Fantasy Baseball: Friday News and Notes

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

• Too bad there are not many leagues that reward offensive performances by pitchers. In addition to Chris Carpenter working five solid innings against the Reds yesterday, he added a grand slam and six RBI. Carpenter has to have been the most pleasant surprise in the National League in terms of pitching. He will not be available as late in drafts next season.
• Cliff Lee did not end the season well, giving up 27 runs in his last 39.2 innings pitched. Five of his final seven starts were shaky, at best. Interesting piece is that two of those starts came against the Astros. Something to keep in mind heading into next season from a matchup perspective. Lee started off on fire for the Phillies, but slowed down quickly.
• Derrek Lee left yesterday's game after fouling a ball off of his foot. Lee's availability for tonight's game has not been discussed, but X-rays were negative when taken. Keep a careful eye on this situation. If you are close in runs or RBI, it might be prudent to add another bat if Lee cannot go.
• Jon Lester showed no ill effects of the line drive that caught him off the leg during his last start. Lester worked into the seventh inning and gave up no runs on two hits and a walk. He has been dominant against Cleveland in the past, and this outing was no exception. The lefty has asserted himself as one of the better American League pitchers. This season, he finishes with 225 strikeouts in 203.1 innings of work to go with his 15 wins.
• There is little doubt that Tommy Hanson has established himself as a quality fantasy starter. Hanson worked seven innings yesterday against the Nationals and gave up one run on five hits, and two walks. His 2009 ERA ends under 2.90 with a WHIP of 1.18 in 127.2 innings. The Braves will continue to be careful with increasing his innings, but he should build on all these stats next year.
• Aaron Cook produced a second solid start in his return from the disabled list. Cook threw eight innings against the Brewers, and allowed only one run. After hurling five shutout innings against the Cardinals, owners should be confident that he has fully recovered. Cook is a late-round pickup in most formats and should be ready for that same role in 2010.
• As hard a time as many have given Chris Davis this season, he has hit well over the last five games. Davis is now nine for his last 19 with two home runs and four RBIs. He still has struck out four times, but that is actually a slightly better ratio than he has seen.
• Kendry Morales continued his hot streak yesterday. Morales has pushed his average up over .300 with a recent five-game hitting streak. The Angels draw Oakland this weekend, a team that Morales has hit .400 against in 2009. Keep riding him now, as there is no sign of a slow-down.
• Ben Zobrist is now hitting .348 over his last six games. The second basemen has multiple hits in four of his last five games played, and has now driven in 11 runs in a six-game span. Zobrist certainly broke out this year, but will not sneak up on owners in 2010. Careful, though, as he is likely to be over-drafted.

Friday Notes

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