SP Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers: A shutout with 11 Ks likely ends any chances of Verlander being available in mixed leagues. He has feasted on the Cleveland Indians so far to the tune of 16.1 IP with 22 Ks and one earned run.
C Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves: Googles wearing, McCann went 1-3 with two RBIs and a walk. Some anxiety will linger about his eye problems, but that should disappear with a few more games like this.
SP C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees: While C.C.'s shutout wasn't as good as Verlander's, it was the second complete game in his last three starts. More importantly, he issued just one walk and has walked just two over his past three starts covering 23.2 innings. Because he had walked 14 in his first four starts, he still possesses a less than ideal 2.0 K/BB.
Oh, yeah. 3B Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run HR in the 1st innings to give C.C. all the runs he needed.
OF Jason Bay, Boston Red Sox: Bay hit his 9th HR and drove-in his 30th, 31st, and 32nd runs. Manny who?
SP Scott Baker, Minnesota Twins: Seven shutout innings with no HRs allowed should ease some of the concerns Baker caused when he returned from the D.L. and allowed seven HRs in his 1st two starts. Over his last three starts covering 19 innings, he has allowed just one long ball.
C Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins: He hit his 2nd HR of the season. I wonder if this is just a small sample fluke, but he looks like he will reach his projected HRs despite missing a month of ABs.
SP Matt Harrison, Texas Rangers: Harrison tossed a shutout and has now allowed no runs in his past two starts. Prior to those, he had walked 12 and struck out nine. In his last two, he has walked one and K'd eight. Are we witnessing a breakthrough?
SP Wandy Rodriguez, Houston Astros: Wandy threw eight scoreless innings and has dropped his ERA to 1.80. Despite seven Ks and no walks in the game, his K:BB is still just 37:15. The big difference this season versus previous one's is the lack of HRs allowed. He has yet to surrender a HR this year after allowing 14 in 137.1 innings last season.
2B Chris Coghlan, Florida Marlins: The rookie made his debut in Coors Field and went 2-4. Assuming he is given ABs, he is an excellent add in very deep NL-Only leagues. He has shown patience, power and speed in the minors - 418/552/970 with 9 SB in AAA this year and 298/396/429 with 34 SBs last year in AA.
RP Kip Wells, Washington Nationals: Wells grabbed the Save last night with Julian Tavarez setting-up. Say hello to the new Nationals' closer.
8th Inning Set-Up: Jared Burton CIN (3), Jose Arredondo LAA (9), Julian Tavarez WAS (1)
Saves: Francisco Cordero CIN (9), Trevor Hoffman MLW (5), LaTroy Hawkins HOU (4), Brien Fuentes LAA (8), Andrew Bailey OAK (1), Kip Wells WAS (1)
Blown Saves: None