3 x 2 – Fantasy Baseball Recap for July 26, 2010

Hitters

The Best Hitting Performance on Monday: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins. In the Twins 19-1 shell shacking victory over the Kansas City Royals, many players in the lineup that day had monster outings. But none more were more impressive than Mauer, who went 5-5 and having seven RBIs. Throwing in a double and a homerun with three singles, Mauer batted in runs in the 1^st, 4^th, 6^th, and 7^th innings before being pulled when the game was well out of reach. The seven RBIs were a career-best for him, as he was able to get several hits off Zack Greinke who was bothered by an injury.

Hitter to Play on Tuesday: Yunel Escobar, Toronto Blue Jays. Currently in a 10-game hit streak dating back to his trade from the Atlanta Braves, Escobar has been doing great for his new team. Up against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, he will look to bat well against Kevin Millwood, who has a 2-6 career record against Canada’s team. Look for Escobar to collect two more hits to extend his hitting streak and score a couple of runs in a blowout win for the Blue Jays.

Monday’s Chosen Hitter—Derrek Lee: 1-5, 1 R, 2 TB, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 SB

Hitter to Keep an Eye On: Nyjer Morgan, Washington Nationals. This San Francisco-born Walla Walla Community College product has proven to be a solid outfielder and baserunner since his trade from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Nationals. With 25 stolen bases on the season and a .260 batting average, Morgan has been a productive player. In the month of July he is hitting .289, so look for Morgan to continue the trend atop the Nationals lineup in the rest of July and August.

Pitchers

The Best Pitching Performance on Monday: Matt Garza, Tampa Bay Rays. This pick is easy, for how can you go wrong with the guy who threw the fifth no-hitter this season. Facing the minimum 27 batters, Garza only allowed one walk and struck out six for his 11^th win of the season. This was a nice change for a Rays team that has been no-hit three times this past year, twice a victim to a perfect game. Garza in throwing the franchise’s first no-hitter, lowered his season ERA to 4.06.

Pitcher to Play on Tuesday: Brett Myers, Houston Astros. With many strong starting pitchers going on Tuesday, there are few options to pick up for a stream start. Myers has a very good matchup in line against the Chicago Cubs. Going 8-3 against the Cubs in his career, Myers sports a 2.52 career ERA and is in the middle of a strong, bounce-back season. Relegated to the bullpen more much of the season last season with the Philadelphia Phillies, Myers has been able to collect seven wins this season and lower his season ERA more than 1.50. Opponents are also batting .111 against Myers’s off-speed pitches in his last three outings. Look for Myers to go seven innings, allow two runs maximum, and strike out six for the win.

Monday’s Chosen Pitcher—Barry Zito: 6.1 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 3 K, 1 BB, 4.43 ERA (L)

Pitcher to Keep an Eye On: Chris Seddon, Seattle Mariners. First breaking into the big leagues in 2007, Seddon sported an 8.83 ERA in seven starts. Now three seasons later with a different club, Seddon has gone 8.1 innings with a 1.08 ERA in four middle relief appearances. Not a major threat for wins or saves on the club, he could be a man who can build up your ERA and WHIP numbers with solid performances on a struggling club.