Rotoprofessor

John Lackey is on fire.  Jose Contreras was forced out after just 3 innings.  A potential pitcher’s duel was all smoke and no fire.  Let’s look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:

• The Blue Jays have decided to shutdown Brett Cecil, due to the number of innings he’s thrown, but he surely went out with a bang.  He went 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 7 hits and 1 walk, striking out 3, to finish the season at 7-4 with a 5.30 ERA.  Clearly, it wasn’t a great year overall, but he does have some potential upside.  We’ll take a closer look at him in the offseason.
• Jason Frasor pitched a perfect ninth, striking out 1, to get the save.  The Blue Jays are giving him some save opportunities recently and he’s looked good in the role.  He’s usable in all formats at this point if you are in need of some saves.
• Joe Mauer went 0-4.  That’s a story these days, isn’t it?
• Billy Butler went 2-5 with 1 RBI, giving him a six game hitting streak (all of which are multi-hit games).  Over the streak he’s gone 14-25 with 2 HR, 10 RBI and 3 R.  While he’s hitting like this, he’s a must use in all formats.  Obviously, with just 17 HR, he’s not the best long-term option at 1B for this season, but he certainly has shown signs of finally living up to the potential we’ve all heard about.
• Jarrod Washburn allowed 3 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks, striking out 1, over 5 innings.  He has not been good over his last four starts, allowing 20 earned runs on 29 hits and 9 walks over 22.2 innings.  He was pitching over his head early on, so the regression really should not be surprising.
• Jose Contreras was pitching well again, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 3 walks, striking out 5, over 3 innings.  He was forced out of the start with a strained quadriceps, however, which could potentially be a a blow to fantasy teams.  He was looking like a solid option down the stretch, pitching in the NL, but at this point you will have to watch the news line and see if he’ll miss any significant time.  His next start would come in San Francisco, so if he’s healthy enough to take the ball he could be usable, depending on how desperate you are.
• Simply put, Joe Blanton just didn’t have it.  He allowed 8 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks, striking out 4, over 4.2 innings to fall to 9-7 with a 4.11 ERA.  He hadn’t allowed more than 3 earned runs in a start since 6/18 (13 starts), so you could argue to he was due for a poor outing.  His next start is a rematch with the Nationals and considering he pitches for the Phillies, who should give him a chance to win, he’s worth using in deeper formats.
• How long will the Mets continue to run Bobby Parnell out there as a starter?  They really have nothing to lose, but after giving up 6 runs (5 earned) on 7 hits and 5 walks, striking out 6, over 5 innings he has now allowed 5 earned runs or more in four of his last five starts.  I guess the start against the Cubs brings hope, but there’s way too much risk to even consider using him in any format.  While the Mets have nothing to lose, you sure do.
• Cody Ross went 3-5 with 2 RBI, 1 R and 1 SB.  He now has 5 RBI in his last two games and is hitting .270 with 20 HR, 78 RBI and 69 R on the season.  Needless to say, he’s been a solid find for all those in five outfielder formats this season.
• John Lackey was fantastic, throwing a complete game shutout.  He allowed 5 hits and 1 walk, striking out 7.  He’s now allowed just 1 earned run over his last three starts (26 innings).  Think he’s hot right now?  That success has come against the A’s, Royals & Mariners, however.  His next start comes in Boston, so let’s hope that he can continue this impressive streak.
• Nate McLouth has a 6-game hitting streak after going 2-4 with 1 HR, 1 RBI and 2 R.  It’s his first multi-hit game over the streak, but he does have three home runs.
• You would’ve thought that Roy Oswalt vs. Derek Lowe would’ve brought on a good pitcher’s duel, but it wasn’t to be.  Oswalt lasted just 2 innings, giving up 6 runs on 10 hits and 1 walk, striking out 5.  Lowe was moderately better, getting a win, after giving up 5 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks, striking out 5, over 5.2 innings.