With the MLB trading deadline closed, and the NFL preseason
whetting our palates, the month of August sets the table for the stretch run of
the baseball season. The question is which
pitchers can we count on to satisfy our tastes, and which ones figure to sour
our stomachs? Take a look below.
Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better
success ratio in team-starts over the course of the last three seasons during
the month of August. On the flip side, we've also listed pitchers that struggle
in August, winning 33% percent or less of their team-start efforts. To qualify
pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each
April over the last three years. And for your convenience alongside each record
we break down each pitcher's greatest success or greatest failure rate either
home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.
Note: * designates a categorical repeat appearance by this
pitcher, maintaining status quo from last season's August list.
I'll be back next month with September's Good
Month Pitchers. Until then, make like
legendary singer and songwriter Neil Diamond and enjoy the hot August nights.
GOOD MONTH
PITCHERS:
*Bauer, Trevor
• 12-3 (6-1 A)
In Bauer's last start in July, he
added a whole new dimension to the phrase "control pitcher". With
that behind him, the right-hander can focus on being a top-notch pitcher like
he's frequently been in the latter stages of the season. Bauer can have a big
month if he cuts back on silly mistakes now that he's joined a pitching-rich
Reds' staff.
Hamels, Cole •
14-3 (7-1 H)
The Cubs left-hander was in the
midst of a fine season at 6-3 with a 2.98 ERA when he suffered a left
oblique strain. He made one rehab start on July 26th and if the next one goes
well, he'll be back with Chicago in the early part of this month. If the Cubs
are to return to the playoffs, they will need a healthy Hamels.
*Kluber, Corey •
15-2 (9-1 H)
The Cleveland right-hander is getting
close to returning after breaking his right arm early in the season. Last month
he tossed off the bullpen mound and is inching closer to a couple of rehab
starts. If all goes well, he'll be back with the Indians in the second half of
August and could be a major factor for the Tribe when the postseason starts,
especially now that Bauer has been shipped off to Cincinnati.
Pomeranz, Drew •
9-3 (7-1 A)
The Giants lefty was afforded
every opportunity to turn his season around, but with an ERA of 6.42 after
another terrible start, manager Bruce Boche pulled the plug. Pomeranz is now
working out of the bullpen, where he will stay barring an injury to a San
Francisco starter.
*Porcello, Rick •
12-6 (7-2 H)
It has been an extremely long
season for the former Cu Young winner. A good outing now for Porcello is three
runs allowed in five or six innings. In an era of low batting averages,
opposing batters are knocking him around for over a .280 average. As bad as
he's pitched, on the road he's surrendered a .313 BA on the road. Boston could
use a typical August from Porcello, but that seems unlikely.
Roark, Tanner •
13-4 (7-2 A)
After a 16-10 season with
career-best 2.87 ERA in 2016, Roark was 22-26 the next two years with an ERA of
4.50. He was traded to Cincinnati in the off-season and was pitching well
through June with a 3.36 ERA, but with only a .500 record due to a lack of run
support. At the end of July, his ERA had zoomed to 4.24. Let's see if the
right-hander can turn it around this month.
Scherzer, Max •
11-5 (5-2 A)
After being one baseball's most
durable starting pitcher, Mad Max begins the month on the IL, his second stint
since July. He has something called a rhomboid strain (upper back). Because
this is a stretch or tear of these muscles, rest is the only real cure and
there is no timetable for Scherzer return. Needless to say, Washington needs
its ace.
Taillon, Jameson •
11-5 (7-1 A)
The right-hander has been out
since the beginning of May because of a flexor strain and started to throw in
July. On the 24th he felt tightness in his elbow and was shut down. Taillon is
likely done for 2019.
BAD MONTH PITCHERS:
Cashner, Andrew •
5-10 (2-5 H)
Cashner's ERA was about the same
this season with Baltimore to match career numbers, but thanks to run support
he had a 9-3 record. Traded to Boston, Cashner immediately began to get hit
like a drum in a marching band, having to pitch with pressure. Unless the Red
Sox hit, Cashner will not win many games for his new club.
Cole, Gerrit •
5-10 (3-6 H)
Don't expect Cole to continue to
fight for wins this month. The righty is having a terrific season as 12-5 with
a 2.94 ERA as August commences and with Houston's offense, he'll pile up the
victories.
Matz, Steven •
2-8 (0-4 A)
Strictly a back of the rotation
hurler who is a fly ball pitcher and in today's game, that's a problem. Matz is
in the Top 15 of long balls allowed in the senior circuit and will likely stay
there for the rest of 2019.
Sanchez, Anibal •
5-11 (2-6 H)
Thought as just an innings-eater
and 5th starter for Washington, Sanchez has an ERA under 3.00 since May. With a little
better run support, he and the Nationals would have a better than 8-5 record in
the span. As good as he's pitched, the numbers suggest regression going forward.
For more on Marc Lawrence click here.