Today's Fantasy Rx

Anaheim: Jarrod Washburn, LH Starter
10-14 on a 118:51 K:BB in 204.1 IP over 31 GS
with 200 H, 33 HR, a .68 G-F, and a 4.36 ERA for Anaheim.

The breakout 2002 Washburn experienced appears due to a defense that allowed nearly a hit less per nine innings and a .8 homer rate that now seems much too low given his consistently strong flyball tendency. Reduced run support accounts for most of his lost 8 wins, however a career-worst 5.2 K/9 demonstrates his reduced dominance. While Washburn's current 23142 QA log isn't far from what he regularly posted a year ago, he also can't remain an elite pitcher with this level of disasters. A September scheduled crammed with powerful offenses limits his immediate value even further, making him a logical candidate to deal in leagues with open trading even though he should rebound next season.

Previous 2003 Anaheim underachievers: April: John Lackey; May: Mickey Callaway; June: Francisco Rodriguez; July: Kevin Appier: August: Troy Percival.

We'll continue tomorrow with NL underachieving pitchers.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Keep a careful eye on your pitchers' starts, particularly due to possible weather-related schedule changes influenced by the pending arrival of Hurricane Isabel. The likelihood of starters winning game seems as low as any point of the season due to the excess number of pitchers on a staff, the willingness of most managers to pull struggling or even mildly hurt pitchers, and the lofty run totals we've seen over the last couple days.