David Wells- LAN- Idea- Does Wells deserve a large guaranteed contract, as he says he does, because he "take[s] the ball every five days"? Probably not, and especially not if you are a fantasy owner. Wells will be turning 45 during the 2008 season and, although he has pitched well since joining the Dodgers, he's only thrown a little more than 20 innings for them and still owns an ERA over 5.00 for the year. This is despite pitching his home games in pitcher-friendly parks, where he has a 3.96 ERA. It's Wells' 6.85 ERA on the road that shows more of his actual ability at this point. He might be able to claim some bad luck is responsible, as his BHIP% is .328. However, this is the third straight season Wells has a very high BHIP and correlates with a rising walk rate, so the number may be indicative that he is one of those pitchers whose BHIP is more than luck. His level of performance is not fantasy worthy, as it does actual harm. If not pitching is more valuable to a fantasy team than pitching, "taking the ball every five days"is not an asset. Wells wants to come back next year. There are strong indications that even if a major league team picks him up, fantasy teams shouldn't.
Matt Albers- HOU- Cold- The rookie has been remarkably inconsistent since rejoining the Houston rotation a month ago. In his 7 starts since then he has tossed 4 of the quality variety, covering 26-2/3 IP and posting a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 ERA in them. When Albers has been off, though, he has been horrible, racking up a 12.75 ERA and 2.08 WHIP in 12 innings. Hope he irons out his problems over the course of the remainder of the season and next spring training before considering him.
Josh Anderson- HOU- Hot- Anderson followed up his 5-for-5 effort of Sunday by going 2-for-3 with a walk yesterday. Interim manager Cecil Cooper may keep the rookie in the leadoff spot a little longer to see just what he can do.
Yovani Gallardo- MIL- Hot- The rookie has settled in well in the Milwaukee rotation. His scoreless inning streak is now at 21 after he threw 8 shutout innings last night. Gallardo was removed after throwing 110 pitches and it looks like the Brewers are being very careful with his workload on a per start basis. Originally they were going to try and shut him down early to limit his innings, but with the pennant on the line, Gallardo will keep going out there at least until the division is decided.
Ryan Ludwick- STL- Hot- Ludwick went 1-for-3 with his 14th homer of the season last night. He could be in the "power sleeper"category for 2008. Ludwick was a highly regarded prospect with the Rangers and Indians who just couldn't make the jump to the majors. In his past 8 games he has slugged 3 homers in 24 at bats and his 14 homers this season come in a career-high 262 at bats. The downside is his 64 Ks and Batting EYE of .30. The potential looks like it may still be there and he might surprise next season.
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