Daily Notes: Dice-K faces Felix in Fenway debut
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Mark Buehrle, LHP (0-0) versus Joe Kennedy, LHP (0-1)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: It's "Lefty Wednesday," with 12 southpaws starting today (six in each league) and three lefty-versus-lefty matchups. Buehrle appears OK after being struck by a liner, but he's facing A's hitters that have seen him before and hit him well. Every batter except the middle infielders have had success against him, and you especially want to start Shannon Stewart, Bobby Kielty and Jason Kendall. For the White Sox, everyone but Tadahito Iguchi (0-for-8, 2 K) and Darin Erstad (.226 average in 31 at-bats) should start against "The Patriarch" (Kennedy).
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Felix Hernandez, RHP (1-0) versus Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: This is the game you want to watch. There's a potential for over 25 strikeouts combined (or five Rob Deers) for the two starters in this weather, and since both are just starting their major league careers, this could be the first chapter of a good pitching rivalry. Start your best Boston hitters against King Felix, but don't go out of your way to pick up any additional Sox. For Matsuzaka-san, first Kansas City and now Seattle. I smell a conspiracy. Regardless, he should shut down the Mariners, but remember the home run he gave up last week was to a lefty.
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Joe Saunders, LHP (0-0) versus Jake Westbrook, RHP (0-0)
Notable Injuries: Victor Martinez, C (quadriceps, DTD)
Game Story: If it's a Cleveland home game, this must be Milwaukee. Hey, at least they're finally playing some games, and Milwaukee used to be an AL town. Oddly enough, it appears Saunders has not pitched in a true closed dome in the majors (he's pitched in Safeco Field, but that's open air), but inside from the elements, Cleveland's hitters should show some power. For Westbrook, the results against him are mixed. He pitches great at home, but this isn't home, is it? Maicer Izturis and Gary Matthews Jr. love him, but Garret Anderson and Orlando Cabrera.
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Justin Verlander RHP (0-0) versus Adam Loewen, LHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: Ramon Hernandez, C (ribs, DL)
Game Story: Chances are good this game gets rained out. Despite the good overall performance, Verlander walked a lot of Royals last week. This time he faces the third-highest run-scoring offense in the AL, and they won't let Verlander get away with so many free passes. Start the big-name Orioles but don't pick up any extra. This is Loewen's year, and pitching at home helps after beating the Yankees last week. If he's still on the waiver wire, you may want to consider him for the season. As for the game, like they say at the zoo, don't pick up any Tigers.
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Jorge De La Rosa, LHP (1-0) versus Gustavo Chacin, LHP (0-0)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: De La Rosa has limited experience against Toronto's batters, but those he has seen, he has struck out (seven strikeouts in 17 at-bats). Think about using your generic brand Blue Jays that hit lefties well, like Aaron Hill and Reed Johnson. The Royals haven't seen much of Chacin, either, but the one that has, Emil Brown, has two hits in eight at-bats, and both were homers. Chacin did give up three homers to the Devil Rays last week, so think about trying to get power out of your Royals.
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James Shields, RHP (0-0) versus Robinson Tejeda, RHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Shields is a groundball pitcher, which should help in Arlington, but he also pitches worse at night, on the road, and in open-air stadiums. He likely records a good number of strikeouts, but also gives up a good number of runs. Hank Blalock had two hits with one home run in his only appearance against Shields. Blalock is due for a good game. If Tejeda can shut down the Red Sox at his ballpark, then imagine what he can do to the Devil Rays. Tejeda's a great spot starter. Avoid any middle-of-the-road Tampa players like Rocco Baldelli and Ty Wigginton.
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Mike Mussina, RHP (0-1) versus Ramon Ortiz, RHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: Hideki Matsui, OF (hamstring, DL); Jeff Cirillo, 3B/DH (knee, DL)
Game Story: The only Twins that own Mussina are banged up, so expect a good rebound game from him. Don't start borderline Twins batters, unless you want to take a chance Jason Tyner gets a start. So, what do you think the odds are of Ortiz having two great starts in a row? They're probably about as good as any presidential candidate being seen within 100 yards of Pacman Jones this year. Start all of your Yankees hitters including Josh Phelps and don't pick Ortiz up for a spot start.
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Adam Wainwright, RHP (1-0) versus Paul Maholm, LHP (0-1)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: PNC Park annually leads in games cancelled due to weather, and this game likely helps the claim on the 2007 crown, which right now is headed to Jacobs Field. If they do play, expect good numbers for Wainwright, who is still trying to prove he belongs in the rotation. If he doesn't watch out, he might become the Cardinals No. 1 starter with Chris Carpenter out. Maholm has limited experience against the Cardinals, but they do hit him well. In particular, So Taguchi likes him, but don't pick him up as the game likely doesn't get played.
