Opening Day has come & gone (well, for most teams), so let's review some of the highlights & lowlights from yesterday's action:
B.J. Upton starts at 2B. With Jorge Cantu down in the minors, top prospect B.J. Upton takes over 2B and played well yesterday versus the Yankees. He had 2 hits in 4 AB's with a run scored, an RBI & a SB. Upton was in the #9 slot in the lineup and most likely will hold that role for a little while. Ben Zobrist, who batted #2, was 0 for 4 & most likely doesn't have the tools to hold that spot. Upton doesn't have much power, but has serious speed. He already has value as it is, but if he can take over that #2 spot, his value will sky rocket with the number of SB & run scoring opportunities. Monitor where he's placed in the Devil Rays lineup.
Hanley Ramirez carries over his outstanding rookie campaign. Hanley Ramirez showed early that last year's rookie campaign was no fluke. Ramirez went 4 for 6, with 2 doubles, 4 runs, 2 SB & an RBI. There was some worry that he may have had his career year during his rookie year, but based on today's game, he may be just that good. There were some questions that maybe the 2nd half power last year was a fluke, but the two doubles today may say it wasn't. In any case, it's still too early to judge, so if a regression comes this year, don't be surprised. If you are a Ramirez owner though, you shouldn't need to worry about your SS position this year.
Gil Meche pitches a gem. One of the most controversial signings in the off-season was the big contract Gil Meche got the Kansas City Royals. While Meche had his best season last year, a 4.50 ERA doesn't necessarily scream big contract worthiness. He did deliver big yesterday however, going 7 1/3 innings, giving up 6 hits, only 1 walk & 6 strikeouts. Is he actually this good? His history says “no”, but let's look deeper. Last year Meche upped his strikeout rate from 5.2 to 7.5 strikeouts per 9 innings. His biggest problem in the past has been walks, but only allowing 1 today is an encouraging start. If he keeps his strikeouts coming while lowering his walks, he may actually justify the money he's being paid. Too early to recommend, but this is a positive sign.
Hitting returns to Colorado . For the first 5 months last year, Colorado was actually a neutral field. Using the “humidor”, it actually looked like they tamed the bats in Coors Field….at least until September. During the last month last year, the hitting returned and for the first game this year, it looks like that trend is continuing. Both Webb & Cook got hit hard and when all was said & done, 14 runs were scored on 23 hits. What does this mean? It's hard to say. The fact that Holliday & Atkins improved last year WITH the humidor could mean that they are primed for bigger seasons this year. Maybe the humidor has no effect and last year was simply an anomaly & a coincidence. In any case, this will be interesting to see how it plays out. If you are still drafting, you may want to up tick your Rockies hitters a bit on your draft sheets.
King Felix thrives on the throne. Despite being just barely legal enough to buy alcohol, Felix Hernandez got the opening day start for the Mariners and looked every bit the pitcher we saw in 2005. He went 8 innings, giving up just 3 hits & 2 walks while striking out 12. Last year he went into a sophomore slump, but his strikeout to walk ratio was about the same as 2005. The culprit? His homeruns per 9 innings sky rocketed from the previous year, thus giving him a poor ERA. Make no mistake, Hernandez is an extreme groundball pitcher, so you have to wonder if it was just bad luck he ran into last year. We'll find out soon enough as the season wears on, but this kid has stud written all over him. Enjoy his production.
