MLB Fantasy Baseball: Friday News and Notes

It was a small slate yesterday, filled mostly with afternoon baseball. And who doesn't like a day game? I'm personally lobbying for more day games.

Can it get much better than skipping a day of work in the middle of the summer to hit the ballpark? I submit that it cannot.

Yesterday's games gave a little more insight into interleague trends, so let's get to the notes.

• Joba Chamberlain wasn't able to come away with the win yesterday, but he did only give up one run while striking out nine. San Diego has a stagnant offense, so don't expect this each and every time out. We'll see more good outings than bad from Chamberlain. His pitch count is also now at a respectable amount, so he can be started and expected to come away with a few wins. Innings shouldn't be a problem in the second half of the year either, since he started the season in the bullpen.
• In Cubs news, Carlos Zambrano will have an MRI on his shoulder today. He will not make his next start on Tuesday against Baltimore. A betting man would probably put money on Sean Marshall to get the spot in his place. He could be a cheap play for a quick win if you're in daily leagues. At this point, nothing points to a DL stint for Zambrano. Alfonso Soriano will have his hand examined again. He wants to come back before the break, but if the Cubs are playing well, expect them to keep him back.
• Troy Tulowitzki will rejoin the Rockies this weekend. Grab him now. He's only going to make your team better in any format. Clint Barnes will end his rehab stint early next week. I expect he will also rejoin the Rockies. Barnes' value remains only as a backup in deep, mixed leagues.
• Justin Upton drove in his first run since May 31. The entire Diamondbacks offense is struggling, but Upton is a catalyst. He needs to come around in the same way Chris Young does. Both make solid buy-low candidates right now. The Diamondbacks are the best team in the NL West, and at some point, they will show that.
• As you're working the wire, I can't recommend a guy like Luke Scott enough. I pushed hard for him early this season, and he's on a roll in June. Scott has 12 home runs this season, which is more than Magglio Ordonez. He's a streak player, but he's hot now and being given the chance to play every day.
• When you look at the score of the White Sox-Pirates game, you assume both pitchers got roughed up. But Gavin Floyd ran into some tough luck. The White Sox hurler gave up six runs, but just one was earned in five-and-two-thirds innings. Floyd recorded the win and continues to pitch well at home.
• Chipper Jones is proving that it is VERY hard to hit .400 for an entire season. Jones went 0-4 yesterday and is hitting just .182 in his last six games. We see a huge drop in his average, but any drop is magnified because of how well he's hitting. Jones is still one of the year's biggest surprises, and he still will hit for a high average, just probably not .400.
• Hunter Pence has been a disappointment away from The Juicebox, but he hit his first home run on the road last night. Pence is a case of a guy you want to do well and hang on to, but can only play him half the time. He's struggled in June for as well as he played in May. Pence has posted just a .194 average. I still say he's a player that knows how to hit and will prove that moving into July.
• There must be something in the water in Milwaukee. Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush, and Manny Parra are all becoming fantastic plays when inside Miller Park. Bush was the latest to prove that, as he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning yesterday, eventually giving up just one run on two hits. In his last five starts at home, Bush has given up a total of eight runs.

Notes for today's games:

• Sometimes numbers can lie. In Kyle Lohse's case, he's pitching well in June, but has only faced one solid offense (Philly), and that was at home. Lohse has struggled on the road all season, posting a 5.04 ERA and .325 BAA. The Red Sox hit him well, and Manny Ramirez will be back in the lineup.
• Look for Cesar Izturis as a value-play today, as he's 5-7 lifetime against Boston starter Tim Wakefield. Probably about the only time we see "Cesar Izturis" and "value" in the same sentence. Troy Glaus should be avoided if you have better options, as he hits .214 against the knuckler. Wakefield makes a decent spot-play, given his 3-1 record at home and .231 BAA.
• I'm recommending Jeff Suppan today, because the stats are there to back it up. Pitching at home, Suppan is worth the play every time. He goes out with a 1.67 home ERA and .236 BAA. Keep Aubrey Huff in your lineups though, as he hits .438 against Suppan.
• The only team Tim Redding has held down all month has been Seattle. That's not saying much for Redding...or Seattle. The Rangers are swinging very well, so I'd avoid Redding at all costs, but have my Rangers in the lineup.
• Kevin Millwood has gone six innings in each start since returning from the DL, with two quality starts. He's pitched very well in June and is worth a spot start against the Nationals.
• The White Sox have enjoyed facing Ted Lilly as a team. Nick Swisher has two home runs against the lefty, and Orlando Cabrera hits .313. Both good plays. Lilly, however, is not. I'll take John Danks in this matchup.
• Get Mark Ellis in all lineups, as he is 4-7 with three home runs against Mark Hendrickson. Hendrickson has been awful on the road and should be avoided in all situations today. I'd put all borderline A's into my lineup. Make sure to have Eric Chavez, Ellis, and Bobby Crosby active.
• Cliff Lee has allowed four or more earned runs in four of his last five road starts. The only one where he didn't was against Detroit. There, he was constantly pitching out of trouble. The Dodgers haven't seen much of Lee as a team, but there is cause for concern, given his recent "struggles". He's worth keeping active, but temper expectations. I see six innings and four earned in his future.
• Mike Mussina has allowed more than three runs just once in his last 10 starts. He's recorded 10 wins already this season and has been very good at home recently. I'd sit Jay Bruce as well, as Mussina holds lefties to a .234 average. He's a great spot-start option. I'm not saying to avoid Edinson Volquez; I just think this will be a low-scoring game.
• Spot starts today? Jorge Campillo, Scott Baker, Suppan, and Matt Garza.

Notes for Saturday:

• Daisuke Matsuzaka returns from the DL to pitch against the Cardinals. Matsuzaka tired in the fifth inning of his only rehab outing. I like him against the Cardinals, but I also think holding him back a start is worth it. He might be 8-0, but I'd be cautious.
• Greg Maddux is pitching at home. So, you know, play him.
• Daniel Cabrera has really slowed down in his last three outings. His last three road outings have been awful. I'd avoid this match up against a Brewers team that swings the bats very well at home. I'm not recommending Seth McLung at home. I'm not drinking the Kool-Aid THAT much.
• I just can't quit you, Dana Eveland. Eveland pitches very well at home, and I like him again with Florida in town. The Marlins have a solid offense, but they have struggled away from Miami. He's a solid risk in this game.
• New rule: Never start a pitcher who, after three starts in a month, is allowing guys to hit over .400. It's just good sense right? Keep Micah Owings on your bench. His June outings sport an ERA over ten and a BAA over .400. Not to mention, he's been bad on the road all season.
• Early spot start calls? Go with Jesse Litsch, Nick Blackburn, Edwin Jackson, and Eveland (sigh).

Back as the need arises. Check out the full Roundtable blog.