Chris Perez RP (CLE) - Perez blew a save and took the loss last night. He only got one out before giving up a 2-run walk off single by Danny Valencia. In total, Perez walked 2 batters and gave up 2 hits without recording a strikeout. Cleveland's success and Perez's positive surface stats have hidden the fact that he has pitched poorly all season. His 5.86 K/9 is hardly elite for a closer, especially one without the control (4.08 BB/9) or GB ability (31 GB%) to make up for it. As a result of Perez's subpar skills, he has a 4.21 FIP and 4.73 xFIP, indicating his actual ERA of 2.55 should be around 2 runs higher. Perhaps last night was just the beginning of a tough road ahead for Perez; I'd sell quickly before he begins making a habit of blowing saves.
Josh Reddick OF (BOS) - Reddick has been a hot name lately, and he went 3-4 while batting fifth in Boston's starting lineup last night. In 28 games, Reddick is now hitting .357 with 4 homers and a steal. There's definitely reason to be optimistic that Reddick can maintain his status as a fantasy relevant outfielder. In his first two go arounds at the Major League level, Reddick was overmatched as seen by his .12 batting EYE in 27 games in '09 and .07 EYE in 29 games last season. Reddick transformed this season, though. In 52 triple A games he posted a .85 EYE (by far a career best for him at any level), and he hit for power while doing so (.277 ISO). Those skills followed Reddick to the Majors this time as he has posted a .60 EYE (thanks in part to a double digit walk rate) and a .307 ISO. That combination of patience and power could make Reddick a surprise RBI force over the season's second half should he get more at bats in the fifth spot.
Greg Halman OF (SEA) - Halman hit his second homer of the season last night, and he entered the contest hitting a respectable .279 with 5 steals in 27 games. So is he worth a pickup? No. For starters, the 5 steals are a bit of a mirage as Halman stole 15 in 112 games at AAA last season and 9 in 121 games at AA the season prior. So, there's not a huge stolen base upside. He certainly does have some more power than he has shown thus far, but I just don't think we will get a chance to see it given the lack of plate discipline and loft he's demonstrated so far. Halman's is currently posting a putrid .08 EYE thanks in large part to a whiff rate of 35.2%, and he has a high GB% of 53.5%. Between all the strikeouts and groundouts, Halman is giving himself very few chances to show off his biggest asset - his power. Not to mention he is being surrounded by an anemic offense and playing in a pitcher's park.
Brett Cecil SP (TOR) - Brett Cecil's nemesis, the homerun ball, bit him again last night. He gave up 2 homers which accounted for 4 of the 5 ER he yielded. Given Cecil's ballpark, division, FB tendencies (just a 30.7 GB%) and a career HR/FB% slightly above league average, there's no reason to expect him to stop giving up the long ball. Given his skill set, and once again considering ballpark and competition, it's tough to see Cecil posting an ERA much better than 4.50 from here on out.
Justin Masterson SP (CLE) - It's kind of ironic that I've been so tough on Masterson considering I was one of his biggest backers last season. Now that he's got 20 starts under his belt this season, though, it's time to admit I was wrong when I called Masterson a sell high candidate earlier in the year. I still think we will see the ERA around 3.50 or so from here on out as the HR/FB% Masterson currently holds (3.8%) is expected to normalize given his career mark (9.3%). However, Masterson has used improved control to post his best K/BB ratio of his career at 2.38, which is more than enough to be effective given his dominant GB rate (54.4%) and surprising 3.21 FIP against left handed batters.
