With the mercury rising above 100 and heat indices eclipsing the 110-degree threshold, baseball fans have been knicked-knacked-paddy-whacked and need these dog days to throw them a bone. By bone, I mean beer or at least a chilled glass of h2o that doesn’t cost five bucks at the ballpark.
This excessive heat wave should have fantasy owners on high alert. The theory of hotter temps equate to hotter bats holds some truths, but it cost Roy Halladay his health on Monday night.
The Philadelphia Phillies ace was forced to leave the game against the Cubs in the fifth inning. Halladay’s reason for walking off the mound in his sweat-soaked gray jersey was heat exhaustion.
Profound.
The game-time temperature in Chicago was 91-degrees, but when you include the humidity, Mother Nature showcased a one-two punch akin to a 100 mile-per-hour fastball followed by an 89 mph change-up. The elements would knock the best on their bum or, in this case, back to the clubhouse.
The note of the night was that Halladay’s exit after four innings of work was his most abbreviated start since June 12, 2009. He left that game due to a groin pull.
And that got me to thinking. No, not about Halladay’s groin, but which starting pitchers finished with a strong kick during August and September of 2010.
Edwin Jackson, Brandon Morrow and Max Scherzer have locked down hitters in August and when you review their final two months over the last three seasons, the trio is worth a pick-up or trade if you need pitching.
August 2010 Stats – Starting Pitchers
| Player | W-L | K | WHIP | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edwin Jackson | 3-0 | 45 | 1.04 | 1.47 |
| Brandon Morrow | 3-0 | 49 | 1.02 | 2.97 |
| Max Scherzer | 3-1 | 31 | 1.00 | 1.29 |
September 2010 Stats – Starting Pitchers
| Player | W-L | K | WHIP | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edwin Jackson | 0-2 | 26 | 1.41 | 5.23 |
| Brandon Morrow | 0-1 | 4 | 3.00 | 15.00 |
| Max Scherzer | 2-2 | 42 | 1.12 | 3.14 |
3-Year Scope – Aug/Sept 2008-2010
| Player | W-L | K | ERA | Opp. BA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edwin Jackson | 16-9 | 155 | 4.28 | .284 |
| Brandon Morrow | 7-3 | 100 | 3.90 | .202 |
| Max Scherzer | 8-10 | 169 | 3.49 | .241 |
Random 9
Random 9 is a list of nine players, one at each position, who had a solid two-week stretch that I’d be willing to bet are not on your current roster.
Random Nine Roster
| Player | R | RBI | HR | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Ramos | 4 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Mark Trumbo | 7 | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Jamile Weeks | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Edwin Encarnacion | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Alexi Casilla | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Raul Ibanez | 7 | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| Nick Schierholtz | 6 | 10 | 3 | 2 |
| Travis Snider | 9 | 10 | 1 | 3 |
| Player | W | ER | K | QS |
| Colby Lewis | 1 | 4 | 17 | 1 |
Fowl Out ... of Tune
I’d like to believe the band Green Day was inspired by fantasy baseball when they wrote the song "Wake Me Up When September Ends."
