I’d like to say I saw the Giants coming a year ago.
It was in Scottsdale during spring training, and I was impressed with Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner and a number of young players I saw there. In fact, I saw enough from players such as Sandoval and Fred Lewis and Nate Schierholtz that I predicted San Francisco would have the majors’ most improved offense in 2009.
That turned out to be an oversight, even though Sandoval was one of the National League’s most exciting hitters last season.
Over a period of several years covering spring training in Arizona, I had chances to observe pitchers such as Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum on the field and to talk with them in the locker room. Cain caught me by surprise a few years back. He could pitch, but I had doubts about him because he was so clearly out of shape. Lincecum was pretty much what you see on TV – happy, smiling, bouncing around and leaving us shaking our heads trying to figure out how such a little guy could throw so hard without having his arm come out of its socket.
During the same span, I saw a lot of the Rangers in Arizona and for the last five years back home in Texas. Their arrival was easier to anticipate than the Giants’ youth movement because the Rangers had some spectacular prospects. Most notable were pitchers Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland. There were others – Elvis Andrus, Julio Borbon, Chris Davis, Justin Smoak, Mitch Moreland and a seeming tidal wave of pitching prospects that included Blake Beavan, Tanner Scheppers, Josh Lueke and Michael Kirkman.
My rule of thumb is that if half of the top prospects actually pan out, that’s a good track record. Clearly, and despite Holland’s control breakdown in World Series Game 2, Texas has done player development well.
GM Jon Daniels deserves whatever accolades come his way, and probably more. He traded away a passel of prospects – including Smoak, Beavan and Lueke – to obtain LHP Cliff Lee and C Bengie Molina and RF Jeff Francoeur. Texas also picked up 1B/3B Jorge Cantu and SS Cristian Guzman, whose impact was negligible. But for the most part, Daniels’ prospects-for-proven talent tack worked well.
Again, the Giants’ player moves were more subtle. But in the end, the additions GM Brian Sabean made were more important toward a short-term goal of winning the World Series. A goal that either general manager probably would admit was more dream than reality back in March and April.
Anyway, this year’s Giants picked up retreads and castoffs such as Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell and Cody Ross and Javier Lopez. Mixing those players with the prospects I saw in Arizona in March 2009 proved to be an inexpensive, and winning, combination.
It occurred to me that the Rangers’ trades and the Giants’ deals fell into the two categories I’ve found are successful in fantasy leagues. Those are the Big Deals, bringing in a superstar as represented by Lee, and the Small Moves, improving a team incrementally and with little cost. I won this year in a league I had no business winning because, needing stolen bases, I acquired Scott Podsednik. In a weak division, my team held on even though Podsednik barely played in September.
The Rangers also won in a weak division, but the Giants’ National League West was hardly weak. The Padres (and surprisingly the Rockies) had young starting pitching that could rival San Francisco’s.
In the end, despite the hitting heroics of Ross and Edgar Renteria, pitching won the 2010 World Series.
Casual baseball fans asked me if it was common for a team’s batters to fail as spectacularly as the Rangers’ had. Thinking back to their being swept at home in a four-game series by the Orioles and other offensive breakdowns, I replied that they had several stretches of games when they didn’t hit.
Then I threw out the answer, which was so obvious once it hit me in the face:
The Rangers were facing much better pitching on a consistent basis in the World Series.
While they were compiling the majors’ best team batting average against a steady diet of second-line starters from the Mariners and Angels, and even facing some marginal major league starters in the playoffs against the vaunted Yankees and Rays, the Giants were going to battle every day against top pitchers. Mat Latos, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jorge De La Rosa. In the NLCS, against Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels. Far more daunting than a worn-out C.C. Sabathia, a not-quite-there Phil Hughes and an elderly Andy Pettitte.
As I’ve pointed out before, defense played a big role throughout the Giants’ run to their first World Series win since they shocked the invincible 1954 Indians (after all, they beat out the Yankees, the only interruption in their run of 9 pennants in 10 years).
The Rangers’ impatience and all-or-nothing swinging hurt them too.
Both teams had good pitchers, but the Giants’ were clearly better in this series. In a different series, Cliff Lee might win twice over Tim Lincecum.
But in the right now, the difference was a simple case of good pitching beating good (if somewhat flawed) hitting.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Thoughts on Game 4
Thoughts on Game 4
Here’s the first thought I wrote down during the game: In the early innings, Hunter has been throwing too many pitches.
He didn’t throw too many late in the game because again he was out after four innings.
Neither of the two things happened tonight that I wrote the Rangers had to do to win.
1. Hunter did not make it through six innings.
2. Texas’ batters didn’t work counts so they could manufacture runs instead of swinging for home runs. There apparently weren’t a whole lot of home-run cuts. Maybe by Ian Kinsler with two on when he was the tying run.
The difference there was that Giants batters were able to prolong at-bats by fouling off pitches they couldn’t handle. Credit Madison Bumgarner for much of that. He lasted twice as long as Hunter, but threw just about 25 per cent more pitches.
Texas also gave Bumgarner some easy outs, holding his pitch count down.
The game’s worst play came when Josh Hamilton tried to steal second base with two out and Nelson Cruz at bat in the bottom of the fourth. The Rangers trailed 2-0 with a right-handed batter against the lefty Cruz. Sure, it would have been nice to get one run there to cut the deficit, but that was a case when a home-run swing could have been desirable. Instead, when Buster Posey threw out Hamilton, Bumgarner got an out without having to throw another pitch to Cruz that time around the batting order.
The two double-play balls also gave Bumgarner outs without having to work very hard.
Another big factor in San Francisco’s lineup was something I pointed out before the series began: DEE-fense. If there’s one area where Bruce Bochy has had an advantage over Ron Washington, this is it.
In Game 1, Washington opted for offense over defense by using Vladimir Guerrero in right field and Nelson Cruz in left. The Rangers committed four errors, two by Guerrero. In Game 4, Bochy chose defense over offense by inserting Travis Ishikawa at first base and Nate Schierholtz in right field. The benefit to taking Aubrey Huff off of first base turned out to be more on the offensive side. Unlike Pablo Sandoval, Huff has extensive experience as a DH. That might have helped; he hit a two-run homer that put San Francisco ahead to stay. The defense wasn’t hurt, either.
Already, Bochy had moved Juan Uribe from shortstop to third base and put Edgar Renteria at shortstop to improve the range but more importantly steady the left side of the infield. Renteria’s history of World Series offensive success didn’t hurt any, either.
Darren Oliver must be a good guy. He has always seemed to get a free pass from the media. This season, he has been living off his good start – which was very impressive. The latter part of the season has not been so impressive. He gave up another run in Sunday’s game.
Even though it’s a tough break for Alexi Ogando apparently to be injured, I think it’s totally wrong for the Rangers to be able to replace him for the final games. It’s just too easy to fabricate a pitching injury to help bail out a struggling bullpen. A team shouldn’t need 12 pitchers for a seven-game series with just four starters anyway.
As a side note, I’m already tired of Little Wash. That’s a sight gag that has more than run its course.
This was probably the worst day in the history of Arlington, Texas. The Rangers were only slightly better than the Cowboys. A lot of the blame, home-run swings or not, has to fall on the middle of the lineup and most notably Guerrero (three strikeouts) and Josh Hamilton (2-for-16 for the series). Others aren't doing much better, but those two are supposed to supply power and runs.
Here’s the first thought I wrote down during the game: In the early innings, Hunter has been throwing too many pitches.
He didn’t throw too many late in the game because again he was out after four innings.
Neither of the two things happened tonight that I wrote the Rangers had to do to win.
1. Hunter did not make it through six innings.
2. Texas’ batters didn’t work counts so they could manufacture runs instead of swinging for home runs. There apparently weren’t a whole lot of home-run cuts. Maybe by Ian Kinsler with two on when he was the tying run.
The difference there was that Giants batters were able to prolong at-bats by fouling off pitches they couldn’t handle. Credit Madison Bumgarner for much of that. He lasted twice as long as Hunter, but threw just about 25 per cent more pitches.
Texas also gave Bumgarner some easy outs, holding his pitch count down.
The game’s worst play came when Josh Hamilton tried to steal second base with two out and Nelson Cruz at bat in the bottom of the fourth. The Rangers trailed 2-0 with a right-handed batter against the lefty Cruz. Sure, it would have been nice to get one run there to cut the deficit, but that was a case when a home-run swing could have been desirable. Instead, when Buster Posey threw out Hamilton, Bumgarner got an out without having to throw another pitch to Cruz that time around the batting order.
The two double-play balls also gave Bumgarner outs without having to work very hard.
Another big factor in San Francisco’s lineup was something I pointed out before the series began: DEE-fense. If there’s one area where Bruce Bochy has had an advantage over Ron Washington, this is it.
In Game 1, Washington opted for offense over defense by using Vladimir Guerrero in right field and Nelson Cruz in left. The Rangers committed four errors, two by Guerrero. In Game 4, Bochy chose defense over offense by inserting Travis Ishikawa at first base and Nate Schierholtz in right field. The benefit to taking Aubrey Huff off of first base turned out to be more on the offensive side. Unlike Pablo Sandoval, Huff has extensive experience as a DH. That might have helped; he hit a two-run homer that put San Francisco ahead to stay. The defense wasn’t hurt, either.
Already, Bochy had moved Juan Uribe from shortstop to third base and put Edgar Renteria at shortstop to improve the range but more importantly steady the left side of the infield. Renteria’s history of World Series offensive success didn’t hurt any, either.
Darren Oliver must be a good guy. He has always seemed to get a free pass from the media. This season, he has been living off his good start – which was very impressive. The latter part of the season has not been so impressive. He gave up another run in Sunday’s game.
Even though it’s a tough break for Alexi Ogando apparently to be injured, I think it’s totally wrong for the Rangers to be able to replace him for the final games. It’s just too easy to fabricate a pitching injury to help bail out a struggling bullpen. A team shouldn’t need 12 pitchers for a seven-game series with just four starters anyway.
As a side note, I’m already tired of Little Wash. That’s a sight gag that has more than run its course.
This was probably the worst day in the history of Arlington, Texas. The Rangers were only slightly better than the Cowboys. A lot of the blame, home-run swings or not, has to fall on the middle of the lineup and most notably Guerrero (three strikeouts) and Josh Hamilton (2-for-16 for the series). Others aren't doing much better, but those two are supposed to supply power and runs.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thoughts on Game 3
During the off day, I thought of a bunch of thoughts I wanted to add. Not only did I not have time to add those that day, but I've pretty much forgotten them. That was a Friday, and I spent from 9:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. at Wilkerson-Sanders Memorial Stadium preparing for and directing The Scoreboard Show. I'd like to say that was a rousing success, but ...
Anyway, for me Game 3 was a mishmash of checking progress on my phone and then listening to the game in the car on the way home and on the radio here. I spent Saturday afternoon at my second and third high school football games in a 24-hour period.
As a result, I don't have a huge handle on the play by play and its intracacies, so even these thoughts will be short.
Because the radio broadcast was a few seconds behind the telecast, I could get a pretty good idea of what was going to happen by hearing Margaret's reactions from the living room. For instance, I heard "Catch it!" followed by a grown and realized that a Giant had reached base on a long fly ball. Turns out it was a home run. Another team, an "Oh, no!" indicated to me that Bengie Molina probably had grounded into a double play.
And I guess that double play was kind of indicative of the Cowboys' game, and something I consider a warning sign.
By that time, the Rangers had a 4-0 lead, built on two home runs. After that, they put runners on base but couldn't bring them home. The danger is that they might have gone into their mode of "All we have to do is hit enough home runs and we'll win."
That mode leads to a lot of frustrating fly balls to the warning track and popups with runners on second and third with one out.
On the pre-game show* as well as my observations at the two afternoon football games, I knew that there was a relatively strong wind. At Rangers Ballpark, that wind usually is collected behind home plate, then blows out toward right-center field with greater force. Because it was a south wind, it also would have helped fly balls to left.
Despite that wind advantage, the Rangers still managed just two homers, and none after starter Jonathan Sanchez left the game. If they continue to go for homers today, might they have less success?
Just checked tonight's weather forecast for Arlington. Weather.com says the wind will be 9 mph from the south, so the conditions should be similar.
*-The Rangers' pre-game show on 103.3 ESPN wa an unprecedented four hours, giving way to another hour on the ESPN network. Four hours is about half of what the Cowboys get for their pre-game shows any regular-season week when their game starts after 1 p.m. Eastern.
Colby Lewis' continued strong pitching reminded me of a conversation I had with someone from the Cowboys' minor league staff during the regular season. The question was whether Lewis or Tommy Hunter would be a better choice as Texas' third postseason starter behind Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson.
His side of the conversation was that Lewis had been pitching well but had been the victim of poor run support.
My contention was that at some point, he had to take charge and win a game. That was while he was on a streak of nine games without a win, granted with poor run support. All but his final two starts during that span went six innings or more. Five were "quality starts."
Well, Lewis' last four starts all fit the lame quality criteria, and he was 3-1 during that stretch. That earned him a spot in Texas' playoff rotation and made our disagreement moot.
Meanwhile, "Big-Game" Hunter made five more starts -- with only one win, and none of which went more than six innings. He hasn't made it past four innings in either postseason start.
Two factors have to improve for the Rangers to win Game 4.
1. The offense has to manufacture runs, take more pitches and forget about home run trots until the ball clears a fence.
2. Hunter has to make it through six or more innings to help avoid a bullpen meltdown similar to the one in Game 2.
I'm more confident that Hunter could succeed than that the offense could go atainst its nature. That has happened off and on this season. Rangers fans had better hope that switch is on tonight.
Anyway, for me Game 3 was a mishmash of checking progress on my phone and then listening to the game in the car on the way home and on the radio here. I spent Saturday afternoon at my second and third high school football games in a 24-hour period.
As a result, I don't have a huge handle on the play by play and its intracacies, so even these thoughts will be short.
Because the radio broadcast was a few seconds behind the telecast, I could get a pretty good idea of what was going to happen by hearing Margaret's reactions from the living room. For instance, I heard "Catch it!" followed by a grown and realized that a Giant had reached base on a long fly ball. Turns out it was a home run. Another team, an "Oh, no!" indicated to me that Bengie Molina probably had grounded into a double play.
And I guess that double play was kind of indicative of the Cowboys' game, and something I consider a warning sign.
By that time, the Rangers had a 4-0 lead, built on two home runs. After that, they put runners on base but couldn't bring them home. The danger is that they might have gone into their mode of "All we have to do is hit enough home runs and we'll win."
That mode leads to a lot of frustrating fly balls to the warning track and popups with runners on second and third with one out.
On the pre-game show* as well as my observations at the two afternoon football games, I knew that there was a relatively strong wind. At Rangers Ballpark, that wind usually is collected behind home plate, then blows out toward right-center field with greater force. Because it was a south wind, it also would have helped fly balls to left.
Despite that wind advantage, the Rangers still managed just two homers, and none after starter Jonathan Sanchez left the game. If they continue to go for homers today, might they have less success?
Just checked tonight's weather forecast for Arlington. Weather.com says the wind will be 9 mph from the south, so the conditions should be similar.
*-The Rangers' pre-game show on 103.3 ESPN wa an unprecedented four hours, giving way to another hour on the ESPN network. Four hours is about half of what the Cowboys get for their pre-game shows any regular-season week when their game starts after 1 p.m. Eastern.
Colby Lewis' continued strong pitching reminded me of a conversation I had with someone from the Cowboys' minor league staff during the regular season. The question was whether Lewis or Tommy Hunter would be a better choice as Texas' third postseason starter behind Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson.
His side of the conversation was that Lewis had been pitching well but had been the victim of poor run support.
My contention was that at some point, he had to take charge and win a game. That was while he was on a streak of nine games without a win, granted with poor run support. All but his final two starts during that span went six innings or more. Five were "quality starts."
Well, Lewis' last four starts all fit the lame quality criteria, and he was 3-1 during that stretch. That earned him a spot in Texas' playoff rotation and made our disagreement moot.
Meanwhile, "Big-Game" Hunter made five more starts -- with only one win, and none of which went more than six innings. He hasn't made it past four innings in either postseason start.
Two factors have to improve for the Rangers to win Game 4.
1. The offense has to manufacture runs, take more pitches and forget about home run trots until the ball clears a fence.
2. Hunter has to make it through six or more innings to help avoid a bullpen meltdown similar to the one in Game 2.
I'm more confident that Hunter could succeed than that the offense could go atainst its nature. That has happened off and on this season. Rangers fans had better hope that switch is on tonight.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thoughts on Game 2
The first sign of trouble for Texas tonight came in the top of the fifth inning. After a leadoff double by Ian Kinsler, both David Murphy and Matt Treanor failed to hit the ball to the right side to move Kinsler over to third base in a scoreless game.
Thus, instead of potentially taking a lead, the Rangers fell behind 1-0 in the bottom of the inning. After that, Texas gave the Giants insurance runs by walking batters in the seventh and eighth.
The decreased offensive output from seven runs to none made it easy for Joe Morgan to second-guess manager Ron Washington. Morgan was all over the decision not to play Vladimir Guerrero. The announcer also pointed out that “the other good hitter,” Bengie Molina, was out of the lineup.
It’s surprising that the Hall of Famer, who was considered a good defensive second baseman would dismiss the importance of defense out of hand. Guerrero showed that he no longer can play right field in what must have been the saddest display since Willie Mays was stumbling around in center field for the 1973 Mets. By the way, that was my only direct interaction with Mays, in the Mets’ locker room after Game 2 in Oakland.
Another by the way, tonight in addition to following the fake pitches to the fake batters on the fake field at MLBAM’s Gameday, I listened to the ESPN radio broadcast. I was disappointed that radio broadcasts on the internet are blacked out.
Anyway, Guerrero didn’t belong in the lineup because he can’t play in the field and also because he hasn’t really hit much since July. I attribute Morgan’s stance to what I call the Monday Night Football Syndrome, in which out-of-town network hotshot announcers come to town and pretend they know more about the local team than the local-yokel hicks broadcasting and writing about the games. That extra knowledge usually is nonexistent.
Also, Molina, who hit very little for Texas during the regular season, wasn’t playing because starting pitcher C.J. Wilson established a rapport with Matt Treanor before Molina arrived in Texas.
So it’s possible that Guerrero could have given up some runs on defense and that Wilson might have given up more than one run in the first six innings with Molina behind the plate.
I didn’t hear what Morgan said when Julio Borbon pinch-hit to lead off the eighth inning, with the score 2-0. To me, that was an OK move for several reasons. 1. Guerrero couldn’t tie the game with a home run and could be a liability if he reached base ahead of speedster Elvis Andrus. With at least one runner on base, Vlad would have been the correct pinch-hitting choice. 2. I envisioned Borbon as bunting for a hit, then Andrus reaching base and the two of them working a double steal to get into scoring position ahead of Michael Young, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. Borbon exploded that thought bubble like a cartoon character with a shotgun by swinging at the first pitch and grounding out. Perhaps he wanted to earn his Historical Texas Rangers card by swinging the bat recklessly but my God, man, you have to take at least a strike and you’re up there to get on base.
A note on Hamilton. Thus far, he has been down, up and down in the three postseason series. The biggest difference was that in the ALCS the Yankees continually pitched around him, walking him as if they were afraid of him and his bat.*
On the other hand, we have Derek Holland. I really like Holland’s future, but in the present – tonight – he entered the game with a runner on first base and two outs and gave up Darren O’Day’s run by walking three batters on 13 pitches. Was he afraid to throw a strike that could be hit? He shouldn’t be, because his pitches are good enough to get batters out.
*Joe Morgan, whom I think can do a good job but may now be too impressed with his own work, probably would say that Hamilton is a Teixeira-like 0-for-the Series because Guerrero wasn’t batting behind him tonight.
Could the Rangers’ biggest problem be Mark Lowe bad karma?
OK, so it’s two games to none, a lot worse than 1-0, but still not critical because the Rangers can regain the lead in games by winning the three games they’re “supposed” to win at home.
The biggest mystery with Texas is what the Rangers might do to win a close game. There was none after the first game against the Yankees in the ALCS. Texas’ bullpen has been spotty – with brown spots in tonight’s game. Because there have been so few close postseason games, closer Neftali Feliz, who had 40 regular-season saves, has none in any of the three playoff series.
Thus, instead of potentially taking a lead, the Rangers fell behind 1-0 in the bottom of the inning. After that, Texas gave the Giants insurance runs by walking batters in the seventh and eighth.
The decreased offensive output from seven runs to none made it easy for Joe Morgan to second-guess manager Ron Washington. Morgan was all over the decision not to play Vladimir Guerrero. The announcer also pointed out that “the other good hitter,” Bengie Molina, was out of the lineup.
It’s surprising that the Hall of Famer, who was considered a good defensive second baseman would dismiss the importance of defense out of hand. Guerrero showed that he no longer can play right field in what must have been the saddest display since Willie Mays was stumbling around in center field for the 1973 Mets. By the way, that was my only direct interaction with Mays, in the Mets’ locker room after Game 2 in Oakland.
Another by the way, tonight in addition to following the fake pitches to the fake batters on the fake field at MLBAM’s Gameday, I listened to the ESPN radio broadcast. I was disappointed that radio broadcasts on the internet are blacked out.
Anyway, Guerrero didn’t belong in the lineup because he can’t play in the field and also because he hasn’t really hit much since July. I attribute Morgan’s stance to what I call the Monday Night Football Syndrome, in which out-of-town network hotshot announcers come to town and pretend they know more about the local team than the local-yokel hicks broadcasting and writing about the games. That extra knowledge usually is nonexistent.
Also, Molina, who hit very little for Texas during the regular season, wasn’t playing because starting pitcher C.J. Wilson established a rapport with Matt Treanor before Molina arrived in Texas.
So it’s possible that Guerrero could have given up some runs on defense and that Wilson might have given up more than one run in the first six innings with Molina behind the plate.
I didn’t hear what Morgan said when Julio Borbon pinch-hit to lead off the eighth inning, with the score 2-0. To me, that was an OK move for several reasons. 1. Guerrero couldn’t tie the game with a home run and could be a liability if he reached base ahead of speedster Elvis Andrus. With at least one runner on base, Vlad would have been the correct pinch-hitting choice. 2. I envisioned Borbon as bunting for a hit, then Andrus reaching base and the two of them working a double steal to get into scoring position ahead of Michael Young, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. Borbon exploded that thought bubble like a cartoon character with a shotgun by swinging at the first pitch and grounding out. Perhaps he wanted to earn his Historical Texas Rangers card by swinging the bat recklessly but my God, man, you have to take at least a strike and you’re up there to get on base.
A note on Hamilton. Thus far, he has been down, up and down in the three postseason series. The biggest difference was that in the ALCS the Yankees continually pitched around him, walking him as if they were afraid of him and his bat.*
On the other hand, we have Derek Holland. I really like Holland’s future, but in the present – tonight – he entered the game with a runner on first base and two outs and gave up Darren O’Day’s run by walking three batters on 13 pitches. Was he afraid to throw a strike that could be hit? He shouldn’t be, because his pitches are good enough to get batters out.
*Joe Morgan, whom I think can do a good job but may now be too impressed with his own work, probably would say that Hamilton is a Teixeira-like 0-for-the Series because Guerrero wasn’t batting behind him tonight.
