10 Important Stories From 05/15/17 Box Scores: Kiermaier Emerging, Godley’s Solid Start & More

by Ray Kuhn

To begin the week, we had a reduced slate of games, and to call the pitching match-ups less than stellar would have been a compliment. Well in fact, that was not entirely true as Chris Archer facing Carlos Carrasco had the look of a pitching dual. The problem, from a DFS perspective, is that the game started at 6:10 eastern, so it was excluded from a lot of slates. However, it ultimately ended up being a good thing, as Archer allowed six runs in five innings while Carrasco gave up five runs in 3.2 innings before leaving with a pectoral injury. Let’s take a look at some of the performances that stood out, in a good way, from yesterday’s action:

1) Is Kiermaier Coming Around…

Entering the season, the Tampa outfielder was a popular sleeper option. It was with good reason, as Kevin Kiermaier brings a power/speed combination to the table that is a fantasy asset. His batting average would hold him back from being elite, but at the same time, it was supposed to be the .220 it was in April. Kiermaier truly struggled to start the season, as he hit just one run home run with three RBI, although he did steal bases. May, or really just the last four games, have been different for Kiermaier, and if he was dropped by an inpatient owner, now is the time to snap him back up. After going 2 for 2 with a walk and two runs scored, including his third home run of the season, he is hitting .271 so far this month with two home runs and eight RBI. Over his last four games though, the picture looks even better as Kiermaier is 7 for 11 with five runs scored, two home runs, and five RBI.

2) Can Justin Smoak Really Fit in the Middle of the Order…

For the past few years, that was always the expectation out of Smoak, but he never delivered. It got to the point, that nothing was expected for the first base, and that continued (from a fantasy perspective) when he was slated to replace Edwin Encarnacion this season. However, a strange thing has happened; Smoak has become a fantasy relevant, middle of the order threat. Smoak hit his eighth home run of the season on Monday, as part of a 2 for 3 effort, and raised his batting average to .283 on the season; with a .301 BABIP. So far this season, Smoak is up to 25 RBI, and he is sporting a .252 ISO which certainly gets your attention. One difference that I notice in Smoak this season, aside from the success, is that he is now squaring the ball up better than in the past; 38.6% of balls to center field compared to 28.3% last season.

3) Atlanta is Agreeing with Matt Kemp…

And with that, I mean the team in general, not just playing his home games in the city. Freddie Freeman was, and is, a given as he went deep once again last night, but the Braves are now the owners of a legitimate middle of the order duo. Kemp had a perfect day yesterday, 4 for 4, as the Braves put up 10 runs on Toronto. Kemp’s day included two doubles (11 on the season), three runs scored, and a walk as he raised his average to .346 on the season. While he didn’t drive in any runs last night, Kemp does have 18 RBI on the season, so I wouldn’t be concerned as he fits nicely behind Freeman.

4) It’s a Grand Night for Yuli…

For the second straight day, the Astros made good use of a grand slam. This time, they waited until the sixth inning to strike, and when they did, Yuli Gurriel put Houston up for good. After struggling last season following his late season promotion, Gurriel has begun to show why the Astros were so eager to acquire him, but it is also for him to get lost in the shuffle. Despite playing first base, not his natural position, Gurriel isn’t a power threat, and Houston has no shortage of stars. The grand slam was Gurriel’s third home run of the season, and it increased his RBI total to 14, and he also added his eighth double of the season. Gurriel is now hitting .293 this season, and he shouldn’t be overlooked.

5) Joe Musgrove Guts it Out…

Musgrove has no shortage of talent, but putting it all together with consistency has held him back so far his in young career. Monday though, was an impressive outing for the young right-hander, as he battled through some trouble (escaping a bases loaded job) and kept the Marlins at bay. The fact that it came on the road is also a positive development as Musgrove picked up his third victory of the season. It certainly wasn’t a perfect outing as Musgrove allowed eight hits, but just one walk, in 5.2 innings, but they damage was limited to one run. Musgrove struck out five, and lowered his ERA to 4.57 (4.43 xFIP). While he is not a finished product, Musgrove is a starter to keep an eye on.

6) No Win, But a Solid Start for Godley…

If he continues to pitch like this, Zack Godley won’t have to worry about losing his spot in Arizona’s rotation. However, from a fantasy perspective, he still has some work to do before becoming more than just a streaming option. In 6.2 innings, Godley limited the Mets to just one run, on one hit, but he also walked five batters. He never was truly in trouble throughout the game, but some of that has to be put on the Mets as well, plus his seven strikeouts also helped. In three starts so far this season, Godley has a 1.93 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 18.2 innings after struggling in 27 games, nine starts, with Arizona last season (6.52 ERA).

7) Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop…

We aren’t coming up with anything revolutionary here; Mike Trout is good. Very good, actually great, in fact. Taking a look at Trout’s performance from last night, you would actually accuse the outfielder of having an off night, as he had just one hit. In fact his 1 for 3 performance, with a walk, caused his batting average to fall to .352. However, that one hit did happen to be his 12th home run of the season and it was the fourth straight game in which Trout went deep. It was a solo shot, and brought Trout’s RBI total to 27 on the season. At least there is one thing that we are sure of this season that has gone as expected; Trout is the best player in baseball (although Bryce Harper is trying to make his case).

8) Hunter Renfroe Has a Night…

After arriving on the scene with gusto, and power, last September, big things were expected from Renfroe in 2017. His role in San Diego’s outfield and the middle of the order was pretty secure, and things were shaping for a good freshman season. Instead, things have not gone according to plan, and Renfroe found himself batting seventh on Monday while also on a lot of fantasy waiver wires. On Monday, Renfroe was 2 for 4 with a walk to raise his average to .217, and both hits illustrated why he was a popular sleeper pick this season. Renfroe’s sixth double of the season plated two runs early in the game, and then he ended things in the 10th inning with a two run home run. It was his seventh home run of the season and brought Renfroe’s RBI total to 17. The outfielder will continue to be inconsistent, 43 strikeouts in 139 at bats doesn’t help, but there is legitimate power in his bat.

9) Kyle Seager Makes it Count…

Seager had just one hit on Monday, but he made sure it counted. The problem though, is that the two run shot was just Seager’s third home run of the season. Run production hasn’t been a problem for the third baseman, he’s up to 21 RBI, but he also hitting just .254 on the season. It isn’t bad enough to label him as a true disappointment, but Seager also has left his fantasy owners wanting more.

10) A Surprisingly Solid Start…

Matt Cain is for from the pitcher he was a few years ago when he got the big contract from San Francisco. But after working back from injury and poor performance, he now appears to at least be a solid streaming option. Granted the game was at home, giving the Giant hurler the park advantage, the expectation was that the Dodgers’ offense was going to have a good night. That didn’t work out to be the case as Cain limited them to just one run on five hits and three walks in 6.2 innings for his third victory of the season. Cain struck out five batters while lowering his ERA to 4.04. In four home games so far this season, Cain’s ERA is 1.19, while it jumps to 7.32 in four road starts.

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