Entering Wednesday’s start as a huge favorite in Vegas along with an inflated price on DFS sites, Clayton Kershaw turned in a clunker against the Marlins. He entered the game without issuing a walk in his previous 26 innings and handed out six to Miami. Kershaw only completed five innings giving up five hits, three earned runs and struck out seven on 112 pitches in an inefficient evening.

Due to the back problems in his past, should fantasy owners now be worried or will this prove to be a blip? Here’s his career velocity chart courtesy of BrooksBaseball.net:

In line with the chart, his average fastball velocity on Wednesday, according to BaseballSavant.com, finished at 90.9 MPH with a maximum velocity of 92.1 MPH. Through six starts, Kershaw’s incurred four losses. For perspective, he lost four games total in both the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Kershaw’s allowing more line drives and contact with a decreased swinging strike percentage. In fact, his swinging strike rate ranks behind Cole Hamels at 26th for qualified starting pitchers. This start marks the first time Kershaw’s allowed at least five walks since September 23rd of 2012, so it’s potentially an anomaly. However, if there’s an underlying health issue, it could be a harbinger. Stay tuned.

 

That Just Happened

Fantasy prospectors united in their joy with the promotion of Ronald Acuna Jr. to the majors. Although he finished 1-for-5, Acuna did record his first major league hit, a single up the middle during the eighth inning. His first two outs had exit velocities of 100.8 MPH and 97.4 MPH, so be patient with the young stud.

While many focus on Acuna’s arrival, take note of who closed the game for Atlanta last night. A.J. Minter took the ball in the ninth with Joey Votto leading off the inning and Scooter Gennett after him. Atlanta played the match-ups with Minter to face the left-handed hitters rather than use their “closer” Arodys Vizcaíno . It worked with Minter retiring the side in order with a strikeout for his first major league save. However, it’s his manager’s quotes after the game suggesting the ninth inning will be shared based on match-ups. If Minter’s on your waiver wire, resolve it. Great news for those who speculated on Minter, bad news for Vizcaino owners who will receive fewer save chances.

It was a rough night for starting pitchers not named Kershaw as well. Sonny Gray failed to pitch past the fifth inning for the fourth time in five starts this year leaving the game with bases loaded after 4.2 innings of work. While the Yankees try to fix his mechanical issues, it may be time to bench him until he shows signs of improvement. Steven Matz only lasted 3.1 innings in St. Louis giving up seven runs (three earned) on 88 pitches. He’s yet to record more than 16 outs in a start with his ERA up to 4.98 on the year. Last, proof pitchers need spring training, Alex Cobb ’s given up 30 hits in his first 11.2 innings this season for the Orioles. Woof.

Boston won a tough game in Toronto on the heels of another strong Mookie Betts performance. Betts launched two home runs and it’s the ninth time of his career doing so as the lead-off hitter. Over the last 100 years, Alfonso Soriano leads the majors with 19 such games, with Rickey Henderson accomplishing the feat 11 times. However, Betts is the only one on the list to do so eight times prior to his Age-26 season and is now tied for seventh on this list needing only one more game to catch Craig Biggio. By the way, Betts still has more walks (12) than strikeouts (11) this year, he’s hitting more fly balls (up almost nine percent) and as of this writing owns a hard hit percentage of 50, mercy.

Not to be outdone, Didi Gregorius homered for the fourth straight game. Gregorius went a perfect 3-for-3 with two walks, his ninth home run and drove in three. He’s hitting a ridiculous .273/.470/.833 on the season with 29 RBI in 23 games.

In injury news, Andrew Miller left last night’s game after throwing only two pitches. He grabbed at his hamstring and a potential disabled list appearance looms on the horizon.

It does not happen often, but Anthony Rizzo made his first error this year and one day beyond his last one when he overthrew second base on a bunt attempt to get the lead runner.

 

On Tap

Thursday will feature a mix of day games and evening affairs. Minnesota will try to salvage a game in New York before heading home. Seattle hopes James Paxton can bounce back in a start versus the Indians on the road facing Mike Clevinger in a potential pitching duel. Speaking of duel, Noah Syndergaard will oppose Carlos Martínez in St. Louis if one has the chance to watch them square off.

 

Burning Questions

Will Chris Archer bounce back in Baltimore? Can Dylan Bundy maintain his dominant start to the season? What velocities will Chris Sale sit at during his match-up with Toronto? Can anyone slow down Mookie or Didi?

All of this and more will be covered in tonight’s Closing Bell on Fantasy Alarm, so be sure to check back.

 

Statistical Credits:

MLB.com

BaseballSavant.com

BrooksBaseball.net