Sunday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking
Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Being tagged with the name “Homer” would seem like a voodoo curse for a major league pitcher. However, Bailey has shunned his namesake and performed well down the homestretch of the season.
The Reds' righty is 2-0 in his last three starts, posting a 1.35 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk count of 15-to-6 in that span. His most recent start was a seven-inning gem in which Bailey gave up just one run on seven hits while striking out seven batters in a win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
A.J. Burnett, New York Yankees
With the Yankees’ top arms rounding into form just in time for October, a return to glory is very possible for the Bronx Bombers. Burnett, one of the big offseason acquisitions, is rolling into the postseason.
The left-hander has allowed just four runs in his last three starts, going 1-0 in that stretch. Burnett has whiffed 20 batters in those 19 innings and owns an ERA south of 2.00.
Slumping
Luke Hochevar, Kansas City Royals
The Royals' righty has just one win since the end of July, which came two weeks ago against the Chicago White Sox. That complete-game shutout is a diamond in Hochevar’s second-half rough. He’s followed that gem with two horrible outings.
Hochevar has given up 14 runs in his last two starts including serving up eight runs, 12 hits – two home runs – in six innings against the Yankees Monday. He has given up five or more runs in five of his last six starts.
Scott Feldman, Texas Rangers
Feldman is running on empty heading into the final day of the 2009 season. His recent outings have lasted under four innings, but that hasn’t limited the right-hander's ability to give up big runs.
Feldman allowed 11 earned runs in just seven innings of work last week. While he has 17 wins on the year, Feldman has just one W in his last four starts.