Darren Oliver (Angels):
Justin Speier, Jason Bulger and Darren Oliver have been especially effective of late.
Angels Official Site
Scott Rolen (Blue Jays):
The Jays' offense has the potential to carry the club. Early in the season, Toronto's lineup was pacing the league, helping the club to one of the best starts it had ever experienced. Through June and July, though, the offense as a whole began to lag. That didn't stop Hill, shortstop Marco Scutaro, third baseman Scott Rolen and left fielder Adam Lind from having stellar first-half showings.
Blue Jays Official Site
Dan Haren & Felipe Lopez (Diamondbacks):
Hinch pushed Dan Haren's first start after the break back one day in order to give the right-handed pitcher four days rest. Haren will start Sunday against the Cardinals instead of Saturday. ... Felipe Lopez has hit safely in 13 of his past 16 and is hitting .311 during that stretch.
Diamondbacks Official Site
Dan Haren (Diamondbacks):
Dan Haren has not only been the best pitcher on the D-backs' staff, but he arguably has been the best in the league. The right-hander has registered a quality start in all but one of his starts and more often than not has been dominating.
Diamondbacks Official Site
Kiko Calero (Marlins):
The performances of rookie Chris Coghlan, as well as relievers Dan Meyer and Kiko Calero. Having opened the season as an infielder at Triple-A New Orleans, Coghlan has been an impact player while leading off and playing left field for the first time in his professional career. Meyer was claimed off waivers from the A's before the season, and Calero was a non-roster invitee during Spring Training. Both have been solid.
Marlins Official Site
Jim Riggleman (Nationals MGR):
Two days after the official announcement that Manny Acta was relieved of his duties as the Nationals' manager, Washington's players commended the job their former leader did.
Nationals Official Site
Jim Riggleman had his first news conference as Nationals manager Wednesday, and he acknowledged that the team needs to improve its defense.
Nationals Official Site
Julian Tavarez (Nationals) & Kip Wells (Reds):
There are two problems -- the Nationals' defense and the bullpen. Rizzo has tried to fix the problems in the bullpen. He added Joe Beimel, Mike MacDougal, Julian Tavarez and Kip Wells, but the results have been mixed so far. The Nationals have used five closers this year, and they have picked up a combined 14 saves.
Nationals Official Site
David Eckstein (Padres):
Not an easy pick for a team ravaged by injuries, though the consistency from the right side of the infield, in Gonzalez and veteran David Eckstein, has been a plus for Black. The clubhouse vibe is also a lot better in '09, and that has a lot to do with the addition of Eckstein.
Padres Official Site
Jason Marquis & Randy Flores (Rockies):
Right-hander Jason Marquis spent his career as a back-of-the rotation pitcher who had to fight for jobs and sometimes was left off playoff rosters. The Rockies acquired him from the Cubs and immediately treated him as a veteran leader. The result was clutch pitching. He won seven times after Rockies losses, and has the team's only two wins against the Dodgers.
The bullpen got off to a rough start, but has made dramatic improvement. Glendon Rusch, Matt Belisle, Jason Grilli and Randy Flores have come and gone. The team has received a lift from in-season additions Josh Fogg, Joel Peralta, Matt Daley and Juan Rincon.
Rockies Official Site
Placido Polanco (Tigers):
Placido Polanco has his lowest batting average and OPS in at least 10 years.
Tigers Official Site
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