Around the Majors: April 10

Let’s take a look at all the stories from yesterday’s games that piqued my interest:

Texas vs. Detroit

• Remember last season when Miguel Cabrera got off to a very slow start? He hit his third home run in his fourteenth game and only had four in all of April. Well, it was game No. 4 for the Tigers and Cabrera is already up to 3 HR. He went 3-for-5 with 1 HR, 6 RBI and 1 R, giving him 3 HR and 10 RBI on the season.  He may be the best pure hitter in baseball at this point.
• So far so good for Nelson Cruz, who went 2-for-4 for 1 HR (his third on the season). Granted, it came in the ninth inning when the team was down 15-1, but as fantasy owners do we care? I still have my reservations, but he’s definitely off to a great start and has paid dividends to those who took the gamble.

Toronto vs. Cleveland

• The Cleveland Indians are certainly hitting, but they just can’t pitch a lick.  Victor Martinez (.389, 2 HR, 3 RBI) and Travis Hafner (.313, 2 HR, 4 RBI), both are rebounding as hoped for fantasy owners, yet the team is 0-4. They could be in for a long season.
• Adam Lind’s unbelievable start continued, after going 3-5 with 1 HR, 4 RBI and 1 R. He’s now hitting .476 with 3 HR and 11 RBI on the young season. All I can say is...Wow! I still am not a full believer, it’s just too early, but if he’s out there you probably want to stash him away, just in case. I plan on taking a much closer look at him shortly.

New York (AL) vs. Kansas City

• Robinson Cano has hit safely in all 4 of the Yankees games, going 2-3 with 1 R yesterday, raising his average to .571.
• Andy Pettitte turned back the clock a bit, giving up one run on three hits and one walk, striking out six, over seven innings of work. After three consecutive seasons of WHIPs above 1.4, I’m not getting overly excited.  His next start comes against the Rays, not an easy match-up.
• With Jose Guillen on the DL, the biggest impact could be on those who selected Mark Teahen in hopes of using him at 2B. He was back in the outfield yesterday, and if they continue to use him there he won’t gain the required five games for a few more weeks. He doesn’t have much value to begin with, but if you are desperate you are just going to have to continue waiting.

Tampa Bay vs. Baltimore

• Any thoughts of Evan Longoria not being for real should be completely gone at this point. He went 2-for-4 with 2 HR, 3 RBI and 2 R yesterday and already has 4 HR on the season.

Minnesota vs. Chicago (AL)

• I had my fears about Chris Getz and so far they have been well founded. He went 1-for-2, raising his average to .214 on the season.  If he continues to struggle, his time in the leadoff spot will not be long. In fact, his time in the starting line-up could quickly come to an end. The White Sox need a spark, at 1-3, and Ozzie Guillen is not always one to show patience.

Boston vs. Los Angeles (AL)

• Jered Weaver got off to a tremendous start, giving up 1 unearned run over 6.2 innings. He allowed 4 hits and 2 walks, striking out 8.  Prior to the season I had dubbed him a good late round WHIP option (click here to view), and a performance like this against the Boston Red Sox certainly helps support that. His next start is scheduled in Seattle.
• Jed Lowrie went 0-for-4 and is now hitting .067 on the season.  Obviously he’s not that bad, but there are plenty of other options who bring more to the table.

Seattle vs. Oakland

• Brett Anderson’s debut was unimpressive, to say the least. Over six innings of work, he yielded five runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out two. He has potential, yes, but as I’ve said before (click here to view), I would expect him to struggle at times this season.  Tread carefully with him. His next start is scheduled against the Red Sox, making him an unusable option.

Chicago (NL) vs. Milwaukee

• Kevin Gregg blew the save and has struggled in all three of his outings this season. Let the whispers for Carlos Marmol to take over the closers begin. In all honesty, the whispers are already there.  Pretty soon they are going to be screams.  If Marmol is available, stash him immediately.
• Rich Harden was lights out, striking out 10 over six innings.  It’s unfortunate that we know he’s going to miss time, sooner or later.
• Corey Hart was back up in the No. 2 spot and responded with a HR.

Philadelphia vs. Colorado

• Cole Hamels got bombed in Colorado, giving up seven runs on 11 hits and 1 walk, striking out just 1, over 3.2 innings. It’s not a surprise that it takes him some time to get settled in after missing some time, but it’s almost impossible to actually put him on your bench. His next start comes in Washington, and he remains a must start (obviously), assuming he is healthy enough to take the ball.  There have been rumblings that he could be pushed back (uh oh!).
• Dexter Fowler is quickly making a claim for more playing time.  He went 2-4 with 1 RBI, 1 R and 1 SB and is hitting .375 in his two starts. If he’s going to be up, he certainly should be given significant playing time. He is worth watching in all formats and if it seems like he’s going to get nearly full-time at bats, should be grabbed immediately.

New York (NL) vs. Florida

• Matt Lindstrom has been shaky early on, to say the least.  He blew the save but got bailed out by his teammates. The ugliest number has got to be his 3.00 WHIP.
• Is there any stopping Emilio Bonifacio?  He went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and is now hitting .579 on the season.  What was the word that he couldn’t get on base? Obviously, that average is going to come crashing down, sooner or later, but it’s amazing while it lasts.

Washington vs. Atlanta

• Mike Gonzalez was credited with his first blown save of the season, giving up 1 run on 3 hits and 1 walk, striking out 2, in his inning of work.  It would not surprise me if Rafael Soriano begins to get some opportunities to save games, so watch him closely.

Houston vs. St. Louis

• Have the Cardinals already lost faith in Jason Motte? He gave up two hits in 0.1 innings before being lifted from the game. Just how long until Chris Perez gets recalled do you think?
• Rick Ankiel has gotten off to a terrible start, now hitting .133 after an 0-for-2 day. We know he can hit for power, so just stay patient.

Los Angeles (NL) vs. Arizona

• James McDonald’s first start did not go very well, to say the least.  He took the loss after giving up 5 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks, striking out 2, over 2.1 innings. That just seems like a bit of bad luck, so I wouldn’t completely give up on him after this one start.
• Eric Byrnes has started 3 games, but is hitting just .100 thus far on the season, after going 1-for-3 yesterday. It’s more playing time then anticipated, but if he can’t get himself going it could disappear altogether.

San Francisco vs. San Diego

• Barry Zito lost. Is that really a surprise? He gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out four, over four innings. Why do people continue to give him another chance?
• Shawn Hill’s first start was good enough, giving up two runs on seven hits and one walk, striking out three. I wouldn’t go too crazy about it, but he could have value for those in deeper formats. He’s certainly worth monitoring.

What does everyone think about these stories?  Is there anything else that you want to mention?

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