Kelvim Escobar was light-out in the Bronx yesterday, going 7.0 solid innings while giving up 1 ER, 1 BB, and striking out 8. It was his second highest strikeout total of the season and his 6th win of the year. Escobar has really been great this season, positing a 2.64 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and holding opposing batters to just a .231 BAA. Aside from an obvious lower ERA than 2006, he has also improved with a lower HR/9 (0.31 compared to 0.81 from last year) and a slightly improved K/BB of 3.0 compared to 2.9 last year. Continue to expect good things from Escobar.
What a difference a month makes. Another start yesterday gives Ramon Ortiz 5 starts for both April and May. In April, the Twins righty posted a 2.57 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, .217 BAA, and a 3-1 record. In May, the story changes quite a bit, posting a 10.97 ERA, 2.11 WHIP, .388 BAA, and an 0-3 record. There is nothing positive going on for Ortiz at this point. His strikeout rate has diminished, he has given up 2x as many HR this month as last, and he looks completely lost on the mound. Bench him or even drop him at this point, as you can certainly do better on the waiver wire.
Paul Konerko rejoined the team on Saturday after missing Friday's game due to a death in the family. With Saturday's rainout, he should be ready to go on Sunday (no double-header, unfortunately). Konerko continues to slump in 2007, hitting just .213 with a .676 OPS and just 6 HR's. While its tough to predict when a slow-start will turn into normal production, you have to assume Konerko will return to his previous-self very soon. Over the last three years, he has averaged a HR/AB of 14.7 compared to 26.7 this season. His OPS has also average over .900 from the period of 2004-2006 as well as an FPI of 0.72. This season's FPI is just 0.44. His full-season may not yield these 3-year averages given this low base to work with, but if he can perform at these levels for the next four months, fantasy owners should be happy. He's a really nice buy-low candidate right now and he can be yours IF the price is right.
Johnny Damon was out of the starting lineup on Saturday (even though he did appear as a PH late in the game) with that pesky calf injury that has been giving him trouble all year. He thinks its going to keep him out a few games and that he should be starting again on Monday. Personally, I'd be surprised if the Yankees start Damon on Monday when they head to Toronto. The fake turf cannot be good for injured calf muscles. My guess is that we don't see him starting until after the Blue Jays series, but take it day-by-day and see what happens. For now, I would bench him today (Sunday).
Victor Martinez continues to swing a hot-bat and is quietly having a career year for the Indians and for fantasy owners. His OPS is over .900 for the first time in his career and he's posting a best 19.8 HR/AB compared to 22.6, 27.4, and 35.8 from 2004-2006. Another positive trend in Martinez's numbers over the last four years is his FPI: 0.65, 0.68, 0.70, and 0.74 this season. Continue to expect great things out of Martinez, especially as he has plenty of RBI opportunities and lineup support.
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