Baseball fantasy world: Veteran pitchers come through

Staff writer Tim Hubbard looks at the two veteran pitchers who have arguably had the most impact on their new teams.

Zack Greinke

SP | Dodgers

Greinke’s season got off to a rough start when he suffered a broken collarbone in his second start during an altercation with San Diego’s Carlos Quentin. Since his return in mid-May, Greinke (11-3, 3.02 earned-run average) has been the top-flight starter they had been craving. On the flip side, Greinke’s signing has had the opposite effect on the Angels, who desperately wanted to re-sign the right-hander after trading for him last year. When their bid was unsuccessful, the Angels threw their money at Josh Hamilton and rolled into the season with a patchwork starting rotation that quickly became the team’s downfall. As if that wasn’t enough, shortstop Jean Segura, whom the Angels dealt to Milwaukee to acquire Greinke, is hitting .312 and has 35 stolen bases. Ouch!

Francisco Liriano

SP | Pittsburgh

The Pirates’ success starts with their pitching. Rookie Jeff Locke has been a nice surprise, and A.J. Burnett, Geritt Cole and Wandy Rodriguez have been good. But it is Liriano (13-5, 2.68 ERA) who has become the team’s true ace. It has been seven years since Liriano burst on to the scene in Minnesota, posting a 12-6 record and a 2.13 ERA before an injury led to Tommy John surgery. This off-season, Liriano’s first deal with the Pirates was voided after he failed his physical because of an injury to his non-throwing arm. Good thing for Pittsburgh the two parties agreed on a new pact in February or this exciting ride to the top of the National League Central may not have been possible.