Johnny Cueto pitched today against the Diamondbacks and… Damn, Cueto toyed with the D-Backs hitters. He looked filthy. He had them completely off-balance. Mixing between a 95 MPH fastball and a 84 MPH changeup, all of the D-Backs looked like their hitting coach was Mark Reynolds (up to 6 Ks! 200 is within reach). The only missteps: Hudson got a hold of one ball that a stronger hitter would’ve deposited in the seats, that turned it into a long out off of Hud’s bat and the Justin Upton home run. Upton had no business hitting the pitch. It was low and inside. The home run was more about the talent in Upton’s stroke than a bad pitch by Cueto.
A few impressive things looking forward that can be gathered from Cueto’s start. First, the home run did not faze him. Came right back and got the next three guys. Second, he has great command. 10 Ks against no walks. Are you heffin’ kidding me? Third, no one in the league is familiar with his stuff. This will stay great for a while. Don’t see adjustments until at least the All-Star Break.
The only drawback — Dusty Baker. Cueto should’ve been pulled from the game in the bottom of the sixth when his turn to bat came up (it also cost them a run because while Cueto was on third there was a wild pitch that just about anyone outside of Giambi would’ve scored on). Long term, Baker’s a major negative. He’s getting old and he wants to retire after winning a championship. If that means, throwing his pitchers for too many innings, then so be it. He’s thinking about the here and now, but for the near future, Cueto is the here and now.
In today’s daily notes, I’ll look at how badly Pedro Martinez’s struggles were against the Marlins up until the injury and everything else I saw in today’s major league games:
Dan Uggla, Luis Gonzalez took Pedro Martinez deep. Beltran took an awful route to a ball for a Hanley triple to score an AA chip. In another at-bat, he made Uggla seem discriminating. Gary Cohen put it best, “Best thing Pedro did tonight was his at-bat.” But against VandenHurk, it’s a very small consolation. I’m not pleased. He should’ve dominated this team. There were lots of meatballs thrown by Pedro. He didn’t look in command of anything. He can no longer overpower people and… He left with an injury. Looked like a hamstring or a groin tweak. Didn’t look serious, but at his age, it could be. Word from Pedro, he heard a pop. That’s never a good thing. Or as Willie said, ” That’s not always good, but we’ll let it calm down and get an MRI.” Is there a time it is good? Jorge Sosa gets his next start for NL-only leagues, everyone else needs to wait and see. To be continued.
Must look at Angel Pagan in NL-only leagues. He’s no more than a reserve at this point. He’s got good speed, but nothing more than a fill-in for the Mets and probably shouldn’t be much more for you.
Posada hit into a double play to the right side of the infield. This will be a recurring theme.
Melky could put 5/5 numbers and his defense will keep him in the lineup. Fortunately, he will not put up those numbers. He will be a lot better. There was some comment chatter on this post about who will be better between Butler, McLouth, Ethier, Milledge and Gutierrez. Rudy added Melky into that group. Makes sense. I like them Butler, Gutierrez, Melky, Milledge, McLouth then Ethier. But Ethier placing last is a testament to the other guys and not that huge of a knock on Ethier. This group will be watched all year.
Both Halladay and Wang looked good, except no Ks. Probably the most boringest matchup that could take place. Was like watching paint dry. Paint that doesn’t strike anyone out. Really farkin’ boring paint. Oh, wait, there was something more boring-er.
The Cardinals hitting. Skip Schumaker? Cesar Izturis? Kyle Lohse batting 8th? Larussa has outdone himself this year.
I hate Kip Wells. How could he pitch so well and not so… er, Wells? Did he really strikeout Pujols?
Joba v. Rios — Rios BB. Joba’s the most exciting reliever since steroid-ed Gagne. Rios would’ve been a consensus 2nd round pick, if he played for the Yanks or Mets and not just on my list. People need to see him play.
Matt Kemp was out of the lineup in favor of Juan Pierre. The Pierre Situation is quickly becoming a nightmare that could ripple into the entire outfield, not just Andre Ethier. I’d much rather see Kemp than Ethier out there. Frankly, I’d prefer to see Andruw Jones sit.
If you’re looking to handcuff Jose Valverde, Doug Brocail has been declared the primary setup man, not Oscar Villarreal.
As much as Rich Aurilla should retire, the Giants should not be playing him.
Scott Hairston went deep and Bourn stole another base (but it was against Bard and Young, so dur, of course). Hairston’s someone who never got a fair shot in Arizona, but he’s got a good eye, posting over a .400 OBP in the minors.
And now for the actual opening day of the baseball season. The first full slate of games is almost in the books (minus the rainouts.) What I saw:
Verlander was dealing. He easily could’ve gotten the win, if not for…
Alex Gordon. After ranking him extremely high in my top 100, I’ll be watching closely all year.
When Miguel Cabrera hit his homer, he sprinted down the first base line hoping to get a double, which is what he would have had in South Florida. He’s accustomed to the Dolphin Stadium. He’s in for a huge season. And that’s not a waistline crack.
If Gary Sheffield stays healthy, he’s in for a terrific season batting in that lineup. His hands are still quick and he takes walks.
Tigers Announcers, Rod Allen and Mario Impemba, suck.
Nationals Announcers, Don Sutton and Bob Carpenter, are worse. They inexplicably described Pedro Feliz as one of the most underrated players in the league.
Surprisingly, Don’s kid, Darin Sutton, is one of the best announcers.
Nick Markakis has a stolen base. Here comes 30/20. Outside of The Greek God of Roto, the Orioles will be painful to watch this year and I would stay away from all Orioles starters and relievers. Sherrill won’t even be worth it.
Victor Martinez was pulled from the game with a hamstring injury. Am I worried? No, because I didn’t draft V-Mart in any league. Should you be worried if you did draft him? Yup. Someone you might want to think about…
Chris Snyder was batting fifth. He’s looking like a great pickup if he lasts in that spot.
Torre put PosadaRussell Martin in the sixth hole. Guess it’s a force of habit for him to bat a catcher sixth. This could be an issue for Martin’s value.
Mark Reynolds might strikeout 200 times this year.
No reason to think Jim Thome can’t hit 35 home runs if he stays healthy.
My better logic says it’s only one day, my gut is telling me Franklin Gutierrez is in for a great year. I already said this, “…Franklin Gutiérrez is 25 and about to get the right field job on one of the best offensive AL teams. Gutiérrez could go 70/20/80/.270/20 in the ninth hole.” Between Gutierrez and Lastings Milledge, I like Gutierrez better.
Johan Santana… Oh, man.
Eric Gagne… Oh, crap.
Kerry Wood… You knew that was coming. Carlos Marmol will be closing by May and end the season with more saves than Wood.
Carlos Zambrano, I’m not too concerned he was pulled because of the forearm cramp. Big Z could find a way to throw 120 pitches with a broken hand.
On one team, I had Pujols and Wainwright. Not thrilled I lost the home run, but I am thrilled there was a home run to lose. You should be too. Though I’m having a hard time seeing the positive in losing the Wainwright start.
Ian Snell will find a way to lose more games than he wins, but he’ll keep the games close. Always gives up a home run at some point.
I’m hoping Cox moves Matt Diaz up and Mark Kotsay down in the order against righties.
Michael Young hit a home run. That projects to 162 on the season. I’d say he falls short by about 150.
Yunel Escobar looked good. Quick wrists, knocking the ball to the opposite field.
Michael Bourn stole 2 bases. Granted, Ronnie Paulino could steal against Bard, but I told you to avoid drafting steals early and grab Bourn late. He might steal 50 this season.
