Sucks at Baseball: AL West Pitchers Edition
Hey your favorite article is back as I dive into the AL West Pitchers that Suck at Baseball. Some suck so much they got two guys on the list! Let’s see who!
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Hey your favorite article is back as I dive into the AL West Pitchers that Suck at Baseball. Some suck so much they got two guys on the list! Let’s see who!
Hey everybody the Fantasy Superhero is back after a busy week and I’m bringing the Sucks at Baseball list back to the forefront. This time we take the mound in the AL West to see what pitchers Suck at Baseball, and who you should avoid down the stretch to win a title. Like before we will start at the top of the division and work our way down to the bottom. If you see a team with two players well that just means they suck extra. Couple caveats when I started this research games had only been played from the 1st of August to the 18th. So I used those stats plus I went back to view some of these players nuMyers from August 19th to the 25th. Note stats will not include games played on the 25th. When I did the Athletics I did not have to go back and view stats I just did their’s through August 25th. We’re so deep into August I could not use July stats again because you deserve a more recent look into these players. We are, however, still using baseball savants numbers for the entire 2026 season to see what it looks like under the hood for these players. Also of note if you see Earned Runs or ER that just the number of runs that matter towards the pitchers ERA, and if you do not see it then they all mattered. Without further ado and delay I give you the Sucks at Baseball List 2026: AL West Pitchers Edition.
As we head west we make a quick stop in Texas over in Houston to check out the Astro pitcher(s) that Suck at Baseball. We quickly eye up our first pitcher here as Cristian Javier makes his debut to the Sucks at Baseball List. Returning from a grade 2 shoulder strain the Astros were careful with him as he made 4 appearances out of the bullpen and 3 starts between 8/1/26 & 8/18/26; then one more start between 8/19/26 & 8/25/26. Here’s how the numbers looked in August and on Savant for the year:
8/1/26-8/18/26
1-3 w/l, 6.68 ERA, 25 SO, 16 BB, 32.1 IP, 39 H, 24 R, 6 HR, 5.62 FIP
8/19/25-8/25/26
1 start, no decision- meaning he didn’t qualify for a win or a loss, 6.75 ERA, 8 SO, 4 BB, 4 H, 3 R, 4 IP, and a 3.84 FIP
Note Javier has not pitched enough this season to qualify for the percentiles on savant; so we do not know where he stands league wide but wanted to share them anyways
Savant
xERA 5.91, xBA .281, Chase % 31.7, Whiff % 24.4, K % 16.8
What do the numbers say? They indicate this not a pitcher you should want to even stream for a start let alone roster for the rest of the season. While the FIP in his last start suggests he was a little unlucky as far as runs given up; he still only pitched 4 innings, walked 4, gave up 4 H and 3 R’s. His savant numbers are not much better noting that it is all bad under the hood for Javier. If he qualified for league percentiles his xERA would be between the 1-5 percentiles which no better than 1-5% of qualified MLB pitchers. His xBA would be in the 1-3 percentiles which is 1-3% of qualified MLB pitchers. His Chase %, Whiff %, and K % would be in order: 1-2 percentiles, 25-35 percentiles, 50 percentile, and 80-85 percentile. Meaning 1-2%, 25-35%, and 80-85% better than qualified MLB pitchers. While his K % is really good he does nothing else well and will destroy your ratios in all of your leagues. Bottom line do not even think about adding this guy to your roster even as a streamer for one or two starts a week. Cristian Javier you sir have made the Sucks at Baseball List 2026: AL West Pitchers Edition!
We stay in Texas where we visit the Astros in state rival the Texas Rangers who occupy 2nd place in the AL West, and like Houston are in a position to make the playoffs. Texas made their pitching a point of emphasis, and it has held them back since winning the World Series in 2023 using Creeds song Higher as their anthem. While they received some good pitching from the likes of veterans Jacob DeGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, and spots where MacKenzie Gore has looked good, their other pitchers have not done well. So which player sucks the most? I give you Kumar Rocker and his numbers in August and Savant for all of 2026:
8/1/26-8/18/26
3 starts, 0-1 w/l, 8.10 ERA, 13 SO, 8 BB, 13.1 IP, 21 H, 12 R, 3 HR, and 6.31 FIP
8/19/26-8/25/26
2 starts, 1-1 w/l, 3.38 ERA, 11 SO, 4 BB, 11 H, 4 R, 2 HR, 10.2 IP, and 4.59 FIP
Savant
xERA 4.63 in the 28 percentile, xBA .257 in the 26 percentile, Chase % 31.1 in the 56 percentile, Whiff % 25.9 in the 56 percentile, K % 20.9 in the 58 percentile
What do the numbers say? While his last 2 starts suggest someone who has improved; his previous starts before that and under the hood numbers suggest the opposite. This guy is more than likely available in most leagues and I’m not touching him with a 10ft pole. You could not pay me enough to even stream this guy, or look this guys way in daily fantasy, even if it is a good match-up. Long story short do not use this guy at all he will kill you and your run to a title. Kumar Rocker you sir have made the Sucks at Baseball List 2026: AL West Pitchers Edition!