Could the Rangers’ biggest problem be Mark Lowe bad karma?
OK, so it’s two games to none, a lot worse than 1-0, but still not critical because the Rangers can regain the lead in games by winning the three games they’re “supposed” to win at home.
The biggest mystery with Texas is what the Rangers might do to win a close game. There was none after the first game against the Yankees in the ALCS. Texas’ bullpen has been spotty – with brown spots in tonight’s game. Because there have been so few close postseason games, closer Neftali Feliz, who had 40 regular-season saves, has none in any of the three playoff series.
Thoughts on Game 1
There were two very obvious warning signs during last night’s game.
1. When the Rangers came to bat in the top of the third leading 2-0, and all three batters hit fly balls for outs without seeing many pitches.
2. When the fifth inning came along and Cliff Lee had thrown about 30 pitches more than Tim Lincecum had.
The first of those sent the message that Rangers batters figured, “With Lee pitching, we have enough runs to win. We don’t have to work to score runs. Let’s just hit the ball as hard as we can.” That’s never a good approach, and even worse on the banks of McCovey Creek.
The second meant that regardless what was going to happen right then, Lee wouldn’t pitch as deep into the game as Lincecum would. It would become a game decided by the bullpens. As it turned out, the pitch count was an indicator of an even worse thing for Texas: The Rangers would lose the game with Lee before the game even got to the relievers.
FYI, this post will be more random thoughts than any coherent, cohesive narrative. I’ll be throwing out the thoughts and in some cases commenting and putting those in perspective.
The Rangers’ first six lineup positions totaled four hits and five total bases. The 7-8-9 spots contributed seven hits and 10 total bases. That’s not a winning formula, either.
I have no idea what the over/under was on this game, but if you bet it over, you won easily. In fact, I’m pretty sure you won before both starters were out of the game. I tried to find online a list of the highest-scoring games in World Series history, to no avail. I wouldn’t be surprised if 18 runs ranked among the 20 highest all-time.
My World Series Preview Email talked about the grossly underrated impact of defense. Ron Washington certainly didn’t read it, or he wouldn’t have gone into a park with a big outfield with starters left to right of Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero. Cruz is far better in right – where, if he wanders around under a fly ball into the right position he also can throw out a runner if his throw happens to be accurate. Hamilton is at least average, but not ideal in center field, and by far Texas’ best overall defensive outfielder. There was a time, such as when I saw Guerrero in Double-A a couple of decades ago, when he was a wonderment in right field. Now I wonder what he was doing out there.
I didn’t watch the game on TV because I’m still on my Fox/Lone Star boycott. But I did “see” what was going on through MLB’s Gameday. That was useful for observing pitch counts and pitching patterns, but I have no idea whether some of those Giants doubles might have been outs or possibly singles with competent outfielders tracking them down. But there’s no mistaking that Guerrero wasn’t capable when he committed his two eighth-inning errors.
There was a time when I might have dreamed about Freddy Sanchez’s hitting four doubles in a World Series game, but it’s pretty clear that would never happen in a Pirates uniform. Still, good for Freddy, an overlooked good player because of where he has played.
Here’s a pet-peeve observation. The Rangers added Mark Lowe to their World Series roster. Whether he had struck out the side or pitched as badly as he did, I’d still feel the same way. Namely, that he shouldn’t have been allowed to be on a Rangers postseason roster. He was nowhere near the team before the Sept. 1 roster “deadline.” He pitched a few games after he came off the disabled list during the regular season’s last week. I heard that he had been pitching in the Arizona Instructional League after that, though I’m not sure whether that was the case. It used to be that players had to be on the active roster before Sept. 1 to be eligible for the – well, not playoffs, but World Series. Now it seems that the only requirement is to be somewhere on the 40-man roster, and the major league team can pick and choose from about 20 players for the last few postseason roster spots. Why is it that people now complain about having an expanded roster for September but don’t give a crap who plays in the World Series.
When I’m commissioner, the only players eligible for the postseason will be the 25 on the active roster at the end of Aug. 31, plus those few players on the disabled list then who had been active with the major league team when they were hurt.
Oh, a last point. There’s always overreaction after the World Series’ first game. It’s as if the losing team has no chance.
That attitude has some relevance if the home team loses the opener in a matchup that seems pretty even.
That isn’t the case here. The Rangers lost on the road, where they’re “supposed” to lose. If they win tonight, they’ll actually be ahead of the game – tied 1-1 with three games remaining at home, where they’re “supposed” to win.
I do understand that nearly everyone had Texas penciled, if not inked, in to win because Cliff Lee is “unbeatable” in the postseason and the Rangers were “supposed” to win whenever he pitches. However, he didn’t pitch very Cliffly. So it must be devastating that he lost, right?
Well, no, not really. During the regular season, he had a losing record with the Rangers. Sure, he was 7-0 in his career during the postseason, but could any reasonable person expect him NEVER to lose a postseason decision?
A more damaging sign for either team would be if its bullpen doesn’t pitch any better during the remainder of the series. Also, the Rangers can take heart in having some success against both Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson. Or was that an anomaly?
I lied. I still have one other point to make, and that is about Ian Kinsler’s infuriating nature. Both, or perhaps all three, of the sides to that nature showed up in Game 1.
First, there was the issue of his hitting the first pitch into an inning-ending double play with a run in, the bases loaded and one out in the top of the first. That’s a situation when a batter should be at his most selective, looking for that one pitch that is best for him to hit. Clearly, the best pitch wasn’t the one that Kinsler swung at without seeing any others.
Then in the sixth, he partially redeemed himself by working a walk with a 10-pitch at-bat. Even though the walk came with two out and no one on base, that was a good thing because it drove up Lincecum’a pitch count. It became a better thing when Texas managed to score two runs with two out and drive him from the game.
Finally, Kinsler undid that good on his next plate appearance, when he singled but thought first baseman Aubrey Huff had missed a throw. Ian started toward second base, and Huff tagged him out. That wasn’t an unusual play for Kinsler, a talented player who makes more bone-headed moves than even Nelson Cruz.
1. When the Rangers came to bat in the top of the third leading 2-0, and all three batters hit fly balls for outs without seeing many pitches.
2. When the fifth inning came along and Cliff Lee had thrown about 30 pitches more than Tim Lincecum had.
The first of those sent the message that Rangers batters figured, “With Lee pitching, we have enough runs to win. We don’t have to work to score runs. Let’s just hit the ball as hard as we can.” That’s never a good approach, and even worse on the banks of McCovey Creek.
The second meant that regardless what was going to happen right then, Lee wouldn’t pitch as deep into the game as Lincecum would. It would become a game decided by the bullpens. As it turned out, the pitch count was an indicator of an even worse thing for Texas: The Rangers would lose the game with Lee before the game even got to the relievers.
FYI, this post will be more random thoughts than any coherent, cohesive narrative. I’ll be throwing out the thoughts and in some cases commenting and putting those in perspective.
The Rangers’ first six lineup positions totaled four hits and five total bases. The 7-8-9 spots contributed seven hits and 10 total bases. That’s not a winning formula, either.
I have no idea what the over/under was on this game, but if you bet it over, you won easily. In fact, I’m pretty sure you won before both starters were out of the game. I tried to find online a list of the highest-scoring games in World Series history, to no avail. I wouldn’t be surprised if 18 runs ranked among the 20 highest all-time.
My World Series Preview Email talked about the grossly underrated impact of defense. Ron Washington certainly didn’t read it, or he wouldn’t have gone into a park with a big outfield with starters left to right of Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero. Cruz is far better in right – where, if he wanders around under a fly ball into the right position he also can throw out a runner if his throw happens to be accurate. Hamilton is at least average, but not ideal in center field, and by far Texas’ best overall defensive outfielder. There was a time, such as when I saw Guerrero in Double-A a couple of decades ago, when he was a wonderment in right field. Now I wonder what he was doing out there.
I didn’t watch the game on TV because I’m still on my Fox/Lone Star boycott. But I did “see” what was going on through MLB’s Gameday. That was useful for observing pitch counts and pitching patterns, but I have no idea whether some of those Giants doubles might have been outs or possibly singles with competent outfielders tracking them down. But there’s no mistaking that Guerrero wasn’t capable when he committed his two eighth-inning errors.
There was a time when I might have dreamed about Freddy Sanchez’s hitting four doubles in a World Series game, but it’s pretty clear that would never happen in a Pirates uniform. Still, good for Freddy, an overlooked good player because of where he has played.
Here’s a pet-peeve observation. The Rangers added Mark Lowe to their World Series roster. Whether he had struck out the side or pitched as badly as he did, I’d still feel the same way. Namely, that he shouldn’t have been allowed to be on a Rangers postseason roster. He was nowhere near the team before the Sept. 1 roster “deadline.” He pitched a few games after he came off the disabled list during the regular season’s last week. I heard that he had been pitching in the Arizona Instructional League after that, though I’m not sure whether that was the case. It used to be that players had to be on the active roster before Sept. 1 to be eligible for the – well, not playoffs, but World Series. Now it seems that the only requirement is to be somewhere on the 40-man roster, and the major league team can pick and choose from about 20 players for the last few postseason roster spots. Why is it that people now complain about having an expanded roster for September but don’t give a crap who plays in the World Series.
When I’m commissioner, the only players eligible for the postseason will be the 25 on the active roster at the end of Aug. 31, plus those few players on the disabled list then who had been active with the major league team when they were hurt.
Oh, a last point. There’s always overreaction after the World Series’ first game. It’s as if the losing team has no chance.
That attitude has some relevance if the home team loses the opener in a matchup that seems pretty even.
That isn’t the case here. The Rangers lost on the road, where they’re “supposed” to lose. If they win tonight, they’ll actually be ahead of the game – tied 1-1 with three games remaining at home, where they’re “supposed” to win.
I do understand that nearly everyone had Texas penciled, if not inked, in to win because Cliff Lee is “unbeatable” in the postseason and the Rangers were “supposed” to win whenever he pitches. However, he didn’t pitch very Cliffly. So it must be devastating that he lost, right?
Well, no, not really. During the regular season, he had a losing record with the Rangers. Sure, he was 7-0 in his career during the postseason, but could any reasonable person expect him NEVER to lose a postseason decision?
A more damaging sign for either team would be if its bullpen doesn’t pitch any better during the remainder of the series. Also, the Rangers can take heart in having some success against both Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson. Or was that an anomaly?
I lied. I still have one other point to make, and that is about Ian Kinsler’s infuriating nature. Both, or perhaps all three, of the sides to that nature showed up in Game 1.
First, there was the issue of his hitting the first pitch into an inning-ending double play with a run in, the bases loaded and one out in the top of the first. That’s a situation when a batter should be at his most selective, looking for that one pitch that is best for him to hit. Clearly, the best pitch wasn’t the one that Kinsler swung at without seeing any others.
Then in the sixth, he partially redeemed himself by working a walk with a 10-pitch at-bat. Even though the walk came with two out and no one on base, that was a good thing because it drove up Lincecum’a pitch count. It became a better thing when Texas managed to score two runs with two out and drive him from the game.
Finally, Kinsler undid that good on his next plate appearance, when he singled but thought first baseman Aubrey Huff had missed a throw. Ian started toward second base, and Huff tagged him out. That wasn’t an unusual play for Kinsler, a talented player who makes more bone-headed moves than even Nelson Cruz.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Some hockey hints
I've never played fantasy hockey.
However, I have covered an NHL game in two of the last three nights, and I've liked what I have seen from some players.
The Stars' top line features Brad Richards, a supremely talented offensive player who is making linemates Loui Eriksson and James Neal look even better than they are. Dallas doesn't have three lines of scorers -- Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro seem to be the only other forwards capable of scoring -- so Eriksson and Neal might not maintain the benefit of playing with Richards for the whole season. But they would seem to be good short-term pickups at the very least.
Another surprise is goalie Kari Lehtonen. The Finn is a dude, even though he has what would be considered a girl's name in this country. He had 41 saves in Saturday's overtime game, but he might have had more good stops with maybe 25 saves Thursday night. Lehtonen is a big reason the Stars are 4-0 (don't expect that success to last either).
Perhaps the Stars are trying to emulate the Rangers. When last hockey season ended and the current baseball season was beginning, both teams were owned by impecunious ex-millionnaire Tom Hicks. Therefore, almost no money was spent on increasing salaries. Mike Modano and Marty Turco were the highest-profile free-agencydepartures. The Rangers, developing a core of young stars in their farm system, played well despite turmoil to the point where the team has gone the farthest in the franchise's 50 seasons. Don't expect the Stars to do that, which would require winning another Stanley Cup. There's a good chance they might not even reach the playoffs -- especially if the NHL can't find a buyer and players such as Richards have to be unloaded at the trade deadline. I also don't expect that coach Marc Crawrod will do cocaine and have his team rally around him.
However, I have covered an NHL game in two of the last three nights, and I've liked what I have seen from some players.
The Stars' top line features Brad Richards, a supremely talented offensive player who is making linemates Loui Eriksson and James Neal look even better than they are. Dallas doesn't have three lines of scorers -- Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro seem to be the only other forwards capable of scoring -- so Eriksson and Neal might not maintain the benefit of playing with Richards for the whole season. But they would seem to be good short-term pickups at the very least.
Another surprise is goalie Kari Lehtonen. The Finn is a dude, even though he has what would be considered a girl's name in this country. He had 41 saves in Saturday's overtime game, but he might have had more good stops with maybe 25 saves Thursday night. Lehtonen is a big reason the Stars are 4-0 (don't expect that success to last either).
Perhaps the Stars are trying to emulate the Rangers. When last hockey season ended and the current baseball season was beginning, both teams were owned by impecunious ex-millionnaire Tom Hicks. Therefore, almost no money was spent on increasing salaries. Mike Modano and Marty Turco were the highest-profile free-agencydepartures. The Rangers, developing a core of young stars in their farm system, played well despite turmoil to the point where the team has gone the farthest in the franchise's 50 seasons. Don't expect the Stars to do that, which would require winning another Stanley Cup. There's a good chance they might not even reach the playoffs -- especially if the NHL can't find a buyer and players such as Richards have to be unloaded at the trade deadline. I also don't expect that coach Marc Crawrod will do cocaine and have his team rally around him.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
My fantasy lineups
I'm currently competing in three fantasy leagues: one baseball and two football.
1. Lenny Brazis Inner League, Inner League Baseball. I have been in this league since it was formed in 1988. It's the Championship Series, for which statistics for the majors' Division and Championship series are combined to determine who will go on to the Inner League World Series.
This league has two factors that differentiate it from most fantasy baseball leagues. 1) Scoring is by only one player in each of nine stat categories. Thus, it's possible for both my opponent and I to have the same player in different categories. In this case, I have Mark Teixeira for runs and my opponent has Tex for home runs.
2) There's a draft before each round to fill gaps in lineups caused by having players whose major league teams didn't qualify or no longer are in the playoffs.
So I trailed 16-11 in my head-to-head series after the Division Series ended. After that, I had to replace six players from the Twins, Reds and Rays whose teams lost in part because they perform well. I picked up a point to trail 15 1/2-11 1/2 after Friday's game because Hamilton's home run pulled me into a tie in that category, but stayed the same after Saturday's contests by falling behind in runs while I was taking the lead in batting average. My current lineup:
RBI-Guerrero
BA-Utley
R-Teixeira
HR-Hamilton
H-Young
SO-Halladay
SB-Victorino
W-Lee
S-Feliz
2. Andy Memorial Football League (charter member, since 1987). This is a scoring-only league. I'm in second place at 4-1 going in. This week for the first time I have players sitting because of byes. I think I used the same lineup of my first draft picks in each category for each of the first five weeks. In fact, I discovered that three of my four running backs have a bye this week, causing me to have to acquire a free agent. I didn't really take the time to investigate which RBs are owned in this 10-team league, but merely looked at the available freed agents in my deeper 10-team ESPN.com league. The free-agent RBs projected there to score the most points this week were John Kuhn and Earnest Graham, whom I requested in that order. My first choice, Kuhn, was available so I got him and waived Jonathan Stewart. My lineup:
QB-New York Giants (we get all of a team's quarterbacks, not just Eli Manning in my case)
RB-Chris Johnson and Kuhn
WR-Brandon Marshall and Roy Williams (replacing Larry Fitzgerald)
TE-Orlando Gates
K-New England (we get the team there too, and not an individual)
D/ST-Philadelphia
3. ESPN.com fantasy league. I'm 1-4 in this league, for which I got a crappy autodraft. Either I missed something or ESPN doesn't allow you to move players around in the draft order. I found I had to move any players I absolutely didn't want to the bottom of the list of a thousand or so players. I didn't have the time to figure out how to move the player I wanted 15 but ESPN ranked 30th ahead of a guy ESPN ranked 12th but I thought was more like 30th, so I pretty much took my chances with ESPN's order. That yielded two players I absolutely hadn't heard of on my opening-day roster. One of them, Aromasomething, had a pretty good first week so I played him the next week. I don't think the Bears have let him on the field since that first week. The other guy, whose name I don't even remember, hasn't been on my roster since the first week. But at least I could banish Brett Favre and T.O. to places from which they could never be autodrafted for me.
I this league, as I told you, I'm 1-4 but under what I believe are false pretenses. The league has two five-team divisions. Before the first week's games, my schedule said I had a bye so I didn't see any point in adjusting a crappy starting lineup to make it only slightly less crappy for a game I wasn't playing. In the second week, my team rallied for what the box score told me was a 1-point victory after Monday night.
This ESPN league has a feature called League Manager. As far as I can tell, that means whoever is the League Manager can pretty much do whatever he or she pleases. For example, changing the first week schedule after the second week's games have been played. For another example, losing the second week's game by 1 point but later adding in a 2-point "scoring adjustment" so you can win by 1. I have questioned first the necessiry of having a bye, and then taking away the bye and adding a "scoring adjustment," but haven't received an answer to either. In fact, there has been no response to any of my message board questions. I'm not really complaining about the bye-bye bye because I would have been killed that week in any event, even if I could have used my entire bench in addition to my starters.
Enough bitching about the screwed-up league structure. I've been patching together holes and making incremental improvements, in the manner of Lou Saban's 1963 Buffalo Bills. They were something like 0-5-1 and finished 7-6-1 and in a division playoff game with almost an entirely different team from opening day. That's a good story, maybe worth a book some day. So here's my lineup.
QB-Donovan McNabb -- I'd been following ESPN's projections for the most part, but have finally said, "Hell, I never wanted Matt Schaub on my autopicked team anyway" and benched him.
RB-Steven Jackson and Ryan Mathews
WR-Reggie Wayne and Roy Williams
RB/WR flex-My new main man, or at least 1st St. man, John Kuhn
TE-Tony Gonzalez
K-Matt Bryant
D/ST-Chicago
I think I have a chance to win again. The lineup of the guy I'm playing against includes two players on byes. I'd think he's waiting until the last minute to set his lineup if he hadn't played last week with three players on byes. This particular league sucks for more reasons than one. Of course, no one replied to my post about how many players with byes were "playing" in our league.
1. Lenny Brazis Inner League, Inner League Baseball. I have been in this league since it was formed in 1988. It's the Championship Series, for which statistics for the majors' Division and Championship series are combined to determine who will go on to the Inner League World Series.
This league has two factors that differentiate it from most fantasy baseball leagues. 1) Scoring is by only one player in each of nine stat categories. Thus, it's possible for both my opponent and I to have the same player in different categories. In this case, I have Mark Teixeira for runs and my opponent has Tex for home runs.
2) There's a draft before each round to fill gaps in lineups caused by having players whose major league teams didn't qualify or no longer are in the playoffs.
So I trailed 16-11 in my head-to-head series after the Division Series ended. After that, I had to replace six players from the Twins, Reds and Rays whose teams lost in part because they perform well. I picked up a point to trail 15 1/2-11 1/2 after Friday's game because Hamilton's home run pulled me into a tie in that category, but stayed the same after Saturday's contests by falling behind in runs while I was taking the lead in batting average. My current lineup:
RBI-Guerrero
BA-Utley
R-Teixeira
HR-Hamilton
H-Young
SO-Halladay
SB-Victorino
W-Lee
S-Feliz
2. Andy Memorial Football League (charter member, since 1987). This is a scoring-only league. I'm in second place at 4-1 going in. This week for the first time I have players sitting because of byes. I think I used the same lineup of my first draft picks in each category for each of the first five weeks. In fact, I discovered that three of my four running backs have a bye this week, causing me to have to acquire a free agent. I didn't really take the time to investigate which RBs are owned in this 10-team league, but merely looked at the available freed agents in my deeper 10-team ESPN.com league. The free-agent RBs projected there to score the most points this week were John Kuhn and Earnest Graham, whom I requested in that order. My first choice, Kuhn, was available so I got him and waived Jonathan Stewart. My lineup:
QB-New York Giants (we get all of a team's quarterbacks, not just Eli Manning in my case)
RB-Chris Johnson and Kuhn
WR-Brandon Marshall and Roy Williams (replacing Larry Fitzgerald)
TE-Orlando Gates
K-New England (we get the team there too, and not an individual)
D/ST-Philadelphia
3. ESPN.com fantasy league. I'm 1-4 in this league, for which I got a crappy autodraft. Either I missed something or ESPN doesn't allow you to move players around in the draft order. I found I had to move any players I absolutely didn't want to the bottom of the list of a thousand or so players. I didn't have the time to figure out how to move the player I wanted 15 but ESPN ranked 30th ahead of a guy ESPN ranked 12th but I thought was more like 30th, so I pretty much took my chances with ESPN's order. That yielded two players I absolutely hadn't heard of on my opening-day roster. One of them, Aromasomething, had a pretty good first week so I played him the next week. I don't think the Bears have let him on the field since that first week. The other guy, whose name I don't even remember, hasn't been on my roster since the first week. But at least I could banish Brett Favre and T.O. to places from which they could never be autodrafted for me.
I this league, as I told you, I'm 1-4 but under what I believe are false pretenses. The league has two five-team divisions. Before the first week's games, my schedule said I had a bye so I didn't see any point in adjusting a crappy starting lineup to make it only slightly less crappy for a game I wasn't playing. In the second week, my team rallied for what the box score told me was a 1-point victory after Monday night.
This ESPN league has a feature called League Manager. As far as I can tell, that means whoever is the League Manager can pretty much do whatever he or she pleases. For example, changing the first week schedule after the second week's games have been played. For another example, losing the second week's game by 1 point but later adding in a 2-point "scoring adjustment" so you can win by 1. I have questioned first the necessiry of having a bye, and then taking away the bye and adding a "scoring adjustment," but haven't received an answer to either. In fact, there has been no response to any of my message board questions. I'm not really complaining about the bye-bye bye because I would have been killed that week in any event, even if I could have used my entire bench in addition to my starters.
Enough bitching about the screwed-up league structure. I've been patching together holes and making incremental improvements, in the manner of Lou Saban's 1963 Buffalo Bills. They were something like 0-5-1 and finished 7-6-1 and in a division playoff game with almost an entirely different team from opening day. That's a good story, maybe worth a book some day. So here's my lineup.
QB-Donovan McNabb -- I'd been following ESPN's projections for the most part, but have finally said, "Hell, I never wanted Matt Schaub on my autopicked team anyway" and benched him.
