Power Performers
Sorry for the delay today...technical difficulties and all. So let's just get right into it...
AL Hitters
1. Jermaine Dye, OF CHW: .393-8-5-10-0 And people were worried, myself included, that he was doomed to have a bad second half. Pffffft!!!!! He continues to mash the ball and has maintained his place in the AL MVP consideration.
2. Torii Hunter, OF MIN: .320-5-4-6-0 The surging Twins continue to battle for the AL wild card. If Hunter continues to play like this, not only would they be able to topple the White Sox, but they are scarily coming close to the slumping Tigers these days.
3. Nick Markakis, OF BAL: .435-6-4-6-0 He was quietly hitting for average at the start of the week, and then exploded with power towards the end, including a 3 HR performance in one night. He'll continue to play regularly with Jeff Conine out of the picture and can hopefully continue with this momentum.
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B SEA: .308-5-3-4-0 I don't know what my "left coast commentator" would do if I left him off this week. Beltre is having a fantastic August as he continues to produce here in the second half. The only question is whether or not he can keep his play up to these levels throughout September. He hasn't in the past, so we'll wait and see.
5. Mark Teahen, 3B KC: .423-6-2-5-3 Funny, isn't it? That Teahen finds himself here with Beltre after the comparison made by my colleague a few days ago? The Royals youngster has also been on a great second half surge and he's doing it all right now with a great mix of power and speed. My aforementioned friend is having a field day here.
Honorable Mention: Joe Crede, Johnny Damon, Jason Kendall
AL Pitchers
1. Kenny Rogers, SP DET: 2 Wins-5 K-0.64 ERA-1.17 WHIP The Tigers have been slumping lately, but leave it up to the veteran to help right the ship. The Gambler, who usually doesn't fare too well in the second half, is providing stability and veteran leadership to this staff.
2. Josh Beckett, SP BOS: 1 Win-3 K-1.50 ERA-1.00 WHIP Had the best outing the Sox have seen in some time from their rotation and was the only bright spot in a stretch where the team has lost 11 of the last 14 games. The alleged blister is being called a cut, so the team expects him to make his next start. If he can perform the way he should, Boston may just be able to climb back into the playoff race.
3. Justin Duchscherer, RP OAK: 2 Saves-3 K-0.00 ERA-0.00WHIP Doing a fantastic job filling in for the injured Huston Street. And when Street returns, Duchscherer will just go back to being one of the top set-up men in the AL anyway.
4. Tom Mastny, RP CLE: 2 Saves-4 K-0.00 ERA-1.00 WHIP While the Tribe is auditioning new closers since the Bob Wickman trade, dark horse Mastny has pitched his way into the role. Manager Eric Wedge gave a ringing endorsement, and barring any Carmonian like meltdown, he should remain there for the season.
5. Seth McClung, RP TB: 2 Saves-3 K-3.00 ERA-3.00 WHIP Another favorite of the West Coast RotoBuzz following. If you take away yesterday's disaster, he's been as solid a closer as you can find. The organization has wanted him in this role for a little while, so don't expect them to move him out unless yesterday becomes the norm rather than the exception.
Honorable Mention: Danny Haren, Vicente Padilla, Cha Seung Baek
NL Hitters
1. Carlos Delgado, 1B NYM: .389-6-4-11-0 Is someone a little excited that his best friend is on the same team now? Not that he wasn't performing well before, but since the arrival of Shawn Gree, the veteran first baseman is on a tear. It should only get better as the team is now firing on all cylinders.
2. Miguel Cabrera, 3B FLA: .409-8-3-9-0 A fantastic second half for the longest tenured Marlin position player. While he's not matching his usual power numbers, he remains one of the top choices in fantasy baseball for third basemen. Look for him to play like this through the end of the season.
3. Jose Reyes, SS NYM: .375-7-1-5-4 Has established himself as one of the premier leadoff hitters in the game today. He continues to run the bases like a madman and the power displays this year have been a huge bonus.
4. Alfonso Soriano, OF WAS: .346-4-1-2-4 Like the annoying little pink Energizer bunny, he just keeps going and going and going. A relatively quiet week for power easily made up with the action on the basepaths. Most definitely re-established as a first rounder again.
