MLB Gas Cans Of The Day For Tuesday, Aug. 30
Opposing offenses are in great spots
Matthew Horner - Aug 30, 2022, 11:34am EDTAtlanta Braves vs. Jose Urena (5.98 ERA), Colorado Rockies
The defending world champions are having another great season here in 2022, and that is no surprise to anyone. Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Dansby Swanson and Ronald Acuna form one of baseball's best and brightest cores. This offense is explosive, and when they take on a terrible pitcher, they can put up runs very quickly. That is exactly what should happen here against Jose Urena and the Colorado Rockies.
When you have a 60.75 ERA in your last game, that really doesn't bode well for you down the stretch. Unfortunately, that has been the case for Urena far too often this season. In that last contest, he allowed nine earned runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out one across 1.1 innings to take the loss against the Rangers. Urena allowed two earned runs in the first inning, but he really imploded in the second when he allowed eight of the nine batters he faced to reach base. Entering this game, Urena had turned in quality starts in two of his last three contests, though he had only a 10:7 K-to-BB across 18.2 innings in that span. Urena now has a 5.98 ERA with a 31:31 K-to-BB in 58.2 innings for the season.
Not ideal.
Minnesota Twins vs. Kutter Crawford (5.30 ERA), Boston Red Sox
The Minnesota Twins are desperately trying to keep pace with the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central division, but time is starting to wear short for them. They need to start stockpiling some wins and fast, and the Boston Red Sox are a good opponent to do that against. Byron Buxton, Luis Arraez, and Jorge Polanco have carried the Twins offense for most of the season, and the franchise will rely on them down the stretch to continue that play and lead them to a potential postseason berth. The trio should have success against Kutter Crawford, Boston's starting pitcher.
In his last game, Crawford did not factor into the decision, allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out five. He has been very poor lately with a 9.31 ERA and 1.86 WHIP over 19.1 innings in his last four starts, issuing two or more walks in three of them. Now is the time to take advantage of a guy that is really struggling on the hill.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Adrian Houser (5.15 ERA), Milwaukee Brewers
The Pirates clearly aren't going anywhere this year, but the team does have some pieces on it that could grow and become real stars. Bryan Reynolds is the guy that has put on the backpack this season and carried the Pittsburgh offense, and while he may not be a premier player in the league, he could easily be a big part of a championship team. He and his teammates will face Adrian Houser and the Brewers on Tuesday.
In his last start, Houser took the loss against the Dodgers, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out four batters over 2.1 innings. He returned from a stay on the IL to make his first start in nearly two months, but the outing clearly did not go well. He needed 81 pitches to retire just seven batters, and he was down 4-1 by the end of the first inning. Houser has registered a 5.15 ERA over 16 starts this season, but it looks like he will stay in the rotation for now with Aaron Ashby joining the injured list. Either way, he is someone you can not trust on the mound.