RB-Steven Jackson and Ryan Mathews
WR-Reggie Wayne and Roy Williams
RB/WR flex-My new main man, or at least 1st St. man, John Kuhn
TE-Tony Gonzalez
K-Matt Bryant
D/ST-Chicago
I think I have a chance to win again. The lineup of the guy I'm playing against includes two players on byes. I'd think he's waiting until the last minute to set his lineup if he hadn't played last week with three players on byes. This particular league sucks for more reasons than one. Of course, no one replied to my post about how many players with byes were "playing" in our league.
Thoughts on Rangers-Yankees
Ron Washington either doesn't have firm convictions or he hasn't been true to those convictions. Anyway, his handling of the Rangers' bullpen could come back to bite them in the butt.
First there was Game 3 of their ALDS against the Rays. Wash seemed to panic a bit, bringing in Neftali Feliz in the eighth inning, then having to go with Dustin Nippert in the ninth. That was a losing proposition.
After getting 40 saves during the season, Feliz still doesn't have one in the postseason.
By the way, as well as Feliz pitched this year, his major league "rookie" record seems tainted to me because the definition of a rookie pitcher is based on innings rather than appearances. That makes it so a starting pitcher could arrive in the majors during September and use up his innings limit, where a reliever can spend nearly half the season and still qualify as a rookie the next year.
Anyway, I think Washington did the right thing getting Feliz into a game in a non-save situation in the ALDS to have postseason experience. But I'm not sure he needed to struggle through another non-save situation today. He needs to pitch in a closer's role.
OK, I digress. Anyway, after going short (10 pitchers) during the ALDS, Washington, or maybe Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan, did the right thing by jettisoning Nippert and replacing him with two left-handers who will be useful at Yankee Stadium. Darren Oliver has run out of gas each of the last two years. I'm not sure Clay Rapada is the right lefty to add. Matt Harrison has more experience, and there probably was a reason Rapada spent the entire season at Oklahoma City. I'm also not sure when the majors loosened their rules so that virtually anyone can be on the postseason roster even if he joined the team after th August 31 deadline. The Yankees always used to add a veteran, somebody like Hector "Skinny" Brown or Suitcase Simpson, down the stretch even knowing that they couldn't use that player in the postseason.
Back to Rapada. He redeemed himself today by striking out Marcus Thames in a non-favorable matchup when he could have turned a 7-2 game into 7-5.
This brings me back to my main point. One of the first questions I asked Washington in March 2007 in Surprise, Ariz., when he was a new major league manager, was whether he would run his bullpen based on lefty-righty matchups. He was adamant that he wouldn't just go by that book. So in Friday night's game, after lefty Oliver failed, Wash went to righty Darren O'Day against one right-handed batter -- for one pitch. Then it was Rapada for one lefty batter -- for one pitch. Derek Holland finally came in and got out of that awful half-inning. So much for not going by the book.
The manager did get through a soft portion of Texas' rotation (C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis are pretty much 6- or 7-inning starters) with the bullpen in much better shape than the Yankees'. That effect will be lessened somewhat with a day off. But if Cliff Lee can go eight or nine innings deep, and the Rangers can get Andy Pettitte, whose complete games are rare these days, that bullpen edge can grow in the Rangers' favor again. That edge could stay even though neither Game 4 starter, Tommy Hunter or the Yankees' A.J. Burnett, could be expected to go more than six or seven innings.
However, Washington could fritter away that advantage by going too much left-right-left or misusing Feliz.
There are problems inherent with facing the Yankees. The lineup is so deep top to bottom, and so capable of waiting out pitchers, that it puts extreme pressure on opponents. For example, in the current series, the longer it goes, the more pitches Texas throws and the more opportunities that there are up and down the lineup, the more likely it is that Mark Teixeira or Alex Rodriguez would break out of their slumps.
I still like the Rangers in six. If the series goes to seven games, I'm just afraid that ticking time bomb would work in New York's favor.
Another somewhat related thought: The first two games, especially the eighth inning for Game 1, were interminable. One way to cut down the excessive time of American League games would be to ditch the designated hitter. It's not needed for either of the reasons cited when it arrived in 1973 (declining offense and a place for star players to make a transition into the retirement). Having a pitcher around to make more frequent, but not automatic, outs wouldn't hurt. Those same pitchers could have a breather against their counterparts that they could allow them to throw fewer pitches and be fresher for the batters who really could hurt them.
Just a thought. A darn good one at that.
First there was Game 3 of their ALDS against the Rays. Wash seemed to panic a bit, bringing in Neftali Feliz in the eighth inning, then having to go with Dustin Nippert in the ninth. That was a losing proposition.
After getting 40 saves during the season, Feliz still doesn't have one in the postseason.
By the way, as well as Feliz pitched this year, his major league "rookie" record seems tainted to me because the definition of a rookie pitcher is based on innings rather than appearances. That makes it so a starting pitcher could arrive in the majors during September and use up his innings limit, where a reliever can spend nearly half the season and still qualify as a rookie the next year.
Anyway, I think Washington did the right thing getting Feliz into a game in a non-save situation in the ALDS to have postseason experience. But I'm not sure he needed to struggle through another non-save situation today. He needs to pitch in a closer's role.
OK, I digress. Anyway, after going short (10 pitchers) during the ALDS, Washington, or maybe Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan, did the right thing by jettisoning Nippert and replacing him with two left-handers who will be useful at Yankee Stadium. Darren Oliver has run out of gas each of the last two years. I'm not sure Clay Rapada is the right lefty to add. Matt Harrison has more experience, and there probably was a reason Rapada spent the entire season at Oklahoma City. I'm also not sure when the majors loosened their rules so that virtually anyone can be on the postseason roster even if he joined the team after th August 31 deadline. The Yankees always used to add a veteran, somebody like Hector "Skinny" Brown or Suitcase Simpson, down the stretch even knowing that they couldn't use that player in the postseason.
Back to Rapada. He redeemed himself today by striking out Marcus Thames in a non-favorable matchup when he could have turned a 7-2 game into 7-5.
This brings me back to my main point. One of the first questions I asked Washington in March 2007 in Surprise, Ariz., when he was a new major league manager, was whether he would run his bullpen based on lefty-righty matchups. He was adamant that he wouldn't just go by that book. So in Friday night's game, after lefty Oliver failed, Wash went to righty Darren O'Day against one right-handed batter -- for one pitch. Then it was Rapada for one lefty batter -- for one pitch. Derek Holland finally came in and got out of that awful half-inning. So much for not going by the book.
The manager did get through a soft portion of Texas' rotation (C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis are pretty much 6- or 7-inning starters) with the bullpen in much better shape than the Yankees'. That effect will be lessened somewhat with a day off. But if Cliff Lee can go eight or nine innings deep, and the Rangers can get Andy Pettitte, whose complete games are rare these days, that bullpen edge can grow in the Rangers' favor again. That edge could stay even though neither Game 4 starter, Tommy Hunter or the Yankees' A.J. Burnett, could be expected to go more than six or seven innings.
However, Washington could fritter away that advantage by going too much left-right-left or misusing Feliz.
There are problems inherent with facing the Yankees. The lineup is so deep top to bottom, and so capable of waiting out pitchers, that it puts extreme pressure on opponents. For example, in the current series, the longer it goes, the more pitches Texas throws and the more opportunities that there are up and down the lineup, the more likely it is that Mark Teixeira or Alex Rodriguez would break out of their slumps.
I still like the Rangers in six. If the series goes to seven games, I'm just afraid that ticking time bomb would work in New York's favor.
Another somewhat related thought: The first two games, especially the eighth inning for Game 1, were interminable. One way to cut down the excessive time of American League games would be to ditch the designated hitter. It's not needed for either of the reasons cited when it arrived in 1973 (declining offense and a place for star players to make a transition into the retirement). Having a pitcher around to make more frequent, but not automatic, outs wouldn't hurt. Those same pitchers could have a breather against their counterparts that they could allow them to throw fewer pitches and be fresher for the batters who really could hurt them.
Just a thought. A darn good one at that.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Recent Emails you might have missed
Sunday's Email to Fantasy Baseball Scout subscribers was our Weekly Preview/Pitching Chart.
In it, we told those subscribers about an American League team to jump on while making out their lineups this week.
We also told them about our strong record with our pitching recommendations for last week. The seven pitchers we singled out combined for an 8-3 record (that would translate to 117-45 over a 162-game schedule).
Our other regular Emails went out as well -- Weekend Update/Hot and Not, Minor League Update, Injury Update and Updating News and Notes.
Elsewhere on this blog, you can find out how to subscribe to the Emails. We'll also be telling you how to do that periodically in other posts. It's getting late now, though.
In it, we told those subscribers about an American League team to jump on while making out their lineups this week.
We also told them about our strong record with our pitching recommendations for last week. The seven pitchers we singled out combined for an 8-3 record (that would translate to 117-45 over a 162-game schedule).
Our other regular Emails went out as well -- Weekend Update/Hot and Not, Minor League Update, Injury Update and Updating News and Notes.
Elsewhere on this blog, you can find out how to subscribe to the Emails. We'll also be telling you how to do that periodically in other posts. It's getting late now, though.
Monday, May 3, 2010
High scores mixed in with stellar pitching performances
Here’s our usual Monday Email containing a Weekend Update and who’s Hot and Not. It’s going out to the whole list for two reasons:
1. We haven’t finished forming the subscribers’ mailing list.
2. It doesn’t hurt to let those who haven’t yet subscribed see what they’re missing.
Just so you know, this is your last chance to subscribe at a reduced rate for the remainder of 2010. See below to find out how.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Hot
The weekly Hot and Not for batters is based on 20 at-bats for batting average, and at least a .280 BA for the other categories.
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
OF Austin Jackson, Tigers 15-30 .500 0-2 2
2B Adam Rosales, Athletics 10-21 .476 1-4 0
1B Albert Pujols, Cardinals 10-21 .476 0-7 1
3B David Freese, Cardinals 12-26 .462 3-11 0
OF Torii Hunter, Angels 9-20 .450 2-6 0
2B Robinson Cano, Yankees 11-25 .440 4-7 0
OF Austin Kearns, Indians 11-25 .440 2-8 1
3B Adrian Beltre, Red Sox 11-25 .440 0-3 0
SS/2B Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians 11-25 .440 0-1 0
C John Buck, Blue Jays 9-21 .429 3-7 0
Home runs – Cano, Dodgers OF Andre Ethier, White Sox 1B Paul Konerko, Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez and Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano 4.
RBI – Freese 11; Ethier, Konerko, Soriano, Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez and Diamondbacks 1B Adam LaRoche 10; Mets 3B David Wright 9; Kearns, Ramirez, Pirates C Ryan Doumit and Yankees SS Derek Jeter 8.
Stolen bases – White Sox OF Alex Rios 4; Gonzalez, Athletics OF Rajai Davis, Rockies OF Dexter Fowler and Padres OF Tony Gwynn 3.
Runs – Jackson 8; Ethier, Soriano, Rays 3B Evan Longoria, Orioles OF Nick Markakis and Yankees OF/1B Nick Swisher 7.
Konerko was the American League Player of the Week; Freese won the same award in the National League.
Repeaters on a Hot list are Cano, Konerko and Longoria. Wright was on a Not list in each of the previous two weeks, and Jackson was on last week’s Not list.
Requirements for pitchers to make these lists are 7 innings pitched for ERA and WHIP, 10 strikeouts in K:W ratio and an ERA under 4.00.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Colby Lewis, Rangers 9.0 0-0 0.00 0.44 10:1
RHP A.J. Burnett, Yankees 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.50 4:1
RHP Jhoulys Chacin, Rockies 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.50 9:3
RHP Matt Cain, Giants 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.50 8:3
RHP Doug Fister, Mariners 8.0 0-0 0.00 0.38 3:0
LHP Jon Lester, Red Sox 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.43 11:2
LHP Jaime Garcia, Cardinals 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.71 5:1
LHP Cliff Lee, Mariners 7.0 0-0 0.00 0.43 8:0
RHP Zack Greinke, Royals 15.0 0-1 0.60 0.67 11:0
RHP Justin Verlander, Tigers 14.0 1-1 0.64 0.71 14:3
Wins – Orioles RHP Matt Albers, Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter, Rays RHP Wade Davis, Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo, Padres RHP Jon Garland, Marlins RHP Joshua Johnson and Twins LHP Francisco Liriano 2.
Saves – Padres RHP Heath Bell 3-for-3; Nationals RHP Matt Capps, Reds RHP Francisco Cordero, Rangers RHP Frank Francisco, Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon, Orioles RHP Alfredo Simon, Royals RHP Joakim Soria, Rays RHP Rafael Soriano and Tigers RHP Jose Valverde 2-2.
WHIP – Fister 0.38; Lee and Lester 0.43; Lewis 0.44; Giants RHP Tim Lincecum 0.48; Burnett, Cain, Chacin and Braves RHP Tommy Hanson 0.50; Marlins RHP Chris Volstad 0.56.
K:W ratio – Marlins RHP Clay Hensley 13:0; Greinke 11:0; Reds RHP Aaron Harang and Rays RHP James Shields 12:1; Lincecum and Phillies RHP Roy Halladay 11:1; Lewis 10:1; Lester 11:2; Cardinals RHP Kyle Lohse 10:2; Liriano 19:4.
Repeaters on pitching Hot lists were Pettitte, Pelfrey, Rodney, Carpenter and Sanchez.
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
SS/3B Ronny Cedeno, Pirates 1-21 .048 1-1 0
3B Chipper Jones, Braves 1-20 .050 0-1 0
1B Casey Kotchman, Mariners 2-23 .087 0-0 0
SS Yuniesky Betancourt, Royals 3-26 .115 0-1 0
OF Jose Guillen, Royals 3-25 .120 0-2 0
2B Rickie Weeks, Brewers 4-32 .125 1-2 1
C Russell Martin, Dodgers 3-24 .125 1-2 0
OF Juan Pierre, White Sox 3-22 .136 0-0 1
3B/OF Mark Teahen, White Sox 3-21 .143 0-0 0
OF Hideki Matsui, Angels 3-21 .143 0-2 0
OF Josh Willingham, Nationals 3-21 .143 0-2 0
This week’s (dis)honorable mention goes to Rays C Dioner Navarro, who was 0-for-10.
W:K ratio (10 or more strikeouts) – Astros OF Michael Bourn 0:10; Padres 3B/OF Chase Headley 1:12; Tigers 3B Brandon Inge 1:11; Nationals 1B/OF Adam Dunn 1:10; Padres OF Max Venable 3:12; Weeks 4:15; Guillen and Padres OF Kyle Blanks 3:11; Mariners OF Franklin Gutierrez 4:12; Diamondbacks OF Justin Upton 5:11.
Caught stealing – Giants OF/3B Mark DeRosa 0-for-2; Pierre 1-3: Bourn, Indians OF Shin-soo Choo and Mariners OF Ichiro Suzuki 2-4; Rockies OF Dexter Fowler and White Sox OF/1B Andruw Jones 3-5.
There were no repeaters on the hitters’ Not list. Bourn and Guillen both dropped down from the Hot list a week earlier.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Edwin Jackson, D-backs 6.1 0-2 25.58 3.95 2:3
RHP Ben Sheets, Athletics 7.1 0-2 20.86 3.00 4:3
RHP Bud Norris, Astros 9.2 0-2 11.17 2.28 9:8
LHP Zach Duke, Pirates 10.0 0-2 10.80 2.40 9:6
LHP Dana Eveland, Blue Jays 9.2 0-1 10.24 2.28 4:6
RHP Mat Latos, Padres 8.2 0-2 9.35 2.19 8:6
LHP Johan Santana, Mets 9.2 1-1 9.31 1.76 7:5
RHP Josh Beckett, Red Sox 10.0 0-0 9.00 1.80 9:3
LHP David Huff, Indians 10.1 0-2 7.84 2.25 6:3
LHP John Lannan, Nationals 11.0 0-1 7.36 2.00 3:8
The pitchers eligible for this list all started twice during the week
Losses – Duke, Huff, Jackson, Latos, Norris, Sheets, White Sox LHP Mark Buehrle, Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez and Yankees RHP David Robertson 2.
Blown saves – Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman 1-for-3.
News and Notes
The Nationals will decide after a bullpen session Tuesday in Harrisburg, Pa., whether to advance RHP Stephen Strasburg from the Double-A Senators to Triple-A Syracuse.
In two extra-inning losses to the Rangers over the weekend, the Mariners totaled only one run in 23 innings. Friday’s loss happened after OF Eric Byrnes missed a squeeze bunt, allowing a runner to be put out at home plate. As a result, Seattle has released Byrnes and demoted SS Matt Tuiasosopo to Triple-A Tacoma, and brought SS Josh Wilson and OF Ryan Langerhans back up from the Rainiers.
A couple of players relatively new to their teams are helping out. In the Blue Jays’ 9-3 victory over the Athletics Sunday, OF Fred Lewis had a home run, three RBI and a stolen base. Making his major league debut, C Wilson Ramos went 4-for-5 in the Twins’ 8-3 win over the Indians.
The Marlins defeated the Nationals 9-3 with SS Hanley Ramirez slamming two homers and driving in four runs and RHP Josh Johnson improving his record to 3-1.
9-3 was a popular score Sunday. Andre Ethier also had two homers and four RBI to help the Dodgers beat the Pirates by that margin.
Remember Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano? He slammed two homers and drove in – guess what – four runs in a 10-5 victory over the Diamondbacks.
The Orioles completed an unlikely sweep of the Red Sox by winning 3-2 on a 10th-inning double by 2B/3B/1B Ty Wigginton.
The Diamondbacks’ choice to start tonight’s game was RHP Cesar Valdez. The 25-year-old began this season 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA for Triple-A Reno. I was impressed with Valdez when I saw him in the high Class A California League for Visalia. The Modesto lineup he defeated that night including injury-rehabbing SS Troy Tulowitzki. To make room for Valdez, Arizona optioned to Reno RHP Kevin Mulvey, who had been another candidate to move into the rotation.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
There were few close games Sunday. As a result, there were just two saves – in the two best-pitched games on both sides. Rays RHP Rafael Soriano picked up his sixth save in a 1-0 victory over the Royals that included just seven hits by both sides. Tampa Bay RHP Wade Davis out-dueled Kansas City RHP Zack Greinke in that game. Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz recorded his fifth save on what’s listed as his 22nd birthday. Texas won 3-1 in 11 innings at Seattle, with OF David Murphy breaking a 1-1 tie on a sacrifice fly. The starting pitchers were Rangers LHP C.J. Wilson and Mariners RHP Doug Fister, who both have pitched very well this season.
Promotion
To subscribe for our five-times-weekly Emails and anything else we're able to provide this season, Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Through today, Sunday, May 2, you can subscribe for just $20, a 20 per cent savings from our established price of $25.
Include your name, address, phone number and the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. PayPal then would send you an invoice that would allow you to pay in one step.
1. We haven’t finished forming the subscribers’ mailing list.
2. It doesn’t hurt to let those who haven’t yet subscribed see what they’re missing.
Just so you know, this is your last chance to subscribe at a reduced rate for the remainder of 2010. See below to find out how.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Hot
The weekly Hot and Not for batters is based on 20 at-bats for batting average, and at least a .280 BA for the other categories.
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
OF Austin Jackson, Tigers 15-30 .500 0-2 2
2B Adam Rosales, Athletics 10-21 .476 1-4 0
1B Albert Pujols, Cardinals 10-21 .476 0-7 1
3B David Freese, Cardinals 12-26 .462 3-11 0
OF Torii Hunter, Angels 9-20 .450 2-6 0
2B Robinson Cano, Yankees 11-25 .440 4-7 0
OF Austin Kearns, Indians 11-25 .440 2-8 1
3B Adrian Beltre, Red Sox 11-25 .440 0-3 0
SS/2B Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians 11-25 .440 0-1 0
C John Buck, Blue Jays 9-21 .429 3-7 0
Home runs – Cano, Dodgers OF Andre Ethier, White Sox 1B Paul Konerko, Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez and Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano 4.
RBI – Freese 11; Ethier, Konerko, Soriano, Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez and Diamondbacks 1B Adam LaRoche 10; Mets 3B David Wright 9; Kearns, Ramirez, Pirates C Ryan Doumit and Yankees SS Derek Jeter 8.
Stolen bases – White Sox OF Alex Rios 4; Gonzalez, Athletics OF Rajai Davis, Rockies OF Dexter Fowler and Padres OF Tony Gwynn 3.
Runs – Jackson 8; Ethier, Soriano, Rays 3B Evan Longoria, Orioles OF Nick Markakis and Yankees OF/1B Nick Swisher 7.
Konerko was the American League Player of the Week; Freese won the same award in the National League.
Repeaters on a Hot list are Cano, Konerko and Longoria. Wright was on a Not list in each of the previous two weeks, and Jackson was on last week’s Not list.
Requirements for pitchers to make these lists are 7 innings pitched for ERA and WHIP, 10 strikeouts in K:W ratio and an ERA under 4.00.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Colby Lewis, Rangers 9.0 0-0 0.00 0.44 10:1
RHP A.J. Burnett, Yankees 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.50 4:1
RHP Jhoulys Chacin, Rockies 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.50 9:3
RHP Matt Cain, Giants 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.50 8:3
RHP Doug Fister, Mariners 8.0 0-0 0.00 0.38 3:0
LHP Jon Lester, Red Sox 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.43 11:2
LHP Jaime Garcia, Cardinals 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.71 5:1
LHP Cliff Lee, Mariners 7.0 0-0 0.00 0.43 8:0
RHP Zack Greinke, Royals 15.0 0-1 0.60 0.67 11:0
RHP Justin Verlander, Tigers 14.0 1-1 0.64 0.71 14:3
Wins – Orioles RHP Matt Albers, Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter, Rays RHP Wade Davis, Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo, Padres RHP Jon Garland, Marlins RHP Joshua Johnson and Twins LHP Francisco Liriano 2.
Saves – Padres RHP Heath Bell 3-for-3; Nationals RHP Matt Capps, Reds RHP Francisco Cordero, Rangers RHP Frank Francisco, Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon, Orioles RHP Alfredo Simon, Royals RHP Joakim Soria, Rays RHP Rafael Soriano and Tigers RHP Jose Valverde 2-2.
WHIP – Fister 0.38; Lee and Lester 0.43; Lewis 0.44; Giants RHP Tim Lincecum 0.48; Burnett, Cain, Chacin and Braves RHP Tommy Hanson 0.50; Marlins RHP Chris Volstad 0.56.
K:W ratio – Marlins RHP Clay Hensley 13:0; Greinke 11:0; Reds RHP Aaron Harang and Rays RHP James Shields 12:1; Lincecum and Phillies RHP Roy Halladay 11:1; Lewis 10:1; Lester 11:2; Cardinals RHP Kyle Lohse 10:2; Liriano 19:4.
Repeaters on pitching Hot lists were Pettitte, Pelfrey, Rodney, Carpenter and Sanchez.
