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.

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

Monday, July 21st
Miguel Cabrera went 5 for 6 with 2 Runs, 2 Doubles, and 6 RBI.  Matt Joyce went 4 for 6 with 3 Runs, a Triple, a HR, and 5 RBI.   James Loney went 3 for 6 with 2 Runs, a Triple, and 5 RBI.  Troy Tulowitzki went 5 for 5.  J.J. Hardy and Jason Bay each had 4 Hits.  Curtis Granderson went 3 for 5 with 4 Runs.  Carlos Guillen went 3 for 4 with 5 Runs, 2 RBI, and 2 Walks.  Freddy Sanchez went 3 for 6 with 2 Runs, a HR, and 4 RBI.  Bill Hall, Jason Kendall, Alexi Casilla, Denard Span, Jose Molina, Edgar Gonzalez, Nate McLouth, Xavier  Nady, Kazuo Matsui, Russell Martin (3 Runs), Jeff Kent (3 Runs), Matt Holliday (3 RBI), Brad Hawpe (3 RBI), Ian Stewart, Manny Ramirez, and Howie Kendrick each had 3 Hits.  Richie Weeks, A-Rod, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Josh Hamilton, and Gary Sheffield each had 3 RBI.

Scott Kazmir gave up 2 Hits in 7 scoreless Innings with 9 Ks to improve to 8-5 with a 2.80 ERA.  Jorge Campillo gave up 2 Hits in 7 scoreless Inningswith 6 Ks to improve to 5-4 with a 2.83 ERA.  Randy Johnson also gave up 2 Hits in 7 scoreless Innings to improve to 7-7.  Rich Harden gave up 1 Run on 1 Hits in 7 Innings with 10 Ks, but took the Loss.  Jon Lester struck out 6 in 7-1/3 scoreless Innings to improve to 8-3 with a 3.20 ERA.  Scott Feldman gave up 1 Run on 4 Hits in 6 Innings to improve to 4-3.  Javier Vazquez gave up 3 Runs on 4 Hits in 7 Innings with 10 Ks, but took the Loss.  Zach Miner gave up 3  Hits in 6 scoreless Innings to improve to 4-3 with a 3.73 ERA.

2008 MLB All-Star Game
J.D. Drew took home MVP honors going 2 for 4 with a Run, a HR, 2 RBI, a Walk, and a SB.  Home Run Derby Champ Justin Morneau went 2 for 4 with 2 Runs (including the game-winner), a Double, and a Walk.  The NL got solid offensive contributions from their Shortstops as Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Tejada each went 2 for 3 with a Run.  Tejada added a Walk and a SB.  Albert Pujols also collected two Hits.  Matt Holliday clubbed a HR for the game’s first Run.  It was the NL’s only Extra-base Hit.

Obviously pitchers don’t last long in All-Star Games, but a few performances stood out.  Starters Cliff Lee and Ben Sheets each allowed 1 Hit in 2 scoreless Innings with 3 Ks.  Aaron Cook had the longest outing throwin 3 scoreless Innings.  Ryan Dempster struck out the side.  Carlos Zambrano, Dan Haren, and George Sherrill all pitched at least 2 scoreless Innings.  Scott Kazmir pitched a scoreless 15th Inning for the Win.

Tuesday, July 8th
Miguel Cabrera went 4 for 4 with 2 Runs, 2 HRs, and 3 RBI.  Carlos Beltran went 3 for 4 with a HR and 4 RBI.  Jim Thome went 4 for 5 with 3 Runs, 2 Doubles, and a Walk.  Esteban German went 4 for 6 with 3 Runs, a Double, an RBI, and a SB.  Alexei Ramirez and Mike Aviles also had 4 Hits.  Chase Headley went 3 for 5 with 4 RBI.  Scott Hairston went 3 for 5 with 2 Runs, 2 Doubles, an HR, and 3 RBI.  Brian McCann hit a pair of solo shots.  Kevin Youkilis, Adam LaRoche, Richie Weeks (3 Runs), and Mark Kotsay each had 3 Hits.  Marcus Thames, Alex Rios, Ryan Braun, Geovany Soto, Yunel Escobar, and Nate McLouth each had 3 RBI.  Kelly Johnson scored 3 Runs.

Justin Duchscherer pitched a Complete Game two-hit Shutout to improve to 10-5 with a 1.78 ERA.  He’s got to be the early AL Cy Young favorite.  Andy Pettitte gave up 4 Hits with 5 Ks in 8 scoreless Innings to improve to 10-6 with a 3.93 ERA.  Justin Verlander gave up 2 Runs on 2 Hits with 7 Ks to improve to 6-9.  Nick Blackburn gave up 2 Runs in a 6-2/3 Inning no-decision.  Scott Kazmir gave up 2 Runs in 5 Innings with 9 Ks, but took a Loss.  Joel Pineiro tossed 6-1/3 scoreless Innings to improve to 3-4.  Cole Hamels gave up 2 Runs on 3 Hits with 8 Ks, but took the Loss.  Brandon Webb delivered a Devil’s line with 6 scoreless Innings, 6 Hits, and 6 Ks to improve to 13-4 with a 3.27 ERA.  Mike Pelfrey threw 7 scoreless Innings allowing 3 Hits with 5 Ks to improve to 7-6 with a 3.93 ERA.  C.C. Sabathia gave up 2 Earned Runs in 6 Innings to win his Milwaukee debut.  Matt Harrison dominated his Big Leauge debut going 7 Innings and allowing 2 Runs on 5 Hits.  Ryan Dempster gave up 1 Run on 2 Hits in 7 Innings with 5 Ks to improve to 10-3 with a 3.13 ERA.  Carlos “Hi Ho” Silva gave up 2 Runs in a Complete Game loss.  Randy Wolf gave up 1 Run on 5 Hits in 7 Innings with 7 Ks to improve to 6-8.  Jair Jurrjens gave up 1 Run on 5 Hits with 6 Ks in 6 Innings to improve to 9-4 with a 3.00 ERA.

