Fantasy Baseball Advice

Welcome to the real second half. Not that 4 game H2H sprint where you lose to the last place team cause he had 3 guys carry his week, one of them named Molina. I am back from my much needed vacation funded by Razzball. Grey is so gracious to give me 52 weeks off a year, because this isn’t work, this is a hobby. The second half, albeit not exactly half which would make it more like 17/32nds, starts with a really full first week. As I was going through the probable pitchers, I wondered what 12 days rest would mean to most of these guys. In most cases, not much, but in some cases it could prove beneficiary (was the word of the day on my calender so I had to use it). In other cases, take note that some pitchers will be rusty this week, so expect a spike in the peripherals. Here’s the week 16, two start, low rent starters for fantasy baseball:

R.A. Dickey (Ari vs. Enright) (@Lad vs. Kershaw)
The gleam is off the Dickey my friends. Last 3 starts, 0-2 with a no decision. Sounds like we should bail on him. Look deeper, has only given up 4 earned runs. Mets will score runs this week. Decent first matchup.

Wade LeBlanc (Atl vs. Jurrjens) (@Pit vs. Lincoln)
Wade the White, sounds like a Wizard. No home games and I still put him up here. Is prolly going to go 1-1, with 10k’s for the week, only problem is ERA is doubled on the road.

Kyle Kendrick (@StL vs. Hawksworth) (Col vs. Jimenez)
1 good start 2 bad seems like a pattern with him, first start here would restart the cycle. Gets a tough one with his second start against Bald Jim. Low K potential, gets killed by lefties. Has lowered ERA half a run over the last month.

Dan Hudson (@Sea vs. Pauley) (@Oak vs. Sheets)
Got the first start out of his system. Gets 2 great matchups. 10.4 k/9 rate in the minors is saying something. (9.99 leads majors). Patience is the key here, is going to be a good #2 in the future.

Blake Hawksworth (Phi vs. Kendrick) (ChC vs. Gorzellany)
The best superhero real name of all time. Has lowered ERA every start since mid-June. BAA is hovering around .300, ugh. 4k’s a game is okay considering he only pitches 5 innings a start. I would stash him for the Cubs start, but that’s just me.

Jeff Francis (@Fla vs. Robertson) (@Phi vs. Moyer)
Battling is the best I can say with Francis. Hitting that first wall after injury. All-Star break suits him good. Colorado looks like a different team to me lately, ones that wants to go to the playoffs. The Padres really can’t hold on, can they?

Dave Bush (@Pit vs. Lincoln) (Was vs. Atilano)
I would still say we should run from it, but look at the matchups. Gets no stud opposing SP, can be mediocre and let the bats win him the games. 2.78 ERA in last 10 games…Hmmm, very interesting.

Chris Tillman (TB vs. Davis) (Min vs. Baker)
Was a toss up here, as both he and Arrieta double up. I like his 2 matchups better, but they are still the O’s. Comes off first win high, pitched great versus a great hitting team. Good mechanics, smooth delivery. Future rotation of Matusz, Tillman, Arrieta, Britton and Hobgood With Erbe closing, nice. Damn, AL East.

James McDonald (SF vs. Bumgarner) (NyM vs. Pelfrey)
My snoozer of the week. Your typical 3 earned in 6 innings, 6 K kinda guys. Sounds good to me. Gets the hated Giants, and the scuffling hand licker (there’s video to back this up) Pelfrey. Good roll of the dice gets 2 cozy home starts at Chavez.

Scott Feldman (@Det vs. Bonderman) (Laa vs. Pineiro)
Texas hits well. WHIP disaster. Will win games 10-7, with him giving up all 7 runs. Brother Corey is not pleased one bit. Free piece of advice, don’t chase wins.

The week that was showed us that Carlos Zambrano has issues, no big trades yet and LeBron is going to the Knicks. Or I wish anyways. It’s stealing all the headlines right now in the sports world, that and the underpants gnomes. I don’t know how they know I am asleep but they get me every time. One week to go until the All-Star break, I can’t wait to see who actually participates in the HR derby. Vote for Votto is all I’m saying. Week 14 is a busy scheduled week, lots of high end talent with some lower level fodder.  Here are the two start middle of the road guys that may peak your interest this week in fantasy baseball.

Ian Kennedy (Chc vs. Gorzellany) (Fla vs. Robertson)
Yikes, 9 walks, Ian? Horrible. There is always a but though. Faces 2 teams in the top 10 for K’s. Could sneak a win and 12 K’s. Wearing down a little, don’t expect much going forward.

