2012 Fantasy Baseball, Daily Fix: Yu Darvish Debuts, Barry Zito’s $19 million game
As for Darvish, he gave up all five of the Mariners runs in 5 2/3 innings, mowing down just five and handing out four free passes. It was clear that the issue came down to control, as Darvish simply didn't have command of his "20" pitch arsenal?
Also in Arlington, Ranger outfielder Nelson Cruz finally came alive in this young season. In the first three games Cruz had accrued just one hit in comparison to four k's. But he found his stroke last night going 3-4 with a home run and four ribbies.
While most expected Darvish to succeed in last night's game the same can not be said for Giants beleaguered veteran Barry Zito. The word out of Colorado where the Giants blanked the Rockies 7-0 is that Zito has altered his delivery. If the new delivery is at the root of his four k complete game with just four hits and not a single walk, then he better stick with it. This game might have been the most the Giants get out of his $19 million contract this year.
The Yankees finally picked up their first win of the season after being swept in a three game series by the Rays.
The Yankees – Orioles game boasted two 4-4 performances, one on each side. The Benjamin Button like Derek Jeter finished 4-4 with an RBI. While on the Orioles side, Matt Wieters hit his second home run of the season and picked up an RBI in the process.
Meanwhile across town from the Yankees the Mets have somehow remained undefeated notching their fourth win of the season in stylish fashion over the Nationals 4-3. The heroics were supplied by David Murphy who singled in the winning run in a tie ball game in the bottom of the 9th. The good news only gets better for Mets fans as young outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis mashed his first home run.
It's impressive to pitch eight innings of no run ball but it's even more impressive to do so without recorded a single strikeout. That's exactly what A's pitcher Tommy Milone did as he shut out the Royals over eight innings in a 1-0 win.
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Reliever, Starter, Reliever, Starter, Reliever, Starter.
This flip flop of designation is slowly becoming the norm for many young pitchers.
After just one start it appears that White Sox pitcher Chris Sale will be another in the line of CJ Wilson and Joba Chamberlin ( just kidding) to make the leap from pen to starting rotation effectively. Sale pitched 6 and 2/3rd innings of one run ball, striking out five and keeping his whip well under one as he pitched the White Sox to victory over the Indians 4-2.
Following the same theme, Red Sox rookie reliever turned starter Felix Doubront pitched well too. Although he went just five innings he racked up six strikeouts while giving up just two earned runs.
Also in Boston, after what seems like an eternity the Red Sox finally had a clean 9th inning from one of their closers by committee. Alfredo Aceves pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning, tossing in a strikeout for good measure.
Speaking of saves:
John Axford (1), Hector Santiago (2), Alfredo Aceves (1) and Grant Balfour (2)
The pitchers duels on the horizon tonight that I'm most looking forward to:
Daniel Bard (BOS) vs. Kyle Drabek (TOR) and Matt Moore (TB) vs. Rick Porcello (DET)
It's actually a pretty ugly night in the land of starting pitcher duels. But I'm intrigued to see what Bard does in the rotation and if Drabek can reestablish himself as the electric young arm he once was.
Written by Mike Naclerio exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com
Follow Mike on twitter @MikeNaclerio.
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