C J. Wilson- TEX- Hot- I have just about completed the crossover from skeptic to believer where Wilson is concerned. He had two starts where he walked a total of 9 batters in 12 IP, but has only walked 2 in his last 2 starts covering 13.1 IP. That is more in line with his early season numbers. I'm still a little hesitant about him running out of gas yesterday in the 7th inning and getting pulled after only 103 pitches. Maybe his workload earlier is having some effect. However, if he puts another outstanding start together I think that I will officially look at the occasional struggle as the aberration.
Paul Konerko- CHA- Stats- Konerko has been very streaky this season. He started the season with a 10-game hitting streak, then went 4-for-28 before running off a 10-for-29 stretch. Konerko followed that with a 4-for-23 run before having an 8-game hitting streak in which he went 15-for-32. That was immediately followed by 5 games in which he went 1-for-18. In his last 5 games, Konerko has gone 6-for-19. Overall, Konerko's numbers are solid, but if you are in a head-to-head league his week to week performances can either make you or break you.
Mitch Talbot- CLE- Cold- Talbot may have been rushed back into the Cleveland rotation. He got absolutely hammered yesterday and it's not like he was lights out in his 2 rehab starts. Although Talbot did give up only 3 runs, walked 1 and struck out 7 in those games, he only pitched a total of 9 innings and allowed 10 hits and 2 homers. Yesterday not only was Talbot hit hard but he had control issues, throwing only 39 strikes in his 74 pitches. Maybe his elbow isn't ready for major league work yet.
Carl Crawford- BOS- Hot- Crawford's luck has turned around dramatically. Before May 1st he had a .155 average driven by a BABIP of .177. In May his BABIP of .361 has resulted in a .304 average so far this month. What is worrisome is that the increase in average may only be driven by luck. Crawford's Batting EYE has fallen in May to .11, significantly down from the .29 he had before that and much lower than even the lowest mark he posted in the previous 3 years, .44. He also has only stolen 3 bases this month after swiping only 4 before that. On the other hand, one of those steals and his first 2 homers since April 24th have come in his last 3 games. Given his history, it would seem like Crawford will turn the rest of his game around, but until he gets control of the strike zone it's not a guaranteed thing.
Delmon Young- MIN- Cold- Young went 0-for-4 fr the second straight game to bring his average down to .216. He is due for some regression to the mean with a .266 BABIP. His walk rate is considerably better than what it was in 2009 and his K rate is only slightly worse. Last year's numbers are looking like more of an aberration and it would be better to hope for the .284-12-60 production from 2 years ago as more realistic.
Follow me on Twitter all season - @fantisticspaul
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