|
|
| It's obviously not April, a month when Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon has been perfect during his career. Papelbon put runners at second and third in the ninth inning of Friday's loss to the Twins, and let Lamb lace an opposite-field liner to left that ended the game. |
Our View: It is the second straight blown save for the Boston right-hander and his second loss of the season.
|
|
|
|
| Troy Glaus left after the Cardinals batted in the third with a bruised left tricep. He was hit by a pitch the inning before. |
Our View: La Russa said afterward Glaus couldn't straighten his arm and would be re-evaluated Saturday.
|
|
|
|
| After getting two outs on two pitches, Jason Isringhausen imploded, allowing two singles and a walk before Rickie Weeks' two-run single gave Milwaukee a 4-3 victory on Friday night, giving Izzy a blown save and a loss.
|
Our View: Isringhausen, who has a major-league high five blown save chances to go along with his NL-best 11 saves, said it's time for him to sit down with Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak, manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan and figure out what to do. The expected results of the meeting will likely keep Izzy from pitching on back-to-back days.
|
|
|
|
| The Marlins were ready for Nats starter Tim Redding on Friday night. They were patient at the plate, this after striking out 10 times to the right-hander in their last game against him.
Redding walked a season-high four over 5.1 innings. He gave up only four hits and struck out three but was charged with five earned runs. |
Our View: Redding has been the Nationals most consistent starter and his nasty curve ball will allow him to win plenty of game throughout the summer, if he can get some run support.
|
|
|
|
| Elijah Dukes, returning from the disabled list after injuring his hamstring on opening day, entered the game in the seventh inning and struck out in both of his plate appearances. |
Our View: Dukes will serve as the Nats fourth outfielder and has value in NL-only formats.
|
|
|
|
| One of Florida's key pieces in the meat of the order, Mike Jacobs, missed his second straight game with a strained left quad muscle. |
Our View: Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Jacobs could have been used as a pinch hitter if needed and is expected to be in the lineup on Saturday in Washington.
|
|
|
|
| Nationals lefty Matt Chico made his first relief appearance in the major leagues, pitching two scoreless innings. |
Our View: He made 31 starts last year and struggled through seven starts this season before being sent to the bullpen.
|
|
|
|
| Ricky Nolasco broke a personal three-game losing streak with six strong innings in Friday's 7-3 win over the Nationals. Nolasco allowed one run on four hits, walked two and struck out six. |
Our View: The 25-year-old right-hander reportedly corrected some mechanical flaws in his between-game bullpen session and it showed tonight. He was smooth in his delivery and efficient in his pitch count for the most of five innings.
|
|
|
|
| George Sherrill worked the ninth for his 12th save in 14 opportunities this year. |
Our View: One of Sherrill's blown saves came in Oakland when he entered the game with the bases loaded with one out. He proceeded to get the next two hitters on ground balls outs, but the game tying run that scored resulted in a blown save. One of the worst rules in baseball.
|
|
|
|
| Gil Meche, who went five innings for the Royals on Friday night, allowed five runs and six hits in his fifth loss of the season. |
Our View: Meche, who has only one victory in his past four starts, had his ERA balloon to 6.31. The right-hander has yet to win at home this year.
|
|
|
|
| Alex Gordon hit a two-run home run off O's starter Steve Trachsel in the first inning, but the Royals still lost their 11th straight game to Baltimore. |
Our View: He also had a run-scoring single in the seventh for a season-best three RBI. The home run was Gordon's fifth of the season.
|
|
|
|
| Steve Trachsel , who was winless in his last five starts, gave up two runs and five hits in 5.1 innings as the O's beat the Royals for the 11th straight time. |
Our View: Trachsel had lasted just three innings in each of his previous two starts, allowing 11 runs and 12 hits with seven walks in six innings.
|
|
|
|
| Tom Glavine did what he does best on Friday night in Pittsburgh, he kept his team in the game. The left-hander allowed two runs on five hits, walked four and struck out three in seven innings of work. |
Our View: Glavine lowered his ERA to 4.03 but his 1.73 WHIP didn't improve much with his four walks.
|
|
|
|
| John Grabow pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the win in Friday night's 3-2 victory over Atlanta. Grabow came in after Tyler Yates allowed the first two runners to reach base. After striking out Kelly Johnson, Grabow got Yunel Escobar to bounce into a double play.
