Contributors: Rays
Welcome to the August 31st edition of the Hot List. This week pitching.
Hot Sheet
1. Brett Myers - SP - Athletics
3-0, 0.00 ERA, 20.2 IP, 13 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 25 K, 0 HR, 1 GDP
Mr. Myers had a strong two weeks as the Athletics lead over the second place Mariners swelled to 13 games. He went 3-0, averaged almost 7 innings per start, threw up a 6+K/BB ratio, and he did not allow a run, earned or unearned.
2. Tom Gorzelanny - SP - Phillies
3-0, 1.57 ERA, 23 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 15 K, 1 HR, 1 GDP
Nothing has been settled in the second closest division race: The NL east. Gorzelanny has certainly done his part over the last two weeks, winning every game he started, going deep into every start, and keeping the ball in the fishbowl that is CBP. Both FLa and PHI were seeking RH RP in the last days going into the trade deadline. Add in the Braves and this race could go down to the last weekend.
3. Jeff Francis - SP - Twins
2-0, 1.46 ERA, 24.2 IP, 19 H, 4 ER, 6 BB, 15 K, 1 HR, 5 GDP
With only 24 games remaining, the Twins lead in the AL Central is starting to look insurmountable. Jeff Francis has had his sinker going, getting 5 double play grounders and only allowing 1 HR and 4 ER while winning 2 of three starts.
4. Jonathan Papelbon - CL - Yankees
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 10.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 17 K, 0 HR, 0 GDP
The Yankees went 6-7 over the last two weeks, but it wasn't the fault of the bullpen. They worked 34.1 innings with a 2.64 ERA and 45 Ks to only 5 BB. Having Papelbon, Ryan, and Mo on one team just isn't right.
5. Todd Wellemeyer - SP - Cardinals
2-0, 0.61 ERA, 14.2 IP, 11 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, K, 1 HR, 1 GDP
There are 4 teams tied in wins for the NL Wildcard as I write this. Cards, Padres, Phillies, and Braves all have 76 victories. Would Aaron be in the race without ex-Ray Wellemeyer? Maybe, but he was pretty damn good in winning both of his starts in the last two weeks. If he'd had another start he may have ranked higher in this weeks ratings.
6. Mark DiFelice - MR - Athletics
3-0, 1.23 ERA, 22 IP, 15 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 21 K, 0 HR, 0 GDP
The A's have gotten a lot of milage out of their post projection pick-up DiFelice. Like his rotation mate Myers he didn't lose a game in the last two weeks. He kind of lulls you to sleep and the next thing you know he's gone 7 with 1 ER allowed. The scary part is he put up almost the exact same numbers at AAA this year as the ones from 2007 that got him a 3.32 Sim and he also has a sub 1.00 WHIP with a 16/0 K/BB ratio in the bigs. Barring a move to Japan expect to see him in an A's uniform next year.
7. Greg Maddux - SP - Phillies
2-1, 1.35 ERA, 20 IP, 20 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 17 K, 0 HR, 0 GDP
Maddux's IBC ID number is 17900, which is interesting because if you remove a zero you get the year of his birth. His acquisition from the Dodgers was a clear indication the Phillies are serious about making a run this year. I don't know if experience counts in sim ball, but it can't hurt to have a guy like this in a race where one bad week could mean the difference between a division crown and being left out in the cold.
8. A.J. Burnett - SP - Mariners
2-0, 2.19 ERA, 24.2 IP, 17 H, 6 ER, 7 BB, 25 K, 2 HR, 4 GDP
The MLB Burnett is making a strong closing push as he can opt out of his contract at the end of the year. Perhaps some of his drive is rubbing off on the lifetime contract bound IBC Burnett.
9. J.P. Howell - SP - Mets
3-0, 2.05 ERA, 22 IP, 12 H, 5 ER, 9 BB, 16 K, 3 HR, 1 GDP
Looking toward next year, the IBC Mets have to like the numbers Howell has put up since his move to the MLB pen. The Mets won 6 games in the past two weeks and Howell won half of them. With some serious SP in the pipeline, the Mets could be right up there challenging for the NLE title soon.
10. Manny Corpas - CL - Nationals
8 G, 1 WIN, 3 SAVES, 0.00 ERA, 10.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 K, 0 HR, 3 GDP
Manny filled up the boxscore for the Nats while pitching in over half of Washington's games in the last two weeks. On the year, LHH are putting up a helpless .129/.148/.153 line against him.
Toronto's Sonnanstine gave up 7 HR in the period but still posted a 3.32 ERA and KC's Jurrjens induced a league high 6 GDP.
HM's to Hamels, Peavy, Cruz, Buchholz, and Stockman.
Next week Hitters.
September 4 Hot Sheet
That's awesome to get two SP's in the hot sheet, especially as both are doing well in real life. I'm on a huge old minor leaguer trip after watching Scott McClain hit his first major league home run yesterday at age 36 in his 19th(!) professional seasons and only 49th MLB at bat. The Brewers will definitely need a couple of cheap SP next year, and Cy DiFelice has definitely earned a shot.
