Marty’s musings: dog days edition

Welcome to ‘Marty’s Musings’, my weekly column of numbers summarizing the happenings in the baseball world. I am your guide for taking an analytic look at the news and notes throughout the game, and highlighting this week’s key pitching matchups.

This week, Jacob deGrom’s trade value continues to increase, the Diamondbacks offense has themselves a day, and the Nats win a wild one. All this news and more in this week’s Musings.

News and Notes

16 - Consecutive starts in which Yankees’ ace Luis Severino has allowed three or fewer runs. Severino will surely be elected to go to the All Star Game, and has already posted 4.3 fWAR.

9 - No decisions for Mets’ ace Jacob deGrom who has continued to dominate hitters despite getting practically no run support from New York’s putrid offense. deGrom has a 1.79 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP along with 142 strikeouts in only 115 innings. The Mets may look to move their ace as they increasingly become an candidate team for a rebuild.

12 - Runs scored by the Marlins on Thursday, including having a 9-0 lead over the struggling Nationals. The Nats offense exploded however, and DC won the game 14-12. The Nats are barely over .500, and are still chasing the Phillies and Braves in the NL East.

45, 43 - Years and days old of Bartolo Colon, who threw a complete game loss to the Tigers last week. Colon’s consistency has been questionable, but he showed that he still can be an effective starter. If only the Rangers provided some run support.

20 - Runs for the Diamondbacks on Saturday, who set their own franchise record. Tyson Ross took the ‘L’ for the Padres, who don’t even have forty wins yet this season. It’s been a long year for the last-place Pads.

84 ⅔ - Innings thrown by the Yankees Sonny Gray. Despite not missing a start this year, Gray would not be considered a qualified starter because he’s being pulled so early from games. The most recent debacle was a two inning, five run outing against the Blue Jays.

1306 - Strikeouts for the Orioles Chris Davis, who remains one of the worst players, and contracts in the game. The mark set the record for most career Ks by an Orioles hitter.

Matchups to Watch

Wednesday, July 11

Nick Pivetta (PHI) v. Jacob deGrom (NYM), 7:05 ET

The Mets are basement-dwellers, but the one bright spot is deGrom. The Phillies have overachieved this year, and can do some damage in four-game set in Queens.

Thursday, July 12

Luis Severino (NYY) v. Corey Kluber (CLE), 7:10 ET

It’s highly likely both pitchers will be teammates next week in the All Star Game, and also likely this could be an October preview. The Indians have not played at the caliber of the Yankees, Red Sox, or Astros, but are running away with their division.

Friday, July 13

Matt Harvey (CIN) v. John Gant (STL), 8:15 ET

Harvey has been serviceable since joining the Reds. With each start, he’s looking more and more like a trade candidate for a team that either needs a back-of-the-rotation starter, or a bullpen arm.

Saturday, July 14

Zack Greinke (ARI) v. A Sanchez (ATL), 4:10 ET

Both the DBacks and Braves are well-situated to be buyers at the deadline, and both teams look likely to make a playoff run.

*All pitching matchups as of Sunday night’s pitching probables