"Obviously, you never want to come into a situation like that," said Grabow, who has a 1.02 ERA. "But that's our job out in the bullpen to pick each other up." |
Our View: The Pirates continue to get good pitching and timely hitting and while Ian Snell didn't get the victory, he did pitch well for the first time this month, save the walks.
|
|
|
|
| Freddy Sanchez went 2-for-4 with three RBI and is 9-for-17 in four games since he moved from No. 2 to the leadoff spot. |
Our View: While fantasy owners are thrilled with his production, the Pirates are enthralled. The team has won all four games since the batting order was juggled.
|
|
|
|
| Jason Giambi homered in the second inning of Friday's loss to the Tigers. The home run was hit off lefty Kenny Rogers, giving him 184 with the Yankees, passing Tommy Henrich and tying Charlie Keller for 16th place in team history.
|
Our View: Giambi's home run was his seventh of the season.
|
|
|
|
| Kei Igawa's season debut was much like his last start for the Yanks, a forgettable one. The left-hander lasted just three-plus innings, allowing six runs on 11 hits. |
Our View: Igawa has not been the pitcher the Yanks thought he could be when they signed the Japanese import to a big contract in 2006. He is not expected to remain in the rotation after tonight's performance.
|
|
|
|
| Kenny Rogers pitched into the seventh inning for the first time this year, and received enough run support from his teammates to beat the New York Yankees 6-5 Friday night. Rogers won his third game of the year allowing two runs on nine hits, walked two and struck out three.
|
Our View: The Yankees struggle against left-handed pitching and were unable to do much damage to the Tigers veteran. Rogers lowered his 6.27 ERA to 5.82.
|
|
|
|
| Greg Smith lost his second game of the season on Friday night, but not because he didn't pitch well. The rookie didn't throw a quality start, but allowed four runs on only four hits, walked two and struck out four in the 4-0 loss to the Rangers. |
Our View: Smith has been impressive since replacing the injured Rich Harden, and it appears he will remain in the rotation.
|
|
|
|
| Brandon Boggs did most of the offensive damage in the Rangers Friday night 4-0 win over the Athletics. The Texas right fielder was 3-for-4 with three RBI. |
Our View: Boggs has only 39 at-bats this season, but is hitting .385 with two runs, eight RBI and a home run.
|
|
|
|
| Josh Hamilton continues to be an RBI machine. In Friday's 4-0 win over the A's, Hamilton hit a run scoring double. The right fielder ending the day with two hits in four at-bats with a run scored. |
Our View: Hamilton now has 37 RBI on the season and raised his batting average to .290 with his two-hit performance.
|
|
|
|
| Scott Feldman pitched six innings, stretching Texas' scoreless streak to 28 consecutive innings. Feldman, a converted reliever, allowed two hits, walked four and struck out one in six innings of work. |
Our View: The Rangers had the privilege of facing a struggling Mariners team earlier in the week allowing their below average pitching staff to accumulate their current string of scoreless innings.
|
|
|
|
| Rod Barajas, who is a career .412 hitter against C.C. Sabathia, went 1-for-3 in Friday's loss to the Indians. |
Our View: Barajas is hitting .226 on the year with one home run and four RBI.
|
|
|
|
| Toronto's third baseman Scott Rolen went 2-for-4 in Friday's loss to the Indians. |
Our View: Rolen now has seven hits in his last 13 at-bats. He's healthy and seeing the ball well in his 13th game since coming off the disabled list.
|
|
|
|
| Roy Halladay lost for the fourth time in five starts and fell to 5-1 in his career against Cleveland. Halladay had pitched four straight complete games before exiting after six frames in Friday's game. |
Our View: The 2003 winner fanned nine and had a 1-0 lead until the seventh, when Travis Hafner and Ryan Garko each singled.
