John Lackey | LestersLegends.com

Monday Must Be Pitching Day

14 December 2009

The Hot Stove has been relatively quiet, but that changed today as three aces have found new homes.

ESPN is reporting that John Lackey reached a five-year deal with the Red Sox for $85 million. Lackey’s fantasy value shouldn’t change much as he remains on a contender. He is pitching in a tougher division, but his move to third in the rotation should lead to move favorable match-ups.

ESPN is also reporting that Cy Young winners Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee will have new homes in 2010. The Phillies, Mariners, and Blue Jays agreed to a three-way deal that will send Halladay to the Phils, and Lee to the M’s. The details have yet to be finalized. Personally I don’t see the point of acquiring Halladay if you can’t have Lee as well.

Both Halladay and Lee should be two of the first Pitchers off of fantasy boards next year.

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| Posted by LestersLegends | Categories: fantasy baseball, MLB | Tagged: Boston Red Sox, Cliff Lee, John Lackey, John Lackey Red Sox, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Roy Halladay, Roy Halladay Phillies, Roy Halladay trade, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays |

MLB Injury Notes

11 May 2009

Kansas City Closer Joakim Soria went on the 15-day DL because of a sore shoulder. The move was made retroactive to May 8th. Soria is seven for seven in Save opportunities, has a 2.08 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Juan Cruz will hold down the fort while Soria is out. He has a couple Wins on the year, a 1.88 ERA, and 1.12 WHIP. He’s not as nasty, as evidenced by his 6.91 K/9 ratio compared to Soria’s 10.38, but he should be a nice short-term solution for Soria owners or those looking for additional Saves.

The Angels could be adding not one, but two front end Starting Pitchers this week as both John Lackey and Ervin Santana are close to putting their elbow injuries behind them. In two starts for Triple-A Salt Lake Lackey is 0-1 with a 2.79 ERA and 0.72 WHIP. He has 8 Ks in 9-2/3 Innings, with just one Walk. Santana has made one start picking up a Win with a 3.60 ERA and 0.80 WHIP. He had four Ks in 8 Innings with just one Walk as well.

Daisuke Matsuzaka threw four scoreless Innings in his second rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket. He has not allowed a Run in 6-2/3 Innings during his rehab assignment. He has 5 Ks and 4 Walks, which has his WHIP at an unimpressive 1.50. He will likely make one more rehab start before rejoining Boston.

Chien-Ming Wang will make his first rehab assignment start when he takes the mound for Triple-A Scranton. The Daily News is reporting he’ll throw 100 pitches, and if he looks good, he could rejoin the Yankees shortly. Currently he’s sporting a 34.50 ERA and 4.83 WHIP.

There are several players with bumps and bruises right now. There are just four games on tap today:

Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians
Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets
Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco Giants (Ryan Zimmerman Watch continues)

Everyone else will welcome the time off after a long stretch of consecutive games.

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| Posted by LestersLegends | Categories: fantasy baseball, MLB | Tagged: Chien-Ming Wang, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Dice-K, Ervin Santana, fantasy baseball, Joakim Soria, John Lackey, MLB, MLB Injury Notes |

Angels Lackeying Starting Pitchers

31 March 2009

You can add John Lackey to the growing list of disable Angels Starting Pitchers.

Lackey’s elbow has once again proven troublesome. He got a cortisone shot last week, but will spend some time on the shelf. Lackey owners shouldn’t be too alarmed. They say the injury isn’t as bad as last year’s. He didn’t pitch until mid-May and finished 12-5 with a 3.75 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 130 Ks in 163-1/3 Innings.

Also slated to miss the start of the season are Ervin Santana (elbow) and Kelvim Escobar (shoulder). Santana has been responding well to treatment and could be back in a month or so. Escobar is also doing well as the team brings him along at a steady pace. According to the L.A. Times, the Angels want to have Escobar on a 100-pitch count in a couple weeks and in the rotation by the end of April.

With the talented trio out of action, the Angels will lean on Nick Adenhart, Dustin Moseley and Shane Loux. The Angels face the Red Sox, Yankees, and Twins in April, which means their 2009 season may get off to a bumpy start.

