By Dalton Del Don
Ryan Howard is currently on pace to strike out an MLB-record 218 times this season. Despite a .224 batting average, he’s also on pace to drive in 140 runs. Howard is hitting .337 with RISP and .170 with the bases empty. He currently has more RBI (62) than hits (60)!
Ryan Doumit is quietly having a fantastic season and is fast becoming one of the game’s best hitting catchers. Finally healthy, he has nine homers with a 1.005 OPS over 136 at-bats this year. Doumit had a 1.210 OPS when he played at Triple-A last year, so this isn’t a complete fluke.
Over his last four starts in the minors, Francisco Liriano has a 2.86 ERA with a 26:6 K:BB ratio. Most importantly, he’s walked more than one batter during just one of his past seven outings, including none in his most recent start. He’s not going to come back and dominate like he did pre-injury, but it looks like Liriano will definitely be an asset soon enough, and his 2009 outlook is looking much brighter.
If you’re a fly on my wall, you’re sick of the new My Morning Jacket album by now.
Ian Kinsler has simply been one of fantasy baseball’s best players in 2008. He’s on pace to finish with a .305 BA, 23 homers, 39 steals, 96 RBI and 135 runs, all while playing second base. And while he’s still hitting much better at home, eight of his 10 homers have come on the road, which is an encouraging sign.
If I own Rich Harden, I’m shopping him aggressively. Maybe turning into a primarily fastball/changeup pitcher will lead to continued health, but he was already complaining of a sore arm after his start last week. While the numbers will be great when he’s on the mound, it’s best to realize just how serious of an injury risk Harden is. And with the A’s well aware of this, he’s also unlikely to go very deep in games.
Chase Headley is a no-brainer pickup, but those who play in deep leagues should also consider Charlie Morton and to a lesser extent, Brandon Jones. And for those with patience, stashing Jaime Garcia might prove to be prudent down the road, especially with the Cardinals’ pitching staff dropping like flies.
Comcast’s TV gun clocked Brian Wilson’s fastball at 103 mph Monday. He’s got a good heater, but I’m guessing that was inaccurate.
Despite flashing his best strikeout rate in four years, Roy Oswalt’s run as a front-line starter appears to be ending. His 3:1 K:BB rate is very good, so his current 5.04 ERA is bound to decrease, but his 1.62 HR/9 IP mark is a big problem. He’s also pitched drastically worse from the stretch, as his career .767 strand rate is down to .700.
Could the Mets have botched the Willie Randolph firing any worse? They waited until he flew across the country because it was Father’s Day on Sunday? Announcing it at 3:12 a.m. EST? It’s clear a change was needed, but why draw it out like this? Pretty questionable handling by Minaya and the Wilpons.
This Javon Walker story has to be one of the most bizarre ever. I mean, where to begin? The thought of Floyd Mayweather (or an entourage member) knocking him unconscious with a potentially life-changing injury after getting into a battle over who can buy more champagne is just insane. Welcome to the world of sports in the 21st Century! Yes, that aspect of it is just a rumor that will probably turn false, but either way, it’s a crazy situation.
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