Nelson Figueroa- NYN- Cold- Figueroa was pounded by the Nationals yesterday, allowing 6 runs (4 earned) on 5 this and 5 walks in 5 IP while striking out 4. The walks continue a pattern of control problems for Figueroa, who has allowed 19 free passes in his last 5 starts, covering 23-2/3 IP. That kind of walk ratio spells trouble.
Adam Wainwright- STL- Cold- Wainwright turned in his worst performance of the season so far, getting tagged for 8 runs (6 earned) in 6 IP on 8 hits and a walk while striking out 3. Even after that his ERA stands at 2.95 for the year. It was only the second time Wainwright has failed to turn in a quality start. A good deal of his success can be attributed to luck, as evidenced by a .224 BHIP% before yesterday but his K ratio s slightly improved from last season and his BB ratio is down, so indicators are that he will be at least as productive as 2007 over the long haul.
Corey Patterson- CIN- Hot- Patterson’s batting average has been pounded by a BHIPx of .095 and that accounts for the biggest reason why it stood at .196 before yesterday. A 4-for-5 day at the plate with a double, RBI and 2 runs scored shot his average past the Mendoza line to .224. Since manager Dusty Baker is committed to keeping Patterson in the leadoff spot, he should have plenty of opportunity to enjoy a regression to the mean.
Dan Uggla- FLA- Hot- Maybe there is a bit of regression to the mean going on here. After last Thursday, Uggla had a batting average of .262 that was suppressed by a BHIPx of .188. Since then he has gone on a tear, with a 4-game hitting streak in which he has hit 7-for-12 with 4 homers, 8 RBI, 8 runs score and walked 3 times while striking out twice. Ugglas’s batting average now stands at .290 and it wouldn’t be surprising to see his BHIPx risen when his charts are next updated.
Francisco Cordero- CIN- Caution- Is Cordero losing his nerve? He picked up his 6th save of the year last night, but it was not easy, although he didn’t allow a run. Half of Cordero’s 20 pitches were balls and he issued a walk as well as hit a batter among the 7 he faced. This was similar to his last save a week before. In between he made one appearance in a non-save situation and threw 9 strikes in his 14 pitches, retiring the side in order in an inning of work, two by strikeout. If he keeps struggling when the pressure is on, eventually his luck will break and runs will come.
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