David Price - Making his long awaited return from the DL, David Price faced the Astros on Tuesday in his first start since May 15. The lefty has been dealing with a triceps injury. Price tossed seven strong innings and yielded 0 ER with 10 strikeouts and three hits allowed. Not a bad return, huh? Prior to the injury, Price had struggled with a 5.24 ERA and 1.31 HR/9 while also experiencing a 4% drop in his K% compared to last season. Price was also pretty unlucky as his LD rate remained the same as it was in 2012, but his BABIP had jumped by 60 points. Considering he owned a 3.51 xFIP, Price wasn't terribly far off his career norm. I expect Price to have better luck moving forward and for him to continue to be a top-tier fantasy starter. His value is lower than it should be right now, and I'm very comfortable targeting him as a buy-low option.
John Lackey - Fresh off a 12-strikeout performance against the Rockies, John Lackey gave up 1 ER on six hits with six strikeouts against the Padres on Tuesday. Lackey entered Tuesday's start with an impressive 3.24 xFIP to go along with an excellent 50% GB% and 8.39 K/9. He's enjoying a career-high 22% K% and career-low 5% BB% while also recording a 35% chase rate. Lackey is so much better this season than 2011 that it's hard to imagine he can maintain this success, but I love the increase in grounders and strikeouts. If he keeps excelling in both those areas, the right hander should be able to maintain a solid ERA and be an excellent option in mixed leagues.
Erik Bedard - The Astros' Erik Bedard started against the Rays on Tuesday and gave up 4 ER over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked six. Bedard came into Tuesday's start having posted a quality start in five of his past six outings. In fact, looking back at his past nine starts, Bedard had only allowed more than 3 ER once - against the Royals on June 8. So, clearly, Bedard hasn't been too bad for a couple months now despite the ugly-looking 4.59 ERA and 4.88 xFIP. For the season, Bedard has a 20% K% and has cut his LD% from 23% in 2012 to just 19% in 2013. He's also experiencing a vastly different balls in play distribution, owning a 46% FB% (compared to 33% in 2012) and 34% GB% (compared to 43% in 2012). This has meant Bedard is posting the lowest GB/FB rate of his career, which isn't a good thing for the veteran southpaw. For those in need of a spot starter or cheap daily play, Bedard's been serviceable but you're taking a risk considering his peripherals.
Jason Hammel - Jason Hammel faced the White Sox on Tuesday and lasted seven innings while giving up 5 ER with seven strikeouts. After Hammel posted an 8.62 K/9, 53% GB% and 3.46 xFIP in 2012, I expected another solid season from the right hander in 2013. However, it's been anything but as Hammel has struggled to do what's made him successful in the past - miss bats and induce grounders. Hammel's GB% has dropped to 42% this season while his K% is off by 6%. Even worse, his HR/FB% is up to 15% after being at 10% in 2012. Until Hammel can get more grounders and miss more bats, he will continue to be a so-so starter who struggles to maintain a decent ERA. I'm disappointed by his performance to date and am taking a wait-and-see approach before considering him for daily plays and in deeper mixed leagues.
Corey Kluber - After a couple of tough outings, Drew Dinkmeyer's favorite pitcher, Corey Kluber, tried to get back on track when he faced the Royals on Tuesday. Kluber pitched well until the 4th inning where he gave up two bloop singles, a walk and then a grand slam to Alex Gordon. Kluber ended up tossing 5 1/3 innings and yielding 4 ER on four hits. He struck out three and walked two. Entering the start, Kluber had a 4.15 ERA, but his xFIP was just 2.94 (it's now 3.12 after last night's outing). Kluber's doing a great job of missing bats, owning a 23% K% and 8.44 K/9 in 81 innings this season. He's also showing excellent control with a meager 4% BB%. Where Kluber has struggled is with line drives and home runs. With a 27% LD rate, opponents are making solid contact and that's resulting in a high BABIP of .336. Kluber's also got a 14% HR/FB% so he's been hurt by the long ball quite a few times. Overall, though, I am still on Kluber's bandwagon (Drew's still driving) because the guy misses plenty of bats and has excellent control (and a not-so-bad 45% GB% to boot). He is still a solid daily play against weaker lineups and has nice upside with the strikeout ability.
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