Chien-Ming Wang struck out six Rays on his way to his 2nd win of the season. He struck out six in six innings. I am on record stating I believe he will increase his K totals this year because his low K totals were used against in in his losing arbitration case. FWIW, his second highest K total in a game in 2007 was six. He did it three times in six innings of work, and three more times in more than six innings of work. There is nothing in today's performance that allows me to conclude I am right.
Joba Chamberlain threw two shutout innings, but only struck out one. I have a sneaking suspicion that he is staying in the bullpen unless Ross Ohlendorf or Brian Bruney step-up and grab the 7th and 8th innings. LaTroy Hawkins and Kyle Farnsworth are waiver moves waiting to happen.
There will be little clamor from Yankees fans if Joel Sherman's Jo-Mo phrase catches on. Don't get it? Think mojo, bay-bee.
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The Pirates placed their starting SS, Jack Wilson, on the DL and recalled top AAA middle infielder, Brian Bixler. I mentioned Bixler as a possible sleeper at the end of March and last summer.
There is little reason for me to change my fantasy assessments of him. However, he found himself occupying a bench role as the Pirates decided that moving 2B Luis Rivas over to SS and starting Chris Gomes at 2B gave them a better chance to compete. Given the Pirates beat the Marlins 9-2, I fear the team will make the same mistakes sheep entrail readers made thousands of years ago - mistaking causation between their decision and a result that is close in time.
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Edison Volquez made his regular season debut for the Cincinnati Reds and pitched as if his Spring Training stat meant something. In 5.1 innings, he struck out 8 and walked two. While I have not quite shaken my memories of him as a Texas Ranger starter, he could be the type of player whose early season performances signal a season-long fantasy contributor.