Justin Verlander’s no-hitter gem opens this review of diamond happenings. We even get to throw some positivity in the direction of Derek Jeter.
Verlander tossed the second no-hitter of his career on Saturday against the Blue Jays. Most impressive about the performance is that Verlander only struck out four batters (with one walk). He’s struck out 3.1 batters per walk with a 3.16 ERA, three wins and a fantastic 0.98 WHIP (including six hits per nine innings) this season.
I shan’t pronounce Derek Jeter to be “back,” but the Yankees captain’s bat has awakened in the past several days. On Sunday, Jeter clubbed home runs in consecutive at-bats to shock fans and detractors who had begun to shovel dirt on his career. He’s hit safely in six straight games batting .393 (11-for-28) with a double, two home runs and three RBI during this period. Jeter even swiped his first base of the year on Sunday. He’s improved his batting average 34 points to .276 during the streak.
Anibal Sanchez pitched his second gem of the season against the Nationals on Sunday. Sanchez surrendered two hits with 11 strikeouts in seven innings on Sunday to earn his second win of the season. He’d struggled markedly against the Cardinals in his previous outing (with six walks in 4 1/3 innings), but his lone disastrous effort came against Houston in early April. Sanchez allowed six earned runs in that contest. In his other six starts, Sanchez has pitched to a 2.43 ERA.
Every several starts, Yovani Gallardo makes you inch toward the end of your seat and pay attention. On Saturday, Gallardo pitched eight fantastic innings against the Cardinals to earn his third win. He allowed a single hit with four walks while striking out six batters. Gallardo ended a streak of five consecutive starts in which he’d allowed at least four earned runs. The 25-year-old hurler pitched to a bloated 8.89 ERA during that five-game period.
Jair Jurrjens has been positively brilliant since coming off the disabled list. Jurrjens won four of his first five starts while pitching to a 1.50 ERA and smallish 1.08 WHIP (with six walks in 36 innings pitched). Jurrjens’ strikeout rate of five per nine innings leaves you concerned, but he’s made the big pitch when necessary.
Jonny Cueto finally made his season debut on Sunday against the Cubs. Cueto pitched six innings of shutout ball, allowing five hits with a walk against four strikeouts. Only 63 of Cueto’s 103 pitches crossed for strikes, so the potential for problems is certainly there.
Gaby Sanchez posted a huge 4-for-4 performance in the series finale against Washington on Sunday. He ripped two doubles and launched his fifth home run of the season with three RBI. Sanchez raised his batting average 22 points in the victory to .328. He’s produced 13 extra-base hits and 20 RBI in his first 125 at-bats.
Lance Berkman’s bat has finally slowed after a torrid start, though his lone hit in his past 11 at-bats was a three-run home run. Berkman is batting .278 in May with a double, two home runs and 10 RBI. He batted a ridiculous .388 (33-for-85) in April with eight home runs and 22 RBI.
The Mets have gotten far more production from outfielder Carlos Beltran than anyone could have anticipated. Beltran entered Monday’s play with a strong .295 batting average, including 12 doubles, five home runs and 18 RBI. He doesn’t run anymore, but Beltran’s gap power has returned him to the fantasy radar.
Versatile Angels infielder Howie Kendrick appears to have gotten that power explosion out of his system. He’s now started raking hits in the manner that fans and fantasy owners had anticipated for years. In his past 10 games, Kendrick has batted .419 (18-for-43) with three doubles and three RBI. Taken further, Kendrick has generated a .600 BABIP during this period (18-for-30 with 13 strikeouts).
Atlanta outfielder Jason Heyward finds himself in a miserable funk entering the new week. Heyward has registered three hits in his past 29 at-bats (two doubles) with 11 strikeouts. The sophomore slugger’s batting average has dropped 37 points to .226 during the slump.
Paul Konerko posted a 5-for-5 performance against the Mariners to end the weekend series with four singles and a double. In seven May games, Konerko has batted .500 (11-for-22) with two home runs and eight RBI.
Boston outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury extended his hitting streak to 17 games on Sunday with a 3-for-5 effort against the Twins. During his streak, Ellsbury has batted .378 (28-for-74) with 14 runs scored, eight RBI and seven stolen bases.
Who knew that it only required an advancement of the calendar to jumpstart Ryan Dempster’s 2011 season? In two May starts, Dempster has recorded a fantastic 1.93 ERA (three earned runs in 14 innings) with nine strikeouts against two walks.
Madison Bumgarner has yet to find that elusive first victory for the Giants. However, the 21-year-old lefty has pitched much better in his past three turns in the rotation. He pitched to a 0.94 ERA with 19 strikeouts against four walks in these starts. I know that two of those starts came against the Pirates and Nationals, but keep an eye on him.
Speaking of Pittsburgh, James McDonald also extended his strong run on Sunday. McDonald pitched six shutout innings with eight strikeouts, three hits and two walks against the Astros. In his past three starts, McDonald has earned a nice, round ERA of 1.00 with a 1.06 WHIP.
Carl Pavano of the Twins was battered for the third time in four starts against the Red Sox. He surrendered seven earned runs on 10 hits with a walk in five innings. During this four-game stretch, Pavano has produced a bloated 9.41 ERA and positively frightening 1.77 WHIP.
Atlanta turned to super prospect Julio Teheran on Saturday and charged him with a daunting task. Teheran needed to slow down the Philadelphia lineup. He was chased in the fifth inning. Teheran allowed three earned runs on four hits with two walks in 4 2/3 innings. He surrendered a solo home run to Howard.
Fantasy Infirmary
Carlos Ruiz was finally placed on the 15-day disabled list because of lower back pain. He’ll head to extended spring training at the team’s facility in Clearwater and should be available to the team by this weekend. Brian Schneider has batted .200 (6-for-30) with one RBI in Ruiz’s absence.
Barring a last-minute issue, Jake Peavy will make his long-awaited debut for the White Sox on Wednesday against the Angels.
Chris Young of the Mets was scratched from Saturday’s start because of shoulder stiffness and was placed on the disabled list shortly thereafter. Young pitched to a strong 1.87 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 24 innings in his first four starts. Unfortunately, he’s just unable to stay healthy. Young was replaced by Pat Misch on the active roster.
David Aardsma has been shut down pending results of another MRI. He felt discomfort in his right forearm during Friday’s throwing session. Brandon League (3.77 ERA and nine saves) remains the closer in his absence.
The Orioles are targeting a late May return for 24-year-old lefty Brian Matusz. He faced six batters in extended spring training on Saturday and will next throw on Wednesday.
