Roto Chronicles: National League–August 11th

This week, consistency was the name of the game. Few players stood out this week and their names should ring in your ear at season’s end.

This week, consistency was the name of the game. Few players stood out this week and their names should ring in your ear at season’s end. The players who slumped look to be on a downhill spiral for the rest of the season. Their performances have gone from bad to worse and barring a miracle will stay that way until season’s end.

Royalty:

Josh Johnson: He has started six games and the Marlins have won all six. Coincidence? No. He’s pitching that well on a very underrated Marlins pitching staff. Johnson is 3-0 with a 3.19 ERA. Johnson started pitching for the Marlins in July and since then, he hasn’t slowed down. He has only given up more than four runs in one game, and that was against the offensive-minded Mets. The only downside to Johnson is he doesn’t strikeout a lot of players. He only has 28 on the season which averages just below five a game. His WHIP is high too, with 1.43, but expect that to go down, along with his ERA as the season wears on. This late in the season, there is a good possibility that Johnson is still on the waiver list. If he is, it would be beneficial to pick him up. He’ll face NL East foes Philadelphia and New York. This will be the perfect stretch to see if he’s the real deal.

Stephen Drew: Drew is hitting better of late and looks to have found his confidence at the plate once again. He is currently on a 13-game hitting streak that sees his average soaring to .280. In that span he also has 13 runs to his name. There’s no question about it that Drew is hot. He’s like a man possessed, but watch for his numbers to go up from this point on in the season. This week he’ll battle Houston and Colorado, both teams with inconsistent pitching. Watch him capitalize on those opportunities and watch for him to soar into .300 batting range before the season is over.

Casey Kotchmann: One of the players that moved to the Braves in the Teixiera trade, Kotchmann seemed to have lost his composure at the plate with the Braves. Of late, Kotchmann has come on strong batting .305 on the week. With that his average is now .205 with the Braves. When Kotchmann finds his groove he’ll be a good offensive first baseman, something the Braves desperately need. Kotchmann will be fine. Start him if you have him. He could go off on any given day and that could be very beneficial to your team. Total for the season, including time with the Angels, he is batting .278 with an OBP of .324. He won’t strikeout much (27) and puts you in opportunities for RBIs and runs.

Lastings Milledge: I’ve had him in my ruts section a few times, but he is finally starting to put it together. He’s riding a 10-game hit streak, batting .340 and driving in seven runs in the process. While his batting average is .257 you have to consider that his average was .230 going into August. Certain players tend to have a great second half of the season and it looks like Milledge is in on track to do so. He’s striking out less so it’s a good sign that he is showing more patience at the plate. If you monitor his batting a little closer you’ll also notice that he has a larger swing which opens up his hitting more.

Clayton Kershaw: Kershaw is dominating on the mound as of late. In his last three starts he has an average .85 ERA. He started off well for the Dodgers earlier in the season, then slumped. Now it seems as if he is comfortable on the mound and his confidence level has soared. Play him every chance you get, but remember he is young and he could be shaken, but either way, he still warrants a start.

Ruts:

Edinson Volquez: He very well may be suffering a second half slump. Volquez has give up five runs in each of his last three games and giving up four homeruns in the process. His ERA is still a respectable 2.93. Though he is still the ace of the staff, he is still entitled to slumps. Part of his problem is he isn’t striking out batters like he used to. Though a 13-5 record is still good, respectable, and one of the tops in the league, it is best to sit him on the bench until he regains his composure. He will face Pittsburgh, a team he hasn’t beat this season. This could pose a problem if you start him, but third time could be a charm.

Livan Hernandez: Since being acquired off the waivers from Minnesota, Hernandez was shelled for nine runs in two innings not helping his stock with the Rockies. He took the loss earning a 30.38 ERA. He has dropped his last three decisions including the time he was with the Twins. He consistently gives up earned runs each start and if you thought his career would resurrect in Colorado, thing again. Hernandez may find him off the team before he starts again. It’s okay to drop him if you have him. There is no shame in fantasy baseball.

Mike Pelfrey: Yet another pitcher in my ruts section. He has been in a slump lately, but in typical Pelfrey fashion, he will have a string of three good starts and then three bad starts. If that cycle holds true, he will have two more bad starts ahead of him, which will take him into next week. Pelfrey is a mediocre pitcher, at best, but he could very well be a dominant pitcher if he works on his control. What has plagued him is his inconsistencies with his bread-and-butter pitch, the sinker. Once he gets control of it, he could be dominant, but you have to give him credit, though. He does have 10 wins on the season. Not bad for a number three pitcher on the staff. If you have him, sit him…until next week.

JJ Hardy: Hardy is slumping at the plate batting only .240 in the week and hitting two homeruns. Though those aren’t great numbers he’s still batting .275 for the season. Hardy will face San Diego and Los Angeles this week and both teams have weaker pitching. If it’s two teams to break out of a slump, it’s these two teams. Hardy will have an easier time batting against the NL West because he is batting .415 against the dreaded West.

Mets Bullpen: They blew yet another lead losing to the Pirates. The Mets bullpen will need to be redefined if they are to make a playoff run. If not, then they are in for another long offseason. Their bullpen is sporting a 8.90 ERA this week, along with three blown saves. That won’t win you games. If you have a Met reliever in your lineup, I would reconsider playing them. I would consider benching them until they are proven enough to play…that is pitch without giving up runs.

Dunn deal:

Adam Dunn: Dunn is now a Diamondback which gives them a chance to win a few games. He gives them the pop that they desperately need. His average could very well go up now that he’s in a different environment. Different strokes for different folks. His .233 batting average is worrisome, but his 32 homeruns is incredible. Something will give, but I think now that Dunn is with a new hitting instructor and environment, he should strive. Play him if you have him.