NERD Game Scores: A Chris Archer Resume-Building Event
Devised originally in response to a challenge issued by viscount of the internet Rob Neyer, and expanded at the request of nobody, NERD scores represent an attempt to summarize in one number (and on a scale of 0-10) the likely aesthetic appeal or watchability, for the learned fan, of a player or team or game. Read more about the components of and formulae for NERD scores here.
Most Highly Rated Game
Tampa Bay at New York AL | 19:05 ET
Archer (109.0 IP, 61 xFIP-) vs. Tanaka (53.1 IP, 79 xFIP-)
To the degree that the reader is a human person, that same reader likely holds the opinion that the process of updating one’s resume is among the most tedious activities one is compelled to endure. Indeed, Greek mythology reveals to us that, when Zeus condemned Sisyphus for the latter’s hubris, he gave Sisyphus the option either of rolling a boulder uphill for all eternity or re-writing his cover letter to better reflect his passion for streamlining workflow. The choice was easy.
The advantage of working primarily as a Major League Baseball Pitcher is that one’s performance, whether positive or negative, is recorded by a number of well-known media outlets. As such, one isn’t compelled to dedicate much time or effort in the resume department. In fact, the present media outlet reveals that Chris Archer is currently among the most likely candidates to be recognized at year’s end as the American’s League’s top pitcher. One finds, for example, that he’s produced the third-best park-adjusted xFIP among all qualifiers, and also the fourth-best pitcher WAR. This game against the division-leading Yankees represents an opportunity to make his case even more strongly.
Readersí Preferred Broadcast: Tampa Bay Radio.
Two Brief Notes
Debut: Miguel Sano, 3B, Minnesota
Twins third-base prospect Miguel Sano recorded his major-league debut on Thursday. Sano was ranked second among Minnesota prospects this past offseason by Kiley McDaniel and 15th among all prospects everywhere. The 22-year-old had recorded 15 home runs and a .270 isolated-power figure in 286 plate appearances for Double-A Chattanooga. He appears likely to serve as the club’s designated hitter for the time being.
Today’s Free Game
Today’s free game features San Francisco at Washington starts at 18:05 ET, and can be accessed by means of this hyperlinked text.
Complete Schedule
Here’s the complete and very sortable table for all of today’s games. Pitching probables and game times aggregated from MLB.com and also the rest of the internet. Note that the calculations both for team and game NERD scores have changed recently to better integrate playoff odds into same. Read more about those changes here, if you’re the sort of person accustomed to making poor life decisions.
| Away | SP | Tm. | Gm. | Tm. | SP | Home | Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Koehler | MIA | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | CHN | Jason Hammel | 14:20 |
| Jake Peavy* | SF | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | WAS | Gio Gonzalez | 18:05 |
| Trevor Bauer | CLE | 4 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | PIT | Charlie Morton | 19:05 |
| Chris Archer | TB | 10 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | NYA | Masa. Tanaka | 19:05 |
| Drew Hutchison | TOR | 7 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 6 | DET | Anibal Sanchez | 19:08 |
| Dan Straily* | HOU | 6 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 2 | BOS | Just. Masterson | 19:10 |
| Mike Fiers | MIL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | CIN | Mi. Lorenzen | 19:10 |
| Adam Morgan* | PHI | 6 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | ATL | Julio Teheran | 19:35 |
| Garrett Richards | LAA | 6 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | TEX | Alex Gonzalez | 20:05 |
| Ubaldo Jimenez | BAL | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4 | CHA | John Danks | 20:10 |
| Tommy Milone | MIN | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 3 | KC | Jeremy Guthrie | 20:10 |
| Andrew Cashner | SD | 8 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 8 | STL | Michael Wacha | 20:15 |
| J.A. Happ | SEA | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | OAK | Jesse Chavez | 21:05 |
| Kyle Kendrick | COL | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | AZ | Chase Anderson | 21:40 |
| No. Syndergaard | NYN | 10 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 10 | LAN | Clay. Kershaw | 22:10 |
* = Fewer than 10 IP, NERD at discretion of very handsome author.
Carson Cistulli has published a book of aphorisms called Spirited Ejaculations of a New Enthusiast.
With all due respect to the NERD process, I will be tuning in to the matchup of a couple of 10’s. My algorithm is simple: Syndergaard + Kershaw + Vin Scully = Yes sir!