Pitchers throw side sessions between starts. They use them to stay sharp, to experiement with possible additions to their repertoire, and to work on issues related to mechanics. Bogfella, is no different, there are things that need to be discussed between Notebooks and this is the forum to do just that. This won't be the in-depth stuff, it's for short takes on all the latest mound happenings. Feel free to comment. Agree? Disagree? Let's talk about it.

- Derek Holland can make a fantasy baseball analyst crazy. You talk him up one week, and he gets torched. As soon as everyone forgets you said he could be a good one, he twirls a gem. I'm going to say it again, I love the guy, and he is probably going to be a very good one. Beware his next start after that comment.

- Max Scherzer looked pretty good in his last outing, and Rick Porcello was also much better recently. Nothing negative against former Tigers pitching coach Rick Knapp, but sometimes a change just clicks with a few guys on the staff and I have a hunch that may happen here.

- He's not going to end the season with a 1.87 ERA (at least I don't think he will), but Jair Jurrjens is for real folks. A few more strikeouts would be nice for fantasy purposes, but if he just keeps that WHIP and ERA down while ringing up victories, I'll deal with the lower K rate.

- I watched the first start back for Phil Hughes, and even though his stat line was pretty ordinary, he looked like the Hughes of old, albeit with less command as he shakes off some expected rust. He could give the Yankees (and his fantasy owners) a big boost in the second half.

- One my most anticipated arrivals might be about to show up on the horizon. Much as I love to watch him, I think Josh Collmenter might see the halo tarnishing as teams catch on to his delivery and two-pitch repertoire, possibly leading to a future in the bullpen, and it's only a matter of time before the Diamondbacks realize Zach Duke is Zach Duke. Could Jarrod Parker be very far away?

- Here is a name to ponder - Yu Darvish. Japan's undisputed ace has indicated he will probably be coming to the United States in 2012. What kind of impact do you expect, and where (or for what dollar value) does he go in your league's draft?

- My favorite pitcher with almost no name recognition? Louis Coleman of the Royals. I like his stuff, and I like his attitude. It's not going to happen with Joakim Soria and Aaron Crow around, but I think he could close in the right situation.

- If you are one of those fantasy owners who is constantly on the lookout for cheap saves, like me, now would be a good time to stash Kenley Jansen on your bench. He's the end game of the future for the Dodgers, and the future is probably right around the corner. If he can just keep the plate in the cross-hairs (admittedly still a BIG if), he will be the guy.

- Speaking of future saves, it certainly looks like Heath Bell will be leaving San Diego fairly soon. Mike Adams would appear to be the heir apparent so keep him in mind as the trading deadline approaches.

- And, still in the bullpen, I always professed that even closers on bad teams would get a decent number of save opportunities over the course of a season. The Astros are making me question that philosophy. I still believe in Mark Melancon, but that poor guy makes more appearances to "get some work in" than he does to garner the occasional save.

- Stephen Strasburg Watch - Will the Nats let him throw a few innings in September? Many say no, but I think if his rehab continues to go smoothly, they might let him have two or three innings-limited starts. Yes, the attendance numbers would skyrocket, but more importantly, it could allow him to go into this winter with the post-injury doubts behind him. Thats a huge psychological barrier to get past.

- How about a little Side Sessions trivia? It was purely unintentional, but I just realized that two of the pitchers mentioned in this edition of Side Sessions share something in common that is relatively uncommon in MLB, can you say what it is?

Side Sessions is intended to generate discussion. Throw out your thoughts on my comments or chip in with observations of your own, it's an open forum on all things pitching!

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