the All-Star Game, over those nine starts, he has a 1.89 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He has a 7.58 K/9 and 2.05 BB/9 as well. He’s dropped his ERA to 3.56 and his WHIP to 1.21 this year. Last season the numbers were 3.35 and 1.15.

Ricky Nolasco is who he is, a league average arm. Gio Gonzalez is the same Gio we see year after year. Luke Weaver has been everything as advertised for the redbirds. CHECK OUT THE DAILY DIVE VIDEO.

James Paxton is just not someone I ever want on my team. You simply cannot trust him. The latest issue that he’s dealing with is a torn middle finger fingernail. "I put the nail-hardener on there," he said, "and it’s feeling pretty good. It’s a fake nail, but it’s not an acrylic nail. It’s some powdered stuff with some glue. They thought this would be my best option, so we’re going to give it a try. We’re going to let it sit, dry out and harden for the next couple of days. Then get back to it. Hopefully, it stays on, and I can battle my way through the rest of the season." The team expects him to be able to start Monday against the Rangers. We shall see. Paxton also dealt with fingernail problems last season. Paxton has made 15 starts with a 3.83 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 4.10 K/BB ratio. Since the start of last season he’s gone 7-9 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 7.83 K/9 ratio. #JustAGuy

Drew Pomeranz has really settled down with the Red Sox. In six starts in August he allowed three or fewer earned runs each time with 39 punchouts in 36.2 innings. He did allow five homers (1.23 per nine) but just 12 walks in the six outings with six of which came in one outing (he’s issued six walks in five games). The ratios have been equally impressive at 2.70 for his ERA and 1.17 for his WHIP. Perhaps he will indeed finish the year well, despite my concerns (chiefly walks and workload).

Max Scherzer has 21 strikeouts his last two outings, both lasting eight innings. In his last four outings of seven innings he’s struck out at least 10 batters. Still, in nine starts since the All-Star break he has a 10.68 K/9, well below his 11.27 K/9 mark for the season. #StillAnAce

Julio Teheran has made 24 starts this season. He’s a ghastly 4-9 for the Braves. However, he has a 3.12 ERA and 1.02 WHIP this season with an 8.02 K/9 and 1.89 BB/9 rate. Those are all all-star level numbers. In three starts since missing time with injury he’s posted a 5.50 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, but his last time out it was seven innings of two runs ball against the Padres as he walked none and struck out eight. As long as he stays healthy there is little reason to think he won’t finish strong.

 

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 11 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).