|
|
|
|
| Travis Hafner, who came in Friday's game against the Indians hitting .143 (4-for-28) in his last nine games, went 2-for-3 with a walk and raised his average to .220 on the season. |
Our View: Hafner appears to have lost some of the bat speed that made him one of the most feared hitter this decade.
|
|
|
|
| C.C. Sabathia struck out nine over seven innings in a 6-1 win over Toronto. The reigning AL Cy Young winner gave up six hits, walked two and won for the first time in five decisions at home this season. |
Our View: Sabathia has officially turned it around after a miserable start. With Friday's win, C.C. lowered his ERA to 6.55.
|
|
|
|
| Vernon Wells jammed his left wrist while making a diving catch in the sixth inning of Friday's game and was unable to continue. |
Our View: There was no word on how serious the injury was. The team is expected to make an announcement on Saturday.
|
|
|
|
| Angels starter Jon Garland allowed no runs and four hits over eight innings in a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Friday night. The veteran right-hander walked three and struck out two before being replaced by Justin Speier in the ninth. |
Our View: Speier proceeded to give up a leadoff single to B.J. Upton in the ninth and after retiring Carlos Pena allowed rookie third baseman Even Longoria to end the game with a two-run home run.
|
|
|
|
| Evan Longoria hit a two-run, ninth-inning homer, snapped a scoreless tie -- and gave the Tampa Bay Rays a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. |
Our View: The Longoria long ball was the rookies fourth of the season.
|
|
|
|
| James Shields won his fourth game of the year on Friday night in a complete game 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. The Rays' right-hander threw 92 pitches, allowed only one hit, no walks and struck out eight. |
Our View: An impressive bounce back after a dismal start against the Red Sox, and against a very good Angels offense.
|
|
|
|
| Troy Percival, who blew his first save of the season on Thursday, is not in jeopardy of losing his role, according to the Tampa Tribune. Percival, who had allowed just three baserunners (two hits and a walk) in starting the season with 11 scoreless innings, gave up three runs in the ninth. |
Our View: Percival has appeared in 12 games and has allowed six hits, one walk while striking out 12. Not bad for a player who retired before the 2007 season.
|
|
|
|
| In the offseason, the Washington Nationals spent $6.25 million to acquire free agent catchers Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada. On Friday they put both players on the disabled list. On Friday night Will Nieves got the start against right-hander Ricky Nolasco, but expect to see one of the Nats top prospects Jesus Flores in a platoon with Nieves. |
Our View: Lo Duca was disabled with a broken bone in his right hand, Estrada with a ligament problem in his right elbow.
|
|
|
|
| Pedro Martinez threw nearly 60 pitches at New York's spring training complex in Florida on Friday, this according to the AP. The Mets still have no timetable for when the injured right-hander might return to the team.
|
Our View: Martinez has been on the disabled list since straining his left hamstring April 2 during his only start of the season, at the Florida Marlins.
|
|
|
|
| The Mets versus Reds game on Friday night was postponed due to rain. Before the 55 minute rain delay, outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. was pulled from the starting lineup because of an illness. He was to be replaced in right field by Ryan P. Freel. |
Our View: Griffey's availability for Saturday's double-header is questionable.
|
|
|
|
| Second baseman Brandon Phillips was out of the Friday starting lineup against the Mets due to a sore left calf, sustained on a foul ball Wednesday. |
Our View: Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said Phillips might have been available to pinch hit on Friday night. With the postponement of the game due to rain, Phillips is expected to be in the lineup during Saturday's double-header for at least one of the games.
|
|
|
|
| The scheduled game between the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets was postponed because of rain Friday night.
