Curtis Granderson (OF--Yankees) With the All-Star Break fast approaching, it's a great time to look at players who, if the season were to finish about now, would be considered for a possible MVP award. While Curtis Granderson would probably not get my first vote, I think he certainly could in the conversation mix. Granderson is probably the A.L. best opportunity for a 30/30 guy as he has 15 stolen bases and 23 home runs going in games on Tuesday. But in Tuesday's game, he added two more to now bring him up to 25 on the season which already matches last year's mark. He's batting average is solid enough at .279 and his walk rate (12%) lands him about fifteenth in the league. Add to the fact that he leads the league in runs scored 76) with .368 OBP, he has been one of the best surprises for owners this season. In fact at the onset of the season, many pre-season prognosticators had Granderson ranked 92ne among major-league players and he has currently moved way up the later to around 14th. He's only three homers shy of his 2010 total and he is also pacing himself for 100+ RBI season. Keep him active in all formats as he is enjoying a stellar year.
Jon Lester (SP--Red Sox) Worrisome news for Jon Lester owners as he was pulled from Tuesdays game after four innings in which he hadn't allowed a hit. Lester has been on fire lately having allowed only two hits in his last eleven innings and Tuesday's early exit made it impossible for him to qualify for a win despite a 3-0 lead. Lester has averaged almost strikeout an inning this season and has done a solid job with a 3.31 despite having a FIP of almost a half a run higher. Lester has been helped by an excellent strand rate at almost 81%. Owners will need to pay close attention to the severity of this lat strain injury. With the All-Star break around the corner, it may be a perfect time for the Red Sox to give Lester some healing time. Consider him a risky start for the rest of this week and next.
Carlos Carrasco (SP--Indians) It was marketed to be the pitching duel of the night: the young Carlos Carrasco who had been on fire of late against the seasoned and equally-hot veteran CC Sabathia. It was the older, more experienced who outlasted the young upstart as Carrasco lasted just four innings, allowed six earned runs on ten hits, walked and struck out three. Carrasco had pieced together five quality starts in a row prior to Tuesday putting together a 0.98 ERA over 36.2 innings of work, lowering his ERA a full run on the season. He had held batter to a .172 batting average during that span. Despite the poor outing, Carrasco has proven to be one of the nicer surprises of the season and at just 24 appears to be making considerable strides. Consider him a solid option in mixed league formats.
Scott Baker (SP--Twins) Scott Baker was cruising along in his outing against the Rays when after the 62nd pitch of his start, he left the game due to elbow strain. Baker had completed five innings, having allowed just one unearned run on three hits, a walk and struck out three. Baker lowered his ERA on the year to 3.01 as this was his fourth out of fifth starts where he had allowed just one or no runs. Baker has always had great potential but has been inconsistent throughout his career but seemed to be putting together a good season before the elbow strain. He had been accumulating strikeouts which were pacing him for almost 200 on the season and he had a tidy WHIP of less than 1.20. Baker could miss his next start as a precautionary measure even if the injury is not too severe. Day-to-day leagues should consider him a risky option for now.
Asdrubal Cabrera (SS--Indians) Asdrubal Cabrera turned his ankle against the Yankees on Tuesday night and was replaced by Lonnie Chisenhall after Cabrera had tried to remain in the game. We've known all along that Cabrera has a good bat with a .292 batting average on the year, but somewhat more surprising is the development of power. Cabrera currently has fourteen home runs on the year and this onslaught is unexpected as he has never hit that many in any season in the minors. To boot he has been a solid source of speed with 12 stolen bases and prior to the ankle injury was looking like a solid bet to make it easily to the 20/20 club and perhaps an outside shot at 30/30. When healthy Cabrera has been a solid option in mixed formats with his emerging year.
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