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.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
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
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.
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
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)