Kevin Gausman’s first two months in an Atlanta uniform were definitely a mixed bag. Results-wise, there was little to complain about: a 70 ERA- and 94 FIP- were well below and marginally below his career rates, respectively. However, it wasn’t always clear how much of this success was actually Gausman, rather than just a change in circumstance. The right-hander’s strikeout and walk rates both went in the wrong direction, and his FIP improved as a result of a whiplash-inducing drop in his homer allowance. The result of these was that his xFIP during August and September 2018 was actually 110 (higher than any full-season mark he had posted previously), and there was potential cause for concern for his future if he didn’t right the U.
Quick Hits: Kevin Gausman’s fastball liftoff
