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| Joe Borowski pitched the ninth inning of Sunday's win over Oakland for his second save in as many chances. Borowski, who is considered a risky proposition due to his suspect numbers in '07, cut his '08 ERA (4.50) in half with today's work. |
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| Cliff Lee won his first start of the '08 season on Sunday by retiring 10 of his last 12 batters as Cleveland won a 2-1 battle over the Oakland Athletics.
Lee gave up four hits and struck out four in 6.2 innings of work. Just 5-8 over 16 starts during an injury-filled 2007, Lee retired his first seven hitters in Sunday's win. He walked one and only gave up one unearned run in helping the Indians halt a three-game losing streak. |
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| A.J. Pierzynski, who drove in five runs with three hits, including a tie-breaking, three-run homer in the seventh inning Friday, continued his offensive ways on Sunday. The Pale Sox starting catcher was 1-for-3 with three runs scored. The Pale Sox starting catcher was 1-for-3 with three runs scored. A.J. scored all three times (two walks) he was on base in the win over Detroit. |
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| Joe Crede was 4-for-5 in Sunday's win over Detroit and is hitting .375 on the young season. The White Sox management appear to have made the right decision by sending uber-prospect Josh Fields to the farm for fine tuning. As long as Crede is healthy (chronic back ailment) he figures to produce. Owners should ride the third baseman while he's hot. |
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| Justin Verlander allowed a career-high nine runs, four of which were earned, over 5.2 innings of work on Sunday. He gave up seven hits and walked three, striking out four. It was his second start of the season and first loss. The Tigers are now 0-6 on the season, their worst start since they started 0-9 in 2003, when they lost an AL-record 119 games. |
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| Mark Buehrle rebounded from a seven run beat-down on opening day to hold the hapless Tigers to two runs and seven hits over seven innings on Sunday. Buerhle's effort wasn't clean, but he was helped by double plays in each of his last four innings. |
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| Nick Swisher hit is first home run of the season on Sunday as the White Sox handed the Tigers their sixth straight loss. The solo-shot gave Swisher his first RBI of the season as well. Swisher later singled with the bases loaded to record his second run batted in, and he scored twice in the win. |
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| Xavier Nady went 2-for-5 with two RBI against Florida on Sunday, and notably collected his third home run of the season. He is off to a great start as he now has 10 hits and nine RBI over his first six games of the season. |
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| Rod Barajas was awarded the start over Gregg Zaun against Boston on Sunday, but he was a grave disappointment as he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. He is fighting Zaun for playing time, and today's outing did not help his cause. |
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| Jeremy Accardo nailed down his third save of the season in a 7-4 win over Boston on Sunday, as he allowed no runs on two hits over his inning, with one strikeout. He is filling in nicely until BJ Ryan is ready to retain his closer's role. |
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| Roy Halladay earned his first win of the season on Sunday against Boston as he allowed four runs on eight hits over eight innings of work, with one walk and six strikeouts. He gave up three home runs but still won the game, as Toronto prevailed 7-4. If not for strong run support, Halladay would be 0-2 right now. |
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| Jacoby Ellsbury started over Coco Crisp in center field on Sunday against Toronto, and he didn't disappoint as he went 1-for-4 with a solo home run. That was a good day as he continues to battle Crisp for playing time in the Red Sox outfield. |
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| Josh Beckett returned to the mound on Sunday against Toronto, but ended the day with a loss as he surrendered five runs on three hits (one home run) over 4.2 innings of work, with four walks and six strikeouts, as Boston ultimately fell 7-4. He lost, but it was great to see him back in action, and his six strikeouts were very positive. He should continue to get stronger with each start, and his fantasy stock is back on the rise. |
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| Hideki Matsui went 3-for-4 with two RBI, and notably blasted his second homer of the season in a 2-0 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday. That was a great outing for him as he was only hitting 4-for-16 coming into today's game. |
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| Carl Crawford went 0-for-4 in a 2-0 loss to the Yankees on Sunday. He was only hitting 4-for-19 coming into today's game, with four strikeouts. |
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| James Shields was dealt his first loss of the season on Sunday as he allowed two runs on eight hits over five innings, with one walk and five strikeouts, as Tampa Bay fell to New York 2-0. That was a solid outing for him overall, and most of the damage came off of a two-run homer by Hideki Matsui. You can't blame him for no run support, and he should bounce back fine. |
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| Miguel Cabrera is only hitting 2-for-14 with one home run this season, and needs to break out of his slump as the winless Tigers battle the rival White Sox on Sunday. He has not performed up to high expectations since signing his lucrative new deal, due primarily to his quad ailment. |
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| Today's starting pitcher Justin Verlander has not fared well against Chicago in the past, according to MLB.com. Verlander has been unsteady against the White Sox in his career, as he holds a 1-4 record and a 5.96 ERA, while allowing 49 hits and 30 earned runs in 45.1 innings. He had three no-decisions and a 3.66 ERA against the Sox in 2007.
