|
|
| Homer Bailey threw 7.1 scoreless innings on Saturday to improve his record to 3-1. He allowed five hits, one walk and struck out three batters. |
Our View: Bailey’s strikeout rate is not great, but his control has significantly improved upon last season when he was pitching for Louisville. He has allowed only four walks in 26.1 innings. With Josh Fogg struggling at the end of the Cincy rotation and Matt Belisle being no guarantee to hold down the fort, Bailey’s next chance in the majors could come soon.
|
|
|
|
| Chad Qualls extended his scoreless run to start the season to 9.2 innings as he allowed just one hit to pick up his fourth hold. |
Our View: Tony Pena might be second in line for saves behind Brandon Lyon, but no pitcher in the Arizona pen is pithing better than Qualls who has nine K and has allowed just four hits on the season.
|
|
|
|
| Chris Young rebounded from his horrible outing last time out to hold the D'backs to just two runs over six innings. Young picked up the no-decision as he allowed three hits and three walks while striking out four. |
Our View: Young's ERA is 4.57, but in three of his four starts he has allowed two or fewer runs. Still, he walked another three batters tonight leaving him with an entirely too high 6.23 BB/9 through 21.2 IP.
|
|
|
|
| Brian Giles hit his second home run of the season on Saturday as he knocked in two runs. He also took two walks. |
Our View: Giles continues to get on base at the top of the order for the Padres, but amazingly he has scored only four runs in 15 games as his mates have failed to knock him in.
|
|
|
|
| Eric Byrnes extended his hitting streak to 14-games on Saturday as he went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a runs scored for Arizona. |
Our View: Byrnes has always been a strong starter and this year is no different as he is hitting .314 with 15 runs scored. He seems to have found a home in the second spot in the order.
|
|
|
|
| Felipe Lopez had two hits and a run scored on Saturday night giving him five hits and three runs the past two nights. |
Our View: Lopez has upped his batting average to .275, and given the fact that Ronnie Belliard is only hitting .212 in the early going, Lopez is making a real push to take over the starting job at second base.
|
|
|
|
| Dan Uggla is starting to work his way out of a terrible start to the season as he totaled two hits, a walk and an RBI in four AB. |
Our View: Uggla still is hitting below the Mendoza line at .188, but after back-to-back seasons of at least 27 HR, 88 RBI and 105 runs, you know that the production will eventually show come with Uggla.
|
|
|
|
| Making his first start of the season, Shawn Hill threw 85 pitches over five innings as he allowed four runs to the Marlins. Hill permitted eight hits without a single walk on the night as he struck out six. |
Our View: Not a bad first outing at all for a guy who has been dealing with arm issues all year. If reports come back that his arm is no worse for the wear, it would be a good time to add Hill to your staff if you are in a deep mixed league.
|
|
|
|
| Kevin Gregg blew the save on Saturday night as he allowed two unearned runs, but the Marlins rebounded to win it in the bottom of the inning to allow Gregg to pick up his second victory. |
Our View: Gregg has already walked five batters in 9.1 innings, and a lot of his struggles can be laid at the feat of that one number. Still, he has a 3.24 ERA and three saves in the early going.
|
|
|
|
| Manny Ramirez continued to destroy pitchers in the early going as he hit his sixth home run and knocked in his 19th and 20th runs of the season for the Sox. |
Our View: Manny is hitting .342 with all those RBI, and it appears that all the hoopla surrounding his off-season conditioning program wasn't hyperbole.
|
|
|
|
| Brad Hawpe had two hits and an RBI in the Rockies victory over the Astros on Saturday. |
Our View: Hawpe is hitting a terrible .208 on the year though he has as many BB (12) as K (12). Look for the average to climb and the run production to follow.
|
|
|
|
| Aaron Cook pitched seven strong innings on Saturday night as he held the Astros to two runs, one earned, in his second victory. |
Our View: Cook now owns a very un-Colorado like 3.12 ERA through four starts, but sooner or later the batters will catch up since he just doesn't possess dominating stuff.
