Around the Majors: Apr. 20

Jordan Zimmerman picked up his first major league win.  Brandon Phillips continues to struggle.  David Ortiz showed signs of life.  Let’s take a look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games.

Baltimore vs. Boston

• Justin Masterson made his first start of the season, giving up 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3, over 5.1 innings.  While pitching for the Red Sox gives him win potential, his next start is likely to come against the New York Yankees.  That makes him a tough play.
• David Ortiz “broke out” with his first multi-RBI game of the season, going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI and 1 R.  This is far from the start fantasy owners had envisioned from him, but just continue to sit tight.  You really have no other choice.
• Felix Pie went 0-for-3 and doesn’t have a hit since Apr. 13 (16 AB).  Maybe he really is just a bust at this point, huh?  The only people who should be considering him are AL-only owners until he shows us something more.

Atlanta vs. Washington

• Jordan Zimmerman finally made his major league debut and was impressive in doing so.  He went 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits and 1 walk, striking out 3.  His one mistake was a 2-run home run to Matt Diaz (2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R).  He threw only 72 pitches, 51 of them for strikes.  He’ll either face the Mets or Phillies his next time out, making him a tough play, but long-term he has a ton of potential and really could emerge as a must own option in all formats, even pitching for the Nationals.
• Even with the wholesale changes to the bullpen, it was Joel Hanrahan who got the chance for the save.  He walked one and struck out one, picking up his first save of the season.  It’s just a matter of time, though, before he loses  the job.

Florida vs. Pittsburgh

• Walks hurt Andrew Miller, issuing four free passes over 4.2 innings.  He’s now walked 8 over 11.2 innings, not real encouraging.  He’s a tough play when he’s walking people like this, but he has a ton of potential.  He’s better left on the bench, especially with Philadelphia next on the schedule.
• Nate McLouth had the biggest day for the Pirates, going 2-for-4 with 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R and 1 SB.  At .277 with 4 HR, 13 RBI and 10 R he’s been everything fantasy owners could have asked for.  Granted, it would be nice if he stole a few more bases (he has two), but that could come in time.
• I wouldn’t read too much into Ross Ohlendorf’s seven-shutout inning performance.  Remember, he entered the game with a 4.91 ERA.  Yeah, his next start in San Diego could be appealing, but it comes opposite Jake Peavy.  The risk just isn’t worth the potential reward.

Cincinnati vs. Houston

• Brandon Phillips went 0-for-4, dropping his average to an anemic .158.  He’s now 0-for-17 over the past five games and has just 1 HR and 5 RBI this season.  He is likely in jeopardy of being moved out of the clean-up spot, but fantasy owners should not do anything drastic.  He’s proven to be too good the past three seasons to think that this is anything more then a slow start.
• Mike Hampton had a no decision, but was strong again.  He gave up 3 earned runs on 8 hits and 1 walk, striking out 5, over 6.1 innings.  I’m still scared he could go down again at any time, but thus far the results have been there.  If you are in extremely deep formats he’s definitely worth considering while he’s pitching well.

Colorado vs. Arizona

• Jon Garland bounced back nicely, giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks, striking out 5, over 6.2 innings.  He’s set to square off with Randy Johnson his next time out.
• Garrett Atkins went 1-for-4 with 1 R, raising his average to .192.  Sooner or later he’s going to hit, so just hit tight.

So, what does everyone else think?  Anything to add?

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