Madison Bumgarner (@Mil vs. Wolf)( @Was vs. Martin)
Watched his start on DVR, pretty decent command inside and out, changes levels nicely, then got killed by one AB vs. Cameron. Prospect status makes sense. Will fool teams first time through. Then a fall back to earth is probable. Number 2-3 starter stuff.

Justin Masterson ( @Tex vs. Wilson) (@TB vs. Niemann)
I don’t care how inconsistent he is, watch him pitch. He has the gift of grounders. Two tough hitting teams loom as a downfall. I think he pulls a 10 K game this week.  Call me the President of the Just Master Fan Club.

Armando Galarraga (Bal vs. Millwood) (Min vs. Slowey)
A month post-Perfecto, and he has raised his ERA 2 points. Congrats. Gets Baltimore, so how bad can he be as a 2 start guy this week? Prolly a 7.5 ERA for the week bad. Dude only has 18 K’s all year.

Brad Lincoln (@Hou vs. Rodriguez) (@Mil vs. Wolf)
Coming off best start so far. Gets the weak hitting ‘Stros. Is definitely worth a look this week based on the 2 starts. League depth will dictate if he climbs on board your team.

Dave Bush (SF vs. Sanchez) (Pit vs. Karstens)
Head for the mountains. Giving up a whopping .287 BAA. Let it be said that Dave Bush makes everyone look like an All-Star. Does get the Pirates, it’s like mom kissing a broken leg to make it feel better.

Vicente Padilla (Fla vs. Volstad) (Chc vs. Silva)
Deserved to get plunked by CC. Matchup wise he is better than average, Silva has to suck some time, right? Pretty decent peripheral guy, which I actually had to look up.

John Ely (Fla vs. Robertson) (Chc vs. Gorzellany)
Minus one start he’s been borderline rosterable in deeper formats. Sneaky K potential and okay matchups for the week.

Jeff Francis (StL vs. Suppan) (SD vs. Richard)
I think he is hitting that first wall after coming back from injury. Looked like poo, previously against SD. Gets some revenge, and Suppan hasn’t drank the Duncan juice yet. No K’s or the love would be better.

Chris Volstad (@Lad vs. Padilla) (@Ari vs. Enright)
I wanna like this guy as much as Masterson but he isn’t as good. Way too many hits. Gets 2 decent coin flip matchups. Pitches a run and a half better at home.

Virginia is renaming a city for Stephen Strasburg.  An old Yankee reliever is renaming himself Myke Stanton so he shows up again in Google.  It’s a brand new day, Sting.  You stink POO-holes, however you spell your name.  Hanley, don’t wanna run out a pop-up?  Have a good life!  Change came, nephew.  The mollywhopping, pony stick carrying, Mike Stanton is in town.  No homers though.  Sad trombone.  3-for-5 and a rope to right in his fourth at-bat.  He looked fast down the line and absolutely gigantic.  Like Frank Thomas big.  Maybe it was the 3-D glasses I was wearing.  Rudy and I were speaking about Stanton.  We agreed.  He could hit 15-20 homers and .280.  Or he could hit .220.  It’s rookie nookie, you gotta decide if it’s worth the blisters.  Now for Big Baby Jesus, Stephen Strasburg.  He had his last tune up tonight against minor league hitters… Oh, wait, that was the Pirates.  My bad.   Strasburg was introduced, “Last name:  Ever.  First name:  Greatest.”  For a nifty trick, in the 2nd inning he threw a 98 MPH fastball and also caught it.  He looked flat-out dominating at times.  Towards the end of the game, he really started heating up — maybe he put his arm in the microwave for 15 seconds on both sides — and he looked unhittable.  He did after all strikeout 14 hitters.  And he homered three times.  Once off himself.  At other times, he looked like a rookie making mistakes.  I mean, he did give up a homer to Delwyn “I Don’t Even Know How To Spell My First Name” Young.  I think there’s going to be a bunch of 6 inning, 2-3 earned run, 8-10 K games and some wins.  Fantastic, for sure.  He could win the Rookie of the Year over Heyward.  But you didn’t just back into owning 1999 Pedro.  Not yet at least.  Maybe next year.  Yesterday, one of our three girl readers got Sabathia, Dunn and Ervin for Strasburg.  That’s tremendous value for Big Baby Jesus.  I’d explore how hyped he is in your league too.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Cameron Maybin – Will sit in favor of Stanton.  That’s so Maybin!  Oh, wait.  No, it’s not.  In NL-Only keeper leagues, I would hold onto Maybin.  Elsewhere… Well, if you worried your team can’t continue without Maybin, you have bigger fish to fry.  Marlin pun!  Kinda!

