Weekly League Start/Bench
By Mike Salfino and David Ferris
(For April 25-May 1)
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Put'em in
Jake Westbrook, P, Indians. He's had a rough start and doesn't strike guys out but gets two home starts this week against the struggling Tigers and Royals. Cleveland's Jacobs Field is a very good pitcher's park.
Kevin Mench, OF, Rangers. Mench finally started hitting when the Rangers finally committed to playing him every day. He gets a week's worth of games at the Ballpark in Arlington, which boosts scoring 25 percent compared to an average park.
Bench'em
Joel Pineiro, P, Mariners. Two starts this week is doubly bad for the struggling right hander, whose declining strikeout rate may indicate that he's not fully recovered from last year's arm troubles. Pineiro must now travel to face Texas and a bevy of dangerous Oakland lefties.
Jon Garland, P, White Sox. The early-season surprise has but 8 Ks after 21 innings, meaning he's been extremely lucky on balls put in play. The bet here is that the luck runs out at Oakland and in his very hitter friendly home park against Detroit.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Put'em in
Javier Vazquez, P, Diamondbacks. He turned the corner nicely with his last start at San Francisco, and while the previous turn was messy, it did come with eight strikeouts attached. Vazquez is well-slotted for success this week, working at two pitching-comfy locations (Dodger Stadium, Petco Park).
Juan Encarnacion, OF, Marlins. The notorious streak hitter is on a good run right now, and he gets a hitting-friendly schedule with three-game stops at Colorado and Philadelphia.
Bench'em
Adam Everett, SS, Astros. He's trying real hard to lose the leadoff spot in the order, and now a hamstring strain has reared its ugly head. Even if Everett is on the field this week, don't expect him to be on base or running much.
Al Leiter, SP, Marlins. He's already off to a shaky start this season - the warning signs in last year's peripherals are hard to get past - and this week the aging lefty gets a date in Coors Field. Have Leiter safely on the bench for now, and start looking for better alternatives down the road.
END
(For April 25-May 1)
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Put'em in
Jake Westbrook, P, Indians. He's had a rough start and doesn't strike guys out but gets two home starts this week against the struggling Tigers and Royals. Cleveland's Jacobs Field is a very good pitcher's park.
Kevin Mench, OF, Rangers. Mench finally started hitting when the Rangers finally committed to playing him every day. He gets a week's worth of games at the Ballpark in Arlington, which boosts scoring 25 percent compared to an average park.
Bench'em
Joel Pineiro, P, Mariners. Two starts this week is doubly bad for the struggling right hander, whose declining strikeout rate may indicate that he's not fully recovered from last year's arm troubles. Pineiro must now travel to face Texas and a bevy of dangerous Oakland lefties.
Jon Garland, P, White Sox. The early-season surprise has but 8 Ks after 21 innings, meaning he's been extremely lucky on balls put in play. The bet here is that the luck runs out at Oakland and in his very hitter friendly home park against Detroit.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Put'em in
Javier Vazquez, P, Diamondbacks. He turned the corner nicely with his last start at San Francisco, and while the previous turn was messy, it did come with eight strikeouts attached. Vazquez is well-slotted for success this week, working at two pitching-comfy locations (Dodger Stadium, Petco Park).
Juan Encarnacion, OF, Marlins. The notorious streak hitter is on a good run right now, and he gets a hitting-friendly schedule with three-game stops at Colorado and Philadelphia.
Bench'em
Adam Everett, SS, Astros. He's trying real hard to lose the leadoff spot in the order, and now a hamstring strain has reared its ugly head. Even if Everett is on the field this week, don't expect him to be on base or running much.
Al Leiter, SP, Marlins. He's already off to a shaky start this season - the warning signs in last year's peripherals are hard to get past - and this week the aging lefty gets a date in Coors Field. Have Leiter safely on the bench for now, and start looking for better alternatives down the road.
END
Entry #111419015879030516 posted by Catherine Salfino at 1:09 PM
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