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
SS/3B Ronny Cedeno, Pirates 1-21 .048 1-1 0
3B Chipper Jones, Braves 1-20 .050 0-1 0
1B Casey Kotchman, Mariners 2-23 .087 0-0 0
SS Yuniesky Betancourt, Royals 3-26 .115 0-1 0
OF Jose Guillen, Royals 3-25 .120 0-2 0
2B Rickie Weeks, Brewers 4-32 .125 1-2 1
C Russell Martin, Dodgers 3-24 .125 1-2 0
OF Juan Pierre, White Sox 3-22 .136 0-0 1
3B/OF Mark Teahen, White Sox 3-21 .143 0-0 0
OF Hideki Matsui, Angels 3-21 .143 0-2 0
OF Josh Willingham, Nationals 3-21 .143 0-2 0
This week’s (dis)honorable mention goes to Rays C Dioner Navarro, who was 0-for-10.
W:K ratio (10 or more strikeouts) – Astros OF Michael Bourn 0:10; Padres 3B/OF Chase Headley 1:12; Tigers 3B Brandon Inge 1:11; Nationals 1B/OF Adam Dunn 1:10; Padres OF Max Venable 3:12; Weeks 4:15; Guillen and Padres OF Kyle Blanks 3:11; Mariners OF Franklin Gutierrez 4:12; Diamondbacks OF Justin Upton 5:11.
Caught stealing – Giants OF/3B Mark DeRosa 0-for-2; Pierre 1-3: Bourn, Indians OF Shin-soo Choo and Mariners OF Ichiro Suzuki 2-4; Rockies OF Dexter Fowler and White Sox OF/1B Andruw Jones 3-5.
There were no repeaters on the hitters’ Not list. Bourn and Guillen both dropped down from the Hot list a week earlier.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Edwin Jackson, D-backs 6.1 0-2 25.58 3.95 2:3
RHP Ben Sheets, Athletics 7.1 0-2 20.86 3.00 4:3
RHP Bud Norris, Astros 9.2 0-2 11.17 2.28 9:8
LHP Zach Duke, Pirates 10.0 0-2 10.80 2.40 9:6
LHP Dana Eveland, Blue Jays 9.2 0-1 10.24 2.28 4:6
RHP Mat Latos, Padres 8.2 0-2 9.35 2.19 8:6
LHP Johan Santana, Mets 9.2 1-1 9.31 1.76 7:5
RHP Josh Beckett, Red Sox 10.0 0-0 9.00 1.80 9:3
LHP David Huff, Indians 10.1 0-2 7.84 2.25 6:3
LHP John Lannan, Nationals 11.0 0-1 7.36 2.00 3:8
The pitchers eligible for this list all started twice during the week
Losses – Duke, Huff, Jackson, Latos, Norris, Sheets, White Sox LHP Mark Buehrle, Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez and Yankees RHP David Robertson 2.
Blown saves – Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman 1-for-3.
News and Notes
The Nationals will decide after a bullpen session Tuesday in Harrisburg, Pa., whether to advance RHP Stephen Strasburg from the Double-A Senators to Triple-A Syracuse.
In two extra-inning losses to the Rangers over the weekend, the Mariners totaled only one run in 23 innings. Friday’s loss happened after OF Eric Byrnes missed a squeeze bunt, allowing a runner to be put out at home plate. As a result, Seattle has released Byrnes and demoted SS Matt Tuiasosopo to Triple-A Tacoma, and brought SS Josh Wilson and OF Ryan Langerhans back up from the Rainiers.
A couple of players relatively new to their teams are helping out. In the Blue Jays’ 9-3 victory over the Athletics Sunday, OF Fred Lewis had a home run, three RBI and a stolen base. Making his major league debut, C Wilson Ramos went 4-for-5 in the Twins’ 8-3 win over the Indians.
The Marlins defeated the Nationals 9-3 with SS Hanley Ramirez slamming two homers and driving in four runs and RHP Josh Johnson improving his record to 3-1.
9-3 was a popular score Sunday. Andre Ethier also had two homers and four RBI to help the Dodgers beat the Pirates by that margin.
Remember Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano? He slammed two homers and drove in – guess what – four runs in a 10-5 victory over the Diamondbacks.
The Orioles completed an unlikely sweep of the Red Sox by winning 3-2 on a 10th-inning double by 2B/3B/1B Ty Wigginton.
The Diamondbacks’ choice to start tonight’s game was RHP Cesar Valdez. The 25-year-old began this season 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA for Triple-A Reno. I was impressed with Valdez when I saw him in the high Class A California League for Visalia. The Modesto lineup he defeated that night including injury-rehabbing SS Troy Tulowitzki. To make room for Valdez, Arizona optioned to Reno RHP Kevin Mulvey, who had been another candidate to move into the rotation.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
There were few close games Sunday. As a result, there were just two saves – in the two best-pitched games on both sides. Rays RHP Rafael Soriano picked up his sixth save in a 1-0 victory over the Royals that included just seven hits by both sides. Tampa Bay RHP Wade Davis out-dueled Kansas City RHP Zack Greinke in that game. Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz recorded his fifth save on what’s listed as his 22nd birthday. Texas won 3-1 in 11 innings at Seattle, with OF David Murphy breaking a 1-1 tie on a sacrifice fly. The starting pitchers were Rangers LHP C.J. Wilson and Mariners RHP Doug Fister, who both have pitched very well this season.
Promotion
To subscribe for our five-times-weekly Emails and anything else we're able to provide this season, Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Through today, Sunday, May 2, you can subscribe for just $20, a 20 per cent savings from our established price of $25.
Include your name, address, phone number and the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. PayPal then would send you an invoice that would allow you to pay in one step.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Lots of home, sweet home pitchers this week
Here is our Weekly Preview and Pitching Chart for the coming week.
We have received payments from a number of you and are in the process of adding you to a new Email list for this season.
PayPal has sent out requests for payment for those of you who have expressed interest in subscribing to our Emails. We are adding to our new mailing list those of you who have made the payment.
Because the new mailing list hasn’t been set up entirely, we still are sending out free Emails to everyone on our preseason mailing list. That free lunch will end soon. We encourage all of you who have been receiving our Emails to subscribe for the remainder of this year.
You or any of your friends – or even you signing friends as gifts to them – can subscribe. You can see how to subscribe below.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to our blog and whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Projected starting pitchers, May 3-9, 2010
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal @NYY-Guthrie @NYY-Matusz @NYY-Hernandz @Min-Bergesen @Min-Millwood @Min-Guthrie2 @Min-Matusz2
Bos LAA-Buchholz LAA-Lester LAA-Lackey LAA-Mtsuzka* NYY-Beckett NYY-Bchholz2 NYY-Lester2
CWS KC-Peavy KC-Floyd KC-Garcia Tor-Danks Tor-Buehrle Tor-Peavy2 Tor-Floyd2
Cle Tor-Talbot Tor-Wstbrook Tor-Carmona --- Det-Mastrson Det-Huff Det-Talbt2**
Det @Min-Scherzer @Min-Willis @Min-Porcello --- @Cle-Bondrmn @Cle-Verlander @Cle-Scherzer2
KC @CWS-Meche @CWS-Hochevar @CWS-Bannister @Tex-Davies @Tex-Greinke @Tex-Meche2 @Tex-Hochevr2
LAA @Bos-Saunders @Bos-Santana @Bos-Pineiro @Bos-Kazmir @Se-Weaver @Se-Saundrs2 @Se-Santana2
Min Det-Baker Det-Bkbrn-3* Det-Slowey Bal-Pavno-4* Bal-Liriano Bal-Baker2 Bal-Blakbrn2
NYY Bal-Sabathia Bal-Burnett Bal-Pettitte --- @Bos-Vazquez @Bos-Hughes @Bos-Sabathia2
Oak Tex-Braden Tex-Mzzro-5* Tex-Cahill-6* --- TB-Gonzalez TB-Sheets TB-Braden2
Se --- TB-Vargas TB-Lee TB-Rwld-Sh LAA-Hernandz LAA-Fister LAA-Vargas2
TB --- @Se-Shields @Se-Garza @Se-Niemann @Oak-Price @Oak-Davis @Oak-Shields2
Tex @Oak-Harden @Oak-Feldman @Oak-Lewis-7* KC-Harrison KC-Wilson KC-Harden2 KC-Feldman2
Tor @Cle-Cecil @Cle-Romero @Cle-Morrow @CWS-Eveland @CWS-Marcum @CWS-Cecil2 @CWS-Romero2
*-RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka is scheduled for his second major league start this season Thursday.
**-The Indians could have the option of moving their Opening Day starter, RHP Jake Westbrook, ahead of RHP Mitch Talbot in their rotation to pitch Sunday.
3*-The Twins expect RHP Nick Blackburn to return from a family medical emergency in time to start Tuesday.
4*-Blackburn’s return would make it so that RHP Carl Pavano could start Thursday with two extra days to recover from a stiff neck.
5*-Athletics RHP Justin Duchscherer is scheduled Monday to go to Nashville to see Dr. Thomas Byrd, who has performed two hip operations on Duchscherer. Most likely, he wouldn’t make Tuesday’s start. A likely replacement would be RHP Vin Mazzaro from Triple-A Sacramento.
6*-Already new to Oakland’s rotation, replacing injured LHP Brett Anderson, is RHP Trevor Cahill. He has made just one major league start this season after recovering from a shoulder injury.
7*-RHP Colby Lewis has been a different pitcher since returning from two years pitching in Japan. He re-signed with his original North American team at what is appearing to be a bargain price. In Rangers history, only Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan had more strikeouts in one season during April than Lewis’ 38. He has been mixing four pitches for strikes. He might still be available in your league. Don’t expect him to remain undefeated all season, but you too should be able to get him at a relatively low price.
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari @Ho-Buckner* @Ho-Kennedy @Ho-Lopez @Ho-Haren Mil-Jackson Mil-Buckner2 Mil-Knnedy2
Atl --- @Was-Kawkami @Was-Hanson @Was-Hudson @Phi-Lowe @Phi-Jurrjns** @Phi-Kwkami2
ChC --- @Pit-Dempster @Pit-Lilly @Pit-Wells @Cin-Gzlny-3* @Cin-Silva @Cin-Dempstr2
Cin NYM-Leake NYM-Arroyo NYM-Cueto --- ChC-Bailey ChC-Harang ChC-Leake2
Col @SD-Jimenez @SD-Smith @SD-Cook --- @LAD-Rogrs-4* @LAD-Chacin @LAD-Jimenez2
Fla --- SF-Sanchez SF-Robertsn SF-Nolasco @Was-Volstad @Was-Johnson @Was-Sanchez2
Ho Ari-Paulino Ari-Oswalt Ari-Myers Ari-Rdriguez SD-Norris SD-Paulino2 SD-Oswalt2
LAD --- Mil-Kershaw Mil-Blingsley Mil-Haegr-5* Col-Kuroda Col-Mnsts-6* Col-Kershaw2
Mil --- @LAD-Nrvsn-7* @LAD-Davis @LAD-Bush @Ari-Gallardo @Ari-Wolf @Ari-Narvesn2
NYM @Cin-Perez @Cin-Maine @Cin-Niese --- SF-Pelfrey SF-Santana SF-Perez2
Phi StL-Hamels StL-Blantn-8* StL-Kndrk-9* StL-Halladay Atl-Moyer Atl-Hamels2 Atl-Blanton2
Pit --- ChC-Maholm ChC-Mrtn-10* ChC-Duke StL-Krtns-11* StL-Brres-12* StL-Maholm2
StL @Phi-Garcia @Phi-Wainright @Phi-Penny @Phi-Penny @Pit-Carpenter @Pit-Garcia2 @Phi-Wanrght2
SD Col-Correia Col-LeBlanc Col-Richard --- @Ho-Latos @Ho-Garland @Ho-Correia2
SF --- @Fla-Lincecum @Fla-Zito @Fla-Cain @NYM-Sanchez @NYM-Welemyr @NYM-Lincecm2
Was --- Atl-Hernandz Atl-Atilano Atl-Olsen Fla-Stammen Fla-Lannan Fla-Hrnandz2
*-With RHP Kris Benson (strained shoulder) going on the disabled list, the Diamondbacks recalled RHP Kevin Mulvey to take Benson’s roster spot. Mulvey could start Monday’s game, but more likely Arizona would recall RHP Billy Buckner from Triple-A Reno to take that role. He last started in the Pacific Coast League Wednesday, so he would be pitching on his usual rest.
**-RHP Jair Jurrjens left Thursday’s game after one inning because of a hamstring injury. The Braves believe Monday’s day off would allow them to push him back in the rotation so he would be ready to start Saturday.
3*-mlb.com indicates that the Cubs would move LHP Tom Gorzelanny, who has pitched well without achieving results, ahead of RHP Carlos Silva in their rotation to start Friday.
4*-The Rockies weren’t excited about RHP Esmil Rogers’ first major league start this season, when he gave up four runs in four innings Saturday. He still might stay in rotation to start Friday, or Colorado could slide another rookie, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, and RHP Ubaldo Jimenez ahead one day each and bring back LHP Greg Smith on the usual four days’ rest to start Sunday.
5*-The Dodgers’ rotation – well, much of their team – is a mess. They could keep ineffective RHP Charlie Haeger as a starter for Thursday’s game, or they could give rookie RHP John Ely another start.
6*-RHP Carlos Monasterios went four innings in his first emergency start against the Pirates, and could be brought back Sunday against the Rockies. Haeger or Ely also could be an option.
7*-The Brewers liked LHP Chris Narveson well enough to have him supplant veteran RHP Jeff Suppan in their rotation. The Dodgers didn’t show the southpaw any respect by spelling his name “Naverson” in their game notes.
8*-The Phillies are likely to bring RHP Joe Blanton back from an injury-rehab assignment to start Tuesday. That assignment wouldn’t go to LHP J.A. Happ, whom they shut down after 20 pitches on the side Friday because he was feeling more forearm pain.
9*-RHP Kyle Kendrick’s spot in Philadelphia’s rotation is tenuous. The Phils could replace him with veteran RHP Nelson Figueroa, who also could take Tuesday’s start to give Blanton more time on rehab.
10*-On most major league teams, RHP Charlie Morton no longer would be starting. The Pirates don’t currently have much choice.
11*-Pittsburgh recalled RHP Jeff Karstens from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Sunday’s game. His next turn would be Friday.
12*-RHP Ross Ohlendorf isn’t yet ready to return to the Bucs. He threw 43 pitches Friday, and is expected to make an injury-rehab start Wednesday at Double-A Altoona or high Class A Bradenton. Pittsburgh’s plan is for Ohlendorf to return to the major league rotation May 10. His continued absence most likely would leave LHP Brian Burres as Friday’s starter. In his first start this season, Burres pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings.
Schedule notes
In the American League this week, a majority of the teams are scheduled to play seven games, while the other six would play six. That means if you use batters and relief pitchers from the Indians, Tigers, Yankees, Athletics, Mariners or Rays, you would be at a 14 per cent playing-time disadvantage over players from the other eight. The Red Sox, White Sox and Twins would play all seven times at home. That means it could be a marginally better week for batters with games at hitter-friendly parks in Boston (Angels four times, Yankees three) and Chicago (Royals three, Blue Jays four). Pitchers would have an advantage in the six games scheduled in Oakland (Rangers and Rays three each) and Seattle (Rays and Angels three). And those are a couple of additional reasons to stay away from Tampa Bay batters.
The National League is somewhat opposite in that just four teams – Diamondbacks, Astros, Phillies and Cardinals – are scheduled for seven games, with the others playing six. It could be an even better week for NL batters with seven contests in Philadelphia (Cardinals four, Braves three) and a slightly hitter-friendly park in Houston (D-backs four, Padres three). In addition, there are six games scheduled in Cincinnati (Mets and Cubs) three. In the pitchers’ favor are Dodger Stadium (Brewers and Rockies three) and Pittsburgh (Cubs and Cardinals three).
An oddity in this week’s schedules is that except for six teams – Yankees, Rangers, D-backs, Marlins, Mets and Padres – every other squad would play exclusively at home or exclusively on the road.
Pitchers scheduled to start twice at home are RHPs Clay Buchholz, Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, Mitch Talbot, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Mike Leake, Felipe Paulino, Roy Oswalt, Joe Blanton and Livan Hernandez, and LHPs Jon Lester, Dallas Braden, Jason Vargas, Clayton Kershaw, Cole Hamels and Paul Maholm. The list is long because 12 teams would be playing at home all week. Despite that, we have only one highest recommendation: Hamels. Plenty of pitches are somewhere between Highest Recommendation and Live Longshot – Peavy, Floyd, Baker, Lester and Kershaw. And what the heck, we’ll give you Oswalt as a very high recommendation.
Injuries
In addition to a herniated disk and an abdominal injury, Orioles 2B Brian Roberts has been battling the flu. He said he might be out another three weeks or three months.
With Twins C Joe Mauer suffering a bruised left heel when he jammed it into a base Friday, C Wilson Ramos from Triple-A Rochester has joined Minnesota.
Yankees CF Curtis Granderson has gone on the disabled list because of a strained left groin muscle. In his absence, Brett Gardner would play center field and Randy Winn left field. Those are much better alternatives than New York has had in several years. To take Granderson’s roster spot, the Yanks recalled RHP Mark Melancon from Triple-A Scranton.
The Athletics put C Kurt Suzuki on the DL because of a strained intercostals muscle in his left side. Up from Triple-A Sacramento to replace him is C Josh Donaldson. He would be worth a shot as a fantasy backup because he has power and is a good defensive catcher, and is a better alternative than C Landon Powell.
News and notes
The word in Washington is that RHP Stephen Strasburg would be promoted to Triple-A Syracuse if he pitched well today for five innings or 85 pitches, whichever comes first, in his start for Double-A Harrisburg. It’s not clear what will happen; he allowed Altoona (Pirates organization) three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Another rookie pro, RHP Drew Storen, already has moved up from Harrisburg to Syracuse.
Before we think the Mets’ troubles are over, consider that 16 of their first 24 games were played at home.
The Rockies have designated RHP Juan Rincon for assignment.
The headline looks impressive: Three No-Hitters the Last Two Days in the Midwest League. However, that is just a low Class A league, and none of the three was by one pitcher in a nine-inning game. It took three Cedar Rapids Kernels (Angels) for one no-no; Nick Struck’s no-hitter for Peoria (Cubs) was in a rain-shortened game, and LHP Dan Osterbrock of Beloit (Twins) pitched his in a seven-inning doubleheader game. Osterbrock’s effort was noteworthy in that the only runner to reach base against him was on a 3-and-2 leadoff walk in the seventh. A double play erased that runner, so the lefty faced the minimum 21 batters.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
It appears that RHP Alfredo Simon could be settling in as the Orioles’ closer and that the Baltimore bullpen is taking shape. In a 12-9 game Saturday against the Red Sox that included nine home runs, Simon picked up his second save with a pitching line of 100011.
The Rangers’ bullpen might not be the place to look for a front-line closer. RHP Frank Francisco’s second save came with a line of 100021 in a 6-3 victory at Seattle, indicating that he could take the primary role from RHP Neftali Feliz. The solution also could become RHP Chris Ray, who may already have usurped a setup role from Feliz or Francisco.
Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin didn’t record a save, but did something much rarer for a closer by winning a game while pitching well. He entered a 3-3 game with two runners on base and two out in the bottom of the eighth inning and received a win when St. Louis scored three times in the top of the ninth for a 6-3 victory.
Other saves went to Royals RHP Joakim Soria, seventh, 4-2 in 11 innings at Tampa Bay; White Sox RHP Bobby Jenks, fifth, 7-6 at Yankee Stadium; Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol, fourth, 7-5 over the Diamondbacks; Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman, fourth, 2-1 at San Diego, and Athletics RHP Andrew Bailey, third, 4-3 at Toronto.
Promotion
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Projected starting pitchers, May 3-9, 2010
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal @NYY-Guthrie @NYY-Matusz @NYY-Hernandz @Min-Bergesen @Min-Millwood @Min-Guthrie2 @Min-Matusz2
Bos LAA-Buchholz LAA-Lester LAA-Lackey LAA-Mtsuzka* NYY-Beckett NYY-Bchholz2 NYY-Lester2
CWS KC-Peavy KC-Floyd KC-Garcia Tor-Danks Tor-Buehrle Tor-Peavy2 Tor-Floyd2
Cle Tor-Talbot Tor-Wstbrook Tor-Carmona --- Det-Mastrson Det-Huff Det-Talbt2**
Det @Min-Scherzer @Min-Willis @Min-Porcello --- @Cle-Bondrmn @Cle-Verlander @Cle-Scherzer2
KC @CWS-Meche @CWS-Hochevar @CWS-Bannister @Tex-Davies @Tex-Greinke @Tex-Meche2 @Tex-Hochevr2
LAA @Bos-Saunders @Bos-Santana @Bos-Pineiro @Bos-Kazmir @Se-Weaver @Se-Saundrs2 @Se-Santana2
Min Det-Baker Det-Bkbrn-3* Det-Slowey Bal-Pavno-4* Bal-Liriano Bal-Baker2 Bal-Blakbrn2
NYY Bal-Sabathia Bal-Burnett Bal-Pettitte --- @Bos-Vazquez @Bos-Hughes @Bos-Sabathia2
Oak Tex-Braden Tex-Mzzro-5* Tex-Cahill-6* --- TB-Gonzalez TB-Sheets TB-Braden2
Se --- TB-Vargas TB-Lee TB-Rwld-Sh LAA-Hernandz LAA-Fister LAA-Vargas2
TB --- @Se-Shields @Se-Garza @Se-Niemann @Oak-Price @Oak-Davis @Oak-Shields2
Tex @Oak-Harden @Oak-Feldman @Oak-Lewis-7* KC-Harrison KC-Wilson KC-Harden2 KC-Feldman2
Tor @Cle-Cecil @Cle-Romero @Cle-Morrow @CWS-Eveland @CWS-Marcum @CWS-Cecil2 @CWS-Romero2
*-RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka is scheduled for his second major league start this season Thursday.
**-The Indians could have the option of moving their Opening Day starter, RHP Jake Westbrook, ahead of RHP Mitch Talbot in their rotation to pitch Sunday.
3*-The Twins expect RHP Nick Blackburn to return from a family medical emergency in time to start Tuesday.
4*-Blackburn’s return would make it so that RHP Carl Pavano could start Thursday with two extra days to recover from a stiff neck.
5*-Athletics RHP Justin Duchscherer is scheduled Monday to go to Nashville to see Dr. Thomas Byrd, who has performed two hip operations on Duchscherer. Most likely, he wouldn’t make Tuesday’s start. A likely replacement would be RHP Vin Mazzaro from Triple-A Sacramento.
6*-Already new to Oakland’s rotation, replacing injured LHP Brett Anderson, is RHP Trevor Cahill. He has made just one major league start this season after recovering from a shoulder injury.
7*-RHP Colby Lewis has been a different pitcher since returning from two years pitching in Japan. He re-signed with his original North American team at what is appearing to be a bargain price. In Rangers history, only Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan had more strikeouts in one season during April than Lewis’ 38. He has been mixing four pitches for strikes. He might still be available in your league. Don’t expect him to remain undefeated all season, but you too should be able to get him at a relatively low price.
