- In the ninth inning last week, Julio Franco played third base for the first time since Oct. 2, 1982.
- Give it up for the Nationals: 27 runs scored and still swept in a four-game series by the Rockies earlier this week.
- By throwing out Orlando Hudson at second base Monday night, Alfonso Soriano became the first player in major league history to have 40 home runs, 30 stolen bases and 20 outfield assists in a season.
- Matt Cain has allowed one or no runs in each of his last six starts. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the only other rookie in the last 50 years to do that was the Dodgers’ Fernando Valenzuela in 1981.
- Rich Hill struck out 10 in a two-hit shutout Saturday against the Reds, giving the Cubs their first complete game of the year to avoid being the first team ever not to record a complete game in an entire season.
- If you haven’t checked out television’s “The Wire,” I suggest you do so.
I dusted myself off after last week’s Sit/Start didn’t go so well. Remember, I’m attempting not to pick overly obvious names here:
START
Lee Evans – New England did a great job smothering Evans Week 1, but don’t forget about this third year breakout candidate. He’ll find the going much easier this week against a suspect secondary that none other than Chaz Batch picked apart last week.
Brett Favre – He throws most of his picks when he’s trailing, something Green Bay might not actually be faced with Sunday. While don’t look for the same 52-3 score as last year’s meeting, Favre should get his Sunday.
Darrell Jackson – While I am down on all Seattle receivers in general, word is Deion Branch will not be active this week, which means D-Jax has one fewer option taking away his looks. The matchup against Arizona is a great one.
SIT
Philip Rivers – I know, I know; Tennessee made Chad Pennington relevant again, and their secondary is no doubt putrid. Still, don’t underestimate Marty Ball. It’s easy to see why Rivers was restrained to just 11 throws last week with a big lead, but that same exact scenario looks likely in Week 2.
Ben Roethlisberger – While he’s fully expected to play Monday night, his matchup isn’t a good one, so give him a week to get back into the swing of things before you activate him.
Fred Taylor – While owners should only sit Fragile Fred in the form of a viable alternative, Taylor faces a tough task against Pittsburgh’s front-seven. Most owners will probably want to use Taylor while he’s healthy, however, and he is getting a full workload with no Greg Jones around.
Ladell Betts/Clinton Portis – I don’t expect Clinton Portis to suit up, but who knows? Either way, it’s a tough matchup, and a timeshare figures to ensue (if no Portis, then TJ Duckett will take some carries away from Betts this week).
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