By Dalton Del Don
Roy Halladay is more machine than man. In today’s game, the fact he’s averaged 7.2 innings per start this season is truly remarkable. His strikeout rate is far from special, but his 5.14:1 K:BB ratio and 1.87 G/F marks are. Without a doubt, he’s one of baseball’s elite pitchers.
Emilio Bonifacio is likely long gone in deep leagues, but he could prove useful in even mid-sized formats. He could learn how to take a walk, but the stolen base ability is legit. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s virtually guaranteed regular playing time from here on out, and out of the leadoff spot to boot.
Matt Lindstrom currently has a 1.51 WHIP. However, a closer inspection reveals he hasn’t allowed a run since June, a span of 13.1 innings. He also sports a 13:3 K:BB ratio over that time. Lindstrom, who can reach triple digits on the radar gun, looks like the Marlins’ closer for 2009.
Ubaldo Jimenez is having an interesting season. After a rough start, he gave up three runs or fewer over his last seven starts, including just one run allowed over the last three outings before getting blown up Thursday. But it gets real weird digging deeper, as he entered Thursday with a 2.58 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 5.29 K/9 IP mark while pitching at home. On the road, his numbers were: 4.72 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 9.37 K/9 IP. Forget the fact he was posting much better numbers at Coors Field, the discrepancy in K rates versus production was the biggest anomaly of all.
Ian Kennedy has a 2.14 ERA and 0.91 WHIP over 46.1 Triple-A innings this season. As dreadful as he’s been up in New York, he’s worth monitoring. He could prove to be a difference maker.
Since the All-Star break, the Giants have hit six home runs. Six! Fernando Tatis has hit five. Aaron Rowand became the first San Francisco player to reach double-digits (and last team to do so) when he clubbed his 10th HR on Wednesday. They are on pace to finish the season with 90 home runs. No team has hit fewer than 100 in a season since 1992, and the Phillies currently have 159 HRs. In unrelated news, Barry Bonds remains unemployed, despite the fact he’s stated he’d donate this season’s salary to charity.
Is there anyone more insufferable than Rick Reilly?
Chris Johnson, Kenny Watson, Tim Hightower and Ray Rice are all terrific later round fliers. I’d be willing to bet one – if not two or three – finish with better production than the currently listed starters above them on their respective depth charts.
The Texans might very well have four of the top-25 properties in the NFL on their current roster. DeMeco Ryans and Amobi Okoye might very well be top-50 properties as well. Football is way too much of a team sport for that to mean instant success, and there are gaping holes elsewhere, but this squad is dangerous. Speaking of Mario Williams, I definitely got that one wrong, as I stupidly chided them for not taking Reggie Bush at the time. That has turned out to be one of the biggest mismatches of value in the league. Although I did get the Dwight Howard over Emeka Okafor pick right, I also went crazy when the Twins took Joe Mauer over Mark Prior.
Never, under any circumstances, not draft a player because they have the same bye week as someone you already selected. Don’t even think about it.
Top-5 Meals
1. New York Steak
2. Rack of Lamb
3. Chicken Parmigan
4. Prime Rib
5. Dungeness Crab
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