Wednesday, June 11th
David Murphy went 3 for 5 with a pair of HRs (one a Grand Slam) and 5 RBI.  Jorge Cantu went 3 for 4 with 3 Runs, 2 HRs, and 2 RBI.  Corey Hart went 3 for 5 with 2 Runs, a Double, 2 HRs, and 4 RBI.  Dan Uggla hit a Grand Slam.  Carlos Beltran and Mark Grudzielanek also had 4 RBI.  Jason Varitek, Marcus Thames, Rick Ankiel, Justin Morneau, Grady Sizemore, Mark Reynolds, Kosuke Fukudomeeach, and Jack Cust each had 3 RBI.  Ryan Doumit, Jason Kubel, Casey Blake, Orlando Hudson, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Lee, Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton, Marlon Byrd (3 Runs), and Jose Guillen each had 3 Hits.

Brandon Looper pitche a Complete Game three-hit Shutout to improve to 8-5.  Felix Hernandez gave up 1 Run on 4 Hits in 8 Innings with 8 Ks to improve to5-5 with a 2.81 ERA.  He beat Shaun Marcum, who gave up 1 Run with 9 Ks in a 7 Inning no-decision.  John Lackey gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits with 7 Ks to improve to 3-1 with a 1.83 ERA and beat Scott Kazmir who struck out 10 while allowing 3 Runs in 6-2/3 Innings.  Bartolo Colon gave up 1 Run on 5 Hits in 6 Innings with 7 Ks to improve to 4-1 with a 3.41 ERA.  Justin Verlander pitched a Complete Game allowing 1 Run on 4 Hits to improve to 3-9.  Ian Snell gave up 1 Run in 6 Innings with 6 Ks to improve to 3-6.  He beat John “All We are Saying is Give Peace a Chance” Lannan, who gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings.  Cole Hamels gave up 2 Runs on 3 Hits with 13 Ks in a 8 Inning no-decision.  Andrew Miller gave up 1 Run on 4 Hits with 7 Ks in a 7 Inning no-decision.  Nick Blackburn gave up 2 Runs in 6 Innings to improve to 5-4 with a 3.87 ERA.  Mike Pelfrey gave up 1 Run on 5 Hits in a 8 Inning no-decision.  Ryan Dempster gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits  with 11 Ks in a Complete Game to improve to 8-2 with a 2.81 ERA.  Kyle Davies gave up 1 Run in a 6 Inning no-decision.  Tim Lincecum (7 scoreless Innings, 9 Ks) and Ubaldo Jimenez (7 scoreless Innings) battled to no-decisions.  Justin Duchscherer gave up 1 Run on 5 Hits in 7 Innings to improve to 6-4 with a 2.20 ERA.  Randy Wolf gave up 1 Run on 4 Hits in 7 Innings with 9 Ks to improve to 5-4 with a 3.83 ERA.

Friday, June 6th
Joe Crede went 4 for 4 with 3 Runs, 2 HRs, and 2 RBI.  Nick Markakis and Mark Lorreta each went 4 for 4.  Jorge Cantu went 3 for 5 with a pair of solo HRs.  Jose Castillo, Eric Hinske, and Carlos Quentin each had 3 RBI.  Raul Ibanez and B.J. Upton each scored 3 Runs.  Richie Sexson, Sean Casey, Miguel Olivo,  Jerry Hairston Jr., his brother Scott Hairston, Jay Bruce, Ray Durham, Joe Mauer, and Orlando Cabrera each had 3 Hits.

Hiroki Kuroda pitched a Complete Game four-hit Shutout with 11 Ks to improve to 3-5 with a 3.49 ERA.  Brian Moehler pitched 7 scoreless Innings allowing just 2 Hits to improve to 3-2 with a 3.76 ERA.  Felix Hernandez pitched 6 scoreless Innings with 6 Ks to improve to 4-5 with a 3.07 ERA.  Paul Byrd gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits in 7 Innings to improve to 3-5.  Kyle Davies gave up 1 Run in 6-2/3 Innings to improve to 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA while beating Darrell Rasner (8 innings, 2 Runs).  Brandon Webb gave up 1 Run on 3 Hits in 7 Innings to improve to 11-2 with a 2.58 ERA.  Shaun Marcum went 7 Innings allowing 1 Run in a no-decision.  Tim Hudson gave up 1 Run on 5 Hits in a 7-2/3 Innings no-decision.  Tim Lincecum gave up 1 Run on 5 Hits in 7 Innings with 7 Ks to improve to 8-1 with a 2.15 ERA.  Scott Kazmir gave up 2 Runs in 8 Innings with 6 Ks to improve to 6-1 with a 1.40 ERA.  Braden Looper gave up 2 Earned Runs in 6 Innings with 8 Ks.  Ben Sheets gave up 1 Run in a 6 Inning no-decision.  John Lackey gave up 1 Run on 4 Hits in 7 Innings to improve to 2-1 with a 1.70 ERA.    Joe Blanton gave up 2 Earned Runs in 7 Innings in the loss.  Randy Wolf gave up 1 Run in 7 Innings to improve to 4-4 while beating Johan Santana, who gave up 1 Earned Run in 6 Innings with 5 Ks.