Chicago Cubs’ pitcher Ryan Dempster allowed seven earned runs for the second consecutive start on Thursday, recording just one out before being yanked. Along the way he walked four, hit a batter and yielded four hits, including a grand slam to Stephen Drew.
Through six starts, the usually reliable Dempster now sports an unsightly 9.58 ERA and 1.87 WHIP. Given his steady production over the last three seasons (3.49 ERA, 8.20 K/9, 3.28 BB/9), one can’t help but wonder: What’s wrong with Ryan Dempster?
Question from an avid reader:
Is Chris Coghlan legit?
-Big Mike
Chris Coghlan is off to a hot start for the Marlins. After his 1-f0r-4, three RBI performance on Wednesday, Florida’s leadoff hitter is batting .297 with 16 runs, four HRs, 16 RBI and one stolen base.
In order to determine if Coghlan is a legitimate fantasy contributor, we can turn to his minor league totals and scouting reports…
Los Angeles Dodgers’ GM Ned Colletti indicated on Tuesday that the team will install a closer-by-committee until Jonathan Broxton can right himself. Manager Don Mattingly will roll with the best ninth-inning matchup each night.
The two most likely candidates to close are Hong-Chih Kuo (who’s currently on the DL with a sore back, but is eligible to return on Sunday) and Vicente Padilla (who just returned from the DL after elbow surgery). Kuo (28 percent owned in Yahoo! leagues) is worth picking up and stashing on your DL, while Padilla (two percent owned) is a must-add.
Through the team’s first 17 games, the Oakland Athletics lead the majors in ERA, and it’s not even close. The A’s team ERA currently sits at 2.44, while the major’s second lowest ERA (Angels) is 3.01.
Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill have been big contributors to the team’s stellar ERA thus far. From a fantasy standpoint, however, one can’t help but wonder: Who is better—Anderson or Cahill?
The Los Angeles Dodgers promoted outfield prospect Jerry Sands on Monday after the 23-year-old hit a whopping .400/.422/.875 with five HRs and 17 RBI in 10 games (40 at-bats) at Triple-A Albuquerque.
He made his major league debut later that night, going 1-for-3 with a sac fly. He then went 1-for-4 on Tuesday night with an RBI groundout.
The Dodgers have installed Sands as their starting left fielder, and he could even relieve left-hander James Loney at first base against southpaw pitchers.
So what can Sands offer to fantasy managers in 2011 and beyond?
Saturday, April 30, 2011
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