Matt Capps (RP - Nationals) - Ask the average fan who is leading the majors in saves and there is no WAY they say Matt Capps (unless they live in Washington or they happen to play fantasy and have him on their team). Capps has a league-leading 10 saves and has been perfect through the first month of 2010. Capps has pitched 13.1 IP and has allowed 12 hits, 1 ER, and has struck out 15. That is quite the change from the old Capps. In 5 years with the Pirates, Capps averaged a 3.61 ERA and 1.178 WHIP, and a 75% save percentage (67-for-89). Still not bad, but most recent memory brings us to his terrible 2009 season of a 5.80 ERA and 1.656 WHIP. He was actually much more effective prior to last season with a rolling WHIP of 1.058 through 2008 , but it had largely been forgotten with last year's struggles. Capps looks to have regained his form and more, but I'd expect him to return more to his pre-2009 self than to continue his impression of for a full 2010 season.
Ryan Doumit (C - Pirates) - After hitting a dinger on opening day, Doumit went homerless until Tuesday when he hit a grand slam against the Brewers. He followed it up with another HR yesterday, giving him 3 for the year and raising his OPS to .828. Doumit has never been known for his power. Even in his breakout year of 2008, he hit 15 HR for a AB/HR of 28.7 so he's not going to be your main source of power. But this little breakout is a good sign that he may be returning to the catcher you drafted rather than the one who was flirting with the Mendoza line halfway through the month.
Cole Hamels (SP - Phillies) - Hamels had a decent outing on Wednesday, striking out a season high 10 but didn't factor into the decision. In fact, he still only has one quality start for the year as he posts an inflated 5.28 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. First, let's look at the positive. His strikeout rate is at an all time high with a K/9 of 10.47 through his first five games of the season. That's quite the jump from 7.8 over the last two seasons, 8.7 in 2007, and 9.9 in limited action in 2006. However, his walk rate of BB/9 has also been higher than normal, posting a 2.93 in 2010, up from a 3-year average of 2.1 from 2007 through 2009. If you include the post season of last year, Hamels only has 1 quality start in the last 12 times he has taken the mound. He's a far cry from the old ace we saw a couple of years ago and I don't see him returning to the upper fantasy tier. He's a decent #2/#3 SP who will get you lots of K's, but expecting anymore may be wishful thinking.
Trevor Hoffman (RP - Brewers) - All good things must come to an end. The future Hall of Famer looks like he has nothing left in the tank. He has four blown saves this season, has given up 13 ER in 9.0 IP, 15 hits, and 6 HR. He's throwing batting practice up there right now and isn't fooling anybody. Manager Ken Macha has his hands tied a little here, but admits he will give Trevor a day off to sort things out. By no means is this a "loss of job" admission and Hoffman will almost have to remove himself from the 9th inning role, but I doubt he will want to continue putting up crooked numbers at this rate and jeopardize wins for his team. LaTroy Hawkins has been nasty this year and may have the best chance to take over the position in the long run. Still premature though, but if you're looking for an immediate save opportunity for the weekend, Hawkins is the way to go.
Casey McGehee (3B - Brewers) - Before we get into McGehee's hot hitting, a quick note. He will definitely be out of the lineup - his wife is expecting their second child. He'll be back with the team on Friday, so grab a replacement 3B for the day if you can. Now, on to the stats. McGehee has been on fire to start the season, hitting .321 / .389 / .603 with an ISO of .282, FPI of 0.83, HR/AB of 15.6, and a batting eye of .67. He's doing everything (except for steal bases) and was likely a cheap find on draft day (or even on the waiver wire). He needs to be in your lineup everyday as he doesn't look like he'll be slowing down any time soon.
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