Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday went 2-3 with a HR, 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs. He has been on fire since returning from his appendectomy, as he is hitting .455-.571-.705 with 2 HRs and 11 RBIs.
Reds starter Mike Leake put his recent arrest behind him and tossed a quality start on Thursday, going 7 innings, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks an 6 strikeouts. He moved his record to 3-0, but he has an ERA just under 5.00 and has been plagued by the walk, as he has walked 10 batters in 23+ innings.
More Roto Roundup after the jump:
Reds first baseman Joey Votto went 2-4 with a HR and 2 runs scored on Thursday and is now hitting .418-.518-.657 with 3 HRs and 10 RBIs. I was trading emails with an owner in one league saying the Votto might be the 2nd best hitter in baseball, only behind Albert Pujols. An owner in another league told me that he thinks Votto is the best hitter in the NL. I am not sure I can disagree with either of them. One can make the case that Pujols, despite his current slump, is still the best hitter in baseball. While Votto is proving last year was no fluke in the early going.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingley elected to let Clayton Kershaw go for the complete game victory, but ended up regretting that decision, as Kershaw couldn't get the last out in the 9th, and ended up losing the lead. Kershaw pitched great for 8 2/3rds innings, but gave up 3 runs on 5 hits, 4 walks and 7 strikeouts. After Kershaw loaded the bases with two out in the 9th, I would have brought in Jonathan Broxton to pitch to right handed hitter David Ross. I am curious what his reasoning was for his decision to stick with Kershaw after he had thrown 115+ pitches. No confidence in Broxton, or confidence in Kershaw?
After striking out 3 times earlier in the game, Matt Kemp hit another game winning HR, this one a two run shot. He is hitting .411-.488-.644 with 4 HRs, 15 RBIs and 8 SBs. He and Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun are the two best fantasy outfielder this year.
Braves closer Craig Kimbrel blew his first save of the season on Thursday. He did end up pitching 2 innings, giving up one run on 1 hit and a walk, while striking out 4. He has a 14-2 K/BB rate in 8 innings so far this season.
Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison will miss 2-4 weeks after injuring the arch in his foot. Scott Cousins and Emilio Bonafacio will probably platoon is left field while he is out. Cousins went 14-49-12 in 410 at bats at AAA New Orleans last year.
Speaking of Scott Cousins, he had one helluva first start of the season, as he went 2-4 with a grand slam, 4 RBIs and two runs scored. He should see plenty of at bats with Morrison out for up to a month.
Cousin's teammate Mike Stanton might be coming around as he went 1-2 with a HR, 2 walks and 2 runs scored. His triple slash line is up to .231-.362-.462 and this fantasy owner is looking for a hot streak from him real soon.
Another hitter who has been struggling this season is Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez. He has struck out 23 times in 66 at bats this season, and had not homered till last night. Alvarez went 3-4 with a HR, 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs. like I mentioned a few days ago, I think it was here, Alvarez struggled at each level in the minors before getting his footing and showing the power, and I think it will happen this year as well.
White Sox outfielder Juan Pierre went 2-4 with a SB and 3 runs scored as the White Sox stopped their losing streak and beat the Rays on Thursday night. Pierre now has 5 SBs and is hitting .275-.322-.313. Can he steal 60 bases again this year?
Pierre's teammate Paul Konerko went 3-5 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs and his triple slash line now sits at .320-.381-.520 with 4 HRs and 15 RBIs in the early going this year. Some, including me, didn't think he could duplicate his 2010 season, and he just might do so.
Rays outfielder and leadoff hitter Sam Fuld went 2-5 with 2 RBIs on Thursday night and is now hitting .348-.380-.515 with a HR, 7 RBIs and 7 SBs now. Fake Teams reader paulie102704 has a nice fanpost on him, so go check it out. I will be promoting his fanpost sometime in the next day or so.
I watched the Phillies-Padres game last night, and they showed clips of Chase Utley running on the outfield grass around the infield and what my eyes saw was a player that is close to returning. Like REAL SOON. If an owner in your league is filled up with regulars in the middle infield, take a shot and make an offer.
Padres starter Mat Latos is still struggling, and as an owner I am getting concerned. He lasted only 4 and 1/3rd innings, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits, 5 walks and 7 strikeouts. He threw 107 pitches and gave up home runs to Ben Francisco and Brian Schneider of all hitters. He will have to show more control in his next few starts, or some will start thinking he is still hurt.
Red Sox starter Josh Beckett, who Jeremy wrote about yesterday, had another solid start last night, as he gave up just two runs on 3 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5 in 8 innings. It appears that Beckett is back to being a fantasy ace. One concern is that manager Terry Francona allowed him to throw 125 pitches last night.
Mets third baseman David Wright broke out of a slump to go 2-3 with a HR, a walk and a strikeout, 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs. Wright is still hitting just .247-.325-.452 this season but he certainly won't end the season there.
The Mets got one outfielder, Jason Bay, back from the DL, and may lose another to the DL as Angel Pagan pulled a muscle in his left side. If Pagan misses some time, Willie Harris may return to the lineup. Harris replaced Pagan in last night's game. Pagan has not hit well this season as his triple slash line is .167-.269-.258.
After getting roughed up in his last two outings, Mariners starter Felix Hernandez threw 7 2/3rd shutout innings, giving up 4 hits, 3 walks and striking out 7.
Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis was pulled from Thursday night's game with a bruised shin. It sounds like he won't be out long. If he is out for a few games, fan favorite Jed Lowrie will take his spot at third base.
Phillies starter Roy Oswalt pitched a gem as well, as he shutout the Padres for 6 innings, giving up just one hit, two walks and 7 strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 1.88.