ESPN

The two things that scare me the most about starting pitchers are walks and injuries. I'll take a chance on wild, brittle pitchers on rare occasions, but let's just say Jon Lester and Rich Harden aren't two pitchers I was targeting this spring. After Wednesday's outing, in which neither permitted a run, I might have to rethink how I feel about them.

The fact is fantasy owners are not ignoring either of these pitchers, and never really have, despite the shortcomings they possess. Feel-good story Lester was owned in too many leagues a year ago, mainly because of what he overcame to even get back to the field, and also due to the popular team he plays for. All of it, however, masked an ugly career WHIP. Lester entered Wednesday's outing at offensively challenged Oakland with a career 4.79 ERA and 1.58 WHIP. The numbers don't lie. It's tough to be successful when you're a hittable lefty with such a high walk rate. A week ago in Japan, Lester walked three and allowed four runs in four innings. Despite this, he was owned in nearly half of ESPN's standard mixed leagues. It must be the name.

Harden's ability has never been questioned, but staying healthy is a skill, and that's where the tantalizing right-hander has consistently fallen short. Harden entered Wednesday with a career 3.58 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, and 440 strikeouts in 470 innings. Unlike Mark Prior, for example, he still appears to have similar stuff as he did before all the injuries and missed time. Harden started a total of 32 games from 2005-07, even though he teases us statistically. I just don't want to invest in a pitcher who can't pitch enough to lead a fantasy team to a title. Harden has pitched twice against the Red Sox and allowed one run and seven hits in 11 innings, fanning 15. He's owned in just about every one of ESPN's standard mixed leagues. If I owned him, I'd be testing the market.

The same goes for Lester, really. Fantasy is about value, and right now these two pitchers, each with a flaw we still have little evidence will be conquered this season, if ever, are wise sell-high options. Then again, there are only so many pitchers like Greg Maddux, guys who avoid walks and the disabled list. Whatever will I do when he retires?

Martin Prado filled in ably for the injured Kelly Johnson (knee) with a single, a triple and three runs scored. The 24-year-old hit .316 at Triple-A Richmond last season. He doesn't have the power or speed to appeal to fantasy owners, but he might earn playing time even when Johnson returns to the lineup later this week. ... Arizona's Chris Young didn't do much walking as a rookie, but the three free passes he drew on Wednesday are a terrific sign that he understands the significance of plate discipline. If he gets on base more, he can steal more bases and score more runs. ... Joey Votto earned the start at first base for the Reds and was 1-for-3. There was no sign of Scott Hatteberg. This might be the first lefty-lefty first base platoon in history, and it helps nobody. Wonderful. ... The Indians didn't turn their lineup upside down sans catcher Victor Martinez, but it was interesting to see Jhonny Peralta moved up to Martinez's No. 3 lineup spot, not Travis Hafner or Ryan Garko. Peralta, who went 0-for-5 and scored a run Wednesday, spent more than a third of his at-bats in the No. 3 spot over the past three seasons but didn't produce a higher slugging percentage in the role (.439 hitting third, .442 overall). A better lineup position doesn't always translate to bigger stats. ... The Juan Pierre saga continues. Coming off the bench in the ninth inning to bunt a runner to second base, Pierre failed but reached first base on a fielder's choice. Then he took off for second base as Rafael Furcal struck out, and Bengie Molina threw him out to end the game. This can't help gain Pierre playing time. ... While there were a number of fine, unexpected pitching performances on Wednesday, the first thing on my mind is how angry Tim Lincecum and Chad Billingsley owners must be. Giants-Dodgers was slated to be a matchup of these young right-handers. Well, it was, but not until the middle innings. With the threat of rain looming, Merkin Valdez and Hong-Chi Kuo were summoned within 20 minutes of the first pitch to start the game. Lincecum and Billingsley each entered the game in relief. Lincecum allowed eight baserunners in four innings but did earn the win. Billingsley gave up two hits and a run, while retiring only one hitter. Don't fret, fantasy owners, these guys are starting pitchers going forward, and good ones, assuming their managers don't panic with a bad forecast. ... Tim Redding threw a gem at Philly's bandbox, permitting one hit over seven-plus scoreless innings. Redding isn't a safe fantasy option, despite his understated 3.64 ERA in 15 starts a season ago. ... In Minnesota, 26-year-old rookie Nick Blackburn stymied the Angels for seven innings, allowing his only run on a wild pitch. Blackburn could stay in the Twins rotation even after Francisco Liriano rejoins the team. ... Joe Saunders outdueled Blackburn with eight scoreless innings and should be a popular pickup for his next outing. Just be careful here; Saunders does not have overpowering stuff, and his 1.51 WHIP wasn't helpful in 2007. ... As for Brian Bannister, most fantasy experts have been skeptical about his breakout 2007, based on a low strikeout rate, but he dominated the Tigers. I'd trust Bannister, who is owned in 3.2 percent of ESPN standard leagues, ahead of Redding, Blackburn and Saunders.