Mat Latos stole the show. Troy Tulowitzki returned to action. Zack Greinke finally got a W. Let’s look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:
Hitters
• Ryan Zimmerman (3-for-5, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R)
Just a day after we discussed the idea of dishing Wright (who went 0-for-4 with two more Ks, so click here for the article), Zimmerman improved to .319 with eight home runs and 22 RBI on the year. If you were on the fence between the two prior to the season, it seems clear, at least for now.
• Troy Tulowitzki (2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R)
The fear of his quad injury appears to be behind us, as he returned and appeared to have not missed a beat. While he hasn’t provided the power we expected yet, he is hitting .317 with 15 RBI at a shallow position. Also, keep in mind that he had just five home runs through May last season before hitting 26 the rest of the way. Don’t lose hope in him, he’s among the best at his position.
• Michael Saunders (2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)
Playing in Milton Bradley’s absence, he likely has kept himself in the lineup even upon his return at this point. He has three multi-hit games in his last four and is hitting .389 with two homers, five RBI and four runs.
The hat streak certainly came at a good time, as he was hitting just .200 with no home runs and five RBI in 80 at-bats in the Pacific Coast League prior to being recalled. He can hit, however, putting up a .310 average with 13 HR at Triple-A in ‘09. In five outfielder formats, he’s worth stashing at this point. (For more on him, check out my write-up on him prior to the season by clicking here )
• Brennan Boesch (2-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R)
He has hits in nine of 10 May games, going 15-for-34 with two home runs, nine RBI and four runs scored. Is he really this good? The 2006 third round pick did go for 28 homers and 93 RBI to go along with a .275 average at Double-A in ‘09.
He was benefiting from a .378 BABIP heading into the game, so don’t look for the average to continue, but the power is for real. How far will the power fall? Heading into the game he had a 14.8 percent strikeout rate, compared to 24.1 percent last year. With more strikeouts likely and a BABIP that could plummet, there’s a lot of risk involved.
• Hunter Pence (1-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R)
That’s a five-game hitting streak including three home runs and seven RBI. We all knew he’d get going sooner or later, didn’t we?
Pitchers
• Alfredo Simon (1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K, SV)
I know he now has five saves and has an ERA of 0.00, but in his eight innings pitched he’s allowed seven hits and five walks. You can only survive a 1.50 WHIP for so long, so look for things to catch up on him sooner or later. Enjoy him while you can, but look for Mike Gonzalez to reclaim the job once he’s healthy.
• Ben Sheets (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 8 K)
That’s back-to-back strong outings, allowing three earned runs earned runs over 12.1 innings while striking out 16. With the Mariners next on the schedule, I surely would insert him back into your lineup in all formats.
• Zack Greinke (6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 9 K, W)
You could argue that this was among his worst starts of the season, allowing three runs or more for just the third time, yet this was the game he won. Funny game, isn’t it? It is the second consecutive start that he’s allowed 10 base runners, but if you are focusing on that you are looking for something to be upset about. We all know he’s a Top 5 starting pitcher.
• Bud Norris (8.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 8 K, W)
It’s the first time this season that he’s gone over five innings. That should tell you all you need to know about his early struggles. It was a brilliant start, but it’s going to take a bit more to convince me that he could be usable. With the Dodgers next on the schedule, don’t bother quite yet.
• Mat Latos (9.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 6 K, W)
This is the type of stuff we’ve all heard about. Yes, it was against the Giants, but you have to give credit where it’s due. It took him just 106 pitches to mow them down. He’s 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 17 innings in his last two starts. Oh yea, he’s allowed just three hits and no walks over that span. Needless to say, this is a kid you want to own in all formats.
What are your thoughts from yesterday’s games? Which ones caught your eye? And which ones did I miss?
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