Rotoprofessor

We’re going Quick Hit style today, thanks to my weekly appearance on the Fantasy Baseball Roundtable (which you really should check out on Blog Talk Radio). 

As for the action, Aramis Ramirez & Jhonny Peralta are simply raking right now.  Chad Billingsley struggled again, so is it time to worry?  Mark Buehrle was unhittable again, before imploding.  Let’s take a look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:

Kansas City 4, Baltimore 3

• Matt Wieters went 4-5 with 1 RBI.  That sets a career high in hits in a game for him and also extends his hitting streak to six games (10-22) and his RBI streak to three consecutive games (3 RBI).  At this point, small victories are important and it looks like he is starting to heat up a little bit.  Of course, this is far from the type of production owners had expected from Wieters, who has just 3 HR since being recalled.  Just continue to have patience, as the signs are there that he’s turning things around.

• Scott Kazmir outpitched CC Sabathia, giving up 1 run on 5 hits and 1 walk, striking out 4, over 7 innings.  I just spoke about Kazmir yesterday (click here for the article) and one start isn’t going to change things for me.  I’m still avoiding him in all formats.
• CC Sabathia allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 9 hits and 2 walks, striking out 6, over 5.2 innings.  This is the third time in his last six starts that he has allowed five earned runs or more.  It’s certainly a tough stretch for him, but I wouldn’t push the panic button quite yet.

• Jonathan Papelbon allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits and 1 walk, striking out 1, over 1 inning to blow the save.  It happens.
• Adam Kennedy went 5-7 with 3 RBI, giving him a modest four-game hitting streak.  He’s been hitting extremely well of late, offering mild power (7 HR) and speed (11 SB), making him worth considering in the deepest of mixed leagues.  He’s never really shown excessive power in the past, however, with a career high of 13 HR, so I wouldn’t take him looking for that.

• Elvis Andrus went 3-4 with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R and 1 SB.  Over his past two games he’s 5-7 and is certainly putting those at ease who thought he had hit a wall.  The power is nice, but it’s not what we should expect from him by any stretch.  His value lays in his speed, as he now has 20 SB and is running significantly more recently.  with 4 SB over his last eight games.  If that is what you need, he’s a solid pick-up in all formats, at least for the short-term.
• Ian Kinsler went 1-3 with 1 HR, 3 RBI and 1 R, but apparently was forced out of the game with a hamstring issue.  Hopefully it’s just a day or two injury, but certainly stay tuned.

• After his perfect game last time out, Mark Buehrle started out by throwing 5.2 perfect innings in this one before the wheels suddenly fell off.  He finished going 6.1 innings allowing 5 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk, striking out 3, but that line should not discredit the amazing roll he was on, setting a major league record for consecutive batters retired.  Jimmy Hascup did a great write-up on him as to why he is a great fantasy pitcher, so I’m not going to repeat what he’s already said.  Check it out for yourself by clicking here.

• Jhonny Peralta went 1-4 with 1 HR, 2 RBI and 1 R.  He has now has a seven-game hitting streak, has homered in three straight games and has RBI in four straight (12 RBI over that span).  The guy is scorching hot right now and should be active in all formats immediately.
• Brian Fuentes allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks, without recording an out, before he was lifted in favor of Jason Bulger, who got the job done and picked up the save.  Is Fuentes’ job in trouble?  I wouldn’t think so, but I would certainly be paying close attention to him over his next few outings.

• Was this Jarrod Washburn’s last start as a memeber of the Mariners?  Despite taking a no decision, he was extremely impressive if it was.  He went 7 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 3 walks, striking out 1, over 7 innings to put his ERA at 2.64 and WHIP at 1.07.  Over his last five starts he’s allowed 3 earned runs over 36.2 innings.  Of course, this is still Washburn we’re talking about, the same pitcher who has had just one season with an ERA under 4.33 since 2003.  Also in that time, his best WHIP was 1.25.  He’s been tremendous, but I’d expect a regression to be in his future, even if he is dealt to a contender.

• Kyle Blanks went 2-4 and is now on a three-game hitting streak.  He’s started each of the past three games, so maybe the Padres are finally going to give him an opportunity.  If that’s the case, he is likely to prove worthy of owning in all five outfielder formats, so keep a close eye on him.
• Kevin Correia bounced back nicely, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks, striking out 5, over 6 innings.  He’s a decent pitch-and-ditch option, but I certainly wouldn’t be depending on him at this point.  There’s too much risk involved, as he’s shown the potential to get blown up at times (6 ER against Houston, 8 ER against Philadelphia).  If the match-up is favorable, then consider taking the risk.  Otherwise, leave him as waiver wire fodder.

