+Coach Fletcher’s Tuesday Scouting Edge
Tuesday, July 28
4:05 pm Atlanta Braves at Baltimore Orioles
Teheran Starts While On the Trading Block
Julio Teheran takes the mound for the Atlanta Braves tomorrow perhaps for the last time. His name has been bandied about in trade rumors for some time. July has only improved Teheran’s stock. Despite losing his last start, Julio fanned 11 hitters. His July era is a crisp 2.81 which is surely the kind of pitching other teams may desire. In his last 7 starts, Julio is 2-3 with a 4.00 era. In his last 15 starts Teheran is 4-4 with a 4.45 era. He is 6-5 on the year with a 4.49 era. Last year Teheran was 14-13 with a nice 2.89 era. He’s 35-27 with a 3.45 era all time. Opposing batters are hitting .267 against him while his career has hitters at a lesser .246. The Atlanta bullpen’s 4.15 era hasn’t helped Teheran’s cause this year.
4:07 pm Philadelphia Phillies at Toronto Blue Jays
Phillies, Papelbon Visit Toronto Fresh Off Cubs Sweep
The Phillies are bringing Jonathan Papelbon with them to Toronto for a quick 3 game set. However, there is a distinct possibility that Papelbon won’t be going home with the Phils. Desperately in need of a closer, Papelbon’s name has been tossed around in trade talks with the Blue Jays as perhaps the most ardent suitor. The Jays, Cubs and Nats have been at the top of the list, but after the Phillies destruction of the Cubs over the weekend, they may no longer be in the market. Adam Morgan will get the start for the Phillies. Once thought to be an aspiring #1 starter, Morgan has been inconsistent. Against the Rays last week he gave up 9 hits and 3 runs in 4 1/3 innings. But in 3 of his 4 other starts, Morgan has allowed 2 or fewer runs in 5 2/3 innings or more. The Jays may not need Papelbon or any other closer for this series. They are 8-0 against the Phils since 2011.
5:05 pm Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs
Cubs Desperate for Pitchers Start Beeler
The Cubs are a mess. After being swept at home by the league’s worst team, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Cubbies have reached out to Dallas Beeler to start today’s game. Just how desperate are they? Beeler is a 26 year old right hander who has made 2 appearances this year. In his start in the second half of a double-header with the Reds, Beeler lasted all of 2 innings while giving up 5 runs, 3 of which were earned, 6 hits, and 2 free passes. He fared better in a July 7 appearance against the Cardinals. He went 5 innings, allowed 4 hits, 2 runs, walked 2 and fanned 6. In his last 3 starts at Triple-A Iowa, Beeler has a 2.89 era and held opposing batters to a .222 average. Overall at Iowa, Beeler was 2-5 with a 6.02 era. In 2014, Beeler was 0-2 with the Cubs and had a 3.27 era in 11 innings on the hill.
5:10 pm Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros
Angels, Victorino Head to Houston for Showdown
The Angels come to town with a slim lead over the host Houston Astros. They are also bringing a new face with them. The Halos acquired Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino yesterday for minor league infielder Josh Rutledge. Victorino has been battling injuries for some time but evidently the Angels believe he’ll be the best fit for the club. It’s not known yet whether Victorino will fill the need in left field for the Halos or if he will stay in right while Kole Calhoun moves to left. Whether they have Victorino or not, the Halos still need to solve the problem of Collin McHugh who heads to the hill for the Astros. McHugh is capable of going deep into a game and has a record of 11-5 with a 4.25 era. He’s recorded a 5-2 mark with a 2.85 era in his last 7. On June 23 McHugh held the Angels to 2 runs in 8 innings of a Houston win. Batters are hitting a healthy .272 against McHugh but Mike Trout is only hitting 1.82.
7:10 pm Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Dodgers
Anderson to Test Achilles Against Gray and A’s
Brett Anderson will get to face his former team and former teammate tonight when the A’s invade Dodger Stadium. Anderson left last week’s game in the 3rd inning with an Achilles injury. Evidently the injury was a minor one and Anderson is ready to go. You might expect the A’s to test that tendon with a few bunts. Anderson is 5-5 with a 3.33 era and has only lost once since June. He’ll have his work cut out for him facing the road warrior known as Sonny Gray. Gray is 7-1 with a 1.84 era on the road. But Gray has gone 0-1 with a 4.05 era after the break.