LestersLegends.com

1. Will Hideki Matsui continue to produce?
He will turn 36 this summer so expectations should be tempered. He’s also leaving the HR Haven that is Yankee Stadium. Plus, the Angels’ lineup is not as formidable as the Yankees was. Given his injury risk and new home, he’s a player I would avoid in 2010.

2. Will Scott Kazmir continue to pitch well for the Angels?
After a miserable 2009 with Tampa Bay, Kazmir pitched well for the Halos posting a 1.73 ERA in six starts. He is always an injury risk, but should post a low ERA. Getting away from the Yankees and Red Sox should help. Don’t expect a ton of strikeouts from Kazmir though, as 2007 was more the exception than the rule.

3. Outside of Kurt Suzuki, will the A’s have any decent fantasy players on offense?
Rajai Davis will get you a bunch of SBs. Other than that it’s a crapshoot. The only dark horse is Jake Fox, who could possibly put up a bunch of HRs for Oakland.

4. Will Jose Lopez have a monster year?
With Ichiro and Chone Figgins setting the table, Lopez should have plenty of RBI opportunities. He averaged 92.5 RBIs the past two years, and should go over the 100 mark this year. See where he ranks among Second Basemen.

5. Will Ichiro win the batting title?
With Chone Figgins hitting behind him and Joe Mauer playing in a new ballpark, I think Ichiro is the favorite to take home the batting crown.

6. Will Chris Davis bounce back?
Davis was everyone’s darling last year and he fell short of expectations thanks to his .238 average . He still managed to hit 21 HRs though, and was a force in September and October hitting .318 with 5 HRs and 21 RBIs in 110 ABs. Look for him to be better in 2010.

7. How will the move to Texas affect Rich Harden?
He’s pitched in the AL West before so he has a brief track record at Ranger Ballpark. It’s not pretty though. In five starts he has a 7.66 ERA, a 2.01 WHIP, and a .330 BAA. Couple that with his injury history and he’s a player I’d avoid on draft day unless he came at an absolute bargain.

Happy Birthday Dukes!

 
Wednesday, August 13th
Raul Ibanez went 4 for 5 with 3 Runs, 2 Doubles, 2 RBI, and a Walk.  Mark Teixeira went 3 for 6 with 2 Runs, 2 HRs, and 3 RBI.  Jim Edmonds (Game 1) had 3 Runs and 3 RBI.  Geovany Soto (Game 1) went 3 for 5 with a Run, a Double, a HR, and 4 RBI.  Troy Glaus went 4 for 4.  Jeff Kent also had 4 Hits.  Vernon Wells hit a Grand Slam.  Daniel Murphy (3 RBI), Omar Infante, Michael Young, Kevin Youkilis (3 Runs), Corey Hart (3 RBI), Nick Markakis, Melvin Mora, David Eckstein, Skip Schumaker, Brad Hawpe, Maicer Izturis, Yuniesky Betancourt, Russell Martin, and Eric Hinske each had 3 Hits.  Delmon Young, Wladimir Balentien and Milton Bradley each had 3 RBI.

Mark Buehrle threw 7 scoreless Innings allowing 5 Hits with 5 Ks to improve to 10-10 with a 3.77 ERA.  C.C. Sabathia gave up 1 Run in 7 Innings with 8 Ks to improve to 7-0 with a 1.55 ERA with the Brewers (13-8, 3.05 overall).  Kevin Slowey gave up 1 Run on 3 Hits in 6 Innings to improve to 9-8 with a 3.94 ERA.  Paul Maholm gave up 2 Runs in 8 Innings to improve to 8-7 with a 3.69 ERA.  David Purcey threw 6 scoreless Innings to improve to 2-3.  Jeremy Guthrie gave up 1 Run on 4 Hits in 7 Innings to improve to 10-8 with a 3.18 ERA.  Andy Sonnastine gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings with 6 Ks to improve to 12-6.  Braden Looper gave up 1 Earned Run on 5 Hits in 7 Innings to improve to 11-9.  Randy Wolf gave up 2 Runs in 7 Innings to improve to 8-10.  John Maine gave up 1 Hit in 5 scoreless Innings with 6 Ks to improve to 10-7 with a 3.97 ERA.  Brian Stokes threw 4 Innings of scoreless relief.  Rich Harden gave up 2 Hits in 5 scoreless Innings with 5 Ks to improve to 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA with the Cubs (7-2, 2.09 overall).  Ricky Nolasco gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings with 5 Ks, but got a no-decision.