SP Javy Vazquez, Atlanta Braves: With 9 Ks in 6 innings, Vazquez has struck out 34 in 24 innings. Even with those incredible totals, one would think his WHIP would be better than 1.21, right?
SP Johan Santana, New York Mets: With 10 Ks in six innings, Santana has struck out 37 in 25.2 innings. His 0.70 ERA and 0.90 WHIP matches perfectly with those incredible strikeout totals. Tim Lincecum who?
SP Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants: With 12 Ks in eight innings, Lincecum has now struck out 25 Diamondbacks in his last two starts covering 16 innings. For the season, he has whiffed 35 hitters over 24.1 innings with a WHIP of 1.27.
SP Zach Greinke, Kansas City Royals: A complete game victory with 10 Ks has cemented greinke as the leader for the 2009 Cy Young. With 36 Ks in 29 innings, one would think his ratios couldn't top those of his NL counterpart, Johan Santana, but they do. Greink has yet to allow an earned run and has a WHIP of 0.86.
OF Endy Chavez, Seattle Mariners: A throw-in to the large trade that rebuilt the Mets middle relief, Chavez is hitting .358 with 5 SBs. With 7 BBs, Chavez is showing plate discipline previously undemonstrated in his career. His also K'd 10 times which is also uncharacteristic.
SP Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds: Well, the streak of stellar starting pitching performances had to end. (ed: Not really. How about the gem thrown by Josh Johnson of the Marlins or Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals?) Volzquez walked seven batters in five innings of work to run his season totals to 22 in 20.1 IP. He is striking out a batter an inning, but the walks have devastated his WHIP to the tune of 1.87.
8th Innings Set-up: Rafael Soriano Atlanta Braves (3), J.J. Putz New York Mets (4), C.J. Wilson Texas Rangers (W). Jonathan Albaladejo (1), Kyle McCellan St. Louis Cardinals (W), Hong-Chih Kuo Los Angeles Dodgers (W), Leo Nunez Florida Marlins (2)
Saves: Mike Gonzalez Atlanta Braves (2), Francisco Rodriguez New York Mets (4), Frank Francisco Texas Rangers (3), George Sherrill Baltimore Orioles (BS 1), Mariano Rivera (BS 1), Ryan Franklin St. Louis Cardinals (5), Jonathan Broxton Los Angeles Dodgers (6), Matt Lindstrom Florida Marlins (BS 2)