Fantasy Baseball Thursday News and Notes

If anyone ever says to you that baseball contracts are nuts, use the soccer argument. After hearing about one player being "sold" for nearly $100 million yesterday, another is sent packing today for $131 million. Unbelievable!  

The final day of intra-league play is upon us, as most teams will begin playing interleague opponents this weekend. It makes for interesting matchups, as we will get to see another Subway Series, as well as the Red Sox taking on the Phillies. 

The Subway Series aspect makes me curious. When it first began, the idea was an interesting novelty. The idea that two teams in the same city would play like that was solid. Unfortunately, there are opinions (namely, mine) that would argue that the fact these teams are playing every year makes it less of an event. 

The same is likely true in Chicago. Interleague play is supposed to allow fans to see other teams. Getting to see teams enter your city only once every six years does not seem to fit that bill.  

Anyone else in favor of eliminating these natural rivalries? Are these games still special to fans? 

On to the notes. 

Wednesday Rewind

• John Smoltz is expected to be ready early next week for a potential return to the Boston rotation. The question comes as to which pitcher will be hurt by this. The obvious answer is Brad Penny, who has been rumored to be involved in multiple trades. The other option continues to be Daisuke Matsuzaka, a pitcher having a disappointing 2009 to say the least. The potential is there to use the DL for a phantom injury for any one of the starters, so keep an eye on this situation early next week.
• Carl Pavano was not just roughed up, he was beaten soundly by the Royals last night. Pavano had gone 6-1 in his last eight starts, but managed to fall off the wagon and not get through the fifth inning. He allowed nine runs on 11 hits, and did not help himself with a couple mental lapses that led to runs. He is going to have some rough outings, but stick with him. He is pitching too well to let this bother owners in deeper leagues.
• Carlos Quentinhad been scheduled to come off the DL, but Ozzie Guillen said yesterday that the outfielder may not be ready until after the All-Star break. It certainly is quite the difference from one to the other. Plantar fasciitis is certainly painful, and the White Sox seem to be taking precautions. They went as far to say that he could be shut down if the White Sox are out of it.
• The questions on what the Yankees should do with Chien-Ming Wang are going to come fast and furious. Wang has only been given a quick shot to return to form after his injury, but the Yankees cannot afford to keep him in the rotation with the way he is pitching. Last night, Wang repeatedly missed high with his sinker, and the ball was not nearly as heavy as it normally is when coming toward the plate. The Red Sox teed off on him. With Phil Hughes having been largely effective, there are other options at their disposal.
• Justin Verlander was flat-out filthy last night, working a complete game while throwing 122 pitches in the process. Verlander was consistently in the mid- and upper-90's with his fastball, locating very well. The struggles of last year seem a distant memory, and owners that took the gamble in drafts are reaping rewards.
• Paul Konerko suffered a bruised right thumb last night and the injury is expected to keep him out of the lineup on Thursday. Josh Fields will play first base in his place today and if the injury continues to linger.
• Torii Hunter continues to battle a groin injury that is going to lead him to need random days off. Hunter missed last night's game against Tampa Bay, and is more likely to sit when the team plays on turf than on grass. Keep an eye on the lineups daily, but Hunter should be starting again today.
• Geovany Soto is hitting .313 over his last four games, and finally appears to be ready to shake off a two-month slump. Soto homered last night, accounting for his second in 16 at-bats. His numbers are bound to even out, and with catching at a premium it might be time to give the Chicago backstop another look.
• Read this on Twitter yesterday, and it bears repeating here. Lyle Overbay has a seven game hit streak working, and has recorded a hit in nine of his last ten games overall. In his last seven games, Overbay is hitting .455 with two home runs and nine RBI. He is not the sexiest name available, but owners that need a short-term boost can ride the hot hand.
• Yesterday's Results: Take a push on Dallas Braden, since the bullpen cost him. Definitely two losses from Pavano and Doug Davis.