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| Ryan Sweeney has fared very well against Cliff Lee, today's starting pitcher for Cleveland, according to MLB.com. Sweeney is hitting 6-for-23 with two homers and seven RBI against Lee, and this would be a good day to pencil him into your lineup. |
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| Ryan Garko has collected a hit in all five games so far this season, according to MLB.com. He is hitting 7-for-19 overall, with one homer and three RBI. His fantasy stock is on the rise. |
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| Cliff Lee is going to start at Oakland today, and notably hasn't fared well against the Athletics on the road, according to MLB.com. He is 2-1 with a 3.08 against the A's at home over seven career starts, but is 0-1 with a 7.59 ERA over two starts at McAfee Coliseum. He is going to square off against Joe Blanton. |
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| As expected, Josh Beckett will return to the starting rotation today against Toronto, according to ESPN.com. He has been activated off the DL and will battle Roy Halladay. We will post news on his performance following the game. |
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| Marco Scutaro is expected to start at third base against the Red Sox on Sunday, according to the Providence Journal. Scutaro has been nursing a hand ailment, but is reportedly ready to go today. |
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| Gregg Zaun will ride the pine today in favor of Rod Barajas, according to the Providence Journal. He was battling a sore hamstring through spring training, and is off to a cold start as he only has three hits over 13 a-bats so far, with three strikeouts. |
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| Rod Barajas will start at catcher over Gregg Zaun on Sunday, according to the Providence Journal. He has two hits over four at-bats so far. |
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| Coco Crisp is going to ride the pine in favor of Jacoby Ellsbury on Sunday, according to the Providence Journal. Crisp is only hitting 4-for-17 so far this season, with no RBI. |
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| Jacoby Ellsbury will get the start in center field today, according to the Providence Journal. Ellsbury only has two hits over 11 at-bats so far, but gets the start over Coco Crisp today. |
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| Jason Bay will not start on Sunday against the Marlins, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He has been struggling at the plate as he only registered three hits over 18 at-bats, with seven strikeouts, and hopefully he will get on track when he returns. |
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| Jason Giambi is questionable for Sunday action due to his sore groin, according to the SportsNetwork. He only has one hit over 12 at-bats this season. |
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| Jerry Owens could be out of action for longer than expected, according to the Chicago Tribune. He is nursing a right adductor tear and team GM Ken Williams stated, "I don't have any date for his return in mind, and I won't hear a date until we say, 'We'll bring him back today. But it's going to be awhile. He hasn't played in awhile, so he has to get back in game shape. He's got to get his stroke back. We have to assess where the team is at that point and whether that still is a fit." His initial return will likely be a minor-league rehab assignment starting Thursday, then followed by a team assessment if Owens is needed.
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| Rich Thompson has been optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake to open a roster spot for Scot Shields (came off DL), according to the LA Times. Thompson has allowed five earned runs and two walks in his lone inning of work this season. |
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| Garret Anderson has been serving as the Angels' DH due to a sore ankle, but he is set to return to the outfield today, according to the LA Times. Anderson has seven hits over 25 at-bats this season. |
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| Donnie Murphy started at third base against Cleveland on Saturday, but was forced out of action in the third inning due to a sprained finger. He drew a walk in his only at-bat, and the severity of the ailment is yet to be decided. |
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| Justin Duchscherer will undergo an MRI on Sunday to determine the severity of the right-biceps injury (tendinitis) that forced him out of the A's game Friday against the Indians (after six solid innings of work), according to MercuryNews.com. He is taking anti-inflammatory medicine and noted that his arm was feeling better on Saturday.
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| Scot Shields has been activated from the DL, according to SlamSports. The Angels' setup man should be back in action soon. |
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| Brandon McCarthy has reportedly started a throwing program after more than two weeks of inactivity, according to the Dallas Morning News. McCarthy reported no problems, and remains out until at least May 29 due to his forearm inflammation. |
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| Franklyn German was reportedly pulled in the ninth inning on Friday due to back stiffness, according to the Dallas Morning News. He only faced one batter against the Angels, and did not pitch on Saturday, but he is expected to be available for Sunday. |
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| The Tigers have purchased the minor league contract of Francis Beltran, according to MLB.com. Manager Leyland notably called Beltran the best relief pitcher not to make the team out of spring training, and stated that this move was a "no brainer" due to the current state of his bullpen, which will now be without Fernando Rodney longer than expected. |
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| Ryan Raburn has been sent down to Triple-A Toledo, according to MLB.com. He held no fantasy value for this season. |
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| Erik Bedard has been scratched from his Sunday start against Baltimore, according to the Sports Network. He was set to face his old team, but will miss the game due to inflammation in his left hip. The severity of the ailment is yet to be known. |
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