{"id":575848,"date":"2010-05-23T00:25:31","date_gmt":"2010-05-23T04:25:31","guid":{"rendered":"urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,yhoo:20050301:fantasy,article,yhoo-ept_sports_fantasy_experts-243051:1"},"modified":"2010-05-23T00:25:31","modified_gmt":"2010-05-23T04:25:31","slug":"weekly-rundown-jeff-francis-is-hiking-up-the-comeback-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/575848","title":{"rendered":"Weekly Rundown: Jeff Francis is hiking up the comeback trail"},"content":{"rendered":"

Known as the Sacagawea of fantasy primers, the Weekly Rundown guides
\n head-to-head owners through a forest of obscure stats and exploitable
\nmatchups in an attempt to help solve lineup conundrums. While reading,
\nkeep in mind matchups are subject to change due to managerial moves,
\nunforeseen injuries and Mother Nature’s influence.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>
<\/p>\n

\nWhen Colorado’s
\nJeff Francis<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> entered the league in 2004 he was ranked ahead of contemporary fantasy superstars Josh Johnson<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Adam Wainwright<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and teammate
\nUbaldo Jimenez<\/a>(notes)<\/a>.<\/span> Named Baseball America’s
\nMinor League Player of the Year that season, the southpaw was destined to
\ndevelop into a franchise cornerstone. Equipped with a devastating change,
\nfilthy slider and deceptive high-80s fastball, the hyped prospect certainly had
\nthe stuff to live up to mammoth expectation. <\/p>\n

As with any elite pitching prospect not named Strasburg (We
\ncan only assume success will come easily for Washington’s alien life-form), Francis’
\ntransition to the big league grind was arduous. Though he won 14 games in his
\nfirst full season in ’05, his 5.68 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 1.83 K\/BB left a lot to
\nbe desired. <\/p>\n

After a positive step forward in ’06, the Canadian import
\nfinally took a major developmental leap during the Rockies’
\nWorld Series season. During that memorable campaign hitters transformed into flashing
\ndots and the youngster Pac-Man. He won 17 games, notched his best K\/9 to date
\n(6.90), sliced down the free passes (2.63 BB\/9) and devoured innings (215). His
\ngrowing command combined with an excellent groundball rate pointed to future vibrant campaigns. <\/p>\n

Then the injury imp sharpened its teeth. <\/a><\/p>\n

Francis, who underachieved throughout the ’08 season,
\nsuccumbed to the sinister creature’s bite in September suffering a significant
\nshoulder setback. After a brief non-surgical rehab attempt, he
\neventually opted to go under the knife the following February, ending his ’09
\nseason before it even started. <\/p>\n

<\/a>Historically the chances of pitchers returning to a
\nformidable level after shoulder reconstruction are minimal. Erik Bedard<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> is a
\nprime example. But, so far, the Noise’s hairier, slightly wealthier twin (see right) has defied the
\nodds. <\/p>\n

Saturday afternoon in Kansas
\n City, the veteran painted his second straight
\nmasterpiece<\/a>. Over 6.1 innings, he held the Royals scoreless, surrendering five
\nhits, two walks with three strikeouts, netting his first win since August 25, 2008.\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>Yes, he’s faced meek competition (Washington
\nand Kansas City),
\nbut the former first-round pick appears to have regained his dependable form.
\nAbandoning his slider and cutter, he’s relied solely on three pitches — 86-89
\nmph fastball, curve and change — to generate weak contact. The scaled back
\nrepertoire has worked flawlessly. In 13.1 innings, he’s allowed zero homers and
\ncompiled a 1.75 GB\/FB ratio. <\/p>\n

There are numerous under-owned
\ncommodities more viable than Francis (13-percent owned) wading in free agent
\npools in several leagues – Derek Holland<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> (17-percent) immediately comes to mind. But for
\nchallenged owners looking for a backend difference-maker, the once highly
\ntouted lefty is demanding your attention. Keep in mind he does have plenty of run support and plays in a favorable division.  <\/p>\n

Call Francis’ return to respectability just another Colorado comeback.<\/p>\n

Fearless Forecast
\n(rest of season): 138 IP, 8 W, 4.07 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 104 K<\/strong><\/p>\n

QUICK HITTERS
\n(Tidbits from Saturday’s slate): <\/strong>The Piano Man may soon sing a regretful
\ntune about Gordon Beckham<\/a>(notes)<\/a>.<\/span> After Saturday’s 1-for-2 (two runs, one SB) tally
\nagainst the Marlins, he’s hit safely in five of his last eight. Ozzie Guillen
\nwill likely keep the sophomore infielder in the nine-hole until his bat
\nfully awakens. But once it does, he will almost certainly be reinserted into the two
\nspot. Pianow’s argument for severing the cord was justifie<\/a>d, but Beckham’s
\ntop-flight pedigree will soon resurface…It appears Adam Jones<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> has finally
\nemerged from hibernation. Baltimore’s Teddy Ruxpin
\nsmacked his fifth homer of the season, a two-run shot off Washington’s Craig Stammen<\/a>(notes)<\/a>.<\/span> He’s homered in
\nconsecutive games and has recorded a hit in nine straight contests…In a
\npitcher’s duel featuring Catfish Hunter and Gaylord Perry<\/s> Gio Gonzalez<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span>
\nand Matt Cain<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> the A’s starter bested his interleague archrival hurling eight
\nshutout innings (2 HA, 1 BB, 5 K). Neo Gio can be a bit erratic, but he’s
\nquietly undergoing a breakthrough season. Trim down the walks (4.44 BB\/9
\nentering Saturday) and he could develop into a strong mixed league No. 2…  <\/p>\n

