|
|
| Jon Garland suffered another poor outing this time at the hands of the Mariners as he allowed 12 hits and walk in five innings. Garland also allowed six runs, though only three where earned, as he fell to 1-2 on the year. |
Our View: Through three starts Garland owns a 5.50 ERA and a total of two, yes two, K over 18 IP. Unless he misses more bats, the struggles will likely continue.
|
|
|
|
| In what is becoming a nightly occurrance, Raul Ibanez was the Mariners hitting star on Saturday night as he went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. |
Our View: That's five home runs and 10 RBI in 12 games on the year giving Ibanez an amazing total of 20 HR in his last 67 games dating back to last season.
|
|
|
|
| Aaron Hill continues to blister the ball as he picked up two hits and knocked in three runs for the Jays. |
Our View: Hill didn't get a lot of respect in most circles entering the year, but he seems more than intent to prove that last year's performance is merely his flooring moving forward.
|
|
|
|
| Luis Mendoza made his first start of the season for the Rangers on Saturday as he picked up the loss despite allowing just one run in four innings. |
Our View: Mendoza allowed eight hits and three walks on the night and needed 94 pitches to get just 12 outs.
|
|
|
|
| Roy Halladay threw 111 pitches on his way to a one run, complete game victory over the Rangers. On the night, Halladay walked one, allowed six hits and struck out six. |
Our View: Halladay is an innings eater who has at least four complete games in each of the last four seasons he has thrown at least 140 innings, and while he is no longer as dominant as he once was he is still a staple on many a championship team.
|
|
|
|
| Bobby Crosby continued to hit the ball hard as he knocked his first home run of the season on Saturday on his way to three RBI against the Indians. |
Our View: Despite all the great numbers, the most important one for Crosby in the early going is zero, as in the number of games he has missed due to injury.
|
|
|
|
| Grady Sizemore stole his third base of the season and knocked in his fifth run for the Indians on Saturday. |
Our View: Sizemore has scored only three runs through 11 games, a shockingly low total for a guy who has scored 111 or more in each of the last three seasons. Look for his pace to quicken substantially in the coming weeks.
|
|
|
|
| Fausto Carmona set a career-high with eight walks on Saturday in just 3.1 innings which led three runs and his first loss on the year. |
Our View: Carmona now has an amazing 17 BB in just 16.1 innings on the season meaning that there may not be a more deceiving number than his 2.20 ERA which certainly doesn't speak to how poorly he is really pitching right now.
|
|
|
|
| Jason Hammel bucked history on Saturday night as he entered the game with a 8.83 ERA against the Orioles only to limit them to two runs over seven innings. |
Our View: Hammel walked one and struck out six on the night as tries to convince the Rays brass that he should be in the rotation all year long. Even if he does, his upside is limited to AL Only leagues at best.
|
|
|
|
| Daniel Cabrera pitched his best game of the season on Saturday night as he allowed just one run over 6.2 innings to the Rays. |
Our View: A big key on the night was that he allowed only three walks, though to be fair that is still too high a number for less than seven innings pitched. Cabrera will continue to taunt his owners with an and down performances until he throws strikes more consistently.
|
|
|
|
| Ramon Hernandez finally awoke from his early season slumber with two hits and two RBI, including his second home run of the season, on Saturday night. |
Our View: This big night still leaves him with just a .194 average, though with seven RBI in 11 games he has still found a to knock in a few.
|
|
|
|
| Jose Guillen was dropped to the fifth spot in the order on Saturday night but it did little to change his performance as he went 0-for-4 to fall to .133 with no home runs through 11 games. |
Our View: Maybe he should have just accepted the suspension he was set to serve as the Royals may have been better off with someone else in the lineup.
|
|
|
|
| Jason Kubel had two hits on Saturday night including his third home run of the early season. He now has nine RBI in 10 games for the Twins. |
Our View: Perhaps this early season performance will put the idea of Kubel splitting at-bats this season totally out of the Twins minds. If they just let him play everyday, it would appear that Kubel could possibly produce a 25 HR, 90 RBI type season.
|
|
|
|
| Boof Bonser went six strong inning allowing only three hits and no runs to the Royals to pick up his first victory of the season. |
Our View: Perhaps all the weight that Bonser lost during the off-season really will help him this season, imagine that? Through 19 innings he has posted a 2.84 ERA with only two BB.