5. Willy Taveras, OF HOU: .400-5-0-0-4 C'mon! You didn;t think I was going to leave off a guy in the midst of a 30 game hitting streak did you? There's really no power to be had, but he's hitting for a tremendous average and his 28 steals on the year are outstanding...especially when you consider the lack of playing time he received earlier in the year.
Honorable Mention: Gary Bennett, Brad Hawpe, Omar Vizquel
NL Pitchers
1. Noah Lowry, SP SF: 2 Wins-9 K-0.53 ERA-0.706 WHIP Picking a great time to get hot as the Giants are starting to pull themselves out from the sub-.500 ditch they are currently in. What's even better is that they're just 3 1/2 games out of first in the ridiculously weak NL West.
2. Matt Cain, SP SF: 1 Win-16 K-0.64 ERA-1.00 WHIP See above for the big picture for the team. If the Giants do contend, Cain should prove to be a very valuable asset down the stretch and complements the like of Lowry and Jason Schmidt. Him and Schmidt? Talk about some strikeouts!!
3. John Smoltz, SP ATL: 2 Wins-17 K-0.56 ERA-0.438 WHIP I know the bullpen is in trouble but how could you think about taking this out of your starting rotation. The veteran continues to dazzle down the stretch. Just a shame he won't make it to the postseason for the first time in who knows how many years.
4. Mike Gonzalez, RP PIT: 3 Saves-6 K-0.00 ERA-0.00 WHIP Just lights out in all three appearances this past week. It's a shame he overdid it on three straight days and currently finds himself on the DL with elbow tendenitis. He should be back closing out games again by mid-September.
5. Trevor Hoffman, RP SD: 3 Saves-2 K-0.00 ERA-1.29 WHIP One of the game's best out there. He will continue to be an integral part of the Padres this year as they too, find themselves in the heat of a race -- only 2 games out of first in the NL West.
Honorable Mention: Chris Capuano, Joe Borowski, Andy Pettitte
AL Hitters
1. Jermaine Dye, OF CHW: .393-8-5-10-0 And people were worried, myself included, that he was doomed to have a bad second half. Pffffft!!!!! He continues to mash the ball and has maintained his place in the AL MVP consideration.
2. Torii Hunter, OF MIN: .320-5-4-6-0 The surging Twins continue to battle for the AL wild card. If Hunter continues to play like this, not only would they be able to topple the White Sox, but they are scarily coming close to the slumping Tigers these days.
3. Nick Markakis, OF BAL: .435-6-4-6-0 He was quietly hitting for average at the start of the week, and then exploded with power towards the end, including a 3 HR performance in one night. He'll continue to play regularly with Jeff Conine out of the picture and can hopefully continue with this momentum.
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B SEA: .308-5-3-4-0 I don't know what my "left coast commentator" would do if I left him off this week. Beltre is having a fantastic August as he continues to produce here in the second half. The only question is whether or not he can keep his play up to these levels throughout September. He hasn't in the past, so we'll wait and see.
5. Mark Teahen, 3B KC: .423-6-2-5-3 Funny, isn't it? That Teahen finds himself here with Beltre after the comparison made by my colleague a few days ago? The Royals youngster has also been on a great second half surge and he's doing it all right now with a great mix of power and speed. My aforementioned friend is having a field day here.
Honorable Mention: Joe Crede, Johnny Damon, Jason Kendall
AL Pitchers
1. Kenny Rogers, SP DET: 2 Wins-5 K-0.64 ERA-1.17 WHIP The Tigers have been slumping lately, but leave it up to the veteran to help right the ship. The Gambler, who usually doesn't fare too well in the second half, is providing stability and veteran leadership to this staff.
2. Josh Beckett, SP BOS: 1 Win-3 K-1.50 ERA-1.00 WHIP Had the best outing the Sox have seen in some time from their rotation and was the only bright spot in a stretch where the team has lost 11 of the last 14 games. The alleged blister is being called a cut, so the team expects him to make his next start. If he can perform the way he should, Boston may just be able to climb back into the playoff race.
