Jordan Zimmermann:
Zimmermann continues to suffer from some poor luck as he allowed just 3 base-runners in 6 innings on Thursday, but managed to let 2 of them cross home-plate and that was enough to pick up his 3rd loss of the season. Zimmermann struck out 7 and walked no one in the outing and improved his K:BB Ratio to a fantastic 54:14 in just 52 innings. Once the poor Strand Rate (low .60’s), HR/FB Rate (over 19%), and BABIP (.367) all correct, Zimmermann’s going to be a pretty darn good fantasy asset. Now is nice time to get him on the cheap, either through the waiver wire or in trade.
Wandy Rodriguez:
Wandy struggled in each of his last two starts, allowing 24 base-runners in just 8 2/3 innings but I was able to convince myself it was just the old bad road Wandy showing up. Now after another poor start at HOME against the weak-hitting Rockies (22nd in Road OPS) lineup, I’m a bit more concerned. The Rockies are good against LH’s (12th in OPS), but Wandy’s 7 ER’s and 12 base-runners in just 5 innings makes for a 3rd consecutive poor outing. He’s still shown decent dominance in this span 16 K’s in 13 2/3 innings, but his command has dwindled 7 BB’s and he’s been far more hittable. Wandy gets a two start week next week against the Cubs and DBacks, two teams in the bottom 3rd of the league in OPS, so he’ll still be in my lineup even with my faith being tested by the recent stretch. If the struggles and inconsistency continues next week I’ll have to re-evaluate my suggestion that Wandy’s finally become an elite SP, but for now I’m holding onto my faith.
Garrett Atkins:
With rumors swirling about a possible demotion for Atkins put together his best game of the season going 2-4 with 2 HR’s and 3 RBI’s. Atkins has shown improvements in his decaying peripherals, specifically improvements in his EYE (supported by a BB Rate more consistent with his career averages and a better contact rate). But he’s hit too many balls on the ground (43%) and very few line drives (less than 14%, after consistently in the low 20’s throughout the last 4 years), which has resulted in almost no power (5.1% extra base hit rate). There is some hope for Atkins as he usually is a 2nd half hitter and the peripherals have corrected a bit, but if there’s any semblance of the player fantasy owners were used to in the past, we’ll need to see a lot more extra base hits. Last night was the first step in the right direction all season.
Adam LaRoche:
It may be a bit early on the calendar but its my duty to remind fantasy owners that its getting closer to the time to start considering making a move for Adam LaRoche. For his career LaRoche OPS by month goes like this: .660, .781, .762, .989, .893, .926. In order to get those final 3 months (July, August, Sept) sometimes you need to start buying in during June. LaRoche has shown some signs of late of picking things up putting together a modest 6 game hitting streak in which he’s gone 7-19 with 6 BB’s and 2 K’s. Might as well add him while he’s hot if he’s sitting out there in shallow leagues, especially knowing the big 2nd half has consistently been there throughout his career.
Chris Carpenter:
Carpenter made it his 6th consecutive start of the season in which he’s allowed 2 or fewer runs on Thursday night dominating the Reds for a complete game victory. Carpenter struck out 3, walked none, and allowed just 3 base hits in the outing (with the lone run coming on a HR in the 8th), but most impressive he recorded 16 ground ball outs. Carpenter’s posting a GB Rate in the mid 50’s yet again and with the elite command he’s always had (5 BB’s now in 38 Innings), he’s basically the Roy Halladay of the National League.