|
|
|
|
| Michael Bourn stole two bases for the Astros on Saturday to up his season total to 11. |
Our View: Bourn had a hit on the night but he is batting just .224 with an OBP of barely .300. Unless he finds a way to get on base more frequently, it will be almost impossible for him to keep up this pace on the basepaths.
|
|
|
|
| J.R. Towles started and played nine innings on Saturday night going 1-for-3 with a solo HR in the Astros loss. |
Our View: Towles continues to be productive when he is on the field as he now has four HR in just 36 AB, but he needs to stay healthy enough for it to matter moving forward.
|
|
|
|
| Wandy Rodriguez was forced from his start on Saturday night after four innings because of a sore left groin, according to the AP. Rodriguez allowed two runs on five hits and three walks before being replaced by Oscar Villarreal. |
Our View: We will update you when more information is available.
|
|
|
|
| Derrek Lee hit his seventh home run of the season on Saturday though he was removed in the sixth inning due to a sore neck, this according to the AP. |
Our View: Lee said the issue was minor and that he expects to play on Sunday. Let's hope he does play cause he has been hotter than a skillet on the stove thus far.
|
|
|
|
| Yovani Gallardo may or may not start on Sunday as the Brewers still haven't announced who will be on the hill to face the Reds, this according to MLB.com. "We're not prepared to say," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "We'll meet and decide what our options are." |
Our View: David Bush should be the starter as he is on normal rest, but he has been brutal this year and Gallardo seems to have overcome his knee issues. We would guess that it's Gallardo who will get the call, but the fact that the team isn't making it official yet is enough for us to pause.
|
|
|
|
| Felipe Lopez, who has been in the lineup the past few days, will also be in the lineup again on Sunday as he attempts to recapture a starting role with the Nationals, this according to MLB.com. "It's good to be back in the lineup," Lopez said. "I think I can do a lot of things to help this team -- like I've done in the past." |
Our View: Lopez stole 24 bases and scored 70 runs last season, so it's not as if he is devoid of talent. He can be a very useful bench player even in mixed leagues, especially since he has already dressed for seven games in the outfield.
|
|
|
|
| The Astros will switch their batting order on Saturday, this according to MLB.com. Carlos Lee will now bat fifth behind Miguel Tejada in third and Lance Berkman in the cleanup role. "You might even see a different [lineup] tomorrow," manager Cecil Cooper said. "We wasted too much time. We've got to get this thing turned around soon, because we can't continue to go on like we have been." |
Our View: This move doesn't make a lot of sense. Why take the best OBP bat in your lineup in Berkman, and drop him to fourth in the order? All three bats will produce big numbers by the end of the year no matter where they hit, so don't be overly concerned at this switch.
|
|
|
|
| In a less than shocking announcement, the Nationals will continue to use Jon Rauch as their close until Chad Cordero proves his shoulder is healthy, this according to MLB.com. Cordero will only be used in certain spot situations as he tries to regain the eight mph he has lost off his fastball. |
Our View: Cordero should be reserved immediately, and hopefully those of you who rostered him also handcuffed him with Rauch who could emerge as the team's closer even when Cordero is healthy.
|
|
|
|
| Bob Howry has really struggled in the early going, but he think he is close to returning to his old dominating ways, this according to MLB.com. "If you're throwing 89 or 90 [mph], you can't throw it down the middle of the plate and expect it not to get hit," he said. "If you're feeling good and throwing 95 [mph], you can get away with a few pitches like that." |
Our View: Howry is nothing more than the third option in the pen anyways, but after two great seasons in Chicago his poor start has gotten a lot of people concerned. Howry doesn't need to be owned at this point, but keep an eye on how things play out in that Cubs pen cause Howry could be relevant in a hurry.
|
|
|
|
| Huston Street earned his fifth save on Saturday though he did allow a run on two hits. |
Our View: Stree has appeared in eight games this season, and he has been scored upon in four of those outings leading to a 5.79 ERA. His arm appears sound, and reports are positive, but he just hasn't been making his pitch at some important times.
