Beyond the Boxscore–Fantasy MLB News and Notes 4/27/08 Dueling Aces, Prospects Called Up, more
It looks like Erick Aybar has taken over as the everyday shortstop for the Anaheim Angels. Aybar has been starting every game for at least a week now, and his stats show that he is making the most of the opportunity. He is batting .333 with nine RBI and has stolen four steals. Aybar has the potential to steal 40+ bases if he continues to have an everyday job.
B.J. Ryan entered the game today in the eighth inning, but did not finish the game in the ninth. However the
speculation is that they wanted him to work two innings, but then pulled him back. Ryan still hasn’t allowed a run, so there’s no reason to believe he is being replaced as closer. Keep him in your lineup unless you hear different.
Two pitching prospects will be making their debuts this week. In Arizona, it appears Max Scherzer will be getting a start this week after being called up Sunday. Scherzer has been pitching great so far in 2008. If he gets a regular turn in the rotation, pick him up right away. The Indians sent Jeremy Sowers back to the minors, and it appears that Aaron Laffey will get a chance to replace Jake Westbrook for the month or so he will be out. If Laffey is impressive on Monday, see if you have someone that you can let go, he is one of the 15 best pitching prospects in baseball.
Mets’ disappointment Carlos Delgado broke out on Sunday as he hit two home runs. Mets’ fans are praying that this will break the slump that Delgado has been in for over a year now, and that his skills haven’t completely eroded away. I don’t believe that is the case, so don’t go running to the waiver wire unless Delgado continues to show he can be successful.
Nate McLouth won’t go away. After it seemed that the hot start he was on was starting to fade away, McLouth hit two home runs on Sunday and re-established himself as one of the great surprises on 2008. Keep playing him unless he continues to struggle like he did before today.
Not fantasy related, but after sweeping the Boston Red Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays are now tied for first place.
Kyle Lohse has now made himself worthy of being on fantasy rosters. After not having a team until just before the season started, the St. Louis Cardinals have resurrected another pitchers career. Lohse is now 3-0 after throwing six innings of one run ball and his ERA is just 2.36. Ride the hot hand until he throws a few stinkers out there.
The game in San Francisco today featured a rising star, and a complete dud. For the Reds, Edinson Volquez continued his incredible start as he is now 4-0 after striking out 10 Giants. I can’t believe he would still be available, but if he is, please grab him now. On the other side, Barry Zito fell to 0-6 and is rising up the charts of the worst contracts in history. If for some reason you are still holding on to him, cut him immediately.
John Smoltz left the game today against the Mets with what he described as shoulder discomfort. He said he would wait and see over the next couple of days to see how he felt, and if he had to miss a start. The Braves have a few days off this week, so it is possible that if it is minor that Smoltz might just be skipped. Keep an eye on this situation.
Nationals rookie starter John Lannan is starting to get the attention of fantasy players. Lannan has only given up more than two runs in one start, and was great on Sunday. Lannan threw seven shut out innings and struck out four to lower his ERA to 2.64. At this point, you have to take a look and see if he is worth adding to your roster.
Rays starter James Shields not only outdueled Josh Beckett, but threw a complete game shutout against the Red Sox. Many (including yours truly), thought that Shields breakout year in 2007 was a one year wonder. But at 3-1 with a 2.54 ERA, it appears that Shields is establishing himself as a top 20 starter in the major leagues. He gets another start this week, and unfortunately it is against the Sox and Beckett again.
Two guys traded for each other, Cardinals’ Troy Glaus, and Blue Jays’ Scott Rolen both hit their first home run for their new team on Sunday. Both have been a little disappointing to their new teams, but both have the chance to put up good fantasy numbers if they can stay healthy.
A couple of games on Sunday featured dueling aces. In Cleveland, Chien Ming Wang was just slightly better than Indians’ C.C. Sabathia as the Yankees won 1-0. Only Melky Cabrera’s fifth home run tarnished Sabathia’s masterpiece outing. And in San Diego a battle of Cy Young Award winners saw Brandon Webb improving to 6-0 beating Jake Peavy 2-1. Peavy only allowed a Cory Snider home run, and Webb just gave up a sac fly to Jim Edmonds. All four of these guys are elite, must-start pitchers every time they take the mound.
As always, your questions about your team (adds, drops, trades, etc) and comments are welcome at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com. I guarantee an answer within 18 hours.
I’ve been waiting for Scherzer all year and want him really bad. BUT the guy just 1 spot ahead of me in waiver priority is really high on him too, so I doubt I’ll get him once he’s added to Y! leagues.. $#*@#
Oh!! This star sport. I like it.