Brad Lidge
Astros manager Phil Garner said he's planning to ease Brad Lidge into the closer's role beginning with Sunday's game. Lidge has allowed just two runs in his last 25 1/3 innings, so this was pretty easy to see coming, especially considering Dan Wheeler has allowed three runs in three of his last five appearances. Considering how much Garner has jerked Lidge in and out of the closer role over the last two years, I wouldn't consider the move back to Lidge to be permanent. Still, as long as Lidge's psyche remains intact pitching in the ninth instead of the eighth inning, he's been by far the better pitcher this year. Lidge's K/I has declined in each of the last three years, but it's still a superb 1.30 this year, so in the unlikely even he's sitting out on the waiver wire in your league, grab him...now.
Eric Munson
Starting back-to-back games for the first time since 2006, Munson was 1-for-4 with his first home run of the season Saturday against White Sox starter Jon Garland. It's still hard to see Munson playing more than Brad Ausmus over the rest of the year, but considering Ausmus has a .635 at-bats and a nearly-unbelievable eight RBI in 150 at-bats, I suppose it's possible. Munson is a .211/.286/.400 for his career, but that translations into a .189 ISO, power that the Astros could certainly use in the lower third of the order. He won't provide much in the way of average, but deeper NL-only leagues requiring two catchers should probably have this guy on their radars.
Barry Zito
Zito's first start against the A's this season went as follows: 4 IP, 6 H, 7 ER, 7 BB, 2 K. This one wasn't quite as bad, but then again, it couldn't get much worse than allowing seven runs and walking the same. On Saturday, Zito lasted just four inning again, allowing four runs (three earned) on a whopping nine hits. He walked one and struck out two. Zito had allowed just one run total over his previous three starts (20 innings), so perhaps the A's just "have his number"(if you subscribe to that theory - I don't). For the year, Zito's K:BB still stands at an ugly 46:36 and his K/I continues to deteriorate (0.59 this year, 0.68 the year prior). Conventional wisdom (and statistics) back up the NL being an easier league for pitchers thanks to the DH, but try telling that to Zito. 15 wins, an ERA in the 4.20 range, and 130 strikeouts seems to be a reasonable estimate of his contribution this year.
Josh Hamilton
Hamilton hit his first homer in more than a month on Saturday, going 1-for-4 with his ninth homer, this one against Jeremy Sowers. Hamilton's OPS has declined from 1.069 on May 9 to .886 as of Saturday, so perhaps pitchers are figuring him out now. It's up to Hamilton to make the necessary adjustments and considering his lack of pro experience in the last few years, you have to wonder if he can simply do it on his (considerable) talent alone. We shall see, but look for Hamilton to get every chance to prove he belongs in the starting lineup, particularly with Ryan Freel still feeling the effects of that nasty collision. You do have to like that Hamilton is 4-for-13 in the month of June with a 3:5 K:BB. The fact that he's being patient instead of hacking after being on the shelf says a lot about his makeup.
Ken Griffey
With Barry Bonds chasing Hank Aaron and #756, Griffey's exploits this year have gone pretty much un-noticed. Saturday, Griffey hit #578, going 2-for-4 with a double and his fifteenth homer of 2007. If Griffey's fragile body holds up enough for him to get to 500 at-bats, his current HR pace would leave him with 38 homers, which would be his highest total since 2000. What's really remarkable about Griffey's year though is the spike in his EYE to 1.21 considering he hasn't topped 1.00 since 1993 and his number last year was 0.50. I have to think that's somewhat flukish, as opposing teams aren't exactly pitching around Griffey to get to the Jeff Conines and Brandon Phillips' of the world. Still, Griffey's 2+ month renaissance at the age of 37 is worth noting. If you're not a believer, now is the time to deal Griffey, as his fantasy value will never be higher.
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