|
|
|
|
| Pedro Feliz continues to struggle in his first year in Philadelphia as he went 0-for-2 to fall to .203. |
Our View: Feliz did walk twice on Saturday, he now has six on the year, but unless he starts hitting soon he could lose time to Greg Dobbs who did a solid job filling in at third base last season.
|
|
|
|
| Chase Utley socked his sixth long ball of the season on Saturday as he upped his average to .324 thanks to two hits. |
Our View: Utley is, simply put, the best hitting second baseman in the game.
|
|
|
|
| Jamie Moyer lasted six innings, and though he was saddled with the loss, he didn't pitch badly allowing just two runs on seven hits and a walk. |
Our View: When his control is on Moyer can still put up a lot of zeros, though of course his days as a top-flight hurler are long gone. Moyer has only seven K in 20.2 innings, so his value is limited mostly to W's at this point.
|
|
|
|
| Oliver Perez pitched 5.2 up and down innings on Saturday, but he held the Phillies scoreless to pick up his second win of the season. Perez struck out seven, but walked five on the day. |
Our View: Perez can dominate and strike out 10 at any time, but he can also walk half the batters he faces. Today was a little of both, but the fact that he pitched through it against a touch Phillies squad is a great sign that Perez is ready to make some serious noise this year.
|
|
|
|
| David Wright had two hits and two RBI to raise his average to .344 on the season. |
Our View: Wright now has 19 RBI in just 16 games, and he appears intent on justifying his top-5 fantasy selection. So far, so good.
|
|
|
|
| Jose Reyes had two hits, two runs, two RBI and a SB on Saturday for the Mets. One of the two hits was a double, the other his second home run. |
Our View: So much for Reyes struggling. He looked great today and seemed to have some of the old spring back in his step. He's good to go in all weekly leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Manny Acosta picked up the first save of his young career in the Braves 4-1 victory over the Dodgers. |
Our View: Blaine Boyer worked the 8th without incident, and Acosta came in to shut the door for the Braves. If he hasn't already been grabbed in your league, now is the time to pounce on Acosta, and Boyer makes a nice pickup in NL Only leagues as he appears to be second in line for saves in the depleted Braves pen.
|
|
|
|
| Chad Billingsley dominated the Braves for four innings before falling apart in the fifth inning when he allowed four runs to pick up the loss. All told, Billingsley allowed six hits and five walks, though he did strikeout nine batters. |
Our View: As if often the case with Billingsley, he cruises along for a while and then just loses all control of the strike zone. He continues to have a very high ceiling, but he also comes with some risk as can bee seen by his 0-3 record and 6.14 ERA on the season.
|
|
|
|
| Chuck James had a much more successful outing in his second start as he held the Dodgers to just one run over five innings to pick up the win. James allowed four hits and a walk, while striking out two, in the victory. |
Our View: James has had a rough start to the year dealing with injury, and he has also continued to be plagued by the longball (two in two starts this season). If he doesn't cut down on the home runs, there isn't much reason to expect an improvement on last seasons numbers (4.24 ERA, 1.38 WHIP).
|
|
|
|
| Andruw Jones, following in the footsteps of Prince Fielder, broke a long homerless drought on Saturday as Jones hit his first home run in a Dodgers uniform in his 55th AB. |
Our View: Jones also walked twice on the day but he is still hitting a sickly .182 with just three RBI, hardly the type of production the Braves thought they would get when they signed him this off-season.
|
|
|
|
| Brandon Phillips and Ken Griffey Jr. will swap spots in the batting order with Phillips moving into the third hole, this according to MLB.com. |
Our View: This move now puts two lefties, Griffey and Adam Dunn back-to-back, but given the talents of both that means that there shouldn't be much concern of late inning specialists being effective. Plus, Phillips has struggled early on and his 30/30 talents seem better suited for the third hole than the cleanup role anyway.
