Just as it seems the formerly erratic Framber Valdez has become a bedrock of consistency, a new pitcher has emerged to claim the mantel of inconsistency once owned by Valdez.
Lance McCullers was brilliant, striking out 11 batters tonight, but he also walked four. In 34.2 innings pitched this season, McCullers has walked almost as many hitters (19) as have gotten hits (25). His ERA, 2.20, is impressive despite a WHIP at 1.33, but his peripheral stats are around 4.00. He has been helped by a low HR/9 rate of 0.63, and a left-on-base % at an unsustainable 88.