Around the Majors: Apr. 13

Carlos Pena had a big day at the plate. Zack Greinke (pictured) still has not given up an earned run. Ubaldo Jimenez continued his on-again, off-again ways. Let’s take a look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:

Chicago (AL) vs. Detroit

• Gavin Floyd got the win but he was far from impressive. He gave up five hits and seven walks in just five innings of work. He’s better then that, so don’t give up on him.

New York (AL) vs. Tampa Bay

• I can’t blame the injury, but what has happened to Chien-Ming Wang?  He lasted just one-plus innings giving up eight runs on six hits and three walks, striking out one. His ERA is now 28.93. At this point, until he proves he can get the job done, he should not be in your lineup.
• Carlos Pena went 3-for-6 with 1 HR, 6 RBI and 2 R.  Great way to break out.
• Nick Swisher tossed an inning and asked for the ball after registering a strikeout. Talk about showing up your opponent.

Baltimore vs. Texas

• Koji Uehara is 2-0, but this start was far from promising. He lasted five innings giving up seven runs on seven hits and four walks, striking out three. It’s amazing how differently he looks just days after stifling the Yankees, doesn’t it? He’s always seemed more of a matchup pitcher and I’d recommend using him as such.
• Chris Davis finally showed some signs of life, going 3-for-4 with 1 HR, 2 RBI and 1 R. Just remain patient.
• Is Andruw Jones back? He went 2-for-3 with 1 HR, 3 RBI and 2 R.  Sure, it’s only been two games, but when’s the last time we saw him go 5-for-8 in a span even that short?

Kansas City vs. Cleveland

• Fausto Carmona evened his ERA at 9.00, having given up four runs on five hits and four walks, striking out three, over five innings. His next start is scheduled against the Yankees and at this point he is a do not use until he proves otherwise.
• Zack Greinke’s strong start continued, throwing five shutout innings to improve to 2-0. He gave up six hits and two walks, striking out nine. You would like to see him get the base runners down, but he has yet to allow a run on the young season. I said it before the season and I’ll say it again, don’t be fooled he is for real.

Toronto vs. Minnesota

• Travis Snider had a big day, going 2-for-3 with 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R and 1 SB. Great game, but I still am not completely sold. I’d stash him away if you can and I could see using him as an injury replacement (for Jose Guillen perhaps).

Boston vs. Oakland

• After not homering the first five games, Kevin Youkilis hit one for the second straight day. Don’t forget that he now has six multi-hit games already.
• There are many pitchers struggling in the early going, but Jon Lester is certainly among the top of the list. He went six innings giving up six runs on 10 hits and zero walks, striking out five, to fall to 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA. I certainly would not panic quite yet. The Orioles have been hitting, but I would still run him out there for his next start against them. If he struggles in that one, then we have a problem.

Houston vs. Pittsburgh

• Zach Duke was lights out, throwing a complete game shutout.  He gave up four hits and two walks, striking out five. He has the potential to return to form from his rookie season, so keep a close eye on him. If you are in a deeper format, you may want to stash him now.
• Adam LaRoche went 3-for-4 with 1 HR, 2 RBI and 1 R. Could he get going before July?

Colorado vs. Chicago (NL)

• Now that’s the Ubaldo Jimenez I know and love. The guy is an enigma and he has shown it over his first two starts. He was lights out in his first start, but this time gave up three runs on four hits and six walks, striking out five, over 3.2 innings. You just never know what you are going to get.

Philadelphia vs. Washington

• Brad Lidge has three saves, but he has been far from perfect.  He gave up two runs on two hits and zero walks, striking out two, in his inning and is now sporting an ERA of 5.40. He was lucky he had a three-run lead in this one.
• Christian Guzman went 5-for-5 with 2 R and 2 RBI but left with an injury. Isn’t that just typical Guzman? Monitor the situation.
• Daniel Cabrera gave up four runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks, striking out two, over five innings. Way too many base runners. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s finally just time to move on.

San Francsico vs. Los Angeles (NL)

• Chad Billingsley was electric, giving up one run on five hits and zero walks, striking out 11, over seven innings. He’s now 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA and has the potential to be among the leagues best this season.
• Randy Johnson has gotten off to a terrible start, now with an ERA of 11.42.  Yesterday he gave up seven runs on eight hits and three walks, striking out five, over 3.2 innings. Far from what the Giants were expecting from the veteran.
• Orlando Hudson hit for the cycle, going 4-for-5 with 1 HR, 2 RBI and 3 R. Great game, but I still wouldn’t touch him.

San Diego vs. New York (NL)

• Mike Pelfrey has struggled badly early on this season. He went just five innings giving up five runs on eight hits and two walks, striking out three, over five innings. He also gave up two HR. Isn’t he a sinker baller? Certainly not a good sign, but don’t give up on him yet.

Cincinnati vs. Milwaukee

• Wasn’t this supposed to be a fantastic pitcher’s duel? Edinson Volquez vs. Yovani Gallardo, two of the best up-and-coming pitchers in the game. Well, it wasn’t. Volquez lasted five innings giving up six runs on seven hits and four walks, striking out four. Gallardo went five innings giving up seven runs on three hits and four walks, striking out three.
• Corey Hart’s hot spring has certainly carried over to the regular season. He went 2-for-4 with 1 HR, 3 RBI and 1 R, putting him at ,308 with 3 HR and 5 RBI in the early going.
• Ryan Braun is hitting just .192, but he does have 2 SB already. At least he’s contributing somewhere until he gets his bat going.

St. Louis vs. Arizona

• Rick Ankiel went 0-for-4 and is hitting just .208. With four players to fill three spots it would not surprise me to see him start seeing more time on the bench. I think he will get going, which you will not want to miss, but if you are in a daily league I would monitor the pregame line-ups to make sure he’s even playing.
• Justin Upton has opened the season 0-for-12 with 6 Ks. Ugh! He’s lucky Eric Byrnes is struggling nearly as badly.

What does everyone think?  Any other stories you feel are worth mentioning?

THIS ARTICLE IS ALSO FEATURED ON WWW.ROTOPROFESSOR.COM