LACK OF SLEEP HURT ESTRADA
Toronto Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada told the media last season that his midseason struggles were the result of some “personal issues.” Estrada was lights out through April and May (with a 3.15 ERA). But then his numbers exploded. Over 10 mid-season starts his ERA was 8.87 and he walked 33 batters in 45.2 innings. Then he rebounded to form late in the season and looked to be the guy who made it to the all-star game in 2016. He closed the season with a 3.68 ERA in five September starts. Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com reported that Estrada said the reason for his midseason funk was a lack of quality sleep. “I was having issues with sleeping, stressing out, stressing about being traded and a few little things,” Estrada said. “But once I knocked all that stuff out, I was able to get back on track.” Estrada credited his family, friends and a psychiatrist for helping him.