Sleeper of the Week

With Matt Herges suffering through a dismal July (2.79 WHIP, 10.61 ERA, 4 HR allowed in 12 games), many fantasy owners pounced on heir apparent Jason Christiansen. Yet while the lefty hasn’t given up a run since July 6, allowing just one hit in his ten appearances in that time, it now appears that San Francisco will give a different pitcher the chance to close: Dustin Hermanson.

Fantasy veterans might be wary, remembering the last time Hermanson received the opportunity to close out games. In 2000, he blew three saves in seven chances for Montreal, and found himself back in the rotation shortly thereafter. Hermanson’s manager at the time, incidentally, was none other than Felipe Alou…

So far this season, Hermanson had been used exclusively as a starter, compiling a 4-4 record with a 4.59 ERA over 18 starts in which he allowed opposing batters to hit for a .271 average. His K/BB rate is solid, however, at just over 2-to-1, and perhaps this opportunity will be just what the doctor ordered for a player who at one point of his career seemed destined for great things.

The jury is still out on whether or not this experiment will succeed, but with fantasy pennant races heading into the home stretch, Hermanson might be just the player you’ve been looking for to provide a push in the saves category. Just keep a close eye on his performance, and be prepared to react quickly should Alou change his mind.

Note: Hermanson is replaced in the rotation by Noah Lowry; the 23-year-old lefty is also worth watching following his seven-inning, two-hit, nine-strikeout effort against Los Angeles.