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I think it is time for MLB to just hand the MVP award to Josh Hamilton, no? Hamilton went 3-4 with 2 HRs, 3 runs and 2 RBI last night and now has 17 HRs and 40 RBI in his first 33 games. He joins Frank Howard and and Cy Williams as the only player to hit 17 HRs in his team's first 33 games. He is on pace to ht 83 HRs and drive in 196. No, he won't reach those levels, but he should easily hot 40+ HRs and drive in 125+ by season's end.
Cardinals GM John Mozeliak should be handed the GM of the year already as well. His decision to not sign Albert Pujols and sign Carlos Beltran has worked out great. Pujols is struggling like no other time in his Hall of Fame career, and Beltran just keeps hitting home runs. Beltran went 4-5 with 2 HRs and 4 RBI last night, and is now hitting .307-.410-.658 with 12 HRs and 31 RBI for the season.
Speaking of Pujols, check out this piece by Jeff Sullivan over at Baseball Nation.
Coming into the season, Clayton Kershaw was considered one of the top 2-3 starters in baseball, and by the end of the season, he should be ranked there. But, right now, he isn't even the best starter on the Dodgers. That designation goes to Chris Capuano. Capuano moved his record to 5-0 last night, limiting the Rockies to one run, a HR, on 4 hits, no walks and 3 strikeouts. In his 43.2 innings thus far, Capuano is limiting hitters to a .192 BAA and has struck out 39 and walked 15 in the early going. His BABIP of .229 will surely rise from here, but fantasy owners have to be happy with his performance to date.
More Roto Roundup after the jump:
Astros outfield prospect George Springer had a heckuva night last night. He homered in 4 straight at bats, one in his last AB in the first game of the double header and 3 in his first 3 at bats of the nightcap. He is now hitting .310-.356-.572 with 8 HRs, 32 RBI and 8 stolen bases for High A Lancaster in the Cal League. He does need to work on his plate discipline as he has struck out 44 times and walked just 11 times in his 145 at bats thus far.
Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista had a night fantasy owners have been waiting for all season last night. He went 2-5 with 2 HRs, both solo shots. He has 7 HRs and 17 RBI on the season, but is hitting just .186-.322-.390 on the season. He has struggled at the plate this season, and its possible this two-homer game could turn things around for him and fantasy owners. Then again, I said the same about Albert Pujols about a week ago, and he still hasn't snapped out of his season long slump.
Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks has had a terrible season at the plate this season, hitting just .158-.308-.292 with 3 HRs, 6 RBI, 2 stolen bases and a 41-23 strikeout to walk ratio in his 120 at bats. He was hit by a pitch last night and had an MRI on his left wrist after the game. If he lands on the DL, Edwin Maysonet will see an increase in playing time.
Pirates starter James McDonald was on the wrong side of a 1-0 game last night, but pitched outstanding. He gave up just one run on 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 8 in 8 innings of work. He is now 2-2 with a 2.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and a 39-15 strikeout to walk ratio in 44.2 innings. His FIP sits at 2.86 and his xFIP is 3.51 currently, so his performance looks sustainable going forward.
Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol could be headed to the DL as he was sent back to Chicago for an MRI on his injured right hamstring. Rafael Dolis owners have a few more weeks of save opportunities, but hopefully they are better than last night's performance. He blew the save in the 9th, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. James Russell pitched a scoreless 8th inning striking out 1 and walking 1.
Athletics outfielder Josh Reddick had the best game of his major league career last night, going 4-4 with 2 HRs, 4 runs scored and 5 RBI. He is now hitting .292-.343-.554 with 8 HRs and 19 RBI and has 5 HRs and 13 RBI in his last 10 games. The Red Sox could use his bat right now.
The Indians signed Johnny Damon to play left field and DH for them, and to provide a spark at the top of their lineup. Thus far, he has disappointed the Indians and fantasy owners who spent available FAAB budget or wasted a waiver wire move on him, as he is hitting just .171-.190-.244 with 2 RBI and 4 runs scored in his 41 at bats.