MLB Fantasy Baseball: Monday News and Notes

I know, most people are ready to talk football and get into notes from Sunday's games. Later on, we will. Baseball isn't done yet, though, and most leagues are entering the semifinals. Looking back at the weekend and the day ahead, there is plenty to cover.

Let's get to it.

• Nate McLouth left yesterday's game against the Giants after being struck near the eye by a ball he dove for in the outfield. The cut required six stitches and could impact his availability early this week. Keep him reserved and watch lineups for calls on him later this week.
• Chris Young looked back to form against the Brewers, allowing just one run on one hit yesterday. Young was perfect through seven-and-two-thirds yesterday and was virtually dominant at times. Since his return, owners have been waiting for an outing like this, and for many it couldn't have come at a better time.
• Good signs out of Boston all weekend, for the most part. Josh Beckett looked outstanding on Friday night and was able to get himself through five innings without allowing a run against Texas. Beckett was limited to a pitch count, but it didn't matter, as the Rangers were waiving at a majority of his off-speed pitches and his fastball popped at 95. Get him active this week.
• Mike Lowell played in two out of the three games this weekend, coming off the DL following an oblique injury. Lowell looked good on Friday, driving in four runs and knocking a home run. Lowell should be back and active for all owners this week and should be healthy enough to play at least five games this week.
• Jamie Moyer improved to 5-1 in his last 10 outings, grabbing a solid win against the Mets. All five of those wins have come on the road, as he continues to struggle with both run support and control in Philly. Moyer's next start will be Friday night at home against the Brewers. Given these numbers, it's not likely to expect the win.
• Minnesota's pitchers ran into some trouble, both with defense and bullpen help this weekend. Scott Baker was in line for a win, but he fell short after the middle-relief of Minnesota gave up home runs to the Tigers. Glen Perkins was the victim of poor defense, as only three of the five runs he gave up were earned.
• Carlos Silva being scratched only meant that the game was going to be more difficult for the Yankees' offense. Silva's struggles have only continued to get worse as the season has gone on. Silva was pushed back to face the Rangers on Tuesday. If that's the case, get all Rangers in the lineup. Any of them.
• Derek Jeter has raised his average to .297 with a .346 performance in his last seven games. The Yankees' shortstop has been one of the few offensive bright spots for a team that continues to struggle at the plate and in the clutch. It's hard to believe there can be a quiet .300 out of a shortstop, but this is it.
• While the Dodgers are hoping to bring back Takashi Saito this week, Jonathan Broxton nailed down a five-out save for the Dodgers to put them back in to first place for the season. Broxton has allowed just one run and five hits over his last eight appearances for the Dodgers. Don't expect the job to be handed right back to Saito; he'll have to be effective to get there.
• Finally, Evan Longoria has been activated by Tampa. Get him in lineups, especially considering he has hit the Red Sox pitching well all season.

Notes for Monday's Games

• Jon Lester gets the ball for Boston against the Rays in game one of a major series for both teams. Carlos Pena is 4-for-12 against Lester with two home runs, but B.J. Upton and Akinori Iwamura are hitting .250 and .214 respectively. Lester is 2-0 against Tampa this season with a 1.46 ERA. He's 8-1 at home with a 2.87 ERA.
• Edwin Jackson is 0-2 against Boston, with an ERA over six in two starts this season. If you have options for Kevin Youkilis, he is just 2-for-14 against Jackson. It could be good to look elsewhere. Coco Crisp has destroyed the Tampa starter this season, as have Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Ortiz.
• Derek Jeter is a .178 hitter against Jon Garland, and Ivan Rodriguez checks in at .195. Jason Giambi is even worse, at .067. Bobby Abreu, though, has done some damage. He's 9-for-18 with four home runs against Garland. Other Yankee regulars also have good numbers against Garland.
• While Jim Thome and Paul Konerko have been solid against A.J. Burnett, they are about it when it comes to offense for the White Sox against the Jays' starter. Burnett is still 6-2 in his last 10, and his two best outings have been the most recent two. With these numbers, keep him active.
• As far as Toronto is concerned, Vernon Wells should be a no-go if you have better options. Wells checks in with a .156 AVG against Vazquez. Lyle Overbay has hit just .235. Other Jays starters should be good to go, including Scott Rolen and Alex Rios.
• Tim Lincecum was almost due for a bomb of an outing, and he got it last time out. He has pitched well against Arizona, and only Conor Jackson has offensive numbers that would make you think twice. He has hit .400 against Lincecum. Lincecum is 6-2 with a 2.91 ERA at home this season.
• Dave Bush has pitched well enough at home to not count the last start against the Mets. The Mets have been red-hot, and the Reds are far from that type of offense. Bush has a 3.65 ERA in two starts against them this season and a 3.62 ERA at home in 14 games. Keep him active, as he is one of the better plays today.
• Spot starts: Zach Miner, Anibal Sanchez, and Dave Bush.

Notes for Tuesday

• Jeremy Guthrie will get the ball against Cleveland. Guthrie has been one of our favorite plays all season, but the fact he was pushed back from his last outing because of a tired arm is enough to make you nervous. Cleveland has been playing very well lately, and even though this one is at home, Guthrie becomes a gamble because of the shoulder issue.
• Scott Kazmir has been either feast or famine against Boston. Obviously, start your studs here, but if you have better options for Mike Lowell (.207) or Kevin Youkilis (.200), it would be wise to use them. Dustin Pedroia is 13-for-21 against Kazmir, good for a .619 AVG. Kazmir's struggles have been on the road, but this tends to be a good matchup for him. Akinori Iwamura is the best play against Kazmir's counterpart, Daisuke Matsuzaka.
• If only Oakland had the offense to take advantage of Nate Robertson, this would be a blessing for fantasy owners. Robertson has worked out of the fifth only two times in 10 starts and hasn't made it to the fifth six other times. Any A's you own, you start.
• Brian Bannister on the road is not a good matchup. Keep all Twins active. Conversely, Nick Blackburn has pitched very well at home and has been good in two starts against the Royals this season. Blackburn is a solid spot-option.
• Bengie Molina, Randy Winn, and Aaron Rowand make good starts against Doug Davis. All are well over .300 against Davis and could boost an offense with a couple hits a piece. Conor Jackson, Stephen Drew, Mark Reynolds, and Chris Snyder are all solid plays against Giants starter Barry Zito.
• John Lannan is only a .500 pitcher on the road, but his ERA is under three, and he has had decent success against the Mets. While he may not make a great start, tempering expectations for Mets hitters will probably help. They aren't going to be automatic for you with him on the mound.
• Spot starts: Hiroki Kuroda, Randy Wolf, Nick Blackburn, and Jesse Litsch.

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