Late start today. Today's roundup will be short. Here are my thoughts after reviewing Friday's boxscores:
After Chad Qualls blew two saves in a row, the Diamondbacks called on Juan Gutierrez to preserve a 3-2 lead and he proceeded to give up 4 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks, including a 3-run bomb by Chase Headley. It appears they were just resting Qualls after he pitched two nights in a row, but after last night's blown save by Gutierrez, Qualls should have a few more chances to close games.
Speaking of the Diamondbacks, their bullpen gave up all 6 Padres runs in the last three innings after Edwin Jackson hurled 6 shutout innings striking out 3 and walking 4.
Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore is off to a slow start to the 2010 season as he has only 5 RBI, 1 SB, a .212 BA and an 11/1 K/BB ratio. He should hot in the very near future.
Cubs starter Carlos Silva gave up 2 runs, both unearned, in 7 solid innings. He gave up 5 hits, struck out 5 and walked none, an now has a 0.69 ERA. Grag him while this hot streak lasts, because it may not last long.
Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells went 3-4 with a solo HR off of Angels starter Jered Weaver, giving him 6 on the season. Who saw this out of Wells in 2010?
Matt Kemp hits his 5th HR of the season and has homered in 4 straight games now. He has a 5-15-.333-.385-.756 line in the early going. Can he go 35-35 in 2010?
Kemp's teammate Andre Ethier hit 2 HRs and drove in 5 last night, one a grand slam off of Todd Wellemeyer. He now has a 3-12-.387-.412-.710 line so far. It appears his 30 HR season in 2009 was not a fuke.
Royals starter Zack Greinke was hit around last night by the Twins, giving up 4 runs, only 2 were earned, on 6 hits and 5 walks and 5 strikeouts. Greinke is now 0-2 on the season with a respectable 3.57 ERA.
Mets starter Oliver Perez threw 6+ quality starts in St. Louis last night, giving up just one run on 4 hits, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. His ERA is now sitting at 3.75. Does it go lower or higher from here?
How good is the Phillies second baseman Chase Utley? Utley hit his 6th HR of the season last night and now has 12 RBI and is hitting .368-.510-.895 so far. Wow.
Milton Bradley went 1-4 with a run scored and an RBI in Seattle 11-3 win over the Tigers. He is hitting just .147-.275-.353 on the season. This is not what Seattle signed up for when they traded for him in the offseason.