Fantasy Baseball: Thursday News and Notes

As fans, we always talk about rooting for the laundry. Meaning, regardless of who is dressed in the uniform, we support the team and not the collection of individuals. That can be hard.

When Nomar Garciaparra left Boston, there were people on both sides of the fence. Even with the problems in the clubhouse, the desire for Manny Ramirez to stay last season was just as obvious.

Fans give excuses for superstars and usually look to blame the front office for these moves. In fact, we always know that what is best for the team is going to be done.

Then, there are cases like what we've seen in Atlanta from the beginning of the year until the events of yesterday. Certainly, teams need to be able to turn the page. Young talent is cheaper and, in theory, will last longer. Still, you can't help but wonder why the Braves have made some of the moves they have.

The refusal to sign John Smoltz was one thing. Smoltz always seemed like the third wheel in the triumvirate with Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. Hard to imagine him in another uniform, and it was a shame on the way it was handled. To that point, Atlanta hadn't completely cut ties with the past. Glavine was still there.

Yesterday's release of Glavine is troublesome on two fronts. First, while it's not certain, it doesn't seem to be on his terms. He had earned that right. The 300 wins gives him that right.

Second, it seems like it was simply a cost-cutting measure. Glavine received a million dollar bonus if he were on the roster and would have earned upwards of $2.5 million should he have stayed.

Tommy Hanson is a phenomenal prospect, and Atlanta isn't really going anywhere at the moment. Still, not going anywhere should have allowed them to bring Glavine back. For Braves fans, this should be bittersweet. The 1990s are certainly gone.

General manager Frank Wren made sure of that yesterday.

On to the notes.

Wednesday Rewind

• Nate McLouth will be in the outfield for Atlanta going forward. The outfielder was sent to the Braves yesterday for three prospects. This doesn't change how we viewed McLouth as a player. No big jump in value. It does, though, let you know that Jordan Schafer is likely going to spend some extended time getting reacquainted with making contact in the minors.
• The second piece to this trade is the fact the Pirates called up Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen is considered a prize of a prospect within the organization, and was hitting .303 through 49 games at AAA. In NL-only leagues, you'll want to get on him early. In mixed leagues, there are still better options available, but keep him on your watch list.
• If yesterday wasn't busy enough in Atlanta, Tommy Hanson will be called up to pitch on Saturday. The release of Glavine as well as the decision to send Kris Medlen to the bullpen with Jorge Campillo on the verge of coming off the DL gives Hanson the chance to show what he can do. Hanson has been dominant in AAA. He's worked 66.1 innings, striking out 90 while walking just 16. His ERA? 1.49. Might want to look at him in deeper leagues for Saturday. Just maybe.
• Chien-Ming Wang will return to the Yankees rotation on Thursday, as New York will move Phil Hughes to the bullpen. Wang has been better since his return, but there is no need to rush out and grab him. He's under 50 percent owned, and wasn't giving solid indications that he's ready to go in his relief stints.
• Josh Beckett looked dominant again yesterday, working with a no-hit bid into the seventh inning before a Curtis Granderson single broke it up. Not one run scored last night by Detroit was earned, thanks in large part to another error by Nick Green. Beckett's fastball command was solid, and his work with his breaking pitches kept Detroit off balance. This is what we expected at the beginning of the season.
• Jose Reyes is still experiencing problems with his calf injury, and was forced to leave an extended spring training game yesterday. The Mets do not seem to be concerned overall, but it does push back the timetable. It looks like he could be sidelined through the weekend, but could be ready to return when the Mets get home. Reyes is back in New York for more tests.
• J.J. Putz isn't going to even be the eighth inning guy for the Mets going forward. Bobby Parnell has done nothing but throw through bats in his limited innings. The speed on his fastball has made him the setup guy to Francisco Rodriguez for the time being. Putz has now had his fantasy value further marginalized.
• Jered Weaver improved to 4-1 against Toronto, and was able to temper the demons he's needed to face on the road. Weaver struck out a career-high 10 hitters, and no-hit the Jays through four innings. He's recording strikeouts at a pace he hasn't over his entire career. While Weaver looked good, I'm not convinced this is a season-long trend. Good sell-high candidate.
• Last night has to provide the full indication that Kyle Lohse isn't healthy. He was only able to work two innings last night before leaving with tightness in his forearm. Lohse was a great find last season, but he has struggled keeping himself on the mound this year. There have been plenty of reasons, but he can't help a team if he isn't pitching.
• Yesterday's Results: Wins - Galarraga, Outman; Loss-Looper; Push-Garland

