Rich Harden- OAK- Cold- After registering only 1 K in 5.1 IP in his last start, the 1.0 K/IP ratio last night might seem good. The problem is that he only lasted 3 IP because he was getting hit hard by the Rangers. It was the 3rd straight time Harden hasn't gone more than 5 IP and 4th time in his last 5 outings. Harden has been able to strike a lot of batters out since coming back this season (10.10 K/9), but has a tough time getting them out if he doesn't (1.42 WHIP.) He also has a HR/9 of 1.76 for the second season in a row. The K ratio is attractive but the oft-injured Harden looks like he can't offer much more than that.
Adam Dunn- CHW- Stats- Although Dunn didn't get a hit yesterday, he did walk twice and only struck out once, an improvement for him. In his previous 3 games, Dunn had gone 5-for-13 with 3 doubles. This has been a lost season for Dunn who, although he increased his walk rate to 14.7% from 11.9% in 2010, increased his K rate from 30.7% to 35.1% so his Batting EYE only increased from .39 to .42 after being no lower than .58 since becoming a full time player in 2002. Since August 18th Dunn has walked 7 times and struck out 17. With his homer total dropping from 38 to 11, Dunn has little fantasy value going into 2012.
Alejandro De Aza- CHA- Hot- De Aza went 3-for-8 with a steal in yesterday's doubleheader. His .326 average since being called up from AAA is the product of a .392 BABIP. He hasn't been able to sustain success at the major league level and is unlikely to do so in 2012. This looks like the high point of his major league career.
Mark Trumbo- LAA- Hot- The Rookie of the Year candidate homered for the second straight game (to give him 29 for the season) in a 2-for-5 effort. He is 6-for-16 with 2 homers in his last 4 games. With a .276 BABIP this year, Trumbo's average of .258 will be expected to increase in 2012. That will make him even more valuable as he will provide plenty of homers again.
Mike Carp- SEA- Hot- Regression, schmegression. A night after knocking in 5 RBI, Carp picked up 5 hits in 5 ABs, with 2 doubles and another RBI. His monthly BABIP is suddenly at .341. Sure, that's a drop off his season mark of .376 but really can't be said to be regression to the mean any more. It also means that you have to look at his .291 average with a skeptical eye when planning for 2012.
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