Pedro Martinez: Martinez gets a chance for revenge against the team who didn’t resign him when he faces the Mets today. In 8 innings with Phillies, Pedro has fanned 9 batters and walked just 1. While 8 innings is not enough of a sample size to predict if Martinez will be effective this year, he is certainly worth using against a weak Mets lineup in spacious Citifield.
Oliver Perez: The Mets are not getting their money’s worth after signing Perez to a big contract, 6.06 ERA in 13 starts. Even spacious Citifield cannot save Perez from the twin disasters of poor control, 7.7 BB/9, and too many fly balls, 52% FB%, as he has allowed 7 home runs in just 30.1 innings at home. He is way too risky to use in any format.
Derek Lowe: Lowe got a big contact in the off-season from the Braves, but he is not exactly earning his keep, 4.45 ERA in 153.2 innings. There has been a noticeable drop in Lowe’s skills across the board, 2007/2008/2009 K/9’s 6.6/6.3/4.6, BB/9’s 2.6/1.9/2.9, and GB%’s 65%/60%/56%, which is never a good sign when you are 36 years of age. There is a still a chance that Lowe can be effective, but he is much riskier now then when the season started.
Manny Parra: After showing some promise last season, 10-8 with a 4.39 ERA, it has been a rough season for Parra, 8-9 with a 6.33 ERA. It has been a skills decline across the board, 2008/2009 K/9’s 8.0/7.6, BB/9’s 4.1/4.9, and GB%’s 52%/48%. Although Parra is suffering from some extremely bad luck, 65% S% and a .362 BHIP%, he is not helping himself with the walks. He is still only 26 years of age, so it is too early to write off someone with his dominance, but he is going to have to find the plate on a more consistent basis.
Craig Stammen: It has not been a successful rookie season for the 25-year-old Stammen, 3-6 with a 5.13 ERA. His control, 1.8 BB/9, and ground ball approach, 48% GB%, is ok, but it is not working with such a low dominance, 4.1 K/9. He showed some strike out potential in the minor leagues last year, Double-A/Triple-A innings’ 38.1/43 and K/9’s 7.3/7.3, so the dominance could come. However, until it arrives, he is too risky to use in any format
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