BY ADAM RONIS
Matt Cain has been a disappointment, but three poor starts have inflated his totals. Remember, don't analyze numbers after six or seven starts so closely. An 8-run, thee-inning peformance can make the numbers look worse. Cain was pitching well today into the seventh inning, but allowed five runs in 6 1/3 innings. He has had four very good performances this season. He hurt his hamstring in his last start and that could have hindered him. I'd stick with him.
Matt Capps pitched for the third straight day and picked up save No. 8.
Mariano Rivera has yet to allow an earned run this season and picked up save No. 9. He has allowed five hits in 14 innings. Amazing.
Ryan Ludwick hit two home runs and now has seven for the season. He hasn't been playing full-time, but should earn more playing time. He plays mostly against lefties. NL-only league owners should play him.
Chris Ianetta has been playing real well lately and has been starting over Yorvit Torrealba. Ianetta should be owned in NL-only leagues while he is getting time and hot. He is hitting .345.
Brett Myers had another poor outing today against the Diamondbacks. He is 2-3 with a 5.33 ERA. He has allowed 12 home runs, which has been his downfall. His other numbers aren't bad and he still strikes out hitters. Buy low.
Brandon Webb is 8-0 with a 2.41 ERA after a complete game against the Phillies today. He's one of the top fantasy pitchers and one of the most reliable. He threw just 104 pitches.
Kevin Youkilis homered again today. He is batting .313 with seven homers and 27 RBIs. He is a solid fantasy contributor that doesn't get a lot of love.
Justin Verlander had another bad outing today against the Red Sox. His 30/21 K/BB ratio isn't good. I'd be concerned if I owned him.
Jimmy Rollins should be activated tomorrow.
Comments (7)
Cain actually went into the seventh but probably shouldn't have. His pitch count was already around a 100, still he should have left after the first two batters at least. I was pissed.
My league is Yahoo H2H with 16 teams and 1 starter for all 9 positions. 3 SP 2RP and 2P. 20 players per team. It should be noted that I'm in third while winning only once in the saves category. I figured that if i can win w/o them i might as well stack up on the other categories.
Guggs,
Based on your league format, I think that is a fine strategy. Marmol will help in ERA, WHIP and Ks, if he doesn't get burned out from pitching so much and Torres has been solid and could eventually land the closer gig. I would do that trade.
AR - couple questions.
1- I have Fuentes, Gregg, Sherrill and Smoltz as closers. Would you feel comfortable moving one of them at this point for a SP?
2- With Stephen Drew playing at 2:20, I need to decide to go with him or take a risk on Rollins not playing later. Any thoughts?
Thanks.
I can get Oswalt for Fuentes. Thoughts?
JD,
Play Rollins.
JD,
If you really need a SP, then make a trade. Getting Oswalt for Fuentes is a good deal. Oswalt won't put up the numbers he used to, but he's still a solid SP.