Fantasy Baseball: Monday's Top Performers

Well, we've had our first day of games, and some excellent performances as expected, and some not so expected...

Braves 16, Cubs 5

Jason Heyward was a big story here, hitting his first major league homerun. His line: 2-5, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI.

Carlos Zambrano really laid a stinker here. 1.3 IP, 8 ER, 6.00 WHIP, 54 ERA, 1 K

Other big performers:

• Yunel Escobar - 2-5, 2 R, 5 RBI
• Brian McCann - 2-3, 2 R, HR, RBI
• Marlon Byrd - 1-4, R, HR, 3 RBI
• Aramis Ramirez  - 2-4, R, 2 RBI

Phillies 11, Nationals 1

The debut of Roy Halladay was the biggest news, as he went 7 IP, allowing 1 ER and striking out 9 to get the victory.

Other top performers:

• Placido Polanco - 3-5, R, HR, 6 RBI
• Ryan Howard - 2-6, R, HR, 2 RBI
• Jimmy Rollins - 2-4, 2 R, SB, RBI

Mets 7, Marlins 1

Johan Santana showed why he's still one of the best pitchers in the National League, going 6 innings, striking out 5, and allowing only 1 ER.

Other top performers:

• David Wright - 1-3, 2 RBI, HR
• Hanley Ramirez - 2-4, SB
• Gary Matthews Jr - 2-3, 2 R

Cardinals 11, Reds 6

Albert Pujols showed exactly why he's the best player in the Majors, with 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R, and a 4-5 day at the plate.

Other top performers:

• Colby Rasmus - 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
• Yadier Molina - 2-4, R, HR, 4 RBI
• Joey Votto - 3-5, 2 R, HR,
  
• Brandon Phillips - 1-4, R, 2 RBI, SB
• Chris Carpenter - 6 IP, 0.83 WHIP, 3 ERA, 3 K

Pirates 11, Dodgers 5

Garrett Jones picked up right where he left off, hitting 2 HR yesterday while leading the Bucs to victory.

Other top performers:

• Ryan Doumit - 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR
• Matt Kemp - 2-5, 2 RBI

Rangers 5, Blue Jays 4

The Rangers won on a walk off hit by Jarrod Saltalamacchia, after nearly being no-hit by the Blue Jays.

Top Performers:

• Adam Lind - 3-3, HR, RBI, 2 R
• Vernon Wells - 3-4, 3 RBI, HR, R
• Shaun Marcum - 7 IP, 3 ER, 6 strikeouts, 0.43 WHIP
• Nelson Cruz - 2-4, HR, 4 RBI
• Scott Feldman - 7 IP, 3 ER, 3 strikeouts, 0.71 WHIP

White Sox 6, Indians 0

The White Sox were led by the excellent pitching of Mark Buehrle, who threw 7 scoreless innings, allowed only 4 base runners and struck out 3.

Other Top Performers:

• Paul Konerko - 1-2, HR, 2 RBI, R
• Alex Rios - 1-3, HR, RBI, R

Rockies 5, Brewers 3

The Rockies won behind the solid pitching of Ubaldo Jimenez, who went 6 innings of 1 run ball, while striking out 6.

Other Top Performers:

• Ian Stewart - 1-3, HR, R, 2 RBI
• Carlos Gonzalez - 4-5, 2 R
• Carlos Gomez - 4-5, 2 R, HR, RBI
• Yovani Gallardo - 7 IP, 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 5 K

Tigers 8, Royals 4

Zack Greinke pitched well, going 6 innings and only allowing 1 ER, but his bullpen betrayed him.

Other Top Performers:

• Billy Butler - 1-4, 2 RBI
• Miguel Cabrera - 2-5, 2 RBI, R
• Johnny Damon - 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI

Diamondbacks 6, Padres 3

Adrian Gonzalez went 2-4 with a 9th inning homerun, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to catch the D'backs.

Other Top Perfomers:

• Stephen Drew - 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR
• Justin Upton - 2-4, SB
• Mark Reynolds - 1-2, HR, 2 RBI
• Dan Haren - 7 IP, 1 ER, 0.43 WHIP, 4 K

Giants 5, Astros 2

Tim Lincecum kicked off the 2010 season by by going 7 shutout innings and striking out 7.

Other top performers:

• Mark DeRosa - 1-3, 2 R, HR
• Bengie Molina - 2-4, R, RBI
• Carlos Lee - 2-4, R

Angels 6, Twins 3

Hideki Matsui hit a 2 run homer to help lead the Angels to victory.

Other top performers:

• Kendry Morales - 2-4, R, 2 RBI
• Delmon Young - 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R

Mariners 5, Athletics 3

Casey Kotchman went nuts, going 2-4, with 4 RBI.

Other top performers:

• Rajai Davis - 2-4, R, RBI
• Chone Figgins - 2 SB, 2 R

Overall, a pretty good opening day. The last of the opening games will be today, and hopefully bring out some more excellent performances.