A. J. Griffin- P- TEX- Cold- Griffin has yet to post a quality start in 4 outings since coming off the DL. Before yesterday he had not pitched that badly, just hadn't lasted long enough. Yesterday, he only lasted 5 IP but gave up 6 runs on 9 hits and a walk while striking out 3. Griffin hasn't shown the form he had pre-injury, when he had a 3.06 ERA. He had been lucky, but still his FIP was 3.99, not horrible. There is potential there, but until Griffin shows he is recovered from his shoulder injury, he isn't up to sleeper status for the second half.
Kennys Vargas- DH- MIN- Hot- Vargas kept up his hot start, extending his current hitting streak to 5 games, only failing to get a hit in the first out of his 6 games played in since being called up. He went 1-for-2 with 3 walks, scoring 3 runs and knocking one in yesterday. Vargas' .471 average is getting supported by a .455 BABIP. His average at AAA Rochester was .235 when he was called up but that was with a .265 BABIP. Vargas had a .353 OBP at AAA as a result of his 0.71 Batting EYE. Since being promoted Vargas has walked 6 times and struck out 3 times. All of his hits for the Twins this year have been for extra bases, including his 3rd yesterday. Vargas has had 14 homers in his 418 major league appearances before this year, so he has exhibited some power, but not anywhere near the rate he has shown in these past few games. It's not sustainable into the second half.
Brett Eibner- OF- KC- Rookie- Eibner went 3-for-4 with his 3rd homer of his rookie season. His average is .304, with his BABIP jumping up 25 points to .368. Eibner has always tended to be streaky in the minors and that pattern has continued since he was promoted. He started off with a 5 game hitting streak, then followed it up with a 10 game stretch with only 3 hits. Currently, Eibner has a 4-game hitting streak. The inconsistency makes him too big a risk to start on a daily basis.
Mike Montgomery- P- SEA- Hot- Montgomery evened his record at 3-3 with a win in his spot start yesterday. He gave up 1 run on 5 hits in 6.1 IP while striking out 3 and not walking anyone. Montgomery has pitched better than his record indicates, with a 2.06 ERA, 3.09 FIP, and 1.02 WHIP. His previous outing was 4 shutout IP of relief. If Montgomery does get more starts after the break he is looking like he could put up some decent numbers.
David Price- P- BOS- Hot- Price threw his best game of the year, tossing 8 shutout IP, allowing 4 hits and a walk while striking out 10. This is the second straight quality start for him after 2 poor outings. Overall, Price has quality starts in 13 of his 19 outings. He has suffered from bad luck, with a 4.34 ERA and 3.42 FIP. Price still has a K/9 of 10.13, which would be the highest of his career if he keeps that through the end of the season. This last start of the first half gives hope that Price will return to a dominant role when the season starts again.
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