|
|
|
|
| Mike Hampton had another successful bullpen session on Saturday as he continues to try and work his way back onto the mound, this according to MLB.com. "It went pretty well -- I threw just breaking balls this time," said Hampton. "I didn't feel anything bite me. Mentally, I'm a little tentative, maybe, trying to feel my way through it." |
Our View: You know just far a guy has fallen when a 50-pitch bullpen outing generates so much interest. Hampton will throw another session on Tuesday, and if that goes well he will likely be sent out on a minor league rehab assignment.
|
|
|
|
| Denny Bautista has been a godsend so far this seat as he has thrived in the setup role for the Tigers, this according to MLB.com. "Hopefully, he's found a niche," manager Jim Leyland said. "We're trying to keep him in a one-inning stint to give him some more confidence. So far he has responded very well." |
Our View: With both Fernando Rodney and Joel Zumaya on the sidelines, the Tigers were searching for a bridge to Todd Jones. Consider that bridge built with Bautista who is a valuable play in AL Only leagues at the moment.
|
|
|
|
| Todd Coffey has had a rough start to the 2008 season, but he still hasn't lost faith in his ability, this according to MLB.com. "That's the difference this year," Coffey said. "Used to be when I got myself into trouble, I couldn't get myself out of it." |
Our View: Coffey had a nice outing last time on the hill going 2.1 innings on Friday, though he has little value at the moment except in leagues that reward points for holds.
|
|
|
|
| Erick Threets was placed on the DL on Saturday because of a right intercostal strain, this according to MLB.com. To take his roster spot the team recalled 39 year old Keiichi Yabu. |
Our View: Neither of these guys warrant any interest in any fantasy league, but news is news, and we guess there might be someone out there in a really deep NL Only league that cares.
|
|
|
|
| Joey Votto went 1-for-4 on Saturday but that one hit was a two run home run for the Reds. |
Our View: Votto continues to be productive as his home run was off lefty Brian Shouse today. If he continues to hit left-handed pitching well, there is no reason to believe he will relinquish much playing time to Scott Hatteberg.
|
|
|
|
| Fred Lewis hopes that this season is the start of a long major league career as he continues to fill the leadoff role with the Giants with Dave Roberts injured, this according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Lewis, who has only one SB, spoke about wanting to be more involved in the running game, but hitting over .400 in his last nine games still proves that Lewis can be a fine option in NL Only leagues at the moment.
|
|
|
|
| Matt Belisle will replace Josh Fogg in the Reds starting rotation and take his first turn on Monday, this according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Fogg has been awful with a 1-2 record with a 13.50 ERA, so the Reds had to do something. The big surprise is that they went with Belisle over Homer Bailey, but until Homer can harness his stuff, the Reds are likely in better hands with Belisle.
|
|
|
|
| Pittsburgh catcher Ryan Doumit struggled through tough times at the plate today in the Pirates 1-13 drumming from the Chicago Cubs. Doumit went 0-for-3, striking out in all three at-bats on the day. |
Our View: Doumit started hot but has since cooled, and today's performance has to be graded as the low point of young season thus far.
|
|
|
|
| While the Cubbies were giving runs of support by the dozen (plus one), pitcher Jason Marquis didn't need much help in keeping the Pittsburgh Pirates in check. Chicago won 1-13 while Marquis pitched a gem, going six innings with 102 pitches (67 for strikes), allowing just one run on six hits. Marquis walked just one and struck out seven on the day, getting his first win of the season. |
Our View: Marquis has struggled with control thus far, walking six in his first two starts with just four strike outs to match. Today, he had it working and looked great.
|
|
|
|
| In a game bloated with offense, several of the top dogs for the Chicago Cubs bathed in the riches of bad pitching offered by the Pirates to finish the 1-13 win today. Only one starter (CF Reed Johnson) failed to get a hit and they all got on base as the Cubs put on an offensive clinic. |
Our View: The top performers on the day included SS Ryan Theriot (2-for-4, three runs scored), Derrek Lee (1-for-3 with HR and 2 RBIs), Daryle Ward (1-for-1 with a HR, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored), Kosuke Fukudome (1-for-3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored), Mark DeRosa (1-for-3 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI), and catcher Geovany Soto (2-for-4 with one walk and one RBI). Fukudome and DeRoso also added stolen bases in what can only be described as a game to forget for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
|
|
|
|
| Milwaukee's Eric Gagne picked up his sixth save of the season today, facing three batters in the ninth and closing it out with one strike out, one ground ball, and one fly out. |
Our View: Since allowing two homers in his first three games, Gagne has been steady, not allowing a single run since.
