Brett Anderson (SP - OAK) - Anderson was about as good as he could be in his first start of the year, limiting the Twins to a run on four hits in five innings with no walks and three strikeouts. The southpaw also missed significant time in each of the previous two years, but he's been a good option when healthy as he's combined solid strikeout and walk rates with a strong groundball rate. He's a solid matchup option at this juncture and can definitely be used Monday against an Indians lineup that can't hit left-handed pitching.
Chris Tillman (SP - BAL) - Tillman pitched decently in Texas, giving up three runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings. While he gave up two home runs, it's very hard to keep the ball in the yard in the summer in Texas and he also struck out seven against just one walk. While he has given up too many line drives and home runs, his strikeout and walk rates along with increased fastball velocity to almost an average of 93 miles per hour make him a matchup option. His next start comes against the White Sox who hit a lot of home runs, but they have struggled outside Chicago.
David Price (SP - TB) - Price kept rolling with eight shutout innings against the Royals, lowering his ERA to 2.28. He allowed just three hits while striking out eight without issuing a free pass. The former top overall pick has always been on the verge of being elite, but difficulties with the gopher ball against right-handed hitters have prevented him from doing so. This year, Price has scrapped his slider for a cutter while his fastball velocity has continued to increase, leading to an almost-nine percent rise in GB%. He's unbenchable at this point and should still be started with confidence Monday in Texas.
Luke Hochevar (SP - KC) - Hochevar had possibly the best outing of his career, matching zeros with David Price for eight innings and allowing just one hit and three walks while striking out 10. The Rays don't have a great lineup against right-handed pitching and Tropicana Field is a friendly environment for pitchers, but there wasn't much to suggest this was coming. While his control is solid and his strikeout rate was at a career-high coming into the outing, it's not big enough to overcome the amount of line drives and home runs he gives up. His lengthy track record of mediocrity is not worth chasing and he should not be used in Boston Monday afternoon.
Greg Holland (RP - KC) - Holland picked up his sixth save with a perfect inning in Tampa Bay, as he has made the most of his opportunity with the trade of Jonathan Broxton to Cincinnati. The diminutive right-hander walks his fair share of batters, but his big strikeout rate combined with his ability to keep the ball on the ground make him a strong option. He should be owned in well more leagues than the half he currently is.
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