Roberto Hernandez - Roberto Hernandez faced the Angels and was tagged for 3 ER over six innings. He allowed eight hits, struck out six and walked three. Despite the 4.97 ERA, Hernandez actually owns a respectable 3.55 xFIP. He's done an excellent job racking up grounders to the tune of a 53% GB% while also posting a 6.47 K/9 and 1.96 BB/9. His 5% BB% is a career-low, while his 17% K% is a career-high. I'm not saying you should be jumping over cars to add Hernandez in deeper leagues, but there are reasons to believe his future performance may be significantly better than his current performance.
Alfonso Soriano - The Yankees' Alfonso Soriano smashed a three-run HR and solo HR against Toronto on Tuesday and finished 2-for-5 with 4 RBI. Soriano now has 28 bombs and 84 RBI on the season to go along with a SLG% that's right around .500. He also has 15 steals to boot. While the outfielder's BB% is just 4%, which is pulling down his OBP, he's producing excellent power numbers as evidenced by his .224 ISO entering Tuesday. Soriano is a worthy bat in deeper leagues and should eclipse 30 HRs with close to 100 RBI by season's end.
Justin Verlander - Justin Verlander took on the Athletics on Tuesday and yielded 3 ER (5 R) on four hits over five innings. He struck out three and walked three. Prior to the start, Verlander owned a 3.79 xFIP and 3.68 ERA as his BABIP has jumped from .273 in 2012 to .318 this year. The right hander is also walking more batters (+2% BB%) and striking out fewer (-3% K%) compared to his 2012 campaign. Both right-handed and left-handed hitters are posting better numbers against the Tigers' ace. While Verlander has been a bit unlucky this season, he's also seen his skills begin to regress. He remains a solid fantasy SP but his days of being a top tier fantasy ace are likely over.
Wei-Yin Chen - Wei-Yin Chen faced the Red Sox and allowed 8 ER with five strikeouts over just 3 2/3 innings on Tuesday. I've written about Chen quite a bit of late, warning you to be cautious with deploying him in your lineup despite his 3.19 ERA prior to Tuesday's start. Chen's 4.34 xFIP is concerning as is his lack of strikeouts (16% K%) and low BABIP (.266). He has also enjoyed a 79% strand rate, which doesn't seem sustainable. Chen had the same xFIP in 2012 as he does this season, but his ERA was nearly a run higher last year. I expect him to struggle down the stretch unless he changes his peripherals.
Danny Salazar - Danny Salazar took on the Braves on Tuesday and gave up 2 ER over four innings. He struck out three and walked two on 77 pitches. Salazar has been on a tight pitch count since he tossed more than 100 pitches against the Tigers a couple weeks ago. When he is on the mound, he's been exciting to watch and entered Tuesday's start with a 3.52 ERA and 2.62 xFIP. He's striking out more than 11 batters per game to go along with a 32% K%. The right hander has also shown excellent control with a 7% BB% and 2.74 BB/9. He's enjoyed a low BABIP of .204 and high strand rate of 86% with neither number sustainable, although neither is his 25% HR/FB%. All told, Salazar is a tricky option during the season's final five weeks because of his short leash but he should provide decent strikeout and ERA marks.
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