Lidge blows another one. How long can giving up a game winning hits & homeruns in the playoffs haunt you? For Brad Lidge, it may be forever. After a horrible spring, Lidge came in last night for the save, gets the first 2 batters out, and then proceeds to give up a game tying homerun to Xavier Nady. Last year walks & homeruns doomed Lidge, which he didn't figure out in his first game this year. How much do the playoffs still linger in his mind? Does he have a hidden injury? You really have to start to wonder if Lidge has the closer's mentality anymore. If you are or aren't a Lidge owner, you must pick up Dan Wheeler immediately. Save opportunities await him VERY soon.
http://www.starfantasysports.com
B.J. Upton starts at 2B. With Jorge Cantu down in the minors, top prospect B.J. Upton takes over 2B and played well yesterday versus the Yankees. He had 2 hits in 4 AB's with a run scored, an RBI & a SB. Upton was in the #9 slot in the lineup and most likely will hold that role for a little while. Ben Zobrist, who batted #2, was 0 for 4 & most likely doesn't have the tools to hold that spot. Upton doesn't have much power, but has serious speed. He already has value as it is, but if he can take over that #2 spot, his value will sky rocket with the number of SB & run scoring opportunities. Monitor where he's placed in the Devil Rays lineup.
Hanley Ramirez carries over his outstanding rookie campaign. Hanley Ramirez showed early that last year's rookie campaign was no fluke. Ramirez went 4 for 6, with 2 doubles, 4 runs, 2 SB & an RBI. There was some worry that he may have had his career year during his rookie year, but based on today's game, he may be just that good. There were some questions that maybe the 2nd half power last year was a fluke, but the two doubles today may say it wasn't. In any case, it's still too early to judge, so if a regression comes this year, don't be surprised. If you are a Ramirez owner though, you shouldn't need to worry about your SS position this year.
Gil Meche pitches a gem. One of the most controversial signings in the off-season was the big contract Gil Meche got the Kansas City Royals. While Meche had his best season last year, a 4.50 ERA doesn't necessarily scream big contract worthiness. He did deliver big yesterday however, going 7 1/3 innings, giving up 6 hits, only 1 walk & 6 strikeouts. Is he actually this good? His history says “no”, but let's look deeper. Last year Meche upped his strikeout rate from 5.2 to 7.5 strikeouts per 9 innings. His biggest problem in the past has been walks, but only allowing 1 today is an encouraging start. If he keeps his strikeouts coming while lowering his walks, he may actually justify the money he's being paid. Too early to recommend, but this is a positive sign.
Hitting returns to Colorado . For the first 5 months last year, Colorado was actually a neutral field. Using the “humidor”, it actually looked like they tamed the bats in Coors Field….at least until September. During the last month last year, the hitting returned and for the first game this year, it looks like that trend is continuing. Both Webb & Cook got hit hard and when all was said & done, 14 runs were scored on 23 hits. What does this mean? It's hard to say. The fact that Holliday & Atkins improved last year WITH the humidor could mean that they are primed for bigger seasons this year. Maybe the humidor has no effect and last year was simply an anomaly & a coincidence. In any case, this will be interesting to see how it plays out. If you are still drafting, you may want to up tick your Rockies hitters a bit on your draft sheets.
King Felix thrives on the throne. Despite being just barely legal enough to buy alcohol, Felix Hernandez got the opening day start for the Mariners and looked every bit the pitcher we saw in 2005. He went 8 innings, giving up just 3 hits & 2 walks while striking out 12. Last year he went into a sophomore slump, but his strikeout to walk ratio was about the same as 2005. The culprit? His homeruns per 9 innings sky rocketed from the previous year, thus giving him a poor ERA. Make no mistake, Hernandez is an extreme groundball pitcher, so you have to wonder if it was just bad luck he ran into last year. We'll find out soon enough as the season wears on, but this kid has stud written all over him. Enjoy his production.
Lidge blows another one. How long can giving up a game winning hits & homeruns in the playoffs haunt you? For Brad Lidge, it may be forever. After a horrible spring, Lidge came in last night for the save, gets the first 2 batters out, and then proceeds to give up a game tying homerun to Xavier Nady. Last year walks & homeruns doomed Lidge, which he didn't figure out in his first game this year. How much do the playoffs still linger in his mind? Does he have a hidden injury? You really have to start to wonder if Lidge has the closer's mentality anymore. If you are or aren't a Lidge owner, you must pick up Dan Wheeler immediately. Save opportunities await him VERY soon.
http://www.starfantasysports.com
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