Two-Start Starters, Week 7: John’s Not Lackey-ing Much
Under the surface Lies a fantasy monster Named Long-face Lackey
To my surprise, I recently found Lackey available in an RCL. While starting pitchers are less valuable in those leagues (little tip for the newbies), Lackey more than deserves to be on a roster. When examining 4.29 ERA I know you think, 'Oh, sugar plum fairies I must have this guy on my team!' But since none of you have actually said, 'Oh sugar plum fairies' about anything, I know that's just not true. Looking deeper, though, you see a K/9 that's up a full point from last year. That's matched by an ERA rise of a full point, too, but the xFIP (which takes HR away) says he's on the exact same pace as last season: 3.35. There's a 19% HR/FB rate sitting in his stat line, which is roughly 60% higher than what you should expect from John Lackey. Another part of the culprit? A .310 BABIP. It's not crazy high, but when you consider that almost half of balls hit against him are ground balls it adds up.
End of the day are we looking at another Cubs Cy Young winner? Nope, but when Jon Lester walking more and sitting with one win, Jake Arrieta has an ERA north of 5.00, and Kyle Hendrick holds only a 2:1 K/BB ratio, a case can be made for Lackey taking the current crown. The others may be better in the long run, but Lackey's lack of luck is the only thing noted against him right now. Not much else is lacking...