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This Roundup will be a quick one as I was working on my Mid Season Third Base Rankings as well. These rankings will post at 12pm today. Robert is traveling, so I may or may not get to the Fantasy Links post today, but I may post an article on Jordan Zimmerman's breakout season, as I have the day off today, but have a busy day planned.
Yankees starter CC Sabathia dominated the Brewers on Thursday as he struck out 13 batters in 7+ shutout innings to win his 11th game of the season. He gave up just 6 hits and walked 2 as he lowered his ERA to 3.05. It will be hard to keep him out of my Top 5 starting pitchers in the Mid Season Rankings.
With that said, one guy who will definitely be in my top 5 starting pitchers is Tigers starter Justin Verlander. Verlander matched Sabathia by winning his 11th game of the season on Tbursday as he gave up just one run on 7 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts in 7 innings. He lowered his ERA to 2.32 and has a sick 0.86 WHIP. He might be pushing Roy Halladay for the top spot in my rankings now that I think about it,
More Roundup after the jump:
Cole Hamels was taken out of Thursday's start after taking a line drive off of his glove hand. X-rays were negative and there was a report that he won't miss his next start, but I then read that GM Ruben Amaro said he may miss his next start. I would count on Hamels making his next start, because whenever Amaro speaks, you must go the other way.
Can you name this hitter? He is hitting .300-.361-.452 with 9 HRs, 40 RBIs, 55 runs and 25 SBs. His name is Jacoby Ellsbury and he is certainly answering his critics who said he was soft last year. If he can keep this up, he will be a second round pick next season, and possibly a first round pick.
Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano was pulled after pitching just one inning on Thursday with lower back stiffness. Cubs GM Jim Hendry is crossing his fingers that the injury is not major, as there is a slight chance he can deal Big Z by the trade deadline.
Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki went 1-3 with 2 walks, a HR and 3 RBI on Thursday. After a very hot start to the season, Tulo is following up his 2010 season by hitting .271-.342-.487 with 15 HRs, 53 RBIs, 42 runs and 6 SBs. His solid season will probably rank him behind Mets shortstop Jose Reyes in most shortstop rankings.
Cardinals outfielder Lance Berkman has slumped since his very hot April, but he went 2-5 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs last night. His season stats are better than most expected of him this season, as he is hitting .296-.405-.592 with 20 HRs and 58 RBIs. Where would the Cardinals be without Berkman this season?
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will play two rehab games this weekend at AA Trenton and return to the Yankees lineup next week. Where will he hit in the Yankees lineup when he returns-second or 8th?