By Dalton Del Don
Over his last 10 starts, Felix Hernandez has a 1.30 ERA and a 0.947 WHIP with 73 strikeouts over 76 innings. The schedule hasn’t been particularly tough, but his 1.42 G/F ratio is also fantastic. After Tim Lincecum, Dan Haren and Roy Halladay, Hernandez enters the mix as next best fantasy starter. And he should be a top-five option for years to come.
With their recent moves, I would question whether the Padres are making decisions solely based on positioning themselves to draft Bryce Harper, but San Diego has a lot of work to do to catch up to the Nationals. Besides, how awesome of a foundation would a Strasburg/Harper combo be?
Tommy Hanson was absolutely filthy Monday, striking out 11 over seven innings. His arm was fresh after having not pitched since July 9, and it showed with a notable increase in fastball velocity. But it was the nasty slider that was particularly impressive. I still expect growing pains over the rest of the year, but Hanson is going to be a legitimate ace if he can stay healthy.
Since returning from the disabled list, Edwin Encarnacion has posted a 1.089 OPS. Over the past five games, he’s walked six times and struck out just once. He remains a big disappoint over his young career, but a nice second half could be in store.
Pretty funny Derek Jeter story.
At age 42, John Smoltz’s best days are obviously behind him, but don’t go dropping the hurler after getting hit hard in Texas. His ERA (6.31) and WHIP (1.44) are ugly, but that’s accompanied by a terrific 22:4 K:BB ratio over 25.1 innings. An ERA below 4.0 will be tough while pitching in the AL East, but he should rack up wins with Boston’s offense supporting him, and Smoltz’s fastball (91.6 mph) still has plenty of life and isn’t that far off what it’s been over the past few years in Atlanta. His slider’s velocity (84.9 mph) has dropped a bit more significantly, but the peripherals suggest he’ll be plenty effective from here on out. Remember, Smoltz hadn’t pitched in a big league game since June 2 of 2008, so some rust was inevitable.
Jason Schmidt, meanwhile, did not impress during his first start in two years Monday. The stuff is simply no longer there, and his once devastating changeup is worthless with such a decrease in fastball velocity. He was once my favorite player, so I’ll be rooting for him, but no one should be optimistic.
After holding a roster spot for Clay Buchholz in two leagues all year long up until one day before it was announced he will get the start after the break, it was pretty frustrating to see him scooped up before the announcement. Well, it’s now beyond frustrating not having the young talent with Tim Wakefield DL-bound. Buchholz could be a major difference maker, although he probably should be benched for his upcoming start in Texas.
I recently pulled off a pretty big blockbuster in NL LABR, trading Yovani Gallardo, Randy Johnson, Chris Young (SD), Gerardo Parra and Chris Duncan for Derrek Lee, Nate McLouth, Luke Gregerson and Todd Coffey. Maybe not a true blockbuster, but in a 13-team NL-only league, it qualifies as one. Obviously team context matters, but in a vacuum, which side do you guys like better?
What a crazy game between the A’s and Twins on Monday, when Oakland erased a 10-run deficit to win 14-13. Too bad a game destined for extra innings was ruined by a horrendous call at the plate to end it, but how about the Twins’ pitching staff allowing 22 hits while recording zero strikeouts? That’s impressive regardless, but it becomes even more noteworthy against the worst hitting team in the American League.
I’ll definitely check out this TV show about fantasy football, especially since it comes from the executive producer/director of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and co-writer of “Bruno,” which by the way, is absolutely freaking hilarious. I’m pretty sure my wife thinks there’s something wrong with me for liking it so much, but I’m also pretty sure she was laughing like crazy every time I looked at her in the theatre – a theatre that saw approximately 12 of the 30 people in it leave in the middle of the movie.
Felipe Lopez isn’t some All-Star, but he was sporting a .364 OBP for Arizona while playing solid defense (2.2 UZR), so why did the then wild card leading Giants allow Milwaukee to get him for a pupu platter? San Francisco’s production at second base this season (.609 OPS) ranks 28th in baseball. It’s the team’s most glaring weakness, by far, and it’s not like Lopez is locked into some bad contract, as he’s free to leave at the end of the year. Brian Sabean asleep at the wheel yet again.
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