Ian Stewart – Went for X-rays on his sore right leg.  No word if they found any cork.

Jeff Francis – 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 1 K.  I still wouldn’t trust him in mixed leagues, but you do what you gotta do.

Felix Hernandez – 6 IP, 7 ER, 11 baserunners, 5 Ks.  Not sure if this was F-Her, but it was definitely F-something.

Vladimir Guerrero – Hit his 13th homer as he bats .330 with 49 RBIs.  He can absolutely continue this, but he needs to stay healthy.  Sure, that “but” is the size of Ralphie May’s pants.

Kevin Slowey – 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 3 Ks.  Well, la-di-da!  Where the heck you been, Slowey?  The Ks aren’t pretty but he has a 3.46 ERA on the year.  More impressively, he hasn’t given up a homer in three starts with two of the starts coming in the Hubert H. Homerfree Retrodome.

Zack Greinke – 5 IP, 6 ER, 10 baserunners, 6 Ks.  I pray he’s not near any sharp objects tonight.  Or Eugenio Velez.  That guy’s rail thin.

Kris Medlen – 5 IP, 4 ER, 5 baserunners, 3 Ks.  Pitched better than his line as he gave up two solo homers that hit the foul pole.  Left the game with what appeared to be a shoulder injury.  Stupid Medlen shoulder!  Since it was his non-throwing shoulder, he could make his next start.

Kelly Johnson – 3-for-4 and his 13th homer.  Hey, is it April again already?

Mark Reynolds – Mini Donkey hit his 14th homer as he bats .217 on the year with 3 steals.  This was the problem that I addressed with Reynolds in the preseason.  The homers will be there, but the steals and average were fluky last year.

Hiroki Kuroda – 7 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 6 Ks.  Throw out two starts vs. the Rockies and he has a 2.59 ERA.  How’s dem apples?  Delicious!

Jack Cust – Hit his 2nd homer since I said last week that he was getting hot and going to hit homers.  And that’s me paraphrasing me!

Kurt Suzuki – 4-for-5, 4 RBIs and his fourth homer in the last 7 games.  I understand he’s not a sexy name.  I don’t like him either, but if he’s hitting just own him.  Thank you.

Clayton Richard – 7 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 6 Ks.  Rule #1 for hodgepadres is don’t start them outside of Petco.  Rule #2 is sometimes you can start them in Metco.  Rule #3 is Rule #2 kinda negates Rule #1.  Rule #4 is Rule #3 should shut up.

Jose Reyes – 2-for-4 with a homer.  Nothing else to really say about this, just felt like writing it since it’s few and far between when I get to say something positive about Reyes.  Get hot again, Jose.  Get hot!

Mike Pelfrey – 9 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 6 Ks, now has a 2.23 ERA on the year as he continues to keep the bats off the Pelfrey.

Jeff Niemann – 9 IP, 3 baserunners, 6 Ks vs. the 1927 Blue Jays.  The regression will come for Niemann.  I’ll bet the right side of my mustache on it.

Carlos Pena – I put the over/under for homers in June at 8.  He hit 2 more yesterday.  He needs only 5 more.  Maybe it’s time to take the over.

Daniel Bard – Getting his 2nd save yesterday was Bard.  Or was it the Earl of Oxford!  Papelbon’s on bereavement leave.  Grab Bard everywhere for saves.

Sam LeCure – 6 IP, 1 ER, 9 baserunners, 3 Ks.  Hi, I’m Sam LeCure.  You might remember me from such minor league stats as a 7.9 K/9, a 3.1 BB/9, a 3.67 ERA over 6 minor league seasons and the fast food training film, “Doughnut:  Take the Ugh Out.”

Matt Cain – 9 IP, 0 ER, 9 baserunners, 5 Ks.  Cain has a 2.11 ERA.  You can say that again with four exclamation marks.

Juan Uribe – Hit his 9th homer.  I’m not a big fan, but he does get crazy hot at times and can go on a tear for a few weeks.

Pat Burrell – 2-for-4, batting .417 since he was called up by the Giants.  Has also started 3 of the last 4 days.  Your league needs to be deep for Burrell to matter right now, but he’s someone to keep an eye on.  The Giants will play anyone if they give them offense.

