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Make sure you post any questions you may have in the comments section of the Roundup every day. Rather than wait for a Fantasy Chat, you can post your questions any day that you'd like. I will answer any question you have, whether it concerns a trade offer you made/received, a roster decision, a waiver wire move, or a keeper decision.
Kershaw being Kershaw
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was one out away from his second complete game shutout of the season last night, but still left with his 4th win of the season, as the Dodgers shut out the Nationals 2-0 last night. Kershaw gave up just 5 hits, walking one and striking out 11 batters. He is now 4-2 with a 1.40 ERA, a 0.87 WHIP and a 67-17 strikeout to walk rate in 64.1 innings this season. One concern from his effort last night is that he threw a season-high 132 pitches, giving the Dodgers bullpen a rest. I will be interested to see how he performs in his next start on Monday. Kershaw has given up 3 runs or less in all 9 starts, and given up 1 run or less in 6 of his 9 starts this season. In 45 innings at Dodger Stadium this season, Kershaw owns a 0.80 ERA. Best. Pitcher. In. Baseball.
For more on Kershaw's performance, check out True Blue LA, SB Nation's Dodgers fan site.
Andrew Cashner shuts down hot Orioles lineup
Andrew Cashner tossed his longest outing of the young season last night, giving up just 2 runs, 1 earned on 5 hits, a walk and 3 strikeouts in 7.1 innings, but was left with a no decision. He also pitched 7.1 innings in his last outing vs the Marlins, and is now 2-2 with a 2.84 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and a 27-16 strikeout to walk rate in 38 innings thus far. He has given up just one earned run in his last two starts, covering 14.2 innings. Cashner needs to show fantasy owners that he can stay healthy for a full season, but I have to wonder if he will have an innings limit placed on him as a result of his injury history.
For more on Cashner's outing, and about the Padres in general, make sure you check out Gas Lamp Ball, SB Nation's Padres fan site.
Felix vs CC
In a battle of two aces, Felix Hernandez outperformed C.C. Sabathia in New York last night. King Felix held the Yankees to just one run on 5 hits, 2 walks and 8 strikeouts in 6 innings of work. He was all set to win the game, as the Mariners scored 2 runs in the top of the 7th inning, but their bullpen gave up 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th to lose the game. Hernandez is now 5-2 with a 1.52 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. He has given up one run or less in each of his last six starts.
As for Sabathia, he lasted one out more than Felix, but gave up 3 runs, 2 of which were earned, on 10 hits, 2 walks and 10 strikeouts. He did not factor in the decision, but is now 4-3 with a 3.19 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. He has given up 3 runs or less in 7 of his 9 starts this season.
For more on the matchup of aces, check out Pinstriped Bible, SB Nation's Yankees fan site, and Lookout Landing, SB Nation's Mariners fan site.
Carlos Gonzalez goes yard twice
Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is one of the top fantasy hitters in the game, and last night he showed us why. CarGo went 5-5 with 2 home runs, 3 runs and 3 RBI, raising his triple slash line to .313-.384-.583 with 9 HRs, 31 runs, 22 RBI and 5 stolen bases in 144 at bats thus far. He is on pace to put up a 30 home run, 20+ stolen base season for the Rockies, but has a history of minor, nagging injuries which his owners need to be aware of.
If you aren't doing anything on Thursday night, it doesn't get much better than Justin Verlander vs Yu Darvish in Texas at 8pm ET on the MLB Network. I know I will be watching.
To read more about CarGo's performance last night, and more about the Rockies, check out Purple Row, SB Nation's Rockies fan site.
More Roundup
Angels outfielder Mike Trout had some lofty expectations bestowed upon him coming into the 2013 season after his absurd rookie season. Last night, he went 1-2 with a walk and a sacrifice fly, a HR and 2 RBI, and he is now hitting .286-.352-.522 with 7 HRs, 25 runs, 27 RBI and 7 stolen bases thus far. He is on pace for 29 HRs and 29 stolen bases, not as good as his 2012 season, but still first round worthy.
Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin has been a huge surprise for his fantasy owners this season, and he continued his winning ways last night vs the Braves. Corbin tossed 7 shutout innings, limiting the Braves to just 3 hits, but walking 5 and striking out 5 to earn the win. He is now 6-0 with a 1.52 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 41-17 strikeout to walk rate in 53.1 innings this season. He has, amazingly, given up two runs or less in all 8 starts this season.
Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran is quietly having another fast start to the 2013 season, much like he did in 2012. What fantasy owners want to know is whether he will slump badly in the second half like he did last season, or will he continue to be an offensive force for their fantasy teams all season. Beltran went 3-5 with a HR, 2 runs and 4 RBI, raising his triple slash line to .303-.338-.553 with 10 HRs, 16 runs and 26 RBI.
Closer News
I wrote here in the Roundup and in my Week 7 Closer Report that I felt that Dodgers manager Don Mattingly would go to Kenley Jansen in the next save opportunity, and that is exactly what he did last night. Mattingly went to Jansen to get the last out of the game, after Clayton Kershaw threw 132 pitches, and Jansen struck out Tyler Moore on 4 pitches to earn his second save of the season. I think the closer job will be Jansen's going forward.
Diamondbacks closer Heath Bell notched his 5th save last night, pitching a clean ninth inning and striking out 2 batters, preserving a 2-0 lead. David Hernandez gave up a hit while striking out 3 in the 8th inning.
Orioles closer Jim Johnson came on to preserve a one run lead in the ninth inning last night, and got knocked around, giving up two runs on four hits to blow his first save of the season. The Padre hitters must have known what was coming as Johnson only needed 13 pitches to get three outs while giving up 2 runs and 4 hits.
More fantasy goodness from Fake Teams
Head-to-Head Risers and Fallers for Week 7
Fantasy Football 2013 Quarterback Rankings
Injury Report: Sometimes, you just don't know
Fantasy Baseball: Two-Start Pitchers for Week 7
Mariners could use Nick Franklin now, perhaps so could your fantasy team
Prospect Profile: Tyler Glasnow
Closer Report: Rankings for Week 7
Coming Soon to A Stadium Near You: Matt Wisler, RHP, San Diego Padres