If Machado is the poster boy for unlucky hitters, Jeff Samardzija is that guy for pitchers. The dude has been incredibly unfortunate this season.
Samardzija is pitching like one of baseball's elite arms, ranking in the top 15 among qualified starters in SIERA, strikeout rate and walk rate.
| Stat | Performance | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| SIERA | 3.26 | 8th |
| Strikeout Rate | 26.2% | 14th |
| Walk Rate | 2.9% | 2nd |
Those numbers -- the pencil-thin walk rate coupled with a very good strikeout rate -- are something to behold. By just about every advanced metric, Samardzija is having the best season of his career.
So of course he has the second-most losses (10) with a 4.58 ERA. Samardzija is getting bitten bad some bad luck in the BABIP department as his .323 BABIP allowed is on pace to be a career-high mark for a full season.
Samardzija's bout with bad luck has him down at 29th among starters in ESPN's Player Rater, way below where his peripherals say he should be, making now an opportune time to buy.