Rotoprofessor

Wade Davis posted the start of the night, but just barely as Cole Hamels was equally as impressive.  Howie Kendrick flashed some of his promise.  Kurt Suzuki continued his solid season.  Let’s look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:

• Miguel Olivo went 1-5 with 1 HR, 3 RBI and 1 R, putting him at .248 with 21 HR and 58 RBI.  I know the average is sub par, but from a catcher with that type of pop, you can easily overlook it.  He has four home runs in his last seven games, going 9-29 with 4 HR, 10 RBI and 6 R.  Needless to say, he’s worth using while he’s hot like this in all formats.
• Zack Greinke went 5 shutout innings, giving up 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 8.  It was a great start over his short stint, but a line drive to his arm cut his day short.  Owners have got to be watching closely to make sure that it isn’t going to cost him a start, but at this point it doesn’t sound like it will.  Keep an eye out for news, but for now it doesn’t appear like you should be too concerned.
• Mat Gamel started for the first time since being recalled on September 8, going 0-3.  It makes sense to find out what they have in him, so I’d look for him to get more time over the final two and a half weeks.  He could potentially be usable in deeper formats, but it’s a huge risk.  Don’t bother with him.
• For the second consecutive start (and fourth time in his last eight) Randy Wells had a poor outing.  He allowed 5 runs on 5 hits and 5 walks, striking out 4, over 4 innings.  He’s allowed 8 earned runs over his last 7.2 innings and this is the third time in eight starts that he has allowed five earned runs.  His next start is a rematch with the Brewers, and given his recent performance, you may want to consider other options depending on who you have.
• Josh Beckett and Ervin Santana had a good pitcher’s duel.  Beckett allowed 3 runs on 7 hits and 0 walks, striking out 7, over 8 innings.  Santana allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk, striking out 6, over 7 innings.  Neither pitcher factored in the decision.  For Beckett, it is his third consecutive start allowing 3 earned runs or less, putting owners concerns at ease.  For Santana, it extends his winless streak to five starts, despite allowing 3 earned runs or less in four of those starts.  He is pitching exceptionally better and is back to being a must start option in all formats.
• Howie Kendrick went 3-4 with 1 HR, 2 RBI and 2 R.  It was his first home run since 8/25, a span of 11 games.  Always discussed as a potential speed/power option, he hasn’t stolen a base since 8/12 and has just 9 HR and 9 SB on the season.  He’s useful in deeper formats, but maybe it’ll be next year that he fully realizes his potential?  He’s usable in deeper formats and AL-only formats, but not much else.
• Cole Hamels was tremendous, as he was perfect for the first five innings.  He finished giving up 1 run on 5 hits and 1 walk, striking out 10, over 8 innings to get the victory.  It’s his second consecutive strong outing and the fourth time in his last five starts where he has allowed 1 earned run or less.  I think it’s safe to say that he is a must start pitcher, isn’t it?  He hasn’t been as good as many had hoped, but with a 4.07 ERA on the season now, he is in the respectability range.
• While Hamels was impressive, he did not post the start of the night.  Those honors go to Wade Davis, who tossed a complete game shutout, giving up 4 hits and 2 walks, striking out 10, to defeat the Orioles and earn his first major league win.  I’ve spoken about Davis before, and my concerns about him (which you can read by clicking here), but we all know he has significant talent.  He’s been great in two of his three starts in the majors, and if his next start does come against the Mariners, he could be worth considering in deeper formats.  If he doesn’t start again until the Rangers series, thanks to two off days next week, then he’s better suited for your bench.
• Anibal Sanchez took the loss, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks, striking out 7, over 5 innings.  It certainly wasn’t a great start, but it was passable thanks to the Ks.  In his six starts since returning from the DL he’s given up 11 earned runs over 30.1 innings (3.29 ERA) to go along with 29 Ks.  While he could be considered in deeper formats, not for his next start which comes against the Phillies.  It’s better to leave him on your bench or the waiver wire for now.
• Bobby Jenks blew his six save of the season, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and 0 walks, striking out 1, in an inning to cost John Danks (1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K over 8 innings) a win.  It’s actually the third time in his last four outings where he has allowed an earned run.  He obviously hasn’t been the best closer this season, but he’s still worth using as a #2 closer in most formats.
• Brandon Morrow allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and 6 walks, striking out 5, over 5.2 innings.  It doesn’t really matter what people say about his talent or the numbers he posted in the minors, the potential for an outing like this makes him too big of a risk to gamble on over the final two weeks.  It doesn’t matter who he’s facing, he cannot be trusted.
• Kurt Suzuki hit clean-up for the A’s, going 1-3 with 1 HR, 3 RBI and 1 R.  Prior to the season would anyone have pegged him a potential clean-up hitter?  I wouldn’t think so, but as we’ve said before, he’s had a very strong season (.267, 13 HR, 78 RBI) and is worth considering in all formats.
• It had been two strong starts for Justin Masterson, but he faltered last night.  He allowed 5 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks, striking out 6, over 4 innings.  In his last seven starts, he’s allowed 4 earned runs or more four times, making him a pitcher not worth gambling on with your fantasy title on the line, especially with his next start coming against the Tigers.
• Jair Jurrjens allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks, striking out 5, over 7 innings to improve to 12-10 on the year with a 2,75 ERA and 1.24 WHIP.  He’s clearly been better than his record indicates, especially since he has allowed 3 earned runs or less in each of his last seven starts, but is only 3-2 over that span.  It’s just one of those seasons for him, but he has won his last two starts and with a rematch with the Mets next on the schedule, there is a very good chance he makes it three in a row.