MLB Fantasy Baseball: Thursday News and Notes

The Roundtable has decided something. We can't wait for the trade deadline. Why? Because it will allow us to talk about the fantasy impact of something else other than injuries. Suspensions, injuries, and ejections don't exactly make for great fantasy talk, because it always involved bad news for someone else. But, we'll power through it. So let's get to the notes.

• David Ortiz took 25 "soft swings" in the batting cage at Fenway. He's still about three weeks away from returning, which puts his return around the All-Star break. Ortiz was as hot as you could get prior to the injury, and his power numbers make him worth keeping on your DL spot. If you don't, I guarantee someone else in your league will grab him.
• Joba Chamberlain recorded his first win as a starter, looking dominant through six-and-two-thirds while striking out seven and throwing 114 pitches. All are good signs in looking at his status as a starter. Heard a great stat regarding how much more efficient Chamberlain has been with his pitches from Buster Olney. Chamberlain's first start showed an average of nearly six pitches a batter. He's now down to under five. That makes a huge difference in his ability to go deeper in games.
• So all David Wright needed was a day off. Wright was the only player in the majors who had played every inning of every game prior to Monday. He got Tuesday off and then belted two home runs off Miguel Batista last night. Batista couldn't get through the third inning, as the Mets really have his number. Hopefully, you were able to take advantage, since nearly every Met did something right.
• Kosuke Fukudome was scratched late from last night's lineup with a left calf strain. The injury doesn't appear serious, but he is not expected to be in the lineup for the finale against Baltimore today either. The Cubs have several outfielders hurt already, so Fukudome will likely have to make a quick recovery.
• Jeff Suppan's road struggles continued, as he gave up four runs in six innings against the Braves. What's odd about Suppan is that he has struggled on the road this season, even against teams that normally don't hit him well. Atlanta couldn't hit anything he threw in Milwaukee earlier this season. It's just that kind of dichotomy.
• Jake Peavy was picked as one of the top pitchers in the draft, but even he is falling victim to the home/road split that plagues Randy Wolf and Greg Maddux. Peavy's road ERA is nearly five-and-a-half for the season.
• Kyle Lohse may have a new uniform, but his struggles against Detroit continued. Lohse only lasted four innings (partly due to rain, partly because he was getting hammered) and gave up 11 hits and five earned runs. Lohse is pitching to contact and he's bound to have a few more of these games. His control is better than any other year, but he still relies on groundballs to get outs. But he just isn't good enough to continue that regularly.
• Roy Oswalt was a tough-luck loser last night. Oswalt went seven and gave up three earned on seven hits. Good news, he didn't walk a batter. Better news, even taking the loss, he wasn't the guy anyone in Houston was talking about. Shawn Chacon going Latrell Sprewell on the GM gets that honor.
• Certainly, as owners, we have a right to be concerned about Evan Longoria's batting average. But get this, the rookie had as many home runs entering last night as David Wright in about a month's fewer games. He's on pace to hit 25-30 home runs and drive in over 90. His average in his last seven games is .304, but that still only puts him at .254 on the season. Wright has driven in more runs by 17, but that basically accounts for the one-month's difference. What I'm saying is, if you own both these guys, you could get some solid value for David Wright and basically have a clone to fill in for him.
• Xavier Nady was expected back in Pittsburgh's lineup last night, but ended up sitting again. Nady is still struggling with his shoulder, but should be back over the weekend. If you need to make a decision for next week, it looks like he'll play. If you're a day-to-day owner, keep him benched until he starts consecutive games.

Notes for today's games:

• Todd Wellemeyer missed his last start with tightness in his arm. He'll get the start against Detroit today. He's struggled in his two June starts, posting a 7.71 ERA, but that's skewed by his being a part of the 20 run explosion by Philadelphia earlier in the month. Overall, he has a 3.35 road ERA and opponents are hitting only .241 against him away from St. Louis. I'd have him in the lineup.
• Nate Robertson struggles with lefties, so make sure Rick Ankiel and Skip Schumaker are in your lineups. His home numbers aren't impressive and mirror what he's done in June, as he has an ERA of 4.74 and BAA of .284.
• Matt Garza is 1-3 on the road, with an ERA of 6.25. He looked good against Florida last time, but that was at the Trop. He doesn't seem to get anyone out when he leaves Dome Sweet Dome. That does not mean to start Mark Hendrickson, as his 5.49 home ERA is just as awful to look at.
• Cliff Lee's last three outing have been solid, as he's allowed two runs or less in all of them. He's seen some weaker offenses, but the Giants don't exactly set the world on fire with their bats. Being 3-0 at home helps out, too. Matt Cain has struggled on the road, with an ERA of 4.14 in eight starts.
• Scott Baker has allowed three runs or less in nine of his last 10 starts. He's giving up a few more flyballs in his last three starts, but his strikeout numbers are better, and he'll be throwing in a pitcher's park tonight in San Diego. Great spot-start.
• Paul Maholm may be pitching better, but he hasn't seen a lineup like what New York will bring to the party tonight. Mike Mussina has pitched better on the road than at home, I give him the edge here. If you're in one of the ten percent of leagues where Mussina is available, he's a good start today.
• Spot starts for today? Let's go with Baker, Clayton Kershaw, Todd Wellemeyer, and Radhames Liz.

Notes for Friday's Games:

• Seriously, don't start Micah Owings. Do yourself a favor. If I could only quit Dana Eveland as easily...
• Speaking of, he gets the call at home in the Battle of the Bay. Yes, I think you should start him. His record at home and peripheral stats really do justify it. Honest.
• Nick Blackburn is 4-2 with a 2.20 ERA at home on the season. He makes a good play against the Brewers.
• Randy Wolf pitching at home is always a nice bonus, but it's even better when his opponent is offensively challenged in the manner the Mariners are. Wolf is the best spot play of the day thanks to all the stars aligning for him.
• Daisuke Matsuzaka will be back on the mound for Boston, but he struggled in his last outing. I'd make sure of his health by keeping him on the bench and seeing how it plays out. He makes a better start next week.
• Brett Myers is ok at home, but not so much on the road at all. Batters hit .345 against him on the road and his ERA jumps to 7.54. It's just a bad combination, especially with the Rangers swinging the bats well.
• Milton Bradley will likely be back in the lineup at DH for Texas this weekend; he should be in all lineups if healthy.
• Early spot start calls? Let's go with Blackburn, Eveland, Wolf, and Jair Jurrjens.

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