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I wrote about White Sox starter Chris Sale recently saying he could be a top 20 starter at the end of the year. He might be a top 20 starter right now after his 15 strikeout performance on Monday. He held the Rays to one run in 7.1 innings, giving up just 3 hits, 2 walks and 15 strikeouts, and had an amazing 26 swinging strikes. He is now 6-2 on the season with a 2.34 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP with 61 strikeouts in 57.2 innings. He has not given up more than 3 runs in any of his starts this season.
The news wasn't good for Angels starter Jered Weaver last night as he came out of his start after only 12 pitches due to a lower back injury. We will learn more about his injury today.
Angels outfielder Mark Trumbo had a rough rookie season at the plate as he hit just .254 with a .291 OBP, but did hit 29 HRs, so he did add value for fantasy owners. This season is a different story for Trumbo, as he is hitting for average and power. He went 3-5 with a game winning HR in the 9th inning last night, with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI. For the season, he is hitting .333-.388-.592 with 8 HRs, 20 runs and 22 RBI. Did Mark Trumbo become Albert Pujols, and Pujols become Trumbo? Their stats seem to indicate that.
More Roto Roundup after the jump:
Chase Headley could be one of the better fantasy third baseman if he ever left the Padres, as he is a terrific hitter on the road. He went 4-5 with 2 HRs and 3 RBI yesterday and is now hitting .259-.369-.448 with 7 HRs, 27 runs, 25 RBI and 4 stolen bases for the season. For his career, Headley is a .231-.324-.337 hitter at home and a .299-.363-.442 hitter on the road.
Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams sure can hit. He went 3-5 with a double and 3 RBI yesterday and is hitting .382-.417-.618 in his 34 major league at bats. Six of his 13 hits have gone for extra bases, so the kid has power. If he keeps this up, he could force the Cardinals to keep him at first base when Lance Berkman returns later this season, as he is a big guy who really can't play anywhere else of the field.
Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy landed on the DL with a fractured hand and will miss the next 4-6 weeks of action. Tough break for a guy having the best year of his career at the plate as he was hitting .345-.387-.583 with 5 HRs, 30 RBI and 17 runs scored in 139 at bats. George Kottaras will be the main catcher in Milwaukee while Lucroy was out.
This is a short one today, but I'll be back at it with a larger Roundup on Wednesday.