Studs & Duds

After the 4the opening day and the 5^th day of baseball we should look at the studs and duds from all the opening days for fantasy purposes.  First I need to let Bud Selig know I do not like having all these opening days, overseas and then mid week. I have some weekly leagues where my team has been locked in since late March until April 16^th. By doing that I have 4 players in my line-up on the DL for these 19 days. Note to Bud: Only 1 opening day from now on…you are killing us in the fantasy world.

Studs from all the opening days:

Starting Pitching

HALLADAY was no surprise with his 8 IP with no runs and only 2 hits getting the win.

VERLANDER was solid with a line of 8 IP no runs and 7Ks.

SANTANA looked good giving up no runs but needs to pitch deeper into games to garner a W or QS for some of us. He gave up 2H and had 5K

BILLINGSLY may have been the biggest surprise of all the opening day starters. His line of 8+IP of shutout ball combined with double digit Ks. Since he is only owned in 55% of leagues expect a quick rush to pick him up this weekend.

WEAVER pitched 8 shutout innings with 10 Ks to garner the Win.

MASTERSON pitched his team to a 4-1 after 8 IP and 10K but got a ND due his bullpen.

DEMPSTER leaves with the lead after 10K but got watch his bullpen tie and then lose the game.

Infield

We had 5 1B go deep; Dunn, Goldschmidt, Smoak, C. Lee and Pena who also had 5 RBI.

Tulo is the only SS to go deep and Furcal collected 2 SB. Aybar led the way with 3 RBI

Ackley had his 2^nd multi-hit game of the season and is the only 2B with both a HR & SB. Kinsler opened his season with a run scoring double followed by a solo HR. Currently on 7 2B have an RBI on the season

The usual suspects at 3B have a HR. Longo, Joey Bats, and Freese. We need to add Hannahan from Cleveland to the mix. If you need a starting 3B Hannahan may be a good pick up for the next 6 weeks until Chisenhall gets his stroke right.

Outfield

KEMP decided to show why he deserved the MVP last year. He is 4/9 with 4RBI and 4 R.

BELTRAN is the only other OF with both a HR and SB.

CESPEDES leads all OF with 2HR. He can still be had in a few leagues, grab him if you need OF help.

MARKAKIS, HAMILTON & BOUROUGHS are all hitting .667

Duds from all the opening days:

Starting Pitchers

GALLARDO and SHIELDS both are sporting an ERA over 10

CC and LINCICUM looked rusty at best though they both had 7 Ks each.

Infielders

YOUKLIS getting old and looked it against Verlander going 0-4 with 2K.

GORDON is now 1-10 with no SB.

KIPNIS went 0-5 in the epic opening day game. He did have a R with 2 BB and 2Ks

LAWRIE also went hitless in that marathon game. 0-6

Outfielders:

Heyward went 0-4 with 2K. He still cannot hit left handlers and may continue to reside in the bottom 1/3 of the order.

STANTON is 0-8 but did hit some bombs in Miami’s new stadium that would have been gone in other parks. His home park will cost him HRs this year.

BAY was 0-3 and one pundit put it this way; Bay will be out of baseball in 24 months.

Early Rounders BRAUN, ELLSBURY. GRANDERSON are hitless.

Closers:

VALVERDE blew his 1^st save chance after going 49 for 49 last year. Then picks up the Win a BloSwin.

PEREZ  gave up 3 ER and blew the save.

THE MARLINS in 2 games have 7 Hits, 1 Run and no SB while mustering up 13 Ks.