LestersLegends.com

Here is a list of guys who typically get off to slow starts.  If you draft them, be patient.  If you didn’t take them, they may good buy low candidates.

Ryan Howard - Howard is a beast so he probably isn’t going to come available, but don’t be discouraged by a slow start.  Last year year he hit .234 with 28 HRs and 84 RBI in 96 games before the All-Star break and .276 with 20 & 62 in the last 66 games.  For his career he hits 47 points higher after the break.

Ichiro Suzuki – Ichiro hit .252 in March & April last year and .323 the rest of the way.  His April swoon may seem uncharacteristic for Ichiro, but he is a .294 hitter in April and a .337 hitter thereafter.  If he struggles early, maybe you can surgically remove him from somebody’s team.

Bobby Abreu - You may assume a slow start is due to relocation, but remember he hit .269 with just 3 HRs in 28 April games last year.  Historically, April is his worst month.  He has a .282 average and 31 HRs and 154.  He has at least 40 HRs & 170 RBI in every other Month but September (35 & 163).  Plus, he hits .303 in the other months.  He could be primed to take off someone’s hands if he starts slow.

Wednesday, June 25th
Carl Crawford hit a pair of HRs with 5 RBI.  Bobby Abreu had 3 Hits and 4 RBI.  Carlos Guillen had 4 Hits and 3 RBI.  Jay Payton hit a pair of HRs with 4 RBI.  David Wright smacked a pair of HRs with 3 RBI.  Rick Ankiel had 2 HRs, 3 Runs, and 3 RBI.  Gary Sheffield and Chase Utley each had 4 Hits.  Kelly Johnson, Geovany Soto,  Jose Reyes, Kevin Cash each had 3 RBI.  Dustin Pedroia, Coco Crisp, Derek Jeter (3 Runs), Jose Castillo, Robinson Cano, Jack WIlson, Alex Rios, Evan Longoria (3 RBI), Ross Gload, and Carlos Gomez each had 3 Hits.  Mike Lowell and Brian Buscher each scored 3 Runs.

Eric Stults pitched a Complete Game four-hit Shutout to improve to 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA.  Kyle Kendrick gave up 4 Hits in 8 scoreless Innings to improve to 7-3.  Joba Chamberlain continued to prove The Boss II right by firing 6-2/3 scoreless Innings improving to 2-2 with a 2.03 ERA.  Tim Wakefield knuckled 7 scoreless Innings allowing 2 Hits with 6 Ks to improve to 5-5 with a 3.88 ERA.  Jorge Campillo gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits with 6 Ks in 7 Innings to improve to 3-2 with a 2.54 ERA.  Randy Johnson gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings, but took the Loss.  Barry Zito shocked Giants fans by going 6-2/3 Innings allowing just 1 Run on 4 Hits to improve to 3-11.  Tim Redding gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings, but got a no-decision.  John Maine gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings to improve to 8-5 with a 3.73 ERA.  James Shields gave up 1 Run on 4 Hits in 7 Innings to improve to 5-5 with a 3.76 ERA.  Luke Hochevar gave up 2 Runs in 8 Innings to even his record at 5-5.