Daniel Cabrera- BAL- Hot- Is Cabrera finally for real? He pitched his 7th straight quality start, raising his record to 4-1, allowing 3 runs on 10 hit in 7 IP while striking out 3 and walking NONE. Of his 103 pitches, 65 were strikes. Cabrera has only allowed 3 walks in his three starts this month, covering 23-1/3 IP. At long last, it looks like Cabrera has discovered a modicum of control. I still can’t bring myself to give him an unqualified recommendation because of getting burned in the past, but this is the closest he has looked to really going to the next level.
Joe Blanton- OAK- Hot- Blanton is having almost a mirror image of his 2006 season. That year, he contributed 16 wins, but his other numbers (4.82 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 107 Ks in 194-1/3 IP) were nothing to do cartwheels over. This season, Blanton’s record is a poor 2-6, but it is due to poor support from his teammates. Other than the win column, Blanton contributes decently (if not spectacularly) as a fantasy starter, owning a 3.69 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 29 Ks in 68-1/3 IP. His ,315 BHIP% is liable to come down and that should boost his overall production.
Boof Bonser- MIN- Cold- Bonser is back to overthrowing early in his starts and getting punished for it. He gave up 4 of his 5 runs allowed in the first inning on a Matt Stairs grand slam. Overall, Bonser gave up 5 hits and 3 walks in 6 IP while striking out 3. For the year, batters are hitting .359 in Bonser’s first 30 pitches and .219 after that point. He needs to settle down when he first comes into the game.
C. J. Wilson- TEX- Hot- Wilson bounced back from a couple of poor appearances, allowing 1 hit in the 9th inning yesterday, a non-save situation with the game tied. He had outstanding command of the strike zone, throwing 10 of his 12 pitches for strikes. Manager Ron Washington gave Wilson a vote of confidence yesterday, leaving no doubt that Wilson, who has converted 8 of 9 save opportunities despite a 5.40 ERA, is the Texas closer. There is no need to go fishing for a substitute yet, if he is on your roster.
Brad Wilkerson- TOR- Hot- In his third game as a leadoff hitter for the Blue Jays, Wilkerson had a solid performance, going 2-for-4 with a walk, run, and RBI. A platoon situation may not be that great for him, though. Often he has had reverse splits, as in 2005 when he hit lefthanders at a .296 clip and righties at only .228. Even last year his average was .258 against lefthanders while being .224 against righthanders. Wilkerson will also not be likely to give a boost in the SB column, which is something you want from a leadoff hitter. Wilkerson does not look like a sleeper who just needed a change of scenery.
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