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Here’s a look at the unheralded fantasy baseball players who played well yesterday.
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Minnesota at Chicago White Sox
Francisco Liriano answered some questions by throwing a no-hitter. He did walk six, but you can’t argue with his results. Poor Edwin Jackson gave up one run on six hits in eight innings, but took the loss.
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Toronto at Tampa Bay
Corey Patterson went two for four with a run to raise his average to .282. Edwin Encarnacion went two for four with an RBI. Jo-Jo Reyes gave up one run on four hits in six innings. Wade Davis gave up two runs in six innings. Jon Rauch blew a save opportunity.
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New York Yankees at Detroit
Austin Jackson went two for five with two runs and an RBI. Scott Sizemore went three for four with a run and an RBI. Jorge Posada went two for four with a run. Brad Penny gave up one unearned run in six innings to pick up the win.
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Washington at Philadelphia
Raul Ibanez went two for four with an RBI. Michael Morse went two for three with a home run.
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Los Angeles Angels at Boston
Jed Lowrie went two for four with a run and an RBI. Marco Scutaro went two for four with a home run and two RBI. Maicer Izturis went two for four to raise his average to .340. Mark Trumbo went one for three with a home run (5) amd two RBI (15).
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Houston at Cincinnati
Jason Bourgeois went three for five with two RBI and his ninth stolen base to raise his average to .390. Brett Wallace and Chris Johnson each went two for five with two runs and a home run. Wallace is hitting .383. Clint Barmes went two for four with a run and two RBI. Ramon Hernandez went two for four with two runs to raise his average to .310.
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San Francisco at New York Mets
Mike Fontenot went one for four with two RBI and a stolen base. Nate Schierholtz went two for four with two runs, a homer, and a steal. Emmanuel Burriss went two for five with a run, an RBI, and a stolen base. Josh Thole went three for four.
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Florida at St. Louis
Daniel Descalso went two for three with two runs, a home run, and three RBI. Gaby Sanchez went four for five with a run and an RBI (15) to raise his average to .318.
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Baltimore at Kansas City
Melky Cabrera went two for five with an RBI (15) to raise his average to .288. Jeff Francoeur went two for four with two runs, a home run (7) and two RBI (23) to raise his average to .315.  Wilson Betemit went two for four with a run and an RBI (15) to raise his average to .342. Derrek Lee went two for five. Luke Scott went two for four with a home run and three RBI (13).
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Colorado at Arizona
Henry Blanco went two for three with a homer. Jonathan Herrera went two for four with an RBI to raise his average to .311. Todd Helton went two for five to raise his average to .313.
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Cleveland at Oakland
Asdrubal Cabrera went three for five with two RBI (19). Matt LaPorta went two for four with a run and an RBI (16). Jack Hannahan went two for four with a run. Hideki Matsui went two for four. Fausto Carmona, yesterday’s streaming pitcher option, gave up one run on five hits with five strikeouts in eight innings to pick up the win.
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Pittsburgh at San Diego
Jason Bartlett and Xavier Paul each went two for four with a run. Mat Latos finally got his act together giving up two runs on five hits with five strikeouts in six innings. He didn’t get a decision, but it was the kind of performance his owners (myself included) have been waiting for. He even hit a home run.
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Texas at Seattle
Adam Kennedy went two for four to raise his average to .292. Justin Smoak went three for four with two RBI (19) to raise his average to .296. Alexi Ogando gave up one earned run with six strikeouts in six innings to lower his ERA to 2.17. Erik Bedard gave up two runs on two hits in seven innings. Neither starter factored into the decision.
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Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers
Carlos Pena went one for three with two runs and a home run. Ryan Dempster gave up one run on six hits with five strikeouts in seven innings, but got a no-decision.
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Also check out today’s streaming pitcher option.

Francisco Liriano – Liriano exploded on the scene in 2006 going 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA.  He missed 2007 and struggled early last year following Tommy John surgery.  After tearing up the Minors, Liriano returned to go 6-1 with a 2.74 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and .236 BAA in eleven starts in August and September.  His September numbers (4.66 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, .289 BAA in five starts) were a little alarming, but he was probably dealing with arm fatigue.  The Twins are one of the best at pacing their starters so that shouldn’t plague Liriano in 2009.  If he stays healthy he should be able to win 16+ games with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.

Joba Chamberlain - The Yankees are taking it slow with their young star as well.  When he’s healthy he is nearly unhittable, as evidenced by his career 2.17 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and .217 BAA.  With the addition of C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, and a healthy Chien-Ming Wang, there won’t be as much pressure on Joba to perform. He’ll settle into that fifth spot in the rotation, behind Andy Pettitte, and the early schedule should allow him the opportunity to miss a start or two if that’s in his best interest.  The limitations the Yankees will put on him will keep him from having a monster year, but he should be able to win 12-14 games with a low ERA, WHIP, and BAA. 

