By Dalton Del Don
One of the bigger surprises so far might be the Giants’ offense exploding for 10 runs during their opener, including three homers. For comparison‘s sake, the team didn’t hit their third home run until the eighth game of the season last year. As for Tim Lincecum’s poor outing, I wouldn’t worry too much. His velocity was fine, but his command wasn’t. While it appears he might have a small blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand, Lincecum’s arm seems healthy. As for the Brewers starting Jeff Suppan on Opening Day, it’s a joke seniority takes precedence over winning.
How about the Phillies scoring just one run through two homes games? And neither outing came against a southpaw. Expect a correction here shortly.
After touting Jason Motte quite a bit, it was tough seeing him blow an Opening Day save to the Pirates. What made it even more frustrating was that the bases clearing three-run double came on a 0-2 pitch to Jack Wilson. Still, Motte actually displayed an impressive changeup to go along with his plus fastball, so I’m still a believer. However, that was a pretty awful time to have a blowup, as he’s now far from secure in the closer’s role.
According to the Indians’ broadcast team, Cliff Lee threw to first base just five times all of last season. This seems insane to me.
After finishing spring with a 12.96 ERA and an 8:9 K:BB ratio over 16.2 innings, Chris Young wasn’t a recommended play early on. However, a small mechanical adjustment led to an impressive first start Tuesday against the Dodgers, limiting L.A. to just two runs over six innings. Young will remain a bit risky still, but the most encouraging news was his fastball reaching 89-90 mph, as his velocity had been way down a couple of weeks ago. With his height, that’s all the velocity he needs to be effective.
Erik Bedard owners have to be pleased with his first outing of the year, when he finished with an 8:0 K:BB ratio over five innings against the Mariners. The final line shows three runs allowed, but it should have been just one, as home plate umpire Chuck Meriwether badly missed what would have been an inning-ending strike three call. Instead, Michael Cuddyer ended up with a two-run single later in the at-bat. Of course, that kind of stuff happens all the time, and the key thing here is Bedard’s sharp breaking ball, which looked to be in midseason form. His fastball is down in the 92-93 range, but he should be a steal for fantasy owners who gambled on him as long as he’s healthy.
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