Week 15-16

POW(s): Albert Pujols
Week 15: 9/21, 3 2Bs, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs, 9 BB, 50 Points.
Week 16: 8/28, 3 2Bs, HR, 11 RBIs, SB, 51.5 Points

Albert now has 3 consecutive POW awards. He's clearly a beast, and he is off to a monster start to the second half.

Week 14

POW: Albert Pujols (6/14, 1 2B, 4 HRs, 5 RBIs, 5 R, 42.5 Points)

In the All-Start shortened week, Pujols still came up huge. Out of 6 hits, 5 went for extra bases, and 4 went over the fence. He's off to a monster start to his second half. Maybe LaRussa's decision not to play him in the All Star Game ticked him off enough to get him on figure. If so...thanks Tony.

I had a big weekend to start the second half, with a sweep of Flash. Currently, I'm sitting at 3 games behind Otto. I have some guys coming off the DL (like Speier) and some young guys who might deserve a callup (like Garrett Olson), so I will be looking to make some moves soon.

At the All-Star Break...

First, time for the Week 14 POW: Nick Markakis (7/26, 3 2Bs, 7 RBIs, 2 SB, 5 BB, 45 points).

I had a terrible week and limped into the All Star break. After closing to within 1 game of Otto, I was swept by Mizzou over the weekend. The bright spot was the emergence of 2 new SPs. Matt Garza finally got called up, and he threw 6 shutout innings for a win. Also, Garret Olson was called up by the Orioles. His first start was rather lackluster, but he only gave up 2 runs in 4.1 innings. The Os have said he will remain in their rotation for the second half. For now, he'll remain in my minors, but a few good starts would earn him a 2nd half callup.

Now, time for some first half awards.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Miguel Cabrera.

M-Cab edges out Pujols for this award. He batted .324 and had a 969 OPS in the first half. He also added 18 HR and 61 RBI to come into the break with 492.5 Points.

TOP STATING PITCHER: Johan Santana.

No surprise here. Johan edeges Lackey with his dominant first half. His record stands at a good - but not spectacular - 10 and 6. But, all of his other stats are just nasty. He has a 2.75 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a 125/30 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He goes into the break with 436.75 Points.

TOP RELIEF PITCHER: Jose Valverde

Here is the first surprise. Valverde edges out Hoffman and Papelbon for this award. He had 26 Saves in the first half to go along with a 2.83 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a 38/14 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Gerald Laird

Laird had am 805 OPS last season, so I decided to go with him as my starter. But, he has been so bad that I sent him to the minors and eventually released him. He started to heat up slightly, so I dealt Pudge and went with him again. But, he has been pretty bad, so I'm looking for replacements anywhere I can find them. Thanks Gerald...for nothing.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: Tom Gorzelanny

I expected him to be OK this year. I got nervous during his weak spring. And, he has been nothing but great this year. He enters the break with a 9-4 record, 3.10 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 75/35 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Keep it up Tom...

Week 13:

POW: Trevor Hoffman (0-0, 4 IP, 4 Saves, 1 ER, 52.5) Trevor takes home his second POW award after a week with 4 saves. My team had a pretty big weekend, including a spectacular day from my bullpen on Saturday (3-0, 3 Saves all from RPs). Calling up Scott Baker looks like it was a good move. He was terrific last night. Baker threw a CG with 1 ER, 3K, 1BB. But, he was tagged with a loss after being outduled by Bonderman. Matt Garza has been called up to the Twins, and he'll start in the bullpen. I'm hoping he does well and joins the Twins' rotation shortly.

My offense did absolutely nothing this week. I had 1 HR all week, and it was by Chris Duncan. My recent FA pickup of Nate Schierholtz is no longer working, as he doesn't do much of anything. I've thought about calling up Carlos Quentin, but he is struggling as well. Today, I'll begin looking for a new FA to play at UTIL. It sounds like Tejada is out for a while, so I'll be stuck with Uribe at SS. And, Laird was hitting better until I called him up, and he's now doing nothing again. Hopefully Week 13 was just an unlucky one for my offense...I sure am glad it's over.