Thursday MLB Standouts

Thursday, April 5, 2007 - MLB Standouts

Mike Piazza - DH - Athletics
Mike Piazza went 3-for-5 with a solo homer off Francisco Rodriguez in the top of the ninth to help the A's beat the Angels 4-3 on Thursday night. One of his other hits was a double. After Piazza's homer, Huston Street pitched a scoreless ninth for the save, with the final out coming when Erick Aybar was caught stealing. The homer was Piazza's first ever at Angel Stadium.

Matt Morris - SP - Giants
Matt Morris was sharp in his first start of the year, allowing one run and five hits over six innings in a win against the Padres. This after Morris gave up 22 runs -- 14 earned -- and 28 hits in 18 2/3 innings last month. Little can be expected from Morris this year. He lost his best fastball years ago, and his strikeout rate has suffered as a result. The Giants should be content if he bounces back with an ERA around 4.50.

Ryan Klesko - 1B - Giants
Ryan Klesko went 3-for-4 against the Padres Thursday in his first start for the Giants. Manager Bruce Bochy had Klesko at first, Rich Aurilia at third and Pedro Feliz on the bench. The Giants need to get Klesko into the lineup against righties when he's healthy, whether it's Aurilia or Feliz who gets to sit. Beyond Barry Bonds, either Klesko or Ray Durham is probably the club's best hitter versus righties.

Akinori Iwamura - 3B - Devil Rays
Akinori Iwamura had two hits, a walk and three runs scored in the Rays' 7-6 win over the Yankees on Thursday night. With a light snow falling, Iwamura doubled and then scored the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth on a wild pitch that should have been gloved by Jorge Posada. Iwamura wasn't very impressive this spring, and all signs point to his power failing to translate very well to the majors. Still, his glove will keep him in the lineup and he should do enough offensively to be a significant asset in AL-only leagues.

Al Reyes - RP - Devil Rays
Al Reyes pitched a perfect ninth for a save in the Rays' one-run victory over the Yankees on Thursday. Reyes struck out pinch-hitter Josh Phelps and got Hideki Matsui to ground out before Jorge Posada fly to fairly deep right ended the game. Brian Stokes set him up with a scoreless eighth, though he loaded the bases in the process. Reyes is the heavy favorite for saves in Tampa Bay right now.

Jose Valverde - RP - Diamondbacks
Jose Valverde bounced back from Tuesday's blown save with a perfect ninth Thursday against the Nationals. Valverde needed only eight pitches to earn a save in the 4-3 game. He's 2-for-3 in save chances.

Elijah Dukes - OF - Devil Rays
Elijah Dukes hit a solo homer -- his second in two games -- and walked Thursday against the Yankees. The homer off Scott Proctor was a laser beam over the left-field wall at Yankee Stadium. Jonny Gomes doubled and walked filling in for Rocco Baldelli tonight, but if Dukes keeps playing like this, he could get most of the at-bats at DH when Baldelli is ready to head out to center field.

Dmitri Young - 1B - Nationals
Dmitri Young homered, doubled and walked Thursday against the Diamondbacks. Young has been shaky defensively, but he's 6-for-16 with an RBI in each of the Nationals' four games. He'll stay in the lineup for as long as he's productive and healthy.

Chuck James - SP - Braves
Chuck James allowed one run over five innings to win Thursday as the Braves completed a sweep of the Phillies. James only walked one, but he threw 92 pitches through five innings, making it an easy decision to remove him for a pinch-hitter in the top of the sixth. James is well worth using in mixed leagues.

Daisuke Matsuzaka - SP - Red Sox
Daisuke Matsuzaka yielded one run in seven innings and struck out 10 Thursday to beat the Royals in his major league debut. Matsuzaka allowed a single to the first batter he faced, David DeJesus, and later got bitten by DeJesus again on a solo homer in the sixth. The Royals nearly tied it up after that. Esteban German singled and then appeared to steal second base, only to get called out on a controversial call. Emil Brown followed that with a two-out double that would have driven in German from first. However, Matsuzaka bounced back to strike out three of the final four hitters he faced. It won't be the last double-digit strikeout game he has this year.

