NERD Game Scores: Zach Lee Possible Debut 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
Los Angeles NL at New York NL | 19:10 ET
Undecided (N/A) vs. Harvey (118.1 IP, 92 xFIP-)
Reports indicate that this game might represent the major-league debut of right-handed Dodgers prospect Zach Lee. A first-round selection out of a Texas high school in 2010, Lee notably forewent an opportunity to play quarterback at LSU by signing with Los Angeles. As Kiley McDaniel notes, Lee’s arm speed has declined since turning professional, although he’s still managed to record an above-average strikeout- and walk-rate differential as a 23-year-old in Triple-A this year. Even without Lee, this game offers the opportunity to observe two clubs, in the Dodgers and Mets, both contending for division titles. It also offers the opportunity to observe Matt Harvey, who is human but not actually all-too-human.
Readers’ Preferred Broadcast: New York NL Television.
Two Brief Notes
For Examination: Aaron Nola’s Changeup from His Debut
Absorbed for the last two days in idle meditations on the aesthetics of the Pastime, the author neglected to examine any film from Philadelphia rookie Aaron Nola’s successful debut. With a view toward righting that wrong, what follows is, in fact, perpetually looping film of Nola’s changeup from same.
Today’s Free Game
Today’s free game features Milwaukee at Arizona, starts at 20:10 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfredo Simon | DET | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 6 | BOS | Steven Wright | 16:05 |
| Chris Bassitt | OAK | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 8 | SF | Ma.n Bumgarner | 16:05 |
| Cole Hamels | PHI | 8 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 9 | CHN | Jake Arrieta | 16:05 |
| Drew Hutchison | TOR | 7 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 4 | SEA | J.A. Happ | 16:10 |
| Miguel Gonzalez | BAL | 3 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | TB | Erasmo Ramirez | 18:10 |
| Gio Gonzalez | WAS | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 | PIT | A.J. Burnett | 19:05 |
| Chris Sale | CHA | 10 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 10 | CLE | Carlos Carrasco | 19:10 |
| Scott Feldman | HOU | 5 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 3 | KC | Danny Duffy | 19:10 |
| Undecided | LAN | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 9 | NYN | Matt Harvey | 19:10 |
| CC Sabathia | NYA | 6 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | MIN | Tommy Milone | 19:10 |
| Shelby Miller | ATL | 7 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 10 | STL | Carlos Martinez | 19:15 |
| Johnny Cueto | CIN | 7 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | COL | Chris Rusin | 20:10 |
| Tayl’r Jungmann | MIL | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 8 | AZ | Ru. de la Rosa | 20:10 |
| David Phelps | MIA | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | SD | Ian Kennedy | 20:40 |
| Yovani Gallardo | TEX | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 4 | LAA | Hector Santiago | 21:05 |
* = 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.
Scott Feldman has a NERD of 5. That seems off, but I’ll trust your mathematics.