Trying to shore up their bullpen to facilitate a postseason berth, the Dodgers reportedly have reached agreements to sign RHPs Chris Perez and Jamey Wright and LHP J.P. Howell.
Does that improve LA's relief pitching. There's a better than even chance.
Do the moves guarantee a playoff berth. Hardly.
Perez was shaky during the latter part of 2013 for the Indians, as they tried out alternatives as their closer.
Howell is a good role-playing lefty, but overpriced at a reported $5 million-plus.
Wright will be 40 years old. I remember from his Rangers days as a good dude. He was very excited about finally reaching the postseason last fall in his 18th season. One of the reasons why he hadn't been was that he has spent most of his lengthy career on the fringes, pitching -- even starting -- for losing teams and frequently toiling in losing situations for winning teams. His days may be numbered, but he did pitch well for the 2012 Dodgers before moving on to the Rays. But he's hardly a sure thing.
For that matter, is hard-throwing RHP Kenley Jansen a sure thing as a closer? No, but that's probably why LA signed a former Giants closer, RHP Brian Wilson.
The Twins' contracts with RHP Mike Pelfrey and C Kurt Suzuki are now official.
Speed-demon sensation Billy Hamilton is likely to take over from free-agent OF Shin-soo Choo as the Reds' center fielder and leadoff batter.
* * *
Other sports. This is like the winter version of baseball's All-Star break. There won't be any NFL games until Sunday. The NHL is off until Friday. The NBA will have some games Wednesday, probably just so TV will have some sports to broadcast on Christmas.
Important key. For the NFL's last week, you have to take into account which teams -- and star players -- have something to play for. If not, they might not even play at all, and therefore would be useless to your fantasy team. Eighteen teams do have a a playoff berth or seeding on the line: Denver, New England, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Miami, Baltimore, San Diego and Pittsburgh in the AFC, and Seattle, Carolina, San Francisco, Arizona, New Orleans, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago and Green Bay in the NFC. Notice that the Chiefs aren't on the list, because win or lose they would be the AFC's No. 5 seed. That's why I'm leaning toward starting inferior RB Ray Rice instead of KC RB Jamaal Charles, the league's best for fantasy purposes this year.
I'm tied 4-4 through the first day of this week's fantasy basketball competition. With a short week, it will be important to stay on top of who's playing well, and especially who's playing at all on a particular day.
In part because Flyers G Steve Mason had his best game since he has been on my roster, I'm within seven points of second place in my fantasy hockey league. I can pick and choose whom I'd want to start on Friday when the league is back in full swing. I have set my lineup already, but I'll reexamine it before Friday's games to see if there are injuries or other issues to consider.
No NFL games to consider until Sunday, but I will be at Valley Ranch on Christmas afternoon to do a Kyle Orton story -- just in case QB Tony Romo doesn't play for the Cowboys Sunday night. At this point, I think Jason Garrett's public statements are the only indication that Romo might do as much as put on his uniform.
Showing posts with label Mike Pelfrey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Pelfrey. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Ellis looks like better pickup than Axford
Two baseball deals were set over the weekend, another was finalized and two others were reported.
The Dodgers confirmed that 3B Jose Uribe would return on a 2-year, $15-million deal and the Twins re-upped RHP Mike Pelfrey for 2014 and '15.
The Mets completed their 2-year contract with free-agent RHP Bartolo Colon.
The reported free-agent signings were by the Indians for RHP John Axford -- who could become their closer, at least until he loses the job -- and the Cardinals with 2B Mark Ellis. He could take some pressure off left-handed-hitting 2B Kolten Wong.
* * *
Football. The problem with having more than one fantasy team is that a guy who gives you a win in one league could beat you in another. That appears likely to be the case in my two football leagues.
Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles' 5 touchdowns gave me 30 points in my scoring-only league. That helped me to a 63-20 lead with RB Ray Rice and the Lions' quarterbacks still to play. My opponent's starting lineup has all played already. In a league that has been going since 1987, I haven't scored more than 70. And that was when we got double points for 50-plus-yard scoring plays and I had Jerry Rice on my roster. I'll still be two games out of first place with two to play.
In my scoring-plus-yardage, I'm on the verge of blowing a 25-point lead after the first week of a two-game consolation semifinal playoff. Playing against me, Charles scored 51 points. That helped my opponent pulled within 183-181 with my roster exhausted and Lions RB Reggie Bush still available for him Monday night.