|
|
|
|
| J.J. Putz (lat) threw for the fourth straight day without incident on Saturday, this according to the AP. “We’re right where we want to be,” Putz said. “I feel great.” |
Our View: Putz will not return when eligible on April 17th, and no timetable has been set for his return, but this is great news that seems to signal a return will happen sooner rather than later for the team's dominant reliever.
|
|
|
|
| Robinson Cano went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday to up his batting average to .188 through 48 AB. |
Our View: Cano owns a .312 career batting average, so seeing this prolonged slump is a bit shocking, but he still has plenty of time to get that average back up to the .300 range.
|
|
|
|
| In the worst slump of his life, David Ortiz now sits at 3-for-43 on the season, a .070 batting average, after an 0-for-4 outing on Saturday. |
Our View: The lowlight of the day was a checked swing comebacker on a 85 mph Mike Mussina fastball on a 3-1 count. His knee certainly isn't at 100%, but still, this is ridiculous.
|
|
|
|
| Josh Beckett allowed three runs over 6.2 innings to pick up his first victory of the season against the Yankees. |
Our View: Beckett allowed only five hits on the day while picking up five K, and he appeared to be throwing nice an easy following his bout with injury earlier in the year.
|
|
|
|
| Jonathan Papelbon worked around a lengthy rain delay to pick up his fourth save of the season on Saturday against the Yankees. |
Our View: Pablebon has now picked up an amazing 12 K in six innings on the season as he continues to be the most dominating closer in the business.
|
|
|
|
| Ryan Sweeney was removed from the A's game on Saturday with what is being called a strained right quad, this according to the AP. |
Our View: This doesn't appear to be a catastrophic injury, though the A's likely want to play it safe considering it's about minus 213 degrees in Cleveland tonight. If he is out for a while, look for Chris Denorfia to pick up most of the AB in the A's outfield.
|
|
|
|
| Anthony Reyes picked up the first save of his career on Saturday as he pitched the 10th inning of the Cardinals victory over the Giants. |
Our View: With Jason Insringhasuen off to a great start to the season, Reyes figures to only pick up the rare save opportunity so don't go scrambling to the waiver-wire to find him.
|
|
|
|
| The Royals shook up their batting order on Saturday as they dropped Jose Guillen to fifth and promoted Billy Butler to cleanup, this according to MLB.com. The team also dropped Joey Gathright to ninth and put Alberto Callaspo in the leadoff spot. |
Our View: The Royals haven't been shy about switching spots in the order in the early going so these moves shouldn't be considered too surprising, though this might signal that Gathright will return to the bench once David DeJesus is healthy.
|
|
|
|
| Bartolo Colon is nearing a return to the hill despite suffering from an injury to his right oblique, this according to MLB.com. "He had a very good exam," said Terry Francona. "Whether it's tomorrow or the next day, we're close [to throwing]." |
Our View: Colon won't be rushed back to the mound, but the Sox are optimistic that at some point in the not to distant future Colon will be able to contribute at the big league level.
|
|
|
|
| Jim Thome is hitting only .158 on the year but that doesn't mean anyone in Chicago is panicking, this according to MLB.com. "I'm starting to feel better, so I just have to grind it out and keep battling," Thome said. "One thing I've learned is never get too high or too low during good and bad times. |
Our View: Of note is the fact that Thome has only three walks in 10 games, so he has not only lost his production, he is still in the process of working into any kid of groove at the plate.
|
|
|
|
| Orlando Cabrera took a fastball from Justin Verlander off his ear flap on Saturday, but he remained in the game and was fine thereafter, this according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Cabrera might take Sunday off just to be sure he is fit, but the good news is that this shouldn't affect him long-term.
|
|
|
|
| Dontrelle Willis was placed on the 15-day DL due to his hyperextended right knee, this according to the AP. “There is no tear, so that’s good,” Willis said Saturday. “We’ll see how I feel tomorrow. I’ll take it day-by-day. I felt better today, just a little stiffness.” |
Our View: By being placed on the DL, Willis will save his owners the decision of whether or not they should start him given his less than scintillating performance in a Tigers uniform.