3. Justin Duchscherer, RP OAK: 2 Saves-3 K-0.00 ERA-0.00WHIP Doing a fantastic job filling in for the injured Huston Street. And when Street returns, Duchscherer will just go back to being one of the top set-up men in the AL anyway.
4. Tom Mastny, RP CLE: 2 Saves-4 K-0.00 ERA-1.00 WHIP While the Tribe is auditioning new closers since the Bob Wickman trade, dark horse Mastny has pitched his way into the role. Manager Eric Wedge gave a ringing endorsement, and barring any Carmonian like meltdown, he should remain there for the season.
5. Seth McClung, RP TB: 2 Saves-3 K-3.00 ERA-3.00 WHIP Another favorite of the West Coast RotoBuzz following. If you take away yesterday's disaster, he's been as solid a closer as you can find. The organization has wanted him in this role for a little while, so don't expect them to move him out unless yesterday becomes the norm rather than the exception.
Honorable Mention: Danny Haren, Vicente Padilla, Cha Seung Baek
NL Hitters
1. Carlos Delgado, 1B NYM: .389-6-4-11-0 Is someone a little excited that his best friend is on the same team now? Not that he wasn't performing well before, but since the arrival of Shawn Gree, the veteran first baseman is on a tear. It should only get better as the team is now firing on all cylinders.
2. Miguel Cabrera, 3B FLA: .409-8-3-9-0 A fantastic second half for the longest tenured Marlin position player. While he's not matching his usual power numbers, he remains one of the top choices in fantasy baseball for third basemen. Look for him to play like this through the end of the season.
3. Jose Reyes, SS NYM: .375-7-1-5-4 Has established himself as one of the premier leadoff hitters in the game today. He continues to run the bases like a madman and the power displays this year have been a huge bonus.
4. Alfonso Soriano, OF WAS: .346-4-1-2-4 Like the annoying little pink Energizer bunny, he just keeps going and going and going. A relatively quiet week for power easily made up with the action on the basepaths. Most definitely re-established as a first rounder again.
5. Willy Taveras, OF HOU: .400-5-0-0-4 C'mon! You didn;t think I was going to leave off a guy in the midst of a 30 game hitting streak did you? There's really no power to be had, but he's hitting for a tremendous average and his 28 steals on the year are outstanding...especially when you consider the lack of playing time he received earlier in the year.
Honorable Mention: Gary Bennett, Brad Hawpe, Omar Vizquel
NL Pitchers
1. Noah Lowry, SP SF: 2 Wins-9 K-0.53 ERA-0.706 WHIP Picking a great time to get hot as the Giants are starting to pull themselves out from the sub-.500 ditch they are currently in. What's even better is that they're just 3 1/2 games out of first in the ridiculously weak NL West.
2. Matt Cain, SP SF: 1 Win-16 K-0.64 ERA-1.00 WHIP See above for the big picture for the team. If the Giants do contend, Cain should prove to be a very valuable asset down the stretch and complements the like of Lowry and Jason Schmidt. Him and Schmidt? Talk about some strikeouts!!
3. John Smoltz, SP ATL: 2 Wins-17 K-0.56 ERA-0.438 WHIP I know the bullpen is in trouble but how could you think about taking this out of your starting rotation. The veteran continues to dazzle down the stretch. Just a shame he won't make it to the postseason for the first time in who knows how many years.
4. Mike Gonzalez, RP PIT: 3 Saves-6 K-0.00 ERA-0.00 WHIP Just lights out in all three appearances this past week. It's a shame he overdid it on three straight days and currently finds himself on the DL with elbow tendenitis. He should be back closing out games again by mid-September.
5. Trevor Hoffman, RP SD: 3 Saves-2 K-0.00 ERA-1.29 WHIP One of the game's best out there. He will continue to be an integral part of the Padres this year as they too, find themselves in the heat of a race -- only 2 games out of first in the NL West.
Honorable Mention: Chris Capuano, Joe Borowski, Andy Pettitte
posted by Howard Bender at
6:27 PM