Yovani Gallardo – A knee injury cost Gallardo the opportunity to build on the solid 2007 season (9-5, 3.67 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .245 BAA).  In just four starts last year Gallardo had a 1.88 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and .256 BAA.  With the departure of C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets, Gallardo will have a chance to be a key member of the Brewers Pitching Staff.  With their solid Offense, he could win 14-16 games if he stays healthy with low ERA, WHIP, and BAA. 

David Price - Price toyed with Major League competition last year posting a 1.93 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, and a .176 BAA.  His success spilled over into the postseason posting a 1.59 ERA in five relief appearances.  Whether Tampa Bay uses his as a Reliever or a Starter, Price will give your fantasy team a boost in ERA and R.

Jonathan Broxton – Broxton took the Closer job last July and ran with it.  He recorded 14 Saves with a 2.76 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and .200 BAA with 42 Ks in 29.3 Innings after the All-Star Break.  He was solid in a setup role the previous two and a half seasons so his success isn’t a fluke.  Now that the Dodgers have secured Manny Ramirez’s services, they’ll likely build on their success of last year meaning Broxton could have plenty of Save opportunites.  I don’t think he’ll have a problem reach 30-35 Saves.

Josh Johnson – Johnson went 7-1 last year with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.  Opponents did bat .275 on him, but his other numbers are still solid.  In 2006 he was 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and .236 BAA.  He is also trying to continue a successful return from Tommy John surgery.  If he stays healthy he could win 12-14 games with a sub-4.00 ERA

Clayton Kershaw – Clayton went 5-5 with a 4.26 ERA, a 1.50 WHIP, and a .265 BAA.  He did show improvement after the All-Star Break going 5-3 with a 4.17 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and .262 BAA.  In the Minors he went 12-10 with a 2.49 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP.  His K/9 ratio in the Minors was 11.3, and a decent 8.4 in the Bigs.  He could win 12+ games with a sub-4.00 ERA.

Max Scherzer – Max failed to pick up a Win last year in seven starts (16 Games), but did manage a 3.05 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and .234.  He recorded 66 Ks in 56 Innings (10.6 K/9).  He’s been battling shoulder inflammation and may not have a spot in the rotation initially, but he’s too good of a talent to not get a chance.  In thirty Minor League starts Max is 8-5 with a 2.83 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.  His Minor League K/9 ratio is 11.9.  Given that his role has yet to be determined, his Win total likely won’t help fantasy teams, but he’ll be a nice source for Ks, ERA, and WHIP.

Images courtesy of Icon SMI

Friday, August 15th
Randy Wynn went 4 for 4 with 2 Runs, 2 Doubles, a HR, and 2 RBI.  Benjie Molina also had 4 Hits.  Melvin Mora went 3 for 4 with 2 Runs, a Triple, a HR, 4 RBI, and a Walk.  Jack Cust smashed a pair of HRs and drove in 3 Runs.  Chris Snyder had 4 RBI.  Mark DeRosa scored 3 Runs, with a HR, 2 RBI, and 3 Walks.  Jason Kubel (3 RBI), Mark Teixeira, Aubrey Huff, Curtis Granderson, Derek Jeter, Adam LaRoche, Albert Pujols, Ty Wiggington, Jeff Kent (he’s been on fire), Casey Blake, and Tony Clark each had 3 Hits.  Juan Castro and Carlos Pena each scored 3 Runs.  Daryle Ward, Chris Burke, and Jorge Cantu each had 3 RBI.

Matt Garza tossed a Complete Game two-hit Shutout with 9 Ks to improve to 10-7 with a 3.63 ERA.  Freakin’ Cliff Lee threw a Complete Game allowing 2 Runs to run his record to 17-2 with a 2.43 ERA.  Jamie Moyer gave up 3 Hits in 7 scoreless Innings to improve to 11-7 with a 3.64 ERA.  Mike Pelfrey threw 7 scoreless Innings to improve to 11-8 with a 3.91 ERA.  Matt Cain gave up 1 Run in 7 Innings with 5 Ks to improve to 8-9 with a 3.57 ERA.  Brandon Webb gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits in 8 Innings with 6 Ks to improve to 18-4 with a 2.85 ERA.  Francisco Liriano gave up 2 unearned Runs on 2 Hits in 7 Innings with 5 Ks to even his record at 3-3.   Gil Meche (6 Innings, 1 Run, 8 Ks) and Josh Johnson (6 Innings, 3 Runs, 5 Hits, 8 Ks) got no-decisions.  Jason Davis (7 Innings, 2 Runs), Greg Maddux (7 Innings, 1 Run, 5 Hits), and Jair Jurrjens (7 Innings, 2 Runs, 9 Ks) pitched well, but lost.