• Mike Pelfrey went 6.1 shutout innings, allowing 7 hits and 3 walks, striking out 5.  That’s two straight strong outings, but the strikeouts are still a little worrisome.  This was only the second time in his last 11 starts where he has struck out at least five.  He’s been showing flashes that he’s turned things around and looks like the pitcher he was in 2008, but then he’ll go out and give up four or more earned runs in an outing.  Until he shows more consistency, I’d proceed cautiously.  His next start is against the Diamondbacks, which is one that I would consider using him for.

• Rafael Soriano allowed 2 runs on 1 hit and 1 walk over 0.1 innings to blow the save.  It is the second time in his last three outings that he’s given up a run, but I wouldn’t worry about it much.  He was due to hit a rough spot sooner or later, it’s going to happen.  He’s been too good and has finally emerged as the Braves full-time closer, to get worried.  If he struggles again next time out, then that’ll be a different story, especially with Mike Gonzalez around.  For now, leave him in as a #2 closer in all formats.

• Nyjer Morgan went 2-5 with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R and 1 SB.  He has a six-game hitting streak, going 13-24 with 1 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R and 2 SB.  He has emerged this season as a viable speed option in all formats, hitting .304 with 31 SB and 56 R.  Is he a must start option in shallower formats?  No, but he’s certainly proven that he could be worthwhile as an injury replacement in those leagues.
• Ryan Braun went 2-4 with 1 HR, 1 RBI and 2 R putting him at .318 with 21 HR and 69 RBI on the season.  Where would you draft him in 2010?  Is he a Top 5 pick?

Houston 11, Chicago (NL) 6

• Roy Oswalt started for the Astros, but lasted just 1.2 innings, allowing 1 hit and 0 walks, striking out 2, before being forced out of the game after straining his back.  We’ll have to see if he is forced out of his next start or not.
• Is anyone still worried about Aramis Ramirez’ shoulder?  He went 1-4 with 1 HR, 3 RBI and 2 R, extending his hitting streak to six games.  Over the streak he’s gone 13-26 with 3 HR, 10 RBI and 7 R.  Needless to say, he’s among the top 3B in the league and is a must start in all formats.
• Ryan Dempster returned from the DL to allow 6 runs (5 earned) on 9 hits and 0 walks, striking out 3, over 5 innings.  It’s his first start back, so give him a pass, but those who read the site regularly know I’m not his biggest fan.  I’d leave him on your bench for his next start, scheduled against the Marlins.

St. Louis 10, Los Angeles (NL) 0

• Are fantasy owners worried about Chad Billingsley yet?  He looked good early, but finished having allowed 6 runs on 4 hits and 6 walks, striking out 5, over 5.2 innings.  He’s allowed 5 or more runs in three of his last four starts and simply has not been getting the job done.  He’s too good of a pitcher to simply disregard, and his season numbers are still usable.  His next start comes in Atlanta, and I would leave him active. 
• Adam Wainwright was brillaint, tossing 8 shutout innings allowing 8 hits and 1 walk, striking out 5.  He is a tremendous #2 starter in all formats and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in each of his left seven starts.

Philadelphia 4, Arizona 3

• What was it I said about Shane Victorino in yesterday’s column?  That I wouldn’t be surprised if he came out and get two or three hits?  Well, he went 3-5 with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R and 1 SB.  I’d say he’s still extremely hot, wouldn’t you?
• Cole Hamels went 8 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 0 walks, striking out 9.  We’ve been talking about a potential rebound from him for a little while now, and it appears to be in full force.  If you still have a chance to buy low, don’t hesitate.
• Mark Reynolds went 1-4 with 1 HR, 2 RBI and 1 R.  Looks like the power is back, huh?  Let’s see if he can maintain it or if it disappears again soon.
• Brad Lidge got the save, but allowed 2 runs on 1 hit and 1 walk, striking out 0, over an inning.  He clearly is not the same pitcher as in 2008, is he?  He’s usable, but he’s not a #1 closer at this point.

San Francsico 3, Pittsburgh 2

• Ryan Garko made his debut for the Giants, playing 1B and going 0-4.  As I said at the time of the trade, I wouldn’t expect his value to be anything different from what it was in Cleveland.
• Eugenio Velez had the big day, going 2-3 with 1 HR, 2 RBI and 1 R.  Power is certainly not what he’s known for, and the speed that fantasy owners covet hasn’t been there.  In 42 AB he has just 1 SB, meaning there are significantly better speed flyers worth taking right now.  Could he emerge with regular AB?  Yes, but for now leave him on the waiver wire outside of NL-only formats.

What do you think?  What was the biggest story from yesterday?  Was there something I missed?

To read the previous article, click here.

Picture courtesy of Icon Sports Media, Inc.