Belated Thursday Review: 1 Out Away!

Ian Snell - 7 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K. Not the best command, but the overall numbers are right in line with what you'd expect agains the Nationals. Another solid performance for the hopeful first time All-Star.

Matt Capps - Picked up his 2nd win with 2 perfect innings last night. His owners should be aware that his suspension is due soon, and with Salomon Torres going on the DL, Damaso Marte is the likely closer in Capps' absence.

Jason Bay - He likes hitting HRs. #11 on the year last night.

A.J Burnett - 7 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 13 K. Too bad his offense didn't support him. Another bigtime strikeout performance, although he threw 130 more pitches tonight. His workload is starting to become a problem, even moreso for a pitcher with a history of elbow problems. I'd start shopping him around as his recent performances will likely generate quite a bit of interest.

Alex Rios - Someone please tell me why I traded him. HR #14 last night.

Fausto Carmona - 7 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. A great performance, and what one would expect against the Royals. He continues to pitch very well since being moved to the rotation this year, posting a 3.11 ERA on the season.

Grady Sizemore - His AVG is creeping back up there, current standing at .278. I still figure he'll improve that by 10 points or so come season's end, but he's got it back up where it should be. Stole his 18th base last night, too. He's turned into an elite fantasy OF.

Roy Oswalt - 6 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K. Not at his best last night, and was actually in line for the win until Dan Wheeler blew the save. Colorado remains a tough place to pitch, though, so nothing to worry about here.

Curt Schilling - 9 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K. You have to feel sorry for this man. Had a no hitting with 2 outs in the 9th, but gave up a basehit to the last man he faced. Ironically, if Julio Lugo hadn't screwded up a routine groundout in the 5th inning, who knows what might have happened. Fantasy owners will adore him for the complete game shutout, only allowing that one baserunner.

Joe Blanton - 7 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K. Likely on the cusp of getting the axe on many fantasy teams, he's bounced back in a big way by allowing 1 ER and 10 H/BB in the last 16 1/3 IP. Take this opportunity to sell him if you can...he's not this good.

David Ortiz - Went deep twice in the Oakland series, showing the power he's been missing recently. He's still having another outstanding season, hitting .337 with 11 HR, 42 RBI, and 42 R.

Cole Hamels - 7 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. Did a good job dodging baserunners, but his offense didn't do enough to get him a win. He's having a solid, but unspectacular year. He'll likely continue improving, but being a flyball pitcher in a HR ballpark will hinder his ERA.

John Maine - 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K. He keeps hurling great games, and that's now two straight starts without walking anyone. He would have won last night had Wagner not blown the save. If he can continue to show improved command, he won't hit the big rough spot I assumed he would.

Shane Victorino - Stole his 17th base last night. He's only hitting .263 with 4 HR and 22 RBI, so he's been only a 2 catagory player so far this year. Still not too bad for a waiver wire pickup.

Rich Hill - 8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 K. Big time performance last night, and he's certainly over that rough patch of starts from late last month. The HR ball will likely determine his effectiveness in each start being the flyball pitcher he is.

Chuck James - 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K. He's quietly strung together 3 fairly solid performances, although he still walks too many hitters. You can pick him up, but beware of his command issues and only start him if you can take the potential WHIP damage. Not a bad 5th starter, though, especially for a strong offensive club.

Edwin Encarnacion - Think Cincinnati regrets sending him down? Perhaps not, given that minor league demotion has caused his bat to go on fire. 4/4 with a HR and 3 RBIs last night. As I said when he was called up, he's turning out to be quite a nice fantasy 3B.

Jose Contreras - 7 1/3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. Add him to the long list of people who hate the White Sox bullpen. Had only allowed 1 ER, but left 2 men to the bullpen who prompt let both score, making his line look worse than his actual pitching performance. He's pitched better than his overall numbers indicate.

Mike Mussina - 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K. The rollercoaster continues. He just isn't the same pitcher anymore, so continue to stay away even though he'll post outings like this on occasion.

Alex Rodriguez - 2/4, HR, 4 RBI last night, including a 9th inning grand slam with the Yankees up 1. He's definitely back in the groove now.

Gary Sheffield - I've run out of things to say. Hit his 16th HR last night. He's good.

Jose Valverde - Blew a save last night, giving up a HR to Pedro Feliz in the 9th inning. The thing that separates the 2007 Jose Valverde from previous versions is his ability to bounce back after bad outings, so let's hope the same stays true again.

Jake Peavy - 6 2/3 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K. Not at his best, as evidenced by only 3 Ks, but he was actually pitching well until giving up 4 straight hits with 2 outs in the 7th inning.

Jonathan Broxton - Holy ugly outing. 1/3 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K. This ensures Saito will move right back to the closer's role when he returns. Thanks for the ratio help Thursday night, Jon!