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| Posted by LestersLegends | Categories: fantasy baseball, MLB | Tagged: Ervin Santana, fantasy baseball, John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim |

Fantasy Baseball Bounceback Players – Pitchers

26 February 2009

Here’s a look at some Pitchers who should bounce back this year.

josh-beckett-pitching
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.

Jake Peavy - His numbers (2.85 ERA, 1.18) were outstanding, but he went just 10-11 because he lacked run support. He was nearly traded to the Cubs, and a deal could still be in the works. I fully expect him to win at least five or six more games and add about 40 Ks to last year’s 166.

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.

Scott Kazmir - Finally a non-J. Kazmir started 27 games last year and went 12-8 with a 3.49 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and 166 Ks. His ERA and WHIP were right in line with his career averages. Where he should improve is in Wins and Ks. I’d guess he’ll win a career high 16 games and strike out 200.

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

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| Posted by LestersLegends | Categories: fantasy baseball, MLB | Tagged: Carlos Zambrano, Chris Carpenter, fantasy baseball, Jake Peavy, John Lackey, Josh Beckett, Justin Verlander, MLB, Scott Kazmir |

Fantasy Baseball Players of the Day – 8/26/08

27 August 2008

Tuesday, August 26th
Geovany Soto went 3 for 5 with 3 Runs, 2 Doubles, a HR, and 7 RBI. Jimmy Rollins went 5 for 7 with a Run, a Double, a HR, 3 RBI, and 3 SBs. Orlando Cabrera went 4 for 5 with 3 Runs, 2 Doubles, a Triple, and 2 RBI. Ben Francisco went 3 for 5 with 2 Runs, 2 HRs, and 4 RBI. Damion Easley went 4 for 5 with 3 Runs, a Double, a HR, 2 RBI, and a Walk. Cody Ross went 3 for 5 with a Run, a Double, a HR, and 4 RBI. Johnny Damon hit a pair of solo HRs. Fernando Tatis had 4 RBI. Vernon Wells (3 RBI), Omar Infante (3 Runs), Briand Giles (3 RBI), Carlos Quentin, Manny Ramirez, Cristian Guzman, Coco Crisp, Alfonso Soriano, Nyjer Morgan, Miguel Olivo, Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Craig Counsell, Jayson Werth, Torii Hunter, Adrian Beltre (it’s almost as he’s punishing the Twins for not making a move for him at the trading deadline), and Rich Aurilia each had 3 Hits. Franklin Gutierrez, Brad Hawpe and Adrian Gonzalez each scored 3 Runs. Jason Kendall and Kevin Kouzmanoff each had 3 RBI.

Bronson Arroyo tossed a Complete Game allowing 1 Run on 5 Hits to improve to 12-10. John Lackey Lackey threw a Complete Game allowing 1 Run with 5 Ks to improve to 9-2 with a 2.95 ERA. Kevin Millwood also threw a Complete Game allowing 1 Run to improve to 8-7. Gavin Floyd gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits in 8 Innings to improve to 14-6 with a 3.70 ERA. Cliff Lee did it again. He allowed 2 Runs in 7-2/3 Innings to improve to 19-2 with a 2.43 ERA. Ben Sheets pitched 6 scoreless Innings allowing 5 Hits to improve to 12-7 with a 3.05 ERA. Roy Halladay gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings with 7 Ks to improve to 16-9 with a 2.69 ERA. Ryan Rowland-Smith gave up 2 Runs on 5 Hits in 7 Innings with 5 Ks to improve to 3-2 with a 3.73 ERA. Jorge de la Rosa gave up 1 Earned Run on 5 Hits in 6 Innings to improve to 7-7. Wandy Rodriguez gave up 2 Runs on 3 Hits in 7 Innings with 10 Ks, but got a no-decision. Zack Greinke gave up 1 unearned Run on 4 Hits in 6 Innings with 5 Ks, but got a no-decision. Derek Lowe gave up 2 Runs in 8 Innings with 6 Ks, but lost.