Player of the Week
Max Scherzer, Arizona Diamondbacks SP
After being hyped as the prized hurler of the future last season, Scherzer settled into his starting role for the Diamondbacks this week. After a pair of strong starts, combining for a 2-0 record, 1.32 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 13.2 innings, he has bumped his record even for 2009 (4-4, 3.58 ERA). He started the year like his team, with a rough April and back-and-forth May. The hard-throwing hurler, the 11th overall pick in the 2006 draft, will get a big test this week facing a tough Texas Rangers lineup, but will benefit from the lack of a DH in NL park.
Story Lines
1. PEDs: The gift that keeps on giving » Every time you think that the performance-enhancing drugs issues of MLB’s past have been played out, they inject themselves back into the public consciousness. Manny Ramirez’s beginning a minor-league assignment next week is the least of baseball’s worries. It’s the report that former Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug during a 2003 test and former player-turned-author Jose Canseco announcing that he plans to file a suit against MLB and the players’ association for being “blackballed” after writing his two books. There’s talk that Canseco is trying to enlist Sosa and other accused user Rafael Palmeiro to join his cause where he will be seeking “lost wages” for “defamation of character.”
2. Keystone corner becoming hot » Early talk this season had Texas Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler (.271 BA, 17 HR, 47 RBI, 13 SB) looking like the early favorite for the AL MVP. However, this past week, Kinsler moved to the back of the class (.292, 2 HR, 3 RBI) as a foursome (two from the AL, two from the NL) has charged to give serious challenge to the best offensive player at the keystone sack. Robinson Cano of the Yankees has been giving the most fierce chase, and had a week to back it up — 11 hits, .458 average, 3 HR, 7 RBI, and 23 total bases. The Brewers’ Casey McGehee (.500, 1 HR, 5 RBI), Blue Jays’ Aaron Hill (.385, 1 HR, 4 RBI) and Phillies’ Chase Utley (.346, 3 RBI, 11 total bases) also packed a big punch through Wednesday.
3. Broken rotations » Prized starting pitchers — especially those that are attractive for trade deadline deals — are starting to find the disabled list as their place of residence. Toronto’s Roy Halladay (groin strain; 10-1. 2.53 ERA) likely has removed himself from trade consideration as the Blue Jays are close to the playoff picture. If the Jays take a big slide, all bets are off. Seattle’s Erik Bedard (shoulder; 5-2, 2.47 ERA) will miss at least one start and prior injury issues can only diminish what the Mariners could net in return. Perhaps the worse luck of all has happened to San Diego. Ace Jake Peavy (ankle; 6-6, 3.97 ERA) could miss 8-12 weeks — or possibly the rest of the season — and may wipe out any chance of moving him in a deal.
Key Series
Dodgers at Angels (Friday – Sunday) » Two of the top teams out west and three very intriguing pitching matchups. The Dodgers sport the best winning percentage in baseball, while the Angels rank among the top 5 in the AL. The Dodgers will send Chad Billingsley (9-3), Jeff Weaver (3-1) and Clayton Kershaw (3-5) up against the formidable Halos rotation of Joe Saunders (7-4), Jered Weaver (7-2) and John Lackey (2-2). The teams also provide plenty of offense, as both rank among the top 6 in MLB in hits. The series finale will be on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.
