Thursday was Jackie Robinson Day in MLB where everyone wore #42. Some people think this day is overplayed, but Jackie did more for so many human beings on this earth, and not just on the baseball field, that MLB should never forget what a great player and great man he was.
Here are some thoughts after reviewing Thursday's boxscores:
My brother, a few friends and I traded emails on Thursday discussing the Phillies possibly dealing Jayson Werth. I don't see that happening at all, but a friend thinks it "could" happen. Anyway, the discussion lead to who has the better bullpen-the Yankees or the Phillies. One friend, a Phillies fan, made the case that the Phils bullpen was fine, and gave all the impressive stats to go with it. Well, Danys Baez and Ryan Madson had something to say about that yesterday giving up 4 runs in two innings of work in the Phillies loss to the Nationals.
Speaking of the Phillies, closer Brad Lidge threw a scoreless inning in rehab on Wednesday.
Twins starter Francisco Liriano shut out the Red Sox for 7 innings on Thursday, giving up only 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 8. He is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in the early going. Winter and spring stats be damned, Liriano is looking very good so far.
Mike Lowell was the DH for the Red Sox vs lefty Francisco Liriano on Thursday. Is this the beginning of the end for David Ortiz?
In his Thursday chat, Keith Law was asked if Indians catcher Carlos Santana was comparable to Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez, and Law responded "better". Thanks Ned.
The Mets Mike Pelfrey is making many fantasy owners look smart so far after he won his second game of the season, shutting out the 2010 World Series Champs for 7 innings. Pelfrey lowered his ERA to 1.38. He is a candidate for Jason's "Is He for Real" series, I would think.
I am down on Rockies outfielder Dexter Fowler. Sure the guy can get on base, and can steal a few bags, but I think if Brad Hawpe and Carlos Gonzalez weren't hurt, he would be sitting more often than not. I could be wrong.
Marlins starter Josh Johnson dominated the Reds for 6 innings striking out 10 batters and walking only 1. Can you believe I drafted him in the 7th round of my big 5 x 5 NL-only league?
Reds first baseman Joey Votto stole his 3rd base of the season on Thursday. Can he steal 20 bases in 2010? Is a 30-20 season possible? He would be first round material in NL-only leagues if he can achieve that.
I think it was Jason who recently asked if he should keep Dana Eveland or Brett Cecil in a keeper league, and I responded Cecil. My apologies, as Eveland is now 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA after beating the White Sox on Thursday.
How bad is the Astros lineup when Pedro Feliz is batting 3rd. Isn't your 3rd place hitter supposed to be your best hitter? Ouch. Carlos Lee certainly isn't helping matters with his .086 BA in the early going.
Astros starter Bud Norris struck out 9 Cardinals in 5 inning helping the Astros win their first game of the season on Thursday. Norris is a big strikeout pitcher who has value in 5 x 5 leagues.
Angels third baseman Brandon Wood may be packing his bags for AAA soon as he was 0-3 Thursday lowering his BA to .103 on the season. It's early, for sure, but Mike Scioscia manages the Angels, not Jim Riggleman.
Yankees starter Phil Hughes held the Angels to 2 runs in 5 innings, but walked 5 in the process. Not impressed.