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Wandy Rodriguez, LHP (0-1) versus Rich Hill, LHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: This game has been called due to snow. The game will be made up on July 12.
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Dave Bush, RHP (0-1) versus Sergio Mitre, RHP (0-1)
Notable Injuries: Hanley Ramirez, SS (hamstring, DTD)
Game Story: Bush scared the heck out of his owners with that six-run first inning last week, but then he settled down. Expect a better Bush this time. No Marlin has hit a home run off of Bush, and likely none does on Wednesday. As for the Brewers, I can't help but think they'll have the unsettling feeling that they left their door unlooked and someone is using their house. I would advise starting Damian Miller, who has two home runs against Mitre, but Johnny Estrada caught for Bush last time, so there's no assurance Miller plays. Play your other Brewers, though.
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Adam Eaton, RHP (0-1) versus Oliver Perez, LHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: This one is most-likely rained out. Eaton had a great chance to play for a team in a good park and instead went for the money. You'll see what could have been when (if) he pitches at Shea Stadium Wednesday. He should keep the Mets' bats relatively quiet, but start Moises Alou (12-for 29, 2 home runs against Eaton). For us Perez owners, we're hoping his first game was the rule, not the exception for 2007. The Phillies have hit Perez very well, so this is as good a test as any. Regardless, start Pat Burrell (4-for-12, 3 home runs).
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Jerome Williams, RHP (0-1) versus Chuck James, LHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Williams is making another try at sticking in a rotation, but he's still the same guy San Francisco and Chicago gave up on. He can tame Andruw Jones and Jeff Francoeur, but Craig Wilson and Kelly Johnson hit him well. James looked great against Philadelphia last week and should not be available on any waiver wire, especially with the news Mike Hampton is done for the season (again). Expect James to keep the Nats' bats quiet.
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Matt Belisle, RHP (1-0) versus Micah Owings, RHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: Chris Young, OF (groin, DTD)
Game Story: The Diamondbacks bat much better against righties this season, and it's time Belisle is reminded of his talent level. Start all your Diamondback batters. As for Owings, I've gotten tons of e-mails asking me if they should pick him up, and the short answer is yes in deep NL-only, but no everywhere else. Owings has great talent, but his start was against the hapless Nationals. Watch another start and see how he does before giving him the Cy Young. He had a slightly harder time with lefties than righties last week, so keep your Reds righties ractive. Er, active.
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Noah Lowry, LHP (0-1) versus Greg Maddux, RHP (0-1)
Notable Injuries: Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B (elbow, DTD)
Game Story: The Giants have stumbled out of the gate. I'm waiting for the headline "Curse of the Barrys," or the more pun-filled, "Off to a Barry Bad Start." Lowry gets hit hard by Brian Giles, but the best Padres batter to use is Jose Cruz Jr. (6-for-13, 2 home runs). Maddux pitched well last time out except for a home run ("Chicks dig the longball"), and he should do well against the faltering Giants. However, Ryan Klesko bats well against him, as does Lance Niekro. Since only one can start, go with Klesko. Sit Pedro Feliz and Omar Vizquel.
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Jason Hirsh, RHP (1-0) versus Brad Penny, RHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: Matt Kemp, OF (shoulder, DTD)
Game Story: I stayed away from Hirsh because of Coors, but as he showed at Petco Park last week, he has great skills if he's in a pitcher's park. With a start in Dodger Stadium, he should pitch well and is worth a spot start. Play only your big-name Dodgers. While Penny looked good last time out, he should be about average against the visiting Rockies. Keep in mind that their infield hits better than their outfield against him.
Shannon Stewart, OF, OAK versus Chicago White Sox
Gary Matthews, Jr., OF, LAA @ Cleveland Indians (in Milwaukee)
Hank Blalock, 3B, TEX versus Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Robinson Tejeda, SP, TEX versus Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Matt Murton*, OF, CHC versus Houston Astros PPD
Moises Alou*, OF, NYM versus Philadelphia Phillies
Pat Burrell*, OF, PHI @ New York Mets
Craig Wilson, 1B, ATL versus Washington Nationals
Ryan Klesko, 1B, SD versus San Francisco Giants
Jose Cruz Jr., OF, SD versus San Francisco Giants
Jason Hirsh, SP, COL @ Los Angeles Dodgers
*Game at risk of being rained/snowed out
Please Note that the Notable Injuries are not meant to be a comprehensive report of each team's disabled list. For brevity, we include only day-to-day injuries or new DL additions for players you might otherwise consider using in these games. Long-term DL or day-to-day injuries to starting pitchers who were not scheduled to appear are omitted.
David Young is a fantasy baseball analyst for ESPN.com and TalentedMrRoto.com. He can be reached at MrSnappy@TalentedMrRoto.com
