Scoring Drought Scorecard: 15 games
Teams shutout: 2
Teams scoring 1 run: 5
Teams scoring 2 runs: 6
Teams scoring 3 runs: 2
Teams scoring >3 runs: 15
Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was injured when he collided into a Royals baserunner on Sunday and was pulled from the game after it happened. He injured his left wrist, and possibly his left shoulder, when Wilson Betemit was running to first base to beat the throw from second baseman Peter Kozma. Here is the video of the play, and Pujols was in some major pain after it happened. A DL stint seems imminent, but he is scheduled for an MRI today. X-rays showed no broken bones. Lance Berkman replaced him at first base and would probably see the most time at first should Pujols go on the DL. Pujols was 3-3 with his 17th HR prior to the injury.
Indians catcher Carlos Santana is catching fire. He went 2-3 with a HR , 2 walks and 2 runs scored on Sunday. He has homered in 2 of his last 3 games and is 5-10 in his last 3 games.
More Roto Roundup after the jump:
Reds starter Bronson Arroyo has not had a good season thus far in 2011, but he threw a gem vs the Blue Jays yesterday, giving up just one run in 8 innings. He gave up just 5 hits and a walk while striking out 5 in winning his 6th game of the season. Arroyo may be a second half target as he has a career second half ERA-3.66-a full run less than his career first ERA-4.75, and his career second half WHIP-1.217 is rosterable.
Angels outfielder Vernon Wells has struggled this season, but he went 3-4 with a HR and 3 RBIs yesterday, and has homered 3 times in his last 6 games. In his last 10 games, he is 11-38 with 3 HRs and 6 RBIs.
Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia went 3-4 with a HR, 2 runs and 2 RBIs in yesterdays 12-3 win over the Brewers. He has hit in 9 of his last 10 games where he is 16-40 with 2 HRs, 11 runs, and 11 RBIs which has improved his BA from .247 to .269.
Braves outfielder Jason Heyward went 1-3 with 2 RBIs on Sunday, and is now just 4-18 since coming off the DL earlier this week. He should catch fire soon.
Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa is making the case for NL Rookie of the Year thus far. I am working on my second base rankings and he is moving up the list. Yesterday, he went 2-4 with a HR and 2 RBIs, and now is hitting .237-.321-.470 with 13 HRs, 43 RBIs and 8 SBs.
Rays starter James Shields dominated the Marlins throwing a complete game 4 hit shutout yesterday. He walked none and struck out 10 to win his 7th game of the season and lowering his ERA to 2.40. Entering the game, his xFIP was 2.97 and his strikeout rate of 8.51 is the highest of his career.
Royals starter Danny Duffy only got through 3 2/3rd innings yesterday and threw 90 pitches in doing so, but he struck out 9 batters of the 11 outs he did get. His numbers across the board are that of a young starter, but his 29 strikeouts in 34 innings are solid, but he walks too many at this point to be rosterable in mixed leagues.
Mariners second baseman Dustin Ackley went 1-3 with a run scored on Sunday and has hits in each of his first 3 games in the majors. He homered in Saturday's loss, but has yet to draw a walk. That will change in due time as he should be an on base machine.
Mariners starter Jason Vargas threw a complete game 3 hit shutout against the Phillies on Sunday, walking two and striking out 6 to earn his 5th win of the season. He lowered his ERA to 3.75 and his WHIP to just 1.18. Vargas is a different pitcher pitching in the last year or so as his ERA last year was a full run less-3.78-than his 4.91 ERA in 2009.
The Diamondbacks will call up AAA outfielder Wily Mo Pena to serve as their DH during interleague play. Pena was crushing AAA pitching this season, hitting .362-.440-.733 with 21 HRs and 62 RBIs. If you need some power for a few weeks, grab Pena.