Here are my thoughts after reviewing Thursday's boxscores:
Well, the Pirates sure are happy tomorrow is Friday, because their performance on Thursday is one to forget. They lost to the Brewers 20-0. But how can you blame them? Their leadoff hitter-Akinori Iwamura- is hitting .218 and saw only 10 pitches in his 4 at bats, their cleanup hitter-Garrett Jones- is hitting .220, and Ryan Doumit is hitting .222. The best hitter in their lineup based on BA is Ronny Cedeno who is hitting .275. Ronny Cedeno.
The Brewers scored 20 runs on 25 hits, with Ryan Braun leading the way 3-4 with 3 runs scored, a SB, and 5 RBI, including his 5th HR of the season. Prince Fielder hit his first HR of the season, and Jim Edmonds had 4 hits, including his first HR, and 3 RBI.
Red Sox starter Clay Bucholz struck out 10 Rangers in 6 2/3rd innings on Thursday, but took the loss. He gave up 3 runs on 6 hits and a walk. He was cruising into the 7th, but gave up all 3 runs in the 7th.
Ranger’s outfielder Nelson Cruz wishes he could play the Red Sox every game, as he stole 2 more bases on Thursday, raising his season total to 5. His slash line is .327-.419-.827 so far in 2010.
Chris Davis was 0-3 with 2 strikeouts and is hitting .188-.264-.292 on the season. How soon before we see Justin Smoak playing first base for the Rangers? UPDATE-Smoak was called up after the game and Davis was sent down to AAA.
White Sox starter Jake Peavy rolled 7's across his linescore on Thursday, as he gave up 7 runs on 7 hits and 7 walks in 4+ innings vs. the Rays. I will be sitting Peavy for his next few starts in the Fake Teams Mixed League.
Rays outfielder Ben Zobrist silenced his critics by going 3-5 with 2 runs scored on Thursday.
David Wright went 1-4 with an RBI in the Mets 5-2 win over the Cubs on Thursday, but he struck out 3 times, and has struck out 17 times in his last 10 games. I am wondering if the beaning last year is affecting him at the plate.
Mets rookie first baseman Ike Davis went 3-4 with 2 runs scored in the win over the Cubs. Is it time to break up the righty trio of Wright,
Cub’s third baseman Aramis Ramirez might still be hurt. He is hitting .127-.188-.302 so far this season. No wonder the Cubs can't score runs.
This Phillies got a solid outing from Jamie Moyer in their 8-3 win over the Braves. Moyer gave up 4 runs, 2 earned, in 6 innings to earn his second win. The Phillies placed J.A. Happ on the DL on Thursday after he cut short a bullpen session after only a few pitches. They did get some good news though. Brad Lidge threw another scoreless inning on Thursday for
A's starter Dallas Braden won his third game of the season, holding the Yankees to 2 runs, on solo HRs, in 6 innings of work. The A's lineup featured 7 guys with an OBP of .323 or lower. That doesn't sound like a Billy Beane team to me.
Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan batted second on Thursday and went 0-3 with a walk and a run scored. Last year's rookie of the year winner is hitting .123-.167-.123 so far this season. Wow.
Is it time to buy low on Carlos Lee? He is hitting .136-.164-.153 in the early going in 2010. Teammate Hunter Pence has a similar line of .179-.193-.250.