Justin Verlander - Yesterday was the latest in a season-long stretch of rough outings for Justin Verlander, as he allowed six singles, a homer, and two walks to the Yankees in just 1 2/3 innings to take his league-leading 15th loss. It sounds overly simplistic to say that it all comes down to fastball command for Verlander this year, but that's basically the problem. His velocity is down a touch the past two seasons, but the extra three-quarters of a walk per nine this year is really what's pushed his ERA up so significantly. Drew's comment from last weekend certainly has merit, as Verlander is throwing fewer innings per start this season but more pitches per inning, putting him on pace for a couple hundred more pitches this year than last. A quick look at his pitch result data shows that the only substantial difference this season is a greater number of pitches taken out of the strike zone: line drives, homers, strikes, flyballs, groundballs....every other pitch result is virtually the same as last year on a percentage basis. I remain concerned regarding his health, as a 1 1/2 mph is certainly not a positive indicator for a young starter over a two year period with a heavy workload, but I could also easily envision a scenario in which the command returns next season, the Tiger bullpen helps out with his Strand%, and he's right back to 2006. I'm not sure there'll be a reliable waiver wire option better than Verlander right now, so I would opt to stick with him through his remaining schedule (MIN, CWS, TEX, KC, TB).
Phil Hughes - I was right behind the home dugout for Phil Hughes' start on a beautiful Labor Day afternoon yesterday, so I might as well fill you in on what I saw. Hughes only made it through 5 2/3 yesterday for a couple of reasons: awful defense and an inability to get any swings and misses from his fastball. He ended up walking a couple of guys just because they fouled off every fastball he threw...his command was acceptable and his velocity was what passes for average for him since his leg injury last season. Hughes was 90-93 the whole game, sitting at 91 the majority of the time, and his curveball was as outstanding as usual....against AAA hitters anyway. Hughes struck out eight and allowed only four hard-hit balls the whole way, two of which were outs. Lydon's double was an excuse-me blooper the opposite way down the line, so he basically allowed a few line drives and that's it. I was reasonably impressed except for the continued lower velocity than I expect, and since Hughes has been matched up with Sidney Ponson I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Hughes take Ponson's turn in Seattle this weekend. There's no reason Hughes couldn't be a flyer for you in September, although his schedule would be difficult (@SEA, TB, CWS, @TOR, @BOS).
Shin Soo-Choo - Choo isn't getting a ton of press, but he's one of the hottest hitters in the majors since the All-Star break, batting 318/407/597 in 129 AB's. He still isn't playing every day, but since he's only 8 points behind Grady Sizemore for the highest OPS on the team he probably should be. He isn't completely helpless against lefties either, hitting 250/316/423. At 26 but with only about 4 1/2 seasons of playing time in his pro career due to injuries and (mis)usage, it certainly wouldn't surprise me if we were seeing a real breakout from him. I absolutely would have him starting in all formats down the stretch.
Edwin Jackson - Jackson has managed a 6-2 record and a 3.52 ERA since the break despite horrible peripherals, and that has come against a fairly cushy schedule (SEA, TORx3, KC, CLE, TEX, CWS). In September he has the Yanks twice, Boston once, and the Tigers once (and MIN), so things aren't going to be easier. His strand rate is about 10% higher than you'd expect and his BABIP is about 30 points lower, plus he's entering the toughest portion of his schedule. Call me crazy, but I'd strongly consider sitting him. For 2009, he remains (in my opinion) the starter most likely to be replaced by David Price.
Taylor Teagarden - Teagarden entered the game yesterday for an injured Jarrod Saltalamacchia and knocked a three-run homer for his second big league hit....the first of which was also a homer. Teagarden definitely has power: in 740 minor league AB's he's hit 42 homers, but he also strikes out more than William H. Macy in a singles bar (243 in the same timeframe). If Salty is out for any extended period of time I'd expect the Rangers to play Teagarden primarily, since they already know what they have in Gerald Laird. He would immediately be a worthwhile pickup in just about all formats.
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