Frogs in the MLB: Strong starts for Arrieta and Cashner, Finnegan returns

Jake Arrieta (P/Philadelphia Phillies) -

Arrieta pitched in Tampa Ray on April 14. He pitched 6 ²⁄₃ innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 1. The Phillies won 9-4.

Arrieta currently has an ERA of 3.38 with a WHIP of 1.31. You can see his full stats here. Arrieta will pitch at home tonight against the Pirates.

Matt Carpenter (1B/St. Louis Cardinals) -

On April 12, the Cardinals started a 4-game series in Cincinnati. Carpenter walked in the top of the 1st and was brought in on Yadier Molina’s single to make it 2-0 Cardinals. Later in the top of the 7th, Carpenter hit a sac fly to center to send Greg Garcia home. The Cardinals went on to win 13-4.

On April 13, the Cardinals were up 2-0 in the top of the 6th when Carpenter hit a double to deep right. He was driven in on a single to shallow center by Molina. The Cardinals won 5-3.

Carpenter sat out on April 14 (conveniently the day Finnegan returned to the mound), but he returned to the roster on April 15. It was a much closer game, and Carpenter didn’t have a whole lot of luck at the plate, with 2 strikouts and a pair of groundouts. The Cardinals squeaked out a 3-2 victory, sweeping the series.

On April 17, the Cardinals were in Chicago to face the Cubs. Carpenter hit a double to deep right in the top of the 3rd, driving in Dexter Fowler. In the top of the 8th, Carpenter hit a single that brought in Harrison Bader and Fowler. The Cardinals won 5-3.

The weather has left much to be desired for St. Louis the last couple of weeks. Carpenter has taken to tweeting his feelings about it recently. Sounds like he’s in need of a tropical vacation. Hang in there, Matt. Summer is bound to show up eventually, right??

Carpenter currently has 9 runs and 10 hits, with 2 home runs and 10 RBIs on the season. He has an average of .185. You can see his full stats here. The Cardinals are back in Chicago tonight.

Andrew Cashner (P/Baltimore Orioles) - Cashner pitched in Detroit on April 17. He allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, including 1 home run over 6 innings. He walked 3 and struck out 5. While it was a quality start, the Orioles offense continues to struggle. They lost the game 4-2. If Cashner can get a little help at the plate, his pitching could play a pivotal role in the Orioles’ season.

Cashner currently has a 3.00 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. You can see his full stats here.

Brandon Finnegan (P/Cincinnati Reds) - Finnegan returned this week! He was at home against the Cardinals for his first start of 2018. Unfortunately, it was a rocky start for Finny. He gave up 5 runs 6 hits, including 2 home runs over 4 ¹⁄₃ innings. He walked 4 and struck out 4 in a 6-1 Reds loss. Since the Reds have continued to struggle with pitching, Finny’s spot in the rotation is safe for now. Hopefully he’ll stats will improve over time, as long as he can continue to stay healthy. Frog fans are just glad to see him back on the mound.

Finnegan currently has a 10.38 ERA and a 2.31 WHIP. He’ll pitch on the road against St. Louis Friday, April 20.

Bryan Holaday (C/Miami Marlins) - On April 14, the Marlins were home against Pittsburgh. Neither team had a whole lot of luck at the plate. Holaday struck out, walked, and lined out to center. He did have a great save in the top of the 8th, keeping the game scoreless up to that point. The Pirates would eventually score in the top of the 9th, handing the Marlins a 1-0 loss.

The Marlins were in New York against the Yankees on April 16. Miami’s only momentum came in the top of the 8th, when Holaday managed to get on base on an error. The Marlins loaded the bases, and Justin Bour grounded into a fielder’s choice to first, bringing Holaday in for the first and only run of the game for Miami. Unfortunately, that didn’t make a dent in the 12 runs the Yankees already had. Holaday hit a single in the top of the 9th to get on base, but three of his teammates struck out and ground out to end the game. The Marlins lost 12-1.

Holaday saw sporadic play in the last week. He was called up as one of three catchers to cover for J.T. Realmuto. Realmuto has returned, but there are rumors of trade talks between the Marlins and Mets. So the Marlins appear to be waiting before sending Holaday back down to the minors. If Realmuto is traded, there’s a chance Holaday could secure a spot on the roster. Tomas Telis, another one of the three called up, has a slightly better average than Holaday, but he’s played in more games. If Holaday hopes to have a chance of staying in the League longer, he’s going to have to step up his game and get his average up.

Holaday currently has 2 runs and 5 hits, with 2 RBIs. His AVG is .179. You can see his full stats here. Miami will visit Milwaukee tonight.