Jamie Moyer continues to demand some fantasy love, but owners are remaining skeptical. I don't blame them. Who knew he would start 2007 going 7-for-7 in quality starts with a 3.00 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. My concern with Moyer at the start of the year was his potential to give up the long-ball, but he has managed to keep all of those fly-balls hit-into-play between the lines with a HR/9 of 0.56. He did give up 2 dingers yesterday and with a GB/FB of about 0.6, I still expect the wheels to fall off at some point, but for now, enjoy the low value and high production.
Randy Johnson looked like his old-self on Wednesday, hurling 6.0 IP while giving up 3 ER and striking out 9. He's still looking for his first win of the season, but hasn't had much run support since re-rejoining the D-Backs (deja-vu). The Big Unit is not a washed-up old pitcher and should be able to put it all together soon. With a K/9 of 10.5, K/BB of 7.0, and a WHIP of 1.25, I expect some eye-opening performances throughout the summer. Don't go crazy acquiring him, as he remains an injury concern with a recent history of some issues, but don't give up on him simply because he hasn't posted a win yet and his ERA is a little high in just 4 games.
Adrian Gonzalez is another fantasy player having a quieter year that his numbers. With a dinger last night, Adrian Gonzalez now has 10 HR, 30 RBI, and an FPI of 0.71. His forecasted totals of 28 HR 91 RBI looks very attainable at this point in the season, especially considering his HR/AB of 13.9. Hitting in Petco doesn't help any power hitter, but Gonzalez has taken advantage of his road trips, hitting 7 HR on the road and only 3 at home.
With Eric Milton going on the DL, fantasy owners are probably begging for the call-up of Homer Bailey. The Reds haven't officially announced who the starter would be on Sunday against the Dodgers, but the early-favorites would be Victor Santos or lefties Bobby Livingston and Phil Dumatrait in Triple-A. Bailey may still get a shot and if he does, pull the trigger. Bailey is 3-1 with the Louisville Bats this season with a 1.83 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, .177 BAA, and a K/BB of 1.4. My guess is that the Reds keep him in Triple-A for a little longer to work on his curve and changeup.
I've been calling for a break-out from Mike Cameron and I think he's really close. He has had a few hits in the first three games of the Braves series, but has yet to really find his stroke. Looking for a fill-in OF for a Thursday pick-up? While he'll have to face Tim Hudson, who has been one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2007, Cameron is 14-for-51 (.275) lifetime against Hudson with 11 BB's and 5 extra base hits. Just a thought.
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