Wednesday's Daily Fantasy News and Notes

Who is this guy and what has he done with Gavin Floyd? Impressive game there last night. Great pitching overall across baseball last night and, right now more importantly, a big win by my Celtics at the Garden over King Crybaby James. Seriously, he flops like Ginobli out there and whines over every hit. Sort of sad really...on to the notes...

• Gavin Floyd has flirted with no-hitters twice now this season. I don't know what the coaching staff in Chicago has done, but they've made him into a true pitcher. He moves the ball much better than you could have hoped for or expected when you saw him pitch in Philly. This guy was highly touted. It's not out of the realm to believe that he's really figured it out. Regardless, I'd own him in every AL-only format and 12-team deep mixed leagues. I find it hard to believe there aren't some teams that couldn't handle the WHIP and ERA he's throwing out every game.
• Toronto lost two shortstops last night, David Eckstein and John McDonald. Marco Scutaro filled in last night, but look for them to make a move from the minors. They aren't particularly deep in the middle infield when it comes to prospects. If you were playing Eckstein, hopefully you were patrolling the waiver wire already, but time to look harder. Again, Erick Aybar, Ryan Theriot, and Stephen Drew are common names seen in at least 50% of leagues.
• Joba Chamberlain gave up his first run in 15 career innings at Yankee Stadium. Just worth noting.
• Blake DeWitt and the Dodgers offense continues to roll. DeWitt notched an inside the park homerun one day after hitting his first big league homerun. He added two more hits, Russell Martin had two hits and Matt Kemp kept rolling as well. DeWitt still isn't on my must-own list, but he's certainly worth it if you're in an NL-only format or even dealing with an injury to a guy like A-Rod.
• Rick Ankiel is hot and he's playing in Colorado one more night. These are the matchups to capitalize on. He's homered in each game there. Worth a quick add to get on the streak if you can still find him available. Braden Looper picked up another win, pitching well in an environment that still isn't pitcher friendly.
• Brian Bannister has run in to some rough luck. His ERA is rising and his last two starts aren't positive indications of success. Bannister didn't struggle much at all after the All-Star break last year, so this is new to him. How he adjusts his next start would make me evaluate if I were to keep him in my lineup regularly or start to look at lineups he's facing.
• As long as Chipper Jones stays healthy, he's going to be hitting well. His swing looks better this season than in any of the past three. I think a lot of that comes down to the fact that he truly is pain free. 30-35 homeruns is not out of the question.
• Nate McLouth has 21 homeruns since the All-Star break last year.
• The Geoff Jenkins-Jayson Werth platoon is going to drive owners nuts. You just have to look at who's pitching that day, which isn't always fun. Werth deserves the playing time, but that's not how Uncle Charlie is running things down in Philly. I say Werth is owning, but only in deeper leagues and only as a 4th outfielder. I want any guy I start regularly to be an everyday player. Werth isn't that right now.
• Other solid pitching performances: Jair Jurrjens, Scott Olsen, Tim Wakefield, Justin Duchscherer, Andy Sonnanstine, and Zach Duke. Olsen's WHIP and ERA are good, but he does tend to give up walks. Certainly still a guy in matchup mode. Duchscherer isn't getting much lover from anybody. He was injured a good part of last season but has the makeup to be effective. Another start or two like this and he should be owned in most standard mixed leagues. He already is a good add in AL-only formats. Sonnanstine and Duke for the most part are going to be matchup guys most of the season. Wakefield is too risky to be a steady add, but he does always tend to pitch well against the Tigers. Something to keep in mind. Jurrjens should be owned. Period.

Notes for today's games...Recommended a few guys yesterday - Galarraga, Marcum, Greinke, and Lee. Check those notes for why...Just be careful with Galarraga. The Red Sox are hot, even if they do make young pitchers look much better than they are...If you need a fill in for Aramis Ramirez, look for the guy swinging the hot bat and go with Jose Bautista...Clay Buchholz has an ERA of 1.40 in his last 4 starts...Surprisingly, a lot of Royals have good numbers against Jered Weaver, combining for a .305 average in 95 at bats. Another reason to keep him on the sidelines and to start Greinke...Not 100% sold on Mark Buehrle today. Sure, the Twins have been awful against lefties, but they have combined for a .335 average against him in the past. Michael Cuddyer, Craig Monroe, and Nick Punto all are WELL over .300 lifetime...

Notes for Thursday games...I don't like Kyle Lohse in Colorado very much. Todd Helton rakes against him, so keep Helton in the lineup...Recommending two Florida pitchers in a week is risky, but Mark Hendrickson is pitching very well and the Brewers as a team are only .247 against him...Justin Verlander has been erratic, is going against the Red Sox, and is opposed by Josh Beckett. You do the math. Not much sample size, but Kevin Youkilis is 3-7 against Verlander with a homerun...

Back as the need arises...