It will be made up Saturday as part of a day-night doubleheader, with start times of 1:10 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Johan Santana is slated to pitch the opener for New York against Matt Belisle, with Mike Pelfrey getting the ball in Game 2 against Reds right-hander Bronson Arroyo.
|
Our View: Belisle and Pelfrey had been the scheduled starters Friday.
|
|
|
|
| The Tampa Tribune reports that Rays skipper Joe Maddon expects to see James Shields' best tonight, considering the way the pitcher has been stewing since turning in one of the worst performances of his career last weekend at Fenway Park. The right-hander allowed 13 Red Sox hitters to reach base, and seven runs to score in 3.2 innings of work. |
Our View: Through seven innings, Shields has allowed one hit, walked none and struck out eight. The score is tied at 0-0 in a game where the Rays are hosting the Angels.
|
|
|
|
| Erick Aybar was injured in Friday's game after being hit in the hand by a pitch. Brandon Wood shifted from third base to shortstop and Robb Quinlan came off the bench to take over third base. |
Our View: No word yet on how serious the injury is, but Aybar fell to the ground in pain after being hit.
|
|
|
|
| According to the Star Telegram, Ben Broussard lost is spot in the platoon at first base earlier this week, and now he has lost his spot on the Texas Rangers' roster. The Opening Day first baseman was designated for assignment Thursday after struggling the past four weeks at the plate and in the field. |
Our View: The Rangers activated infielder Travis Metcalf from the 15-day disabled list to take Broussard's spot on the 25-man roster.
|
|
|
|
| It's official, Jason Bay has bounced back from a poor 2007 and should continues to produce as the weather warms up. After going 3-4 on Thursday the left fielder raised his average back up to .286 on the season. |
Our View: The one category that Bay is lacking is his RBI production. But this is more a product of the Pirates offense than his ability to hit with runners in scoring position.
|
|
|
|
| Matt Capps recorded his eighth save in as many opportunities on Thursday striking out one and walking one in his single frame of work. |
Our View: Capps K Rate is down from last year, but his numbers are in line with what owners expected heading into 2008. Capps will continue to get opportunities. When the Pirates win, they don't win by much.
|
|
|
|
| Garrett Atkins extended his hitting streak to seven games with a 2-for-3 performance on Thursday night against the Cardinals. Atkins has now hit safely in 21 of his last 22 games and has gone hitless in just five games all year long. |
Our View: Atkins is hitting .326 with a slugging percentage of .535. Traditionally a second half hitter, Atkins has excited his owners and is a prime buy-if-you-can candidate.
|
|
|
|
| Although Richie Sexson received a six-game suspension for instigating the fight on Thursday night, the M's have him in the starting lineup against the White Sox and batting sixth.
|
Our View: Sexson ask the players union to appeal the suspension so he remains availalble to play until there is some resolution. .
|
|
|
|
| Michael Young, who left Wednesday's game in the first inning with a left hip injury and was not in Thursday's starting lineup, is back at shortstop for the Rangers and hitting second against the A's on Friday night.
|
Our View: This is great news for Young owners who were unsure just how serious the injury was.
|
|
|
|
| Travis Hafner is back in the starting lineup against the Royals after sitting out the last two games. |
Our View: Hafner is back in the designated hitter role with Victor Martinez (neck) back behind the plate.
|
|
|
|
| Cody Ross, who hit .146 with one run scored and two RBI during April, is in the starting lineup on Friday night against right-hander Tim Redding. Switch-hitter Alfredo Amezaga is on the bench tonight. |
Our View: Starting the right-handed Ross is somewhat of a surprise considering in Redding's last start against the Fish he struck out 10 batters.
|
|
|
|
| Cliff Floyd, who is coming off knee surgery just four weeks ago, could return as early as Sunday, this according to the St. Petersburg Times.
The report noted that skipper Joe Maddon was very pleased with Floyd's batting practice session Friday, but wanted to chat with Floyd and the team's medical staff before making any definitive move. |
Our View: Floyd's return will cut into the at-bats of Jonny Gomes and Eric Hinske.
|
|
|
|
| John Lackey threw 88 pitches over six innings in an extended spring training game on Friday afternoon, this according to the AP.