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari @Ho-Buckner* @Ho-Kennedy @Ho-Lopez @Ho-Haren Mil-Jackson Mil-Buckner2 Mil-Knnedy2
Atl --- @Was-Kawkami @Was-Hanson @Was-Hudson @Phi-Lowe @Phi-Jurrjns** @Phi-Kwkami2
ChC --- @Pit-Dempster @Pit-Lilly @Pit-Wells @Cin-Gzlny-3* @Cin-Silva @Cin-Dempstr2
Cin NYM-Leake NYM-Arroyo NYM-Cueto --- ChC-Bailey ChC-Harang ChC-Leake2
Col @SD-Jimenez @SD-Smith @SD-Cook --- @LAD-Rogrs-4* @LAD-Chacin @LAD-Jimenez2
Fla --- SF-Sanchez SF-Robertsn SF-Nolasco @Was-Volstad @Was-Johnson @Was-Sanchez2
Ho Ari-Paulino Ari-Oswalt Ari-Myers Ari-Rdriguez SD-Norris SD-Paulino2 SD-Oswalt2
LAD --- Mil-Kershaw Mil-Blingsley Mil-Haegr-5* Col-Kuroda Col-Mnsts-6* Col-Kershaw2
Mil --- @LAD-Nrvsn-7* @LAD-Davis @LAD-Bush @Ari-Gallardo @Ari-Wolf @Ari-Narvesn2
NYM @Cin-Perez @Cin-Maine @Cin-Niese --- SF-Pelfrey SF-Santana SF-Perez2
Phi StL-Hamels StL-Blantn-8* StL-Kndrk-9* StL-Halladay Atl-Moyer Atl-Hamels2 Atl-Blanton2
Pit --- ChC-Maholm ChC-Mrtn-10* ChC-Duke StL-Krtns-11* StL-Brres-12* StL-Maholm2
StL @Phi-Garcia @Phi-Wainright @Phi-Penny @Phi-Penny @Pit-Carpenter @Pit-Garcia2 @Phi-Wanrght2
SD Col-Correia Col-LeBlanc Col-Richard --- @Ho-Latos @Ho-Garland @Ho-Correia2
SF --- @Fla-Lincecum @Fla-Zito @Fla-Cain @NYM-Sanchez @NYM-Welemyr @NYM-Lincecm2
Was --- Atl-Hernandz Atl-Atilano Atl-Olsen Fla-Stammen Fla-Lannan Fla-Hrnandz2
*-With RHP Kris Benson (strained shoulder) going on the disabled list, the Diamondbacks recalled RHP Kevin Mulvey to take Benson’s roster spot. Mulvey could start Monday’s game, but more likely Arizona would recall RHP Billy Buckner from Triple-A Reno to take that role. He last started in the Pacific Coast League Wednesday, so he would be pitching on his usual rest.
**-RHP Jair Jurrjens left Thursday’s game after one inning because of a hamstring injury. The Braves believe Monday’s day off would allow them to push him back in the rotation so he would be ready to start Saturday.
3*-mlb.com indicates that the Cubs would move LHP Tom Gorzelanny, who has pitched well without achieving results, ahead of RHP Carlos Silva in their rotation to start Friday.
4*-The Rockies weren’t excited about RHP Esmil Rogers’ first major league start this season, when he gave up four runs in four innings Saturday. He still might stay in rotation to start Friday, or Colorado could slide another rookie, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, and RHP Ubaldo Jimenez ahead one day each and bring back LHP Greg Smith on the usual four days’ rest to start Sunday.
5*-The Dodgers’ rotation – well, much of their team – is a mess. They could keep ineffective RHP Charlie Haeger as a starter for Thursday’s game, or they could give rookie RHP John Ely another start.
6*-RHP Carlos Monasterios went four innings in his first emergency start against the Pirates, and could be brought back Sunday against the Rockies. Haeger or Ely also could be an option.
7*-The Brewers liked LHP Chris Narveson well enough to have him supplant veteran RHP Jeff Suppan in their rotation. The Dodgers didn’t show the southpaw any respect by spelling his name “Naverson” in their game notes.
8*-The Phillies are likely to bring RHP Joe Blanton back from an injury-rehab assignment to start Tuesday. That assignment wouldn’t go to LHP J.A. Happ, whom they shut down after 20 pitches on the side Friday because he was feeling more forearm pain.
9*-RHP Kyle Kendrick’s spot in Philadelphia’s rotation is tenuous. The Phils could replace him with veteran RHP Nelson Figueroa, who also could take Tuesday’s start to give Blanton more time on rehab.
10*-On most major league teams, RHP Charlie Morton no longer would be starting. The Pirates don’t currently have much choice.
11*-Pittsburgh recalled RHP Jeff Karstens from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Sunday’s game. His next turn would be Friday.
12*-RHP Ross Ohlendorf isn’t yet ready to return to the Bucs. He threw 43 pitches Friday, and is expected to make an injury-rehab start Wednesday at Double-A Altoona or high Class A Bradenton. Pittsburgh’s plan is for Ohlendorf to return to the major league rotation May 10. His continued absence most likely would leave LHP Brian Burres as Friday’s starter. In his first start this season, Burres pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings.
Schedule notes
In the American League this week, a majority of the teams are scheduled to play seven games, while the other six would play six. That means if you use batters and relief pitchers from the Indians, Tigers, Yankees, Athletics, Mariners or Rays, you would be at a 14 per cent playing-time disadvantage over players from the other eight. The Red Sox, White Sox and Twins would play all seven times at home. That means it could be a marginally better week for batters with games at hitter-friendly parks in Boston (Angels four times, Yankees three) and Chicago (Royals three, Blue Jays four). Pitchers would have an advantage in the six games scheduled in Oakland (Rangers and Rays three each) and Seattle (Rays and Angels three). And those are a couple of additional reasons to stay away from Tampa Bay batters.
The National League is somewhat opposite in that just four teams – Diamondbacks, Astros, Phillies and Cardinals – are scheduled for seven games, with the others playing six. It could be an even better week for NL batters with seven contests in Philadelphia (Cardinals four, Braves three) and a slightly hitter-friendly park in Houston (D-backs four, Padres three). In addition, there are six games scheduled in Cincinnati (Mets and Cubs) three. In the pitchers’ favor are Dodger Stadium (Brewers and Rockies three) and Pittsburgh (Cubs and Cardinals three).
An oddity in this week’s schedules is that except for six teams – Yankees, Rangers, D-backs, Marlins, Mets and Padres – every other squad would play exclusively at home or exclusively on the road.
Pitchers scheduled to start twice at home are RHPs Clay Buchholz, Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, Mitch Talbot, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Mike Leake, Felipe Paulino, Roy Oswalt, Joe Blanton and Livan Hernandez, and LHPs Jon Lester, Dallas Braden, Jason Vargas, Clayton Kershaw, Cole Hamels and Paul Maholm. The list is long because 12 teams would be playing at home all week. Despite that, we have only one highest recommendation: Hamels. Plenty of pitches are somewhere between Highest Recommendation and Live Longshot – Peavy, Floyd, Baker, Lester and Kershaw. And what the heck, we’ll give you Oswalt as a very high recommendation.
Injuries
In addition to a herniated disk and an abdominal injury, Orioles 2B Brian Roberts has been battling the flu. He said he might be out another three weeks or three months.
With Twins C Joe Mauer suffering a bruised left heel when he jammed it into a base Friday, C Wilson Ramos from Triple-A Rochester has joined Minnesota.
Yankees CF Curtis Granderson has gone on the disabled list because of a strained left groin muscle. In his absence, Brett Gardner would play center field and Randy Winn left field. Those are much better alternatives than New York has had in several years. To take Granderson’s roster spot, the Yanks recalled RHP Mark Melancon from Triple-A Scranton.
The Athletics put C Kurt Suzuki on the DL because of a strained intercostals muscle in his left side. Up from Triple-A Sacramento to replace him is C Josh Donaldson. He would be worth a shot as a fantasy backup because he has power and is a good defensive catcher, and is a better alternative than C Landon Powell.
News and notes
The word in Washington is that RHP Stephen Strasburg would be promoted to Triple-A Syracuse if he pitched well today for five innings or 85 pitches, whichever comes first, in his start for Double-A Harrisburg. It’s not clear what will happen; he allowed Altoona (Pirates organization) three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Another rookie pro, RHP Drew Storen, already has moved up from Harrisburg to Syracuse.
Before we think the Mets’ troubles are over, consider that 16 of their first 24 games were played at home.
The Rockies have designated RHP Juan Rincon for assignment.
The headline looks impressive: Three No-Hitters the Last Two Days in the Midwest League. However, that is just a low Class A league, and none of the three was by one pitcher in a nine-inning game. It took three Cedar Rapids Kernels (Angels) for one no-no; Nick Struck’s no-hitter for Peoria (Cubs) was in a rain-shortened game, and LHP Dan Osterbrock of Beloit (Twins) pitched his in a seven-inning doubleheader game. Osterbrock’s effort was noteworthy in that the only runner to reach base against him was on a 3-and-2 leadoff walk in the seventh. A double play erased that runner, so the lefty faced the minimum 21 batters.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
It appears that RHP Alfredo Simon could be settling in as the Orioles’ closer and that the Baltimore bullpen is taking shape. In a 12-9 game Saturday against the Red Sox that included nine home runs, Simon picked up his second save with a pitching line of 100011.
The Rangers’ bullpen might not be the place to look for a front-line closer. RHP Frank Francisco’s second save came with a line of 100021 in a 6-3 victory at Seattle, indicating that he could take the primary role from RHP Neftali Feliz. The solution also could become RHP Chris Ray, who may already have usurped a setup role from Feliz or Francisco.
Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin didn’t record a save, but did something much rarer for a closer by winning a game while pitching well. He entered a 3-3 game with two runners on base and two out in the bottom of the eighth inning and received a win when St. Louis scored three times in the top of the ninth for a 6-3 victory.
Other saves went to Royals RHP Joakim Soria, seventh, 4-2 in 11 innings at Tampa Bay; White Sox RHP Bobby Jenks, fifth, 7-6 at Yankee Stadium; Cubs RHP Carlos Marmol, fourth, 7-5 over the Diamondbacks; Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman, fourth, 2-1 at San Diego, and Athletics RHP Andrew Bailey, third, 4-3 at Toronto.
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Friday, April 30, 2010
Konerko and unlikely Johnson are HR leaders
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In the normal schedule for our five weekly Emails, the Thursday Emails update News and Notes from around baseball.
LeBlanc blanks Brewers
It wasn’t long after Rangers TV play-by-play man Josh Lewin remarked that it didn’t appear that anyone would hit 10 homers in the majors this April that White Sox 1B Paul Konerko pounded numbers 9 and 10 in the eighth and ninth innings to help beat Texas. He had begun the day tied with Diamondbacks 2B Kelly Johnson for the major league lead. The surprising Johnson hit his ninth as Arizona routed the Cubs. D-backs 1B Adam LaRoche drove in five runs in that game.
One of today’s superlative performances was by Padres LHP Wade LeBlanc. In a 9-0 shutout of the Brewers, ho allowed no runs and no walks in 6 1/3 innings to improve his record to 2-0 since being recalled from Triple-A Portland.
We’re getting to the point where statistics begin meaning something. What the numbers could mean includes that Cardinals OF Colby Rasmus (batting .344) and Tigers CF Austin Jackson (.330) could be breaking out as stars. As much as I hate to say such things so early in a season, Jackson is making a move toward becoming the American League Rookie of the Year.
On the other hand are some players in deep slumps. Athletics 2B Rickie Weeks struck out in all three at-bats to extend his slump to 1-for-25. Royals OF Jose Guillen was even worse, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and playing his usual brutal defense in right field as the Rays (17-5 this season) routed KC.
LHP Alan Embree is back with the Red Sox, who purchased his contract from Triple-A Pawtucket. To make room on the roster, Boston designated serviceable 2B/SS Kevin Frandsen for assignment.
Minor matters
The minors had their second no-hitter in two days, with Double-A Arkansas (Angels) RHP Ryan Brasier shutting down Tulsa (Rockies). Brasier is not a top-level prospect.
His no-no was just one of the day’s excellent pitching performances. Kyle Gibson pitched a one-hit shutout for high Class A Fort Myers (Twins). For Triple-A Buffalo (Mets) journeyman RHP R.A. Dickey gave up a single to the first batter for Durham (Rays), then retired 27 consecutive batters.
Injuries
Athletics RHP Justin Duchscherer could be returning to his accustomed place on the disabled list after leaving today’s start because of a hip injury.
Braves RHP Jair Jurrjens left his start at St. Louis after the first inning because of a strained left hamstring. The Cardinals won 10-4 behind 3B David Freese’s home run and six RBI.
Reds CF Chris Dickerson left their game because of s sprained right wrist, and returned to Cincinnati for an MRI exam. OF Drew Stubbs replaced Dickerson.
Yankees C Jorge Posada sat out today after being hit on the right knee Wednesday by a pitch from Orioles RHP Jeremy Guthrie. C Francisco Cervelli started in Posada’s place.
The Astros said LHP Wandy Rodriguez will not make his scheduled start Friday because of back spasms. RHP Brett Myers will move up a day to start at Atlanta. It’s possible that Rodriguez would be able to start Saturday.
Phillies RHP Brad Lidge will return from the disabled list Friday, in time for their series against the Mets. New York no doubt is glad that Mets-killing OF Pat Burrell won’t also be coming back.
In closing
The Dodgers began the season as one of the majors’ hottest-hitting teams. So what would you have expected them to do against the Pirates’ pitching trio of LHPs Brian Burres and Jack Taschner and RHP Evan Meek? Probably not being shut out – which they were, 2-0, with both of Pittsburgh’s runs scoring on C Ryan Doumit’s first-inning triple. Meek pitched one inning for his first major league save. Manager John Russell said RHP Octavio Dotel would remain its closer, pointing out that he had pitched in two of three games during the previous series in Milwaukee. However, over time Meek’s 0.60 ERA might win the job over Dotel’s 10.61 and two blow saves in five chances.
Speaking of the Dodgers, they’ll have to get better hitting because their pitching rotation is a mess. This week they’ve already brought up heretofore unknown John Ely to start one game, and will have RHP Carlos Monasterios start Friday. He at least has a 1.69 ERA in relief for LA.
RHP Kevin Gregg picked up his sixth save in the Blue Jays’ 6-3 victory over the Athletics, during which Toronto C John Buck hit three home runs.
Other saves went to Reds RHP Francisco Cordero, eighth, 4-2 at Houston, and Tigers RHP Jose Valverde, 3-0 against the Twins after LHP Dontrelle Willis started with six scoreless innings.
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Because the new mailing list hasn’t been set up entirely, we still are sending out free Emails to everyone on our preseason mailing list. That free lunch will end soon. We encourage all of you who have been receiving our Emails to subscribe for the remainder of this year.
You or any of your friends – or even you signing friends as gifts to them – can subscribe. You can see below how to do that.
In the normal schedule for our five weekly Emails, the Thursday Emails update News and Notes from around baseball.
LeBlanc blanks Brewers
It wasn’t long after Rangers TV play-by-play man Josh Lewin remarked that it didn’t appear that anyone would hit 10 homers in the majors this April that White Sox 1B Paul Konerko pounded numbers 9 and 10 in the eighth and ninth innings to help beat Texas. He had begun the day tied with Diamondbacks 2B Kelly Johnson for the major league lead. The surprising Johnson hit his ninth as Arizona routed the Cubs. D-backs 1B Adam LaRoche drove in five runs in that game.
One of today’s superlative performances was by Padres LHP Wade LeBlanc. In a 9-0 shutout of the Brewers, ho allowed no runs and no walks in 6 1/3 innings to improve his record to 2-0 since being recalled from Triple-A Portland.
We’re getting to the point where statistics begin meaning something. What the numbers could mean includes that Cardinals OF Colby Rasmus (batting .344) and Tigers CF Austin Jackson (.330) could be breaking out as stars. As much as I hate to say such things so early in a season, Jackson is making a move toward becoming the American League Rookie of the Year.
On the other hand are some players in deep slumps. Athletics 2B Rickie Weeks struck out in all three at-bats to extend his slump to 1-for-25. Royals OF Jose Guillen was even worse, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and playing his usual brutal defense in right field as the Rays (17-5 this season) routed KC.
LHP Alan Embree is back with the Red Sox, who purchased his contract from Triple-A Pawtucket. To make room on the roster, Boston designated serviceable 2B/SS Kevin Frandsen for assignment.
Minor matters
The minors had their second no-hitter in two days, with Double-A Arkansas (Angels) RHP Ryan Brasier shutting down Tulsa (Rockies). Brasier is not a top-level prospect.
His no-no was just one of the day’s excellent pitching performances. Kyle Gibson pitched a one-hit shutout for high Class A Fort Myers (Twins). For Triple-A Buffalo (Mets) journeyman RHP R.A. Dickey gave up a single to the first batter for Durham (Rays), then retired 27 consecutive batters.
Injuries
Athletics RHP Justin Duchscherer could be returning to his accustomed place on the disabled list after leaving today’s start because of a hip injury.
Braves RHP Jair Jurrjens left his start at St. Louis after the first inning because of a strained left hamstring. The Cardinals won 10-4 behind 3B David Freese’s home run and six RBI.
Reds CF Chris Dickerson left their game because of s sprained right wrist, and returned to Cincinnati for an MRI exam. OF Drew Stubbs replaced Dickerson.
Yankees C Jorge Posada sat out today after being hit on the right knee Wednesday by a pitch from Orioles RHP Jeremy Guthrie. C Francisco Cervelli started in Posada’s place.
The Astros said LHP Wandy Rodriguez will not make his scheduled start Friday because of back spasms. RHP Brett Myers will move up a day to start at Atlanta. It’s possible that Rodriguez would be able to start Saturday.
Phillies RHP Brad Lidge will return from the disabled list Friday, in time for their series against the Mets. New York no doubt is glad that Mets-killing OF Pat Burrell won’t also be coming back.
In closing
The Dodgers began the season as one of the majors’ hottest-hitting teams. So what would you have expected them to do against the Pirates’ pitching trio of LHPs Brian Burres and Jack Taschner and RHP Evan Meek? Probably not being shut out – which they were, 2-0, with both of Pittsburgh’s runs scoring on C Ryan Doumit’s first-inning triple. Meek pitched one inning for his first major league save. Manager John Russell said RHP Octavio Dotel would remain its closer, pointing out that he had pitched in two of three games during the previous series in Milwaukee. However, over time Meek’s 0.60 ERA might win the job over Dotel’s 10.61 and two blow saves in five chances.
Speaking of the Dodgers, they’ll have to get better hitting because their pitching rotation is a mess. This week they’ve already brought up heretofore unknown John Ely to start one game, and will have RHP Carlos Monasterios start Friday. He at least has a 1.69 ERA in relief for LA.
RHP Kevin Gregg picked up his sixth save in the Blue Jays’ 6-3 victory over the Athletics, during which Toronto C John Buck hit three home runs.
Other saves went to Reds RHP Francisco Cordero, eighth, 4-2 at Houston, and Tigers RHP Jose Valverde, 3-0 against the Twins after LHP Dontrelle Willis started with six scoreless innings.
Promotion
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Today's shake up: Injuries do a number on Rockies
Good news for all of you! And for us.
1. We have received payments from a number of you and are in the process of adding you to a new Email list for this season.
2. PayPal has sent out requests for payment for those of you who have expressed interest in subscribing to our Emails. We are adding to our new mailing list those of you who have made the payment.
3. Because the new mailing list hasn’t been set up entirely, we still are sending out free Emails to everyone on our preseason mailing list. That free lunch will end soon. We encourage all of you who have been receiving our Emails to subscribe for the remainder of this year.
You or any of your friends – or even you signing friends as gifts to them – can subscribe. You can see below how to do that.
In the normal schedule for our five weekly Emails, the Wednesday Emails contain Injury Updates, including our Due Dates feature to let you know when to begin looking for key players to return to their lineup.
Kinsler looks ready to go
In addition to losing two starters, LHP Jorge De La Rosa (hand injury, for up to five weeks) and RHP Jason Hammel (strained right groin) to injuries, the Rockies also learned that LHP Jeff Francis’ return from a shoulder injury will be delayed until mid-May. They originally had hoped he could pitch for them this week. There’s some better news for Colorado. In an extended spring training game, RHP Taylor Buchholz (elbow) threw 36 pitches and 2B/SS Omar Quintanilla (sprained left knee) played the entire game. RHP Huston Street (shoulder) threw 20 pitches in Tucson. Hammel and Street are expected back in mid-May, Buchholz not until mid-June.
I saw all three of Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler’s injury-rehab games at Double-A Frisco. He certainly appeared able to play and ready to return to the parent team. Returning from a high ankle sprain, Kinsler appeared to move as he normally does – tracking down grounders to his right much better than those to his left, and stealing a base in his final rehab game. He played all 27 innings at second base. At bat, he was neither exceptional nor deficient. Playing for a team struggling to score runs, Kinsler had two run-scoring singles in his final game for the RoughRiders, leading to a 4-2 victory over San Antonio (Padres organization).
The Pirates are hoping RHP Ross Ohlendorf (back) can return to start Friday, May 7, against the Cardinals.
Questionable for this weekend’s games are Brewers OF Jim Edmonds (back), Athletics C Kurt Suzuki (left side), Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal (hamstring), Royals CF Rick Ankiel (quadriceps), Marlins OF Cody Ross (foot, flu) and Padres SS Everth Cabrera. Giants 2B/3B Jose Uribe (elbow) is expected to be ready only to pinch hit.
Twins C Joe Mauer played despite having fluid drained from his right big toe, hit by a foul ball Tuesday, but 1B Justin Morneau was out of Minnesota’s lineup.
Phillies RHP Brad Lidge (knee, elbow) pitched two scoreless innings Tuesday in his injury-rehab assignment at Double-A Reading. His fastball reached 93 mph, and Lidge said he was “ready to go.” RHP Joe Blanton (strained left oblique) could return to Philadelphia’s rotation Tuesday despite giving up five runs in five innings of a rehab start for Reading.
The Red Sox are planning to have RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka come off the disabled list to make his 2010 debut starting Saturday’s game at Baltimore.
Diamondbacks RHP Kris Benson (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for his scheduled start Monday at Houston.
Due dates
Instead of giving you the entire list of when players are expected to return from the disabled list or an injury, we’ll let you know the due dates for players whose status has changed. Remember that any time a players’ anticipated return date is pushed back, that could be a sign of greater short-term and longer-term problems for that player. Especially dangerous are pitchers’ forearm injuries, which often foreshadow Tommy John surgery.
Delayed from late April to mid-May – Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (calf)
From early May to mid-May – Orioles 2B Brian Roberts (back), White Sox C Ramon Castro (heel), Indians RHP Kerry Wood (back), Twins C Jose Morales (wrist) and LHP Jose Mijares (elbow), Yankees RHP Chan Ho Park (hamstring), Athletics OF Coco Crisp (finger) and 2B Mark Ellis (hamstring), Blue Jays 3B Edwin Encarnacion (shoulder) and LHP Brian Tallet (forearm), Nationals C Chris Coste (elbow) and 1B/OF Mike Morse (calf) and Padres RHP Chris R. Young (shoulder).
Expected back in mid-May from a new injury – Rockies OF Brad Hawpe (quadriceps), Tigers OF/3B Carlos Guillen (hamstring), Marlins LHP Dan Meyer (calf), Angels C Bobby Wilson (concussion, ankle), Dodgers OF Manny Ramirez (calf), Twins 2B/3B Nick Punto (groin, hip), Athletics OF Travis Buck (oblique), Pirates RHP Chris Jakubauskas (concussion), Rangers OF Nelson Cruz (hamstring) and Nationals RHP Garrett Mock (neck).