|
|
|
|
| A.J. Pierzynski enjoyed another productive outing at the plate, as he went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Saturday's 7-0 win over Detroit. He raised his average to .438, and has collected nine RBI over eight games. |
Our View: He remains among the most productive fantasy catchers in the early going, and you should continue to start him while he's hot.
|
|
|
|
| Alberto Callaspo will start at shortstop against the Twins tonight, according to the Star Tribune. He will bat leadoff as well. |
Our View: The utility man has fared well in the early going as he is hitting 5-for-14, with two extra base hits, and one RBI. He is yet to strike out as well.
|
|
|
|
| Orlando Cabrera went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Saturday's 7-0 win over the Tigers, and he notably registered his first home run as a member of the White Sox. |
Our View: He scored two runs in this game as well, and is seemingly starting to come around.
|
|
|
|
| Justin Verlander got rocked for four runs on six hits (one home run) over 7.2 innings of work in Saturday's 7-0 loss to the White Sox, with four walks and three strikeouts. |
Our View: He is carrying a 6.52 ERA, and really needs to bounce back in his next start.
|
|
|
|
| Gavin Floyd lost his bid for a no hitter in the eighth inning today, but improved to 2-0 for the season, as he only allowed the one hit over 7.1 innings of work against the Tigers, with four walks and four strikeouts. |
Our View: He lowered his ERA to 2.02 and his fantasy stock is on the rise. Target him if you need help near the bottom of your rotation.
|
|
|
|
| Nick Punto will start in place of Mike Lamb at third base tonight, according to the Star Tribune. Lamb is nursing a foot ailment, and is listed as day-to-day. |
Our View: Punto will bat ninth in the order, and doesn't merit fantasy consideration.
|
|
|
|
| Matt Tolbert will make another start at shortstop for the Twins tonight, according to the Star Tribune. |
Our View: He is hitting .556 over 18 at-bats, and is worth penciling into your lineups, especially if you lost Jeter, Rollins, or Reyes to injury.
|
|
|
|
| Jon Garland is set to take the hill today against Seattle, a team that he has fared well against, according to MLB.com. Garland is 6-2 with a 3.15 ERA over his career against the Mariners. |
Our View: Garland should have another solid outing against the Mariners, and should be in your lineups.
|
|
|
|
| Ken Griffey Jr. has a good track record against Ian Snell, today's opposing pitcher for Pittsburgh, according to MLB.com. He is 6-for-11 with one homer and four RBI over his career against Snell. |
Our View: Griffey is off to a favorable start and should be penciled into your lineups today.
|
|
|
|
| Robinson Cano has slipped another spot in the Yankees' order as he is set to bat seventh against Boston on Saturday, according to the Boston Globe. He is only hitting .159 over 44 at-bats, with only one extra base hit. |
Our View: This is really surprisng to see him struggle following a red hot spring training, and a strong 2007 campaign.
|
|
|
|
| Jorge Posada will serve as the Yankees' DH again today as they battle the rival Red Sox, according to the Boston Globe. He is set to bat sixth in the lineup. |
Our View: Jose Molina will continue to fill in at catcher until he is strong enough to return.
|
|
|
|
| Milton Bradley is riding a seven-game hit streak, and he will look to extend it tonight against hurler Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: This is surprising, as he only has nine hits over nine games overall.
|
|
|
|
| Manager John Gibbons stated that B.J. Ryan will pitch at least two more times in the Minors, which sets up his potential return to the Jays during the April 18-21 homestand against the Tigers, according to MLB.com. Gibbons added, "That's a very good possibility." |
Our View: This is good news, and Ryan should step back into the closer's role when he returns.
|
|
|
|
| Coco Crisp will ride the pine in favor of Jacoby Ellsbury today against the Yankees, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: Crisp has been more productive in center field so far, as he holds a .296 average over 27 at-bats, while Ellsbury is only hitting .176.
|
|
|
|
| Jacoby Ellsbury will start in center field over Coco Crisp today, according to the Boston Globe. He will lead off, and gets the call against Yankees' righty Mike Mussina. |
Our View: Ellsbury is only hitting .176 over 17 at-bats and really needs to perform well today, if he wants to earn more playing time over Crisp.
|
|
|
|
| Edgar Renteria ended Gavin Floyd's bid at a no hitter today, as he smashed a single in the eighth inning. The White Sox still lead the game 1-0, and setup man Scott Linebrink has replaced Floyd. |
Our View: Renteria was not the likely candidate to break it up, as he is only hitting .238 so far this season.