* * *
Hockey. With only one player from my roster actually playing, I dropped a point in ATOI. Valtteri Flippula gave me an assist and plus-1. Fortunately, I didn't make a change to put Flyers G Steve Mason in my lineup. He again gave up four goals, and lost in overtime. But I might have been able to use my two Ducks skaters, Corey Perry and Dustin Penner, each plus-1. I apparently didn't make lineup changes after Saturday night's Bucks-Mavericks game. Got up this morning at 5 to go to Bonham for two church services, took a nap when I returned and didn't wake up until the Packers were scoring to pull within 29-24 of the Cowboys.
Made another move to get more minutes as well as some penalty minutes and shots and a positive plus/minus on my backline. Welcome, Stars D Brenden Dillon to replace the Bruins' Torey Krug.
* * *
Basketball. Late Sunday afternoon, after Gerald Greene made a 3-pointer, I was leading 8-0 as this week's head-to-head matchup neared its end. However, I knew my lead of 1 3-pointer wasn't safe with Stephen Curry still playing for my opponent.
So I wasn't surprised when Curry made 4 treys and no one on my roster had another. However, it was a surprise that my opponents' hustling team made 13 steals and 32 of 35 free throws (while my guys were missing 5 of 17). That left me with a 5-3 win for the week (22-10 over the last 4 weeks after a 5-18-1 start).
I moved up to seventh place, 2 1/2 games out of fifth. I'm also 4 1/2 games behind the third-place team, my opponent for the next week, and 7 1/2 out of first.
The Dodgers confirmed that 3B Jose Uribe would return on a 2-year, $15-million deal and the Twins re-upped RHP Mike Pelfrey for 2014 and '15.
The Mets completed their 2-year contract with free-agent RHP Bartolo Colon.
The reported free-agent signings were by the Indians for RHP John Axford -- who could become their closer, at least until he loses the job -- and the Cardinals with 2B Mark Ellis. He could take some pressure off left-handed-hitting 2B Kolten Wong.
* * *
Football. The problem with having more than one fantasy team is that a guy who gives you a win in one league could beat you in another. That appears likely to be the case in my two football leagues.
Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles' 5 touchdowns gave me 30 points in my scoring-only league. That helped me to a 63-20 lead with RB Ray Rice and the Lions' quarterbacks still to play. My opponent's starting lineup has all played already. In a league that has been going since 1987, I haven't scored more than 70. And that was when we got double points for 50-plus-yard scoring plays and I had Jerry Rice on my roster. I'll still be two games out of first place with two to play.
In my scoring-plus-yardage, I'm on the verge of blowing a 25-point lead after the first week of a two-game consolation semifinal playoff. Playing against me, Charles scored 51 points. That helped my opponent pulled within 183-181 with my roster exhausted and Lions RB Reggie Bush still available for him Monday night.
* * *
Hockey. With only one player from my roster actually playing, I dropped a point in ATOI. Valtteri Flippula gave me an assist and plus-1. Fortunately, I didn't make a change to put Flyers G Steve Mason in my lineup. He again gave up four goals, and lost in overtime. But I might have been able to use my two Ducks skaters, Corey Perry and Dustin Penner, each plus-1. I apparently didn't make lineup changes after Saturday night's Bucks-Mavericks game. Got up this morning at 5 to go to Bonham for two church services, took a nap when I returned and didn't wake up until the Packers were scoring to pull within 29-24 of the Cowboys.
Made another move to get more minutes as well as some penalty minutes and shots and a positive plus/minus on my backline. Welcome, Stars D Brenden Dillon to replace the Bruins' Torey Krug.
* * *
Basketball. Late Sunday afternoon, after Gerald Greene made a 3-pointer, I was leading 8-0 as this week's head-to-head matchup neared its end. However, I knew my lead of 1 3-pointer wasn't safe with Stephen Curry still playing for my opponent.
So I wasn't surprised when Curry made 4 treys and no one on my roster had another. However, it was a surprise that my opponents' hustling team made 13 steals and 32 of 35 free throws (while my guys were missing 5 of 17). That left me with a 5-3 win for the week (22-10 over the last 4 weeks after a 5-18-1 start).
I moved up to seventh place, 2 1/2 games out of fifth. I'm also 4 1/2 games behind the third-place team, my opponent for the next week, and 7 1/2 out of first.
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.
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