Wednesday's Daily Fantasy Baseball News and Notes

Well, yesterday was one of those days that as a blogger, I'd like to forget. I'm pretty sure every call made was about the opposite of what should have been done.

Sadly, I was due for one of those days. Just like striking out during your last at bat, you have to leave that one behind and get up to the plate to face the same guy again. So, let's start the act of redemption, grab a bat, and take a look at today's notes...

• Seriously, at some point people will really believe me regarding Hiroki Kuroda. I was all over Luke Scott earlier this season, and some of you were able to ride his hot streak. Kuroda has more long-term potential here. So many people are asking about owning Brad Penny, yet this guy is only owned in about a third of all leagues. His numbers are much better than Penny's. Last night, he worked into the seventh and only gave up one earned run. Both total runs he allowed were given up by the bullpen after he left the game. I get it, he isn't getting wins, but some guys just don't get run support. He's one of them right now. For the season, he's got a WHIP of 1.30 and an ERA of 3.29. Batters hit only .240 against him. Penny has a WHIP of 1.50, and ERA over 5.00 and batters hit .294 against him. Yet he's owned in 75 percent of all leagues. You tell me.
• Daisuke Matsuzaka was hurt on the last play of the fourth inning yesterday against Seattle. They described the injury as shoulder fatigue, but he looked fine as far as velocity and his location was actually better. He briefly held his back/side at the end of the fourth. I think it's more likely a strained muscle in his side or rib cage. That would be tougher. Doesn't look good for his next start. That could mean more time for Clay Buchholz in the rotation.
• Greg Smith is pitching like anything but a rookie for Oakland. And what's funny is, he's the third or fourth option when it comes to pitchers from the A's you want to own. I'd put Rich Harden and Justin Duchscherer ahead of him for certain, and potentially Dana Eveland. Amazingly, for a team with no offense, they always seem to find good pitching. Any and all of these players should be owned in most formats.
• A.J. Burnett continued his streak of pitching well. Again, wins aren't always the bottom line. Those come as a result of other factors. Burnett controls what he can control, going six innings and giving up three runs while striking out six more last night. For the month, batters are only hitting .218 against him. Again, if you think about Brad Penny and not this guy, I don't know what to tell you.
• Randy Wolf and his home/road splits continue to baffle the mind. Never start him away from Petco, but he's lights out at home. I'd keep him in my lineup as a spot starter in most games he plays in San Diego.
  
• Everyone that was worried about Kevin Kouzmanoff can step back off the ledge. The third basemen is hitting. 360 in his last six games, and has belted four home runs in that time frame. Great buy-low candidate still, as the totals don't reflect how well he's playing.
• Welcome to the big leagues, Jay Bruce. Bruce grabbed three hits and walked twice in his major league debut. Look, he's worth the add if you have the spot. If you're sitting with a couple of outfielders you're not sold on, take a chance on the guy. I just wouldn't give up known commodities to grab an untested rookie. Borderline or fringe players are one thing, but regulars are another.
• Johnny Cueto continues to throw a lot of pitches, but he's pitching better. He grabbed a win yesterday, but only went five innings, giving up two earned. We can't deny his stuff is there, but if you could grab Clayton Kershaw, I'd drop Cueto for him.
• Aaron Laffey is doing his best to keep his spot in the Cleveland rotation. Many had dropped him because of the impending return of Jake Westbrook. But Fausto Carmona's trip to the DL extended Laffey's stay. He continues to pitch very well and is a good short-term add, especially as a replacement for Carmona. We'll have to wait and see how they approach him as the time nears for Carmona's return.
• If you're dropping a player and have an open DL spot, get two for the price of one. Pedro Martinez is still on the DL, but will be returning on June 3 to the rotation. Those of you owning players like Mike Pelfrey should be nervous, as Pedro will likely be taking that spot. But stash Martinez on the DL until the time comes, then you can watch a start or two and make a decision as to if he should be kept. Sort of a right of first refusal on him.

Notes for today's games.

The Red Sox struggle against Erik Bedard. Keep the lefty in your lineup and look for replacements for anyone but your studs. Raul Ibanez should be in the game against Tim Wakefield, as he's 8-21 lifetime against him. As much offense as there was yesterday, I wouldn't look for that to be the case in the Yankees-Orioles game today. Baltimore does not hit Andy Pettite well, and Jeremy Guthrie has been throwing the ball very well lately. I'd go with Pettite first, but Guthrie isn't a bad option here.

Alfonso Soriano struggles against Derek Lowe, having only gone 11-46 against him, a .239 average. Lowe is owned by Derek Lee, however. Lowe has struggled on the road, and should be avoided here...Avoid Scott Olson, but start all your Mets. Olson hasn't pitched well against them at all, with the team hitting well over .300 against him. Need spot starts today? Try Armando Galarraga, Matt Garza, Wandy Rodriguez, then JoJo Reyes, in that order.

Notes for Thursday.

Brad Penny struggles against the Cubs, make sure they all are in your lineup, including fringe players such as Mark DeRosa. John Lannan has been very good on the road, with a WHIP just over one and an ERA around 2.00. He gets to pitch in Petco, which will be an advantage. Barry Zito has had several good outings in a row, and no one on Arizona hits him particularly well. The Giants, though, do hit Randy Johnson well. Keep Bengie Molina, Rich Aurillia (three HR), Randy Winn, and Aaron Rowand around or they all make great spot adds.

Careful with Roy Oswalt if you have better options or have reached your innings minimum. He doesn't fare well on the road or against St. Louis.

Back as the need arises...