|
|
|
|
| Gavin Floyd just had his bid at a no hitter ended in the eighth inning, when Edgar Renteria hit a single. |
Our View: Floyd has been a pleasant surprise in the early going this season.
|
|
|
|
| Ross Gload has fared well against Boof Bonser, today's opposing pitcher for Minnesota, according to MLB.com. He is hitting 7-for-20 over his career against Bonser. |
Our View: Bonser is currently 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA, and Gload is worth penciling into your lineups today, as he is hitting .324 over 37 at-bats so far.
|
|
|
|
| There is still no word on when David DeJesus will return, according to MLB.com. His injured ankle has kept him out of his ninth straight game on Friday, and as usual, he stated that he felt better than yesterday. |
Our View: Joey Gathright will continue to hold down center field until he can return.
|
|
|
|
| Boof Bonser is set to take the hill today, but he notably has a poor track record against the Royals on the road, according to MLB.com. Over his career, Bonser is 1-2 with a 5.85 ERA in four appearances at Kauffman Stadium.
|
Our View: Bonser is off to an 0-2 start with a 4.15 ERA, and should be headed for another tough outing against the upstart Royals.
|
|
|
|
| Daniel Cabrera is set to take the hill against the Rays today, and notably has an unbeaten record against them, according to MLB.com. Over 11 career games against the Rays, Cabrera is 6-0 with a 3.63 ERA. |
Our View: It sounds like Cabrera will have a good chance to pick up his first win of 2008 today. He will be looking to trim his 9.00 ERA as well.
|
|
|
|
| Jason Hammel has a poor track record against Baltimore, according to MLB.com. He is set to take the hill today, and holds a 0-3 mark with a 8.83 ERA against Baltimore over his career. |
Our View: He is off to an 0-1 start with a 6.00 ERA, and won't likely bounce back today.
|
|
|
|
| Dontrelle Willis underwent an MRI on his injured knee on Saturday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The injury was initially believed to be a hyperextension, and we will keep you posted on the results of the MRI.
|
|
|
|
| Bobby Crosby has reached base safely in all 11 games for Oakland this season, and looks to extend his streak today against hurler Fausto Carmona and the Indians, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: He is hitting .326 overall, but he will have to work hard to extend his streak, as Carmona is notably 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA so far.
|
|
|
|
| Travis Buck is nursing shin splints, but will probably be in the lineup today against hurler Fausto Carmona and the Indians, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: He could use another day off, as he is only hitting .189 over 37 at-bats, with 12 strikeouts. Carmona is notably 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA right now.
|
|
|
|
| Miguel Cabrera is playing first base today in place of the injured Carlos Guillen, according to MLB.com. Manager Leyland noted that his move to first today is only a preventative measure to avoid worsening his quad ailment. He is not going to move to first base. |
Our View: Cabrera really needs to get on track, as he is only hitting .182 over 33 at-bats.
|
|
|
|
| Clete Thomas is starting in center field for the Tigers today, according to MLB.com. Brandon Inge will cover third base in place of Miguel Cabrera, who is filling in at first base for the injured Carlos Guillen. |
Our View: Thomas has fared very well so far, as he holds a .476 average over 21 at-bats, with one stolen base. He is worthy of a spot start if you have him on your roster.
|
|
|
|
| Brandon Inge is starting at third base today, according to MLB.com. Miguel Cabrera is playing first in place of the injured Carlos Guillen. |
Our View: Inge should be in your lineups as well, as he has collected two homers and nine RBI over 10 games played this season, with a .294 average.
|
|
|
|
| Carlos Guillen is out of the Tigers' lineup today, according to MLB.com. He is nursing a hamstring ailment, and is day-to-day. |
Our View: Miguel Cabrera will move over from third base to take his spot at first.
|
|
|
|
| Contrary to a Friday report on MLB.com , Nick Swisher is at the top of the lineup and playing center field against the Tigers today. |
Our View: Swisher, who is expected to excel with his move from Oakland to Chicago, is hitting .259 with two home runs and four RBI in nine games so far this season.
|
|
|
|
| J.D. Drew has hit safely in all eight games he has played in this season, and he will look to extend his streak today against the rival Yankees, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Drew has been a hot fantasy outfielder so far, as he holds a .429 average with three homers and eight RBI. He has struck out nine times, but he is forgiven.