|
|
|
|
| Cincinnati RHP Johnny Cueto enjoyed a strong day on the mound, but his team failed to support the cause after he exited stage right and thus the win was lost as the Reds fell 5-3 to the Milwaukee Brewers. Cueto threw 99 pitches over seven full innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits. Cueto surrendered just two walks and one home run while striking out five. |
Our View: Cueto's performance today is actually a fall from his recent outings where he has totaled 6, 8, and 10 strike outs respectively. He's working at a much higher level and many of us anticipated and has given the fans in Cincy hope for a better tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
| Prince Fielder enjoyed a productive day at the plate in Milwaukee's 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Fielder went 1-for-3 at the plate with two walks and two runs scored, including his fifth double of the season. |
Our View: Fielder has struggled more often than not this season, touting just one homer and 11 RBIs on the season. Anything (like today) to help get him going must be a welcome change.
|
|
|
|
| Bill Hall did most of the heavy lifting on offense for the Brewers today as Milwaukee put the Cincinnati Reds to bed by a score of 5-3. Hall was 2-for-5 at the plate, hitting his third double of the season with three RBIs on the day. |
|
|
|
| If Frank Thomas was frustrated before, Matt Stairs did little to calm him down today. Thomas has been pulled in favor of Stairs for the starting DH job and the veteran journeyman responded, hitting 2-of-3 at the plate with a run scored and a walk. |
Our View: Stairs is now hitting .333 on the season.
|
|
|
|
| The Giants dedicated big dollars to add free-agent outfielder Aaron Rowand to the club this offseason, and his performance today shows why. Rowand went 3-for-4 at the plate, hitting his first home run of the year off Joel Pineiro and collecting two RBI along the way. |
Our View: Rowand was struggling a bit to start the season but appears to be findin his groove at the plate.
|
|
|
|
| San Francisco RHP Tim Lincecum picked up his third win of the season as the Giants took the St. Louis Cardinals to the loss column 3-0. Lincecum completed seven innings of work, throwing 95 pitches (60 for strikes) without allowing a single run through six hits. |
Our View: Lincecum walked three and struck out five along the way, influencing 12 ground outs and just four fly balls. This outing brings his seasonal ERA to a lowly 1.57.
|
|
|
|
| St. Louis 2B Adam Kennedy was the lone bright spot for the Cardinals today as they fell 3-0 at home to the San Francisco Giants. Kennedy went 2-for-4 at the plate, one of just two players with multiple hits for St. Louis, and added a stolen base to the effort. |
Our View: Kennedy continue to keep his batting average above .300 (.326 to be exact), a great sign for the second bagger moving forward.
|
|
|
|
| Dodgers catcher Russell Martin has been scratched from today's starting lineup as manager Joe Torre has handed the job to Gary Bennett for the day, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. When asked the reason for the decision, Torre commented, "(Martin) wasn't happy, and I didn't expect him to be. When I talked to him the first time in spring training, trying to find some formula for resting him, he didn't want to have the conversation about it. It's definitely all feel now. If you want him in August and September, I think it's important we (rest him)." |
Our View: Martin has struggled at the plate in the early going, batting just .196. Torre also noted Martin is pushing too hard, citing a bad decision to attempt a freelance steal of second base on Friday night (easily thrown out on the play). All of that has led Torre to give Martin a day of rest.
|
|
|
|
| The Reds have welcomed pitcher Matt Belisle back to Cincinnati, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Belisle has been on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right forearm. After three successful minor-league starts (3-0, 1.09 ERA with Triple-A Louisville), Belisle will get his first MLB start of the season, taking the place of Josh Fogg on Monday when the Reds face the Dodgers.