Jonathan Papelbon - RP - Red Sox
Jonathan Papelbon struck out two in a perfect ninth for a save Thursday against the Royals. Papelbon was making his first appearance since rolling an ankle on March 29. He threw 13 pitches today, 11 of them strikes.

Zack Greinke - SP - Royals
Zack Greinke allowed two runs -- one earned -- over seven innings in a loss to the Red Sox on Thursday. The Red Sox had the leadoff man on in six of the seven innings, but Greinke did a great job of pitching out of trouble. He walked just one and struck out seven, including David Ortiz three times. If he keeps throwing like this, he's going to be one of the AL's top 15 or 20 starters. It's probably not going to lead to a lot of value in shallow mixed leagues, but he'd be worth considering in his easier matchups.

Bobby Jenks - RP - White Sox
Bobby Jenks got four outs for a relief victory as the White Sox edged the Indians 4-3 on Thursday. Matt Thornton blew a one-run lead by giving up a single and a double to start the eighth. He then bounced back to get two outs before Jenks replaced him. Jenks got the final out of the eighth and pitched a scoreless ninth before the White Sox won in the bottom of the inning. The winning run scored when Roberto Hernandez hit A.J. Pierzynski with the bases loaded.

Grady Sizemore - OF - Indians
Grady Sizemore homered in a third straight game Thursday against the White Sox. Sizemore was just brutal this spring, batting .115. Still, it was never a cause for concern and he's showed exactly why. In all, Sizemore was 6-for-14 against the White Sox.

David Weathers - RP - Reds
David Weathers pitched a perfect ninth with a three-run lead to earn a save Thursday against the Cubs. Rheal Cormier, Kirk Saarloos and Mike Stanton each got one out in the eighth to set Weathers up. Although Weathers hasn't been named the Reds' closer. he's likely to get most of the save opportunities until he falters.

Jason Marquis - SP - Cubs
Jason Marquis allowed one run and four hits in six innings against the Reds on Thursday. A solid debut for Marquis, who finished the spring with a 4.84 ERA. Aided by cold weather and a 19-mph wind blowing in from left, he managed to avoid giving up a home run. He walked two and struck out one while throwing 82 pitches.

Huston Street - RP - Athletics
A's closer Huston Street earned his first save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Angels Thursday night. The 23-year-old right-hander figures to be a great source for saves again this year after posting 37 last season.

Robinson Cano - 2B - Yankees
Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano went 3-5 with a run and a RBI batting leadoff in place of the injured Johnny Damon. Though manager Joe Torre hinted that Melky Cabrera would be the long-term leadoff hitter if Damon hit the DL, nights like this could change his mind. Expect Cano to pile up plenty of runs if he stays atop the lineup.

Brian McCann - C - Braves
Sustaining his early-season hot streak, Brian McCann went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs in Thursday's win at Philadelphia. In three games, the stud backstop has six RBIs (two in each game) and a .500 batting average (6-for-12).

Aramis Ramirez - 3B - Cubs
Aramis Ramirez went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI vs. the Reds on Thursday. Ramirez’s second consecutive three-hit game boosted his batting average to .538. He has yet to go deep, but that will likely change soon, as the slugging third baseman has averaged 35 blasts per year since the beginning of 2004.

Mark DeRosa - 2B - Cubs
Mark DeRosa went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and a walk in Thursday’s loss to the Reds. DeRosa is off to a nice start with a .556 average and three RBIs in his first three games, giving hope to owners who gambled that last season’s breakout numbers weren’t a fluke.

Calros Ruiz - C - Phillies
Calros Ruiz went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in his first start of the season Wednesday night. Ruiz was named backup catcher to Rod Barajas at the end of Spring Training, but with youth on his side (27 years old), the rookie backstop could see more starts before long.

