MLB Gas Cans Of The Day For Saturday, Sept. 24

New York Mets vs. Ken Waldichuk (7.13 ERA), Oakland Athletics

The Mets are going to the postseason for the first time since 2016, and it is behind an all around effort from a super talented team. The organization finally decided to get smart after years of stupid decisions and ultimately, failure. Pete Alonso is as bonafide superstar, and Jeff McNeil has been stellar for the team in 2022. Of course, it helps to have a pitching rotation with both Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, although both those guys were out with injury a ton this season. The Athletics should just be another bump in the road here to get over, and they should with Ken Waldichuk on the mound.

In his last game, Waldichuk allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three in 2.2 innings to take the loss against the Astros. He's now given up at least three runs in each of his last three starts, and this outing marked the first time that he hasn't lasted at least 4.2 innings over his first four big-league appearances. Waldichuk has posted a 7.13 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 17.2 innings over four starts with Oakland.

Seattle Mariners vs. Kris Bubic (5.81 ERA), Kansas City Royals

The Mariners look like they are going to make the postseason, which is something that you just never see. The pitching and offense have both been solid, and while they won't be winning the division, they will have a shot at a World Series title this October. Julio Rodriguez is going to be one of the best players in baseball in the years to come, and supporting players like Eugenio Suarez have been great for the team as well. They should have plenty of chances Saturday against Kris Bubic and the Kansas City Royals.

In his last game, Bubic allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks over 2.2 innings, striking out two and taking a loss against Boston. He's gone 0-7 with a brutal 7.83 ERA over his last seven starts. That poor stretch has driven his season ERA up to 5.81 alongside a 96:58 K-to-BB through 119.1 innings.

San Diego Padres vs. Chad Kuhl (5.48 ERA), Colorado Rockies

The Padres haven't been as good as they might have hoped after they gave up the franchise for Juan Soto and Josh Bell. They have still been good, but I think they were expecting a bit more out of this team after the trade. Maybe you can lay the blame at the feet of former superstar Fernando Tatis Jr., who was suspended for 80 games for using performance enhancing drugs. We'll see if he is the same player when he gets back without cheating, but the Padres can't count on him moving forward. They still have a talented offense, and against the Rockies and Chad Kuhl at Coors Field, they could explode.

In his last start, Kuhl didn't factor in the decision against San Francisco, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out six batters over 4.2 innings. This was the third time in the his last four starts that he failed to complete five innings, and he's posted a 7.20 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 0-2 record during that stretch. Kuhl also extended his streak of outings with at least one homer allowed when he gave up a solo homer to Mike Yastrzemski in the fourth inning. Kuhl is on pace for a career-worst ERA, as his mark sits at 5.48 through 25 appearances.