The Mark Buehrle show will be front and center in the eyes scouts and general mangers today in Tampa Bay. Buehrle has pitched well enough to win his last three starts and probably four of his last five starts but the White Sox offensive woes have left him with a 2-3 record over that stretch. In those five games Buehrle has a 2.68 earned run average and he has lasted more than seven and a third innings per start so he is definitely not to blame. Buehrle will be taking on the Tampa Bay Devil Rays today. This could be Buehrle's last start with the White Sox and if that means he goes to a contender (Boston, LAA, NYY, NYM, etc...) that would be nothing but good news for his fantasy owners.
Jeremy Guthrie of the Baltimore Orioles did more than hold his own against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. Guthrie went six and a third innings allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking only one. Guthrie did not factor in on the decision but he is proving that he is legit and can earn quality fantasy points even while playing for a bad team. Guthrie has made his 10th consecutive quality starts in as many starts this season. If you took a risk and made a move for Guthrie it appears to be paying off, if you didn't now would be a good time to look into it. However, keep in mind that Guthrie's next start will come against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim so it doesn't look to get any easier.
Mark Ellis of the Oakland Athletics is currently on pace to have a career year in 2007. Ellis has already collected 51% of his season best for extra base hits (45 in 2003), 62% of his season best in homeruns (13 in 2005), and 77% of his season best in RBI (52 in 2003,2004,and 2006). Ellis is also batting above his career average (.270) at a .276 clip. Ellis doesn't compare with the Chase Utley caliber middle infielders but he does appear to have the capability to fit in at the Mark Derosa level. Ellis was four for five with three runs batted in last night against the Cleveland Indians.
Sammy Sosa of the Texas Rangers had a big night at the plate on Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers. Sosa went three for four with two doubles, two runs batted in and a run scored. Sosa is now batting .254 (.400 since his 600th HR) with 13 homeruns and 61 runs batted in. Sosa is a valuable fantasy player once again and he is currently 5th in the Major Leagues in RBI.
Eric Gagne of the Texas Rangers deserves an opportunity to nail down saves for a quality team again and it appears that might happen in the very near future. Gagne has been very good in his limited chances (8/8) and his earned run average is a stellar 1.23 along with 8.20 K/9 and only a 1.00 WHIP. There is some question as to whether Gagne can pitch back-to-back days and that could hurt his value, but a trade to a good team would provide Gagne with either save or hold opportunities and that would dramatically increase his current value.
Jhonny Peralta of the Cleveland Indians is turning into one of the new premiere shortstops in the American League. Peralta is only 25 years old and he is putting together his third productive offensive season in the big leagues. Peralta is currently batting at a .281clip which is .014 above his career mark, he has 27 extra base hits, 12 homeruns and 44 runs batted in. Those numbers put him on pace to collect a season high total of 155 hits, tie a season best of 24 homeruns, and drive in a season best total of 88.
