Jimmy Rollins and Coco Crisp returned from the DL to slide back into the leadoff spot. Jason Castro made his major league debut. Matt Holliday may be the hottest player in baseball. Let’s look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:
Hitters:
Jimmy Rollins (0-4) – In his first game back in the lineup the Phillies had him in the leadoff spot. The biggest impact this has is on Shane Victorino (0-2), who was dropped to the seventh spot. While Victorino clearly still has value, it’s hard to expect him to score many runs with the catcher and pitcher likely hitting behind him.
Matt Holliday (3-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R) – Is there anyone in the league hotter then Holliday right now? He’s now homered in four straight games, going 11-17 with 5 HR, 10 RBI, and 6 R. He’s clearly comfortable in the No. 2 hole, so look for him to continue on there.
Carlos Quentin (2-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R) – The luck is starting to swing. He has four multi-hit games over his last six, going 9-23 with 1 HR, 7 RBI, and 3 R over that stretch. If it’s not too late, I’d still try to buy low on him.
Jose Bautista (2-3, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R) – Certainly nice to see him break his 13-game homerless streak. Still, how many more do you expect him to hit this season?
Matt Wieters (1-3, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R) – It’s his second consecutive game with 3 RBI, so could we be seeing the start of his turnaround? He has a long way to go, but like I keep staying, stick with him.
Pedro Alvarez (1-4, 1 R) – He struck out once, meaning he’s struck out at least once in all six games he’s played. It’s going to be a concern all season long.
Julio Borbon (1-3, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R) – He’s streaking and even though it’s not with the stolen bases as we all would want, you have to enjoy what you are getting. Two home runs in six games? Unheard of. As long as he keeps getting hits, the SB should come sooner or later.
Angel Pagan (4-6, 4 RBI, 3 R) – He’s now on a 10-game hitting streak, going 17-44 with 10 RBI, 9 R, and 2 SB. He’s been tremendous in the second hole, so it will really be interesting to see what happens when Carlos Beltran returns (now with word that he will be starting his rehab stint later this week).
Rickie Weeks (1-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R) – He’s on a four-game hitting streak, going 5-18 with 1 HR, 4 RBI, and 3 R. It’s not that impressive, as he continues to struggle to post a big-time average (.253 on the year). Still, with 11 HR, 38 RBI, and 44 R, he is a usable option.
Jason Castro (1-4, 1 R) – He made his major league debut against Tim Lincecum and did about what you would expect. He’s not much of an offensive force, so at this point just leave him for those in two-catcher formats.
Coco Crisp (1-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R) – He came off the disabled list and was immediately thrust into the leadoff spot, but it’ll be interesting to see how the A’s fill out their outfield. He replaced Rajai Davis yesterday, but can they really keep Davis’s 26 SB on the bench? With Conor Jackson and Ryan Sweeney also getting playing time, we have to see how the A’s will divvy up playing time before getting overly excited about any of them.
Howie Kendrick (3-4, 1 RBI, 2 R) – He’s scorching hot, with six multi-hit games since June 11. Over that span he’s gone 18-43 with 3 HR, 10 RBI, and 7 R.
Pitchers:
Brad Lidge (0.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K, SV) – Interesting that J.C. Romero got the first three batters, getting only one out, before Lidge was summoned. Tells you a little something about the faith the Phillies have in him, as no matter what the matchup, the old Lidge would have been in a 2-1 game. Of course, striking out both batters he faced could go a long way in helping restore confidence.
Mat Latos (7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 K, W) – He just continues to roll. He has 3 ER in each of his last 10 starts, going 6-2 over that span. He’s also had seven or more Ks in four of his last five starts. I wouldn’t get too excited, as a regression almost has to be coming (he entered the day with a .240 BABIP). Still, he’s a high strikeout, low walk pitcher that calls a pitcher’s park home. You have to like his long-term potential at this point.
Tim Lincecum (8.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 7 K, W) – This was a lot more like it, out-pitching Roy Oswalt (7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K) to get the victory. He had walked four batters or more in five of his previous seven starts, though he is now on a three-start winning streak. His next start is a matchup with Jon Lester and the Boston Red Sox, so we’ll really get an idea if he’s turned things around or not.
Tommy Hanson (3.2 IP, 9 ER, 13 H, 1 BB, 0 K) – What exactly is there to say about a start like this? He’s proved to be prone to the blow-up (8 ER over 1.2 IP against the Reds), but the good in between is obviously too good to ignore. Don’t sweat this one.
Jonathan Niese (4.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 4 K) – You look at the ugly line and it’s easy to get the wrong idea. He had tossed three shutout inning prior to an hour long rain delay, then the Mets had a big eight-run inning before he could once again take the mound. It had to have an impact, as he just didn’t have it once he toed the rubber again. It’s disappointing for sure, but given how good he looked in his previous three starts, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
Jhoulys Chacin (6.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 5 BB, 5 K, W) – It was a nice performance, but part of it was certainly lucky as well. It’s not often you walk five against the Red Sox and get away with it. He’s walked at least three in each of his last four starts, so he’s not someone I’d be eyeing.
Matt Belisle (1.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K, SV) – Interesting that he got the save opportunity, but it’s just a matter of time before Huston Street is back in the role. Don’t read into it.
Dan Haren (7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 8 K) – He gave up another home run, the problem that has plagued him all year long. This time it was Alex Rodriguez (2-3, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R), as Haren has given up a long ball in three straight starts and 19 for the year. It’s tough to be successful when you are doing that.
What are your thoughts from yesterday’s games? Which ones caught your eye? And which ones did I miss?
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