Motte, Fantasy Aces Disappoint Fantasy Owners on Opening Day

The REAL Opening Day! Is there anything better? There is plenty to cover tonight, so let’s get right to it.

Is it going to be a bounceback year for Aaron Harang? The Reds starter had a decent outing Monday, allowing only one run over five innings. Unfortunately, he walked three more than he struck out, two.

It was a small step for Harang however, to try to forget the fact that he led the National League in losses last year with 17. I would wait for another decent start and hopefully more strikeouts before I made a move on him. But if the Reds are going to compete like many are predicting, they are going to need a lot from Harang.

The one run that Harang gave up was a home run by Daniel Murphy of the Mets. This is a guy who made a major impression on the club at the end of last season, it carried over to this spring, and now into the season. Murphy doesn’t have big time power. He will probably top out at around 20 jacks, but he should hit for a good average or the Mets wouldn’t have him hitting second.

He is an energetic kid who has a good swing, and should also score a bunch of runs hitting in the number two hole. Don’t drop an established veteran like Torii Hunter or Bobby Abreu for him, but on your bench he could be a good help in a pinch.

Hey, that Hanley Ramirez guy isn’t bad, huh? In his new spot at third in the lineup he was a triple short of the cycle, including a grand slam. The consensus number one overall pick on this site did nothing to call into question selecting him at the top.

Another Marlin will probably be one of the most added players on the waiver wire tomorrow and that is new third baseman Emilio Bonifacio. Anyone who is in need of stolen bases, I would suggest taking a trip to your waiver wire now to grab him. Don’t expect four hits and an inside the park homer every game, but he is their lead off hitter, and the speed is for real. Bonifacio had seasons in the minors of 41, 51, 55. and 60 steals at various levels. His total in the majors will be dependent on how often he is able to get on base.

More youth was on display in St. Louis, but it was hardly as successful. The Cardinals sent their new young closer Jason Motte to the mound to finish the game against the Pirates. Next thing you know Motte had given up four hits, four runs, and St. Louis had lost the game. For those of you who own Motte, I wouldn’t freak out and drop him based on one game. However, the red flag in your head should go up. 

I would think that Motte will be ok and bounce back from this, but this is his first time closing games in the majors—it is possible that he isn’t ready for the job. Watch Motte over the next couple weeks to see how he does. Chris Perez or Ryan Franklin would be next in line if Motte implodes

On the opposite end of the youth, the geriatric Yankees actually came through for them. They got three hits from Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon had two hits including a triple, to go with home runs from Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui.

You would expect production from Mark Teixeira, Xavier Nady, and Robinson Cano, but if they can get numbers out of the older guys, that only makes them stronger.

BUT, are you nervous about the outing from C.C. Sabathia today? I don’t think you should be. Sure, he pitched 500 innings the last two years, and yes he got pounded by the Orioles, and yes he walked five guys and struck out none. 

Sabathia is a notorious slow starter so he should be fine. Are there some red flags?  Yeah, but you can’t freak after one start. Keep an eye on him in the near future, but C.C. better suck for a long time before you think about making a move.

Sabathia wasn’t the only ace to get lit up. Roy Halladay gave up five runs even though he won, Cliff Lee gave up seven runs, but perhaps was effected by being hit with a batted ball. Brandon Webb got tattooed for six runs in four innings, and Francisco Liriano gave up four runs over seven innings. 

If I have one thing to say about all of these guys, it is don’t put too much stock into all of these. It is the first start of the year, there is a LONG way to go. It is not time to worry about any of these players yet.

Speaking of geriatric, how about the game from Arizona’s Tony Clark? He hit two home runs in his four at bats, and struck out the other two. Don’t get excited here folks.   Clark is a part-time player who was put in because he owns Rockie pitcher Aaron Cook. Good job by the D’Backs manager. Clark is a great bench player for the Diamondbacks but DO NOT pick him up in fantasy.

Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds owners:  RELAX! Both of them were informed that they weren’t playing and it is only for the one day. Both of those guys might get some scheduled days off against tough pitchers, but they should play 13 days out of 14. Hold on to these guys if you drafted them. They won’t be platooning.

Quick Hits

For those of you in leagues with one catcher, definitely keep an eye on Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The young catcher for the Rangers flashed what he is capable of today as he singled in two runs in the second inning and then ripped a solo homer in the eighth. He could finally live up to the hype this year, and if he does he could be among the top half dozen at the position.

Johnathan Broxton hit 100 mph on the radar gun. Damn, that’s fast. He should be a dominant closer.

Orioles’ outfielder Adam Jones had quite a first game this season against the Yanks'.  Jones was 3-for-3 with two walks and even tripled. The crown of the Erik Bedard trade, Jones could be in line for a huge season. A 25/25 season is within reach, but he could fall a little short of that.

For those of you worried about Justin Verlander, continue to worry.  Verlander couldn’t get out of the fourth inning and allowed eight runs versus the Jays. Not a good sign, but too soon to do anything drastic with him.

Is this the year Howie Kendrick actually has the season we’ve been waiting for?  Kendrick looked great at the plate, driving in two runs with a single and a home run.  Kendrick has shown very little power or speed in his brief major league career, but he should always hit for a great average. If he can stay healthy that is. He’s definitely worth owning if you have a middle infield spot open.

The Blue Jays showed off their young hitters in Travis Snider and Adam Lind. Lind was the DH and went 4-for-5 with a homer and six RBI. If you started him, congratulations.  If not, he is worth looking at if you have dead weight, but to expect that again or regularly is crazy. Lind is a nice player who could have a nice season, but he’s not All-Star caliber.

Snider is the Jays starting left fielder, and has a huge upside. He is still very raw and MAY be a year away from his huge season. However, he got off to a great start with a double and a homer on Opening Day. I am a big believer in Snider, and expect him to climb out of the ninth spot in the lineup very soon.

Other notes

Congratulations to my man “The Admiral” David Robinson as he was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Robbie was my first favorite basketball player, and the reason I am a Spurs fan 20 years later. It does make me feel kind of old that a guy I watched in his rookie year is now going into the Hall. But I will never forget that last game that he played, which gave the Spurs a championship. 

He was a class act, the very definition of the word. Of course with the news of Manu Ginobili being out for the rest of the season and playoffs, us Spurs fans can forget the title this year. Rest up Manu, and be ready to bring the title back home next year. Fans of other teams better savor while we do last in the playoffs for the neverending stream of shots of Eva Longoria Parker in the crowd. You are welcome.

Another "attaboy" goes out to the North Carolina Tar Heels who ran through the NCAA Tournament like it was standing still. The Heels were never really challenged in any of their games. They won every game by at least ten points, and this one was over quick. 

Carolina broke records for most points in the first half, and biggest halftime lead. They coasted in the second half, and it still wasn’t close. I’m not a Tar Heels fan or hater, but they at least deserve recognition for a job well done.

As always, your comments and questions are welcome at [e-mail]. I guarantee a response within 18 hours.

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