Baseball Daily Dose: Daily Dose: Arrieta Cy Young?
An incredible regular season might have been capped off with a performance to win the NL Cy Young Award for Jake Arrieta on Sunday night.
Chicago’s ace carried a perfect game into the seventh inning vs. Pittsburgh, and ended up winning his 21st game by allowing only one hit in seven scoreless innings and fanning nine batters. He also hit a home run off A.J. Burnett.
Arrieta only added to a legendary second half of the season. He lowered his full season ERA to 1.82, and has a 0.80 ERA and 0.75 WHIP since the break. He’s now picked up wins in 10 of his last 11 starts, and has prolonged his streak to 19 consecutive quality starts. The Cubs have also won 16 of his last 17 starts, dating back to July 2.
Of course, Arrieta still trails Zack Greinke in ERA (1.65), but leads him in innings, wins, and strikeouts, trailing only Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer among NL pitchers in the latter category.
With the Cubs likely lining up Arrieta for the one game Wild Card playoff, it remains to be seen how many innings Arrieta will throw in his next start, if he pitches at all during the last week of the regular season. Either way, his fantasy owners have to be jumping for joy in what has been a historical stretch run.
Papelbon Attacks Harper, Then Implodes
It’s been one of those years for the Nationals, and Sunday’s fight between Jonathan Papelbon and Bryce Harper adds one more giant blemish.
Paps looked to have some words when Harper returned to the dugout after flying out, apparently not happy with the superstar’s lack of hustle. From there, Papelbon appeared to put his hands around Harper’s knock after the two had words. Harper didn’t return to the game in the ninth inning, while Papelbon inexplicably returned for the ninth inning to allow five runs – two earned — including a home run to Andres Blanco.
Papelbon hasn’t exactly been a sure thing since joining the Nationals, blowing two saves this month, but he has been mostly effective with a 3.04 ERA as a National. He took blame after the incident, and remains the closer over the last week of the season.
However, the incident could have offseason implications for a team that has been such a severe disappointment. Manager Matt Williams was already on the hot seat, and losing control of the Washington clubhouse could be the last straw for the second-year manager. Additionally, it will be interesting to see if Washington attempts to do anything about Papelbon during the offseason, as he’s signed through 2016.
Inciarte Powers the Diamondbacks
Ender Inciarte certainly isn’t known for his power, but he launched a pair of home runs in Arizona’s 4-2 win over San Diego on Sunday. He now has six home runs for the season and eight for his career over 933 at-bats.
Inciarte has put together an impressive offensive season for Arizona, now hitting .304-6-45 with 21 steals and 72 runs scored in 520 at-bats. His performance has also been consistent, hitting above .300 during the second half of the season after hitting .287 before the break.
He’s also impressively carved out a role as a semi-regular this season in a crowded outfield. Playing most of his time in the outfield corners, Inciarte hasn’t been a big offensive asset with only a .743 OPS this season, but his defense has allowed him to put together a WAR near 3.0. For fantasy owners, Inciarte has been an asset in three categories.
Padres starter James Shields allowed both of the home runs, and also one homer to David Peralta during the game. It’s just another frustrating start for Shields, whose ERA stands at 3.91 due in large part to 33 home runs allowed in 202.1 innings this season.
American League Quick Hits: Huston Street will miss the rest of the regular season after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 groin strain. The Angels will mix and match in the closer role over the last week with Joe Smith also out … Sonny Gray (hip) is unlikely to make another start this season … Jered Weaver said his shoulder was uncomfortable during his start on Sunday, but he’s still expected to make his next start … Matt Shoemaker (forearm) won’t make his scheduled start on Tuesday for the Angels … Derek Holland left his last start with a fingernail injury, but he doesn’t think he will miss his next start … Henry Owens threw 7.2 scoreless innings vs. Baltimore on Sunday … Chris Young returned to the rotation to throw five no-hit innings for the Royals … Carlos Gomez (intercoastal) was able to serve as a pinch runner on Sunday, but still isn’t able to swing a bat … Edward Mujica (hamstring) returned to throw a scoreless inning on Sunday … Danny Valencia is day-to-day with an elbow injury after being hit by a pitch …
National League Quick Hits: Ryan Braun (back) has been shut down for the season. He finishes with an impressive bounce-back season, hitting .285-25-84 with 24 steals … Aaron Nola has been shut down for the season to limit his innings … Raisel Iglesias has been shut down for the year after experiencing shoulder fatigue recently … A.J. Pierzynski returned after leaving Friday’s game with a bruised shoulder … Cristhian Adames left Sunday’s game after colliding with Joc Pederson … Freddie Freeman will meet with a hand specialist on Monday to check on his right wrist, but he hopes to play out the last week of the season … Tyler Holt was claimed off waivers by the Reds from the Indians … Sean Marshall (shoulder) will not be activated from the DL before the end of the season …
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