Delayed from mid-May to late May – Braves OF Jordan Schafer (hand), Indians RHP Anthony Reyes (triceps), Brewers 3B/2B Mat Gamel (shoulder), Mets CF Carlos Beltran (knee) and Nationals RHP Jason Marquis (elbow).
Back from a new injury in late May – Athletics LHP Brett Anderson (forearm) and Cardinals SS/3B Felipe Lopez (elbow).
From mid-May to early June – Rays OF Matt Joyce (elbow).
Back from a new injury in early June – Dodgers RHP Vicente Padilla (forearm) and Athletics RHP Joey Devine (elbow).
From early June to mid-June – Twins RHP Clay Condrey (elbow).
From early August to possibly the remainder of the season, possibly forever – Dodgers C Brad Ausmus (back).
Delayed from early May to out for the season – Royals 3B Josh Fields.
Minor matters
Orioles RHP Chris Tillman pitched the first nine-inning no-hitter in the minors this season in Triple-A Norfolk’s 6-0 victory over Gwinnett (Braves). He threw 105 pitches, with a pitching line of 900016. He could be in Baltimore’s rotation before long.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
The most action for would-be closers came in the Phillies’ 7-6, 11-inning victory at San Francisco. The Giants’ starter, RHP Tim Lincecum, left the game with one out and a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. San Francisco’s closer blew a save when Philadelphia RF Jayson Werth hit an opposite-field, three-run double down the right field line. RHP Ryan Madson, closing games while Lidge is on the disabled list, blew a save after the Phils had taken a lead in the 10th. Then in the 11th, RHP Nelson Figueroa, who had been starting, survived with a save despite a pitching line of 131100. Giants RF Nate Schierholtz drove in that run with a double – his fifth hit of the day, raising his average to .378, five points higher than 3B/1B Pablo Sandoval’s .373.
A night after RHP Frank Francisco had earned a save, Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz, received a shaky save in a 6-5 victory over the White Sox. Feliz’s line was 132200.
RHP Juan Gutierrez was credited with a save in another wild game, the Diamondbacks’ 12-11 win at Colorado in 11 innings. Before that, Arizona had blown a 6-0 lead and the Rockies let an 11-6 advantage drift away.
Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon’s seventh save came in a 2-0 victory at Toronto, but it also came with a concern. He revealed that one reason he was unavailable to save Tuesday’s game was that he had a sore lower back. Papelbon’s condition could become another factor leading Boston in the wrong direction this season.
Also receiving saves were Nationals RHP Matt Capps, a major league-leading 10th, 3-2 at Wrigley Field; Mariners RHP David Aardsma, eighth, 6-5 at Kansas City, and Padres RHP Heath Bell, sixth, 6-4 at Florida.
Promotion
To subscribe for our five-times-weekly Emails and anything else we’re able to provide this season, Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Through Sunday, May 2, you can subscribe for just $20, a 20 per cent savings from our established price of $25.
Include your name, address, phone number and the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. PayPal then would send you an invoice that would allow you to pay in one step.
Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
1. We have received payments from a number of you and are in the process of adding you to a new Email list for this season.
2. PayPal has sent out requests for payment for those of you who have expressed interest in subscribing to our Emails. We are adding to our new mailing list those of you who have made the payment.
3. Because the new mailing list hasn’t been set up entirely, we still are sending out free Emails to everyone on our preseason mailing list. That free lunch will end soon. We encourage all of you who have been receiving our Emails to subscribe for the remainder of this year.
You or any of your friends – or even you signing friends as gifts to them – can subscribe. You can see below how to do that.
In the normal schedule for our five weekly Emails, the Wednesday Emails contain Injury Updates, including our Due Dates feature to let you know when to begin looking for key players to return to their lineup.
Kinsler looks ready to go
In addition to losing two starters, LHP Jorge De La Rosa (hand injury, for up to five weeks) and RHP Jason Hammel (strained right groin) to injuries, the Rockies also learned that LHP Jeff Francis’ return from a shoulder injury will be delayed until mid-May. They originally had hoped he could pitch for them this week. There’s some better news for Colorado. In an extended spring training game, RHP Taylor Buchholz (elbow) threw 36 pitches and 2B/SS Omar Quintanilla (sprained left knee) played the entire game. RHP Huston Street (shoulder) threw 20 pitches in Tucson. Hammel and Street are expected back in mid-May, Buchholz not until mid-June.
I saw all three of Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler’s injury-rehab games at Double-A Frisco. He certainly appeared able to play and ready to return to the parent team. Returning from a high ankle sprain, Kinsler appeared to move as he normally does – tracking down grounders to his right much better than those to his left, and stealing a base in his final rehab game. He played all 27 innings at second base. At bat, he was neither exceptional nor deficient. Playing for a team struggling to score runs, Kinsler had two run-scoring singles in his final game for the RoughRiders, leading to a 4-2 victory over San Antonio (Padres organization).
The Pirates are hoping RHP Ross Ohlendorf (back) can return to start Friday, May 7, against the Cardinals.
Questionable for this weekend’s games are Brewers OF Jim Edmonds (back), Athletics C Kurt Suzuki (left side), Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal (hamstring), Royals CF Rick Ankiel (quadriceps), Marlins OF Cody Ross (foot, flu) and Padres SS Everth Cabrera. Giants 2B/3B Jose Uribe (elbow) is expected to be ready only to pinch hit.
Twins C Joe Mauer played despite having fluid drained from his right big toe, hit by a foul ball Tuesday, but 1B Justin Morneau was out of Minnesota’s lineup.
Phillies RHP Brad Lidge (knee, elbow) pitched two scoreless innings Tuesday in his injury-rehab assignment at Double-A Reading. His fastball reached 93 mph, and Lidge said he was “ready to go.” RHP Joe Blanton (strained left oblique) could return to Philadelphia’s rotation Tuesday despite giving up five runs in five innings of a rehab start for Reading.
The Red Sox are planning to have RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka come off the disabled list to make his 2010 debut starting Saturday’s game at Baltimore.
Diamondbacks RHP Kris Benson (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for his scheduled start Monday at Houston.
Due dates
Instead of giving you the entire list of when players are expected to return from the disabled list or an injury, we’ll let you know the due dates for players whose status has changed. Remember that any time a players’ anticipated return date is pushed back, that could be a sign of greater short-term and longer-term problems for that player. Especially dangerous are pitchers’ forearm injuries, which often foreshadow Tommy John surgery.
Delayed from late April to mid-May – Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (calf)
From early May to mid-May – Orioles 2B Brian Roberts (back), White Sox C Ramon Castro (heel), Indians RHP Kerry Wood (back), Twins C Jose Morales (wrist) and LHP Jose Mijares (elbow), Yankees RHP Chan Ho Park (hamstring), Athletics OF Coco Crisp (finger) and 2B Mark Ellis (hamstring), Blue Jays 3B Edwin Encarnacion (shoulder) and LHP Brian Tallet (forearm), Nationals C Chris Coste (elbow) and 1B/OF Mike Morse (calf) and Padres RHP Chris R. Young (shoulder).
Expected back in mid-May from a new injury – Rockies OF Brad Hawpe (quadriceps), Tigers OF/3B Carlos Guillen (hamstring), Marlins LHP Dan Meyer (calf), Angels C Bobby Wilson (concussion, ankle), Dodgers OF Manny Ramirez (calf), Twins 2B/3B Nick Punto (groin, hip), Athletics OF Travis Buck (oblique), Pirates RHP Chris Jakubauskas (concussion), Rangers OF Nelson Cruz (hamstring) and Nationals RHP Garrett Mock (neck).
Delayed from mid-May to late May – Braves OF Jordan Schafer (hand), Indians RHP Anthony Reyes (triceps), Brewers 3B/2B Mat Gamel (shoulder), Mets CF Carlos Beltran (knee) and Nationals RHP Jason Marquis (elbow).
Back from a new injury in late May – Athletics LHP Brett Anderson (forearm) and Cardinals SS/3B Felipe Lopez (elbow).
From mid-May to early June – Rays OF Matt Joyce (elbow).
Back from a new injury in early June – Dodgers RHP Vicente Padilla (forearm) and Athletics RHP Joey Devine (elbow).
From early June to mid-June – Twins RHP Clay Condrey (elbow).
From early August to possibly the remainder of the season, possibly forever – Dodgers C Brad Ausmus (back).
Delayed from early May to out for the season – Royals 3B Josh Fields.
Minor matters
Orioles RHP Chris Tillman pitched the first nine-inning no-hitter in the minors this season in Triple-A Norfolk’s 6-0 victory over Gwinnett (Braves). He threw 105 pitches, with a pitching line of 900016. He could be in Baltimore’s rotation before long.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
The most action for would-be closers came in the Phillies’ 7-6, 11-inning victory at San Francisco. The Giants’ starter, RHP Tim Lincecum, left the game with one out and a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. San Francisco’s closer blew a save when Philadelphia RF Jayson Werth hit an opposite-field, three-run double down the right field line. RHP Ryan Madson, closing games while Lidge is on the disabled list, blew a save after the Phils had taken a lead in the 10th. Then in the 11th, RHP Nelson Figueroa, who had been starting, survived with a save despite a pitching line of 131100. Giants RF Nate Schierholtz drove in that run with a double – his fifth hit of the day, raising his average to .378, five points higher than 3B/1B Pablo Sandoval’s .373.
A night after RHP Frank Francisco had earned a save, Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz, received a shaky save in a 6-5 victory over the White Sox. Feliz’s line was 132200.
RHP Juan Gutierrez was credited with a save in another wild game, the Diamondbacks’ 12-11 win at Colorado in 11 innings. Before that, Arizona had blown a 6-0 lead and the Rockies let an 11-6 advantage drift away.
Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon’s seventh save came in a 2-0 victory at Toronto, but it also came with a concern. He revealed that one reason he was unavailable to save Tuesday’s game was that he had a sore lower back. Papelbon’s condition could become another factor leading Boston in the wrong direction this season.
Also receiving saves were Nationals RHP Matt Capps, a major league-leading 10th, 3-2 at Wrigley Field; Mariners RHP David Aardsma, eighth, 6-5 at Kansas City, and Padres RHP Heath Bell, sixth, 6-4 at Florida.
Promotion
To subscribe for our five-times-weekly Emails and anything else we’re able to provide this season, Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Through Sunday, May 2, you can subscribe for just $20, a 20 per cent savings from our established price of $25.
Include your name, address, phone number and the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. PayPal then would send you an invoice that would allow you to pay in one step.
Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
How new will Rangers' new look be?
Good news for all of you! And for us.
1. We have received payments from a number of you and are in the process of adding you to a new Email list for this season.
2. PayPal has sent out requests for payment for those of you who have expressed interest in subscribing to our Emails. We are adding to our new mailing list those of you who have made the payment.
3. Because the new mailing list hasn’t been set up entirely, we still are sending out free Emails to everyone on our preseason mailing list. That free lunch will end soon. We encourage all of you who have been receiving our Emails to subscribe for the remainder of this year.
You or any of your friends – or even you signing friends as gifts to them – can subscribe. You can see below how to do that.
In our normal schedule, the Tuesday Emails contain Minor League updates, letting you know which players you could look for to move up from the minors or up through an organization.
Players of the Week
Class League, Team (Organization)
Pos. Name H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
Triple-A International, Harrisburg (Nationals)
OF Roger Bernadina 13-28 .464 1-6 3
Triple-A Pacific Coast, Iowa (Cubs)
OF Brad Snyder 12-25 .480 3-7 1
Double-A Eastern, Bowie (Orioles)
DH Paco Figueroa 13-27 .481 1-7 2
Double-A Southern, West Tenn (Mariners)
CF Carlos Peguero 8-24 .333 3-6 0
Double-A Texas, Northwest Arkansas (Royals)
3B Mike Moustakas 8-17 .471 3-8 0
High Class A California, Inland Empire (Dodgers)
RF Kyle Russell 9-24 .375 2-6 0
High Class A Carolina, Salem (Red Sox)
SS Oscar Tejeda 11-25 .440 3-7 1
High Class A Florida State, Tampa (Yankees)
2B Corban Joseph 10-26 .385 2-6 0
Low Class A Midwest, Great Lakes (Dodgers)
CF Jerry Sands 9-20 .450 5-7 0
Low Class A South Atlantic, Greenville (Red Sox)
C Daniel Butler 9-20 .450 2-7 0
Bernadina raised his season average to .377 with eight RBI and seven stolen bases in 14 games, earning a promotion to Washington.
Sands repeated as the winner of both Midwest League Player of the Week awards for this season.
Moustakas and Russell both were first-round draft choices. Moustakas hadn’t played before last week because of a strained oblique muscle. Russell and Sands both represent part of the Dodgers’ future.
Pitchers of the Week
Class League, Team (Organization)
Hand Name IP W-L ERA WHIP K/W
Triple-A International, Durham (Rays)
RHP Aneury Rodriguez 14.0 2-0 0.00 0.57 10:3
Triple-A Pacific, Portland (Padres)
RHP Radhames Liz 6.0 1-0 1.56 0.83 11:2
Double-A Eastern, Reading (Phillies)
RHP Phillippe Aumont 17.0 2-0 0.53 0.47 11:6
Double-A Southern, Huntsville (Brewers)
RHP Amaury Rivas 13.0 2-0 0.69 0.85 9:6
Double-A Texas, Northwest Arkansas (Royals)
LHP Edgar Osuna 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.86 6:0
High Class A California, Visalia (Diamondbacks)
RHP Joshua Collmenter 5.0 0-0 0.00 0.40 9:1
High Class A Carolina, Wilmington (Royals)
LHP Michael Montgomery 12.2 1-0 1.42 1.03 14:3
High Class A Florida State, Clearwater (Phillies)
RHP Austin Hyatt 11.0 2-0 0.82 0.91 15:5
Low Class A Midwest, Beloit (Twins)
LHP Daniel Osterbrock 13.1 1-0 1.35 0.83 14:3
Low Class A South Atlantic, Charleston (Yankees)
RHP Graham Stoneburner 14.0 0-0 1.29 1.00 16:3
Rodriguez was making his first two starts in Triple-A.
Osuna made it through the first 2 ½ weeks of this season with an 0.00 ERA. He succeeded as Texas League Pitcher of the Week Federico Castaneda, who already has moved up to Triple-A Omaha. We already told you he’s likely to be pitching out of Kansas City’s bullpen during this season.
Montgomery has won both Carolina Pitcher of the Week awards this season. He, Osuna and Castaneda show there is pitching talent in the Royals organization.
News and Notes
The face of the Rangers’ farm system changed today more than at any time since Texas discovered that pitching is part of baseball. The Rangers optioned underperforming Cs Taylor Teagarden and Salty to Triple-A Oklahoma City, removing Salty from his injury-rehab assignment with the Redhawks early and taking him off the disabled list. C Max Ramirez, a far better offensive threat than any of the other three backstops Texas has used this season, was recalled. With RF Nelson Cruz going on the DL, the Rangers recalled OF Craig Gentry from OK City. He’s primarily a center fielder, and Texas could give the overachiever from the University of Arkansas an extended trial to decide whether to send slumping CF Julio Borbon back to the minors to straighten himself out. Here’s another indictment of the free-swinging Rangers: Rookie 1B Justin Smoak set a team record for the longest streak with at least one walk in a game to start a major league career by walking in each of the first four games after he was recalled to replace 1B Chris Davis.
Another shakeup is taking place in Colorado, where the Rockies put two starting pitchers, LHP Jorge De La Rosa (torn flexor band in his middle finger) and RHP Jason Hammel (strained right groin muscle), on the disabled list. They also demoted a catcher, Chris Iannetta, to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Joining the major league team are RHPs Jhoulys Chacin, who will take De La Rosa’s rotation spot, and Juan Rincon, who will go to the bullpen, and journeyman C Paul Phillips.
We’re especially disappointed to see De La Rosa injured. We always like any player who makes us look good, and he has been our greatest hit since LHP Johan Santana in 1995. Since we recommended DLR as “a pitcher to seek” when he was 0-6 last season, he has won 19 games, more than any other pitcher in the majors. We also really like Chacin, who was part of one of the best group of pitchers to graduate from the Double-A Texas League since who knows when. He has begun the season 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA at Colorado Springs.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
If you’re looking for even more change in Texas as the result of RHP Frank Francisco’s first save this season, forget it – at least for now. Rangers manager Ron Washington said that RHP Neftali Feliz remained their closer, but that he had pitched in two consecutive games (blowing a save himself) and needed a day off. As a result, Francisco, who began the season as Texas’ closer, pitched the ninth inning of Texas’ 4-2 victory over the White Sox.
Similarly, Red Sox RHP Ramon Ramirez received his first save of 2010 in a 2-1 win at Toronto. Boston’s closer, RHP Jonathan Papelbon, had pitched in five of its previous seven games.
Another unfamiliar name earning a save was that of Cardinals RHP Jason Motte. He entered their game against the Braves in the eighth inning and picked up his first save this season with a pitching line of 1 2/3 00020. St. Louis’ closer, RHP Ryan Franklin, wasn’t available because he had pitched each of the two previous days.
The Orioles haven’t really established a closer, and RHP Alfredo Simon doesn’t seem to be the man despite his first save in a 5-4 victory over the Yankees. Shortstop Julio Lugo’s error led to two unearned runs in the top of the ninth, leading to a line of 122012. Baltimore manager said that at least until the nominal closer, LHP Mike Gonzalez, returns from the disabled list the team’s closer would be “whoever can get outs.”
Other saves went to Nationals RHP Matt Capps, ninth, 3-1 at Wrigley Field; Twins RHP Jon Rauch, seventh, 2-0 at Detroit; Mariners RHP David Aardsma, seventh, 3-2 at Kansas City; Padres RHP Heath Bell, fifth, 4-1 at Florida, and Rays RHP Rafael Soriano, fifth, 8-6 against the Athletics.
The most notable blown save was Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman’s third this season. Milwaukee led 3-2 when he entered the game to begin the ninth inning against the Pirates. Hoffman gave up a game-tying home run to SS Ronny Cedeno and C Ryan Doumit’s grand slam to take a 7-3 loss.
Promotion
Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
1. We have received payments from a number of you and are in the process of adding you to a new Email list for this season.
2. PayPal has sent out requests for payment for those of you who have expressed interest in subscribing to our Emails. We are adding to our new mailing list those of you who have made the payment.
3. Because the new mailing list hasn’t been set up entirely, we still are sending out free Emails to everyone on our preseason mailing list. That free lunch will end soon. We encourage all of you who have been receiving our Emails to subscribe for the remainder of this year.
You or any of your friends – or even you signing friends as gifts to them – can subscribe. You can see below how to do that.
In our normal schedule, the Tuesday Emails contain Minor League updates, letting you know which players you could look for to move up from the minors or up through an organization.
Players of the Week
Class League, Team (Organization)
Pos. Name H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
Triple-A International, Harrisburg (Nationals)
OF Roger Bernadina 13-28 .464 1-6 3
Triple-A Pacific Coast, Iowa (Cubs)
OF Brad Snyder 12-25 .480 3-7 1
Double-A Eastern, Bowie (Orioles)
DH Paco Figueroa 13-27 .481 1-7 2
Double-A Southern, West Tenn (Mariners)
CF Carlos Peguero 8-24 .333 3-6 0
Double-A Texas, Northwest Arkansas (Royals)
3B Mike Moustakas 8-17 .471 3-8 0
High Class A California, Inland Empire (Dodgers)
RF Kyle Russell 9-24 .375 2-6 0
High Class A Carolina, Salem (Red Sox)
SS Oscar Tejeda 11-25 .440 3-7 1
High Class A Florida State, Tampa (Yankees)
2B Corban Joseph 10-26 .385 2-6 0
Low Class A Midwest, Great Lakes (Dodgers)
CF Jerry Sands 9-20 .450 5-7 0
Low Class A South Atlantic, Greenville (Red Sox)
C Daniel Butler 9-20 .450 2-7 0
Bernadina raised his season average to .377 with eight RBI and seven stolen bases in 14 games, earning a promotion to Washington.
Sands repeated as the winner of both Midwest League Player of the Week awards for this season.
Moustakas and Russell both were first-round draft choices. Moustakas hadn’t played before last week because of a strained oblique muscle. Russell and Sands both represent part of the Dodgers’ future.
Pitchers of the Week
Class League, Team (Organization)
Hand Name IP W-L ERA WHIP K/W
Triple-A International, Durham (Rays)
RHP Aneury Rodriguez 14.0 2-0 0.00 0.57 10:3
Triple-A Pacific, Portland (Padres)
RHP Radhames Liz 6.0 1-0 1.56 0.83 11:2
Double-A Eastern, Reading (Phillies)
RHP Phillippe Aumont 17.0 2-0 0.53 0.47 11:6
Double-A Southern, Huntsville (Brewers)
RHP Amaury Rivas 13.0 2-0 0.69 0.85 9:6
Double-A Texas, Northwest Arkansas (Royals)
LHP Edgar Osuna 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.86 6:0
High Class A California, Visalia (Diamondbacks)
RHP Joshua Collmenter 5.0 0-0 0.00 0.40 9:1
High Class A Carolina, Wilmington (Royals)
LHP Michael Montgomery 12.2 1-0 1.42 1.03 14:3
High Class A Florida State, Clearwater (Phillies)
RHP Austin Hyatt 11.0 2-0 0.82 0.91 15:5
Low Class A Midwest, Beloit (Twins)
LHP Daniel Osterbrock 13.1 1-0 1.35 0.83 14:3
Low Class A South Atlantic, Charleston (Yankees)
RHP Graham Stoneburner 14.0 0-0 1.29 1.00 16:3
Rodriguez was making his first two starts in Triple-A.
Osuna made it through the first 2 ½ weeks of this season with an 0.00 ERA. He succeeded as Texas League Pitcher of the Week Federico Castaneda, who already has moved up to Triple-A Omaha. We already told you he’s likely to be pitching out of Kansas City’s bullpen during this season.
Montgomery has won both Carolina Pitcher of the Week awards this season. He, Osuna and Castaneda show there is pitching talent in the Royals organization.
News and Notes
The face of the Rangers’ farm system changed today more than at any time since Texas discovered that pitching is part of baseball. The Rangers optioned underperforming Cs Taylor Teagarden and Salty to Triple-A Oklahoma City, removing Salty from his injury-rehab assignment with the Redhawks early and taking him off the disabled list. C Max Ramirez, a far better offensive threat than any of the other three backstops Texas has used this season, was recalled. With RF Nelson Cruz going on the DL, the Rangers recalled OF Craig Gentry from OK City. He’s primarily a center fielder, and Texas could give the overachiever from the University of Arkansas an extended trial to decide whether to send slumping CF Julio Borbon back to the minors to straighten himself out. Here’s another indictment of the free-swinging Rangers: Rookie 1B Justin Smoak set a team record for the longest streak with at least one walk in a game to start a major league career by walking in each of the first four games after he was recalled to replace 1B Chris Davis.
Another shakeup is taking place in Colorado, where the Rockies put two starting pitchers, LHP Jorge De La Rosa (torn flexor band in his middle finger) and RHP Jason Hammel (strained right groin muscle), on the disabled list. They also demoted a catcher, Chris Iannetta, to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Joining the major league team are RHPs Jhoulys Chacin, who will take De La Rosa’s rotation spot, and Juan Rincon, who will go to the bullpen, and journeyman C Paul Phillips.
