Jose Contreras (SP - White Sox) - Contreras had been pitching well.... until Sunday. He was 5-for-6 in QS entering Sunday's game. Pitching against the Orioles, Contreras just couldn't get into a rhythm and had no feel or control. Baltimore scored on passed balls and bases-loaded walks. Evidenced in his 99 pitch count on just 4.1 IP, he was all over the place. He walked 4, struck out 1 and was handed his 8th loss of the season. He's scheduled to face the Tigers this weekend and will likely face-off against Edwin Jackson. That will be a tough match-up, but its still worth the consideration.
Alex Rios (OF - Blue Jays) - Rios is not quite on pace for 20/20 (more like 17/26 or so), but he could still get there. He's currently at 15 SB and 10 HR, so he will need to improve on his HR/AB rate of 37.1. Of course, in 2007, his HR/AB was 26.8 for a full season, so its not impossible to think he can't go on a power surge. If he can reach 20/20, he will once again be a tempting choice entering 2010. In the meantime, with the speed where it needs to be, Rios needs to get his bat back on track and finish with a respectable FPI (currently at 0.59 - I'd take 0.65).
Joba Chamberlain (SP - Yankees) - This is the Joba we've been waiting for... he featured his fastball, he showed emotion on the mound, and he dominated the Tigers. He went 6.2 IP and gave up 1 ER, 3 hits, 3 BB and 8 K's to earn his 5th win of the year. He threw 107 pitches, his second most of the year, and forced 8 ground ball outs and just four in the air. In was his first quality start in the last four outings and while he couldn't make it out of the 7th inning, he certainly looked like he could have if Joe Girardi would have let him (he struck out the previous two hitters on fastballs before being removed from the game). Joba's name is marquee, but his game has been anything but.... this is a really good sign for fantasy owners. I see a string of solid starts ahead.
Brett Anderson (SP - A's) - Brett Anderson continued his perfect July, taking a perfect game into the 7th inning and ultimately pitching 8.0 innings of 2-hit ball, with no runs, no walks, and 6 K's. Anderson now has 21 straight innings of scoreless ball in July, recording 18 K's with only 3 BB's. The 21-year-old is pitching lights-out right now and has an upcoming start against the Yankees (who lead the major's in runs scored with 504). Anderson's ownership will likely creep higher this week and Friday's start could see a huge jump in fantasy claims.
Andrew Bailey (Closer - A's) - Sometimes, you just get beat. Bailey was called on to pitch 2.0 innings and pitched great except for one pitch to Bobby Abreu that was launched for a game-winning HR. Bailey was handed the loss. It was his first earned run allowed since June 10th (12 appearances ago) and his ERA climbed to 1.98 and WHIP to 0.95. Obviously he's been fantastic this season, especially considering he's just 25. He's the guy in Oakland to get the saves and that likely won't change this season.
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