Tim Lincecum- SF- FYI- When I saw the headline on mlb.com, "Giants stretch out lead behind stellar Lincecum" I had high expectations. "Stellar Lincecum" to me would mean something like 8 IP and double digit strikeouts. Instead, seeing 4 Ks over 5.2 IP isn't that stellar even by standards of pitchers with less of a history. It certainly wasn't as bad as Lincecum has shown at times this year, but it looks like he hasn't flipped a switch and overcome what is likely the effects of previous overwork.
Antonio Bastardo- PHI- Cold- Bastardo has a 12.79 K/9 ratio, which should put him in demand as a reliever, particularly one with 47 appearances. However, his BB/9 rate of 5.21 and HR/9 rate of 1.66 have made him toxic. Bastardo posted a 2.64 ERA with a K/9 rate of 10.86 in 64 appearances in 2011. However his slide began late in the year. Since September 3rd of 2011 Bastardo has an ERA of 6.75. The Phillies keep running him out there and he gets a lot of strikeouts, but his control and inability to keep the ball in the park have killed his fantasy value.
Josh Roenicke- COL- FYI- Roenicke has been moved out of one of the piggyback roles used with the Rockies' 4-man rotation. He has pitched 73.1 IP in relief this year and posted a 2.95 ERA. Roenicke has given up 7 runs in his 3 appearances before last night's scoreless .2 IP. Manager Jim Tracy is giving Roenicke a little break and putting him in a regular relief role. The plan is to return him to the piggyback slot before too long.
John Buck- MIA- Hot- Regression to the mean has finally started to kick in for Buck. His .347 average this month is driven by a .455 BABIP. This brings those numbers up to .198 and .245, respectively, for the season. There is still room for positive movement.
Zachary Cozart- CIN- Stats- Cozart has a much lower average on the road (.224) than at home (.284) and a lot of that can be blamed on luck. His BABIP in Cincinnati is .326 and on the road it is .247. His ISO is exactly the same no matter where he plays, at .165. There is more room for positive regression to the mean for Cozart away then negative at home so with the Reds playing 8 of their next 11 in visitors' jerseys he may see his performance get a bump.
Follow me on Twitter all season - @fantisticspaul
There are over 100 player news blurbs posted in the member area each morning. Members can read the rest of today's player news by clicking here. Not a member? Join today.
