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Red Sox fans have to be up in arms after getting swept by the Rays this weekend, and the Phillies proved they are vulnerable by getting shutout on Saturday and Sunday. The Padres swept the Diamondbacks after yet another blowup by the D'Backs bullpen.
Here are my thoughts after reviewing Sunday's boxscores:
Angels starter Ervin Santana pitched a complete game on Sunday giving up 1 run on 4 hits and striking out 6. Santana outdueled the Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero who gave up only 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 6 and walking 2.
Rays starter Matt Garza dominated the Red Sox holding them to just 5 hits in 8 innings on Sunday. He threw 115 pitches, but only 67 for strikes, which is amazing to me.
How soon before the Red Sox start clamoring to trade for a power bat? They have lost 4 in a row, and the Yankees keep winning. And the Rays keep winning as well. The Red Sox lineup on Sunday included 7 guys over the age of 30 and that is not including Mike Lowell and David Ortiz who did not play.
Jason Heyward stroked a game winning single off of struggling Rockies closer Franklin Morales on Sunday. Heyward's line for the first two weeks of the season -.302-.423-.581. Wow.
Rockies closer Franklin Morales blew his second save of the season vs the Braves on Sunday. And Huston Street probably won't see a mound for at least a few weeks. Does Rafale Betancourt get a shot at closing soon? John Smoltz is still out there. Jim Tracy has his hands full in Colorado.
Jason Marquis couldn't get an out on Sunday as he allowed 4 hits, a walk and 2....yes 2, hit batters and allowed 7 runs vs the Brewers. His ERA is still being calculated...actually it is 20.52. Glad I drafted him in one of my NL only leagues.
Keep your eye on Brewers reliever Carlos Villaneuva. He has pitched 7 innings this season, allowing 2 hits, 1 walk and 11 strikeouts. Latroy Hawkins may have pitched his way out of the setup role for closer Trevor Hoffman. Yet Hoffman hasn't pitched well this season either. You never know.
White Sox leadoff man Juan Pierre had 2 hits and 3 stolen bases on Sunday to raise his season total to 6. He is currently hitting just .208, but is a career .300 hitter, so the SBs are only going to increase. He could be a buy low candidate due to his low BA.
Indians outfielder Shin Soo Choo went 2-3 with a HR, a grand slam, and 5 RBIs on Sunday. His two week slash line-.350-.500-.725. I see a long-term contract in his future.
Cole Hamels pitched 8 strong innings for the Phillies on Sunday giving up 2 runs on 7 hits, including a HR to Dan Uggla, and struck out 8. He appears to be back on track, and the Phillies will need him as J.A. Happ may miss his next start due to tightness in his forearm.
Diamondbacks starter Ian Kennedy was cruising with a 2-0 lead after pitching 5 solid innings on Sunday but the Dbacks bullpen blew another game. This time it was Aaron Heilman, pitching the 7th inning, who gave up 3 runs in 2/3rds of an inning. Juan Gutierrez didn't help his case to replace Chad Qualls as closer as he came in and promptly gave up 2 runs. Qualls closer job appears safe at the moment.
The Astros took 2 of 3 from the Cubs this weekend after winning Sunday's game 3-2. Wandy Rodriguez threw 7 solid innings giving up only 2 runs on 6 hits and a walk while striking out just 3 batters. Matt Lindstrom struck out the side in the 9th for his 2nd save.
Speaking of the Astros, first baseman Lance Berkman will probably be back with the big club this week after going 3-4 with 2 doubles and a HR in his AAA rehab assignment on Sunday. Carlos Lee couldn't be happier.