FIRST, NOT BEST
A spin on stories that matter to fantasy leaguers: first base isn't a dominant fantasy position anymore; Carpenter back in the fold; Carlos casualities; what's Eaton Adam? And more Moreland.
EYE ON K-ROD
How long for K-Rod? Need a center-fielder? And, future base thieves? Have some fantasy baseball questions but don't know where to turn? Don't hesitate, ask Fantasy Inbox!
HOUSTON ON THE CLOCK
A spin on stories that matter to fantasy leaguers: Astros and the first pick in the 2013 Draft; bottleneck in the Bronx; déjà vu in Miami; Keppinger's leash in the Windy City; and making the right choice in right field.
LOSE RICKY'S NUMBER
Is it time to give up on Ricky Romero? Looking for a catcher through the waiver wire? And, what about Red Sox pitching prospect Allen Webster? Have some fantasy baseball questions? Ask Fantasy Inbox!
K ARTISTS
A spin on stories that matter to fantasy leaguers: strikeouts on the rise; staying power for catchers; the Jays' rotation blues; Heath Bell back in business; and, the hot corner in Beantown.
Justin Grimm won after allowing three runs and 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings versus the Mariners on Friday.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
With some help from Jeff Nelson. Grimm intercepted an attempted 3-6-3 double-play relay in the second inning tonight while first baseman Mitch Moreland was still reaching for the ball. Nelson never realized that the pitcher, not the first baseman, caught the ball and gave the Rangers the out. It proved to be an especially big play when Brendan Ryan followed with a rare double. Were the call gotten right, it doesn't seem nearly so likely that Grimm would have pitched into the seventh inning tonight.
Joe Saunders fell to 3-5 after giving up six runs in five innings against the Rangers on Friday.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
The Mariners had to know Saunders would give up more than his share of homers and hits after adding him to their rotation; the surprise is that he's already walked 22 batters in 57 2/3 innings. Last year, he walked a total of 39 in 174 2/3 innings. Saunders is at best a matchup guy in AL-only leagues. He'll be worth playing next week when he gets a road start in San Diego.
Jeff Baker went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer before being removed for a pinch-hitter Friday against the Mariners.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
Baker is only playing against left-handers, so manager Ron Washington made the switch back to David Murphy when the Mariners brought in a righty. Baker has been terrific at his job so far, hitting .354 with five homers in 48 at-bats. Still, his fantasy value is quite limited while he plays on average twice a week.
Michael Saunders turned in another hitless game from the leadoff spot Friday, dropping his average to .227.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
Saunders is 3-for-27 with 13 strikeouts and no walks in his last eight games. It's not going to get him taken out of Seattle's lineup, but it might get him knocked down from the top of the order, at least for a bit. He's a No. 6 or 7 hitter on a decent offense.
Lance Lynn pitched six scoreless innings, striking out nine, in the Cardinals' 7-0 shutout of the Dodgers on Friday.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
Lynn allowed two of the three hits surrendered by Cardinals pitching in the gem. He was removed after just 77 pitches, though there was no indication there was anything physically wrong with him. The Cardinals probably just wanted to give him a break with the game seemingly in hand.