Friday's roto round up is highlighted by a 2 HR game by Cubs 1Bman Derrek Lee and Kenshin Kawakami out-dueling Daisuke Matsusaka in Boston.
SP, Jason Marquis, COL-Marquis threw 8 2/3rd quality innings vs the Pirates on Friday to earn his 9th win of the season. Color me surprised that Marquis could move to a hitters park and pitch well enough to earn an All-Star selection. Marquis does not strike out many batters as evidenced by his 44/34 K/BB rate, so I wouldn't call him an elite starting pitcher, but he has pitched very well this season.
SS, Rafael Furcal, LAD-Furcal is getting his stroke back. As I write this, he takes Joe Saunders deep to left for his 3rd HR of the season. Furcal is only 4 of 8 in the SB department this year, disappointing many roto owners this year. Baseball HQ was pretty high on Furcal coming into the season.
1B, Derrek Lee, CHC-Lee his two solo HRs, one off former Cub Kerry Wood, to give him 10 on the season to go along with 33 RBI and a .285 Avg. Many roto owners, and baseball writers, were calling for Lee's demise about a month ago, but he has turned his season around. Now if only Milton Bradley and Geovany Soto can hit to their expectations, the Cubs may get back on track.
SP, Andy Pettite, NYY-Pettite dominated the Marlins over 7 innings last night tow in his 7th game of the season. He allowed only 3 hits and struck out 7. Pettite is quietly having a very good season, yet his ERA is in the low 4's.
Braves Bullpen-the Braves bullpen of Peter Moylan, Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez held the Red Sox hitless for the 7th, 8th and 9th innings and struck out two batters apiece.
OF, Garret Anderson, ATL-Anderson went 3 for 3 with 4 RBI on Friday in the Braves 8-2 win over the Red Sox. He has hit in 7 of his last 8 games. The Braves should still look for another OFer with the way the Phillies and Mets are playing of late.
SP, Daisuke Matsusaka, BOS-Matsusaka gave up 12 baserunners and 6 runs in 4 innings vs the slumping Braves last night. He has given up 77 baserunners in 35 innings of work this season. How long before manager Terry Francona puts him in the bullpen?
MR, Sean Green, NYM-it appears Green is the Mets new setup man for Francisco Rodriguez, as he struck out 3 in 1 inning of work last night vs the Rays. Bobby Parnell pitched the 7th and gave up 2 runs for the second straight appearance. Green has a 28/14 K/BB rate in 31 innings of work, so he may not keep the setup role too long unless he can improve the K/BB rate.
SP, Fernando Nieve, NYM-Nieve won his second straight start. He threw 6 innings of 3 hit, 1 run ball, walking 3 and K'ing 4 Rays. It appears Citifield will make alot of pitchers look good this season.
OF, Colby Rasmus, STL-the favorite to win the NL rookie of the year award helped his cause last night going 4 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Rasmus raised his Avg to .285 on the season
OF, Andrew McCutchen, PIT-McCutchen had two more hits on Friday to raise his Avg. to .338. Could all the prospect experts be wrong about McCutchen? He could push Colby Rasmus for NL rookie of the year if he can continue hitting .300. He now has 10 RBI in 68 ABs, and has hit in 13 of 15 games since being called up from AAA Indianapolis.
MR. Manny Corpas, COL-Corpas could be headed to the DL with elbow inflamation. He arrived at Coors Field last night with a swollen elbow. Will this prevent the Rockies from dealing Huston Street? For the moment, yes, but that could change in a few weeks.