Wednesday MLB Standouts

Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - MLB Standouts

Marcus Giles - 2B - Padres
Marcus Giles went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer as the Padres topped the Giants 5-3 on Wednesday night. Khalil Greene and Adrian Gonzalez also homered, accounting for all five Padres runs. Chris Young and Matt Cain had pretty much identical outings in the game, but Padres relievers Cla Meredith, Scott Linebrink and Trevor Hoffman combined to pitch 3 1/3 scoreless innings, while Brad Hennessey and Jack Taschner both gave up runs for the Giants. It's a difference between the two teams that figures to be a big factor in the NL West standings this year.

Rich Harden - SP - Athletics
Rich Harden allowed three hits in seven innings Wednesday in Oakland's 9-0 shutout of Seattle. Harden struck out seven and walked two while throwing 94 pitches. Jay Marshall and Huston Street completed the three-hitter with perfect innings of relief. Harden should remain one of the game's very best pitchers for however long he stays healthy. Fortunately, he may have to throw only 140-150 innings to make back what owners paid for him this year.

Mark Ellis - 2B - Athletics
Mark Ellis drove in five runs with a pair of doubles Wednesday against the Mariners. Ellis had exactly 52 RBI each of the last three seasons. He's currently at seven after three games this year, so count on him establishing a new career high somewhere around the first of May.

John Maine - SP - Mets
John Maine pitched the first seven innings in the Mets' two-hit shutout of the Cardinals on Wednesday night. The Mets allowed only two runs while scoring 20 in a three-game sweep of the Cardinals. 10 of those runs came in tonight's game, which featured two homers from Carlos Beltran and one from Jose Reyes. Maine allowed just one hit and struck out six before being removed after 97 pitches. Aaron Sele gave up the other hit in the ninth.

Carlos Beltran - OF - Mets
Carlos Beltran had two homers and four RBI in the rout of the Cardinals on Wednesday. Beltran collected hits in all three games and drove in six runs in the sweep. Despite Jose Reyes' emergence, Beltran still has to be considered the Mets' best player right now. If not for his leg problems last September, he could have been the NL's MVP last year.

Jose Bautista - 3B - Pirates
Jose Bautista had three hits and three RBI in the Pirates' 5-4 win over the Astros on Wednesday night. Bautista finished the spring ice cold, whereas Jose Castillo was red hot. However, things reversed themselves in the three-game sweep of the Astros. Bautista went 6-for-13 with two doubles in the series. Castillo was just 1-for-11. It's now clear that Bautista will remain a regular when Freddy Sanchez returns to the lineup this weekend.

Craig Biggio - 2B - Astros
Craig Biggio went 3-for-5 with a solo homer Wednesday versus the Pirates. Biggio is no longer an OBP guy or a basestealer, suggesting he should no longer be hitting first for the Astros. However, he does still have his uses, especially at Minute Maid park and when the club is facing a lefty. A fourth straight 20-homer season is a possibility, even though his at-bat today figures to drop for a third consecutive year.

Tim Hudson - SP - Braves
Tim Hudson limited the Phillies to one run and two hits over seven innings on Wednesday night. Hudson walked four and hit a batter, but they didn't hurt him at all. The run scored on a Carlos Ruiz homer. It's an encouraging start following a spring that fits the same description.

Cole Hamels - SP - Phillies
Cole Hamels shut out the Braves for seven innings and struck out eight Wednesday in a no-decision. Even without the win, Hamels owners and the Phillies have to be very pleased. The 23-year-old struggled most of the spring, giving up nine homers in 20 2/3 innings.

Ted Lilly - SP - Cubs
Ted Lilly struck out nine in seven innings and combined with two relievers on a three-hitter Wednesday against the Reds. Despite some flu-like symptoms, Lilly outpitched Bronson Arroyo in the 4-1 game. He did give up all three hits and the run, which came on a sixth-inning single from Adam Dunn. Bobby Howry and Ryan Dempster finished up with perfect innings.