Lackey, who went 19-9 with a 3.01 ERA last season, could rejoin the team next week. He opened the season on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right triceps.
|
Our View: Lackey previously made three rehab starts for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and has had no issues or setbacks in his work.
|
|
|
|
| Brandon Phillips is not in Friday's starting lineup. The Reds are using Jerry Hairston Jr. at second base and hitting him second in the order. |
Our View: Phillips is hitting .276 with 20 runs scored, 16 RBI, five stolen bases and six home runs. Far from All Star numbers but not the kind of funk that would get a player of his tools benched. It's likely Dusty Baker is giving Phillips a night off against Mike Pelfrey and the Mets.
|
|
|
|
| With Curtis Granderson out of the lineup on Friday night, catcher Ivan Rodriguez is back in the leadoff spot for the Tigers. |
Our View: Pudge has never faced Yankee starter Kei Igawa, but returns to the top of the order while Granderson gets a night off.
|
|
|
|
| Curtis Granderson, who went 0-for-4 on Thursday night and is now 0-for-10 in his last two games, is on the bench for Friday's game against New York. Ryan Raburn, who opened the season with the Tigers, is starting in center field. |
Our View: Granderson has never faced Yankee starter, Kei Igawa, so his absence from the lineup isn't a matchup issue.
|
|
|
|
| Wilson Betemit, who homered Thursday in his first start since coming off the disabled list, is starting ahead of Morgan Ensberg for the second straight game.
|
Our View: Ensberg isn't hitting, and Betemit is a better matchup against right-handers until Alex Rodriguez returns.
|
|
|
|
| Brad Wilkerson, who was acquired by the Blue Jays today, is in the starting lineup tonight against Cleveland. He is playing left field, replacing normal starter Shannon Stewart. It's worth noting that Toronto is desperately searching for a lineup that can produce. In the last 30 games, the Jays have sported the same lineup only twice. |
Our View: The additions of Kevin Mench and Wilkerson make fantasy owners in AL-only formats cringe. It appears that the Jays are going to try platooning Wilkerson, Stewart, Mench and Matt Stairs. Wilkerson and Stairs will start against right-handers while Stewart and Mench find the lineup against southpaws. Tonight it appears the team has decided to give the two newbies (Wilkerson and Mench) starting assignments.
|
|
|
|
| After serving as the designated hitter on Wednesday, Victor Martinez got Thursday completely off because of his stiff beck. Martinez is back in the starting lineup on Friday versus Toronto in his normal catcher role. |
Our View: Martinez has still yet to hit a home run this year. He is hitting for average but the offensive struggles at the top of the order haven't given him many runs batted in opportunities this season. The All Star has only 11 RBI on the season.
|
|
|
|
| Kevin Mench , who was acquired for cash from the Texas Rangers today, is in the Jays starting lineup Friday night against the Indians. |
Our View: Mench is the designated hitter and he's hitting fifth in the batting order.
|
|
|
|
| Kerry Wood earned his sixth save of the year in Friday's 3-1 win over the Diamondbacks. |
Our View: Wood, has been as inconsistent as any closer in the league, but has yet to catch some of the national criticism as has Eric Gagne. All indications have Wood solidly planted in the closer role and Carlos Marmol as his setup man.
|
|
|
|
| Derrek Lee, who entered play today in a 4-for-28 slump, homered off reliever Juan Cruz to give the Cubs a comfortable 3-1 lead in the eighth inning of Friday's win over the Diamondbacks. |
Our View: Lee, absent his recent skid, has been MVP-good. Lee is hitting .322 with 30 runs scored, 25 RBI, two stolen bases and nine home runs.
|
|
|
|
| Dan Haren allowed two runs on five hits, walked two and struck out five over seven innings, but suffered his second loss of the season to an even better Ted Lilly and the Cubs on Friday afternoon. |
Our View: Haren was good enough to win in the day game at historic Wrigley field, but Ted Lilly was better. The Diamondbacks have hit a part of the schedule that will test their metal, with a road trip in Chicago before returning home to face a desperate Rockies team and then an innerleague series against Detroit.
|
|
|
|
| Ted Lilly surrendered a first-inning solo homer to Arizona's Chris Young, then gave up just two hits over the next six innings in a Friday day game at Wrigley. The left-hander allowed one run on three hits, walked two and struck out 10. |
Our View: Lilly has continue to show improvement after a slow start, and today's effort following a underachieving road trip for Chicago, was just in time. Lilly earned his third victory of the season.
