2007 Opening Day Busts

2007 MLB Opening Day Busts

Aces get tagged, Lidge blows save, Monroe K's four times

Jose Contreras - SP - White Sox
Jose Conteras was torched for eight runs -- seven earned -- in one-plus innings by the Indians on Monday. Contreras gave up a leadoff homer to Grady Sizemore to start a five-run first. The second started with a walk, a double and an infield single/error before Contreras was pulled, and the two inherited runners came around to score off Nick Masset. Contreras finished with a 5.09 ERA this spring, but that's not bad for Arizona. He should have value in shallow mixed leagues this season.

After facing him on Opening Day, Jhonny Peralta told reporters that Jose Contreras "just wasn't throwing as hard as last year." "He usually throws harder," Peralta said. "Today he was throwing a lot of sliders."
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

Brad Lidge - RP - Astros
Brad Lidge blew his first save of the season when he gave up a two-out solo homer to Xavier Nady in the top of the ninth on Monday night. Working with a one-run lead, Lidge struck out Adam LaRoche and got Ronny Paulino to ground out before giving up the gopher ball. A double and a walk followed before Lidge got out of the inning. It's not like Lidge was throwing badly, but he isn't even close to being the Astros' best reliever right now and the team might not be able to afford to keep him in the closer's role, especially not when Phil Garner is working so hard to prevent his team from scoring runs.

Derek Lowe - SP - Dodgers
Derek Lowe pitched four innings and gave up six runs Monday in a loss to the Brewers. Lowe allowed eight hits and walked five. He issued just three free passes in 24 innings while amassing a 3.38 ERA this spring. This isn't worth worrying about. He still has the potential to win 15 plus games in 07.

John Patterson - SP - Nationals
John Patterson was roughed up by the Marlins on Monday, allowing six runs in 3 2/3 innings. Patterson allowed seven hits and walked three. He wasn't all that sharp this spring, though he did get better as March went on. It may take him longer to hit his stride as he continues his recovery from forearm surgery.

Scott Kazmir - SP - Devil Rays
Scott Kazmir was tagged for five runs in five-plus innings by the Yankees on Monday. Kazmir just didn't have his good slider today, and his fastball command was also a problem. He walked four and hit Derek Jeter in the leg with one of his sliders.

Carl Pavano - SP - Yankees
Carl Pavano was pulled after allowing five runs -- four earned -- in 4 1/3 innings Monday against the Rays. Pavano's outing might have looked better if not for a couple of Derek Jeter-Josh Phelps missed connections. Still, the Yankees couldn't have loved what they were seeing if they pulled him after just 73 pitches. Pavano allowed six hits, walked two and struck out two.

Craig Monroe - OF - Tigers
Craig Monroe struck out all four times he was up Monday against the Blue Jays. Monroe struck out 31 more times (126 in all) last year than he did in 26 fewer at-bats in 2005, yet he was just as productive thanks to his 28 homers. He'll likely be good about 25 homers and 80-90 RBI again this year, but with his low OBP, it wouldn't take much of a decline for him to cease being an effective regular.

Carlos Zambrano - SP - Cubs
Carlos Zambrano gave up five runs and walked five in five innings Monday in a loss to the Reds. This was actually the longest of Zambrano's three career Opening Day starts. He's also faced the Reds a year ago and gave up five runs in 4 2/3 innings. Along with the five walks, Zambrano hit Brandon Phillips. Just 45 of his 92 pitches were strikes.

Curt Schilling - SP - Red Sox
Curt Schilling lasted just four innings and gave up five runs and eight hits Monday in a loss to the Royals. Ignoring one start impacted by a power outage, it was Schilling's shortest outing since May 22, 1997, a span of 281 starts. We're not going to blame the whole "pitching to contact" strategy on this one. He just had lousy command right from the very start of his outing. He only walked two, but he missed down the middle of the plate far too often to be successful.

Erik Bedard - SP - Orioles
Erik Bedard was tagged for six runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings Monday in a loss to the Orioles. Bedard gave up back-to-back solo homers in the second. The three-run fifth was partially fueled by a too tight strike zone from umpire Joe West. Bedard gave up one more run today than he did in 23 innings this spring.

Brandon Webb - SP - Diamondbacks
Brandon Webb allowed five earned runs, eight hits and three walks in five innings in Monday's opening day start at Colorado. He made 97 pitches and did not figure into the decision. Webb will certainly have better days. It's bad enough making the opening day start, but pitching at Coors makes it doubly hard. He'll bounce back and be just fine. His next assignment will come next weekend at Washington, a favorable matchup.