C. J. Wilson- TEX- Hot- Wilson threw his first career shutout last night, giving him 6 quality starts in his last 7 appearances. His only non-quality start happened after he had thrown 4 consecutive outings of 110 or more pitches. That has happened the only other 2 times Wilson has had that long a string of high pitch games. Last night's 117 pitch outing gives him 1 in a row, so he won't face that lengthy string again in the regular season. He looks to be back on his A game after a small stretch of poor outings.
David Murphy- TEX- Hot- Murphy went 4-for-4 with a homer last night, the second time in his last 5 games he has collected 4 hits and a homer. In his last 11 games, he is 21-for-44 with 4 homers. He is making a lot of contact, with only 2 walks and 5 Ks in that stretch. A lot of balls are still getting beat into the ground, with a 20/12 GB/FB ratio. So far in September, Murphy has a .520 average that is being driven by a .500 BABIP. That is some hefty regression to the mean as it has brought his season BABIP up to .297. When Murphy is getting the ball in the air, it is finally going a long way, which is good. The ground balls finding hits, though, probably won't keep happening at this rate for the last weeks of the season.
Jeff Niemann- TB- Cold- Niemann got pounded by the Rangers for the second straight time and only has 1 quality start in his last 4 outings. Prior to his consecutive starts against Texas he had thrown 111 or more pitches in 5 of his previous 6 starts and 7 of his previous 9. That's as many high-pitch games in 18 starts this season as he had in 59 starts the previous 2 seasons combined. Niemann isn't that young, but Joe Maddon may have pushed his workload too far too fast this season, particularly with him missing time to a back injury.
Tommy Hunter- BAL- Hot-Hunter was a controversial homer away from a quality start. Replay didn't have what was deemed conclusive enough evidence to overturn a call on a ball that was touched by Yankees fans leaning over the outfield railing and that meant Hunter allowed 4 earned runs (5 overall) on 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6 in 6.2 IP. It was an impressive performance on a very bad weather night. Hunter only has 1 quality start in the 7 he has made with the Orioles but a lot of that has to do with the bad luck of a 60.6% LOB%. He should have an opportunity to make a contribution next season.
Delmon Young- DET- Stats- Young drew his first walk in 22 games since being traded to the Tigers, raising his Batting EYE from .00 to .07. That's still not good. His .312 average with Detroit is based on a .333 BABIP with them and with his lack of patience results in only a .312 OBP. Young's power numbers have been solid since coming over, with 3 homers, 15 runs and 17 RBI. They are more like what he had in a breakout year with the Twins last season but unless he turn the Batting EYE around, don't overvalue him in 2012 based on them.
Follow me on Twitter all season - @fantisticspaul
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. Not a member? Join today.
