Power Performers
A big week all around for a lot of guys, I wish I could name them all. The AL this week reads like an All-Star roster while the NL looks like you should be doing some diving into the waiver wire pool. Check out who finished strongest for this last scoring period.
AL Hitters
1. Johnny Damon, OF NYY: .390-11-4-12-1 Just finished out the week showing Boston exactly what they're missing this year. The catalyst for the Yankees lineup is already a 20-20 guy.
2. Carl Crawford, OF TB: .583-3-0-6-7 Flipped on the speed switch this week, let's hope next week the power gets turned on too. How does a guy with a .630 OBP for the week cross the plate just 3 times? He needs help.
3. Mark Grudzielanek, 2B KC: .433-5-2-6-0 A nice way to say thank you to the club for his new contract extension. Strong play and a great attitude are keeping the Royals from auditioning up and comer Jeff Keppinger.
4. Travis Hafner, DH CLE: .364-5-3-6-0 Just a hitting machine. He gives to the Indians what David Ortiz gives to the Red Sox. The only thing that could make him stronger is better position eligibility.
5. Robinson Cano, 2B NYY: .306-5-2-13-1 Comes off the DL and plays just as strong as he did before he went on. If it wasn't for the injury, we'd be talking about him with Alfonso Soriano and Chase Utley as the big 3 at second base.
Honorable Mention: Vladimir Guerrero, Bengie Molina, Bobby Abreu
AL Pitchers
1. Jon Garland, SP CHW: 2 Wins-10 K-0.61 ERA-0.955 WHIP The White Sox pitching is turning it up for their late season Wild Card push and Garland is leading the way. Big divisional matchup with the Tigers next week.
2. Roy Halladay, SP TOR: 2 W-5 K- 2.57 ERA-0.857 WHIP Sure the strikeouts could be higher, but his continued dominance shows why he's the league's first 16 game winner this season.
3. Johann Santana, SP MIN: 2 W-14 K-0.60 ERA-0.667 WHIP Someone needs to get his number over to Josh Beckett and fast. Even with a blister Santana continues to prove why he's the best in the game right now.
4. Francisco Rodriguez, RP LAA: 4 Saves-5 K-0.00 ERA-0.900 WHIP While the Angels continue their pursuit of an AL West title again, K-Rod continues to be there to shut the door for them.
5. Todd Jones, RP DET: 3 S-3 K-0.00 ERA-0.333 WHIP Like every closer he's had his ups and downs. Right now he's up and the oldest closer in the game is looking sharper than ever.
Honorable Mention: Akinori Otsuka, Joe Nelson, Nate Robertson
NL Hitters
1. Chris Duncan, 1B/OF STL: .583-6-4-6-0 Platooning his way right into the starting lineup until the arrival of Preston Wilson. But we all know how Tony LaRussa likes to ride the hot bat and keep his regulars freshwith rest. Duncan will see plenty of time from now until season's end.
2. Kenny Lofton, OF LA: .471-6-0-1-4 Making the most of his playing time and will continue to run the bases for the Dodgers. Even if he's platooning, he'll be the first one off the bench when the team needs a pinch runner to swipe a bag or two.
3. Willie Taveras, OF HOU: .286-4-0-1-4 With the departure of Preston Wilson and the cooling down of Chris Burke and Luke Scott, Taveras is getting the at bats in center he's needed to get you those cheap steals you thought you were getting when you picked him up. He'll continue to steal as long as he continues to play.
4. Shane Victorino, OF PHI: .310-5-2-9-0 Outstanding when he filled in earlier this year and doing great when given an opportunity to play. With David Dellucci's quad problem and Pat Burrell's foot ailment the Phillies won't have trouble getting this kid some at bats. Now if they could just trade Burrell away...
5. Corey Hart, OF MIL: .333-7-3-4-0 With Geoff Jenkins riding the pine, Hart is getting a solid amount of playing time and he's not disappointing. The club should keep him in the everyday lineup from here on in.
Honorable Mention: Carlos Delgado, Abraham Nunez, Edwin Encarnacion
NL Pitchers
1. Chris Carpenter, SP STL: 2 W-13 K-1.06 ERA-0.647 WHIP Pitching lights out when the Cardinals need him most right now. Complete game against the Reds, a solid win against the Cubs and he gets the softies from Wrigley again his next time out.
2. Cole Hamels, SP PHI: 2 W-16 K-1.29 ERA-0.714 WHIP So all the hype was legit after all. If you stuck with the young phenom, you're reaping the benefits well in the second half. Careful though...a stron gfinish puts him on everyone's radar next year.
3. Chuck James, SP ATL: 2 W-10 K-2.08 ERA-1.385 WHIP We'd obviously like to see him give up less hits and walks, but for a guy who was only supposed to fill in every once in a while, he's had himself quite a nice little August.
4. Derek Lowe, SP LAD: 2 W-8 K-1.20 ERA-0.800 WHIP Injuries have hampered him a bit this year, but he's healthy now and doing what he does best. A very consistent ground ball pitcher. As long as the defense stays strong he's going to win a bunch of games down the stretch.
5. Francisco Cordero, RP MIL: 3 S-3 K-0.00 ERA-1.500 WHIP He'll always make it interesting for you but for now he's still closing out the games for the Brewers. He's established himself there well enough to not have to worry about Derrick Turnbow anymore.
