Jason Giambi - Giambi was 2-for-2 including an integral HR that put the Yankees over the top of the A's to complete the weekend sweep. Giambi hit the home run off the pitcher he has owned: Justin Duchscherer. In 4 AB this season, Giambi has 2 HR, 3 hits, and 2 BB against Duchscherer. For his career, he has 4 HR in 6 AB. While Giambi continues another season of huge power numbers, you have to wonder if his playing time will be slightly limited with the addition of Richie Sexson. When Giambi starts at 1B, you will almost certainly see a Sexson defensive replacement late in games. Against lefties, you will see more of Sexson since his righty/lefty split makes him a .300+ hitter against lefties, but sub-.200 against righties.
Robinson Cano - It certainly looks like clock-work. The All-star game is over, so that must mean its time for Robbie Cano to start hitting the cover off the ball. He's 8-for-14 (.571) in his first 3 games since the break, with 3 extra base hits (including one HR), 3 runs, and 3 RBI. Cano's first half was pitiful with only a few bright spots that hinted at an eventual turnaround. He hit .246 with just 6 HR, but is a notorious 2nd half player. Last year, Cano hit .274 in the first half with 6 HR and followed it up with a .343 2nd half with 13 HR. 2006 showed a similar trend, although he hit well for the entire season that year, .325 pre-break and .365 post.
Oakland A's - There was some hope that top pitching prospect Gio Gonzalez would be called-up to take Chad Gaudin's spot in long-relief, but its looking like it will be Dallas Braden. We've been tracking Gio in the Prospect Central section of Insider Baseball and he is certainly an impact fantasy player when he gets his chance. In 19 starts and a total of 110 IP in Triple-A this season, Gonzalez has a K/9 of 9.57 despite a mediocre ERA of 4.34 and WHIP of 1.35. With that said, he's been on fire recently which gave rise to the rumors of his call-up. He has only given up 3 ER in his last 28.1 IP.
CJ Wilson - Wilson successfully converted his 5th save of the month and his 23rd of the season on Sunday. He is 23-for-25 in save opportunities for the season, but it hasn't always been pretty. In fact, he has given up 5 ER in 7.0 IP this month and has a season ERA of 4.89. That's high for any pitcher, let alone a closer. If some of these runs start leading to blown saves, I wouldn't be shocked to see the 9th inning go to somebody else in the Rangers bullpen (Eddie Guardado, when healthy, or Joaquin Benoit seem like the most logical choices).
Justin Duchscherer - Duchscherer made one "mistake" to Giambi that allowed the Yankees to take the lead on a solo home run. The pitch that was driven out for the go-ahead (and eventual winning) run was high and tight and Giambi just cleared the short-porch in right field. Otherwise, Duchscherer pitched a great game. He finished with a quality start of 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 4 K, and 3 BB. He has now hurled 11 straight quality starts and continues to be one of the more under-rated fantasy impact pitchers of 2008. His full-season line is now 1.87 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, K/BB 2.69, and 5.5 K/9.
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