Jake Irvin (RHP) 46.2 IP, 1-4, 5.79 ERA / 4.60 FIP, .323 BABIP, 12.7 HR/FB, 14.2 K%-BB%
Grant Holmes (RHP) 47.1 IP, 3-1, 3.80 ERA / 4.81 FIP, .231 BABIP, 13% HR/FB, 8 K%-BB%
The two pitchers have some similar stats, but Holmes has had the good fortune of playing in front of a better defense, which helps explain the large BABIP difference. Irvin actually has a better K% and BB% - 24.1% & 9.9% vs 18.9% & 10.9%, and a slightly lower HR/FB, which all leads to a slightly better FIP even with almost a 2 run ERA difference in Holmes's favor. That said, you have to go back almost a month (5 starts) for a really good Irvin game (5.2 IP of shutout pitching vs the ChiSox). As for Holmes, he's only had 1 stinker in his last 4 (@ COL - 5 IP., 5 ER). Holmes is 74% 4 seam and slider and 17% sinker and curve, with a cutter and a change for the last 9%. Fastball has vastly improved year over year. Irvin is fairly even among his fastball, sinker, and curve (~75%) with cutter and slider for another 20% and change for 5%. Fastball is back to a neutral pitch from being awful last year and the curve is now positive. Franny always focuses on Irviin's fastball velocity - the higher the better.
Nats lineup slots in Vivas for Mead and drops Young in CF in favor of Tena at DH (other 3 OFs are in the OF).
Last night's Barves hero, Chadwick Tromp, get the day game after the night game. behind the plate.
