The Morning Offering: Rebound Edition

Written by The Fool on June 02, 2005

In the spirit of the awful NBA Playoffs, this morning we’ll talk about rebounding.

These players have been anywhere from bad to just plain awful at some point this season, but are starting to play better as the weather starts to warm.

Barry Zito, pitcher, Oakland A’s
The hippy hurler was inexplicably awful to start the season, giving up four runs or more in five of his first eight starts. Zito’s record going into last night was 1-6. This is a guy who won the Cy Young in 2002, and the only member of the vaunted “Big Three” the A’s decided to keep. But he thumped the Devil Rays last night, going seven innings and allowing just one earned run to collect his second win of the season. And, Zito has given up just four earned runs in his last three starts. His next start will be in cavernous RFK Stadium against the Nationals, so expect another good one as the young Nats swing wildly at that wicked curveball.

Mike MacDougal, closer, Kansas City Royals
Closer you say? Apparently so, as the once and future Royals closer shut the door on the Yankees on back to back nights. This job has supposedly gone to as many as four different players this season – the always around but never healthy Jeremy Affeldt, rookie Ambiorix Burgos and even Mike Wood in addition to MacDougal, who picked up a save early in April before falling apart. Now he has consecutive saves for the first time since July, 2003, when he was the full-time closer and saved 27 games as a rookie. If he keeps the ball humming and stays out of trouble, he should keep the gig even when / if Affeldt comes back.

Wade Miller, pitcher, Red Sox
The former Astros starter picked up his second win in his fifth start for the Red Sox, silencing the big bats of Baltimore. It was Miller’s strongest outing of the season; he allowed only one earned run, five hits and no home runs in seven innings, his longest outing of the year. After the game he said he was feeling more comfortable, which bodes well for his owners.

Zack Greinke, pitcher, Kansas City Royals
The guy who looks like he should be pitching for your local high school team got his first win in 15 starts on Wednesday, beating – of all teams – the Yankees, who happened to have Randy Johnson on the mound. Part of Geinke’s problem has been run support, which the addition of a new manager may help. And he’s still one of the most highly regarded young pitchers in baseball. So if folks in your league are selling, try and get some Greinke for cheap.

Rafael Furcal, shortstop, Atlanta Braves
Xach has given you periodic updates on the Braves’ ice-cold shortstop, but it’s worth noting that Furcal has 11 hits in his last nine games, which included a seven-game hit streak. Furcal, who was given the day off on Wednesday, also has a National League leading 20 stolen bases, which will always help your fantasy team. He’s played poorly, but Furcal can still help you and appears to be, well, rebounding!

-- Written by The Fool on June 02, 2005