Cliff Lee has had his five game suspension rescinded after somehow his argument that his spring injuries caused his pitch to be at Chris Snyder and not the fact that he was throwing at him. I think that this is a ridiculous argument, but hey it worked. So, sometime in May when Lee is ready to return he won’t miss another start due to suspension.
Rickie Weeks continues to sizzle to start the season, I just don’t trust him to (1) stay healthy, or (2) keep up this good hitting. Weeks has perpetually hit in the .220s and .230s and has also always been a guy to spend 50+ games on the DL. If you have Weeks you should be trying like crazy to trade him for someone with more of a track record of success and health. If he is available in your league I wouldn’t be totally opposed to you picking him up and play the hot streak, just be ready for a big step back at some point in the near future, or a trip to the Disabled List.
Alberto Callaspo is on quite the hot streak for the Royals as he had two more hits and drove in another run on Tuesday. This is coming on the heels of a two homer, six RBI game from Sunday. Unfortunately for Callaspo he now has 11 RBI on the season and seven have come in the last three days. He did drive in 79 runs last year, so I don’t think he is a total waste of time. I would take him in leagues where you are required to have a middle infield spot or for injury insurance on your bench. However, unless you are in a 16+team league he shouldn’t be starting for you at second.
Homer Bailey is again starting to look like he is not ready for prime time. After only allowing three runs in his first start, Bailey has now given up five runs in back to back outings. He is getting a decent number of strikeouts, but the walks are getting him in trouble, and his ERA is well north of 7.00. However, the way he finished 2009 and the fanfare that he came into the majors leads me to advise holding on to him for another few starts before you cut bait with him. Bailey has always had the talent to succeed, hopefully this is a short funk and he will be back to getting guys out the next time he takes the mound.
Mike Pelfrey ran his record to a very impressive 3-0 as the Mets’ pitcher shut the Cubs down for seven impressive innings. Big Pelf (6’7”, 230 pounds) gave up no runs and struck out six on Monday has now given up just two runs in three starts. Pelfrey was a very highly touted prospect in the Mets’ organization and now the big question is whether he has finally turned the corner or whether this is just a hot start. He obviously pitches in a very pitcher friendly stadium in Citi Field, but I am not quite ready to grab him yet. One more quality start for Pelfrey and I will be jumping on his bandwagon as an end of the roster addition with a chance to be more.
Jose Reyes hopefully pulled his owners down off the bridge tonight as he had four hits, including a two RBI triple and his second RBI of the season. Reyes is still hitting just .222 but you also have to remember that he basically had no Spring Training so he is likely just rounding into playing shape about now so I urge you to continue to show patience and I hope that he will reward you. I can’t guarantee that obviously, but considering where you drafted Reyes, you have to give him much more than 2.5 weeks before you give up hope.
I can’t explain it to you folks, but some how the Phillies’ Kyle Kendrick threw eight shutout innings against the Braves, and while his win was blown by Ryan Madson it was an impressive performance nonetheless. That being said, Kendrick had been blown up the previous two starts by the Washington Nationals and he has not been a viable fantasy pitcher in his career so do not overreact by this impressive performance. Kendrick is not someone that you should consider in any fantasy league in any format. Let someone else make this stupid pickup and hopefully they drop someone that you can use.
The Texas Rangers went on a total steal parade on Monday against the Boston Red Sox, Tim Wakefield and Victor Martinez. Now, no one has ever mistaken Martinez for Yadier Molina behind the plate, however Elvis Andrus stole three bases, Nelson Cruz stole three bases, broken down Vladimir Guerrero stole two and somehow Julio Borbon only stole one. This is obviously a rare occurrence and Andrus and Borbon are actual base stealers.
Kevin Slowey was absolutely dealing tonight and this was his best start of the season, and the kind of production that he is capable of. Slowey pitched eight shutout innings and whiffed nine. This guy has a ton of talent and should be a very good pitcher going forward and a guy that you want on your fantasy roster as long as he can stay healthy.
Paul Konerko continued to show why he is a nice corner infielder or utility guy to have on your team, especially if you need some power. He might only be hitting .261 but connected on his fifth homer of the season drove in his tenth run of the season. He is incredibly underrated as a guy who can help either get you through an injury problem at first base or can help you at the end of your roster.
Mat Latos had one of his better starts as a pro as he allowed just one run over seven innings. He didn’t have his trademark ability to strike people out as he recorded just one on the day, but he was incredibly effective nonetheless. Now that he is back in the majors, Latos is a guy that you definitely want to consider adding to your team. He is incredibly young, has unlimited potential, and generally is great at finishing off hitters with a strikeout pitch.
Scott Kazmir finally had a quality outing in 2010 as he allowed just two runs in 5.2 innings and struck out seven against a very formidable Tigers’ lineup. Kazmir has struggled this year like he has throughout his career in keeping his pitch count down and being able to go deep into games. He has gone from one of the more promising young arms in all of baseball to a pitcher that you borderline can’t even have on your roster. If you own Kazmir you have to continue to throw him out there against any competition, I only hope that your WHIP is under control with the rest of the pitchers on your roster.
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