With a career-best 7.96 K/9 mark and a terrific 1.54 G/F ratio, Adam Wainwright has officially developed into a true ace. In fact, since May ended, he's recorded an 8.5 K/9 mark, and he's posted a 6.2:1 K:BB ratio after the All-Star break. And to think, all he cost was one season of J.D. Drew (a damn good one but still).
Over his last six games, Billy Butler is batting .609 (14-for-23) with two homers and nine RBI, so maybe he's finally starting to develop into the hitter everyone expected him to. The power has been slow to come, especially against right-handers, but his 36 doubles are the second most in baseball, so expect more homers in the future. Butler has a 1.038 OPS since the break.
John Smoltz got knocked around yet again during his last start, but I just don't get why the majority seem to think he's done. Sure, an 8.32 ERA and 1.70 WHIP point that way, especially since he's 42 years old and returning from surgery. However, with a low walk rate and strong K rate, those numbers don't make much sense. Smoltz's 3.67:1 K:BB ratio is very, very good, and with his last four starts coming @Tex, Bal, @Bal and @NYY, his schedule has been pretty tough. Even aces have brutal four-start stretches from time-to-time; this small sample size happens to be magnified because it's occurred right after returning from the DL. It's possible he's completely lost it and the .390 BABIP and the 16.5|PERCENT| HR/F rate are results of batting practice type pitches, but with terrific peripherals and a 4.36 xFIP, the far more likely conclusion is overreaction to a small sample size. Smoltz's fastball velocity was down, but 1.2 mph, while significant, is hardly enough to transform him into Sidney Ponson, especially since the slider remained lethal. The Giants would be crazy not to claim Smoltz right now, as the team desperately needs a starter, and it would do Smoltzie some good to get back into the NL. I'm not saying he's a viable top-three option in a playoff rotation, but Smoltz clearly has plenty left in the tank to contribute to a pennant race.
Speaking of the Red Sox, I don't get the do-or-die mentality over this Yankee series. So they lost the first three games, big deal. For instance, here's Bill Simmons on Twitter: "That game didn't just kill the 2009 Red Sox season, it chopped it up and put it in different suitcases like a serial killer." Really, the season's over because of a game in early August? Similar sentiments have been echoed throughout the media as well. Who cares if you win the division or win the wild card? What's the difference? If anything, less pressure as a wild card. And while the Angels should be a tougher first round opponent, I sure wouldn't look forward to facing the White Sox with Jake Peavy starting Game 1. I understand the Rays are legit and may very well beat Boston for the wild card spot, but just like when the Yankees dropped their first eight games to Boston this season, there's no need to panic Red Sox Nation.
I'm not sure what to make of the news about Josh Hamilton falling off the wagon (or is it on the wagon?), but it sounds like an isolated incident that happened more than six months ago, and he notified everyone immediately afterward, so I wouldn't be too overly concerned. Hamilton recently cycled off his ADD medication and has actually been heating up of late, so a big finish could still be in store. But as my friend Robby once cautioned: "Hitting a home run undoubtedly feels great but I would venture to guess that injecting heroin feels even better."
Over his last 10 games in Triple-A, Travis Snider is batting .487 with five homers, 11 runs scored and 16 RBI. He has a 1.070 OPS over 150 at-bats there this season, and despite hitting left-handed, Snider has been even more successful against southpaws. He was overmatched earlier this year in the bigs, but at 21 years old, that was hardly unexpected. The Blue Jays have an open spot in left field anyway, so an Alex Rios trade isn't even necessary for Snider to get recalled, which should happen soon enough. Snider needs to be picked up and stashed in deeper leagues.
Count Max Scherzer among the growing trend of baseball players looking at more complex stats, such as BABIP. Cool stuff. And speaking of Scherzer, check out this picture.
