Baseball Daily Dose: Daily Dose: Dallas Star
2015 continues to be the year of Dallas Keuchel.
The Astros ace pitched another gem on Sunday, improving to 17-6 after allowing three runs on five hits in eight innings vs. Minnesota. The lefty fanned 12 batters and walked two. Oddly, the extreme groundball pitcher did allow three solo home runs on Sunday, giving him 13 homers allowed for the season. With the win, Keuchel has sole possession of the wins lead in the AL along with his league-best 2.29 ERA and 0.99 WHIP.
Keuchel’s groundball-to-flyball ratio continues to stand well above 2.00, but it’s the improvement of his strikeout rate that’s been the main statistical driver for his improvement this season. His K/9 above 8.0 has helped him keep an opponent batting average near .200 for the season, and he’s been even better during the second half with 71 strikeouts in 63.1 innings.
There will certainly be more household names among aces in the playoffs, but Keuchel’s season hasn’t been upstaged by many of them. Houston’s next seven series are against AL West division opponents, against which Keuchel holds a 2.02 ERA this season. The Astros have reason to feel confident with Keuchel anchoring their staff in a short playoff series.
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Cueto’s Struggles Continue
Kansas City went all-in acquiring Johnny Cueto from Cincinnati in July, but things aren’t going as planned.
Cueto picked up his fifth loss in eight starts since joining the Royals, allowing five runs on seven hits in only three innings vs. the White Sox. He now has a 4.86 ERA since joining the team, and has allowed 61 hits in only 50 innings.
While Cueto’s control has actually improved with the Royals (seven walks in 50 innings), he’s struggled to miss bats. He has only 38 strikeouts after fanning 120 batters in 130.2 innings with the Reds earlier this season. The recent results have been especially bleak, with 21 earned runs allowed in his last four starts spanning 20 innings.
The good news is that Cueto’s velocity has remained relatively consistent during his struggles, so the issue wouldn’t seem to be related to the minor elbow issues that he fought through earlier this season. Despite his recent struggles, all will be forgiven if Cueto can get back on track down the stretch and pitch like an ace for Kansas City in the playoffs.
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Eaton Getting Red Hot
Adam Eaton is developing a reputation as a streaky second half hitter, getting going for the second consecutive season after the break. He went 3-for-5 with a home run and three runs scored on Sunday, his second long ball in three games.
Eaton has fixed what looked like a sub-par season in the first half, now hitting .277-12-43 with 83 runs and 13 steals. Over the second half, he’s hitting .333-6-25 with eight stolen bases after hitting only .245 before the break. It’s a familiar trend for Eaton, as he hit .347 following the break last season.
His power has been a welcome development after hitting only one home run last season and a total of six over his first 211 career games. His .777 OPS has improved upon last season, and he continues to show as a solid leadoff hitter with a .351 on-base percentage.
American League Quick Hits: Marcus Stroman (knee) could rejoin Toronto’s rotation next Saturday vs. the Yankees … Albert Pujols is scheduled for an MRI on his right foot, but he insists that he will play through the injury … Stephen Vogt left Sunday’s game after getting hit in the groin by a foul ball … Nelson Cruz (quad) remains out of Seattle’s lineup … Steven Souza (hand) played the last of a three-game rehab assignment on Sunday, and will be re-evaluated on Monday … Dustin Pedroia (hamstring) could be activated from the DL as early as Tuesday … Scott Feldman felt continued soreness in his right shoulder while playing catch on Saturday … The Orioles are hopeful Matt Wieters (wrist) can return to the lineup on Monday … David Ortiz is day-to-day after leaving Sunday’s game with tightness in his right calf … Delino DeShields was out of Sunday’s lineup due to soreness in his body … The Orioles claimed Andy Wilkins off waivers from the Dodgers … Toronto claimed former Astros starting third baseman Matt Dominguez off waivers from the Brewers … Matt Shoemaker’s MRI didn’t reveal any damage in his forearm …
National League Quick Hits: Giancarlo Stanton (hand) said it’s possible that he won’t return this season, as he continues to experience soreness … Lucas Duda will be activated from the DL on Monday after finishing his rehab assignment at Double-A Binghamton … In a story that continues to be much ado about nothing, Matt Harvey released a statement that he intends to pitch in the postseason, and he and the organization are on the same page regarding an innings limit during the regular season … The Marlins are targeting a return for Jose Fernandez (biceps) between September 12-17 … There’s a good chance Joe Panik (back) will return on Monday, according to manager Bruce Bochy … Stephen Strasburg (back) threw a successful bullpen session on Sunday. He will return to Washington’s rotation on Wednesday if he doesn’t have any setbacks … Steven Matz left Sunday’s game with a blister, but the Mets don’t think he will miss his next start … Archie Bradley isn’t expected to be promoted this month … The Dodgers got a scare on Sunday when Brett Anderson left with a cramp in his left calf, but he expects to make his next start … A.J. Burnett (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session on Sunday, and could be close to returning … Howie Kendrick (hamstring) could begin rehab games this week … Hector Olivera was scratched from Sunday’s game with a bruised foot … Joaquin Benoit was unavailable on Sunday due to back spasms … Buster Posey hit his 100th career home run vs. the Rockies … Matt Adams (quad) sprinted at full speed on Saturday. He’s still targeting a return later this month … Travis Ishikawa (back) could rejoin the Pirates on Monday … Hector Sanchez is likely out for the year due to ankle and hamstring injuries … Jeremy Affeldt (knee) will be activated from the DL on Monday … Nick Hundley left Sunday’s game with stiffness in his neck … Randal Grichuk was activated from the 15-day DL and in uniform on Sunday but is still limited to pinch-running … Jordan Walden (biceps) will miss the remainder of the 2015 season … Josh Johnson (elbow) is out for the season after another setback, and will visit Dr. James Andrews …
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