MLB on Sling TV: Giants at Yankees on FS1 and YES; and Rangers at Royals on FS1; All the Action on FOX Sports Regional Networks
(All times Eastern, starters subject to change)
San Francisco Giants (Samardzija 9-5, 4.05) vs. New York Yankees (Nova 7-5, 4.92)
4:15pm ET on FS1 & YES
Following a complete game 5-1 victory over the Rays on June 17, Jeff Samardzija was looking like the steal of the 2015-16 free agent season. But since running his record to 8-4 with a 3.14 ERA, the Shark has lost his bite, throwing 27 ⅓ innings over 5 starts with a 7.16 ERA, a stretch during which he’s struck out just 19 while walking 11, and given up 7 homers. What happened? His four-seamer has been steadily drifting down into the heart of the strike zone, according to the McCovey Chronicles. If the diagnosis is correct, the young man may need some rest, or to adjust his release point, or something…
After starting the season in the bullpen, during which time he compiled a 5.14 ERA over 14 innings while striking out just 7, Ivan Nova returned to the rotation, where he hasn’t been markedly more effective. In 13 starts, he gone 72 innings with a 4.88 ERA and 58 strikeouts. There have been signs of life lately, however, as he’s pitched well in 2 of his last 3 starts, most recently holding the Orioles to 1 run on 4 hits and 3 walks over 6 innings.
Texas Rangers (Hamels 10-2, 3.00) vs.Kansas City Royals (Ventura 6-7, 4.97)
7:15pm ET on FS1
Cole Hamels stumbled badly in his final 2 starts before the break, giving up a total of 10 runs on 15 hits and 9 walks over just 8 ⅓ innings pitched, but came out of the All Star game strong, holding the Cubs to 1 unearned run in 8 innings, while fanning 7 in a 4-1 win. Is it crazy to suggest that Hamels is just 3 more solid seasons and a couple of meh seasons away from being a serious Hall of Fame candidate?
Yordano Ventura is the very definition of “million-dollar arm, ten-cent head,” and it’s finally catching up with him. After two very good seasons to start his career, Ventura’s home run and walk rates have spiked, while his strikeout rate has cratered, though he’s still throwing wild pitches, HBPs, and starting fights at about the same pace. However, in his last start, against the Tigers, he did go 7, surrendering just 2 runs on 8 hits and a walk, but got a no-decision in a 4-2 Royals loss.
Watch the San Francisco Giants vs. the New York Yankees at 4:15pm ET, followed by Texas Rangers vs. Kansas City Royals at 7:15pm ET on FS1 on Saturday by subscribing to Sling Blue..
And here’s the action from the FOX Sports regional networks across the land…
Cleveland Indians (Tomlin 10-2, 3.34) at Baltimore Orioles (Gausman 1-7, 4.05)
7:05pm ET on SportsTime Ohio
San Diego Padres (Jackson 1-1, 4.76) at Washington Nationals (Scherzer 10-6, 2.94)
7:05pm ET on FOX Sports San Diego
Arizona Diamondbacks (Ray 5-8, 4.49) at Cincinnati Reds (Sampson 0-1, 5.51)
7:10pm ET on FOX Sports Arizona & FOX Sports Cincinnati
Chicago Cubs (Lackey 7-6, 3.75) at Milwaukee Brewers (Davies 6-4, 3.79)
7:10pm ET on FOX Sports Wisconsin
Detroit Tigers (Boyd 1-2, 4.91) at Chicago White Sox (Sale 14-3, 3.18)
7:10pm ET on FOX Sports Detroit
Los Angeles Angels (Weaver 8-7, 5.02) at Houston Astros (McHugh 6-6, 4.25)
7:10pm ET on FOX Sports West
Minnesota Twins (Nolasco 4-8, 5.02) at Boston Red Sox (Price 9-7, 4.36)
7:10pm ET on FOX Sports North
New York Mets (deGrom 6-4, 2.38) at Miami Marlins (Fernandez 11-4, 2.53)
7:10pm ET on FOX Sports Florida
Los Angeles Dodgers (Maeda 8-7, 3.25) at St. Louis Cardinals (Leake 7-7, 4.00)
7:15pm ET on FOX Sports Midwest
Atlanta Braves (Wisler 4-9, 4.67) at Colorado Rockies (Anderson 2-3, 3.43)
8:10pm ET on FOX Sports South
Tampa Bay Rays (Smyly 2-11, 5.64) at Oakland Athletics (Graveman 6-6, 4.25)
9:05pm ET on Fox Sports Sun
Watch baseball on FOX Sports Regional Networks by subscribing to Sling Blue.
All stats courtesy of ESPN, Baseball Reference, and FanGraphs