Ted Lilly – 8 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 8 Ks in 90 pitches.  He actually threw 95 pitches but he had a coupon for 5 pitches off.

Carlos Guillen – 3-for-4, and his 3rd homer of the year.  Might be getting hot, but his upside is very limited.

Raul Ibanez – 4-for-5, 2 RBIs.  Finally.  Hopefully whatever was eating Raul was left in the little boy’s room as he moves forward.  I don’t think he just suddenly got old.  Not to mention that park and that lineup…  That’s why I’ve tried to remain patient.

Mark Teixeira – 3-for-4, 2 Runs, 2 RBIs and his 9th homer.  See reasons for sticking with Ibanez then subtract 8 years off of his age.

Adam Jones – Hit his 7th homer yesterday.  When I saw he hit a homer in the box score, I thought at first Andruw Jones had been traded to the O’s.  Yeah, not a great sign.  But Adam has 2 homers in his last 7 games now.

Ryan Howard – Hit his 10th home run to keep pace with Victorino, who also has 10 homers.  Zoinks!  Or as the beer drinking baby would say *burp*

Brad Lidge – Saved his third game.  Was a nail biter, but he’s the closer until his next injury.  You can lose Contreras for now.

Matt Thornton – 1/3 IP, 5 ER.  Ouch… Wait, what?  Oh.  Ouch!

Gavin Floyd – 6 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 8 Ks.  Earning trust back, still wouldn’t start him in his next start… Unless it was an interleague game, which it is.  If you have him, you gotta run him out there vs. the Cubs in Wrigley, where he has a 1.29 ERA over the last three years.

Armando Galarraga – 5 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 2 Ks.  After the game, he was handed the keys to a brand new Kia Sportage.  Hey, it was a 5 inning, no decision.  What do you want?

It’s finally here. The Strasburg watch is finally over as the second coming of fantasy Jesus is here. I saw him in the cave on Sunday getting limber for his 2 awaited starts. I am tempering expectations, since he is going to be on a innings limit. Still he should be owned everywhere, my best comparison is Roy Halladay, sorry for being unoriginal. I’m sure you have heard that already, but people like knowing what they are getting. Week 10 has slim pickings in the deep end of the pool for 2 start guys that can push your team to a victory. Sorry, I don’t make the schedule, but if I did I would make mandatory doubleheaders on Sunday with Mondays off. So with bated breath, take a gander at the least owned, but still valuable (in their own momma’s hearts, at least) 2 start pitchers for fantasy baseball, week 10:

Jeff Francis (Hou vs. Moehler) (Tor vs. Marcum)
Regaining some of his form to being the ace that he once was supposed to be. Only concern would be depth, that and getting mauled by a bear. Not a great K guy. Good play for first start and a “sit and play the scoreboard” for start 2.

Chris Volstad (@Phi vs. Kendrick) (@ TB vs. Niemann)
This week’s road warrior. Minus one start vs. COL, has been effective enough to be fantasy worthy. 3 ER or less in 9 starts. No run support seems to kill him… Well, that and a bullpen filled with crap. 2-0 career at Citizens Bank.

Armando Galarraga (@ Chw vs. Floyd) (Pit vs. Karstens)
Somewhere Jim Joyce is still crying. Is he as good as the “perfect” game? Definitely not. Is a 4.5 era pitcher. At least he got a new Corvette out of the deal, I threw a perfect game in Little league and all I got was Pizza Hut.  Though there breadsticks are tasty.

Kyle Kendrick (Fla vs. Volstad) (@ Bos vs. Wakefield)
Getting better. Has been effective in 3 of last 4. Previously lost to the Red Sox in an ugly 4 2/3 inning showing. Only the desperate would be looking this low for quality, but in an off week for 2 start sleepers he qualifies.

Kris Medlen (@ Ari vs. Jackson) (@ Minn vs. Slowey)
Must be a California thing to wear your hat like you sat on it. Is gathering innings and getting stretched out. His spot, I think, is safe after this week when Jair comes back. Will get his fair share of K’s vs. the D-Backs. 36/9 K/BB is pretty effective.

Clayton Richard (@Nym vs. Pelfrey) (Sea vs. Hernandez)
Basically gets 2 home starts. Has been decent last 5 out of last 6 starts, ERA is still under 3 as is everyone else’s that plays for the Fathers. Good for 10 K’s and a win with an ERA of 3 for the week. Gotta love a guy who has 2 first names.

