One Night Only: Hot Game Previews for May 18th

Prospect Danny Duffy, making his major-league debut tonight, has done a lot of work with exhaling.

This edition of One Night Only contains:

1. Expanded previews for two games: prospect Danny Duffy’s debut and prospect Julio Teheran’s second-ever start.

2. Brief, but no less charming, previews for three other games: Colorado at Philadelphia, Tampa Bay at Toronto, and Chicago (NL) at Florida.

3. Pitcher and Team NERD scores for every one of tonight’s games (using the highly experimental and dangerous pitcher-heavy method discussed recently).

Texas (4) at Kansas City (10) | 20:10 ET
Starting Pitchers
Rangers: Alexi Ogando (6)
43.2 IP, 6.60 K/9, 2.06 BB/9, .193 BABIP, 33.9 GB%, 10.9% HR/FB, 3.89 xFIP, 98 xFIP-

Royals: Danny Duffy (N/A)
Triple-A: 36.0 IP, 10.75 K/9, 2.50 BB/9, 1.00 HR/9, 3.26 FIP

Danny Duffy, Real-Live Prospect
Today marks Danny Duffy’s major-league debut. Here’s where Duffy ranked on various preseason prospect lists:

Baseball America: 68.
Baseball Prospectus: 67.
FanGraphs: 45.
Frankie Piliere: 62.
Keith Law: 98.

Where Duffy Ranked on Prospect Maven John Sickels’ List
I don’t have Sickels’ list in front of me, but this post seems to indicate that Duffy was one of 12 pitchers to whom Sickels gave an A- grade or better.

What the Internet Says You Can Expect from Duffy
Fastball, 92-94 with plus arm-side run. Good curve and change, with occasionally excellent curve. Alliteration.

The Question Everyone’s Asking
Did Duffy’s promotion compel Will McDonald of Royals Review to write a hyper-literary examination of same?

The Answer Everyone’s Getting
Duh.

Atlanta (6) at Arizona (10) | 21:40 ET
Starting Pitchers
Braves: Julio Teheran (N/A)
Triple-A: 37.2 IP, 7.65 K/9, 2.87 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 2.62 FIP

Diamondbacks: Joe Saunders (0)
46.0 IP, 4.89 K/9, 4.70 BB/9, .310 BABIP, 39.2 GB%, 12.3% HR/FB, 4.85 xFIP, 129 xFIP-

What This Game Isn’t
Julio Teheran’s major-league debut or first major-league start.

Why I’m Highlighting It Anyway
Because, as you’ll see just below these words, Teheran was more or less the Most Interesting Pitching Prospect entering the season.

Julio Teheran, Real-Live Prospect
Here’s where Teheran ranked on various preseason prospect lists:

Baseball America: 5.
Baseball Prospectus: 5.
FanGraphs: 6.
Frankie Piliere: 2.
Keith Law: 6.

Where Teheran Ranked on Prospect Maven John Sickels’ List
Teheran was only of only six pitching prospects to whom Sickels gave an A grade. The other five were (in alphabetical order): Aroldis Chapman, Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore, Michael Pineda, and Chris Sale .

What the Internet Says You Can Expect from Teheran
Fastball, 93-96. Sweet changepiece. Good curve.

Three Other Games
Colorado (7) at Philadelphia (1) | 19:05 ET
• Cole Hamels (10), starting tonight for Philadelphia, looks better with short hair.

Tampa Bay (8) at Toronto (8) | 19:07 ET
• Jose Bautista and Jeremy Hellickson (4) and Ricky Romero (8) and Jose Bautista.

Chicago Nationals (2) at Florida (5) | 19:10 ET
• Despite the unsightly 6.71 ERA, Ryan Dempster (8) — facing Ricky Nolasco (also 8) — is almost exactly the same pitcher he’s been each of the last three seasons.

Also Playing
These games are very likely playing at some kind of sporty channel near you.

pNERD = Pitcher NERD
tNERD = Team NERD
Game = Time and Average NERD for Game
* = Fewer than 20 IP, NERD of 5 (or 10 for debuts)