Honorable Mention: Billy Wagner, Chad Cordero, Doug Davis
AL Hitters
1. Johnny Damon, OF NYY: .390-11-4-12-1 Just finished out the week showing Boston exactly what they're missing this year. The catalyst for the Yankees lineup is already a 20-20 guy.
2. Carl Crawford, OF TB: .583-3-0-6-7 Flipped on the speed switch this week, let's hope next week the power gets turned on too. How does a guy with a .630 OBP for the week cross the plate just 3 times? He needs help.
3. Mark Grudzielanek, 2B KC: .433-5-2-6-0 A nice way to say thank you to the club for his new contract extension. Strong play and a great attitude are keeping the Royals from auditioning up and comer Jeff Keppinger.
4. Travis Hafner, DH CLE: .364-5-3-6-0 Just a hitting machine. He gives to the Indians what David Ortiz gives to the Red Sox. The only thing that could make him stronger is better position eligibility.
5. Robinson Cano, 2B NYY: .306-5-2-13-1 Comes off the DL and plays just as strong as he did before he went on. If it wasn't for the injury, we'd be talking about him with Alfonso Soriano and Chase Utley as the big 3 at second base.
Honorable Mention: Vladimir Guerrero, Bengie Molina, Bobby Abreu
AL Pitchers
1. Jon Garland, SP CHW: 2 Wins-10 K-0.61 ERA-0.955 WHIP The White Sox pitching is turning it up for their late season Wild Card push and Garland is leading the way. Big divisional matchup with the Tigers next week.
2. Roy Halladay, SP TOR: 2 W-5 K- 2.57 ERA-0.857 WHIP Sure the strikeouts could be higher, but his continued dominance shows why he's the league's first 16 game winner this season.
3. Johann Santana, SP MIN: 2 W-14 K-0.60 ERA-0.667 WHIP Someone needs to get his number over to Josh Beckett and fast. Even with a blister Santana continues to prove why he's the best in the game right now.
4. Francisco Rodriguez, RP LAA: 4 Saves-5 K-0.00 ERA-0.900 WHIP While the Angels continue their pursuit of an AL West title again, K-Rod continues to be there to shut the door for them.
5. Todd Jones, RP DET: 3 S-3 K-0.00 ERA-0.333 WHIP Like every closer he's had his ups and downs. Right now he's up and the oldest closer in the game is looking sharper than ever.
Honorable Mention: Akinori Otsuka, Joe Nelson, Nate Robertson
NL Hitters
1. Chris Duncan, 1B/OF STL: .583-6-4-6-0 Platooning his way right into the starting lineup until the arrival of Preston Wilson. But we all know how Tony LaRussa likes to ride the hot bat and keep his regulars freshwith rest. Duncan will see plenty of time from now until season's end.
2. Kenny Lofton, OF LA: .471-6-0-1-4 Making the most of his playing time and will continue to run the bases for the Dodgers. Even if he's platooning, he'll be the first one off the bench when the team needs a pinch runner to swipe a bag or two.
3. Willie Taveras, OF HOU: .286-4-0-1-4 With the departure of Preston Wilson and the cooling down of Chris Burke and Luke Scott, Taveras is getting the at bats in center he's needed to get you those cheap steals you thought you were getting when you picked him up. He'll continue to steal as long as he continues to play.
4. Shane Victorino, OF PHI: .310-5-2-9-0 Outstanding when he filled in earlier this year and doing great when given an opportunity to play. With David Dellucci's quad problem and Pat Burrell's foot ailment the Phillies won't have trouble getting this kid some at bats. Now if they could just trade Burrell away...
5. Corey Hart, OF MIL: .333-7-3-4-0 With Geoff Jenkins riding the pine, Hart is getting a solid amount of playing time and he's not disappointing. The club should keep him in the everyday lineup from here on in.
Honorable Mention: Carlos Delgado, Abraham Nunez, Edwin Encarnacion
NL Pitchers
1. Chris Carpenter, SP STL: 2 W-13 K-1.06 ERA-0.647 WHIP Pitching lights out when the Cardinals need him most right now. Complete game against the Reds, a solid win against the Cubs and he gets the softies from Wrigley again his next time out.
2. Cole Hamels, SP PHI: 2 W-16 K-1.29 ERA-0.714 WHIP So all the hype was legit after all. If you stuck with the young phenom, you're reaping the benefits well in the second half. Careful though...a stron gfinish puts him on everyone's radar next year.
3. Chuck James, SP ATL: 2 W-10 K-2.08 ERA-1.385 WHIP We'd obviously like to see him give up less hits and walks, but for a guy who was only supposed to fill in every once in a while, he's had himself quite a nice little August.
4. Derek Lowe, SP LAD: 2 W-8 K-1.20 ERA-0.800 WHIP Injuries have hampered him a bit this year, but he's healthy now and doing what he does best. A very consistent ground ball pitcher. As long as the defense stays strong he's going to win a bunch of games down the stretch.
5. Francisco Cordero, RP MIL: 3 S-3 K-0.00 ERA-1.500 WHIP He'll always make it interesting for you but for now he's still closing out the games for the Brewers. He's established himself there well enough to not have to worry about Derrick Turnbow anymore.
Honorable Mention: Billy Wagner, Chad Cordero, Doug Davis
posted by Howard Bender at
5:11 AM