P.J. Walters (@ Lad vs. Montaserios) (@ Ari vs. Jackson)
Hate initials, especially ones that are short for pajamas. Got lambasted last outing. The ‘Lou is playing like they are lying in the weeds. Has Duncan in his pocket so that is always a good thing. Really low end guy this week since I’m not convinced he has the goods.

Carlos Monasterios ( Stl vs. Walters) ( Laa vs. Weaver)
Good old Charlie Monastery. Has the house of the holy literally on his side. Can’t be all that bad.

No, there’s probably no cast in Andre’s future.  I’m not even sure they make casts small enough for the pinkie finger.  That was Pingping‘s downfall, that and the chain smoking.  After Andre Ethier broke a bone in his pinkie, he said something was seriously wrong.  Seriously?  You got a boo-boo on your pinkie!  What, you can’t make shadow animals now?  When he found out what it was, he said that it’s the leverage point of his swing and it would prevent him from holding the bat the way he normally does.  Who’s leverage point is their freakin’ pinkie?!  This is like the pea under the princess’s mattress.  His biggest concern is probably how he can stick his pinkie out while drinking tea.  Ethier could be out for a few weeks or he can play through it.  So he’s damned if he does or a half dozen of the other… Or however that cliché goes.  If it is his leverage point, you don’t want him playing through it.  If he doesn’t play through it, he could be out at least a few weeks.  And here I thought the only time Ethier and the word pinkie would be associated would be from this picture.  Draw your own conclusions, but I’m guessing he’s in Key West.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:

Chad Billingsley – 7 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 6 Ks.  What every pitcher needs, a trip to Petco.

Huston Street – Huston, we have a setback.  We should just call them streetbacks.  This time he strained his groin.  Straining your groin is so adolescent!  Corpas stays the number one option for saves.  He’s by no means safe, but he’s safer than the other options.  Those really hurting for saves can look at Cuddle Boy, Rafael Betancourt.

Jeff Francis – 7 IP, 1 ER, 9 baserunners, 6 Ks.  Definitely worth grabbing in NL-Only and deeper mixed leagues, but, in the end, he’s a mid-4 ERA, 6 K/9 pitcher.  It’s just a’ight.

Brad Lidge – You know those signs that say, “If you lived here, you’d be home right now?”  How about the sign, “If you were Brad Lidge, you’d be injured right now?” Lidge returns to the DL and Jose Contreras continues to fill in the closer role.  Those is desperate need of saves can look at Danys Baez and J.C. Romero too.

J.C. Romero – And J.C. turns a close game into a save.  There were lefties batting and Contreras had pitched two days in a row, so that’s what went on here.  Though it does give you an idea of the pecking order when you’re vulturing.

Jimmy Rollins – To return on Monday.  Assuming he doesn’t share a doctor with Brad Lidge.

Kila Ka’aihue – Was sent back down.  Too bad he couldn’t make the best of his time.  Then again, he was only given 4 at-bats in almost two weeks.  Here’s a prospect, here’s the Royals stunting a prospect’s growth.

Justin Duchscherer – This Justin, probably out for the season with his grandma hip.

Jack Cust – 2-for-3 as he returns to the A’s.  He missed almost 40 games, so how long until you think he leads the club in homers?  Week and a half?  2 weeks?  If you need power, I’d grab him.  Also, everyone in OBP leagues should obviously pick him up.

Scott Hairston – Looks to be headed to the DL with the dreaded strained hamstring.  This will free up playing time for Venable and Gwynn.  Though I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

Carlos Guillen – As reported here first after reading it elsewhere, Guillen will play 2nd base when he returns next week.  Scott Sizemore is no more as he was optioned to the minors.

Brennan Boesch – Now batting .380 over 71 ABs.  Member when I effused praise, but hedged that Boesch had no playing time when Guillen returned?  Yeah, that’s old news, friend.  Boesch should play every day as long as he continues to hit.  I’d grab him in most 12 team leagues and deeper.

Max Scherzer – The Tigers weatherman called for a flurry of moves this weekend, huh?  Scherzer was sent to the minors.  If you owned him, it’s your own fault.  I couldn’t have been more vocal about why I was avoiding him this year.  At least now he’s done Pwnsoning you.  Replacing him…

Armando Galarraga – 5 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks.  He’s a 4.50+ ERA pitcher with a bleh K-rate.  I’d ignore in all leagues, except AL-Only ones.

