At Home Plate - Fantasy Baseball: Ticker Week 3 (April 14-20th)

Fantasy Baseball: Ticker Week 3 (April 14-20th)

Written by Jonathan Leshanski (Contact & Archive) on April 12, 2008

Projected Two Start Pitchers for this Week.

Suggested:
Mark Buehrle (CHA) OAK, @TB
Ryan Dempster (CHN) CIN, PIT - not sold on Dempster but I like the match ups
Dana Eveland (OAK) @CHA, KC - good young pitcher.
Randy Johnson (ARI) @SF, SD - gamble on Johnson v. weak offenses.
Dustin McGowan (TOR) @BAL, DET
Ervin Santana (LAA) @TEX, SEA
Adam Wainwright (STL) MIL, SF

You Make the Call:
Jeremy Bonderman (DET) MIN, @TOR
Dave Bush (MIL) @STL, @CIN
John Danks (CHA) OAK, @TB
Zach Greinke (KC) @SEA, @OAK
Aaron Harang (CIN) @CHN, MIL
Edwin Jackson (TB) NYA, CHA
Ubaldo Jimenez (COL) @SD, @HOU
Jair Jurrjens (ATL) @FLA, LAN
Hiroki Kuroda (LAN) PIT, @ATL
Jon Lester (BOS) @CLE, TEX
Shawn Marcum (TOR) @BAL, DET - facing Detroit’s offense worries me.
Kevin Millwood (TEX) LAA, @BOS - powerful offenses
Mike Pelfrey (NYN) WAS, @PHI
Andy Pettitte (NYA) @TB, @BAL
Nate Robertson (DET) MIN, @TOR - not bad match ups to play.
Tim Wakefield (BOS) @CLE, TEX

Other Two Start Pitchers:
Scott Baker (MIN) @DET, CLE
John Bale (KC) @SEA, @OAK
Miguel Batista (SEA) KC, @LAA
Jason Bergmann (WAS) @NYN, @FLA
Paul Byrd (CLE) BOS, @MIN
Shawn Chacon (HOU) @PHI, COL - ouch! tough competition
Zach Duke (PIT) @LAN, @CHN
Kason Gabbard (TEX) LAA, @BOS
Ian Kennedy (NYA) @TB, @BAL
Kyle Kendrick (PHI) HOU, NYN
Adam Loewen (BAL) TOR, NYA
Dustin Mosely (LAA) @TEX, SEA
Scott Olsen (FLA) ATL, WAS
Jonathan Sanchez (SF) ARI, @STL
Greg Smith (OAK) @CHA, KC
Andy Sonnanstine (TAM) NYA, CHA
Steve Trachsel (BAL) TOR, NYA
Jarrod Washburn (SEA) KC, @LAA
Jake Westbrook (CLE) BOS, @MIN
Randy Wolf (SD) COL, @ARI

At the top three hitters parks
Citizens Bank Park (Phillies): 3 games v. Astros, 3 games v. Mets
Great American Ballpark (Reds): 2 game v. Brewers
Coors Field (Rockies): No games

At the top three pitchers parks
PETCO park (Padres): 3 games v. Rockies
Metrodome (Twins): 2 games v. Rays, 3 games v. Indians
AT & T Park: 3 games v. Diamondbacks

Ratchet Them Up:

Dana Eveland (SP, A’s): Is Eveland the real deal?   His minor league stats suggest he really could be. The 24 year old has been pushed hard and was rushed to the Majors and at the top levels he’s always struggled. But over time comes maturity and his minor league numbers suggest he could be a dominating strikeout pitcher with a solid ERA and WHIP to boot. He’s well worth a flyer for those searching for pitching.

Nelson Figueroa (SP, Mets): Figeroa looked sharp in his Mets debut and outside of his recent New York based publicity he’s a virtual unknown.   His first outing resulted in a W, 6Ks, 2 hits, 2 walks, and 2 ER in six innings. His numbers in other leagues (Mexican, Dominican) and his previous stint with the Pirates as a reliever suggest he can be a solid strikeout pitcher. The Mets offense should allow him to get a few wins too.

