Will anyone score another run against Ubaldo Jimenez?  Can the Diamondbacks find a pitcher to get the job done as the closer?  Has Alex Rodriguez gotten things going?  Let’s look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:

Hitters:

  • Alex Rodriguez (3-for-4, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1 R) –  Fantasy owners have been waiting for a performance like this.  He hadn’t homered since May 19.  Since that game, he had RBI in just one game (three on May 29).  It’s amazing how A-Rod has “disappointed”, yet he’s hitting .294 with seven home runs and 41 RBI on the year now.  He’s one of the elite players in the game and we all know it.
  • Rajai Davis (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 SB) –  He is streaking now.  He’s on a four-game hitting streak, going 7-for-16 with five runs and four stolen bases.  Over his last nine games he’s gone 12-for-21 with three RBI, nine runs and nine SB.  Needless to say, with his speed potential he needs to be active in all formats.  He’s now hitting .269 with 22 SB and 26 runs.
  • Mike Napoli (3-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1 SB) –  He’s back behind the plate, and with the way he’s hitting, the Angels are going to need to keep his bat in the lineup, be it at catcher or first base.  He now has eight HR and 17 RBI in the month of May.  He’s not likely to become a viable 1B, but with the extra playing time, he’s potentially going to be among the top catchers in the game.  For now, it’s a great situation, but keep a close eye on things.  There have been rumors of the Angels shopping for a 1B.
  • Corey Hart (1-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R) –  That’s four home runs in his last four games.  Who saw this type of streak coming?
  • Cody Ross (2-for-4, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R) –  He had shown signs recently (2 HR and 5 RBI over two games), but then the entire Marlins offense faded.  Over his previous five games, he had gone 3-for-17 with one run and no RBI.  Hopefully this could be the start of a real hot streak.
  • Nyjer Morgan (3-for-4, 4 R, 2 SB) –  The Nationals shifted him to the No. 2 hole for this one, with Christian Guzman (3-for-6 with three runs) hitting leadoff.  It’ll be interesting to see if the change sticks, but the move certainly seems to have revitalized Morgan, who had scored four runs over his last 38 at-bats.
  • Michael Cuddyer (2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R) –  The production is nice, but the more important thing was that he started the game at 2B.  For those in formats that require just one game to be eligible, this is big news for you.  If your league requires more time at the position, keep monitoring the situation.  He was a must use option at 1B or outfield, so if he’s 2B eligible, his value rises even more.

Pitchers:

  • Tommy Hanson (6.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K, W) –  He is just the latest in a long line of pitchers to stymie the Phillies bats.  What is going on there?  He’s now 2-0 since the disastrous start against the Reds (8 ER over 1.2 IP), giving up three earned over 12.2 innings.  Fantasy owners can certainly put that start behind them and consider him once again among the top 25 pitchers in the game.
  • Octavio Dotel (1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K, SV) –  He appears to have straightened things out.  Over his last five outings (5 IP) he’s allowed 0 ER on 2 H and 2 BB with 6 K.  Over that span he’s picked up four saves and a win. Needless to say, he’s a usable option for saves in all formats and it appears his job is safe, at least for now.
  • Ubaldo Jimenez (9.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 9 K, W) –  The guy is absolutely unbelievable this season, improving to 10-1 with a 0.78 ERA.  In his only loss, he allowed 1 ER over seven innings.  He’s allowed 1 ER or less in nine of his 11 starts.  He hasn’t allowed a run in his last three starts (24 innings).  What else is there really left to say?
  • Bronson Arroyo (4.1 IP, 7 ER, 10 H, 5 BB, 1 K) –  No matter how well he’s pitching, starts like this always seem to creep up.  He had gone 5-0 over his previous six starts, but this is now his fourth start of the season allowing 5 ER or more.  This type of blow-up makes it tough to depend on him in any fantasy format.
  • Brandon Morrow (7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 K, W) –  He’s been inconsistent, but he was solid in this one outpitching Matt Garza (6.1 IP, 3 ER, 10 H, 2 BB, 3 K).  Despite not showing it in this start, his best attribute all year has been his strikeouts (he had 65 Ks in 50 innings heading into this start).  If he can pitch like this and add the strikeouts, he’s going to have value in all formats.  If you are in a deeper format, he’s worth stashing if he’s still available.
  • Esmerling Vasquez (0.2 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K) –  It wasn’t Chad Qualls or any of the other big-name relievers in during a tight spot, and that’s what is most important to note (though, losing the game on a balk is certainly unusual enough).  Given the fact that Aaron Heilman’s been the best reliever on the team, chances are he sees the next save opportunity.
  • Chad Billingsley (8.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 11 K) –  He gave up three home runs over the first two innings, but settled in from there.  He didn’t get the W, but he continues to pitch well and is a solid option in all formats.
  • Hisanori Takahashi (4.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 1 K) –  After throwing 12 shutout innings against the Phillies & Yankees, Takahashi got torched by the light-hitting Padres, who put up 18 runs.  The big blow came on a grand slam from Jerry Hairston Jr. (2-for-5, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R).  He’s still a low-end option in NL-only leagues, but there should be better options in mixed formats.

What are your thoughts from yesterday’s games?  Which ones caught your eye? And which ones did I miss?

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