We’re especially disappointed to see De La Rosa injured. We always like any player who makes us look good, and he has been our greatest hit since LHP Johan Santana in 1995. Since we recommended DLR as “a pitcher to seek” when he was 0-6 last season, he has won 19 games, more than any other pitcher in the majors. We also really like Chacin, who was part of one of the best group of pitchers to graduate from the Double-A Texas League since who knows when. He has begun the season 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA at Colorado Springs.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
If you’re looking for even more change in Texas as the result of RHP Frank Francisco’s first save this season, forget it – at least for now. Rangers manager Ron Washington said that RHP Neftali Feliz remained their closer, but that he had pitched in two consecutive games (blowing a save himself) and needed a day off. As a result, Francisco, who began the season as Texas’ closer, pitched the ninth inning of Texas’ 4-2 victory over the White Sox.
Similarly, Red Sox RHP Ramon Ramirez received his first save of 2010 in a 2-1 win at Toronto. Boston’s closer, RHP Jonathan Papelbon, had pitched in five of its previous seven games.
Another unfamiliar name earning a save was that of Cardinals RHP Jason Motte. He entered their game against the Braves in the eighth inning and picked up his first save this season with a pitching line of 1 2/3 00020. St. Louis’ closer, RHP Ryan Franklin, wasn’t available because he had pitched each of the two previous days.
The Orioles haven’t really established a closer, and RHP Alfredo Simon doesn’t seem to be the man despite his first save in a 5-4 victory over the Yankees. Shortstop Julio Lugo’s error led to two unearned runs in the top of the ninth, leading to a line of 122012. Baltimore manager said that at least until the nominal closer, LHP Mike Gonzalez, returns from the disabled list the team’s closer would be “whoever can get outs.”
Other saves went to Nationals RHP Matt Capps, ninth, 3-1 at Wrigley Field; Twins RHP Jon Rauch, seventh, 2-0 at Detroit; Mariners RHP David Aardsma, seventh, 3-2 at Kansas City; Padres RHP Heath Bell, fifth, 4-1 at Florida, and Rays RHP Rafael Soriano, fifth, 8-6 against the Athletics.
The most notable blown save was Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman’s third this season. Milwaukee led 3-2 when he entered the game to begin the ninth inning against the Pirates. Hoffman gave up a game-tying home run to SS Ronny Cedeno and C Ryan Doumit’s grand slam to take a 7-3 loss.
Promotion
Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Morales, Reynolds named Players of the Week
We haven’t been able to get out all of the PayPal payment requests to subscribers yet. Therefore, all of you are getting any extra day’s Email. It’s our usual Monday Email containing a Weekend Update and who’s Hot and Not.
If you haven’t already, you still can subscribe at a reduced rate for the remainder of 2010. See below to find out how.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Hot
The weekly Hot and Not for batters is based on 20 at-bats for batting average, and at least a .280 BA for the other categories.
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
1B Kendry Morales, Angels 13-24 .542 3-10 0
SS Ryan Theriot, Cubs 14-28 .500 0-6 1
OF Marlon Byrd, Cubs 12-24 .500 0-5 1
1B Justin Morneau, Twins 10-21 .476 2-7 0
3B/1B Pablo Sandoval, Giants 10-22 .455 1-2 0
1B Paul Konerko, White Sox 9-20 .450 4-6 0
C Matt Wieters, Orioles 10-23 .435 0-4 0
2B Robinson Cano, Yankees 9-21 .429 1-4 1
OF Johnny Damon, Tigers 11-26 .423 0-3 1
OF Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers 8-20 .400 1-6 2
Home runs – Konerko and Diamondbacks 2B Kelly Johnson 4; Morales, White Sox OF Andruw Jones, Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds and Athletics C Kurt Suzuki 3.
RBI – Reynolds 11; Morales 10; Dodgers 3B/1B Casey Blake, Brewers OF Ryan Braun, Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera and Rangers 3B Michael Young 8; Johnson, Morneau, Suzuki, Blue Jays OF/3B Jose Bautista, Twins OF/1B Michael Cuddyer, Royals OF Jose Guillen and Rays OF B.J. Upton 7. Reynolds was the National League Player of the Week, and Morales won the same award in the American League.
Stolen bases – Astros OF Michael Bourn 7; Rangers OF Nelson Cruz and Padres 3B/OF Chase Headley 5; Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal 4; Braun, Rangers OF Julio Borbon, Padres SS Everth Cabrera and OF Will Venable, Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen and Mets SS Jose Reyes 3.
Runs – Reds 3B Scott Rolen 8; Braun, Cano, Damon, Morales, Reds OF Jay Bruce and Rays 3B Evan Longoria 7.
Repeaters on a Hot list are Theriot, Cuddyer and Guillen. Cruz and Reyes were on a Not list a week earlier.
Requirements for pitchers to make these lists are 7 innings pitched for ERA and WHIP, 10 strikeouts in K:W ratio and an ERA under 4.00 for the other categories.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Mike Pelfrey, Mets 12.0 2-0 0.00 1.33 9:8
RHP Roy Halladay, Phillies 9.0 1-0 0.00 0.67 7:1
RHP Felix Hernandez, Mariners 9.0 1-0 0.00 1.00 6:0
LHP Barry Zito, Giants 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.75 10:3
LHP Francisco Liriano, Twins 8.0 1-0 0.00 1.00 6:2
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies 7.1 1-0 0.00 0.95 5:2
RHP Mat Latos, Padres 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.71 2:1
LHP Jon Niese, Mets 11.0 0-0 0.82 1.91 13:8
LHP Andy Pettitte, Yankees 8.0 1-0 1.13 0.75 8:0
RHP Ricky Nolasco, Marlins 8.0 1-0 1.13 0.88 9:0
Wins – Pelfrey, White Sox LHP John Danks and Cardinals RHP Brad Penny 2.
Saves – Astros RHP Matt Lindstrom 4-for-4; Nationals RHP Matt Capps, Reds RHP Francisco Cordero and Mets RHP Francisco Rodriguez 3-3; Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin, Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gregg, Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon, Angels RHP Francisco Rodney, Royals RHP Joakim Soria, Tigers RHP Jose Valverde and Giants RHP Brian Wilson 2-2.
WHIP – Yankees RHP Phil Hughes 0.41; Royals RHP Zack Greinke 0.43; White Sox RHP Freddy Garcia, Twins RHP Carl Pavano and Giants LHP Jonathan Sanchez 0.57.
K:W ratio – Nationals RHP Tyler Clippard 10:1; Danks 14:2; Cubs RHP Randy Wells 11:2; Hughes and Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter 10:2; Braves RHP Tommy Hanson 12:3; Twins RHP Kevin Slowey 11:3; Sanchez, Zito and Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo 10:3.
Repeaters on pitching Hot lists were Pettitte, Pelfrey, Rodney, Carpenter and Sanchez.
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
OF Carlos Quentin, White Sox 1-20 .050 1-2 0
3B Aramis Ramirez, Cubs 2-25 .080 0-1 0
2B Akinori Iwamura, Pirates 2-23 .087 0-0 0
3B/2B Chone Figgins, Mariners 2-21 .095 0-1 0
OF Angel Pagan, Mets 3-24 .125 1-2 0
1B Mark Teixeira, Yankees 3-23 .130 1-2 0
SS Erick Aybar, Angels 3-22 .136 0-0 1
OF Cody Ross, Marlins 3-22 .136 0-2 0
OF Adam Lind, Blue Jays 3-22 .136 1-3 0
2B Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 4-29 .138 0-0 0
This week’s (dis)honorable mention goes to Rays C Dioner Navarro, who was 0-for-10.
W:K ratio – OF Austin Jackson, Tigers 3:15; Mets 3B David Wright 2-10.
Caught stealing – Nationals OF Nyjer Morgan 1-for-4; Dodgers OF Matt Kemp 0-2; Rays OF Carl Crawford 2-4.
Repeating a place on a Not list last week were Quentin, Navarro and Wright. Crawford was on a Hot list a week earlier.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Charlie Morton, Pirates 4.0 0-2 22.50 4.00 3:5
RHP Rick Porcello, Tigers 8.1 0-2 12.96 2.64 8:4
RHP Justin Masterson, Indians 8.0 0-2 10.13 2.75 10:9
RHP John Lackey, Red Sox 10.1 1-1 9.58 2.13 6:3
RHP Chris Volstad, Marlins 10.1 0-1 8.71 1.55 2:4
RHP Javier Vazquez, Yankees 9.0 1-1 8.00 1.89 9:6
RHP Homer Bailey, Reds 11.1 0-0 7.15 1.68 13:4
RHP Brian Bannister, Royals 11.2 1-1 6.17 1.89 6:6
LHP Scott Olsen, Nationals 9.0 1-1 6.00 1.67 9:2
RHP David Bush, Brewers 10.2 1-1 5.91 1.78 4:6
The pitchers eligible for this list all started twice during the week
Losses – Masterson, Morton, Porcello, Orioles RHP Matt Albers and Blue Jays LHP Scott Downs 2.
Blown saves – Royals LHP John Parrish 0-for-2.
News and Notes
Pelfrey is 4-0 with an 0.69 ERA after a rain-shortened five-inning, 1-0 shutout of the
Braves Sunday. The loser in the duel was Atlanta RHP Tommy Hanson, who allowed only an unearned run. Danks is 3-0 with a 1.55 ERA. Pelfrey and Danks were two of the pitchers we recommended most highly in the April 18 Weekend Update/Hot and Not report.
Apparently preceding Rangers RHP Colby Lewis to the mound in Arlington, Texas, Sunday was Mr. Hyde. The pitcher in Lewis’ uniform allowed the Tigers’ first 11 batters to bat .700 (7-for-10). After that, Detroit was 0-for-15 against him.
The Phillies and 1B Ryan Howard agreed on a five-year contract extension through 2016 that will pay him at least 4125 million.
The Marlins put LHP Daniel Meyer on the disabled list because of an injured left calf. Taking his place on the active roster is RHP Brian Sanches, coming off the DL from a strained right hamstring.
Padres 1B Adrian Gonzalez hit a home run in four consecutive games; White Sox 1B Paul Konerko had a three-game homer streak going.
Athletics 1B Daric Barton suffered a fractured right middle finger and left the game after sliding into the visitors’ dugout in Oakland to catch a foul ball in the seventh inning.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
Nationals RHP Matt Capps took over the major league lead with his eighth save in a 1-0 victory over the Dodgers Sunday. We took you before last week that a good showing in a week with seven home games could tell us something about Washington. The Nats went 4-3 to improve their record to 10-9. That’s not enough to say they could be a .500 team this season, but they’ve shown that they’re not going to lose 100 games either.
The fifth save for Royals RHP Joakim Soria didn’t come easily. His pitching line was 121102. After entering the game with a 4-2 lead, he and Kansas City emerged with a 4-3 victory. Orioles RHP Cla Meredith rescued their nominal closer, RHP Jim Johnson, who had allowed two runs and put two other runners on base with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning. Meredith finished with a line of 2/3 00000 for his first save this season, 7-6 at Boston.
Others receiving saves were Reds RHP Francisco Cordero, seventh, 5-4 over the Padres; Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin, sixth, 2-0 at San Francisco; White Sox RHP Bobby Jenks, fourth, 3-2 against Seattle, and Diamondbacks RHP Chad Qualls, fourth, 8-6 vs. the Phillies.
I think I forgot to mention to you that I’ve now seen Rangers RHP prospect three or four times for Double-A Frisco. He has reached 98 mph on the stadium radar gun. In his last two appearances, he has struck out nine batters in four innings and allowed just a scratch single. He’s ready for a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and probably to the majors before long.
If you haven’t already, you still can subscribe at a reduced rate for the remainder of 2010. See below to find out how.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Hot
The weekly Hot and Not for batters is based on 20 at-bats for batting average, and at least a .280 BA for the other categories.
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
1B Kendry Morales, Angels 13-24 .542 3-10 0
SS Ryan Theriot, Cubs 14-28 .500 0-6 1
OF Marlon Byrd, Cubs 12-24 .500 0-5 1
1B Justin Morneau, Twins 10-21 .476 2-7 0
3B/1B Pablo Sandoval, Giants 10-22 .455 1-2 0
1B Paul Konerko, White Sox 9-20 .450 4-6 0
C Matt Wieters, Orioles 10-23 .435 0-4 0
2B Robinson Cano, Yankees 9-21 .429 1-4 1
OF Johnny Damon, Tigers 11-26 .423 0-3 1
OF Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers 8-20 .400 1-6 2
Home runs – Konerko and Diamondbacks 2B Kelly Johnson 4; Morales, White Sox OF Andruw Jones, Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds and Athletics C Kurt Suzuki 3.
RBI – Reynolds 11; Morales 10; Dodgers 3B/1B Casey Blake, Brewers OF Ryan Braun, Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera and Rangers 3B Michael Young 8; Johnson, Morneau, Suzuki, Blue Jays OF/3B Jose Bautista, Twins OF/1B Michael Cuddyer, Royals OF Jose Guillen and Rays OF B.J. Upton 7. Reynolds was the National League Player of the Week, and Morales won the same award in the American League.
Stolen bases – Astros OF Michael Bourn 7; Rangers OF Nelson Cruz and Padres 3B/OF Chase Headley 5; Dodgers SS Rafael Furcal 4; Braun, Rangers OF Julio Borbon, Padres SS Everth Cabrera and OF Will Venable, Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen and Mets SS Jose Reyes 3.
Runs – Reds 3B Scott Rolen 8; Braun, Cano, Damon, Morales, Reds OF Jay Bruce and Rays 3B Evan Longoria 7.
Repeaters on a Hot list are Theriot, Cuddyer and Guillen. Cruz and Reyes were on a Not list a week earlier.
Requirements for pitchers to make these lists are 7 innings pitched for ERA and WHIP, 10 strikeouts in K:W ratio and an ERA under 4.00 for the other categories.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Mike Pelfrey, Mets 12.0 2-0 0.00 1.33 9:8
RHP Roy Halladay, Phillies 9.0 1-0 0.00 0.67 7:1
RHP Felix Hernandez, Mariners 9.0 1-0 0.00 1.00 6:0
LHP Barry Zito, Giants 8.0 1-0 0.00 0.75 10:3
LHP Francisco Liriano, Twins 8.0 1-0 0.00 1.00 6:2
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies 7.1 1-0 0.00 0.95 5:2
RHP Mat Latos, Padres 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.71 2:1
LHP Jon Niese, Mets 11.0 0-0 0.82 1.91 13:8
LHP Andy Pettitte, Yankees 8.0 1-0 1.13 0.75 8:0
RHP Ricky Nolasco, Marlins 8.0 1-0 1.13 0.88 9:0
Wins – Pelfrey, White Sox LHP John Danks and Cardinals RHP Brad Penny 2.
Saves – Astros RHP Matt Lindstrom 4-for-4; Nationals RHP Matt Capps, Reds RHP Francisco Cordero and Mets RHP Francisco Rodriguez 3-3; Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin, Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gregg, Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon, Angels RHP Francisco Rodney, Royals RHP Joakim Soria, Tigers RHP Jose Valverde and Giants RHP Brian Wilson 2-2.
WHIP – Yankees RHP Phil Hughes 0.41; Royals RHP Zack Greinke 0.43; White Sox RHP Freddy Garcia, Twins RHP Carl Pavano and Giants LHP Jonathan Sanchez 0.57.
K:W ratio – Nationals RHP Tyler Clippard 10:1; Danks 14:2; Cubs RHP Randy Wells 11:2; Hughes and Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter 10:2; Braves RHP Tommy Hanson 12:3; Twins RHP Kevin Slowey 11:3; Sanchez, Zito and Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo 10:3.
Repeaters on pitching Hot lists were Pettitte, Pelfrey, Rodney, Carpenter and Sanchez.
Not
Pos. Player, Team H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
OF Carlos Quentin, White Sox 1-20 .050 1-2 0
3B Aramis Ramirez, Cubs 2-25 .080 0-1 0
2B Akinori Iwamura, Pirates 2-23 .087 0-0 0
3B/2B Chone Figgins, Mariners 2-21 .095 0-1 0
OF Angel Pagan, Mets 3-24 .125 1-2 0
1B Mark Teixeira, Yankees 3-23 .130 1-2 0
SS Erick Aybar, Angels 3-22 .136 0-0 1
OF Cody Ross, Marlins 3-22 .136 0-2 0
OF Adam Lind, Blue Jays 3-22 .136 1-3 0
2B Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 4-29 .138 0-0 0
This week’s (dis)honorable mention goes to Rays C Dioner Navarro, who was 0-for-10.
W:K ratio – OF Austin Jackson, Tigers 3:15; Mets 3B David Wright 2-10.
Caught stealing – Nationals OF Nyjer Morgan 1-for-4; Dodgers OF Matt Kemp 0-2; Rays OF Carl Crawford 2-4.
Repeating a place on a Not list last week were Quentin, Navarro and Wright. Crawford was on a Hot list a week earlier.
Hand Pitcher, Team IP W-L ERA WHIP K:W
RHP Charlie Morton, Pirates 4.0 0-2 22.50 4.00 3:5
RHP Rick Porcello, Tigers 8.1 0-2 12.96 2.64 8:4
RHP Justin Masterson, Indians 8.0 0-2 10.13 2.75 10:9
RHP John Lackey, Red Sox 10.1 1-1 9.58 2.13 6:3
RHP Chris Volstad, Marlins 10.1 0-1 8.71 1.55 2:4
RHP Javier Vazquez, Yankees 9.0 1-1 8.00 1.89 9:6
RHP Homer Bailey, Reds 11.1 0-0 7.15 1.68 13:4
RHP Brian Bannister, Royals 11.2 1-1 6.17 1.89 6:6
LHP Scott Olsen, Nationals 9.0 1-1 6.00 1.67 9:2
RHP David Bush, Brewers 10.2 1-1 5.91 1.78 4:6
The pitchers eligible for this list all started twice during the week
Losses – Masterson, Morton, Porcello, Orioles RHP Matt Albers and Blue Jays LHP Scott Downs 2.
Blown saves – Royals LHP John Parrish 0-for-2.
News and Notes
Pelfrey is 4-0 with an 0.69 ERA after a rain-shortened five-inning, 1-0 shutout of the
Braves Sunday. The loser in the duel was Atlanta RHP Tommy Hanson, who allowed only an unearned run. Danks is 3-0 with a 1.55 ERA. Pelfrey and Danks were two of the pitchers we recommended most highly in the April 18 Weekend Update/Hot and Not report.
Apparently preceding Rangers RHP Colby Lewis to the mound in Arlington, Texas, Sunday was Mr. Hyde. The pitcher in Lewis’ uniform allowed the Tigers’ first 11 batters to bat .700 (7-for-10). After that, Detroit was 0-for-15 against him.
The Phillies and 1B Ryan Howard agreed on a five-year contract extension through 2016 that will pay him at least 4125 million.
The Marlins put LHP Daniel Meyer on the disabled list because of an injured left calf. Taking his place on the active roster is RHP Brian Sanches, coming off the DL from a strained right hamstring.
Padres 1B Adrian Gonzalez hit a home run in four consecutive games; White Sox 1B Paul Konerko had a three-game homer streak going.
Athletics 1B Daric Barton suffered a fractured right middle finger and left the game after sliding into the visitors’ dugout in Oakland to catch a foul ball in the seventh inning.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
Nationals RHP Matt Capps took over the major league lead with his eighth save in a 1-0 victory over the Dodgers Sunday. We took you before last week that a good showing in a week with seven home games could tell us something about Washington. The Nats went 4-3 to improve their record to 10-9. That’s not enough to say they could be a .500 team this season, but they’ve shown that they’re not going to lose 100 games either.
The fifth save for Royals RHP Joakim Soria didn’t come easily. His pitching line was 121102. After entering the game with a 4-2 lead, he and Kansas City emerged with a 4-3 victory. Orioles RHP Cla Meredith rescued their nominal closer, RHP Jim Johnson, who had allowed two runs and put two other runners on base with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning. Meredith finished with a line of 2/3 00000 for his first save this season, 7-6 at Boston.
Others receiving saves were Reds RHP Francisco Cordero, seventh, 5-4 over the Padres; Cardinals RHP Ryan Franklin, sixth, 2-0 at San Francisco; White Sox RHP Bobby Jenks, fourth, 3-2 against Seattle, and Diamondbacks RHP Chad Qualls, fourth, 8-6 vs. the Phillies.
I think I forgot to mention to you that I’ve now seen Rangers RHP prospect three or four times for Double-A Frisco. He has reached 98 mph on the stadium radar gun. In his last two appearances, he has struck out nine batters in four innings and allowed just a scratch single. He’s ready for a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and probably to the majors before long.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Lefties Lee, Francis finally return to rotations
Here is our Weekly Preview and Pitching Chart for the coming week.
We’re getting back toward our five-Emails-per-week regular-season schedule, which would send you News and Notes each Thursday.
The scheduled free period for these Emails has ended. After this, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
The good news is that you now CAN subscribe. See below to find out how.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to our blog and whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Projected starting pitchers, April 26-May 2, 2010
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal --- NYY-Millwood NYY-Guthrie NYY-Matusz Bos-Hernandz Bos-Berken* Bos-Mlwod2
Bos @Tor-Beckett @Tor-Buchholz @Tor-Lester --- @Bal-Lackey @Bal-Mtszka** @Bal-Beckett2
CWS --- @Tex-Buehrle @Tex-Peavy @Tex-Floyd @NYY-Garcia @NYY-Danks @NYY-Buehrle2
Cle @LAA-Huff @LAA-Talbot @LAA-Wstbrook --- Min-Carmona Min-Mastrson Min-Huff2
Det @Tex-Bondrmn Min-Verlander Min-Scherzer Min-Willis*** LAA-Porcello LAA-Bndrmn2 LAA-Verlandr2
KC Se-Davies Se-Greinke Se-Meche @TB-Hochevar @TB-Bannister @TB-Davies2 @TB-Greinke2
LAA Cle-Weaver Cle-Saunders Cle-Santana --- @Det-Pineiro @Det-Kazmir @Det-Weaver2
Min --- @Det-Liriano @Det-Baker @Det-Pavano @Cle-Blakburn @Cle-Slowey @Cle-Liriano2
NYY --- @Bal-Hughes @Bal-Sabathia @Bal-Burnett CWS-Pettitte CWS-Vazquez CWS-Hughes
Oak --- @TB-Sheets @TB-Braden @Tor-Duchschr @Tor-Adrsn-4* @Tor-Gonzalez @Tor-Sheets2
Se @KC-Hernandz @KC-Snell @KC-Rld-Smth --- Tex-Lee-5* Tex-Fister Tex-Hrnandz2
TB --- Oak-Davis Oak-Shields KC-Garza KC-Niemann KC-Price KC-Davis2
Tex Det-Harrison CWS-Wilson CWS-Hardn-6* CWS-Feldman @Se-Lewis @Se-Harrison2 @Se-Wilson2
Tor Bos-Eveland Bos-Marcum Bos-Cecil-7* Oak-Romero Oak-Morrow Oak-Eveland2 Oak-Marcum2
*-RHP Jason Berken is likely to make a spot start Saturday for the Orioles, who are trying to go with a four-man rotation as much as possible. They’d be better off cloning LHP Brian Matusz.
