Mark Reynolds (1B/DH-CLE): Reynolds hit his 5th homer of the year on Saturday, going 2 for 4 with a run scored, 5 RBI, and a stolen base against the White Sox. The grand slam gives the streaky righty 13 RBI on the year, which could only help his playing time concerns moving forward. Reynolds K% stands at 21.1% after 9 games, but beware: his K% has never been below 31.2% in his major league career. Reynolds draws Jake Peavy on Sunday, against whom he has struggled mightily in his career to the tune of 2 for 17 for no extra base hits and 9 strikeouts.
Chris Sale (SP-CHW): The Indians rocked Chris Sale on Saturday, as the lanky lefty allowed 8 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks in 4 1/3 innings, punching out only 2. Sale has now given up 4 homers in his past two games, and after starting the year on a high note against Kansas City, has seen his ERA rise to 5.21. Many of us were not willing to pay the high draft day price tag for him, as he struggled last year after the all-star break with a dip in velocity leading to a .76 point spike in batting average against. His velocity has stood between his first and second half level so far, so there isn't reason to jump ship just yet. Roll with him in Week 3 in all formats, but monitor the situation moving forward.
R.A. Dickey (SP-TOR): Dickey outdueled James Shields on Saturday to pick up his first win as a Blue Jay, tossing 6 1/3 quality innings to the tune of 1 earned run on 5 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts. The reigning NL Cy Young winner looked much like his old self on the road after getting lit up in his first two starts in Toronto (10 earned runs in 10 2/3 innings) and remains a must-start in all formats. However, keep an eye on his home/road performances over the next few weeks to see if a significant split develops. He'll get the White Sox at home in Week 3.
Jim Johnson (RP-BAL): Johnson picked up his league-leading 5th save of the season on Saturday against the Yankees with a clean 9th inning. The Orioles closer has now tossed 6 scoreless innings to begin the season with 6 strikeouts against only 4 hits and 2 walks. Johnson fell in many fantasy drafts despite posting 51 saves last year due to his low K% (15.2%). In 2010, Johnson posted an 18.8% K rate, so while it's unlikely that he'll maintain his current rate of 26.1%, there is definitely room for growth here. Johnson has become one of the most reliable closers in the league by inducing weak contact (2.93 ground ball to fly ball ratio last year, 2.00 so far this year), so if he can add a few % to his K rate, he could bring even more value to your team. His increased use of his changeup so far is worth noting, as has thrown it 9.6% more of the time in an effort to tame lefties. So far, so good.
Joel Hanrahan (RP-BOS): Hanrahan continued to struggle with his command on Saturday, walking the first two batters he faced before being pulled in the 9th. Hanrahan has now walked 5 batters in 4 2/3 innings on the year, and while John Farrell endorsed him as the closer on Friday, you have to wonder for how much longer. The quick move by Farrell on Saturday and the continued dominance of Andrew Bailey (who has yet to be scored upon in 2013) should have Hanrahan owners closely monitoring the situation. Hanrahan's luck from last year (4.28 xFIP to a 2.72 ERA with a .225 BABIP) may finally be catching up to him.
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