Aaron Rowand: Rowand has missed some time after getting hit with a Tommy Hanson pitch earlier in the week, but he should avoid the DL. His skills are heading in the wrong direction, 2007/2008/2009 BB%’s of 7%/7%/7% and Ct%’s of 80%/77%/75%, but at least his rising FB%, 2008/2009 #’s of 32%/38%, is leading to more home runs, 13 home runs in 549 AB in 2008 vs. 9 home runs in 321 AB this year. Too bad he is no longer playing his home games in homer-happy Citizens Bank Park. At this point in his career, the 31-year-old Rowand is strictly NL-only league material.
Hiroki Kuroda: Between this year and last year, Kuroda is basically bringing the same skill set to the table, 2008/2009 K/9’s of 5.7/6.0, BB/9’s of 2.1/2.1, GB%’s of 51%/51%, with very different results, 2008/2009 ERA’s of 3.73/4.73. The full one-point difference in ERA can be chalked up to an unlucky strand rate this year, 2008/2009 S%’s of 70%/63%. With a solid skill set, Kuroda’s ERA has some nice upside in the second-half of the year. He makes for a good play today against the Marlins at home
Jack Wilson: Wilson, who has been out since July 20th with a hamstring problem, could be back in the Pirate lineup by this weekend. Besides making good contact, 88% Ct%, everything else Wilson does is below average, 4 home runs in 256 AB, 5% BB%, and 2 steals in 3 tries. He is one of those guys who plays everyday, but is barely useable in NL-only leagues.
Russ Ortiz: After a 4-year stretch of injuries and poor performances, the 35-year-old Ortiz is surprisingly only one skill away from being an effective pitcher, 4.33 ERA, 6.7 K/9, 4.7 BB/9, and a 48% GB%. If can find a way to tame the walks, he could really have something going here. Today he is a good play at home against a punchless Mets offense.
Matt Holliday: The Cardinals acquired Holliday for three prospects. Holliday has to be ecstatic about escaping Oakland’s home stadium where his numbers, 7/33/.286 in 168 AB, were nowhere near what he put up in Colorado. Batting behind Albert Pujols will also help. Outside of Roy Halliday crossing leagues, this is as good as it will get, so go ahead and break out the FAAB bucks for Holliday.
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