I can't think of a better way for you to spend your Wednesday than by following me around the Internet. At noon ET, I'll be a guest on Rotowire's Fantasy Focus show on BlogTalkRadio, so make sure to listen in. Then, at 2 p.m., I'll be hosting a live chat right here on FOXSports.com - send your questions now!
Who's off: Nobody
First pitch: The Brewers and Pirates get the NL slate started at 12:35, while the O's and Yanks follow up a half-hour later in the AL. Here's the full schedule.
Pitcher to start: Up and down, up and down, up and down. Chad Gaudin was just bad enough to get himself on the negative side of our ledger, but our boy, our mascot, the craftiest lefty young enough to be Jamie Moyer's son - Washington's John Lannan - tossed his very first complete-game shutout. We're so proud, and we're 56-61.
By the way, check out the Mets' lineup from that game: Pagan-Castillo-Wright-Francoeur-Tatis-Murphy-Santos-Cora-Perez. I think I could have gotten through at least six innings without much damage.
Tonight, let's try Jays' lefty Ricky Romero (36.6 percent owned) against the Indians.
On to the news:
- Dodgers OF Manny Ramirez left last night's game after being hit in the hand with a pitch, but X-rays were negative, and he's listed as day-to-day. The Dodgers are off tomorrow, so you might not see Manny again until Friday. It's too bad he won't be playing during his own bobblehead giveaway, but at least now he'll be available to pass out the accompanying syringes at the turnstiles.
- Other than pinch-hitting, Astros 1B Lance Berkman isn't expected to play for a few days. Like the Dodgers, the Astros are off tomorrow, so don't expect to see Berkman start until Friday at the earliest.
- Tim Wakefield is on the DL with a lower back strain, so Clay Buchholz returns to the Red Sox tonight for another start. Maybe he'll stick around this time.
- John Danks has been scratched from tonight's start due to a blister on his left index finger, but the White Sox hope he'll be able to take his next turn. Carlos Torres (8-4, 2.20 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 96 Ks in 98 IP at Triple A) gets the start tonight in Danks' place, and here's some background on him. I'd gamble on Torres in an AL-only league.
- A's closer Andrew Bailey got a shot for his ailing (but reportedly not serious) left knee yesterday, and took the loss last night.
- Mariners OF Franklin Gutierrez hurt himself all over when he crashed into an outfield fence last night, but the team hopes to have him back in the lineup tomorrow.
- Mets SP John Maine could be a week or two away from being reactivated, while OF Gary Sheffield might be headed for the DL.
- Sergio Mitre's start for the Yankees was ... not bad. I grabbed him in an AL-only league the other day, and I'm not complaining. Look for him to get the ball again on Sunday.
- The Astros' Web site reports that 2B Kaz Matsui is day-to-day after fouling a ball off his knee.
- OF Carlos Guillen could be back in the Tigers' lineup as soon as Friday. How long do you think he'll last before getting hurt again? Two weeks? Three, maybe?
- The Rangers expect OF Nelson Cruz and his fractured finger to return tonight.
- The Padres' site reports that 2B David Eckstein might be reactivated Friday - without even going on a rehab assignment! Those Padres are really living on the edge these days.
- If Twins SP Kevin Slowey's bullpen session goes well this morning, he'll make a Triple-A rehab start Saturday.
See you tomorrow.
John
dangerousfatmanKeep an eye on Jeter. He hit oddly at home and came up with a limp. I don't have a backup SS, so I'll have to dump a 1B from my bench.
DF
11:51 AM EST