Beyond the Boxscore for August 16, 2008
Since his return from the disabled list, Fausto Carmona has been less than spectacular. He was better than he has been lately, going seven innings, allowing only two earned runs, and walking three. The thing that keeps me away from Carmona was exactly what occurred again tonight. In those seven innings he pitched tonight, he struck out NOBODY. When you get a fantasy pitcher who has 35 Ks in 77 innings (with 51 walks), he has to win so many games and have a great ERA to make up for it. Carmona has been nothing like he was last year, stay away from him for the rest of the year.
After losing his last four starts, Justin Verlander got back on the winning track on Saturday, with six great innings, he allowed only two unearned runs and struck out six. It has been a very disappointing season for Verlander to say the least, but I would still start him with confidence every time out for the rest of the season.
Don’t look now, but Pedro Martinez has been pitching pretty good lately. Although he genereally doesn’t go deep into games, this is now six starts taht he hasn’t allowed more than three runs, and his start on Saturday was his best of the season. Pedro pitched seven innings, allowed just one run, and struck out four. I really don’t expect this to continue, plus the way the Mets’ bullpen has been pitching, sometimes even when Martinez pitches well, the ‘pen has a chance to blow the lead.
It is over in 2008 for Aaron Harang. Stay away, drop him, you just can’t start him anymore. He has been AWFUL! This is now six of his last seven starts he has given up five runs or more. He is now 3-13 with a 5.59 ERA. I’m not saying his career is over, he is a pitcher that I liked going into the season, but you have to cut ties with him this year, stick a fork in him, he’s done.
Ryan Garko has started to get hot again for the Indians. He has been another colossal disappointment this year after hitting 21 homers last year and giving many fantasy players hope for a breakout 2008. Garko just his ninth homer of the season, but he has 10 RBI in the past week and has raised his average over 10 points. It is possible that he could have a good finish, but I would only pick him up if you have an injury happen or some other unforseen reason your would need to pick someone up.
A possible addition going forward might be the Diamondbacks Yusmeiro Petit. Petit was a big time prospect for the Mets who was shipped to Florida in the Paul LoDuca trade. He has been pitching mostly out of the bullpen, but since the Diamondbacks have been pretty desperate for starting pitching after Micah Owings decided he couldn’t find the strike zone anymore, Petit has gotten a few starts. He was very good in the Mets’ farm system, and although he is more of a control pitcher than throwing gas, he got a pretty good number of strikeouts (130 in 117 IP in ‘05 for AA). On Saturday, Petit went seven innings allowed just two runs, and struck out five.
Quick Notes
Mariners’ rookie catcher Jeff Clement has started to pick up him hitting over the past week or so. His average has done up around 30 points over the past ten days, as he has had four multi-hit games. He hasn’t homered, but has driven in five runs over that span.
Roy Halladay threw his eighth complete game, has thrown 191 innings already, and won his 14th game of the season against the Red Sox. It appears he will hold up for the whole season, and has a shot to win 17 games. He spoiled the Red Sox debut of Paul Byrd. Byrd lasted 7.1 innings, allowed four earned runs and didn’t walk or strikeout a batter.
Anibal Sanchez pitched another good game for the Marlins, and won his second game of the season. Sanchez lasted 5.1 innings, gave up just one run, struck out six, but unfortunately walked five. He is still getting his feet back under him after his long injury absence, but with the right matchup, he could help you down the stretch.
As always, your questions (adds, drops, trades) and comments are welcome at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com. I guarantee a response within 18 hours. Don’t forget to check me out at mlbfrontoffice.com on Tuesdays under In The News. Also go to fantasybaseballsearch.com to find me in the Gurus Blog, and listen to The True Gurus Show every Wednesday night at 9 pm. I am now a cohost on that show. To hear the best analysis on who to add/drop, your opportunity to call in and ask questions, and more don’t miss The Fantasy Baseball Scouting Report, every Tuesday night at 10. For more information on these shows and others like them, go to fantasygurusnetwork.com.
