Carl Pavano (SP-MIN) – Pavano is a guy the Mets could have easily signed over the winter, an after Saturday, they’re probably wishing they had. Pavano spun a three-hit shutout against the Amazin’s, walking just one while striking out four. Pavano lowered his ERA from 3.64 to 3.33 in the process and he’s now won each of his last four starts while tossing back-to-back complete games. Even better, Pavano has gone at least seven innings in 11 of his last 12 starts. Pavano still isn’t striking guys out (5.0 K/9), but he’s not putting too many on either (1.3 BB/9). Throw strikes, get outs. Pretty simple. Pavano has actually lost some velocity this year, but his fastball has been much more effective, as he’s locating it better and mixing in his other pitches more effectively. He’s a strong play going forward.
Jason Kubel (OF/DH – MIN) – Kubel hasn’t been nearly as effective this year, but he’s on a nice run right now. Saturday, Kubel had an RBI double and his 10th homer of the season while going 2-for-4. He’s 6-for-15 in his last four games and has hit safely in 16 of 17 contests. At .262/.352/.450, Kubel has a ways to go to match last year’s .907 OPS, but it would help if his .258 BABIP crept closer to last year’s .300 mark. Kubel’s double Saturday came off of Johan Santana, a good sign considering he entered Saturday’s game batting just .213 vs. LHP.
David Price (SP-TB) – Don’t get me wrong, I love David Price, particularly long term. He’s young, left-handed, throws hard, and he was a former #1 overall pick. That said, a 7.2 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 are fairly modest peripherals – those were pre-Saturday. Saturday, Price improved to 11-3 with a 2.43 ERA after holding the D-Backs to two runs over eight innings. Price walked just one while striking out a season-high 11. Of course striking out Arizona hitters isn’t exactly unheard of, but Price is a guy who has the talent to do that against better teams as well. He’s also firmly in the AL Cy Young race, though we’ll probably need to see him mix in a few more high-strikeout games to really get in the running for that statue.
Brandon League (RP-SEA) – Don’t get too excited about League’s save on Sunday, as he only got the call due to David Aardsma leaving the team to be present for the birth of his child. League will also serve as Sunday’s closer, but Aardsma will be right back in there next week. That said, League is working on a 7.1 innings scoreless streak, and with Aardsma constantly flirting with a 5 ERA, League could find himself in the mix for saves at some point this season.
Doug Fister (SP-SEA) – I’ll admit I don’t follow the Junior Circuit quite as closely as the NL, but Fister is a guy who’s interesting. Interesting in a sense that he doesn’t strike anyone out (4.1 K/9), issues very few free passes (1.3 BB/9), and generates a fair amount of ground balls (52.5%). That’s the profile of a guy who can be successful for awhile, but who’s going to pay the piper at some point. Fister entered Saturday’s contest with a 2.45 ERA in 10 starts, but was hit hard Saturday, allowing four runs over four innings in a no-decision. Fister’s ERA still sits at a solid 2.81, and while his home park and solid defense helps, I’d still be surprised if Fister finished 2010 with a sub-4.00 ERA.
There are over 100 player news blurbs posted in the member area each morning, members can read the rest of today's player news by clicking here link:www.fantistics.com/baseball00/. Not a member? Join today link:www.fantistics.com/join/join.php3
