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

Diamondbacks SP Brandon Webb turned in a third straight gem to open the season Friday against the Rockies. He lasted eight innings, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk and recording four strikeouts. He now has three wins and has progressively gone one inning further in each of his three starts. If the trend continues, Webb will work a complete game his next time out. Even if he doesn’t, he’ll likely turn in a dominant performance the way he has all season. He looks like a contender for the Cy Young award again and an absolute must-start in Fantasy. Oh, and he has a fantastic matchup in his next start Wednesday at San Francisco. What’s not to love? (CBS Sports)

Jason Marquis is feeling better after a battle with strep throat and is scheduled to make his second start of the season Sunday. Maquis was scratched Friday because of the illness. He gave up 5 runs — 4 earned — in 5 1/3 innings in his first start this season. Marquis took a no decision and has a 6.75 ERA. He was on the cusp of making the rotation this spring and landed a job likely because of his big contract. He is more of a NL-only Fantasy option when healthy. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Jose Reyes expects to miss at least Saturday’s game after leaving with left hamstring tightness Friday. Reyes said he told manager Willie Randolph about the tightness before the game. “I felt it before the game,” he said afterwards. “(On the double play) I tried to put on a little speed, but I couldn’t because it was too sore.I don’t think I’m going to play (Saturday). I’ll take it day-by-day and see how I feel.” Look for Damion Easley to start at shortstop. Reyes, who had 78 stolen bases last year, has only one so far this year, and now we might now why. He’s downplaying the injury, but Fantasy owners know that burners and hamstring injuries are never a good mix. Reyes might need to rest the hamstring off and on in the coming days, so be prepared. His potential still makes him a must-start in Fantasy. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

With closer Rafael Soriano on the disabled list with elbow tendinitis, the Braves turned to RP Peter Moylan for the save Friday at Washington. He pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out two. Moylan threw 10 pitches, nine of them strikes. Moylan certainly looked good closing out Friday’s game, but Braves manager Bobby Cox hasn’t definitely dubbed him his replacement closer. Manny Acosta could still get a turn. But for now, Moylan looks like the guy to own in Fantasy. He had a 1.80 ERA in 80 appearances last year. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Despite allowing three homers, Brett Myers went eight innings and pitched the Phillies to a 5-3 win on Friday night. Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano hit the homers. Myers allowed just two other hits and walked none in his first win of the year. His velocity has been down in the early going, but if his command is there like it was tonight, he’ll be a fine starter anyway. Myers has struggled a bit in his return to the rotation, his ERA currently sitting at 5.00, and he has openly suggested he would have preferred to remain the closer. Let’s hope he approaches starting with the right attitude because he has ace-like stuff when at his best. He’ll likely make his next start Thursday against the Astros. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Albert Pujols already has made quite an impression on new teammates like Brian Barton. “There’s only a few hitters like him in the game,” Barton said, after watching Pujols hit a three-run homer in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 8-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Friday night. “His approach to the game is remarkable. I love watching him prepare, and I try to emulate some of what he does.” Barton, a rule 5 pick, doubled home two runs and threw out his first major league runner. “I love to run,” Barton said. “It’s my job to get on base and let him drive me in.” Barton will have to stay on the Cardinals’ roster all season or be offered back to Cleveland. If he keeps performing, they might just need to find him an everyday spot. For now, he is just an NL-only Fantasy option. (CBS Sports)

Overall Standings

Rank Team                Batting Pitching Total Dif   Behind
---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ----- ------
 1   Shoeless Jews       34.5    31.5     66.0  1.5   0.0
 1   X-Men               25.0    41.0     66.0  4.5   0.0
 3   Goodfellas          25.0    38.5     63.5  -13.5 2.5
 4   The Pi Train        33.5    28.0     61.5  4.0   4.5
 5   Cover Zero          32.0    20.0     52.0  5.5   14.0
 5   Stanimals           39.5    12.5     52.0  4.0   14.0
 7   Misogynistic Padres 39.0    11.0     50.0  -11.0 16.0
 8   Uncle Lester        12.5    36.5     49.0  -9.0  17.0
 9   Atomic Roadrunners  17.0    29.0     46.0  8.5   20.0
 10  Get Off Kong!       17.0    27.0     44.0  5.5   22.0

Yesterday's Stats

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (4/11/08)
Player                        BA HR R RBI   SB
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Davis, Rajai OF SF        0.0000  0 0   0    1
Dewitt, Blake 3B LA       0.0000  0 1   0    0
Fielder, Prince 1B MIL    0.2500  0 0   1    0
Hart, Corey C. RF MIL     0.0000  0 1   0    0
Jones, Andruw CF LA       0.0000  0 0   0    0
Jones, Chipper 3B ATL     0.2500  0 1   0    0
Phillips, Brandon 2B CIN  0.6667  0 0   0    0
Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Ruiz, Carlos C PHI        0.2500  0 0   1    0
Spilborghs, Ryan CF COL   0.0000  0 0   0    0
Teixeira, Mark 1B ATL     0.3333  0 0   0    0
Theriot, Ryan SS CHC      0.0000  0 0   0    0
Valentin, Javier C CIN    0.0000  0 0   0    0
Victorino, Shane CF PHI   0.6667  0 1   0    0

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (4/11/08)
Player                       ERA  K S   W WHIP
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Myers, Brett SP PHI         3.38  5 0   1 0.62
Webb, Brandon SP ARI        2.25  6 0   1 0.62