Taking a look around the league, here’s a recap of last night’s action and suggestions for your fantasy baseball team.
Mr. Clutch (pitcher) – Ubaldo Jimenez picked up his first win of the season last night against Kansas City, going 7.0 innings and allowing three hits, no earned runs, four strikeouts and, more importantly, issuing zero walks. Command has been the real eyesore for Ubaldo Jimenez this season. Before this game, his BB/9 was 5.82; now it is 4.88, a career worst thus far. For me, Ubaldo Jimenez is a deep AL-only play and a player who is still far removed from his magical 2010 season.
Mr. Clutch (hitter) – Wilin Rosario led the route of the Dodgers Monday night going 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs, three runs and a walk. He could have possibly done more damage, but the Rockies decided to pull some of their starters to have mercy on the poor Dodgers, beating them 12-2. As of right now, Rosario is the number-one catcher in fantasy leagues, and I think he is legit. I still have Buster Posey ahead of him, as well Mike Napoli, but that is it. We knew the power was legit, the rest is just a young player making the step toward a monster all-star caliber year.
Surprise, surprise! – Ryan Raburn provided the power for the Indians Monday night, going 4-for-4 with two home runs, four RBIs and two runs. Raburn is not an everyday player and is owned in less than one percent of leagues. This game should not change his ownership status given his limited playing time.
Here comes the heat – Another save opportunity and another save for Kevin Gregg. He has been very effective thus far, and with the Cubs searching for anyone to take the closer’s job and run with it, you have to think it is his for the time being. As long as Gregg is effective, the job should remain his even when Kyuji Fujikawa comes back from the DL.
Left out in the breeze – If you were thinking Andy Pettitte was going to be automatic against the Astros, you, my friend, were wrong. Pettitte went 4.1 innings, giving up 10 hits, seven earned runs and a walk, while striking out three. I would chalk this game up as a bad outing. Pettitte has been consistent all year long, and one bad outing would not worry me.
Who’s trending? – Nolan Arenado collected his first major-league hit then proceeded to to collect his first major-league homer, finishing the game 3-for-6 with one home run, two RBIs and three runs. If he continues to rake, he will not be heading back to the minors. I think he is up to stay. He looks legit, people. It’s hard to tell what the future holds judging from two games and minor-league numbers, but you got to be enthused thus far. I’m picking him up in all formats, and, at worst, flipping him in a couple weeks for someone I know is legit. He’s owned in just 15 percent of leagues. Expect that to change quickly.
Bench me, please? – Another 0-for-4 with one strikeout for Rickie Weeks is a reason to drop him from your team. Weeks has not been good for a while now, and it’s time to stop hoping he turns back into 2011 Rickie Weeks, because that guy is not there anymore. He could turn things around, but there is just nothing that looks good about Weeks right now.
The Streamer – Instead of this section being called the streamer, it should be called “Dustin’s kiss of death.” Regardless, I’m going with Garrett Richards at Oakland. I like the ballpark, and I like Richards’ 13:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his last two starts. Richards was one of the best pitching prospects in the Angels farm system, and he is flashing some ability when given the opportunity this season. Deploy with confidence.
