Chris Capuano - Chris Capuano faces the Rockies in Colorado tonight as he looks to improve to 8-1 in 2012. Capuano's 2.14 ERA is being heavily aided by an 84% strand rate and .226 BABIP - his xFIP is actually 3.90. So, it's safe to say Capuano should deal with some pretty significant regression in the coming weeks. He is posting a strikeout rate above 8.00 batters per 9 innings for the second straight season and his 0.71 HR rate is excellent. I do have concerns about Capuano's 36% GB rate, which is about 6% lower than a season ago. Unless he can get more grounders, it's likely his HR rate will rise because he's giving up so many FBs. I'd be cautious with Capuano tonight and believe he is a spot starter in the long run.
Chad Billingsley - Chad Billingsley took on the Brewers on Thursday, yielding 4 ER on 6 hits over 6 innings. He did manage to strikeout 8 and walk just 2, and his ERA sits at 4.09 now through 11 starts. With an 8.76 strikeout rate, it's good to see Billingsley regain his ability to miss bats after his whiff rate dropped under 8.00 batters per game last season for the first time since 2007. He's also improved his strikeout % from 18% a season ago to 21% this year. Billingsley's walk and HR rates are right in line with previous seasons, as is his xFIP which sits at 3.84. What you're getting out of Billingsley in 2012 is about what you should expect. He'll keep his ERA around 4.00 and produce a solid strikeout rate. I like Billingsley as a solid back end of the rotation starter in 12-team mixed leagues.
Troy Tulowitzki - After coming up lame in the 6th inning on Wednesday night, Troy Tulowitzki was hopeful his strained groin would feel better yesterday so that he could avoid a stint on the DL. On Thursday Tulo said the groin did feel a little better, but the Rockies decided to be cautious with their star shortstop and put him on the 15-day DL. Colorado's training staff said they felt the injury was caught early enough that Tulo won't have to miss much time past the original 15-day mark. The shortstop has been dealing with a sore groin since the first series of the season, so this isn't entirely unexpected. For the season, Tulo is off to a so-so start with .287 BA and 8 HRs. His ISO is just .199 (compared to .242 and .253 the past 2 seasons), but Tulo is a notoriously strong second half performer. Hopefully, he returns in a couple weeks and the groin issue can finally be put behind him.
Carlos Gonzalez - Cargo is just absolutely locked in right now. After going 3-for-4 on Thursday versus Houston, Gonzalez is now 13 for his past 22 with 6 HRs and 10 RBI. For the season, Cargo is hitting .332 with 14 HRs and an ISO of .321. After recording a LD rate of 18% in 2011, Gonzalez has improved that number to 21% this season and he's upped his HR/FB rate to 28% (compared to 21% in 2011). Additionally, the outfielder is showing a bit more patience as his chase rate has dropped from 34% a season ago to 30% in 2012. With Troy Tulowitzki out for the next couple weeks, teams may elect to pitch around Gonzalez more often, but it shouldn't affect his value too much. He is definitely one of the top hitters in fantasy baseball for the time being.
Jed Lowrie - The Astros' shortstop went 3-for-5 against the Rockies on Thursday and is now hitting .283 with a .482 SLG%. Lowrie's been a solid fantasy contributor so far in 2012 as he owns an impressive .199 ISO and has belted 8 HRs in 44 games. Houston has moved Lowrie around in the lineup - he's hit as high as second and as low as sixth. He's showing decent patience with an 11% walk rate against a 16% strikeout rate, and his 23% LD rate is strong. Overall, this is the type of hitter Boston had envisioned before injuries derailed Lowrie's career with the Red Sox. He should remain a solid, if unspectacular, shortstop option moving forward.
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