Just a small sample of today's player notes:
Ben Sheets (SP-ATL) - Well this was unexpected. Starting for the first time since the 2010 season with the A's, Sheets held the Mets to two hits over six shutout innings Sunday. He walked just one while striking out five. With the injury to Brandon Beachy (elbow) and the struggles of guys like Jair Jurrjens (until recently) and Mike Minor, the Braves actually needed a guy like Sheets to step up and he sure did Sunday. Sheets was in the 91-93 mph range with his fastball in the first inning Sunday, but by the sixth, he was down in the 88-91 range, but that's not all that surprising given his long layoff. Don't go crazy in spending your free agent money on Sheets, but he's worth a look in all but the shallowest of formats. Remember, he's still just 33, so though his best days are behind him, he may still have some gas left in the tank. For fun, just check out is 2004 season: 237 innings, 2.70 ERA, and an unbelievable 264:32 (more than 8:1) K:BB.
Freddie Freeman (1B-ATL) - Likely due to issues with his eyes, Freeman got off to a slow start this year, batting just .247/.295/.428 as of June 19. After a few days off due to a finger issue, Freeman has come back very strong. He blasted a three-run homer off southpaw Johan Santana on Sunday after entering the day with a 1.063 OPS in June and after having finished June batting .364 in his last nine games. Outside of Joey Votto, there aren't many high-ceiling NL first basemen right now, so it's not out of the question that Freeman could be the NL's #2 fantasy first baseman the rest of the way. I'd expect that 0.32 EYE to improve dramatically and another 10 homers the rest of the way would seem reasonable.
Cole Hamels (SP-PHI) - With a multitude of scouts on hand Sunday, Hamels held the Rockies to a run over eight innings in Coors Field. He struck out seven and walked one in improving to 11-4 with a 3.07 ERA and putting himself in shouting distance for NL Cy Young honors. Hamels though might very well find himself in the American League within the next couple weeks, as it's possible that both the Angels and Rangers will enter a bidding war for his services. Beware NL-only leaguers. Hamels has been remarkably consistent in his big league career, as he's in line for his fifth straight season with 31+ starts, and he will probably finish with at least 194 strikeouts for the fourth time in five seasons. With 125 K's in 126 innings, just over two walks every nine innings, and the ability to maintain a high level of consistency across 30+ starts, Hamels should continue to be a top-10 overall starter, no matter what uniform he's wearing come July 31.
Ricky Nolasco (SP-MIA) - Among big league starters, there are few more frustrating guys than Ricky Nolasco these days. Sunday's start served to epitomize the Jekyl and Hyde tendencies of the Miami right-hander, as Nolasco had a no-hitter in the fifth inning before finishing the day having allowed four runs in 5.1 innings, with Stephen Strasburg having driven in the first run. Nolasco this year has a 4.47 ERA, with his 5.6 K/9 representing the third consecutive season in which his strikeout rate has shown a decline. His walk rate is up as well, but at 2.4 BB/9, that's not the real issue. The real issue? Frustrating inconsistency. Nolasco had allowed just two runs in his previous three starts combined, but just when we start to consider trusting the guy again, we get a game like Sunday. He's still talented enough to be on many a fantasy roster, but be prepared to be frustrated.
Yovani Gallardo (SP-MIL) - Before you say "it's the PIRATES", realize that the Pirates have actually been one of the league's better offenses since May. That didn't stop Gallardo from fanning 14 over seven innings of one-run ball in a win on Sunday. Gallardo's previous high this year in strikeouts was 10, but he's always had the stuff for something like this. Gallardo has now allowed just four runs over his last four starts and he didn't walk a batter Sunday after allowing 12 free passes in his previous 18.2 innings. Look for Gallardo to be one of the NL's top starters the rest of the way.
