After Dustin McGowan threw a good game against the Dodgers on Friday night to solidy his place as a viable fantasy starting pitcher, his teammate Shaun Marcum pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings to allay concerns his back-spasms- shortened previous start was just that. Those scoreless innings took his ERA to a very good 3.53.
In Atlanta, Tim Hudson saw his ERA rise towards the Marcum-esque level of 3.51. That is still good but nothing close to the numbers he put up in April - 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. As a matter of fact, his ERA was 1.77 following his May 15th start against the Nationals. Since, he has allowed five or six earned runs in four of his last five starts.
The Astros are moving Brad Lidge back to the closer role. If it works, the Astros may be able to get the trade value they want. I am surprised no team hasn't sold off a couple of bullpen arms for three or four top prospects. That seems to be the general value, doesn't it?
By getting three hits in his last eight ABs, Oakland catcher Jason Kendall is a 1-3 day from a .200 AVG. I suspect he'd have to go 2-4 today because he won't get to enouh three-ball counts to draw a walk in four plate appearances. Could the recall of AAA catcher Kurt Suzuki stop the March To Two Hundred?
Giants' rookie OF Fred Lewis was placed on the D.L. with a strained oblique. This elevates fellow rookie Dan Ortmeier to the 4th OF role. That leaves him one OF injury from regular ABs, and a viable start in inter-league games in AL parks.
Tampa Bay starter James "Don't Call me Jamie" Shields improved to 6-0 with a dominating performance against the Marlins. Don't look now, but he is a legitmate CY Young candidate - 7th in ERA, 3rd in WHIP, 4th in strikouts and tied for third in Wins.
The Brothers Drew had a nice game for their parent's yesterday. J.D. got three hits in five ABs, and li'l brother Stephen went 2-4 with a HR. Fantasy owners are just happy to see them producing. J.D.'s 6-10 the last two games has taken his AVG from .224 to .246. Stephen has got a little further to go to resurrect his fantasy owner's hopes.