Thursday Notes

• It is possible that we could be watching Brad Penny pitch for his next job. With trade rumors flying left and right, a good performance by Penny would greatly enhance his value. No doubt, it will be on his mind. The Yankees have virtually no track record against Penny, but this would be a decent spot to use the Red Sox starter.
• A tough matchup for Jason Varitek against the Yankees. He is just 1-for-10 against C.C. Sabathia. The remaining Red Sox starters should be good to go, unless you are reaching for Rocco Baldelli. Avoid him in this one as well based on the numbers. Sabathia has given up at least three runs in his last three outings, so the chance to score will be there.
• While Gavin Floyd has produced four solid starts in a row, do not shy away from using your Tigers against him. Floyd is 5-0 in his last ten against Detroit, but the Tigers have hit .281 against him as a team. Normal starters are good plays in this one.
• Pick a Met, any Met. They have all basically owned Jamie Moyer over their careers. Expect Gary Sheffield to find his way into the lineup, as he is a .467 hitter with four home runs in 30 at-bats. All other Mets should be active in this one as well.
• Nick Blackburn has been one of the better Twins starters away from home. In starts again Seattle and Tampa Bay, Blackburn has allowed just three earned runs in 13 combined innings to go with 13 hits and just two walks. To add to it, Blackburn is 3-0 in his last six starts, and 5-1 in his last ten.
• Kevin Millwood is still about 40 percent available across ESPN leagues, and gets the start tonight after the rain postponed the game yesterday. While he may not last all year with the solid numbers seen so far, it is certainly worth enjoying while you can. Keep Kevin Millar and Scott Rolen in your lineups, as both are well over .330, but do not reach for other Blue Jays. Marco Scutaro, Vernon Wells, and Rod Barajas are all under .200 against Millwood.
• Mike Cameron has had troubles with Aaron Cook, having gone 0-for-11 in his career against the Rockies starter. Do not let Cook's last start fool you in thinking that he makes a decent play. Cook has had two decent starts in his last five, having given up at four runs in each of the other three.
• While Zack Greinkestruggled in his last outing, that is only one in a series. Greinke is 1-0 in two starts this season against the Indians, posting a 1.64 ERA in those two outings. Do not shy away from Travis Hafner, Shin-Soo Choo, and Asdrubal Cabrera. All have put together good numbers against the Royals starter. Cabrera and Choo have combined to hit .500, at 13-for-26. 
• Do not be entirely shocked to see David Ross get the start behind the plate tonight instead of Brian McCann. Ross is 6-for-18 against Paul Maholmwith two home runs. Maholm is 1-0 against Atlanta this season, but has struggled on the road, posting a 5.71 ERA in his seven starts.
• With the exception of the 3-for-14 of Mark Reynolds, Arizona has largely performed well against Jonathan Sanchez. Look to use all regular starters in this one that you would normally use. Sanchez is 0-5 on the road this season with an ERA over 7.50 in those starts. Take advantage of the situation.
• Spot Starts: Nick Blackburn, Brad Penny, Todd Wellemeyer
• Keep on the Bench: Ervin Santana, Jamie Moyer

Friday Notes

• Tommy Hansonwill get another crack at the rotation, drawing Baltimore on the road. The Orioles lineup has certainly struggled in terms of scoring, and this represents a decent chance for a rebound for the rookie. Owners in deep leagues should look to use him in this matchup.
• If Jarrod Washburnis going to struggle anywhere, it will be on the road in Colorado. From a wins standpoint, he has not been able to get the job done outside of Safeco, but his peripheral stats on the road are far from a problem. Ubaldo Jimenez certainly has figured out pitching in Colorado, and so long as the Mariners do not put on Dodgers jerseys, he should be a good start.
• After having his start skipped due to soreness in his elbow, Jordan Zimmermannis going to take the ball on Friday for Washington against the Rays. Zimmermann has not been bad, but he has not quite been solid enough to look to on the road against a team that is leading the league in terms of scoring offense. Keep him reserved, but get your Rays into the lineup against Washington.
• Look for several teams to be able to add a bat to their lineups this weekend. With the games in the AL parks, Washington will be able to get Josh Willingham and Austin Kearns or Elijah Dukes into the lineup through the DH spot. St. Louis will also be able to limit lineup juggling and be able to use all outfielders in one spot or another. The Mets will also likely be able to use Gary Sheffield more as well.
• David Ortiz is not likely to see playing time at first base against the Phillies this weekend. Ortiz could sit the entire series as Mark Kotsay, Kevin Youkilis, and Mike Lowell move between first and third base. Ortiz has been swinging better, and this could slow him down. Owners likely still were not starting him.
• Spot Starts: Rick Porcello, Ubaldo Jimenez, Kelvim Escobar

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.