Evan Longoria (3B, Rays): One of the most hyped prospects of the last decade will debut this weekend and it’s fair to assume he’ll get plenty of playing time this week. The 22 year old has power but he’s struggled a bit in the minors so far this season.

Jeremy Hermida (OF, Marlins): He’s back and has been flashing his power early. This guy is a very good outfielder and a better hitter. If he’s available, which is unlikely, grab him, if you own him activate him.

Francisco Liriano (SP, Twins): Should be back this week and is definitely worth a stab in deeper leagues - however after this kind of surgery it usually takes 18 months to fully regain form, and while that’s just about how much time Liriano has taken. Still better not to expect too much, aside of course from a pitch count.

Jose Guillen (OF, Royals): He’s done absolutely nothing of merit this season so far but he’s no longer under sentence of drug suspension. That alone raises his value.

Joel Pineiro (SP, Cardinals): Will probably return to the rotation this week. Aside from eating innings he probably has very little value.

Mike Rabelo (C, Marlins): Returned from the DL and will share catching duties in Florida. He’s worth a flyer in deeper leagues but he’s going to have a lot of rough spots.

Jason Kubel (OF, Twins): The powerful Kubel is still a serious hitting threat and he’s begun to find his stride with regular playing time. He could be one to watch especially since he’s entering his prime just about now.

Mike Jacobs (1B, Marlins): Has been on a power tear this past week. He’s got the ability to hit 30 home runs if you can deal with the rough spots and the possible low average.

Chad Cordero (CL, Nationals): Is expected back at the end of the week.

Chris Duncan (OF, Cardinals): Now that he’s healthy again and is beginning to hit he’s definitely worth a pickup in most leagues. He has 25 home run power and will bat somewhere between the number 2 and 5 slot. That means he’ll either generate runs or RBIs.   He batted second in front of Albert Pujols on Sat.

Ratchet Them Down:

Jose Reyes (SS, Mets): Left Friday’s game in the 5th with tightness in his hamstring. Considering the majority of his value is in his legs it’s time to downgrade him for at least a week.   Still you’d have to be insane not to play him if the Mets do. An MRI revealed a muscle strain, nothing more serious.

Dontrelle Willis (SP, Tigers): Hyperextended his right knee on Friday and will probably land on the DL.

Jimmy Rollins (SS, Phillies): Is still dealing with a twisted ankle, but even if he returns to the lineup don’t expect to see much in the way of speed this week.

Bartolo Colon (SP, Red Sox): Was placed on the minor league DL. This ought to slow down his return to the big leagues.

Ty Wigginton (IF. Astros): Was placed on the DL with a fractured left thumb. He’s eligible to return at the end of next week but I wouldn’t count on it.

Derek Jeter (SS, Yankees): When exactly Jeter will be back in the lineup is a big question. His thigh injury seems like it might be minor but the Yankees will be careful with him. Don’t be surprised if he misses much of the week.

Mike Lowell (3B, Red Sox): Sprained his thumb on Thursday while trying to field a ground ball. Expect him to miss two weeks, maybe more.

Dave Roberts (OF, Giants): Roberts is probably done for the season due to extensive damage to the cartaledge of his left knee.

Rich Harden (SP, A’s): Will head to the DL once again, but anyone who chose to draft Harden had to know that this was likely to happen.

Cliff Floyd (OF, Marlins): Has had knee surgery and probably won’t be back until early next month.

Luis Castillo (2B, Mets): Hurt his knee and will be a part time player next week if he plays at all.

Matt Garza (SP, Rays): Was placed on the 15 day DL with inflammation of his pitching arm.

Francisco Rodriguez (CL, Angels): Has two sore ankles and hasn’t been able to push off properly. That has lead to him getting hit hard, very hard.   He’s at least temporarily likely to be passing on the save chances.

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