Miguel Tejada (SS-HOU) – Tejada was 1-for-3 with a two-run homer Sunday, with the long ball being his first since August 7. Tejada had that 1.048 OPS at the end of April, but since the All-Star break, the veteran has batted just .251/.285/.355. We figured some regression was coming after that hot start, but not THIS amount of regression. When you only walk in 3% of your plate appearances as Tejada does, there isn’t always going to be smooth sailing. Tejada has now reached double-digit home runs in 12 straight seasons, but he’s obviously seen his production slide sharply since he drove in a whopping 150 runs in 2004.
David Bush (SP-MIL) – The Diamondbacks had their leadoff and No. 2 hitters both finish Saturday’s game with a .326 OBP, so that helps any pitcher, but David Bush’s effort Saturday was impressive nonetheless. Bush allowed just one run on five this with no walks and a season-high 11 strikeouts. Bush was coming off a start in which he allowed just two runs over seven innings against the Cardinals, so perhaps he’s back and ready to be an asset down the stretch. Bush had been on the losing end of each of his previous seven decisions, so Saturday was a nice boost for his confidence. Bush has been, as usual, hurt significantly by the long ball (1.6 BB/9), but as long as he’s healthy, Bush should be an NL-only asset down the stretch. Just don’t count on a performance like Saturday’s each time out.
Casey McGehee (2B/3B-MIL) – It should be pretty simple for the Brewers – play McGehee every day. Saturday, McGehee was 4-for-5 with a pair of homers and six RBI against Arizona. He’s now batting .306/.367/.522 in 291 at-bats with 15 homers and 57 RBI. McGehee also has a solid 52:30 K:BB and now he has seven hits in his last two days. Felipe Lopez is batting .307/.369/.427 and should see most of the 2B starts, leaving 3B for McGehee. Craig Counsell is a solid utility guy, but he’s also 39 and not a part of the Brewers’ future. Hopefully Ken Macha realizes that.
Vicente Padilla (SP-LAD) – Padilla notched his fourth consecutive solid start for the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing just one unearned run on three hits over six innings. Padilla is now 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA for the Dodgers after leaving Texas at 8-6, 4.92. Amazing what happens when a guy moves from the AL to the NL and basically has his career on the line. Padilla is certainly worth owning in NL-only leagues, but with the Dodgers having six legitimate starters, all of whom likely have priority over Padilla, it’s unclear how many starts he’ll be good for the rest of the way. Guessing three max.
Russell Martin (C-LAD) – Martin entered Saturday’s game batting just .242 with one home run since the end of July, but Saturday, the catcher connected for a three-run homer off SF’s Jonathan Sanchez. He also drew a pair of walks and scored twice, leaving Martin at .258/.358/.329 on the year, certainly a disappointment considering his .285/.373/.433 mark entering 2009. Martin continues to walk at a decent rate (12% BB/PA) and he’s reached double-digit stolen bases for the fourth consecutive year, but the drop in production has hurt many a fantasy owner. A solid September is always possible, but more than one hit is needed to get him going.
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