Who doesn’t love a good comeback story? Mickey Rourke, Jamie Walters, Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky after a very hit or miss, A Ghost is Born… Now there’s Edwin Jackson. Last night, he pitched a gem. 7 2/3 IP, 1 ER with 89 pitches. I love prospects that seem destined for greatness then fail. (see Alex Gordon Love™. Don’t see Felix Pie Love™, Jeff Clement Love™ or Andy LaRoche Semi-Love™). Edwin Jackson fits that post-hype prospect bill. He was supposed to be so good for sooooo long. (Yes, five oh’s.) And he’s still only 25. In deep leagues, I’m going to try him on for size. If you need pitching, don’t wait until his next good start. It may be too late. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Tim Lincecum – He was pulled after 78 pitches with Bochy showing more restraint in one start than he did all of last year. Obviously, I don’t own him on any team, but if I did, I wouldn’t cash the bailout check. (<– Not sure what that means, but it’s timely!) Last year, Lincecum only threw 84 pitches in four innings in his first game of the year and went on to win the Cy Young… Of course, there was an hour and fourteen minute delay between his first pitch and last pitch and he was coming in in relief. Nevertheless! Lincecum will be fine and, even if he’s not, you’re not trading away your prize pitcher right after yesterday’s performance. Sit tight, paisan.
Travis Ishikawa – 2-for-5, 3 RBIs. You don’t know anything about him? That’s the way it’s meant to be. I have secrets!
Jeff Suppan – I can’t believe Milwaukee’s opening day pitcher was rocked. Oh…it’s Suppan. I can’t believe the Milwaukee opening day pitcher was Suppan.
Mike Cameron – 2 steals. Said after the game about the Giants, “They were really swinging the bats today.” They were facing the Soup.
Kyle Farnsworth – Cost me a win for Meche and a loss for Buehrle in my Razzball league. We need a Razzball glossary term for this. Please advise.
Ryan Zimmerman – Started the year 1-for-9. Way to come out swinging!… And missing. I swear, if you disappoint me this year, we’re through.
Cameron Maybin – One steal and batted 2nd yesterday. That’s so Maybin!
Emilio Bonifacio – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and after the game he saved a turtle from a burning building.
Jorge Cantu – Another HR. In other news, the Marlins are petitioning major league baseball to only face the Nats this year.
Scott Olsen – 3 IP, 8 ER. Marlins finally figure out what those other teams were talking about.
Josh Johnson – 6 2/3, 0 ER, 8 Ks. Tried to push as many people as I could into drafting Johnson. Hope people listened.
Chris Young – 6 IP, 2 ER. Why ignoring spring training stats is sometimes the best medicine.
Heath Bell – Notched his first save. I hope he entered to Hell’s Bells.
Alex Gordon – HR yesterday. If he could just hit 25 more with a respectable average, I’d be so happy.
Ubaldo Jimenez/Dan Haren – Was like Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton out in Chase Field.
Ian Stewart – Rockie players were supposedly upset Stewart got the start on Opening Day over Barmes. I can’t even imagine how upset they were with that deer.
DeWayne Wise – 0-for-4, 3 Ks. When asked about the decision to lead off with Wise, Ozzie said, “Without Juan Uribe, what choice do I have?”
Geovany Soto – Left with shoulder soreness. Will be out until the weekend. If something happens to Koyie Hill, Soto said he could play, so I don’t think it’s that bad. Then again, Theriot took warm up pitches from Heilman in the 9th. If only Ozzie was managing the North Siders…
James Shields – 5 1/3, 5 ER. Couple of doinks, a couple of donks and Ortiz’s badonkadonk. Not a great start, obviously, but you can’t sit Shields. Take solace in that…. I take solace everywhere and it always finds it’s way home — oofa!
Josh Beckett – Red State Jeter put it together with a very solid opening day start — 7 IP, 1 ER, 10 Ks.
Trevor Cahill – 5 IP, 2 ER. He looked much worse. The A’s start guys that have no business being in the majors. I tend to ignore them.
Jason Motte – Was deemed unable to go yesterday after pitching on Monday. Translation: Franklin’s getting some saves whether Motte’s effective or not.
Wandy Rodriguez – 6 IP, 1 ER. Get on the Wandwagon!
David Freese – Not playing again. This time LaRussa opted for Joe Thurston. In one hand, rookie with potential. In the other hand, minor league journeyman. Eh, just be happy LaRussa started Rasmus.
Colby Rasmus – 2-for-4 in MLB debut. That’s it, LaRussa. Now give him 400 more ABs.
Brandon Morrow – During Morrow’s collapse on Tuesday, the Mariners announcer said Batista was “sparkling (on Monday).” I’m not even joking. Batista put something in the Mariners drink when they weren’t looking! This job is still Morrow’s, no doubt. But let’s go over quickly what we know. 1) Morrow can’t stay healthy. 2) Closing puts a lot of stress on a pitcher, physical and otherwise. 3) Batista’s their backup plan. 4) Batista sucks. 5) Batista spiked the Mariners’ drink.
