Tim Lincecum- SF- Caution- To say that Lincecum had control issues last night would be an understatement. Not only did he walk 7 in his 5 IP, but the slimmest majority of his 91 pitches were strikes (46.) Lincecum gave up 8 walks in 15.1 IP in the Cactus League as well as posting a 10.57 ERA. His velocity last night was not back to where it was at his peak. There are big question marks about Lincecum right now and whether his workload in previous years caught up with him in 2012 and will continue to plague him in 2013.
Clayton Richard- SD- Cold- Richard is a pitcher who could be affected very badly by the new dimensions at Petco Park. Last season he gave up 21 homers on the road and posted a 4.74 ERA. At home he allowed only 10 homers and had a 3.02 ERA. Considering he gave up 3 long balls at Citi Field yesterday after giving up 3 in 18.2 Cactus League IP it looks like he hasn't solved the underlying problem. This year he will have to deal with closer fences at home, which can't help.
Carlos Gonzalez- COL- Great Player- CarGo continued his hot start, going 2-for-5 to maintain his .400 average after 3 games. He would have done more damage if Carlos Gomez hadn't robbed him of his 3rd homer of the season and Wily Peralta hadn't made a superb fielding play on a swinging bunt. Injuries dampened CarGo's 2012 season somewhat and it looks like that will be the only way his value goes down this year.
Donnie Murphy- MIL- FYI- Murphy was released by the Brewers and signed a minor league deal with the Cubs. Murphy has some pop in his bat (18 homers in 640 major league PAs) and hit 13 homers in 125 ABs at AAA last season. If the Cubs have offensive issues then Murphy could be called on to fill in around the infield.
Giancarlo Stanton- MIA- Cold- Stanton went 0-for-3 yesterday, adding his contribution to Miami's scoreless offense. The lack of punch from his teammates will inhibit Stanton's fantasy value. There may be a light at the end of the tunnel, though. With the long term signing of Elvis Andrus in Texas there is speculation that top prospect Jurickson Profar might be part of a deal that could send Stanton to Texas. The idea of Stanton in Arlington is enough to make this Reangers' fan say, "Josh who?" Needless to say, Stanton's fantasy value would skyrocket with such a trade.
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