September
Good Month/Bad Month Pitchers
By
Marc Lawrence
Much
like our waistlines after a tasty Labor Day barbeque, MLB rosters have expanded
to accommodate September, the final month of the season. And as College
Football and the NFL crash onto the scene, MLB pitchers take the final
spotlight in hopes of leading their teams on to the playoff trail. The
question is which ones can we count on and which ones figure to be candidates
for offseason Weight Watchers meetings? Check it out.
Listed
below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in
team starts the last three seasons during the month of September. On the flip
side, we’ve also listed pitchers that struggle in September team starts,
winning 33% percent or less of their efforts. To qualify pitchers must have
made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each September over the
last three years. Note: * designates a categorical repeat appearance by this
pitcher, maintaining status quo from last season’s September’s list. Enjoy the
games.
GOOD
MONTH PITCHERS:
Arrieta,
Jake • 12-2
/ 8-1 H
For
nearly two full seasons, Arrieta has been as good as it gets in baseball as a
starting pitcher. While strikeouts have been down a bit and walks are up of
late, at this time it hard to find fault with a hurler who has opposing batters
hitting below .200 against him and has a 2.84 ERA to start the month.
Cole,
Gerrit •
14-3 / 6-0 H
The
Pittsburgh ace has frankly had a mediocre injury-plagued season and on August
27th had an MRI on his elbow, which revealed no damage. If Pirates the are
going to snare a third consecutive Wild Card bid, they will need the Cole of
the past two years. Note: Cole’s record also represents
his MLB career team start mark during the month of September.
*Grenike,
Zack • 13-3
/ 7-1 H
Greinke's
ERA is higher than past year's but pitching in thinner air of Arizona has
contributed to this. While the Diamondbacks have little too play for, expect
Grienke to be tough as nails like usual.
Hamels,
Cole • 12-5
/ 6-2 H
Need
a big game pitched in September? It’s hard to go wrong with Hamels, whose ERA
of 2.91 is well below career mark of 3.26. Still owns lively fastball and
changeup is knee-buckling. A true professional.
*Jimenez,
Ubaldo •
12-1 / 6-0 H
Still
toeing the rubber every five days or for Baltimore in spite of mid-sixes ERA.
Baltimore has few options and Jimenez is not trustworthy in the bullpen either.
Orioles need big month from their big man to reach the playoffs and this is his
best month.
*Kershaw,
Clayton •
12-3 / 6-1 A
Kershaw
threw in simulated game on August 30 and later said "feeling really
good" and if all goes well, the Dodgers hope Kershaw can pitch in
September and beyond in some role, which only makes the Dodgers a bigger
threat. Best pitcher in baseball.
Kluber,
Corey • 10-3
/ 5-1 A
Has
been back to Cy Young form since the All-Star break with an ERA under 2.00 and
Cleveland has won his last six outings. When he commands both sides of dish
with fastball, for whatever reason, his curveball has more break. A true
established ace for the Tribe trying to win the division.
Koehler,
Tom • 10-5 /
5-1 A
Been
very effective in a quiet way nationally, but has been extremely dependable for
two months leading to this month for Miami, supplying six to seven solid innings
per start. If he's throwing strikes inside to batters, he’s tough to hit. Note:
Koehler’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the
month of September.
Peavy,
Jake • 11-3
/ 5-1 H
Went
on DL in late August with lower back strain. Had been working out of bullpen
most of August and future status with San Francisco is as cloudy as the weather
in the Bay.
*Price,
David • 12-5
/ 7-2 H
After
a largely below season in Boston, Price has been much sharper in latter stages
of August, which is what the Red Sox need. What has changed is Price became
more effective in keeping the ball lower and is getting more fly ball outs as a
power pitcher, which are genuinely more routine.
*Scherzer,
Max • 11-4 /
6-3 H
After
a somewhat slow start, Scherzer has been getting better and better and base
hits allowed are well below innings pitched (128 vs. 190), yet walking few
batters (45), especially compared to strikeouts (238). Back to pacing around
mound like the king of the jungle.
*Shields,
James • 13-4
/ 8-0 A
It
has been a wild ride for Shields this season, with numerous hideous outings
blended in with several sharp ones. At this stage, hard to think the 34-year
righty can duplicate the past seasons.
Strasburg,
Stephen• 9-4
/ 5-1 A
Starts
the month on the DL after some very ugly starts last month. If Washington is to
do anything in the postseason, Strasburg needs to regain early season form,
which features moving fastball and big breaking curve.
*Zimmermann,
Jordan •
11-4 / 6-2 A
If
rehab assignments go well, September 10th is target date for return. Zimmermann
has not been very effective for quite some time and easy to forget he had ERA
of 2.45 in mid-May, compared to current 4.44.
BAD
MONTH PITCHERS:
*Hellickson,
Jeremy • 2-10
/ 1-5 H
All
things considered, Hellickson has not had a bad year in Philadelphia. However,
upon closer inspection, most of his numbers are now near career norms and if
that ends being the same this month, real bet against potential.
Leake,
Mike • 5-10
/ 1-7 A
The
Cardinals right-hander has been a lot like his teams, when Leake has been good,
he and St. Louis have generally won, when not they have too often lost badly.
Cards are hoping not to see a repeat performance from the veteran.
Ross,
Tyson • 3-11
/ 1-6 A
Started
on Opening Day and has not been seen since for San Diego with bum shoulder.
Still trying to work way bad through rehab. Probably best to forget 2016.
*Sale,
Chris • 2-12
/ 0-8 A
It
is almost unimaginable Sale could have a record like this in September, yet he
does. Part of it is the White Sox offense is too unreliable and Sale's miscues
end up being quite costly. Let's see what the final month brings for the big
lefty.
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