Cavalli strikes out nine in no-decision vs. Angels

The Nationals are going to roll with a bullpen game against the Phillies on Wednesday with Cavalli getting a couple extra days of rest. The 28-year-old struck out nine and allowed two runs over six innings against the Angels his last time out.

Cavalli, who struck out eight and walked none, departed with a two-run lead that immediately disappeared in the bottom of the seventh. It’s the fourth time this year that he’s left in line for a win and watched the bullpen blow it, but he’s a fine 12-5 anyway. He’ll face the Angels next weekend.

Cavalli suffered the injury when he was struck by a batted ball on a comebacker to end the fourth inning. It sounds like he was able to avoid any structural damage and it’s likely that he’ll be able to take his next scheduled turn in the Nationals’ rotation. Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief.

Cavalli was able to make the play to end the inning, but limped off the field and into the tunnel. It’s a tough break for fantasy managers as the 28-year-old right-hander was dealing — as he hadn’t allowed a hit and had struck out eight batters through four scoreless frames. He’ll presumably head for imaging to see if there’s any structural damage. Expect the Nationals to provide an update on his status as soon as more information is available.

Cavalli reeled off his ninth consecutive quality start since July 12. The 28-year-old former top prospect allowed solo homers to Willi Castro and Ezequiel Tovar, but managed to keep Colorado’s offense in check otherwise. He’s notched at least seven strikeouts in four straight starts since August 8. Simply put, he’s looked like an upper-echelon fantasy starter for a couple months and is going to be an extremely popular early-round pick in drafts next spring. He’ll close out a two-start week with a tasty matchup against the division-rival Marlins on Saturday.

Cavalli just keeps getting better. He set the tone by striking out four of the first five batters he faced and never looked back. His 11 punch-outs were the second-most in a start this season and the fifth time he’s reached double digits. A key to his in-season breakout, his improving sweeper was strong against right-handed batters with a nearly 70% strike rate while working as his primary pitch against them. Otherwise, the trio of that pitch, his fastball, and knuckle-curve stymied the Rangers’ lefties and combined to force 12 of his 14 swings-and-misses. He’s completed at least six innings in eight straight starts without allowing more than three runs in any and picked up six wins over that span. That looks something like a league-winner. Next up, he has a two-start week against the Rockies and Marlins, both at home.

Cavalli also walked two batters in the ballgame. He retired the first 15 batters he faced until Dansby Swanson worked him for a walk to open the sixth inning. Cavalli’s no-hit bid was then spoiled by a two-out single from Michael Busch in the seventh. The 27-year-old right-hander got 14 whiffs on 103 pitches on the afternoon, posting a strong CSW of 34 percent. He’ll carry an impressive 3.36 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 151/41 K/BB ratio (136 2/3 innings) into Wednesday’s matchup against the Rangers in Arlington.

A classic good except for the dingers starter, and these were some loud homers: Eugenio Suárez’s homer was 422 feet over the bullpen, Matt McClain’s was 420 feet just to the left of the pen, and Elly De La Cruz went back-to-back on a wall scraper to the opposite field. But Cavalli was able to coax a double play ball from Sal Stewart in the fifth inning when he needed it and otherwise was able to stop the Reds from stringing together a sequence. When a team squares up this fastball, it flies, but the 40 percent whiff rate told the tale for Cavalli today. He’ll draw the Cubs next start.

Cavalli’s fourth straight quality start saw him settle for just three strikeouts, but it wasn’t an issue against the often-punchless Blue Jays. He finishes the month of July 3-0 with a 3.08 ERA in five starts. Next up for him is a start in Atlanta. He fanned 10 while allowing two runs over five innings in his previous start against the Braves back in April.

Coors was no issue for Cavalli. Eddy Yean and Max Kranick finished up the six-hitter after Cavalli got through seven in 90 pitches. It’s Cavalli’s first scoreless start this year, and he’s up to 14th in the majors with 127 strikeouts in 110 2/3 innings. He’ll face the Blue Jays next week.