MLB Gas Cans Of The Day For Thursday, Aug. 25
Opposing offenses are in great spots
Matthew Horner - Aug 25, 2022, 11:48am EDTPhiladelphia Phillies vs. Justin Dunn (6.08 ERA), Cincinnati Reds
The Phillies have been a sleeper team for a lot of people this year, and with Bryce Harper on his way back to the lineup soon, that may be what kicks them into high gear. This is already a good team, but Harper brings even more power and good defense, making them a team that can be dangerous in the postseason. This is an ideal matchup for them against a terrible Cincinnati Reds team that will be starting a below-average pitcher.
Justin Dunn gets the start in this one for the Reds. In his last start, he earned the win, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over five innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out four. Due to a shoulder injury, he has only had two other outings this season, giving up a combined eight runs in 8.1 innings in those games. Dunn's numbers were more serviceable during his previous two seasons with the Mariners, recording a 3.75 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 11 starts in 2021 and a 4.34 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 10 starts in 2020. Still not great, but not as bad as he has been this season so far.
New York Mets vs. Ryan Feltner (5.88 ERA), Colorado Rockies
The Mets are one of the best teams in baseball this season with an extremely talented lineup that I believe can compete for a World Series Championship. They can hit for power and average, and have plenty of superstars sprinkled around the roster to go on a deep run. Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom are both ace pitchers that lead a talented staff of veteran guys. Against the Rockies at home in Citi Field, this should a scenario they should excel in. Especially when Ryan Feltner is getting the start for Colorado, a guy that you simply cannot trust to get the job done.
In his last start, Feltner registered a no-decision during a 4-3 win over the Giants, allowing one run on two hits and two walks with five strikeouts in six innings. He submitted his first start of at least five innings and fewer than three runs in seven outings. Feltner induced 10 swinging strikes on 86 pitches en route to five strikeouts after averaging 2.5 per start during his last six appearances. The successful outing dropped Feltner's ERA from 6.39 to 5.88, but there is no way I am going to trust one good start when we have plenty of evidence to the contrary.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Lance Lynn (5.30 ERA), Chicago White Sox
The Orioles seem to be the Cinderella team of the 2022 MLB season, one that wasn't supposed to do anything at all, but now is competing for a playoff spot in the American League. They may not have the big names and flashy players that other teams have, but they have a group of guys that believe in each other, and everyone has been playing above expectations. This offense will see Lance Lynn on the mound on Thursday, and the veteran hasn't quite looked like himself in 2022.
In his last start, Lynn allowed one run on five hits and a walk over 5.2 innings against Cleveland. He struck out six and did not factor into the decision in a Guardians win. He had completed at least six innings in his previous three starts but he still managed to lower his season ERA to 5.30 with this effort. Lynn gave up 18 home runs through 157 innings last season but he's already been taken deep 14 times through only 71.1 innings in 2022. His regression has begun, even if he has performed better as of late.