Max Scherzer (SP-DET) – Once in awhile, a pitcher just needs a simple jolt of confidence. It doesn’t often mean that rebuild happens in Triple-A, but that’s exactly what happened with Max Scherzer. Sunday was Scherzer’s first start since his 7.29 ERA-induced Triple-A stint, and it was a beauty. The Tigers righty struck out a whopping 14 in just 5.2 innings. Scherzer did not allow a run, while allowing two hits and walking four. He didn’t go too deep into the game (113 pitches) due to all the missed bats and walks, but nonetheless, it was a nice return. Scherzer could be on the waiver wire if you’re in a fairly shallow (10-12 team mixed) league, but he won’t be there long.
Justin Masterson (SP-CLE) – Masterson remains a puzzle wrapped in an enigma, striking out eight Yankees while allowing just three runs in 6.2 innings. Masterson entered the game with a 6.13 ERA, so there was no real reason to start him Sunday. The reason you have to remain optimistic: a 9.1 K/9, decent 1.6 G/F, and entering Sunday, a .405 BABIP. The command (5 BB/9) is obviously an issue, but when a guy strikes out a hitter an inning, you roll the dice and hope the gets the rest of his game together. If he can, look out.
Trevor Crowe (OF-CLE) – Crowe, batting leadoff and playing in place of the injured Grady Sizemore, was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI single Sunday against the Yankees. Crowe, a disappointment as a former first-round draft pick, is now batting .274/.338/.355 with one homer and four stolen bases in 62 at-bats. Just three of Crowe’s hits have gone for extra bases, making him essentially a poor man’s Juan Pierre. From a fantasy perspective, that’s actually a valuable commodity, particularly if he can get on base close to 34% of the time. At the same time, it was also revealed Sunday that Grady Sizemore more needs knee surgery that will likely knock him out a minimum of six-to-eight weeks, but could potentially be a season-ender depending on what is found once the knee is opened up. Crowe had a .366 minor league OBP and stole as many as 45 bases, but he also posted just a .117 ISO and 75.6 AB/HR.
Mike Cameron (OF-BOS) – Batting ninth as Cameron did Sunday doesn’t do much for one’s fantasy value, but if Cameron posts another couple games like Sunday, he’ll be moving on up. Cameron was 2-for-3 with a walk, two doubles, two RBI, and three runs scored against the Royals. The power hasn’t been there yet (0 HR in 47 at-bats), but a .277/.370/.383 batting line is worthy of a #2 spot in the order. Cameron has posted ISO’s of .200 or greater in each of the last two years, and as the doubles Sunday indicate, there’s still some juice (pardon the pun) left in his bat.
Craig Gentry (OF-TEX) – If you’re looking for cheap steals, this may be your guy. Nelson Cruz was placed on the 15-day DL Sunday due to a strained left hamstring. It’s obviously a big loss for the Rangers, as Cruz was batting a robust .327/.405/.729 with 10 home runs. Enter Gentry. He’s a Quad-A type, but in Double-A last year, Gentry batted .306/.381/.422. The .116 ISO is indicative of his lack of power, but Genry also swiped 49 bases in 126 games and was caught just six times. This year in Triple-A, Gentry was batting .266/.378/.415 with seven steals. He’ll probably act as the No. 4 OF with David Murphy playing the majority of the time, but should Gentry impress, keep in mind that Julio Borbon entered Sunday’s game batting just .235/.252/.272. that’s beyond awful, as is his 20:2 K:BB.
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