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

Cubs SS Ryan Theriot stroked three singles in four at-bats Thursday against the Brewers. He has hit safely in five of his last six games (10-for-25). He has four multi-hit games, four walks, two stolen bases and two RBI in that span. Theriot is never going to give you power from the shortstop position, but he hit over .300 in his final two minor league seasons and apparently can hit MLB pitching as well. His value really lies in NL-only and mixed Rotisserie formats, but he is making plenty of noise in mixed formats right now as well. (CBS Sports)

Victorino reached base safely in three of his four plate appearances on Thursday, his first start since returning from the DL on Tuesday. Victorino went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored to go along with two walks. As long as Philadelphia gets solid production out of Victorino, he should continue to play in the Phillies’ crowded outfield. With the San Francisco lefty Patrick Misch set to start against the Phillies on Friday, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jayson Werth and Victorino fill in at center and right with Geoff Jenkins starting on the bench for a second-straight day. (Rotowire)

Andruw Jones was held out of the Dodgers’ lineup Thursday. The Associated Press reports that manager Joe Torre benched Jones because Thursday’s afternoon game came a day after a night game. Jones came in late in the game as a defensive replacement, but Matt Kemp manned center for most of the game. MLB.com notes that the struggling Jones has made an adjustment in his batting stance Wednesday with a more open batting stance against lefty Scott Olsen. Jones has been pulling off pitches all year. To reach pitches with an open stance, he must bring his left leg toward home plate and the momentum of that act theoretically nullifies his tendency to pull away. He flied out twice to center field and popped to second before walking twice, although, as the game progressed, his stance appeared to close. “I’m trying everything,” Jones said afterward. Right now, it’s best to keep him reserved outside of deeper NL-only leagues until he finds something that works for him. Perhaps the day off will inspire some new ideas. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Mike Gonzalez, who is on the way back from Tommy John surgery, could return to the Braves’ bullpen as soon as mid-May. Gonzalez is scheduled to pitch his last extended spring training game on May 14, and could skip a minor league rehab assignment and go right to the Atlanta bullpen. He’ll likely assume duties as the team’s primary setup man. (Rotoworld)

Overall Standings

Rank Team                Batting Pitching Total Dif  Behind
---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ---- ------
 1   The Pi Train        37.0    39.0     76.0  5.5  0.0
 2   X-Men               31.5    38.0     69.5  2.0  6.5
 3   Shoeless Jews       39.0    26.5     65.5  -2.5 10.5
 3   Goodfellas          37.0    28.5     65.5  -3.5 10.5
 5   Misogynistic Padres 35.5    22.5     58.0  0.5  18.0
 6   Atomic Roadrunners  23.0    33.0     56.0  1.0  20.0
 7   Get Off Kong!       19.0    30.0     49.0  4.5  27.0
 8   Stanimals           31.5    15.0     46.5  -4.5 29.5
 9   Uncle Lester        9.5     33.0     42.5  -2.0 33.5
 10  Cover Zero          12.0    9.5      21.5  -1.0 54.5

Yesterday's Stats

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (5/1/08) F
Player                        BA HR R RBI   SB
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Blanco, Gregor M. OF ATL  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     0.5000  0 0   0    0
Iannetta, Chris C COL     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     0.0000  0 0   0    0
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      0.7500  0 0   0    0
Victorino, Shane CF PHI   0.5000  0 1   0    0

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (5/1/08) F
Player                       ERA  K S   W WHIP
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
[No pitching statistics]