|
|
|
|
| Chris Snyder went 2-for-4 with a double and run batted in on Thursday. The Arizona catcher also scored in the game. |
Our View: Snyder is the top surprise at the catcher position this year, and should be considered a starting option in any format.
|
|
|
|
| According to the Jays' team website, neither David Eckstein nor John McDonald much wanted to go on the disabled list. But with both players still dealing with the lingering effects of injuries suffered earlier this week, the Blue Jays couldn't afford to wait any longer for the pair to get healthy. |
Our View: Both Eckstein and McDonald landed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday, retroactive to Wednesday, with Joe Inglett rejoining the roster and another move expected sometime before Friday's game at Cleveland.
|
|
|
|
| According to the Washington Post, the Nationals will activate outfielder Elijah Dukes on Friday, who strained his right hamstring on opening day. Dukes hit .211 in a 13-game rehabilitation stint with Single-A Potomac and Triple-A Columbus. |
Our View: Dukes was to be the Nationals' fourth outfielder originally, and Manager Manny Acta said he would return to that role. Dukes has value in NL-only formats and will receive his share of at-bats this summer.
|
|
|
|
| The Padres have claimed reliever Sean Henn off waivers from the Yankees, according to the AP. |
Our View: Henn holds a a 7.53 ERA over 36 career appearances, all with the Yankees. He will provide the Padres' pen with an extra arm, but isn't worth consideration as a fantasy prospect.
|
|
|
|
| Richie Sexson has been suspended for six games by the MLB, according to the AP. He charged the mound and threw his helmet at Rangers' pitcher Kason Gabbard the previous night. The incident happened after the left-hander threw an eye-high pitch to Sexson in the fourth inning of Seattle’s 5-0 loss. Bob Watson, baseball’s vice president in charge of discipline, cited Sexson for "violent and aggressive actions."
|
Our View: Sexson asked the players’ association to appeal, and any suspension will be delayed until after a hearing.
|
|
|
|
| Jody Gerut has been recalled from Triple-A Portland, according to the AP. The team released Jim Edmonds, and Gerut will cover his spot on the roster. |
Our View: The left-handed outfielder went 1-for-6 over four games with the Padres this season, with one stolen base.
|
|
|
|
| Jim Edmonds has been released by the Padres, according to the AP. The team recalled outfielder Jody Gerut from Triple-A Portland to cover the open spot on the roster. |
Our View: This was to be expected, as Edmonds only hit .178 over 90 at-bats this season, with 24 strikeouts. He only recorded one home run as well.
|
|
|
|
| Infielder Sergio Santos has been designated for assignment, according to MLB.com. The team acquired outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench, and Santos was moved to free up roster space. |
Our View: Santos did not register any at-bats this season, and held no fantasy value prior to today's move.
|
|
|
|
| Gustavo Chacin has been designated for assignment, according to MLB.com. The team needed to make room on the roster for new outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench. |
Our View: Chacin did not register an appearance with Toronto in 2008, and held no fantasy value prior to his designation.
|
|
|
|
| Joe Inglett has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, according to MLB.com. The team needed to free up a roster spot for newly acquired outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench. |
Our View: Inglett fared well in limited action this season, as he hit .303 with four RBI over 33 at-bats. He also registered two stolen bases. He will have to wait for another shot to prove his worth with Toronto.
|
|
|
|
| Kevin Mench has landed in Toronto, according to Fox Sports. He was acquired for cash from the Texas Rangers.
|
Our View: Mench, who was with the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma, hit .267 with eight homers and 37 RBI in 2007 while a member of the Brewers. He is a liability defensively, but will provide the Jays with an extra bat off the bench.
|
|
|
|
| Brad Wilkerson has been acquired by the Blue Jays, according to Fox Sports. He was recently cut by the Mariners. |
Our View: Wilkerson was brought in as he is good against left-handed pitching, and the Jays are going to face three lefties in their current series against Cleveland. He will also provide them with flexibility to use him at first base, or in the outfield.
|
|
|
|
| Brian McCann has a good track record against Ian Snell, tonight's opposing hurler for Pittsburgh, according to | |
