NERD Game Scores for Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Devised originally in response to a challenge issued by sabermetric nobleman 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
Arizona at Miami | 19:10 ET
de la Rosa (23.2 IP, 79 xFIP-) vs. Fernandez (28.2 IP, 71 xFIP-)
One comment regarding this game is that the merits of Miami right-hander Jose Fernandez are conspicuous. He’s young, throws hard, and possesses a refulgent light inside him that bathes everyone around. These truths are self-evident and achingly self-evident. Another comment regarding this game is that Rubby de la Rosa has produced consecutive brilliant starts, recording a 16:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio — and conceding just a single total run — in 13.0 total innings versus Pittsburgh and then St. Louis. One difference he’s exhibited: almost completely abandoning his (well-regarded) changeup while throwing more sliders than ever.
Here’s video footage depicting three of those sliders from his most recent start:
Three Other Brief Notes
Today’s Free Game
Today’s free game features the Los Angeles Americans at Milwaukee, starts at 13:40 ET, and can be accessed by means of this hyperlinked text.
Junior Guerra Success Update
By virtue of his generally competent start last night against the Angels, Milwaukee right-hander now ranks Junior Guerra first among all Brewers pitchers by WAR.
Broadcaster Rankings
Recently, the present author began the process of process of reproducing the broadcaster rankings which appeared on this site roughly four years ago. Cast ballots for television broadcasts here; for radio broadcasts, here.
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 calculations both for team and game NERD scores feature adjustment for postseason odds that increases as season progresses. Read more about those adjustments here and here.
| Away | SP | TM | GM | TM | SP | Home | Time | ||
| Jon Lester | CHN | 7 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | PIT | Juan Nicasio | 12:35 |
| Jake Peavy | SF | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | CIN | Dan Straily | 12:35 |
| Jhoulys Chacin | ATL | 8 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 10 | NYN | Steven Matz | 13:10 |
| Hector Santiago | LAA | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | MIL | Zachary Davies | 13:40 |
| Stephen Strasburg | WAS | 10 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 0 | KC | Kris Medlen | 14:15 |
| Felix Hernandez | SEA | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | OAK | Sean Manaea* | 15:35 |
| Tyler Chatwood | COL | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | SD | Cesar Vargas | 15:40 |
| Anibal Sanchez | DET | 2 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | CLE | Corey Kluber | 18:10 |
| CC Sabathia | NYA | 0 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | BAL | Tyler Wilson* | 19:05 |
| Colby Lewis | TEX | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 8 | TOR | Aaron Sanchez | 19:07 |
| Rubby de la Rosa | AZ | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 10 | MIA | Jose Fernandez | 19:10 |
| Alex Wood | LAN | 5 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | TB | Drew Smyly | 19:10 |
| Clay Buchholz | BOS | 1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | CHA | Carlos Rodon | 20:10 |
| Phil Hughes | MIN | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | HOU | Mike Fiers | 20:10 |
| Adam Morgan* | PHI | 8 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 5 | STL | Mike Leake | 20:15 |
TM denotes team score.
GM denotes overall game score.
Highlighted portion denotes game of the day.
* = Fewer than 10 IP, NERD at discretion of clueless author.
Carson Cistulli has published a book of aphorisms called Spirited Ejaculations of a New Enthusiast.
By virtue of his solo shot last night against Matt Harvey, Atlanta centerfielder Mallex Smith now ranks first among all Braves hitters in WAR.
And is also #2 on the Braves in HR and ISO:
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2016&month=0&season1=&ind=0&team=16&players=0