Start: June 27th at San Diego Padres, July 2nd at Oakland Athletics
ESPN ownership: 18 percent
So far so good for recently promoted Atlanta Braves hurler Sean Newcomb, at least in terms of surface results, with the young lefty boasting a slick 1.96 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across his first 18-plus MLB innings.
There are some concerns under the hood, though, with Newcomb tallying a near-4.0 BB/9 that could stand to get worse if his minor league numbers are any indication. On the other hand, his strikeout numbers might be due to spike, as well, with his 6.4 K/9 a faint glimmer of the double-digit marks the Atlanta southpaw regularly flashed in the minors.
This could be the week that the positive whiff regression hits, as Newcomb is set to square off against two offenses that have been top-seven in terms of strikeout rate against lefties over the last month.
Newcomb could take some lumps, sure, with the Padres actually scalding the ball against southpaws of late and Oakland always a threat for a power outburst, but the park factors here should provide the young Brave with a nice floor and strikeout upside that's hard to pass up.