Quote of the day
"I don't think about '06 at all. I just try to learn how to pitch, how to move on." -- Pirates pitcher Francisco Liriano, after 7 shutout innings in a win over Oakland, raising his record to 9-3 and lowering his ERA to 2.00Daily blurb
Francisco Liriano. Who knew?
Back in 2006, it looked like Johan Santana and Liriano could perhaps be baseball’s most dominating 1-2 pitching punch for years to come. But after sustaining a late season injury in 2006, Liriano missed all of 2007 due to Tommy John surgery. Over the next five seasons (2008-2012), he never looked like he would regain form, with a 5-year ERA of 4.75, and three of those years over 5.00 – including the last two. In the five RIBC leagues, he was only drafted once –obviously as a flier. But as we approach the All-Star break, he’s 9-3 with a 2.00 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and more than a strikeout per inning. Not only has he been a key component of Pittsburgh’s surprising success, but he’s been the type of F/A pickup that can drive a fantasy team to a title as well. Kudos if you’ve got him!
In GuruGolf, Steve Stricker is the popular favorite this week, on roughly 25% of active foursomes. He’s at -5 through 12 holes, so that’s looking like a productive choice so far.