While everyone was enjoying their fireworks and BBQ, there was plenty of news coming from the baseball diamond. ย Yovani Gallardo was forced to leave his start before finishing three innings. ย Mark Teixeira could finally be heating up. ย Torii Hunter had a huge night. ย Letโs look at these stories and all the rest from yesterdayโs games:
Hitters
- Mark Teixeira (3-4, 2 RBI) New York Yankeesโ Is he finally starting to turn things around?ย He has hits in 14 of his last 15 games, though only four of those were multi-hit games.ย Three of them have come in July, going 7-14 with 5 RBI and 3 R.ย Weโre all holding out hope, arenโt we?ย The big time breakout is coming, so just keep holding on and waiting for the good.
- Nick Markakis (3-5, 1 RBI, 2 R) Baltimore Oriolesโ The guy can hit, but thereโs no questioning that he has disappointed in both the power and RBI departments.ย He certainly has been hurt by the absence of Brian Roberts, but I still have hope that he can turn things around.ย Heโs hitting too well (.307) not to think that the other things heโs proven he could do will come around.ย Donโt sell low on him now.
- Pedro Alvarez (2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R) Pittsburgh Piratesโ He struck out yet again, but he homered for the second straight game and extended his hitting streak to seven games (9-27 with 2 HR, 4 RBI and 3 R).ย If he could ever limit the strikeouts heโd have potential to be extremely dangerous, but until that happens the average is going to suffer.
- Angel Pagan (3-5, 2 RBI, 1 R) New York Metsโ Itโs not about his performance as much as it is that he appears to be back into the lineup full-time at this point.ย He has just continued to hit and with Carlos Beltran coming closer and closer to a return, it will be interesting to see what the Mets ultimately decide to do.ย Those in five-outfielder formats need to keep a close eye on this situation as things continue to unfold after the All-Star Break.
- Drew Stubbs (3-5, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R) Cincinnati Redsโ The Reds smashed seven home runs, but Stubbs clearly led the way.ย Heโs not expected to be a source of power, but heโs now got 11 HR and 41 RBI on the season.ย Couple that with 44 R and 16 SB and you have a tremendous option in all formats, if he could only get the average up from its current .240 mark.ย All he needs to do is limit the strikeouts (31.4%), but time will tell if he can do that.
- Hunter Pence (0-4) Houston Astrosโ Heโs fallen into a slump, going 2-25 over his last six games, but there is no reason to panic.ย Heโs always been a streaky player, but look for things to swing back the other way before long.
- Dexter Fowler (3-4, 3 R) Colorado Rockiesโ If that was all he did it would be worth noting, but he also drew four walks in this 15-inning affair, meaning he was on base in seven of his eight plate appearances.ย He has been tremendous since returning from the minor leagues, now on a modest four game hitting streak.ย Over the streak heโs had a trio of three hit games, going 10-16 in total to go along with 3 RBI, 7 R and 2 SB.ย Think heโs back to having value in five outfielder formats?ย Iโd say so.
- Torii Hunter (3-4, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 R) - Los Angeles Angels -ย He hadnโt homered since June 19 and hadnโt driven in a run since June 25.ย Iโd say he busted out of things in a big way, wouldnโt you?ย Heโs now hitting .294 with 14 HR, 60 RBI and 49 R on the season and is on pace to challenge his career high in RBI of 107.ย Heโs only reached 100 RBI twice in his career, so donโt consider him a lock to get there, even with his fast start (he had 25 RBI in an injury shortened second half of โ09, 35 in โ08 and 38 in โ07), but he clearly is one of the better outfielders in all formats.
Pitchers :
- Fausto Carmona (7.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 3 K) Cleveland Indiansโ He continues to pitch well, winning four of his last five starts.ย In fact, in his last seven starts heโs allowed 3 ER or less in six of them.ย Of course, entering the day he had benefited from a .274 BABIP and 67.9% strand rate, as he just doesnโt strikeout enough batters (4.7 K/9).ย Thatโs enough to put a touch of doubt in his viability for the second half, so I certainly would listen if someone in your league is buying.
- Cliff Lee (8.0 IP, 1 ER, 9 H, 1 BB, 11 K, W)Seattle Marinersโ Was this his last start for the Mariners?ย That seems to be the question every time he takes the mound, though you wouldnโt know it based on the way heโs pitched.ย In his last eight starts, he hasnโt allowed more then 3 ER in any of them.ย In fact, over that span heโs allowed 13 ER over 67 IP (1.75 ERA).ย Heโs really brought it, and certainly will bring ace stuff to whoever ultimately acquires him.
- Brian Matusz (7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 8 K, W) - Baltimore Orioles - Heโs had his ups and heโs had his downs, but this may be the best weโve seen of him.ย He has a ton of potential, but as a young pitcher in the AL East (especially one pitching for the Orioles), itโs hard to imagine these types of performances every time he toes the rubber.ย Keeper league owners can hold out hope, but heโs not likely to hold value in yearly leagues in 2010.
- James Shields (6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 2 K, W) Tampa Bay Raysโ He may have gotten the win, but thatโs not to say that he was impressive in the least.ย Heโs now allowed 4 ER or more in each of his last three starts and is carrying a 4.83 ERA on the year.ย Is this a continuation of his poor second half in 2009 (5.16 ERA)?ย I donโt believe that, as heโs had some poor lucky early in the year (.343 BABIP, 68.5% strand rate entering the day).ย If someone in my league is finally frustrated with him, Iโm certainly willing to buy low.
- Yovani Gallardo (2.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K) Milwaukee Brewersโ He allowed five unearned runs and was forced to leave with an oblique strain, according to Tim Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Twitter.ย Thatโs a scary injury for fantasy owners to hear as heโs likely to miss a little bit of time.ย Keep checking back for the latest, but owners would be smart to have a viable alternative in place.
- Adam Wainwright (9.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 9 K, W) St. Louis Cardinalsโ He continues to be unbelievable, now at 12-5 with a 2.24 ERA on the year.ย Is there little question that heโs the ace of the staff at this point, as opposed to Chris Carpenter?
- Chad Billingsley (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 8 K) Los Angeles Dodgersโ Heโs been solid since returning from the DL, allowing 3 ER over 12 IP on 12 H and 3 BB, striking out 11.ย His next start comes against the Cubs and he certainly has regained his must use standing in all formats.
- Ricky Nolasco (7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 11 K, W) Florida Marlinsโ Heโs 3-0 in his last three starts, but the most impressive stat during this stretch is his 28 Ks over 21 innings.ย Rumors have started to crop up that he could potentially be traded, but no matter where he is he is a must use option in all formats right now.ย His next start is scheduled to be against the Diamondbacks, so look for the strikeouts to continue.
- Mark Buehrle (7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 0 K, W) Chicago White So xโ I know he barely strikes anyone out (49 K in 103.1 IP in โ10), but heโs significantly better then his numbers and is a viable option in all formats.ย Just look at what heโs done in his last six starts, going 4-0 with a 2.72 ERA.ย The 1.36 WHIP is still passable, and is only that high because he struggled with his command last time out (5 BB).ย Considering his career BB/9 of 2.1, I think itโs safe to say that it was an aberration.
What are your thoughts from yesterdayโs games?ย Which ones caught your eye? And which ones did I miss?
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