Friday Morning Fantasy Baseball Notes

Nothing says Friday like a few notes from around the league. We continue to see some interesting trends and some surprising statistics. At this point, it's important to evaluate appropriately, in order to react well as an owner of a fantasy team. The Roundtable has some good stuff coming this weekend, including May's Top Five, which should be ready to go on Sunday. Check back in this weekend to see what we have going on. On to the notes!

• Injury news and player returns top the list today. The Rays put closer Troy Percival on the DL with a strained hamstring. There are two types of injuries in pitchers that concern me—leg injuries and torso injuries. Sure, shoulders are rough, but unless that injury is major, the player seems better able to come back from it. Percival hurt his hamstring. The DL stint is precautionary, but he is 38-years old. Just a heads up. Al Reyes and Dan Wheelers will be given the save opportunities in his place. Expect it to be situational for now, but my money would be on Wheeler to take the job.
• Eric Chavez returned to Oakland's lineup, and Frank Thomas hit the DL. Chavez's return doesn't do much for me fantasy-wise. It could be tough if you owned Jack Hanahan, but that would be one deep league. If you are relying on lower-tier third basemen, then he might help, but his injury history, similar to that of Bobby Crosby, has to make you nervous as an owner. I'd dance with many other players before I went down this road. Thomas' injury seems to be minor, but he has struggled swinging the bat anyway. This shouldn't be of major impact.
• If I told you that there was a pitcher available in 70 percent of leagues that was 7-1 with an ERA just over 3.00, you'd probably laugh at me right? Well, there is. Jesse Litsch grabbed another win yesterday to improve to that record. Litsch has been flying under the radar, but has been very successful. If you're trusting Joe Saunders, this guy shouldn't be far behind. He's certainly more ownable than my personal whipping-boy Brad Penny or Braden Looper. Litsch went 4-0 in May, with a WHIP under 1.00, an ERA at 2.08, and batters hit .220 against him. Seriously, consider adding him in all deep mixed leagues.
• There is no doubt that Barry Zito isn't going to win you many leagues. But his start yesterday was, again, promising. He went six innings, giving up three earned runs while striking out five. Sure, he didn't get the win, but these performances are becoming more frequent and are making him spot start worthy in many formats.
• I like Luke Hochevar. He has great stuff. But the kid is just not ready for prime time yet. His control is brutal. He's issued 22 walks in 33 innings in May alone. He gives up less than a hit an inning, but not by much. Combined with the walks, starting him becomes very hard. I'd keep an eye on him, because if he figures out these command issues, he will be a good pitcher. Just not yet.
• Brad Penny's line: 4 IP, 6 R, 5 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 92 pitches. I'm just sayin'.
• Early thought for next week: Justin Masterson looks in line to take Daisuke Matsuzaka's start. Expect Matsuzaka to be put on the DL this weekend. Jeff Bailey will be called up for spot bat-duty, and then Masterson will get the call for the start.
• Going over a couple calls from yesterday. Jason Bay and Xavier Nady both had solid games for the Pirates. Both homered and had two hits. Jorge Campillo improved to 2-0, throwing five solid innings, giving up only one run and not walking a batter. John Lannan went six innings and looked good, but his bullpen blew the lead for him in San Diego. Finally, Kevin Slowey went all nine for Minnesota, gave up just one run, and picked up the win.

Notes for today's games:

• Daniel Cabrera struggles against the Red Sox. He had a rough outing last time out, so keep him down this time as well.
• Josh Beckett continues to give up the long ball, and the Orioles actually have had good success against him. Both Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis are good plays still. Jose Contreras makes a good spot start against Tampa. The Rays big bats, specifically Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford, are under .230 against him in 46 combined at bats. Contreras has had a good month; with a WHIP under 1.00 and batters are hitting only .180 against him.
• Get Casey Blake in your lineup today, as he's a .440 hitter against Gil Meche, with two home runs and 12 RBI. The Indians as a team are very good against Meche, so leave him on your bench. Carlos Guillen belongs in all lineups today against Carlos Silva. Silva shouldn't even think about getting off a fantasy owner's bench today, as he's been awful this month, and worse against the Tigers. Nate Robertson has the same problems against the Mariners that Silva has against his Tigers.
• I don't like Greg Maddux on the road, ever.
• Cubs pitching and defense has been good, and they say good pitching is contagious. With that in mind, start Ted Lilly with confidence, especially given his good May. Good signs for Matt Cain today. The only Padre with a good average against him is Maddux, who is 4-7 lifetime. The rest of the team? .213.
• Spot starts for today: Todd Wellemeyer, Jered Weaver, and Mark Hendrickson in that order.

Notes for Saturday:

• Justin Verlander's string of good outings started against Seattle. Keep him in your lineup here. Start all of your Braves, as they hit .353 against Josh Fogg.
• Chad Billingsley will make a solid start. He's been great his last few outings and has held the Mets under .200. His opponent is Mike Pelfrey, who has done nothing but struggle.
• Javier Vazquez doesn't have quite the same stuff on the road as he does at home, and the Rays are hitting well. Leave him alone there.
• Garrett Olson loves pitching at home and the Red Sox haven't seen much of him. High-risk proposition, but could be a great pay out.
• Not many great spot starts, but my early calls would be Jason Bergmann, Billingsley, and Olson.

Back as the need arises.

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