Libra 2021 Pitchers
The strength of Libra in 2021 was undoubtedly their batters, specifically their outfield. But their pitching staff was impressive in its own right, with some high quality starters (including BOTH real-life 2021 Cy Young Award winners) and relievers. Head over to the Gallery section for a look at the rotation and bullpen based solely on full-season fantasy points – for this post, I’ll be imagining what a roster might look like for a hypothetical offseason tournament with teams based on astrological signs.
How do you even choose between 2021 Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray and 2021 Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes as your Game 1 starter? Both pitchers led their respective leagues in ERA, and while Ray was more durable (he also led the AL in starts and innings pitched), we’re talking about a difference of just four games. I guess the composition of the opposing lineup would have to come into play, since Ray is a lefty and Burnes throws right handed. Tyler Mahle had the third-most fantasy points on the staff, but I would entrust Game 3 to Lance McCullers Jr. – health-permitting, of course, since he missed the final two rounds of the playoffs with real-life arm troubles.
Another contender for a hypothetical playoff rotation is once and future Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty, who had the fourth-highest points-per-game total among Libra pitchers, despite missing a large chunk of the year due to injury. Depth options who would be relegated to playoff (or tournament) bullpen duty are All-Star Kyle Gibson, well-paid veteran Zack Greinke, and Diamondbacks “ace” Merrill Kelly.
Both the Angels and the Rangers each had a pair of Libras in their rotations. Anaheim got a nice bounce back campaign from Alex Cobb and a potential breakout season from young lefty Patrick Sandoval ended prematurely due to injury. Texas stuck with Jordan Lyles after a strong 2020 effort and rolled the dice on a return to form from Mike Foltynewicz, to disappointing results. Veteran J.A. Happ split his season between Minnesota and St. Louis, not performing particularly well in either stop.
One time top prospect Jesus Luzardo went from Oakland to Miami in a one-for-one swap for another Libra, center fielder Starling Marte. Chris Archer is a former ace who made an un-triumphant return to the team where he got his start. Matt Shoemaker has also had some good seasons, but he couldn’t manage a positive fantasy point total for the Twins in 2021. The Braves have a pair of Libra prospects named Kyle on the horizon: Muller still has rookie eligibility while Wright pitched in the World Series after just two regular season games in 2021.
Libra’s star closer is one of the most effective relief pitchers in recent memory. Lifelong Dodger Kenley Jansen revitalized his career after struggling a bit after his 30th birthday. While Lou Trivino’s numbers may look good at first glance, he started out incredibly strong, but then faltered so badly in the second half that he lost the A’s closer’s job. David Bednar got some save opportunities for the Pirates after they traded away Pisces Richard Rodriguez at the trade deadline. Trevor May got a big contract to set up for the Mets, and he made good on his promise in 2021 with a season of more than 800 fantasy points.
In a season where everything seemed to go right for the Giants, the performance of minor league signee Zack Littell is no exception. Jeurys Familia joined Trevor May in the Mets’ bullpen with a spooky-season appropriate fantasy point total of 666. Rookie Joe Barlow took over as the closer for the Rangers after they traded Sagittarius Ian Kennedy (in the same deal that involved fellow Libra Kyle Gibson). Hunter Strickland bounced around the league this year, pitching for three different teams before getting some high-leverage innings for the Brewers in the playoffs.
Genesis Cabrera is Libra’s top-scoring lefty reliever, but after Tyler Matzek’s performance in the 2021 postseason, there’s no way he’s not the go-to southpaw on the Scales roster. Other lefthanders include former closer Sean Doolittle, former starter Derek Holland, and Brad “Don’t Call Me Weak” Wieck. The only other bullpen options who were solid in (parts of) 2021 are innings eaters Jose Ruiz and Drew Smith for the White Sox and Mets, respectively, and part-time closer Rafael Montero, who went from the Mariners to the Astros as part of the deal with Kendall Graveman/Abraham Toro (both Sagittarians).
Looking down the list of Libra pitchers, we see some recognizable names. Josh Tomlin was once a decent starter/reliever for the Indians/Braves. Tanner Roark was a big part of the Nationals rotation back in the day. Darren O’Day was once as effective as his delivery was funky. David Phelps had some very good seasons in middle relief. And Cam Bedrosian once looked like the closer of the future for the Angels, even if he was never likely to live up to the career of his father, Steve.
This weekend, during my break from 2021 in-depth looks, I’ll examine Scorpio’s relationship with the Tarot!