MLB Fantasy Baseball: Friday News and Notes

It wasn't one of the more exciting nights with regards to the amount of baseball played, and, here in Boston, it was even more relegated to the back-burner with the Patriots preseason starting. Count me among those thrilled they couldn't win a preseason opener though. It might be the only loss they have for a while. I hate those guys. 

Happier topics always come about with the notes, so let's get to it.

• It's usually a good thing when you can step into the first point and not have to talk about any additional injuries. No one left a game last night that should be considered any fantasy consequence at this point. That should let every owner out there release a sigh of relief. If you look back, I think it's the first time that has happened in over a month.
• Alex Rodriguez has struggled playing in Texas since he was traded to New York, and this series epitomized that. Rodriguez ended the four-game set without a hit. Obviously, not a trend to necessarily be concerned with, but an interesting note to head into the next trip down south with.
• Derek Jeter has raised his average to nearly .290. There were many owners that were overly concerned because of his slow start. Remember, he still is dealing with an injury that happened when he got hit on the hand back in May. Since that point, he's only been getting healthier. That's shown in his .370 average in the last six games.
• Roy Oswalt's numbers haven't been good most of the season, but he came through last night with a huge seven-inning performance against the Reds. Oswalt, with the win, improved 21-1 lifetime against the Reds. That MIGHT be an indication that he owns them, huh?
• Johan Santana has pitched very well, and is not getting the wins he deserves in large part due to his bullpen performance. Santana allowed just two runs on four hits over seven innings last night and left in line to pick up the victory. Then, the relievers took over and cost him the game. There are times when you have to accept the limitations surrounding a guy. Take the solid WHIP, ERA, and strikeouts. Look at wins as a bonus.
• Cole Hamels just can't seem to get wins against Florida. He went six-and-a-third innings, giving up just two earned on seven hits while striking out seven. That just wasn't good enough though, as the Marlins combined to four-hit the Phillies. The stat lines are good, for the most part, and it's as much a function of run support for Hamels as it is anything else.
• Manny Ramirez is hitting well over .500 with four home runs since the trade. As a Red Sox fan, those stats make me violently ill. As a fantasy owner, this thrills and excites me. It's quite the place to be. Anyway, Ramirez appears rejuvenated in L.A., where it seems no one really cares what he does anyway. He won't hit .500, but he'll be the stud now that we all expected him to be when we drafted back in March.
• All of us that looked at Carlos Quentin back in April and May and thought he would never continue this pace need to fess up (guilty). Quentin knocked his 30th home run of the season last night. While he may not hit lefties very well, Quentin has more than made up for that with the power numbers he has shown over the course of the season. Seemingly, from out of nowhere.
• Closer note: Grab Chris Perez now. He recorded a five-out save the other night while Jason Isringhausen sat down on the bench. Perez has been talked about on this blog a few times, and could boost save totals for those teams in need during the final playoff push.

Notes for today's games:

• Braden Looper hasn't had much time as a starter, but has been effective in his appearances against the Cubs. Derek Lee holds the best numbers against him, but that is only good for a .278 average and one home run in 18 at-bats. Aramis Ramirez and Mark DeRosa are a combined 5-34 with no home runs and just two RBI. Looper's ERA on the road is over four, but he does hold a 6-3 record.
• Frank Thomas has hit .328 with six home runs against Kenny Rogers for his career, and Bobby Crosby checks in at .290. Both have more than 25 at-bats, so the stats are very relevant. Add to that, batters are hitting .313 against Rogers at home for the season.
• Paul Maholm has had a solid run of good luck, but without any offense behind him since the trade deadline, it's due to come to an end. Maholm hasn't posted good numbers against the Phillies hitters. While Ryan Howard is just 2-11, the remaining Phillies are hitting over .330 as a team against Maholm. He's also just 2-6 on the road with a 4.85 ERA.
• Coco Crisp will likely get the start for Boston in center field, as he is 12-32 with two home runs against Mark Buehrle. David Ortiz and Jason Varitek are both well over .370 with two home runs a piece. Buehrle's only other start against Boston didn't go well this season, as he couldn't get out of the fifth inning.
• Jeremy Guthrie continues to be a favorite here, and should be considered a decent start at home against the Rangers. While he doesn't have a winning record at home, he has posted a 3.69 ERA on the season and has allowed two runs or less in four of his last five starts.
• It is slightly upsetting that one of my favorite targets was pushed back. You no longer have to worry about starting Paul Byrd on the road, because he isn't pitching. Still, don't start Randy Wolf.
• Barry Zito could be the guy to cool off Manny Ramirez. Ramirez is just 6-28 against the lefty. Looking for some quick hits? The Dodgers are the way to go today. Matt Kemp (.500), Jeff Kent (.500), and Pablo Ozuna (.316) all have very good numbers against Zito.
• Ricky Nolasco has been very good away from home, posting a 6-2 record with a .248 BAA. He's not a bad play in any format, even against a good Mets team. He draws Oliver Perez, and to say we like the matchup is an understatement.
• Spot starts for today? Jorge Campillo, Jon Lester, Guthrie, and Looper are all good options.

