MLB Fantasy Baseball: Thursday News and Notes

ll get a week or two good use from him before Victor Martinez is healthy enough to rejoin the team. If you're in need of a catcher, there are worse options on waivers.

 

Notes for today's games:

• Limited slate of games, with a couple afternoon tilts as well. Make sure you set lineups early.
• As pointed out yesterday, there are very few road options all season that make sense to use when it comes to pitching. Today, that's especially true. Keep Justin Verlander, Rich Harden, John Danks, and Brandon Webb active, but there is no need to start any other visiting pitcher. The numbers just don't add up to a reliable answer.
• Anibal Sanchez is going to get the start for the Marlins tonight. Sanchez was considered an early stud when acquired in the Hanley Ramirez trade. He has the stuff to be successful, but the surgery will likely limit his early effectiveness in this comeback from the DL. Watch him carefully, but don't get too carried away with one good start. He will need time to adjust back to major-league hitters.
• Dave Bush is 4-2 at home this season, posting a 2.85 ERA. His one start against the Cubs was on the road, so the poor performance isn't as good an indicator as it could otherwise be. Bush is a solid option if you're looking for good peripheral stats, even if he can't get the win.
• Mike Hampton is starting for Atlanta. This is not a guy worth trusting until he actually proves he can pitch an entire month healthy. Once that happens, then we'll talk about adding him to any roster.
• John Danks has been lights out on the road, and should certainly be started. His 5-1 road record and 2.31 ERA put him over the top. He's struggled against Minnesota at home, but pitched well against them in the Metrodome. Scott Baker should be owned and started against everyone. EVERYONE. He's still only 65 percent owned. Our target is at least 80. Spread the good word!!!
• Spot-starts today? Go with Danks, Bush, Baker, and John Lannan.

 

Notes for tomorrow's games:

• Frank Thomas will likely be activated for the series against Boston. If that's the case, he has great career numbers against Tim Wakefield, sporting .283/7/13 numbers in 53 career at-bats.
• Justin Duchscherer was roughed up last time out, but has had too much success to bench him against the Red Sox. The Sox offense is just sputtering right now. Unless they make a major move that rejuvenates them, you always start your aces.
• Other options for David DeJesus should be explored, as he's just 3-21 against Vazquez. Every other Royal should be in the lineup though. Vazquez's ERA is over five and the Royals have hit .320 against him in two starts this season. He's also just 2-6 on the road this season with an ERA over five.
• Garrett Olson has been a fine pitcher, but he has struggled recently, and that has been compounded on the road. Yes, the Mariners are a weaker offense, but they still represent enough of a threat that this is a borderline play at best.
• Jeff Suppan, and most Milwaukee pitchers, are good starts at home. On the road, not so much. Suppan's differential in ERA is nearly three runs from home to road. He's pitched well against Atlanta, but the current trends indicate otherwise for this start.
• Hard to believe that a guy with a 2.44 ERA at home can be 0-4, but Odalis Perez is exactly that. Perez is a decent play against a Reds offense that could be without Griffey and doesn't travel well. He's a sneaky play for peripheral stats alone.
• If you're going to start Clayton Kershaw, doing so against a division opponent at home is a good place to do it. Randy Johnson has been good this season, but Kershaw has more upside in this start.
• Spot start calls? Go with Perez, Kershaw, Luke Hochevar, and Sidney Ponson.

Back as the need arises. Check back throughout the day for trade deadline updates. Check out the full Roundtable blog.

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