The Fantasy Baseball Daily Fix: Giambi Tees Off 3 Homers & Bumgarner Gets First Win
Neither Justin Verlander nor Josh Beckett got the decision last night in the highly anticipated pitcher’s duel. Verlander lasted 8 innings and struck out 9, while giving up 3 runs. Beckett only gave up 1 run but was pulled in the 6th with neck tightness . He lowered his ERA to 1.73 and leads the AL.
Jay Bruce continues to hit em out of the park. Bruce hit 2 last night against Pittsburgh, giving him 10 on the season. His average stands .256 on the season, and last years .281 was unfortunately probably an anomaly.
Oakland’s Tyson Ross got 7 pitches in before leaving with a strained left oblique. In fact Ross will go into the record books as being the third pitcher ever to face 1 batter and get the loss. Although Ross faced Trevor Plouffe, he got the injury before the at bat was finished and so on paper it looks like he only face 1 batter. Chances are Ross will probably hit the DL. Ross was a nice waiver wire surprise for some, pitching 4 straight quality starts.
Reliever turned starter, Josh Collmenter won his 2nd straight start. Against the Braves and the Dodgers combined in the last two, he’s pitched 12 innings and given up 4 hits. He also handed Jair Jurrjens his first loss of the season.
The Yankees beat up the O’s last night in Baltimore 13-2. Brad Bergensen dished out 8 runs and only lasted 3.1 innings. This was probably a slap in the face to fantasy owners who picked him up after a career game against Tampa last week (9IP, 4 H, 0 R).
Ricky Romero pitched his 2nd straight gem in a row, going 7 strong and striking out 6 in the win over Tampa. Luckily Toronto didn’t need the help of Jose Bautista. Bautista went 0-4, breaking up his 9-game hitting streak and 23 straight games of getting on base.
Mike Stanton doesn’t like the ball staying in the yard. He hit his 4th home run in the last 6 games.
Madison Bumgarner finally got his first win of the season out-pitching Chad Billingsley. MadBum went 8.2 innings and only gave up 1 run. The way he's been pitching as of late, it was only a matter of time before the wins started coming. In his last five starts he's only given up 6 earned runs equaling a 1.62 ERA! It's quickly getting harder to make a trade for him…
Cards’ Kyle McClellan is the NL’s first 6 game winner. Umm, how the hell did that happen?
Carlos Gonzalez strained his groin yesterday and is questionable for today's game. The only way I ever want to strain my groin is while performing… well, you know…
Also questionable for today is Ryan Braun who was pulled yesterday from shoulder soreness.
Today's pitching matchups I will be watching: CJ Wilson @Roy Halladay, Jason Hammel @Zack Greinke, Trevor Cahill @Ryan Vogelsong.
Written by Evan Marx exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com
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(April 23, 2011 – Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America)
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