Mark Teixeira 1B (NYY) - Teixeira had a 4 RBI day yesterday while hitting his 24th homer of the year in the process. Teixeira is on pace for a career high in homers. His current career high is 43, set in 2005, but for the past 5 seasons Teixeira has been stuck in the 30's range. A look at Teixeira's HR/FB% reveals that at 20.9% it is only slightly above his career mark of 18.5%. That information along with the fact that Teixeira plays in the homer friendly new Yankee Stadium and is posting the second best EYE of his career means the homers should keep piling up. If anything, Teixeira is actually a buy low candidate as his .218 BABIP is well below his career mark of .298, which shouldn't be happening considering his strong EYE (.88) and career best ISO (.290).
Scott Baker SP (MIN) - I think Scott Baker is a strong fantasy play today at home against the Dodgers. Baker's biggest weakness (the long ball) should be somewhat mitigated today by the fact that he is pitching at his pitcher friendly home park - Target field, and he is facing a Dodgers' team that is in the bottom half of the majors in homers. On the season, Baker has a 2.70 ERA at home, over a run lower than his road ERA.
Ian Kinsler 2B (TEX) - Kinsler had a big night last night hitting a triple and a homer. The window on Kinsler as a buy low candidate may be closing. He is posting an outstanding EYE (1.38), which has been on the rise since 2008: .67/.77/.98/1.38. The improved plate discipline has been keyed by Kinsler's ability to lay off of bad pitches; he is swinging at just 19.4% of pitches outside of the strike zone, which is really good. As a result, Kinsler's average and power should both be improving but have done the opposite so far. That should reverse itself going forward. In particular, Kinsler's average should turn around soon. His current singles average is a putrid .179, but when you consider his improvement in EYE and his previous three year singles average of .238, you have to have faith that it is going to rise as the season wears on.
Rick Porcello SP (DET) - I don't think I've ever flip flopped more on a player than I have with Porcello. One moment I think he shouldn't be near a fantasy roster, the next I think he's about to break out and make good on his prospect hype. Entering the year, I wouldn't touch Porcello with a 10 foot pole. Then, with a couple good strikeout games while maintaining good GB rates, I got sucked in. However, here we are after a third straight brutal start, and I can't stand the site of Porcello anymore. It appears as if the increased strikeouts at the beginning of the season were just a mirage. In the first 5 games of the year, Porcello struck out 4 or more batters 4 times, including 6 or more twice. In the 10 starts that have followed, Porcello has struck out 4 or more batters just 2 times and has 0 games in which he struck out 6 or more batters. Over his last 3 starts, Porcello now has a combined 2 strikeouts. The worst part is, despite perception, Porcello's GB rate (45.9%) is a lot closer to average than it is phenomenal. I see no reason in holding onto Porcello except in AL only leagues.
Ben Revere OF (MIN) - Revere had a nice night going 2-3 with 2 RS, an RBI and 2 steals. Drew mentioned a couple of days ago that Revere wasn't quite ready for the Majors as indicated by his lack of patience. I'd also like to add to the Revere skepticism. He has a very poor LD% (14.9), and he hits for absolutely no power (.031). To recap - no walks, poor contact and relies on singles. That is not a good recipe for success. In deeper leagues, I'm holding onto Revere where I need speed, but owners will have to hope that the skills he does have, a decent contact rate (89.9%) to go along with a high GB rate (70.2%) and lots of speed, produces lots of singles. And frankly, if you are relying on that type of skill set things could turn sour in a hurry.