Thursday Notes

• Carlos Zambrano will take the ball coming off a six-game suspension. He's had decent success against the Atlanta lineup, and has pitched well in four of his last five starts. Zambrano has struck out 10 in his last 11 innings, making him a better option than he seemed to be at the beginning of the season.
• The two big bats that have done damage against Scott Baker for Cleveland are both sitting on the DL. Without Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore, the lineup becomes much easier for Baker to handle. That said, Baker hasn't much luck keeping the ball in the ballpark, and is just 2-3 at home with an ERA over 5.00. I'm not thrilled with him as an option until we see something worth starting.
• John Lackey is still struggling after having elbow problems to start the season. His velocity continues to get better, but his three road outings this season just haven't been good. With his ERA at 6.00, it's tough to start him. Still, with the Blue Jays hitting just .234 against him, this could very well be where he turns it around. The matchups are very favorable here.
• I'm not quite sold on using Aaron Harang in every situation just yet. Given that batters are hitting .331 against him on the road, that's a problem. The Cardinals have good numbers, and the only one you would want to intentionally reserve is Chris Duncan, as he's 3-for-18 against him. Harang has given up five or more earned in three of his last five road starts.
• James Shields has pitched much better at home than on the road. Batters hit 40 points lower against him at The Trop than they do outside of the dome. He's also shown decent limited numbers against the Royals. Mark Teahan is just 2-for-11, while David DeJesus is 1-for-13 and Coco Crisp is 2-for-10. Given the way the Kansas City offense has performed this series, look to avoid them if possible.
• The only Tiger with good numbers against Tim Wakefield? Magglio Ordonez. The outfielder is 15-for-38 with two home runs against Wakefield, and is really the only option with a good enough track record to start. Get him in the lineup, but look elsewhere to replace other Tigers if you have the options.
• Matt Cain has faced the Nationals enough to generate numbers to reference. I'd keep Christian Guzman and Ryan Zimmerman active, as both have combined to go 10-for-31 against Cain. Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns are the red flags. Both are 3-for-14. Nick Johnson checks in at just 1-for-11. Cain had one of his worst outings of the season at home against the Nationals earlier in May. Careful with Cain, as his 89.2 percent is the highest strand rate in the majors.
• Mark Buehrle at home has been one of the more automatic starts. He's only lost one of his last 14 starts in Chicago, and that should be taken as a good thing for a team that will need the stopper. Only once in his last 10 starts this season has he allowed more than four runs, and that came on the road. Get him active.
• Cole Hamels' road stats are still at the mercy of his rough outing at Colorado. If we take that out of the equation, his numbers normalize, and his last two starts have been solid away from home. While the Dodgers are playing well, it's time to consider Hamels a play every time out again. That's a good feeling.
• George Kottaras will get the start for Boston today with Tim Wakefield pitching. Rocco Baldelli is going to be in right field, J.D. Drew will DH against the lefty, and David Ortiz will be sitting.
• Spot Starts: Brian Tallet, Ross Detwiler, Dave Bush
• Keep on the Bench: Scott Baker

Friday Notes

• While Scott Hairston (who is currently on the DL) and Chase Headley have both hit over .300 against Doug Davis, the rest of the Padres lineup has looked pedestrian against him. Brian Giles is just 6-for-37, and even Adrian Gonzalez is 7-for-27. Davis has pitched well this season, and is only showing a 2-6 record because of run support. You have to keep Gonzalez active though, as he's on a home run tear.
  
• Wouldn't be shocked if there was a Gabe Kapler sighting for the Rays tomorrow. Kapler is 4-for-11 against C.C. Sabathia in his career. Unfortunately, he's about the best the Rays will have to offer. Carlos Pena is 4-for-21. That's the bad news. The good news is that two of those hits went over the wall.
• Careful with Ryan Dempster. Yes, he's pitched reasonably well against the Reds, but this is a tough park to throw in and Dempster has been bothered by a blister problem on his throwing hand. That could put a monkey wrench into using him for this start.
• Loving Ryan Garko tomorrow. Garko is 7-for-19 against John Danks for his career, having hit three home runs. Careful with Jhonny Peralta, as he checks in at just 3-for-17. Most other Indians have not shown much in terms of success against Danks. The White Sox starter has been much more effective at home, and should be a decent start here.
• The Red Sox have simply raked against Kevin Millwood. You'll want to start Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek, and J.D. Drew for certain to go with your regulars. Millwood has given up a .338 average to the Sox hitters in his time against them.
• Spot Starts: Carl Pavano, Doug Davis, Dallas Braden

Collin Hager writes The Elmhurst Pub fantasy blog. You can get your questions answered by sending an email to [e-mail]. He's also on Twitter @TheRoundtable.