This is a weekly focus on the hurlers that dominated their adversaries. These pitchers put up nasty numbers and made big league hitters wish they were playing T-Ball again.
1) Edwin Jackson Ari
9 IP, 8 BB, 6 K, 1 W, 0.00 ERA
Edwin Jackson is yet another pitcher to join the list of no-hitters this year. He tossed 149 pitches against the Rays to put his name in the history books.
Jackson ’s outings leading up to his no-hitter weren’t spectacular. He was dragging around a 5.05 ERA before that night. The previous game against Detroit, he gave up nine hits in seven innings.
It would appear that fantasy owners aren’t biting on his recent success, either. He is only owned by 51.1 percent of owners with a slight increase of 2.5 percent in ESPN leagues. His current record of 5-6 and a 4.63 ERA isn’t exactly something that makes you jump out of your chair.
Much like Dallas Braden, the fantasy owners’ look at your total work and not one game.
He has posted a 1.62 ERA with two consecutive wins with 16 innings pitched in the last two weeks.
Regardless of his lack of success in the weeks prior, Jackson pitched a no-hitter and deserves the top spot for his performance last week.
2) Chris Carpenter StL
8 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 7 K, 1 W, 0.00 ERA
Carpenter took a line drive off his forearm and is listed day-to-day. He is still likely to make his next scheduled start.
He is currently 9-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He already has 100 strike outs in 116 innings pitched.
3) Mariano Rivera NYY
5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 K, 2 W, 0.00 ERA
Whenever there is talk about him getting old, he puts up phenomenal numbers. He was able to pick up two wins and sit down eight with strikeouts last week.
Rivera has a 2-1 record with 17 saves and a 0.92 ERA for the season so far.
4) Yovani Gallardo Mil
9 IP, 5 H, 0 BB, 12 K, 1 W, 0.00 ERA
Gallardo is a killer on the mound. He was sitting down batters like an usher at a wedding.
He is 8-3 with a 2.56 ERA and 120 strike outs for the season.
5) Carl Pavano Min
9 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 W, 0.00 ERA
Pavano got the shut out victory after a grueling nine innings last week.
Pavano is one of the hottest players in fantasy free agency. His ownership sky rocketed by 26 percent in ESPN leagues.
He has a 9-6 record and has a nice 3.33 ERA with 59 strikeouts for the season.
6) Jamie Moyer Phi
15 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 12 K, 2 W, 1.80 ERA
Moyer simply spot on last week with two wins and only a 1.80 ERA in 15 innings pitched.
The fantasy world still has no respect for Moyer. His ownership only jumped 5 percent to a total ownership of 12 percent in ESPN leagues. His high season ERA is keeping owners from taking a chance on him despite his recent success.
He is 3-0 for the last two weeks and touted a nice 1.96 ERA since mid-June.
He has a 9-6 record with a 4.30 ERA with 51 strike outs this season.
7) Trevor Cahill Oak
7.2 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 10 K, 1 W, 0.00 ERA
He has a 0.99 WHIP and is undefeated in June.
Cahill is fantasy baseball’s sexy waiver pick up with 35 percent increase in ownership in ESPN leagues.
He has a 7-2 record with a 2.88 ERA and 1.08 WHIP this season.
8) Jon Lester Bos
15 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 15 K, 1 W, 1 L, 1.20 ERA
Boston has been bitten by the injury bug. With Beckett, Pedroia, Martinez, and Ellsbury on the DL it is amazing that they are nipping at the heels of the first place Yankees.
Lester’s performances on the hill would have a lot to do with their recent success.
Lester only allowed one run against the Giants in a complete game earning him the win with nine strikeouts.
He ended up with a loss despite a fantastic outing against the Rockies, giving up only one run.
He is 9-3 with a 2.86 ERA and 111 strikeouts for the season.
9) Jake Peavy CWS
7 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 9 K, 1 W, 0.00 ERA
In June, Peavy was excellent with a 1.75 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.
He has a 1.23 ERA with 21 strikeouts in the last two weeks.
It would appear most of the fantasy owners who dropped Peavy during his early season struggles have picked him back up.
He is 7-6 with a 4.70 ERA and 91 strike outs.
10) J.J. Putz CWS
3 IP, 1 K, 2 W, 0.00 ERA
Putz pitched only three innings last week but was able to pick up two wins and a save. Bobby Jenks was on the shelf, but looks to be returning soon which would push Putz back into his set up role.
There is no reason to pick him up off waivers, as his fantasy value after this week will dwindle.
Putz is simply being recognized for the job he did while Jenks was away.
Honorable Mentions*
Roy Halladay Phi 7 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 W, 0.00 ERA
Gavin Floyd CWS 7 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 9 K, No Decision, 0.00 ERA
Derek Lowe Atl 7 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 0.00 ERA
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