|
|
|
|
| Josh Beckett is set for his second start of the season today as Boston battles hated rival New York, according to MLB.com. He gave up five earned runs in his first game back (at Toronto), but could fare better today at home, as he was 9-5 with a 4.17 ERA at Fenway in 2007. |
Our View: This should be a great test for the Red Sox ace, as he continues to regain his strength.
|
|
|
|
| Jermaine Dye will be looking to extend a 10-game hitting streak against the Tigers today, according to MLB.com. He is hitting .405 over the span. |
Our View: He is off to a solid start overall, as he holds a .382 average over 34 at-bats.
|
|
|
|
| Carlos Guillen is expected to get checked out on Saturday morning after injuring his right hamstring while running down the first-base line in the ninth inning yesterday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The severity of his ailment is yet to be determined.
|
|
|
|
| Gary Sheffield is expected to be in the Tigers' lineup today, according to MLB.com. Sheffield took Friday off after experiencing swelling in his injured right ring finger on the Tigers' Friday morning flight from Boston. |
Our View: He is only hitting .190 over 21 at-bats this season, and the injury won't help matters.
|
|
|
|
| Freddie Bynum said that he felt no pain after returning to full baseball activities, and added that he will begin playing games in extended spring training on Monday, according to the Washington Post. Bynum hopes to be ready next month, as he recovers from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
|
Our View: The utility man was going to contend for the starting shortstop job before giving in to surgery, and could hold some fantasy value later in the season.
|
|
|
|
| Chris Ray, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, has progressed favorably in his throwing program and will begin pitching off flat ground early next month, with hopes of throwing from a mound in mid-May, according to the Washington Post. Manager Trembley noted that it might be a few months until Ray is ready to do so, however.
|
Our View: Ray will compete with George Sherrill to get his closer's job back when he ultimately returns.
|
|
|
|
| Fernando Cabrera is making favorable progress as he tries to returm from elbow surgery, according to the Washington Post. He reportedly looked strong during a pregame pen session that included 35 pitches, mostly consisting of fastballs. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz stated, "Cabrera was as good as I've seen him. His delivery looked like it was much improved from what I saw in spring training. His arm strength looks real good." He will pitch again on Sunday.
|
Our View: Cabrera will work his way into the bullpen mix when he eventually returns.
|
|
|
|
| Eddie Guardado is nursing a sore shoulder and could ultimately land on the DL, according to the MLB.com. |
Our View: Guardado was off to a favorable start, but his fantasy value is limited especially considering all the arm issues he has had the past couple of seasons.
|
|
|
|
| Dustin Nippert could be designated for assigment or even placed on waivers, according to the AP. The team needs to make room on the roster for Luis Mendoza, and Nippert is believed to be expendable. |
Our View: He allowed six runs over 3.1 innings this season, and holds no fantasy value.
|
|
|
|
| Joe Inglett has been called up from Triple-A Syracuse, according to the AP. |
Our View: He notably went 3-for-5 over two games in 2007, with two RBI, but he won't likely get much playing time this season.
|
|
|
|
| Buck Coats has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, according to the AP. |
Our View: He notched a stolen base on his only hit this season, but will have to wait to be called back up before he can prove his worth as a base stealing demon.
|
|
|
|
| Brandon Inge could possibly start at catcher for the Tigers on Sunday against division rival Chicago, according to the Detroit News. Manager Leyland commented, "Inge could start at catcher. Maybe, with Kenny Rogers on the mound. But I don't know for sure."
|
Our View: The team needs to keep him on the field wherever they can fit him as he has been their most consistent offensive weapon, with a .294 average over 10 games, with two homers, nine RBI, and one stolen base.
|
|
|
|
| Fernando Rodney threw a favorable session on Friday, according to the Detroit News. He hurled 35-40 pitches in a bullpen session on Friday in Lakeland, Fla., and his velocity was reportedly about 80% and he threw, "with greater intensity." He will throw again on Monday, and this was an encouraging outing for him.
|
Our View: This is good news, but his fantasy stock is yet to go back up.
|
|
|
|
| Macay McBride needed to undergo surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left elbow, and he will miss the remainder of the 2008 season, according to the | |
