Phil Hughes (SP-MIN): Phil Hughes tossed 7 strong innings, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits. The unpredictable veteran struck out 6 Tigers without walking a single one to pick up his 2nd win of the season. His ERA of 5.14 is inflated thanks to a .353 BABIP and 64% LOB rate. Many expected Hughes to improve this year thanks to the friendlier confines of Target Field, as he posted a .388 wOBA at Yankee Stadium in 2013. According to Brooks Baseball, Hughes mixed in 9 sinkers for the first time all season, and the Tigers failed to produce a hit off of the pitch. Monitor this and his matchups; there is some deep-league value here.
Cesar Ramos (SP-TB): Cesar Ramos tossed 5 scoreless innings in picking up the victory over John Danks and the White Sox. He allowed 5 hits and 2 walks, and didn't strike out a batter. While he has earned some leash in the rotation, buyer beware. His 3.38 ERA/5.43 xFIP combined with his 7:7 K:BB ratio in 16 innings portends significant regression. He is crafty, and is capable of pulling off the occasional start like this depending on batted ball luck, but he presents too much risk and limited upside to justify play outside of deeper AL-only leagues.
Anibal Sanchez (SP-DET): Anibal Sanchez pitched 2 and 2/3 scoreless innings before exiting with a lacerated finger. The Tigers placed him on the 15-day DL after the game, which is frustrating for fantasy owners, as he just looked to be over the shoulder issues that plagued him early in the season. The recently acquired Robbie Ray looks to be the prime candidate to be called up and take a turn or two with Sanchez out. Ray has allowed only 5 earned runs in 23 and 1/3 innings, posting a 16:5 K:BB ratio.
Dexter Fowler (OF-HOU): Dexter Fowler is heating up. The Astros outfielder went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs, homering off of Dan Straily. This pushed his line to .238/.322/.388 with 3 steals, 14 runs, 5 RBI and a 10:21 BB:K ratio in 21 games. I'm concerned about Fowler's prospects in yearly leagues, even healthy and hitting in the 2-hole. His wOBA was consistently 70-100 points higher at Coors than on the road. If somebody wants to pay for his numbers with the Rockies after a hot streak, sell.
Nick Swisher (1B/OF-CLE): Nick Swisher went 2 for 5 with 1 RBI and 1 run in a losing effort against Tim Lincecum and the Giants. He now has 5 multi-hit games in his past 10 and looks to be settling in at the top of the Indians lineup. His contact rate is above 80%, and his swinging-strike rate is down to 8%, good signs that Swisher isn't regressing in his age-34 season. He makes a fine #5 OF in the majority of mixed leagues.
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