Monday, August 13, 2007

Sunday's Action: Ordonez Back On Fire, Burnett Returns

Andy Pettitte - 7 1/3 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, W (9). He cruised through the first 6 innings, started to tire in the 7th, and then was pulled in the 8th after putting 2 on with 1 out, 1 of which scored. Still, it was a solid effort from Pettitte, and he's posted 7 straight starts of 3 ER or less.

Melky Cabrera - 2/5, 2 R, 1 RBI, HR (8), SB (10). He's a fine injury replacement OF in mixed leagues. He's being over looked, but he's hit .361 with 4 HR, 20 RBI, and 22 R in 31 games since the AS break. He's up to .302 on the season and while he doesn't possess great HR power nor great SB speed, he's going to contribute enough in those catagories while hitting .300 and producing runs.

Grady Sizemore - 1/4, SB (29). Sizemore is slumping, going 7 for his last 39 to lower his AVG to .275 on the season. He hasn't hit well since the start of July, but expect him to heat back up sometime shortly.

Mike Piazza - 0/5. Piazza is 1 for his last 15 and he only got one AB between the 8th and the 12th. Since he plays the catcher position, he should still have solid mixed league value, but the way he's being randomly inserted into the lineup on a team with 2 DH's is starting to become a problem. He's not going to find a rhythm at the plate during a cold streak this way. He cleared waivers last week, and it would be for the best if another team made a deal for him.

Magglio Ordonez - 2/3, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR (21). So much for Ordonez slowing down. My sell high plea to him doesn't look so good right now, although I did conditionalize it by saying go after a top flight OF in return. It's just that Ordonez has remained top flight himself, smashing 5 HR already this month after a slow June/July with 4 HR combined.

Oliver Perez - 5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 K. Perez was due for a rough stretch as he had been posting an ERA below 3 for a while, and now that it's at 3.46, it's more in line with how's pitching, so expect better results moving forward. Too bad he didn't have another inning left him as they took the lead for good the inning following his departure.

Moises Alou - 3/4, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR (7). Alou's back, healthy (for now), and hitting well like usual. Consider him as an option if you have a hole in your OF before his next DL stint.

Jake Peavy - 6 2/3 IP. 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, W (13). He got sloppy towards the end of the outing, allowing 5 of the 8 baserunners, and 3 of the 4 runs he gave up in the last 1 2/3. Still, it was another fairly strong outing that lead to his 4th win in a row.

Bronson Arroyo - 6 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. He just can't be trusted at home, even against a weak Padres offense, can he? Keep in mind where he's pitching before plugging him into your lineup.

Brian Giles - 2/3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 HR (7). 5 HR in his last 3 games, all of which came at Cincinnati. Don't pick him up...he's not going through a career renassaince.

Curt Schilling - 6 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K. He pitched pretty well, but the complete lack of Ks is very concerning at this point for a pitcher that's having shoulder issues. I didn't watch the game, but I didn't read that he had any diminshed velocity. Keep an eye on him, though.

Brad Lidge - 1/3 IP, SV (8). Bounced back from his latest meltdown to get the final out for another save. It'd be nice to see him string together a few more scoreless outings before I'd say he's out of the woods, obviously.

Jim Thome - He's 1 for his last 22 as his back is probably bothering him again. This is exactly why I said to trade him before your trading deadline, although I was unsuccessful in finding a deal for him. Smart owners.

Anthony Reyes - 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, W (2). Finally another win for Reyes. He's pitching pretty well, so don't forget about him. He's only worth a spot start against weaker offenses for now.

Tom Gorzelanny - 9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. The CG SHO is great, but did the Pirates really need to leave their starter a few starts removed from shoulder injuries in to throw 117 pitches in a 5-0 game? A great start, but not a smart move from the Pirates coaching staff.

Troy Tulowitski - 2/5, 1 R, 3 RBI, HR (15). One of my best waiver wire pickups of the season. He has really come alive since the start of June, hitting .294 with 13 HR, 39 RBI, and 38 R in that span. He's become a top 10 SS and only figures to get better at the plate.

Jered Weaver - 7 1/3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, W (8). A great start from Weaver against the reeling Minnesota offense. He's put together back-to-back solid starts since getting lit up in back-to-back outings. Such is the life for a young flyball pitcher.

Chone Figgins - 2/5, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR (2). Dueces wild. Figgins has been ridiculous since the start of June, hitting .407 with 27 SB and 50 R in that timeframe. He's been an incredible WW pickup that rivals that of Ryan Braun, but in a different capacity.

A.J. Burnett - 7 1/3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, W (6). A very successful return for Burnett against the soft Royals offense. The fact he was limited to 90 pitches is a plus, but the Jays history of over-using him and his arm troubles state that he's very risky going forward. Unfortunately with the fantasy trade deadlines past in most leagues, you can't try to sell him off of this performance. He'll remain pretty helpful while healthy.

Ryan Howard - 1/3, 1 R, 3 RBI, HR (33). He hits the ball far.

Jimmy Rollins - 2/5, 3 R, SB (22). He had been off to an awful start so far this month, but with a .290 AVG, 21 HR, 22 SB, and 100 R already, he's been the elite SS all his owners drafted/traded for him to be.

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