Notes for Saturday's Games:

• We'll likely be off the reservation for most of the weekend, as it is vitally necessary for the 'Table to take in the Futures at Fenway event from the Monster seats. As always, feel free to send your questions to [e-mail], and we'll make sure to answer them.
• While Paul Byrd doesn't get to pitch on the road Friday night, he does get that privilege on Saturday afternoon. Against Roy Halladay. Now, some might argue that the Blue Jays only hit .222 against Byrd as a team, and that he's been good for his last two road outings against Minnesota and the Angels. We argue that only lowers his ERA to six-flat away from The Jake. Keep him reserved. We'll re-visit this one if he gives another stellar performance.
• Add to that, Greg Maddux is on the road in Colorado. Yup, you know what to do. Matt Garza is on the road as well, and his splits are almost as bad as those of Maddux. Garza is 3-5 with a 5.13 ERA and was roughed up in his only other outing against the Mariners.
• Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, and Jason Giambi are all hitting well over .300 against John Lackey. Lackey is an ace, but hasn't been as effective against better offenses, despite procuring plenty of wins. He's still a must start being 4-1 at home, but just beware. Alex Rodriguez is just 8-44 against Lackey.
• Brian Roberts, Nick Markakis, and Kevin Millar all have shown solid power numbers against Vicente Padilla and should be in all lineups in all formats.
• At some point, we have to accept what Daisuke Matsuzaka is. Right now, that's a very good pitcher that is prone to giving teammates, players, coaches, owners, and fans a heart attack around every corner. That said, he still has a 2.20 ERA on the road and batters have hit just .209 against him for the year.
• Jason Varitek is just 3-16 against Jose Contreras, but he's the only regular to bench. With Contreras just rejoining the rotation after inflammation in his forearm, it's a good spot to get some offense out of the Red Sox.
• Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, and Nick Punto are all below the Mendoza line against Zack Greinke. Greinke has been very solid at home, having gone 4-1 on the season. He can be started without concern. Same can be said for Francisco Liriano, who will get the ball again for the Twins.
• If you want to use Brett Myers, there are worse places to do so than at home against Pittsburgh. Myers is 3-3 at home with an ERA under four and has held the remaining bats in Pittsburgh to a .224 average. Adam LaRoche and Freddy Sanchez, the most likely starts beyond Doumit and McLouth, are at .194 and .091 respectively. Doumit and McLouth should both be considered everyday plays.
• The Mets have recorded a fair number of at-bats against Scott Olsen and have liked what they have seen. Keep all regulars active and throw in a few extras, as the team has hit over .300 against him lifetime. Olsen has struggled on the road, going 2-2 with a 5.37 ERA and is 0-1 against the Mets in two appearances with a 5.06 ERA.
• If you have options for any other Cardinals, using them is a solid call, as Zambrano has dominated them over his career and sports a 2.25 home ERA this season. We normally like Todd Wellemeyer, but that isn't the case here, as his two appearances have given the Cubs a .300 average as a team this season.
• Spot start calls? We like the usuals with Jair Jurrjens and Hiroki Kuroda, as well as Brett Myers and Armando Galarraga.

Back as the need arises. Check out the full Roundtable blog.