|
|
|
|
| The Houston Astros have signed RHP Alay Soler to a one-year deal, according the MLB.com. |
Our View: Soler hasn't pitched since last season but the Astros are in need of capable arms on the roster. He will report to Kissimmee on Sunday, sign the deal on Monday, and spend the next two weeks in extended spring training. From there, the team hopes to see him in Triple-A Round Rock preparing for his rise to the MLB roster.
|
|
|
|
| Cardinals' pitcher Russ Springer let it all hang out on the mound this morning and has reported he feels great, according to MLB.com. Springer has been out of the bullpen with nerve inflammation in his right elbow, but the reliever is appears to be back in form and ready to contribute. |
Our View: Springer faced hitters Cesar Izturis, Brian Baron, and Jason LaRue in a simulated session this morning and didn't hold back, trying each and every pitch in his arsenal. Springer is confident he is ready, and manager Tony LaRussa believes he is close to return. "We'll try and figure out what's the next thing that will give him a chance to keep moving forward," said LaRussa. "We'll talk about it. We'll wait until tomorrow and see how he feels. You look at the alternatives and pick one." Springer could do a short stint in the minors or be shoved right into action. Stay tuned.
|
|
|
|
| Mets SS Jose Reyes got knocked around a bit in New York's 6-4 win over the Phillies on Friday. |
Our View: Reyes hit his head on the knee of Philadelphia 2B Chase Utley during a head-first slide, attempting to steal second. Reyes was attended to by the trainers and remained in the game, and at this point, we have no reason to believe there is reason for concern.
|
|
|
|
| Giants OF John Bowker got the start at first base in Friday's 1-11 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, his first career start at 1B. |
Our View: The Giants are in desperate need of offense and want Bowker on the field and in the lineup, thus the move was made. Rich Aurilia is going to be back at the bag on Saturday according to manager Bruce Bochy, but don't be surprised to see the Giants take this approach again in the near future.
|
|
|
|
| Chicago 1B Derrek Lee wasted no time getting busy against the Pirates today, hitting his seventh home run of the year off Tom Gorzelanny in the bottom of the first inning to put the Cubs up 0-2 on the Pirates. |
Our View: SS Ryan Theriot had singled just before Lee went deep, giving Lee his 14th and 15th RBIs on the season.
|
|
|
|
| The Brewers are struggling to determine the true status of pitcher Ben Sheets , according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Sheets left Friday's game in the sixth inning after throwing just 60 pitches, complaining of tightness in the triceps muscle on his right arm. Sheets states the discomfort started in the third inning, but he stuck is out and allowed just two hits with zero walks and four strike outs before leaving the mound. Sheets later reporters it was manager Ned Yost you decided to pull the starter off the mound for fear of worsening a potential injury, and at this time, Yost is struggling to decide his next step. "I have to evaluate that," said Yost. "We have to sit down and see what's best for all of us. I suppose that's always a possibility (letting Sheets make his next scheduled start). I don't know if it's a necessity. But is it a possibility? Sure." We will update with news on Sheets' condition as it becomes available.
|
|
|
|
| It didn't take long for him to come back, but the Braves have recalled pitcher Chuck James from Triple-A Richmond, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: James is expected to make the start for the Braves in their battle with the LA Dodgers today. He had been reassigned to Richmond just 10 days ago but has been brought back to round out the starting rotation, filling the void left by Tom Glavine (moved to the DL).
|
|
|
|
| The Washington Nationals have placed catcher Paul Lo Duca on the 15-day disabled list with a right hand injury, according to the Seattle Times. |
Our View: Lo Duca's move to the DL is retroactive to Monday, April 14. Lo Duca's swollen right hand has kept him out of action for the bulk of the last week. The team has released no timeline for his return.
|
|
|
|
| The Washington Nationals have activated RHP Shawn Hill from the 15-day disabled list, according to the Seattle Times. |
Our View: Hill went 4-5 last season with an ERA of 3.42 and has been tabbed as a major contributor to the cause this season. Today's start versus the Florida Marlins will be his first action of the '08 season in the majors, though he pitched six innings for Triple-A Columbus last weekend.
|
|