Scott Olsen – 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 3 Ks.  Very respectable start against a team that is good vs. lefties and even better at home.  I’d own Olsen in the shallowest of leagues.

Tyler Clippard – 1 1/3 IP, 1 ER as he got the loss.  What a decision hog!

Willy Taveras – The Nats DFA’d, which is baseball’s acronym for “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”

Drew Storen – Called up to the majors.  Storen won’t see any saves unless there’s a total collCapps.  Not if there’s just some hicCapps.

Carlos Quentin – I don’t know what’s worst, that Quentin missed his third straight game with a stomach problem or that I was glad Quentin missed three straight.

Gavin Floyd – 6 IP, 5 ER, 11 baserunners, 4 Ks and now has a 7.00 ERA on the year.  I think change gonna come, nephew, but I wouldn’t wait for it with him on my team.  Let him correct himself on waivers.

Alex Rios – 3-for-4, and his 7th homer while he has 12 steals.  It is my belief that James Shields and Alex Rios are conspiring to drive me crazy.

Alexei Ramirez – Now 5 for his last 7.  It took him until around this time last year to get hot.  Cust kayin’.

Grady Sizemore – Should be day-to-day after he left the game with a left knee contusion.  No word on how he suffered it, but my guess is one of his fantasy baseball owners Tonya Harding’d him.

Russell Branyan – Hit his 4th homer on the year yesterday and his 3rd this week.  Trust me, I wouldn’t mention some of these guys if they weren’t worth owning immediately.  I grabbed Branyan in a few leagues last Thursday, if that helps the medicine go down.

Jake Westbrook – 9 IP, 1 ER, 10 baserunners, 8 Ks.  Before this start, he had a 23:19 K:BB rate, which is bad.  His WHIP is 1.51.  I wouldn’t own him with your team.

Luke Scott – 3-for-4, as he hit his 7th homer yesterday and his 4th homer in his last 7 games.  Another guy who is only worth owning while he’s hitting.  Currently, he’s hitting.

Brad Penny – 5 IP, 7 ER, 14 baserunners, 7 Ks.  That’s not a pretty Penny.

Jonny Gomes – 2-for-3 and batting .350 on the week.  He’s been playing every day and, even if he wasn’t, interleague is coming up so he’d play then.  (BTW, a interleague post is coming this week about guys to start and sit.)

Bronson Arroyo – 9 IP, 2 ER, 10 baserunners, 4 Ks vs. a slumping Cards team.  I’d continue to avoid Arroyo until after the All-Star Break.

Brandon Morrow – 6 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 8 Ks.  His WHIP is hideous (1.68), but I’d grab him in leagues where you need Ks.  Right now, 54 Ks in 41 innings.  For you noobs, that’s really good.  In fact, it’s the best K-rate in the major leagues.  Yes, better than Lincecum.

Mariano Rivera – 1/3 IP, 2 ER.  Oh, Mo.  Hasn’t saved a game in May then this dreckitude.  Joba wasn’t much better in this game, but continue to hold Joba just in case Rivera’s hurt.  On an amusing side note, my grandfather’s real name is Mariano.  Not Panamanian, but Italian.  Hey, paisan!  But he hasn’t gone by Mariano since he was a kid, opting for Joe.  He says Mariano sounds too Italian, even though he has no problem wearing self-tanning lotion to “darken his complexion.”  Yes, my grandfather is C. Thomas Howell from Soul Man.

Gaby Sanchez – Went 9-for-17 this weekend, Maybin went 5-for-12 with 6 RBIs.  As I told someone in the comments this weekend, I have no idea if this is a good sign for the Marlin youngsters or a bad sign for the Mets pitching.  And that’s me paraphrasing me!

Dan Haren – 4 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 11 baserunners, 2 Ks.  Did he see his shadow and think it was after the All-Star Break?

Martin Prado – 4-for-6, 2 Runs, 3 RBIs and 2 Homers.  I wouldn’t own Prado just because of the complete lack of speed, but if you need average or Runs, that’s what Prado gives you.  Pretty yawnstipating, but he is what he is.

Troy Glaus – 3-for-5, 2 Runs, 2 RBIs as he was another guy who homered that showed up in Friday’s Buy/Sell.

Jon Niese – Left the game yesterday after getting hamstrung.

Jose Reyes – Moved back to the leadoff spot, which left a void in the heart of the lineup.  Batting 4th for the Mets?  It’s a sci-fi mystery scripted by Chris Carter.