Thursday Morning Cup of Fantasy

More exciting matchups and some details that need to be discussed from several of these games. So let's get down to it...

• Joey Votto homered three times and stole a base in yesterday's destruction of the Cubs. Solid performance for the rookie, who is really solidifying the job. He's doing what he can by making it hard for Dusty Baker to keep him out of the lineup. That's really about all your can ask for, since Baker is way too loyal to his veterans. There are still a fair number of first basemen better than Votto on a regular basis, but he's a great utility play.
• Did anyone NOT see the Giants losing with Barry Zito on the mound? Honestly, I can't really fault his performance for the most part. But even when he pitched "well" his offense struggles to get runs to support him. This will be the Giants problem most of the season. What you have to hope is that Zito can build on this one good outing, even if it was against Pittsburgh. Trust me, he still has no spot on any roster in any league.
• I put out a friendly warning on Mark Buehrle yesterday. Hopefully you heeded the advice, as the Twins just destroyed him. Don't read a ton into the total outing, because that lineup has always done some damage against him. He's still worth starting most times out. The only concern now would be confidence. He's a guy that gets down easily, so hopefully Buehrle doesn't take this to the mound his next time out.
• Mike Lowell is certainly back from injury. He hit another homerun last night and is swinging the bat very well. David Ortiz has his average nearly at .240 now and had 3 more hits last night. These are important pieces to fantasy offenses. Now is not the time to shop either of them. You have an outside shot at buying low on Ortiz, but could still get in on Lowell before he really gets hot. His average is still low, but I think that stint on the DL may have healed a couple minor nagging injuries that he had coming out of spring training.
• Jonathan Papelbon took the loss last night, but wow was it ugly. Papelbon gave up two runs, yes. Neither were earned. Detroit's ninth inning consisted of a check swing, an error, a sacrifice, a ground out to second, and a broken bat blooper. Nothing was hit hard, just some bad luck for the closer.
• Jered Weaver's struggles against the Royals continued last night. He's becoming the model of inconsistency on the mound and you have to pick and choose the matchups very carefully. This is especially true with how poorly Anaheim's offense is performing right now. He could still dominate for a stretch of this season, but that stretch isn't now. I'd still own him because of 1) potential and 2) there are likely very few pitchers on waivers better. But I'd look at lineups before each time I inserted him.
• Cliff Lee lowered his league leading ERA to 0.81. Don't fool yourself to think it will stay that way all season. He's going to have a bad outing at some point. I don't know when, but at some point. But watching Lee last night, he's working the strike zone better than in year's past. He knows he can't miss with his fastball because he doesn't have overpowering speed, so he moves it very well. Almost Jamie Moyer like, but with better velocity. He's not afraid of it and has complemented it with his curve and change very well. Several Yankees just looked foolish last night, had no idea what was coming. This is more like the guy that finished 5th in Cy Young voting 4 years ago than the guy who was demoted last year.
• San Diego and Seattle's offenses are just plain bad. These two teams are struggling more and more. But this seems to be a year for that, with Oakland still not stellar and the Giants looking for any and all help. With San Diego and the Giants especially, I would certainly look to their opponent's starters to grab a cheap win or two over the course of a week. This holds double for when the Padres play at Petco.
• Name to watch: Wladimir Balentein of the Mariners. The new right fielder has 2 homeruns and 6 RBI in only 25 at bats so far. He could be the next streak to ride.

Notes for today's games...Mark Hendrickson gets my spot start of the day. He's pitching too well and the Nationals offense just isn't that good overall...I'd avoid Kyle Lohse today in Colorado. Remember, he's only struck out 14 in 40 innings. He pitches to contact, and that usually doesn't go well in Coors Field. That and the Rockies hit .275 against him as a team...Most of the Tigers big bats, with the exception of Miguel Cabrera, have struggled against Josh Beckett...Beware of John Danks. Michael Cuddyer is 5 for 8 lifetime and Justin Morneau is 4 for 7 with 2 homeruns against the White Sox starter...Justin Germano could be out of the rotation, as Wil Ledezma is taking his spot today. Not worth a start against Atlanta. He's already issued 11 walks in 18 innings this season and expect a short outing as they stretch him out...Daniel Cabrera is 6-0 lifetime against the Royals with a 2.57 ERA. Yet, KC has hit .321 against him as a team in 78 at bats. The damage is basically done by Jose Guillen, but he's 1 for his last 20. He struggles with command, but likely a good start today...

Notes for Friday...Keep Ian Snell on your bench, the Braves own him. Brian McCann in particular...Tim Redding will make a good play at home against Florida...Given Manny Parra's struggles of late, Todd Wellemeyer will make a good start against the Brewers...Not much else if you're looking for a spot start...Boof Bonser has the potential to do well, but David Ortiz does own him...