Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
Remember that time when Troy Glaus was eligible at shortstop? Yeah, that was awesome. Shoddy Chris Farley impersonations aside, roto-devotees will recall that Glaus had to step in for the Blue Jays for one measly game and was eligible the remainder of that year and the next.
Well, what if Nick Swisher was eligible at pitcher?
It's not quite as far-fetched as it might seem because last night, the Yankees centerfielder took the mound and tossed an inning of relief work amid a 15-5 throttling at the hands of the Rays.
Now, Swisher's eligibility probably won't happen in 99.9% of fantasy baseball leagues, but what if it did? It raises an interesting point that's not approached much; normally eligibility is easily discussed because of the difference in position scarcity across offensive positions. But would you want a "pitcher" accumulating offensive stats for you? Sure you would, especially in a H2H league where you owned an ace or two already, could plug in a closer and utilize someone like Swisher to make up for any lacking offensive deficiencies.
Now obviously this is a deep-end-of-the-spectrum type of situation, but it really emphasizes just how important positional eligibility is throughout the season in fantasy leagues. And probably explains why you should be trading for Pablo Sandoval now, before he gets Josh Willingham-like super powers behind the plate.
Bits from the Box Scores:
• Quick: Zach Duke, Zach Greinke, Chad Billingsley -- which one fo these don't belong? The answer (OBVI!! LOL) is "Duke," even though he got his CGSO on yesterday while dominating a pitiful Houston Astros team. Many an owner rode Duke to a strong second half in 2005, but it's not advisible to expect this -- or close to this -- for much of the season. He's a spot-start in most cases but deeper leagues should definitely dangle him if there's interest. Billingsley (11K yesterday) and Greinke (0.00 ERA through two games) are aces. Duh. Doi. Etc.
• Ladies and gentlemen, the Chris Davis Taterwagon is warming up the engine and it's about to leave the garage (he homered for the first time last night, much to the relief of owners who invested heavily). If you want on the bandwagon, you need to make a play ASAP. His owner won't be giving him away for much at all in a few weeks.
• The first person to ever homer in Citifield Sponsored by American Tax Dollars? Jody Gerut. Who? Right ... but don't move on just quite yet. After all, some genius pegged Gerut, who happens to be on the wrong side of 30, as the best value on the Fathers this year. Now, he happens to occasionally sit against lefties, which is a nightmare, but he's filthy cheap in roto terms and should get you 20/10 in terms of homers and steals, respectively.
• Ted Lilly went 6 and two-third of no-hit ball yesterday before someone (*cough*Snyder!*cough*) jinxed him. Meanwhile on the other side of the spectrum (and field), Ubaldo Jimenez lasted less than four innings, managing to walk six, albeit K-balling five, in what should be a microcosm of this season. Again. Yes, he's talented, and yes, the Cubs are a dangerous lineup, but the guy is a less insane version of Oliver Perez at this point.
• Owners got a pleasant surprise when Gavin Floyd picked up a win yesterday despite walking seven and allowing six earned. It happened because Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye hit milestone jacks and Carlos Quentin went yard twice. Personally, I want John Danks over Floyd, although the latter is generally more hyped I think.
• Yovani Gallardo got knocked around by the Reds to the tune of seven earned in five innings, plus a disturbing four walks. Love him as a buy low right now.
• Justin Upton remains hitless on the season. He's obviously too talented to just drop (OR IS HE?) but shallow, non-keeper leagues should certainly have their finger on the trigger if someone is blowing up the waiver wire. Upton will be a stud, but it might not be this year, and waiting to not see that happen can kill your squad.
• Chris Iannetta walked twice last night but is now batting .067 on the season. I'm not a huge advocate for trying to trade for a catcher, but if you can upgrade at minimal cost, why not. Another upgrade worthy catcher? Matt Wieters. How long are people going to sit on him in your league? It's early in the season people -- take stabs at underperforming semi-studs.
Run to the Wires For: Daniel Murphy. After a good start to the season, Murphy looks locked into the second spot of the Mets order. He's going to slap line drives all day long with developing power, and with Jose Reyes in front and David Wright behind that should be plenty of RBI and runs scored. An excellent lower-end outfield option.
Down on the Farm: Matt LaPorta, the key to the Indians shipping CC Sabathia to Milwaukee last year, is raking early in Triple-A: .500/.538/1.083 (yes, that's a 1.622 OPS (!), math majors). It won't be long before the Tribe comes calling for additional offense.
Lineup Lock Time: Same as it ever was: The earliest game is 1:05pm ET with the Tigers and White Sox.
Playing the Splits: I love me some Matt Garza, but the guy's got a career 4.56/1.44 split against the Yankees, and it's not like their lineup has somehow gotten worse. Mark DeRosa, in six career AB's (sample size alert, etc.) is batting .333 with a tater against Royals pitcher Kyle Davies. Aubrey Huff p-wns Brandon McCarthy over nine ABs, hitting .556 with a jack and three RBI. Carl Crawford could be in line for a big game against A.J. Burnett -- he's hitting .361 with a homer over 36 career ABs against one of the new Yankees. Deep leagues: Ross Gload averages .435 in 23 career ABs against Javier Vazquez.
Gut Feelings: Manny Parra got shellshocked in his first start this season and sits tight with an unpleasant 10.38 ERA. The Reds can mash, and hit up Gallardo yesterday, but I see a 10K+ performance coming from one of my breakout performers this season. It's a gut feeling! Go with it! Also something to go with: Max Scherzer has a monster pitching performance against the Cardinals in his hometown of St. Louis, outdueling Chris Carpenter for the win.
Wednesday's Ace in the Hole: I traded Scott Baker (0-0, N/A) before the season started so I fully expect seven innings of shutout ball on Wednesday in his return from the DL against the Blue Jays. Deeper leagues should take a gander at Armando Gallaraga against the White Sox. Oh, and Clayton Kershaw owns my [fantasy baseball] heart. Won't be long until he has yours too.
