August 19, 2007

One up, one down

Who's on the rise; who's slumping:

FIRST BASE
* Up: Jason Giambi, Yankees -- Talking about steroids seems to have a similar effect as taking them.

* Down: Dan Johnson, Oakland -- He has only one HR and his average has dropped 50 points since July 2.

SECOND BASE
* Up: Mark DeRosa, Cubs -- Career-high five-hit game Thursday bumped his average up 10 points.

* Down: Josh Barfield, Cleveland -- A nine-for-71 slide has landed him a starring role on the bench.

THIRD BASE
* Up: Mark Reynolds, Arizona -- Eight multi-hit games in August have turned around a July swoon.

* Down: Nick Punto, Minnesota -- Talk about a rally killer: He has only four hits since July 27.

SHORTSTOP
* Up: J.J. Hardy, Milwaukee -- After four-HR week, here's the question: Where's he been the last two months?

* Down: Omar Vizquel, San Francisco -- It's the dog days of summer in the dog days of a career.

OUTFIELD
* Up: Moises Alou, Mets -- Two and a half months on the disabled list does a 41-year-old body good.

* Down: Curtis Granderson, Detroit -- It seems as though the Tigers' recent troubles start at the top.

CATCHER
* Up: Kurt Suzuki, Oakland -- Cal State Fullerton product starting to figure out major league pitching.

* Down: Ramon Hernandez, Baltimore -- Just when it looked as if he might be breaking out of a season-long slump.

PITCHER
* Up: Brandon Webb, Arizona -- He's done enough against the current Dodgers; now he's going after Orel.

* Down: Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee -- So, what is it they say about a pitcher's second time around the league?