Daily Notes: Week 2 begins
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Chad Durbin, RHP (0-0) versus Daniel Cabrera, RHP (0-1)
Notable Injuries: Ramon Hernandez, C (ribs, DL)
Game Story: Durbin is the stopgap while Detroit's rotation gets healthy, which is killing every Andrew Miller owner out there (and yes, I am one of those). Durbin will not miss too many bats and all of your Orioles, who have been hitting quite well lately, should be starting. For the Tigers, it depends which Cabrera shows up: the unhittable one or the everyone-on-base one. In his first game the latter incarnation appeared, and it seems likely that he struggles in this game as well. Start all your Tigers.
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Jeff Weaver, RHP (0-0) versus C.C. Sabathia, LHP (0-0)
Notable Injuries: Victor Martinez, C (quadriceps, DTD)
Game Story: Another day, another postponement. The Mariners and Indians are not playing today and there is no announcement on when the games will be made up.
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Carl Pavano, RHP (0-0) versus Sidney Ponson, RHP (0-0)
Notable Injuries: Hideki Matsui, OF (calf, DTD); Rondell White, OF (calf, DTD)
Game Story: The Twins' exposure to Pavano is limited, but Jeff Cirillo is batting more than .500 against him with a home run in 13 at-bats. Considering he couldn't get out of the fifth inning last time he pitched, look for the Twins to jump on Pavano early and get to a bullpen that is getting overworked too early in the season. As for Ponson, every Matt Garza owner praying for an awful start should get their wish. Expect Josh Phelps to start based on his past Ponson performance, with Melky Cabrera in for the injured Hideki Matsui.
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Odalis Perez, LHP (0-1) versus A.J. Burnett, RHP (0-1)
Notable Injuries: Octavio Dotel, RP (ribs, DL); Troy Glaus, 3B (heel, DTD)
Game Story: While no one is expecting a good start from Perez, two Blue Jays that have had trouble with the lefty are Lyle Overbay and Troy Glaus. However, Frank Thomas and (gulp) Royce Clayton are good plays against him. Even though Burnett got beat up in his first start, he only lasted two innings, so he should be well-rested. He'll take out his frustration on the Royals, who historically have not been able to hit him. For those of you Alex Gordon owners hoping today's the day he breaks out of his rookie slump, it's not.
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Edwin Jackson, RHP (0-0) versus Brandon McCarthy, RHP (0-1)
Notable Injuries: Ian Kinsler, 2B (flu, DTD)
Game Story: Jackson has failed numerous auditions, but he's still only 23. If Jackson can keep the ball down, he has a chance. However, in that ballpark he likely gives up a couple of home runs, which will be enough for Texas to knock him out of the game. Start all Rangers, even Sammy Sosa, who should jump on the third-time rookie. McCarthy is also guilty of giving up the long ball, but the first time he saw the Devil Rays, they had trouble making contact. While in general I advise against starters pitching in Arlington, McCarthy is a good spot starter.
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Jose Contreras, RHP (0-0) versus Rich Harden, RHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: 63-0. That's a best guess at a final score for this one based on the respective ERAs of the home and visiting starters. Actually, Contreras has done reasonably well against the current A's lineup, and he has a decent chance of bringing that WHIP down below 5.00 (it currently stands at 8.00). However, he picked the wrong day to totally rehabilitate his stats. While some White Sox have had some success against Harden, such as Tadahito Iguchi and Jermaine Dye, this year's version looks tougher to hit. Don't count on the White Sox offense today.
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Cole Hamels, LHP (0-0) versus John Maine, RHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Hamels looked great in his first start against Atlanta, but he'll be facing an all-star lineup in New York. He should get his strikeouts, but he'll also give up his first earned runs of the season. On the other hand, while the sample is small, the Phillies have had trouble with Maine, especially Pat Burrell and Jimmy Rollins who have two hits between them in 18 at-bats. Of course you'll start Rollins regardless, but sit Burrell. This promises to be a low-scoring affair with the win likely going to a bullpen pitcher.
