Daily ArchiveFriday, July 11th, 2008
Posted on July 11, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Johnson Shines in Return from Tommy John
Josh Johnson allowed three runs in five innings in his return to the Marlins on Friday night. Johnson gave up six hits, but he struck out six batters without issuing a single walk. All three runs scored off him with two outs in the third inning, and two of the runners only reached scoring position by stealing second base. While Johnson typically threw a fastball in the low nineties before Tommy John surgery, he regularly worked in the mid-nineties on Thursday night, something that’s somewhat common after undergoing the procedure. Still, the best course of action with Johnson is probably to stash him until he shows he can pitch well consistently. (Rotoworld)
Marlins beat writer Juan C. Gonzalez of the Sun-Sentinel was tracking Johnson’s pitches, which were a bit faster than his last outing:
Holy smoke, literally.
That was not the Josh Johnson I remember from 2006. Before Tommy John surgery Johnson’s fastball sat in the 90-91 range and occassionally touched 93. I charted each of Johnson’s 87 pitches in his first start back Thursday against the Dodgers. Check out these numbers:
60 fastballs at 93-plus
48 fastballs at 94-plus
25 fastballs at 95-plus
10 at 96; one at 97
Are you kidding me? From whom did orthopedic surgeon James Andrews extract Johnson’s new ligament? Lee Majors, circa 1977?
Even Johnson’s slider was in the 87-88 mph range. Johnson did not throw a pitch at less than 87 mph. His tempo was outstanding, maybe even a bit too fast.
Still not sure how the Dodgers managed to score three runs during his five-inning outing. All came on two-out singles in the third.
The velocity is off the chart, but Johnson’s command is a tick or two off. He threw 64.4 percent of his total pitches for strikes, but he didn’t get that slider over as consistently as he probably would have liked.
All in all, an impressive and encouraging return.
Posted on July 11, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Maine Shaky in His Return From Strained Forearm
John Maine lasted just 4 2/3 innings Thursday but the offense was able to pick up the slack and the Mets beat the Giants 7-3. Maine allowed three earned runs and walked five, tossing a total of 109 pitches. He did manage to strike out eight batters, but his lack of control is a concern. Maine was his own worst enemy throwing 53 balls, wild pitching home one run and then walking Barry Zito in the fifth, where he surrendered his other two runs, both coming with two outs. Maybe the forearm cramps that forced him to an early exit last time out are still bothering him somewhat. Nonetheless, he ends the first half of the season with a 3.99 ERA and an 8-6 record. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)
Posted on July 11, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Hart Homers After Being Named to All-Star Team
The National League’s newest All Star, Milwaukee’s Corey Hart made the fans who voted him in proud Thursday against the Rockies. Hart only managed one hit in four ABs, but made the most of the hit, slamming his 15th home run. Having an All-Star season, Hart is batting .292 with 15 homers and 57 RBI. He’s been a pleasant surprise for Fantasy owners as well and is pretty much owned across the board. His numbers prove he should be starting in all Fantasy formats. (CBS Sports)
Posted on July 11, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Phillips Gets In on Reds’ 7-HR Evening at Wrigley
Reds 2B Brandon Phillips was one of six Cincinnati hitters to smash a home run on Thursday against the Cubs. Phillips went 2-for-5 with two RBI in the game and drove his 15th out of the ballpark. Phillips hadn’t homered since July 1 against Pittsburgh and he only has hits in five of his last eight games. Still, four of those were multi-hit efforts and he’s batting .287 on the season with 58 RBI. He’s a must-start Fantasy 2B for the Reds. (CBS Sports)
Posted on July 11, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Bergmann Solid Again Without Run Support
Nationals SP Jason Bergmann pitched well Thursday against the Diamondbacks, but he didn’t get the support he needed for a win. He allowed two runs and six hits over seven innings, striking out three and walking one, and has received a meager eight runs of support in his last 11 starts. Bergmann has a 1.91 ERA over his last five starts and would no doubt get more attention in mixed leagues if his team would score a run or two for him. He remains a decent sleeper in all formats, but with only one victory to show for his efforts, you can’t expect too much in the second half. Expect him to make a start in Fantasy Week 16 (July 17-20). (CBS Sports)
Posted on July 11, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Lyon Blows Save, Allows Inherited Runs to Score
Diamondbacks closer Brandon Lyon blew a save Thursday at Washington when he allowed two inherited runners to score. He didn’t allow a run of his own, giving up one hit and recording one strikeout in one inning of work. Arizona should contend in the NL down the stretch, and Lyon will likely get plenty of saves chances in the second half. He remains a high-end Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)
Posted on July 11, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Box Score - Day 103 - July 10th
Overall Standings Rank Team Batting Pitching Total Dif Behind ---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ---- ------ 1 Atomic Roadrunners 44.5 39.0 83.5 0.5 0.0 2 X-Men 21.0 39.0 60.0 -1.0 23.5 2 The Pi Train 29.0 31.0 60.0 0.5 23.5 4 Shoeless Jews 24.0 33.5 57.5 0.5 26.0 5 Goodfellas 34.5 21.5 56.0 3.0 27.5 6 Uncle Lester 13.0 40.0 53.0 2.5 30.5 7 Stanimals 32.0 19.5 51.5 -1.5 32.0 8 Get Off Kong! 27.0 17.5 44.5 -2.5 39.0 9 Misogynistic Padres 27.0 17.0 44.0 -1.0 39.5 10 Cover Zero 23.0 17.0 40.0 -1.0 43.5 Yesterday's Stats Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (7/10/08) Player BA HR R RBI SB ------------------------ ------ -- - --- ---- Blanco, Gregor M. OF ATL 0.0000 0 0 0 0 Bowker, John OF SF 0.6667 0 1 0 0 Coste, Chris C PHI 0.0000 0 0 0 0 DeWitt, Blake 3B LA 0.2000 0 0 0 0 Fielder, Prince 1B MIL 0.2500 0 0 2 0 Hart, Corey C. RF MIL 0.2500 1 1 1 0 Headley, Chase 3B SD 0.0000 0 0 0 0 Iannetta, Chris C COL 0.0000 0 0 0 0 Jones, Chipper 3B ATL 0.0000 0 0 0 0 Phillips, Brandon 2B CIN 0.4000 1 2 2 1 Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM 0.2500 0 0 1 0 Teixeira, Mark 1B ATL 0.0000 0 0 0 0 Theriot, Ryan SS CHC 0.4000 0 1 2 0 Victorino, Shane CF PHI 0.5000 0 0 0 0 Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (7/10/08) Player ERA K S W WHIP ------------------------ ------ -- - --- ---- Bergmann, Jason SP WAS 2.57 3 0 0 1.00 Lyon, Brandon RP ARI 0.00 1 0 0 1.00 Maine, John SP NYM 5.79 8 0 0 1.50