Ervin Santana - SP - Angels
Ervin Santana threw seven innings and allowed two runs and four hits Wednesday in a defeat of the Rangers. Santana improved to 20-5 in 32 career starts at Angel Stadium. We wonder if the Angels gave much thought to putting him ahead of Kelvim Escobar in the rotation, which would have left him with two starts at home in the first week of the season. Since he was held back until today, he'll next pitch at Cleveland. He'll also get the Red Sox at Fenway next week, making him a risky play in mixed leagues.

Matt Holliday - OF - Rockies
Matt Holliday went 4-for-4 with a home run and four RBI to lead the Rockies to an 11-4 win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. Holliday was the Rockies' best hitter last year, so it may seem odd that he's batting fifth to begin this year. However, he's going to be in more RBI situations hitting behind Garret Atkins and Todd Helton than he would be behind Willy Taveras and Kaz Matsui/Jamey Carroll. He might be good for 120 RBI this year.

Rodrigo Lopez - SP - Rockies
Rodrigo Lopez limited the Diamondbacks to two runs -- one earned -- in seven innings to earn a win on Wednesday. Lopez had a 9.00 ERA this spring, so this had to be a nice surprise for the Rockies. Only Eric Byrnes, who homered and doubled, had much luck versus Lopez today.

Victor Martinez - C - Indians
Victor Martinez went 4-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two walks Wednesday in the Indians' 8-7 defeat of the White Sox. Martinez has gone 6-for-8 with five RBI while the Indians have combined for 20 runs in their two wins over the Pale Hose. It looks like he might even better his performance from last April, when he hit .398 with five homers and 20 RBI.

Darin Erstad - OF - White Sox
Darin Erstad reached base all five times he was up and stole two bases Wednesday against the Indians. Erstad, who homered on Opening Day, went 2-for-2 and walked three times today. He had four walks in 80 at-bats this spring.

Curtis Granderson - OF - Tigers
Curtis Granderson had a grand slam, an RBI triple and a stolen base Wednesday as the Jays edged the Tigers 10-9. The Jays got seven runs in the eighth off Jason Grilli and Fernando Rodney, but they couldn't tie it up, even after getting two of the first three batters on against Todd Jones in the ninth. Granderson's grand slam was the first of his career. The stolen base was another good sign. He didn't seem comfortable running last year, especially after struggling early. However, the speed is there for him to swipe at least 15-20 bases.

Ivan Rodriguez - C - Tigers
Ivan Rodriguez contributed four singles in five at-bats Wednesday against the Jays. He somehow went without an RBI, even though the Tigers scored 10 runs and the two guys ahead of him combined to reach base six times. Rodriguez should have a lot of chances to drive in runs while batting sixth against righties. He's due to lead off versus lefties.

Ryan Church - OF - Nationals
Ryan Church had a three-run homer and a double as the Nationals came from behind to beat Marlins 7-6 on Wednesday. Despite his success, Church was out of the game by the time the Nationals scored three in the ninth off Jorge Julio. Robert Fick, Kory Casto and Dmitri Young all singled in runs during the inning. Church's big game today came from the seventh spot in the order. If manager Manny Acta really thinks Church belongs behind Brian Schneider in the lineup, it's hard to see why he's playing Church in the first place.

Ronnie Belliard - 2B - Nationals
In his first start of the season, Ronnie Belliard went 3-for-4 against the Marlins on Wednesday. As expected, the Nationals moved Felipe Lopez to shortstop to make room for Belliard while Cristian Guzman is sidelined. Belliard won't have a lot of value if he keeps batting eighth like he did today, but he is worth using in NL-only leagues.

Miguel Cabrera - 3B - Marlins
Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-3 with a homer and a walk Wednesday against the Nationals. Cabrera went 7-for-10 with two homers and five walks in the series against the Nationals, giving him an acceptable .700/.800/1.500 line.

Bob Wickman - RP - Braves
Bob Wickman notched his first save of the season Wednesday night against Philadelphia. In one inning, he allowed a single and struck out one. Barring injury, it wouldn't come as a shock to see the finesse closer sustain last year's strong strikeout numbers in the National League (25 Ks in 26 innings).