As we finally leave Texas and head over to the state of Washington where the only thing it does is rain in many places. Well at least in Seattle supposedly though they do not have many games called due to weather when the Mariners at home. So maybe I know jack squat about Seattle, and the state of Washington’s weather! Let’s keep this short though. Pitching has not been much of a problem for the Mariners it’s mainly been the offense especially lately. They host a treasure trove of young SP talent with massive upside, except for one overachiever who despite some not so bad numbers, really isn't going to help you close that gap. I introduce to you Emerson Hancock the overachiever in Mr. Kangas’ classroom! Here are the numbers:
8/1/26-8/18/26
3 starts, 1-2 w/l, 3.57 ERA, 17 SO, 5 BB, 22 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 17.2 IP, and 3.65 FIP
8/19/26-8/25/26
1 start, No decision, 4.76 ERA, 6 SO, 0 BB, 8 H, 3 R, 5.2 IP, and 6.09 FIP
Savant
xERA 3.97 in the 53 percentile, xBA .244 in the 45 percentile, Chase % 28.1 in the 25 percentile, Whiff % 23.7 in the 38 percentile, and K % 23.1 in the 52 percentile
What do the numbers say? Well they suggest a pitcher who is middle of the pack, and your 4th or 5th starter at best. As you can see, from his last start he did go 5.2 and SO 6, but he gave up 8 H and 3 R not to mention his FIP was very high. Savant numbers again show a middle of the pack pitcher; who while better than 50 plus % of the league qualified MLB pitchers at some categories. He does not get batters to chase or whiff on pitches, and does not strike them out very much. He might be able to give you some decent ratios on a good day, but on a sinking ship that is the Seattle Mariners, I want one of their guys with SP1 or SP2 upside. Emerson Hancock you sir have made the Sucks at Baseball List 2026: AL West Pitchers Edition!
Leaving the state of Washington for sunny California with a team that is in the bottom of the league in team pitching. Our only stop in California, the horrendous, but 4th place Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim where not much good is going on for the Angels. This one was probably too easy and doesn’t need to be said, but staying true to the article name we list one guy here who truly sucks more than most. Ladies and gentlemen I introduce to you Grayson Rodriguez! The numbers have not been horrible this month, but it’s the Angels, and under the hood it’s bleak! Here’s what they say:
8/1/26-8/25/26
4 starts, 1-2 w/l, 3.27 ERA, 25 SO, 9 BB, 15 H, 11 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 22 IP, and 2.77 FIP
Savant
xERA 5.79 in the 4 percentile, xBA .277 in the 8 percentile, Chase % 26.8 in the 12 percentile, Whiff % 24.1 in the 43 percentile, K % 20.5 in the 34 percentile
What do the numbers say? Well let’s acknowledge that despite a 1-2 record he has had a good August as far as his other numbers go. He’s gone 7 IP twice and only 4 IP the other 2 times, but he also plays for the Angels a 4th place team with very little talent. Under the hood it isn’t good! Horrendous percentiles among qualified MLB pitchers and despite the early top prospect status has not lived up to the hype. Why do you think the Orioles gave up on him, and traded him to the Angels, despite needing pitching to compete this year. Well has not really worked for either team but that’s neither her nor there in this case. Congratulations Grayson Rodriguez you sir have made the Sucks at Baseball List 2026: AL West Pitchers Edition!
We leave LA and head 4 hours to the betting capital of the world the Las Vegas Athletics; who play at one of the worst parks for pitching and it’s a minor league stadium because their new park isn’t built yet. Viva Las Vegas everybody! Well at least for the visitors, but I do doubt any of the residents really care about this team right now. Now as to not waste your time any longer… ALERT! ALERT! We have a 2 for 1 sell situation with 2 A’s making the Sucks at Baseball List 2026: AL West Pitchers Edition! I introduce Jeffrey Springs and Jack Perkins:
Note Perkins was moved to the bullpen where they use an opener then bring him in for long relief where he had been better but not by much
*Also of note Springs returned from the IL on the August 19th and has made 2 starts since returning
Perkins 8/1/26-8/25/26
3 starts, 3 relief appearances, 1-3 w/l, 7.36 ERA, 24 SO, 11 BB, 30 H, 21 R, 18 ER, 6 HR 22 IP, and 6.09 FIP
Savant
xERA 4.08 in the 48 percentile, xBA .234 in the 57 percentile, Chase % 34.1 in the 83 percentile, Whiff % 23 in the 32 percentile, K % 17.5 in the 39 percentile
Springs 8/19/26-8/25/26
2 starts, 0-1 w/l , 5.23 ERA, 4 SO, 5 BB, 12 H, 6 R, 2 HR, 10.1 IP, and 6.57 FIP
Savant
xERA 4.94 in the 48 percentile, xBA .255 in the 30 percentile, Chase % 30.4 in the 50 percentile, Whiff % 23 in the 32 percentile, K % 17.5 in the 39 percentile
What do the numbers say? THESE GUYS SUCK! I mean they are not just bad for your team they are bad overall. Perkins might have a little upside with the way he has pitched with an opener then coming out of the Bullpen for long relief, but the same cannot be said for Springs. They give up hits & runs plus they do not strike anyone out, and they give up bombs like nobodies business. Perkins’ Chase %, Whiff %, and K % all rate highly among qualified MLB pitchers; but, his xERA and xBA rank just over or under the 50% of qualified MLB pitchers. Springs just cannot do anything right except give up home runs to the opppsition. Oh wait… that’s a bad thing too.. well at least you can target the hitters facing him the next time he starts in DFS. The Athletics play 16 games at home in a minor league ballpark that is a hitters haven and own team 6.54 ERA at home. 13 games on the road, where the team ERA is better, its still only 4.50. Bottom line avoid these 2 for anything and avoid Athletic pitching. Jack Perkins, Jeffrey Springs you sir’s have made the Sucks at Baseball List 2026: AL West Pitching Edition!
There you have it the pitchers in the AL West who Suck at Baseball, and the guys you should be avoiding down the stretch. Funny, I come back from Vegas and the last team I write about is the Las Vegas Athletics. I feel bad for that team but could care less about the other teams. Anyways, look for my next article the 2B to this article on the AL West Hitters I hope you are avoiding. For now this is your friendly neighborhood Fantasy Superhero The KANGASMAN flying away. Have no fear though I am always here and on X for any questions or concerns. Good Day to you fine people!
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