Wednesday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers

STREAKING
Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants (4-10, 5.72 ERA)

The two-time Cy Young Award winner is finally showing signs of snapping out of his season-long slump. Lincecum allowed two earned runs on five hits, while striking out six over seven innings as the Giants defeated the Phillies 7-2 Friday night. 

In his previous start against the Astros, “The Freak” struck out a season-high 11 batters en route to tossing eight innings of shutout ball. He should be able to build on that momentum against the lowly Padres Wednesday night.

David Price, Tampa Bay Rays (13-4, 2.64 ERA)
Not many pitchers have been more consistent than David Price this season. Price has pitched more than seven innings in each of his last six starts and has a sparkling 1.27 ERA in three July starts. Even more impressive, is the fact that his last four starts have been against legit playoff contenders (Indians, Red Sox, Yankees, and Tigers).

The lefty last dropped a decision on June 13 and has picked up the win in five of his last six starts. Bettors may find value with the Rays on the road in Baltimore.

SLUMPING

Tommy Hanson, Atlanta Braves (10-5, 4.50 ERA)

“Big Red” has been torched in his last two starts. The Nationals lit him up for eight earned runs in four innings Friday night, but the Braves rallied late to pull out an 11-10 victory. Hanson also struggled in his previous start on July 14 against the Mets, allowing six earned runs over 5 1-3 innings.

Hanson was solid earlier this year, but his ERA has skyrocketed from 3.54 in mid-June to 4.50 heading into Wednesday.  

Wednesday will mark his first start against division-rival Miami this season.

Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox (5-8, 4.83 ERA)

Is it time to push the panic button in Boston yet?  The Red Sox have lost four in a row heading into action in the Lone Star State Tuesday, mostly because of horrendous starting pitching. Beckett’s first-inning ERA now stands at 10.69, with 19 earned runs allowed in 16 innings. His ERA over the other innings is 3.38. 

The Texas native has also allowed 13 earned runs in his last 17 innings pitched. It gets worse: His next start is against the high-powered Rangers.