A bloop single by Juan Castro<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> in the eighth robbed Daisuke Matsuzaka<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> of baseball history. The Sox starter dominated powerhouse Philadelphia allowing just one hit with four walks and five Ks. The near milestone was his second quality start in five tries. Dice-K’s air-heavy GB\/FB and high walks are a concern, but his unfortunate BABIP and strong K\/9 gives him upside…The Mancrush Curse was squelched – at least for one outing. John Ely<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> continued to save whales and fantasy rosters limiting the Tigers to two earned runs over six innings (8 H, 1 BB, 3 K, W). Do you believe yet?…Brennan Boesch<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> cracked his fourth homer of the season. Including a run-scoring groundout, he elevated his RBI total to 22, the same number as Justin Upton<\/a>(notes)<\/a>…The<\/span> Edwin Encarnacion<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> slugfest continued as the third baseman won the heated battle of Edwins taking Jackson deep for a three-run shot. Travis Snider<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> may lose PT if Easy E and Jose Bautista<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> continue to touch ’em all…Drew Stubbs’<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> epic whiffs and Mendoza-hugging BA are an eyesore but he continues to remain productive in other key categories. He became the 13th player this season to eclipse double-digits in steals swiping bags Nos. 10 and 11 against Cleveland. The outfielder is currently on a 15-40 pace.  <\/p>\n

PULLS, STRAINS AND REHAB
\nGAINS (Injury news and notes)<\/strong>: Brad Penny’s<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> "grade 1" lat strain,
\nlikely suffered during his grand salami off Joel Pineiro Friday<\/a>, has forced the
\nvaluable hurler to the 15-day DL. Rookie P.J. Walters<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> who’s been untouchable
\nat Triple-A Memphis
\n(18.2 IP, 0.48 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 23K), earns the promotion and should see action
\nas a starter. On Saturday versus the Angels, he allowed two earned over four
\ninnings with two walks and two Ks. Based on the 25-year-old’s career 1.43 GB\/FB
\nand 8.40 K\/9 on the farm, he’s worth a look in NL-only formats…Aramis Ramirez<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span>
\nwho’s seemingly been frozen in carbonite all year, is have difficulty swinging
\nbat due to a thumb injury. Blame his inglorious Golden Sombrero effort in Texas on the setback…J.A. Happ<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> threw an encouraging bullpen
\nsession on Friday and could begin a rehab assignment late this week. Charlie
\nManuel hopes to have the second-year start back sometime in early June…Miguel
\nMontero<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> is approximately two weeks away from activation. The backstop, currently
\n44-percent owned, is worth snatching up if Mike Napoli’s<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> BA is crushing your
\nsoul…Jimmy Rollins<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> should avoid busy streets, raucous clubs and Pet a Lion Day
\nat the Philly zoo over the next couple weeks. The unlucky shortstop was placed
\nback on the 15-day DL with a calf strain. The former NL MVP hopes to return
\nwhen eligible in two weeks…The world is officially right once again! Eric
\nChavez<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> has fulfilled his yearly destiny. Mr. Glass was placed on the 15-day DL
\nwith girl<\/s> neck spasms. Rejoice! <\/p>\n

DOUBLE DIPPERS<\/strong><\/p>\n

For stream conscious owners
\n who want to push the innings-pitched envelope this is the list for you.
\n Run support, ballpark factors, historical and recent trends, opposing
\noffenses, opposing SPs, managerial tendencies and meteorological
\ninfluences are painstakingly taken into account to give you the top
\ndouble dippers of each week.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>
<\/p>\n

Other AL Double Dippers<\/strong>: None<\/p>\n

<\/a>
<\/p>\n

Other NL Double Dippers<\/strong>: Ramon Ortiz<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> LAD (at ChC, at Col), Kenshin Kawakami<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Atl (at Fla, Pit), Brian Burres<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Pit (at Cin, at Atl), R.A. Dickey<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> NYM (Phi, at Mil)<\/p>\n

FEAST OR FAMINE?   <\/strong><\/p>\n

Torn between two
\nstat-similar infielders this week? Use the pitching and hitting staff
\nsorters below to help you decide whether or not Adam LaRoche<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span>
\n or Carl Pavano<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span>
\n is fantasy feast or famine. Stats are for games played through May 22:<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>
<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Image courtesy of the AP <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 influence. When Colorado’s Jeff Francis(notes) entered […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5446,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-575848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/575848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5446"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=575848"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/575848\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=575848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=575848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=575848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}