Power Performers
Last edition of Power Performers here. Lots of NL guys I could put here, so keep that in mind when making decisions. Let's see who's hot going into the final week of the season. As always, the batting lines go AVG.-R-HR-RBI-SB.
AL Hitters
1. Magglio Ordonez, OF DET: .370-8-4-7-0 Couldn't have caught fire at a better time for Tigers fans. They've clinched a playoff spot and are now fighting for the division. A nice power boost for your stretch run.
2. David Ortiz, DH BOS: .348-4-4-5-0 Deep down he knows he's not winning the MVP so he's going to try and go out with a bang. He's already got the franchise record for HR but he'll still be swinging for the fences every time he gets to the plate.
3. Torii Hunter, OF MIN: .423-6-3-9-1 The Twinkies are surging better than ever lately and the veteran is showing he can still hit with the best of them. They've got a big lead over the White Sox, but they're thinking division more than wild card.
4. Raul Ibanez, OF SEA: .424-8-3-7-0 Once again, one of the most underrated outfielders out there. 30 HR with 117 RBI and he's still going. Expect solid numbers for his final week.
5. Paul Konerko, 1B CHW: .385-6-3-8-0 May be too late here for the Sox to make the wild card but they're not mathematically eliminated just yet. He needs 5 dingers this week to reach the 40 mark again.
Honorable Mention: Ichiro Suzuki, Carl Crawford, Luis Castillo
AL Pitchers
1. Freddy Garcia, SP CHW: 2 wins-8 K-2.45 ERA-0.818 WHIP The White Sox may be out of the hunt, bu tthey're still trying to play competitive ball. They're not rolling over just yet. Freddy's got on emore start towards the end against a tough Twins team though.
2. Kenny Rogers, SP DET: 2 wins-5 K-0.64 ERA-1.00 WHIP The Tigers have clinched a playoff spot and, again, are fighting to hold the division lead. No one wants to face the Yankees in the first round. He gets one more against Toronto this week.
3. A.J. Burnett, SP TOR: 1 win-15 K-3.21 ERA-1.357 WHIP Who da thunk it? Still pitching at this time of the year? Nice to see if you're looking for a final push in strikeouts. He gets the Gambler and the Tigers his final time out.
4. J.J. Putz, RP SEA: 2 saves-6 K-0.00 ERA-0.333 WHIP The Mariners are still looking to finish the season with respectability and Putz has been a great option at closer all season long.
5. Erik Bedard, SP BAL: 1 win-14 K-2.31 ERA-1.629 WHIP Quite the season for the third year guy out of Baltimore. His WHIP has been a little high for my taste, but you have to go with him as he goes for his 16th win of the season this week.
Honorable Mention: Chris Ray, Joe Nathan, Francisco Rodriguez
NL Hitters
1. Luke Scott, OF HOU: .333-6-4-13-0 Getting a bunch of playing time in Houston and he's taking full advantage of it. Will see full time action the rest of the way so keep him active.
2. Andruw Jones, OF ATL: .409-12-5-12-0 A huge power surge this past week and he isn't going quietly as the Braves fade away this year. Doesn't hurt that he's hitting in front of Brian McCann either.
3. Matt Holliday, OF COL: .400-12-4-12-0 A sleeper on most experts lists at the start of the season and he's finishing up hot here. He gets 3 at home and 3 at Wrigley to end the season so he should be solid for you at the close.
4. Kaz Matsui, SS COL: .400-4-0-4-5 Widely suspected that once he got out of New York he would find his groove. He's been solid since his call up to the Rockies and should continue to flash his speed around for the last week.
5. Jeff Baker, 3B/OF COL: .400-8-4-11-1 Great power numbers as he's auditioning for a spot next year. He won't supplant Garrett Atkins at third, but if he continues to hit like this, they'll find a spot for him somewhere.
Honorable Mention: Moises Alou, Aramis Ramirez, Brian McCann, Carlos Lee
NL Pitchers
1. Aaron Harang, SP CIN: 2 wins-14 K-3.24 ERA-0.840 WHIP Once again, a great play all year. His strikeout totals have been great and his ratios have been solid. He gets the Pirates next for his chance at win #16.
2. Clay Hensley, SP/RP SD: 2 wins-12 K-2.25 ERA-1.417 WHIP The converted reliever has put up impressive numbers this year for San Diego. He'll be pitching at Arizona this week, so he should find some success here at the end.
3. Trevor Hoffman, RP SD: 4 saves-4 K-3.60 ERA-0.600 WHIP How can you possibly go wrong with the new all time saves leader. The Padres are in a dogfight right now and they need to win the division if they want the playoffs this year.
4. Brett Myers, SP PHI: 1 win-12 K-2.00 ERA-1.000 WHIP A must start this week as he'll get 2 favorable matchups in Washington and in Florida. His strikeouts are always great and the Phillies are playing hard. The wins will come and he'll help the Phils into the wild card.
5. Roger Clemens, SP HOU: 1 win-12 K-0.82 ERA-1.000 WHIP Old Man River here squeezed out an extra start this past week to get an extra outing in at home. Final matchup in Atlanta, so you'll want him active.
Honorable Mention: Francisco Cordero, Jake Peavy, Brian Fuentes
AL Hitters
1. Magglio Ordonez, OF DET: .370-8-4-7-0 Couldn't have caught fire at a better time for Tigers fans. They've clinched a playoff spot and are now fighting for the division. A nice power boost for your stretch run.
2. David Ortiz, DH BOS: .348-4-4-5-0 Deep down he knows he's not winning the MVP so he's going to try and go out with a bang. He's already got the franchise record for HR but he'll still be swinging for the fences every time he gets to the plate.
3. Torii Hunter, OF MIN: .423-6-3-9-1 The Twinkies are surging better than ever lately and the veteran is showing he can still hit with the best of them. They've got a big lead over the White Sox, but they're thinking division more than wild card.
4. Raul Ibanez, OF SEA: .424-8-3-7-0 Once again, one of the most underrated outfielders out there. 30 HR with 117 RBI and he's still going. Expect solid numbers for his final week.
5. Paul Konerko, 1B CHW: .385-6-3-8-0 May be too late here for the Sox to make the wild card but they're not mathematically eliminated just yet. He needs 5 dingers this week to reach the 40 mark again.
Honorable Mention: Ichiro Suzuki, Carl Crawford, Luis Castillo
AL Pitchers
1. Freddy Garcia, SP CHW: 2 wins-8 K-2.45 ERA-0.818 WHIP The White Sox may be out of the hunt, bu tthey're still trying to play competitive ball. They're not rolling over just yet. Freddy's got on emore start towards the end against a tough Twins team though.
2. Kenny Rogers, SP DET: 2 wins-5 K-0.64 ERA-1.00 WHIP The Tigers have clinched a playoff spot and, again, are fighting to hold the division lead. No one wants to face the Yankees in the first round. He gets one more against Toronto this week.
3. A.J. Burnett, SP TOR: 1 win-15 K-3.21 ERA-1.357 WHIP Who da thunk it? Still pitching at this time of the year? Nice to see if you're looking for a final push in strikeouts. He gets the Gambler and the Tigers his final time out.
4. J.J. Putz, RP SEA: 2 saves-6 K-0.00 ERA-0.333 WHIP The Mariners are still looking to finish the season with respectability and Putz has been a great option at closer all season long.
5. Erik Bedard, SP BAL: 1 win-14 K-2.31 ERA-1.629 WHIP Quite the season for the third year guy out of Baltimore. His WHIP has been a little high for my taste, but you have to go with him as he goes for his 16th win of the season this week.
Honorable Mention: Chris Ray, Joe Nathan, Francisco Rodriguez
NL Hitters
1. Luke Scott, OF HOU: .333-6-4-13-0 Getting a bunch of playing time in Houston and he's taking full advantage of it. Will see full time action the rest of the way so keep him active.
2. Andruw Jones, OF ATL: .409-12-5-12-0 A huge power surge this past week and he isn't going quietly as the Braves fade away this year. Doesn't hurt that he's hitting in front of Brian McCann either.
3. Matt Holliday, OF COL: .400-12-4-12-0 A sleeper on most experts lists at the start of the season and he's finishing up hot here. He gets 3 at home and 3 at Wrigley to end the season so he should be solid for you at the close.
4. Kaz Matsui, SS COL: .400-4-0-4-5 Widely suspected that once he got out of New York he would find his groove. He's been solid since his call up to the Rockies and should continue to flash his speed around for the last week.
5. Jeff Baker, 3B/OF COL: .400-8-4-11-1 Great power numbers as he's auditioning for a spot next year. He won't supplant Garrett Atkins at third, but if he continues to hit like this, they'll find a spot for him somewhere.
Honorable Mention: Moises Alou, Aramis Ramirez, Brian McCann, Carlos Lee
NL Pitchers
1. Aaron Harang, SP CIN: 2 wins-14 K-3.24 ERA-0.840 WHIP Once again, a great play all year. His strikeout totals have been great and his ratios have been solid. He gets the Pirates next for his chance at win #16.
2. Clay Hensley, SP/RP SD: 2 wins-12 K-2.25 ERA-1.417 WHIP The converted reliever has put up impressive numbers this year for San Diego. He'll be pitching at Arizona this week, so he should find some success here at the end.
3. Trevor Hoffman, RP SD: 4 saves-4 K-3.60 ERA-0.600 WHIP How can you possibly go wrong with the new all time saves leader. The Padres are in a dogfight right now and they need to win the division if they want the playoffs this year.
4. Brett Myers, SP PHI: 1 win-12 K-2.00 ERA-1.000 WHIP A must start this week as he'll get 2 favorable matchups in Washington and in Florida. His strikeouts are always great and the Phillies are playing hard. The wins will come and he'll help the Phils into the wild card.
5. Roger Clemens, SP HOU: 1 win-12 K-0.82 ERA-1.000 WHIP Old Man River here squeezed out an extra start this past week to get an extra outing in at home. Final matchup in Atlanta, so you'll want him active.
Honorable Mention: Francisco Cordero, Jake Peavy, Brian Fuentes
posted by Howard Bender at
11:56 AM