**-As we indicated in Thursday’s Email, RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to replace RHP Tim Wakefield in the Red Sox rotation.
***-LHP Dontrelle Willis didn’t make his scheduled start at Texas Saturday because he was sick. He pitched an inning in relief today, walking three and giving up two runs on 3B Michael Young’s single.
4*-Athletics LHP Brian Anderson left his most recent start after six innings because of soreness in his forearm and elbow, but said he expects to make his next scheduled start. Watch him closely; similar symptoms have resulted in Tommy John surgery for other pitchers.
5*-Mariners LHP Cliff Lee pitched six shutout innings in an injury-rehab start today for Triple-A Tucson, putting him on schedule to return to Seattle’s rotation Friday. He would replace RHP Ian Snell or possibly LHP Jason Vargas.
6*-RHP Rich Harden’s wildness and high pitch counts could knock him out of the Rangers’ rotation. Wednesday’s start also would be on schedule for LHP Derek Holland to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City for a major league start.
7*-LHP Brett Cecil won his first start back in the majors – replacing LHP Brian Tallet, who went on the disabled list. Cecil would be on schedule to start again Wednesday.
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari @Col-Haren @Col-Jackson @Col-Benson @ChC-Kennedy @ChC-Lopez @ChC-Haren2 @ChC-Jackson2
Atl @StL-Hudson @StL-Lowe @StL-Kawkami @StL-Jurrjens Ho-Hanson Ho-Hudson2 Ho-Lowe2
ChC Was-Silva Was-Gorzlany Was-Dempster Ari-Lilly Ari-Wells Ari-Silva2 Ari-Grzlany2
Cin --- @Ho-Harang @Ho-Leake @Ho-Arroyo @StL-Cueto @StL-Bailey @StL-Harang2
Col Ari-Hammel Ari-Jimenez Ari-Francis* --- @SD-Smith @SD-Cook @SD-DeLaRsa
Fla SD-Johnson SD-Sanchez SD-Rbrtsn** --- Was-Nolasco Was-Volstad Was-Johnson2
Ho --- Cin-Norris Cin-Paulino Cin-Oswlt*** @Atl-Rdriguez @Atl-Myers @Atl-Norris2
LAD @NYM-Kuroda @NYM-Towrs-4* @NYM-Haeger Pit-Kershaw Pit-Bilngsley Pit-Kuroda2 Pit-Towers2
Mil Pit-Gallardo Pit-Wolf Pit-Nrvsn-5* @SD-Davis @SD-Bush @SD-Gallardo2 @SD-Wolf2
NYM LAD-Perez LAD-Santana LAD-Maine --- @Phi-Niese @Phi-Pelfrey @Phi-Perez2
Phi @SF-Halladay @SF-Moyer @SF-Hamels --- NYM-Fgroa-6* NYM-Hlladay2 NYM-Kendrick
Pit @Mil-Duke @Mil-McCn-7* @Mil-Maholm @LAD-Hart-8* @LAD-Morton @LAD-Duke @LAD-McCtcn2
StL Atl-Lohse Atl-Carpenter Atl-Garcia Atl-Wainright Cin-Penny Cin-Lohse2 Cin-Carpentr2
SD @Fla-Latos @Fla-Garland @Fla-Correia Mil-LeBlanc Mil-Richard Mil-Latos2 Mil-Garland2
SF Phi-Sanchez Phi-Wlemeyr Phi-Lincecum --- Col-Zito Col-Cain Col-Sanchez2
Was @ChC-Lannan @ChC-Hernandz @ChC-Atilno-9* --- @Fla-Stammen @Fla-Olsen @Fla-Lannan2
*-Rockies LHP Jeff Francis is expected to return from the disabled list for his first major league appearance this season Wednesday. He could replace RHP Jason Hammel or LHP Greg Smith in Colorado’s rotation.
**-After Friday’s game at Colorado was postponed because of rain and snow – the first postponement this season – LHP Nate Robertson and RHP Ricky Nolasco started in Saturday’s doubleheader. Florida indicated that Robertson would start Wednesday on three days’ rest.
***-Astros RHP Roy Oswalt might not be available to start Thursday. He has gone to Weir, Miss., where a tornado destroyed his family’s home. The off-day Monday makes it so that LHP Wandy Rodriguez and RHP Brett Myers could slide ahead a day and still pitch on their usual rest. Thus, Oswalt wouldn’t be needed until Saturday.
4*-The Dodgers put RHP Vicente Padilla on the disabled list. His replacement in the rotation could be RHP Josh Towers from Triple-A Albuquerque or Jesus Castillo from Double-A Chattanooga.
5*-The Brewers have replaced RHP Jeff Suppan in their rotation with LHP Chris Narveson.
6*-Well traveled RHP Nelson Figueroa replaced injured LHP J.A. Happ in the Phillies’ rotation Saturday, and would be scheduled to start next on Friday.
7*-Pirates RHP Daniel McCutchen hasn’t made it past the fifth inning in his last three starts. He could be replaced by LHP Brian Burres.
8*-However, McCutchen doesn’t represent the only hole in Pittsburgh’s rotation. RHP Chris Jakubauskas, who replaced injured RHP Ross Ohlendorf, went on the disabled list himself after Astros 1B Lance Berkman’s line drive struck the back of Jakubauskas’ head Saturday. Pittsburgh could recall RHP Kevin Hart from Triple-A Indianapolis, or could use McCutchen or Burres to start Thursday.
9*-RHP Luis Atilano was promoted to a starting role for Washington because of an injury to RHP Garrett Mock. Atilano allowed the dodgers only one run in six innings Friday, and would be scheduled to pitch again Wednesday.
Schedule notes
Half of the National League is scheduled for seven games this week, but just four American League teams – the Tigers, Royals, Rangers and Blue Jays – would play every day, giving their batters and relief pitchers 17 per cent more potential playing time than those on the AL’s other 10 rosters. Toronto, along with the Cubs and Cardinals in the NL, is scheduled to play all seven at home.
Wrigley Field would be the most hitter-friendly park in play all week (three games against the Nationals, four with the Diamondbacks). St. Louis (Braves four games, Reds three) would favor pitchers the most of those three everyday stadiums. Overall, the American League could slightly favor batters, with the Orioles and Rays each home for six games. The National League could be kinder to pitchers, with the Marlins and Giants home for six games.
For the record, the other NL teams playing seven games are the Diamondbacks, Braves, Dodgers, Brewers, Pirates and Padres.
Pitchers scheduled to start twice at home are RHPs Kevin Millwood, Justin Verlander, Wade Davis, Shaun Marcum, Carlos Silva, Josh Johnson, Kyle Lohse and Chris Carpenter, and LHPs Dana Eveland, Tom Gorzelanny and Jonathan Sanchez. Our highest recommendations are Marcum, Johnson, Carpenter and Sanchez, with Verlander and Marcum live longshots.
Injuries
Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler was to play in a four-inning “live batting practice” game today in Arizona, then fly back to Texas to begin a three-game injury-rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco. GM Jon Daniels said Kinsler might be the DH in one game, but would play primarily and possibly exclusively at second base.
OOO Tigers SS Adam Everett left Saturday’s game at Texas in the third inning because of a right hamstring injury. With OF/3B Carlos Guillen going on the disabled list, Detroit has used OF Brennan Boesch in its lineup for the first three games of its series against the Rangers.
OOO Royals CF Rick Ankiel has been out because of a strained quadriceps.
OOO The Angels put C Bobby Wilson on the disabled list because of a concussion and ankle injury caused when Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira ran over the catcher on a play at home plate.
OOO Athletics C Kurt Suzuki sat out because of a sore left side he injured during a workout. 3b Kevin Kouzmanoff fouled a pitch off his left foot.
OOO Braves 3B Chipper Jones left Saturday’s game because of a hip injury but returned for tonight’s game.
OOO The Rockies put OF Brad Hawpe (groin injury) on the disabled list.
News and notes
The Padres’ improvement shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who saw their Double-A farm team at San Antonio frequently during the past two years. The names in San Diego – 3B/OF Chase Headley, OF Will Venable, C Nick Hundley, LHP Wade LeBlanc, RHP Mat Latos – would be very familiar. They were among the Texas League’s best players. During the eight-game winning streak that ended with today’s 5-4 loss to the Reds, the Padres’ starters had a 1.04 ERA. LeBlanc pitched six scoreless innings to win Saturday.
OOO On Saturday, the Orioles started rookie Rhyne Hughes at first base instead of 1B/3B Garrett Atkins.
OOO To help their injury-depleted outfield, the Red Sox reacquired OF Jonathan Van Every from the Pirates’ organization.
OOO Fox announcer Joe Buck betrayed his man love for the Yankees during Saturday’s telecast. We’ll take factual or perceptual issues with two of his comments. 1. That New York had made “only” six errors. I didn’t see much of the Rangers’ series at Yankee Stadium, but Texas’ announcers indicated that on judgment calls that could have gone either way, hits were being given away like Halloween candy. 2. That the Yanks had had two “near no-hitters” this season. Granted, hardly anyone pitches nine innings anymore, but we’d really prefer to see a guy go more than eight hitless innings or pitch a complete-game one-hitter before we hear about near no-hitters.
OOO Marlins 1B/3B Jorge Cantu had his hitting streak stopped at 21 games.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
Two closers blew saves Saturday. Mariners RHP David Aardsma had the more explosive collapse. He entered their game on the south side of Chicago with a 4-2 lead, and left with a blown save, a loss and a pitching line of 2/3 23311. 1B Paul Konerko pulled the White Sox within a run with a solo home run, and OF Alex Rios won the game with a two-run homer. Twins RHP Jon Rauch blew a save with a line of 231110. He stayed around to pitch the bottom of the 12th inning and was the winning pitcher in Minnesota’s 9-7 victory.
Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon had a shaky fifth save. Boston led the Orioles 7-3 entering the ninth inning, but Baltimore scored once and had a runner on base when Papelbon entered with one out. He allowed that runner, plus one of his own, to escape despite a line of 2/3 31102.
Other saves were by Astros RHP Matt Lindstrom, his sixth (among seven Houston victories), 5-2 over the Pirates; Marlins RHP Leo Nunez, fourth, 4-1 at Colorado; Phillies RHP Ryan Madson, fourth, 3-2 at Arizona; Giants RHP Brian Wilson, fourth, 2-0 against the Cardinals, and Mets RHP Francisco Rodriguez, third, 3-1 vs. Atlanta.
Promotion
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We’re getting back toward our five-Emails-per-week regular-season schedule, which would send you News and Notes each Thursday.
The scheduled free period for these Emails has ended. After this, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
The good news is that you now CAN subscribe. See below to find out how.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to our blog and whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Projected starting pitchers, April 26-May 2, 2010
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Bal --- NYY-Millwood NYY-Guthrie NYY-Matusz Bos-Hernandz Bos-Berken* Bos-Mlwod2
Bos @Tor-Beckett @Tor-Buchholz @Tor-Lester --- @Bal-Lackey @Bal-Mtszka** @Bal-Beckett2
CWS --- @Tex-Buehrle @Tex-Peavy @Tex-Floyd @NYY-Garcia @NYY-Danks @NYY-Buehrle2
Cle @LAA-Huff @LAA-Talbot @LAA-Wstbrook --- Min-Carmona Min-Mastrson Min-Huff2
Det @Tex-Bondrmn Min-Verlander Min-Scherzer Min-Willis*** LAA-Porcello LAA-Bndrmn2 LAA-Verlandr2
KC Se-Davies Se-Greinke Se-Meche @TB-Hochevar @TB-Bannister @TB-Davies2 @TB-Greinke2
LAA Cle-Weaver Cle-Saunders Cle-Santana --- @Det-Pineiro @Det-Kazmir @Det-Weaver2
Min --- @Det-Liriano @Det-Baker @Det-Pavano @Cle-Blakburn @Cle-Slowey @Cle-Liriano2
NYY --- @Bal-Hughes @Bal-Sabathia @Bal-Burnett CWS-Pettitte CWS-Vazquez CWS-Hughes
Oak --- @TB-Sheets @TB-Braden @Tor-Duchschr @Tor-Adrsn-4* @Tor-Gonzalez @Tor-Sheets2
Se @KC-Hernandz @KC-Snell @KC-Rld-Smth --- Tex-Lee-5* Tex-Fister Tex-Hrnandz2
TB --- Oak-Davis Oak-Shields KC-Garza KC-Niemann KC-Price KC-Davis2
Tex Det-Harrison CWS-Wilson CWS-Hardn-6* CWS-Feldman @Se-Lewis @Se-Harrison2 @Se-Wilson2
Tor Bos-Eveland Bos-Marcum Bos-Cecil-7* Oak-Romero Oak-Morrow Oak-Eveland2 Oak-Marcum2
*-RHP Jason Berken is likely to make a spot start Saturday for the Orioles, who are trying to go with a four-man rotation as much as possible. They’d be better off cloning LHP Brian Matusz.
**-As we indicated in Thursday’s Email, RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to replace RHP Tim Wakefield in the Red Sox rotation.
***-LHP Dontrelle Willis didn’t make his scheduled start at Texas Saturday because he was sick. He pitched an inning in relief today, walking three and giving up two runs on 3B Michael Young’s single.
4*-Athletics LHP Brian Anderson left his most recent start after six innings because of soreness in his forearm and elbow, but said he expects to make his next scheduled start. Watch him closely; similar symptoms have resulted in Tommy John surgery for other pitchers.
5*-Mariners LHP Cliff Lee pitched six shutout innings in an injury-rehab start today for Triple-A Tucson, putting him on schedule to return to Seattle’s rotation Friday. He would replace RHP Ian Snell or possibly LHP Jason Vargas.
6*-RHP Rich Harden’s wildness and high pitch counts could knock him out of the Rangers’ rotation. Wednesday’s start also would be on schedule for LHP Derek Holland to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City for a major league start.
7*-LHP Brett Cecil won his first start back in the majors – replacing LHP Brian Tallet, who went on the disabled list. Cecil would be on schedule to start again Wednesday.
AL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Ari @Col-Haren @Col-Jackson @Col-Benson @ChC-Kennedy @ChC-Lopez @ChC-Haren2 @ChC-Jackson2
Atl @StL-Hudson @StL-Lowe @StL-Kawkami @StL-Jurrjens Ho-Hanson Ho-Hudson2 Ho-Lowe2
ChC Was-Silva Was-Gorzlany Was-Dempster Ari-Lilly Ari-Wells Ari-Silva2 Ari-Grzlany2
Cin --- @Ho-Harang @Ho-Leake @Ho-Arroyo @StL-Cueto @StL-Bailey @StL-Harang2
Col Ari-Hammel Ari-Jimenez Ari-Francis* --- @SD-Smith @SD-Cook @SD-DeLaRsa
Fla SD-Johnson SD-Sanchez SD-Rbrtsn** --- Was-Nolasco Was-Volstad Was-Johnson2
Ho --- Cin-Norris Cin-Paulino Cin-Oswlt*** @Atl-Rdriguez @Atl-Myers @Atl-Norris2
LAD @NYM-Kuroda @NYM-Towrs-4* @NYM-Haeger Pit-Kershaw Pit-Bilngsley Pit-Kuroda2 Pit-Towers2
Mil Pit-Gallardo Pit-Wolf Pit-Nrvsn-5* @SD-Davis @SD-Bush @SD-Gallardo2 @SD-Wolf2
NYM LAD-Perez LAD-Santana LAD-Maine --- @Phi-Niese @Phi-Pelfrey @Phi-Perez2
Phi @SF-Halladay @SF-Moyer @SF-Hamels --- NYM-Fgroa-6* NYM-Hlladay2 NYM-Kendrick
Pit @Mil-Duke @Mil-McCn-7* @Mil-Maholm @LAD-Hart-8* @LAD-Morton @LAD-Duke @LAD-McCtcn2
StL Atl-Lohse Atl-Carpenter Atl-Garcia Atl-Wainright Cin-Penny Cin-Lohse2 Cin-Carpentr2
SD @Fla-Latos @Fla-Garland @Fla-Correia Mil-LeBlanc Mil-Richard Mil-Latos2 Mil-Garland2
SF Phi-Sanchez Phi-Wlemeyr Phi-Lincecum --- Col-Zito Col-Cain Col-Sanchez2
Was @ChC-Lannan @ChC-Hernandz @ChC-Atilno-9* --- @Fla-Stammen @Fla-Olsen @Fla-Lannan2
*-Rockies LHP Jeff Francis is expected to return from the disabled list for his first major league appearance this season Wednesday. He could replace RHP Jason Hammel or LHP Greg Smith in Colorado’s rotation.
**-After Friday’s game at Colorado was postponed because of rain and snow – the first postponement this season – LHP Nate Robertson and RHP Ricky Nolasco started in Saturday’s doubleheader. Florida indicated that Robertson would start Wednesday on three days’ rest.
***-Astros RHP Roy Oswalt might not be available to start Thursday. He has gone to Weir, Miss., where a tornado destroyed his family’s home. The off-day Monday makes it so that LHP Wandy Rodriguez and RHP Brett Myers could slide ahead a day and still pitch on their usual rest. Thus, Oswalt wouldn’t be needed until Saturday.
4*-The Dodgers put RHP Vicente Padilla on the disabled list. His replacement in the rotation could be RHP Josh Towers from Triple-A Albuquerque or Jesus Castillo from Double-A Chattanooga.
5*-The Brewers have replaced RHP Jeff Suppan in their rotation with LHP Chris Narveson.
6*-Well traveled RHP Nelson Figueroa replaced injured LHP J.A. Happ in the Phillies’ rotation Saturday, and would be scheduled to start next on Friday.
7*-Pirates RHP Daniel McCutchen hasn’t made it past the fifth inning in his last three starts. He could be replaced by LHP Brian Burres.
8*-However, McCutchen doesn’t represent the only hole in Pittsburgh’s rotation. RHP Chris Jakubauskas, who replaced injured RHP Ross Ohlendorf, went on the disabled list himself after Astros 1B Lance Berkman’s line drive struck the back of Jakubauskas’ head Saturday. Pittsburgh could recall RHP Kevin Hart from Triple-A Indianapolis, or could use McCutchen or Burres to start Thursday.
9*-RHP Luis Atilano was promoted to a starting role for Washington because of an injury to RHP Garrett Mock. Atilano allowed the dodgers only one run in six innings Friday, and would be scheduled to pitch again Wednesday.
Schedule notes
Half of the National League is scheduled for seven games this week, but just four American League teams – the Tigers, Royals, Rangers and Blue Jays – would play every day, giving their batters and relief pitchers 17 per cent more potential playing time than those on the AL’s other 10 rosters. Toronto, along with the Cubs and Cardinals in the NL, is scheduled to play all seven at home.
Wrigley Field would be the most hitter-friendly park in play all week (three games against the Nationals, four with the Diamondbacks). St. Louis (Braves four games, Reds three) would favor pitchers the most of those three everyday stadiums. Overall, the American League could slightly favor batters, with the Orioles and Rays each home for six games. The National League could be kinder to pitchers, with the Marlins and Giants home for six games.
For the record, the other NL teams playing seven games are the Diamondbacks, Braves, Dodgers, Brewers, Pirates and Padres.
Pitchers scheduled to start twice at home are RHPs Kevin Millwood, Justin Verlander, Wade Davis, Shaun Marcum, Carlos Silva, Josh Johnson, Kyle Lohse and Chris Carpenter, and LHPs Dana Eveland, Tom Gorzelanny and Jonathan Sanchez. Our highest recommendations are Marcum, Johnson, Carpenter and Sanchez, with Verlander and Marcum live longshots.
Injuries
Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler was to play in a four-inning “live batting practice” game today in Arizona, then fly back to Texas to begin a three-game injury-rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco. GM Jon Daniels said Kinsler might be the DH in one game, but would play primarily and possibly exclusively at second base.
OOO Tigers SS Adam Everett left Saturday’s game at Texas in the third inning because of a right hamstring injury. With OF/3B Carlos Guillen going on the disabled list, Detroit has used OF Brennan Boesch in its lineup for the first three games of its series against the Rangers.
OOO Royals CF Rick Ankiel has been out because of a strained quadriceps.
OOO The Angels put C Bobby Wilson on the disabled list because of a concussion and ankle injury caused when Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira ran over the catcher on a play at home plate.
OOO Athletics C Kurt Suzuki sat out because of a sore left side he injured during a workout. 3b Kevin Kouzmanoff fouled a pitch off his left foot.
OOO Braves 3B Chipper Jones left Saturday’s game because of a hip injury but returned for tonight’s game.
OOO The Rockies put OF Brad Hawpe (groin injury) on the disabled list.
News and notes
The Padres’ improvement shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who saw their Double-A farm team at San Antonio frequently during the past two years. The names in San Diego – 3B/OF Chase Headley, OF Will Venable, C Nick Hundley, LHP Wade LeBlanc, RHP Mat Latos – would be very familiar. They were among the Texas League’s best players. During the eight-game winning streak that ended with today’s 5-4 loss to the Reds, the Padres’ starters had a 1.04 ERA. LeBlanc pitched six scoreless innings to win Saturday.
OOO On Saturday, the Orioles started rookie Rhyne Hughes at first base instead of 1B/3B Garrett Atkins.
OOO To help their injury-depleted outfield, the Red Sox reacquired OF Jonathan Van Every from the Pirates’ organization.
OOO Fox announcer Joe Buck betrayed his man love for the Yankees during Saturday’s telecast. We’ll take factual or perceptual issues with two of his comments. 1. That New York had made “only” six errors. I didn’t see much of the Rangers’ series at Yankee Stadium, but Texas’ announcers indicated that on judgment calls that could have gone either way, hits were being given away like Halloween candy. 2. That the Yanks had had two “near no-hitters” this season. Granted, hardly anyone pitches nine innings anymore, but we’d really prefer to see a guy go more than eight hitless innings or pitch a complete-game one-hitter before we hear about near no-hitters.
OOO Marlins 1B/3B Jorge Cantu had his hitting streak stopped at 21 games.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
Two closers blew saves Saturday. Mariners RHP David Aardsma had the more explosive collapse. He entered their game on the south side of Chicago with a 4-2 lead, and left with a blown save, a loss and a pitching line of 2/3 23311. 1B Paul Konerko pulled the White Sox within a run with a solo home run, and OF Alex Rios won the game with a two-run homer. Twins RHP Jon Rauch blew a save with a line of 231110. He stayed around to pitch the bottom of the 12th inning and was the winning pitcher in Minnesota’s 9-7 victory.
Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon had a shaky fifth save. Boston led the Orioles 7-3 entering the ninth inning, but Baltimore scored once and had a runner on base when Papelbon entered with one out. He allowed that runner, plus one of his own, to escape despite a line of 2/3 31102.
Other saves were by Astros RHP Matt Lindstrom, his sixth (among seven Houston victories), 5-2 over the Pirates; Marlins RHP Leo Nunez, fourth, 4-1 at Colorado; Phillies RHP Ryan Madson, fourth, 3-2 at Arizona; Giants RHP Brian Wilson, fourth, 2-0 against the Cardinals, and Mets RHP Francisco Rodriguez, third, 3-1 vs. Atlanta.
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