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Carlos Zambrano was ejected in the seventh Inning in a 2-2 game against the Pirates yesterday after going nuts after a play at the plate.  He’ll likely receive a fine and a suspension for his outburst.  Fantasy owners should plan on not having him next week unless he’s crazy enough to appeal.

Here’s video of his temper tantrum:

**Update:  Zambrano got a six game suspsension**

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

Carlos Zambrano struggled in a rehab start for Class-A Dayton.  The good news is the hamstring that earned him a spot on the 15-day DL didn’t bother him.  Unfortunately he did not perform up to his expectations, especially against inferior competition.  Big Z gave up four runs on five hits in 3-2/3 innings.

On the season he’s 3-1 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.  He has 33 Ks in 38 Innings.  Zambrano is scheduled to starts for the Cubbies on Friday, May 22nd.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

The second NL Central Ace landed on the DL because of an injury sustained while batting.  If you recall, Chris Carpenter injured his rib cage swinging a bat.  This time it was Carlos Zambrano, who strained his hamstring trying to beat out a bunt. 

Zambrano is expected to miss two or three weeks.  He was 3-1 with 33 Ks, a 4.50 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.  Randy Wells, who is 3-0 with 19 Ks, a 3.13 ERA, and 1.09 WHIP in 23 Innings for Triple-A Iowa, will get the call while Big Z recovers.

Josh Beckett - Beckett struggled through injuries to a 12-10, 4.03 ERA season in 2008.  The encouraging news is despite not having his typical stuff, he still managed 172 Ks and a 1.19 WHIP.  A healthy Josh Beckett should approach is 2007 numbers.  20 Wins, low 3.00 ERA, and 190 Ks.

 

Justin Verlander - Like most Tigers Verlander had a 2008 to forget.  He went 11-17 with a 4.84 ERA, and a 1.40 WHIP,

John Lackey - Why do all of these guys’ names start with a J?  Lackey managed just 24 starts last year, but went 12-5.  His ERA was a shade higher than normal at 3.75 (the three previous years it was 3.44, 3.56, and 3.01).  He struck out roughly the same ratio of batters 7.19 K/9 in 2007 & 7.17 in 2008. I see no reason no to expect 17+ Wins, a 3.50 ERA, and 180 Ks.

 

Carlos Zambrano - Zambrano had a nice winning percentage (.700) as he went 14-6, but he struck out just 130 batters.  I don’t see a big change in his WHIP or ERA, but I expect him to win 17+ games and strike out 170 batters. 

Chris Carpenter - Proceed with caution with Carpenter as he has lost two years to injury.  He was, however, one of the best pitchers in the game from 2004-2006.  If he looks good this Spring, why not take a chance on him?

Photos courtesy of Icon SMI

Tuesday, July 29th
Aubrey Huff went 4 for 5 with 2 Runs, a Double, a HR, and 4 RBI.  Ramon Vazquez went 4 for 5 with 4 RBI.  Gregor Blanco and Aramis Ramirez also had 4 Hits.  Marlon Byrd went 3 for 4 with 2 Runs, a Double, a HR, and 4 RBI.  Carlos Lee hit a Grand Slam.  Albert Pujols scored 3 Runs.  Yadier Molina, Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, Jose Reyes, Brad Hawpe, Luis Rivas (3 RBI), Jose Lopez (3 Runs), Bryan LaHair (3 Runs), Josh Hamilton, Milton Bradley, Gerald Laird, and Orlando Hudson each had 3 Hits.  Justin Morneau, John Buck, and Brandon Inge each had 3 RBI.

Matt Garza threw a Complete Game Shutout allowing 5 Hits with 5 Ks to improve to 9-6 with a 3.56 ERA.  Carlos Zambrano gave up 5 Hits in 8 scoreless Innings with 9 Ks to improve to 12-4 with a 2.80 ERA.  John Lackey tossed a Complete Game allowing 2 Runs to improve to 9-2 with a 2.93 ERA.  Jorge Campillo (7 Innings, 2 Runs, 5 Ks) and Todd Wellemeyer (6 Innings, 2 Runs, 5 Ks) got no-decisions.  Brett Myers gave up 1 unearned Run on 4 Hits to improve to 4-9.  Collin Balester gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings, but took the Loss.  Oliver Perez gave up 1 Run on 5 Hits in 6 Innings with 5 Ks to improve to 7-6.  Brian Moehler gave up 2 Runs in 8-2/3 Innings to improve to 6-4.  Gil Meche gave up 2 Runs on 5 Hits in 7 Innings with 8 Ks to improve to 7-7.  Doug Davis gave up 2 Hits in 7-2/3 scoreless Innings with 8 Ks to improve to 4-5 with a 3.86 ERA.  Chris Young gave up 2 Hits in 5 scoreless Inning with 8 Ks, but got a no-decision.  Jason Johnson gave up 5 Hits in 6 scoreless Innings for his first Win of the Year.  Matt Cain gave up 1 Earned Run in 7 Innings with 8 Ks, but took the Loss.