Best- Luis Castillo SP Cincinnati Reds-9IP 2H 1ER 3BB 6K 1W 112PC
Castillio has been a mixed bag for the Reds this season, but he came up huge on Friday night as they are trying to fight their way into a playoff spot. Castillo went the distance, only allowing five baserunners and getting a much-needed win. With this win, the Reds have pulled themselves to 2.5 half games behind the Cardinals for second place in the NL Central. Castillo’s performance might be the shot in the arm this uber-talented team needed to make some hay and grab a playoff spot.
Other Notables: Brandon Lowe DH Rays-3-4 3R 4RBI 2HR; Gerrit Cole SP Yankees-7IP 2H 0ER 1BB 9K 1W; Charlie Blackmon OF Rockies-2-4 1R 5RBI 1HR; Aaron Nola SP Phillies-7IP 3H 0ER 0BB 10K; Marcell Ozuna OF Braves-5-6 1R 4RBI 1HR.
Worst-Whole Blue Jays pitching staff-9IP 19H 15ER 6BB 10K 1L
The Toronto Blue Jays have put themselves into a playoff spot as of right now, but if their pitching doesn’t get better, they will be out of a playoff spot. The Blue Jays offense is as dynamic and well rounded as any in the league, but if the pitchers keep giving runs away, it won’t make a difference.
This pitching staff has taken a turn for the worse at the wrong time (not that there is ever a right time). This team has a playoff spot as of right now but are only above the teams behind them as they are tied with the Yankees for the number two spot in the AL East and the wild card teams are only a couple of games back. This pitching staff had five of the six pitchers give up runs; hard to imagine for a team with playoff aspirations.
Extra Trash: DJ Stewart OF Orioles (game 1)-0-3 3K; Trevor Rogers SP Marlins-3IP 9H 8ER 0BB 5K 1L; Adam Frazier OF Pirates-0-4 3K; Luis Garcia RP Rangers-0IP 1H 4ER 3BB 0K; David Bote 3B Cubs-0-4 3K.