Atomic RoadRunners

Javier Valentin has just one hit in his past eight games, but he only has eight at-bats in that span. In fact, he only has 12 at-bats in the past two weeks. He’s clearly the third catcher behind the surprising Paul Bako and the returning Dave Ross for Cincinnati.

Even a backup catcher will have decent Fantasy value in Philadelphia because of the park he will get at-bats in. Coste will work behind Carlos Ruiz once again this season, but he has pop and is certainly worth looking at as a No. 2 catcher in NL-only formats. Batting over .300 might be a stretch again, but .290 is within reach. If Ruiz stumbles out of the gate, like Coste did last year with a hamstring injury, then Coste could have an opportunity to start again. (CBS Sports)

FAAB Acquisition:

• C Chris Coste, Phillies [$0 bid]

Up:

• OF John Bowker
• P Nelson Figueroa

Down:

• OF Andruw Jones
• P Duaner Sanchez

Cut:

• Javier Valentin, C, Cincinnati

Notes:

• Was outbid for re-signing Cubs P Jon Lieber. Cover Zero acquired him for $5 – I had bid $0. Lieber was added to the Cubs’ rotation, and promptly gave up 5 HR in his start. Probably for the best.
• Former Roadrunner Zach Duke was acquired by Misogynistic Padres for $4 FAAB.

Chuck James yielded two runs — one earned — in seven innings for Triple-A Richmond on Monday. James has a 1.59 ERA in his three starts for Richmond. He could be brought back to join Atlanta’s rotation next week. (Rotoworld)

Blake DeWitt hit his first major league homer Monday versus the Mets. Russell Martin is suddenly an option at third base, but DeWitt will play there against righties until Nomar Garciaparra gets back. And the Dodgers should be in absolutely no hurry for Garciaparra to get back. They’re clearly better off without him. (Rotoworld)

Overall Standings

Rank Team                Batting Pitching Total Dif  Behind
---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ---- ------
 1   The Pi Train        36.5    36.0     72.5  2.0  0.0
 2   Goodfellas          40.5    30.0     70.5  1.5  2.0
 3   Shoeless Jews       41.0    28.5     69.5  1.5  3.0
 4   X-Men               28.0    40.0     68.0  0.5  4.5
 5   Atomic Roadrunners  24.5    33.0     57.5  2.5  15.0
 6   Misogynistic Padres 29.5    27.0     56.5  -1.0 16.0
 7   Get Off Kong!       20.5    25.0     45.5  1.0  27.0
 8   Stanimals           31.0    13.5     44.5  -6.5 28.0
 9   Uncle Lester        10.5    33.0     43.5  -1.0 29.0
 10  Cover Zero          13.0    9.0      22.0  -0.5 50.5

Yesterday's Stats

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (5/5/08) F
Player                        BA HR R RBI   SB
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Blanco, Gregor M. OF ATL  0.0000  0 0   0    0
Dewitt, Blake 3B LA       0.3333  1 1   1    0
Fielder, Prince 1B MIL    0.0000  0 0   0    0
Hart, Corey C. RF MIL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Iannetta, Chris C COL     0.7500  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  0.2500  0 1   0    0
Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM     0.0000  0 0   0    1
Ruiz, Carlos C PHI        0.6000  0 1   1    0
Spilborghs, Ryan CF COL   1.0000  0 0   1    1
Teixeira, Mark 1B ATL     0.0000  0 0   0    0
Theriot, Ryan SS CHC      0.5000  0 1   1    0
Victorino, Shane CF PHI   0.4000  0 2   0    0

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (5/5/08) F
Player                       ERA  K S   W WHIP
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----