Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Jose Reyes went 2-for-6 with a run scored and his first stolen base of the season Thursday against the Phillies. He also had a double and a close play at the plate that was nearly another run scored. Reyes and David Wright pulled off a double steal in the eighth. It was Reyes’ first stolen base since Sept. 15. Reyes’ Fantasy owners can climb off the ledge now. The 22-game drought was the longest of his career. He swiped 78 bags last season, which is a rate of about one every two games, so he has a little catching up to do. We suspect he’ll come around sooner or late, though, and he’s a must-start in Fantasy. (CBS Sports)

Giants RP Brian Wilson wasn’t expecting to get in any work Thursday against the Cardinals as San Francisco led 5-0 heading into the ninth inning. However, Brad Hennessey ran into trouble. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk in a 1/3 of an inning before giving way to Wilson, who inherited runners on first and second. However, Wilson got Adam Kennedy to ground into a fielder’s choice and got pinch-hitter Rico Washington looking on a 3-2 pitch to end the game. Wilson got his second save and lowered his ERA to 7.36. Wilson really needed a confidence boost after getting beat up in his previous two starts. For now, Wilson remains a No. 3 Fantasy closer since he pitches for a bad team. (CBS Sports)

Brian Wilson attributed his early season struggles to a minor flaw in his pitching mechanics that he believes is simple to correct, the Giants’ official site reports. Wilson, who blew a save Tuesday and sports a 9.00 ERA on the season, pointed out that he’s not landing consistently with his front (left) foot as he follows through with his motion. Wilson acknowledged that he thrives on work, like most relievers, and his activity has been sporadic thus far. The Giants will likely stick with him, but if he doesn’t turn it around, Tyler Walker and Merkin Valdez are the alternatives. (Rotowire)

Brian Barton is expected to get the start both on Friday and Sunday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. For a fifth outfielder, Barton should get plenty of at-bats. If Skip Schumaker continues to struggle, Barton could receive even more opportunities. (Rotowire)

Mets SP John Maine took a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning Thursday against the Phillies before giving up a leadoff homer to Pedro Feliz and Chris Coste’s double off the left-field fence. He was replaced by Pedro Feliciano, who held the 3-1 lead. However, Aaron Heilman would allow two runs to score in the eighth and cost Maine the W. Maine allowed five hits in six-plus innings while walking five and striking out one. He lowered his ERA from 9.00 to 4.50. Maine looked more like the guy Thursday who dazzled this spring, and not the like guy who lasted four innings against the Braves in his 2008 debut, which ended in a loss. The Mets, as well as Fantasy owners, have high hopes for Maine. So despite a less than stellar start, he still remains a No. 3 Fantasy SP in mixed leagues. His next scheduled start is likely for Tuesday against the Nationals, which would put him on track to be a two-start pitcher Fantasy Week 3 (April 14-20) with his second start a rematch against Philly. Maine was 2-1 with a 4.41 ERA and complete-game shutout in three starts against Washington last season. (CBS Sports)

Cubs RP Jon Lieber (2-1) got the 7-3 decision by pitching 4 1/3 scoreless relief innings Thursday against the Pirates after starter Rich Hill needed 72 pitches to get through three innings. Lieber allowed five hits, zero walks and struck out one. Lieber has wins in his last two relief outings and pitched 7 1/3 scoreless relief innings during the three-game series against Pittsburgh.Lieber remains a solid Fantasy middle reliever, who could get a spot start at times. (CBS Sports)

Cubs manager Lou Piniella hinted that he could take Rich Hill out of the rotation until he works out his control issues. “I’m going to sit down and talk to our pitching coach about that. I want what’s best for Hill. We’ve got to get him straightened out. That’s the important thing,” Piniella said. Hill could trade places with Jon Lieber, who bailed him out after his second poor start of the season on Thursday. Lieber pitched 4.1 scoreless innings Thursday for his second win of the season. He struck out one and didn’t walk a batter. Lieber, who hasn’t been scored upon yet this season, has taken well to his long relief role. If Jason Marquis (flu) can’t go on Sunday, then Sean Marshall would likely get the nod instead, especially after Lieber’s four-plus inning outing Thursday. At this point, it’s unclear whether Lieber is next in line to join the rotation or whether the Cubs are content to keep him in the pen. One reason to think that Lieber would get the call if the Cubs needed a permanent replacement in the rotation is that Marshall’s the only lefty in the pen, while the Cubs already have two left-handed starters (Ted Lilly, Rich Hill). (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Overall Standings

Rank Team                Batting Pitching Total Dif  Behind
---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ---- ------
 1   Goodfellas          28.5    43.0     71.5  -5.5 0.0
 2   Shoeless Jews       31.5    32.5     64.0  -0.5 7.5
 3   The Pi Train        34.0    29.5     63.5  6.0  8.0
 4   Misogynistic Padres 41.0    13.5     54.5  -6.5 17.0
 4   X-Men               19.5    35.0     54.5  -7.0 17.0
 6   Cover Zero          34.0    18.5     52.5  6.0  19.0
 7   Stanimals           37.0    13.0     50.0  2.0  21.5
 8   Uncle Lester        12.0    37.5     49.5  -8.5 22.0
 9   Get Off Kong!       18.0    30.5     48.5  10.0 23.0
 10  Atomic Roadrunners  19.5    22.0     41.5  4.0  30.0  

Yesterday's Stats

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (4/10/08)
Player                        BA HR R RBI   SB
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Davis, Rajai OF SF        0.0000  0 0   0    0
Dewitt, Blake 3B LA       0.0000  0 0   0    0
Fielder, Prince 1B MIL    0.0000  0 0   0    0
Hart, Corey C. RF MIL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Jones, Andruw CF LA       0.0000  0 0   0    0
Jones, Chipper 3B ATL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Phillips, Brandon 2B CIN  0.0000  0 0   0    0
Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM     0.3333  0 1   0    1
Ruiz, Carlos C PHI        0.0000  0 0   0    0
Spilborghs, Ryan CF COL   0.0000  0 0   0    0
Teixeira, Mark 1B ATL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Theriot, Ryan SS CHC      0.6667  0 1   0    0
Valentin, Javier C CIN    0.0000  0 0   0    0
Victorino, Shane CF PHI   0.3333  0 0   0    0

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (4/10/08)
Player                       ERA  K S   W WHIP
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Maine, John SP NYM          1.50  1 0   0 1.67
Villanueva, Carlos SP MIL   6.00  4 0   0 1.67
Wilson, Brian RP SF         0.00  1 1   0 0.00