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Braden Looper, RHP (0-1) versus Ian Snell, LHP (0-0)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: It's hard to believe Looper will stay a starter, and against Snell, he likely sees his second loss. Pirates batters have had trouble with Looper in his relief appearances, but over five innings, the new and improved Bucs should get to him. However, sit fringe Pirate players such as Jack Wilson. In his first start Snell looked unhittable, but he's facing the Cardinals whose bats are going to wake up all over someone. Besides the obvious names, look to Yadier Molina, Jim Edmonds and Chris Duncan to lead the charge.
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Woody Williams, RHP (0-1) versus Ted Lilly, LHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: You may want to think seriously about sitting Williams. The Cubs have seen him a lot and know how to hit him. In particular, Cliff Floyd has an OPS of 1.217 in 30 at-bats against Williams. Lilly still has the advantage of being new to the National League, but some of the Astros have seen him before. If Houston is smart, they'll start Mark Loretta, who has an OPS of 1.329 against Lilly, with two home runs in 14 at-bats. Morgan Ensberg has two hits in six at-bats against him, and both were home runs.
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Jeff Francis, LHP (0-0) versus Jason Schmidt, RHP (1-0)
Notable Injuries: none
Game Story: Francis has had limited success against the Dodgers, but in particular you should sit Luis Gonzalez. Then again, so should the Dodgers, and hopefully Andre Ethier sees more time. While you'll start Juan Pierre regardless, note his 10 singles in 12 at-bats against Francis. That's ownership, but in its weakest sense. For Colorado, they likely sit Kazuo Matsui (0-for-13 versus Schmidt) for Jamey Carroll (4-for-11), as should you. The only other Rockies with success against him are Steve Finley (don't play) and Garrett Atkins (play everyday). Don't expect the Rockies to get much going away from Coors Field.
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Jeff Suppan, RHP (0-1) versus Anibal Sanchez, LHP (0-0)
Notable Injuries: Hanley Ramirez, SS, (hamstring, DTD), Miguel Olivo, C (thumb, DTD)
Game Story: The Marlins love Suppan and have likely sent a fruit basket to his hotel room. While not many players ran on him last year, he no longer has Yadier Molina to help him, so start all Marlins, even Alejandro De Aza, who could get you a cheap steal or two. The whispers about Sanchez's health rang true in his first outing, but even so, the Brewers couldn't hit him in Dolphin Stadium if they each used two bats (sure that would hurt bat speed, but think of the plate coverage). Start your Brewers regulars but sit the fringe players.
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Bronson Arroyo, RHP (0-1) versus Doug Davis, LHP (0-1)
Notable Injuries: Juan Cruz, RP (shoulder, DTD)
Game Story: Watch for the Diamondbacks to throw a mostly lefty lineup at Arroyo and expect some success. In particular, Chad Tracy and Stephen Drew should be able to spark the offense, and the switch-hitting Alberto Callaspo should get a start. But beware, as Arroyo has pitched better away from the Great American Launching Pad. As for Davis, his 2.60 WHIP doesn't match his 0.00 ERA, so expect a case of "The Corrections" today as the Reds discover that other high-offense parks exist outside of Cincinnati. However, avoid Ryan Freel (2-for-26 versus Davis) and Edwin Encarnacion (2-for-16).
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Matt Cain, RHP (0-0) versus Chris Young, RHP (0-0)
Notable Injuries: None
Game Story: This is the second day in a row that the Daily Notes is recommending the Bee Gees (the brothers Marcus Giles and Brian Giles) who have had some success against Matt Cain, and Khalil Greene who was on the board for a long time in many drafts and is making you regret passing him over for guys like Orlando Cabrera. Perhaps Greene can be made an honorary Bee Gee. Young pitches well against the current Giants, but gave up a league-leading 41 stolen bases last year, so this is a great day to play Dave Roberts, Ray Durham and Omar Vizquel.
Royce Clayton, SS, TOR versus Kansas City Royals
Sammy Sosa, OF/DH, TEX versus Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Brandon McCarthy, SP, TEX versus Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Yadier Molina, C, STL @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Mark Loretta, 2B, HOU @ Chicago Cubs
Cliff Floyd, OF, CHC versus Houston Astros
Brian Giles, OF, SD versus San Francisco Giants
Omar Vizquel, SS, SF @ San Diego Padres
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
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