News
Mark Melancon (RHP, BOS) lived a nightmare against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night, allowing a walk, a double, and three home runs without recording an out. For the season, Melancon has now allowed 11 ER in only two innings, for a 49.50 ERA. He has taken two losses and was removed from the set-up role in the season's first week. Melancon has options remaining, and on Wednesday he was sent to AAA-Pawtucket in an effort to let him straighten out his mechanics and clear his head. How does his demotion affect the Red Sox pen?
Apr 18 2012 11:05pm
Apr 18 2012 11:05pm
After spending Opening Day on the bench, Juan Pierre (OF, PHI) has since started five of the six games in which the Phillies have faced a right-handed starting pitcher. Just two years ago, Pierre swiped 68 bases and had an SBO of 43%, though those numbers dipped dramatically last year. He was successful on just 27 of his 44 stolen base attempts (61%), and had a 27% SBO. It's unrealistic to expect a full rebound for Pierre, now 34 years old, but he could still be a strong speed source, and has already stolen two bases this year.
Apr 17 2012 11:05pm
Apr 17 2012 11:05pm
Matt Carpenter collected 7 hits and 7 RBI vs. the Cubs in three games this past weekend. He'll likely be on the bench when Lance Berkman returns Tuesday, but keep an eye on him ...
Apr 16 2012 11:05pm
Apr 16 2012 11:05pm
The Giants have been in this position before, but not quite for so long of a stretch: needing to find a fill-in for closer Brian Wilson, who is expected to miss the rest of the season. Late last season, Santiago Casilla answered the call, converting six of seven saves. But might the team do something different this time around?
Apr 15 2012 11:05pm
Apr 15 2012 11:05pm
This NL Midweek Series Matchup column previews seven three-game series and one four-game set.
Apr 15 2012 11:01pm
Apr 15 2012 11:01pm
This AL Midweek Series Matchups column previews one two-game series in Boston, three three-game series and three four-game sets.
Apr 15 2012 11:01pm
Apr 15 2012 11:01pm
Under-the-radar Andy Dirks (DH, DET) has taken advantage of his early opportunities in Motown. Can he continue to make an impact? We also take a look at some ailing pitchers in LAA and MIN, some scuffling OF in CIN, and a few significant injury updates.
Apr 14 2012 11:05pm
Apr 14 2012 11:05pm
There is never a good time to suffer an injury to a starting pitcher because of the lack of replacement options, but early in the season you do have a few more choices. Thus getting the jump on the potential injury situation is important. Here is a look at a handful of starters and their early season struggles. Are they struggling early on due to some sort of hidden injury or just early season rust?
Apr 14 2012 11:03pm
Apr 14 2012 11:03pm
CLE has signed free agent Johnny Damon (DH/OF, CLE) in an effort to boost its struggling offense. CLE's .176 BA and .617 OPS rank last in the AL through the season's first week. While qualifying initially only at DH in most formats, Damon is likely to become CLE's primary LF and leadoff hitter, though incumbent LF Shelley Duncan is likely to find AB vs. RHP at any of LF, 1B or DH.
Apr 13 2012 11:05pm
Apr 13 2012 11:05pm
Miguel Olivo (C, SEA) was back behind the plate on Thursday, a day after taking his first rest of the season on Wednesday, yielding to Jesus Montero (C/DH, SEA). The Mariners got a good night out of John Jaso (C, SEA) on Wednesday, who served as the DH and got two hits in four AB. With both Montero, 22, and Jaso, 28, one wonders if Olivo's playing time could be at risk as we get further into the season.
Apr 12 2012 11:05pm
Apr 12 2012 11:05pm
Opening with three kings: Oakland to face Felix Hernandez for a third time already when they play Seattle on Friday.
Apr 12 2012 11:03pm
Apr 12 2012 11:03pm
Mark Melancon (RHP, BOS) lived a nightmare against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night, allowing a walk, a double, and three home runs without recording an out. For the season, Melancon has now allowed 11 ER in only two innings, for a 49.50 ERA. He has taken two losses and was removed from the set-up role in the season's first week. Melancon has options remaining, and on Wednesday he was sent to AAA-Pawtucket in an effort to let him straighten out his mechanics and clear his head. How does his demotion affect the Red Sox pen?
Apr 18 2012 11:05pm
Apr 18 2012 11:05pm
After spending Opening Day on the bench, Juan Pierre (OF, PHI) has since started five of the six games in which the Phillies have faced a right-handed starting pitcher. Just two years ago, Pierre swiped 68 bases and had an SBO of 43%, though those numbers dipped dramatically last year. He was successful on just 27 of his 44 stolen base attempts (61%), and had a 27% SBO. It's unrealistic to expect a full rebound for Pierre, now 34 years old, but he could still be a strong speed source, and has already stolen two bases this year.
Apr 17 2012 11:05pm
Apr 17 2012 11:05pm
Matt Carpenter collected 7 hits and 7 RBI vs. the Cubs in three games this past weekend. He'll likely be on the bench when Lance Berkman returns Tuesday, but keep an eye on him ...
Apr 16 2012 11:05pm
Apr 16 2012 11:05pm
The Giants have been in this position before, but not quite for so long of a stretch: needing to find a fill-in for closer Brian Wilson, who is expected to miss the rest of the season. Late last season, Santiago Casilla answered the call, converting six of seven saves. But might the team do something different this time around?
Apr 15 2012 11:05pm
Apr 15 2012 11:05pm
This NL Midweek Series Matchup column previews seven three-game series and one four-game set.
Apr 15 2012 11:01pm
Apr 15 2012 11:01pm
This AL Midweek Series Matchups column previews one two-game series in Boston, three three-game series and three four-game sets.
Apr 15 2012 11:01pm
Apr 15 2012 11:01pm
Under-the-radar Andy Dirks (DH, DET) has taken advantage of his early opportunities in Motown. Can he continue to make an impact? We also take a look at some ailing pitchers in LAA and MIN, some scuffling OF in CIN, and a few significant injury updates.
Apr 14 2012 11:05pm
Apr 14 2012 11:05pm
There is never a good time to suffer an injury to a starting pitcher because of the lack of replacement options, but early in the season you do have a few more choices. Thus getting the jump on the potential injury situation is important. Here is a look at a handful of starters and their early season struggles. Are they struggling early on due to some sort of hidden injury or just early season rust?
Apr 14 2012 11:03pm
Apr 14 2012 11:03pm
CLE has signed free agent Johnny Damon (DH/OF, CLE) in an effort to boost its struggling offense. CLE's .176 BA and .617 OPS rank last in the AL through the season's first week. While qualifying initially only at DH in most formats, Damon is likely to become CLE's primary LF and leadoff hitter, though incumbent LF Shelley Duncan is likely to find AB vs. RHP at any of LF, 1B or DH.
Apr 13 2012 11:05pm
Apr 13 2012 11:05pm
Miguel Olivo (C, SEA) was back behind the plate on Thursday, a day after taking his first rest of the season on Wednesday, yielding to Jesus Montero (C/DH, SEA). The Mariners got a good night out of John Jaso (C, SEA) on Wednesday, who served as the DH and got two hits in four AB. With both Montero, 22, and Jaso, 28, one wonders if Olivo's playing time could be at risk as we get further into the season.
Apr 12 2012 11:05pm
Apr 12 2012 11:05pm
Opening with three kings: Oakland to face Felix Hernandez for a third time already when they play Seattle on Friday.
Apr 12 2012 11:03pm
Apr 12 2012 11:03pm
