Known as the Sacagawea of fantasy primers, the Weekly Rundown guides
head-to-head owners through a forest of obscure stats and exploitable
matchups in an attempt to help solve lineup conundrums. While reading,
keep in mind matchups are subject to change due to managerial moves,
unforeseen injuries and Mother Nature’s influences.
LEADING OFF
Arlington’s
Department of Ballpark Security has just raised its threat level from
orange to
red. As a result, new guards have been hired, bullpen chairs bolted down
and
box seat patrons warned. No pretzel
dog feels safe…
Frank Francisco(notes) blew yet another save.
On Friday, the hotheaded closer failed to hold a three-run
lead against the Blue Jays, surrendering three in two-thirds of an inning.
Saturday’s encore, this time against Seattle,
was a disastrous carbon-copy. Below is the frightening play-by-play. Franky
supporters are strongly recommended to shield their eyes:
Francisco’s updated ERA (27.00) and WHIP (5.00) is more
indicative of a Dirk Nowitzki end game line than anything resembling a
reputable stopper. Frankly, it’s appalling. Owners who shelled out sizable coin
for the stopper’s services (The Noise embarrassingly raises his hand) are
likely already wallowing near the basement in two key pitching categories. Yippee
Skippy.
After the game Ron Washington (We can only assume he has an insatiable urge to be trapped in a "blizzard" right now) was supportive yet veiled when discussing his troubled closer’s latest debacle. From MLB.com:
There could be another save opportunity on Sunday, but it might
not necessarily be Francisco who gets the call."Stay tuned," Washington
said cryptically.Thursday and Saturday had one other thing in common. Neftali Feliz(notes) preceded
Francisco to the mound and retired the side in order in the eighth inning. But
it would still seem unlikely that Washington
would make a change at closer right now this early in the season."I’d just like to see him get those three outs in the ninth inning, and
he would, too," Washington
said. "Nobody wants to get those outs worse than Frankie. … He’s our
closer."
Francisco’s velocity is down a few ticks, but Rangers’ management doesn’t
seem concerned. Evidently he’s still rounding into shape. Still, until he can successfully generate outs, wunderkind
Neftali Feliz could snag a save opportunity or three in the short-term.
After a
rocky Opening Day, the young flamethrower has relaxed, tossing consecutive scoreless
innings with four strikeouts. Despite his tender age and end-game inexperience,
he clearly has the stuff to develop into a dominating closer.
Obviously, the torched Ranger, like Mike Gonzalez(notes), shouldn’t be banished to St. Helena just yet. With his manager’s support, he will be given additional
opportunities to right the ship. Still, owner doubt has unquestionably crept in.
QUICK HITTERS (tidbits from
Saturday’s slate): Magglio Ordonez(notes) is rapidly becoming fantasy relevant once
again after clubbing his second homer in three days. He’s now 10-for-21 on the
young season with four RBI…AL hitters continue to be intimidated by Jon Rauch’s(notes)
6-foot-11 frame and trailer-rad neck tattoo. He’s now a perfect 4-for-4 in save
opportunities…Bat cancer Willy Taveras(notes) could actually be the answer in right for
the Nationals. The speedster, a potential source of cheap speed, collected two
hits and four RBI against the Mets. Keep close tabs on him deep leaguers…Aaron
Harang(notes), arguably the unluckiest starter in the bigs over the past two seasons,
shined in a no decision versus the Cubs, racking a 7:0 K:BB split over seven
innings. He allowed three runs. In the same game, Carlos Zambrano(notes) rebounded
with a 3 ER, 9 K effort over seven strong…St.
Louis’ Jamie Garcia is a name to watch closely in
12-team and deeper formats. The rookie surrendered just one earned over six
innings (5:3 K:BB) earning the W in Sausageland. Based on his minor league
track-record, he could become a valuable K source. Dave Duncan is a genius…Gaby
Sanchez(notes) cracked his first career homer, a three-run jack off woeful Vicente
Padilla(notes). He’s quietly been productive collecting five hits in 16 at-bats (four
for extra bases) and four RBI. It won’t be long before he’s relevant in 12-team
mixed formats…The Butler bump has turned Rick Ankiel(notes) into a ball-crushing
monster. The outfielder has notched six hits and four RBI in his past two
games. He could amass a surprising RBI total hitting behind the Ass-O-Meter…Finally,
Lance Berkman(notes) is targeting April 20 for his season debut. The Big Puma’s deteriorating
bat will provide little hope for the dreadful ‘Stros. Where’s Dickie Thon when
you need him most?
DOUBLE DIPPERS
For stream conscious owners
who want to push the innings-pitched envelope this is the list for you.
Run support, ballpark factors, historical and recent trends, opposing
offenses, opposing SPs, managerial tendencies and meteorological
influences are painstakingly taken into account to give you the top
double dippers of each week.
Other AL Double Dippers: Justin Duchscherer(notes), Oak (at Sea, Bal), Brian Tallet(notes), Tor (ChW, LAA), Jeremy Guthrie(notes), Bal (TB, at Oak)
Other NL Double Dippers: Ross Ohlendorf(notes), Pit (at SF, Cin), Nate Robertson(notes), Fla (Cin, at Phi, Greg Smith(notes), Col (NYM, at Atl)
FEAST OR FAMINE?
Torn between two
stat-similar infielders this week? Use the pitching and hitting staff
sorters below to help you decide whether or not Adam LaRoche(notes) or Carl Pavano(notes) is fantasy feast or famine.
Stats are for games played through April 9:
