Y-U-C-Kei Igawa ... and other notes from Friday's games

Friday morning, we at Sliding Shorts previewed Kei Igawa's re-debut with the Bronx Bombers. A much-anticipated start - one the Yankees needed after suffering through a month of Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy. Well things didn't get much better for the pinstripes as "Special Kei" looked just like his old self against the Tigers.

5/9 at Det. - 3 IP, 11 H, 6 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

I guess the good news is he didn't walk anyone, but there's more than enough bad news in that line to last you awhile. As we said Friday morning, you can't read too much into this first start, but be wary. Things could have gotten a lot worse had Jonathan Albaladejo not saved his rear end in the 4th. Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway), Igawa doesn't have much fantasy value at this point.

Guys who DO have fantasy value at this point...

1. Placido Polanco, 2B-Det - He's baaaa-aaaack! You had to know Polanco couldn't stay too cold, too long. The once ice-cold table-setting utility man has raised his season average 140 points in 14 games since April 25th. It safe to say Polanco is back to his old self.

2. James Shields, SP-TB - Tampa Bay's new ace allowed just one base runner in a complete game shutout of the LA Angels. That's Shields' 2nd shutout in his last 3 starts. While thats quite a feat in itself, it'd be all the more impressive had he not had a 7 ER debacle sandwiched in bewteen.

3. Robinson Cano, 2B-NYY - We told you a couple days ago that Robinson Cano made for a great buy-low candidate. Well that time is quickly running out. Get him now or you'll be S.O.L. Cano (2-for-4 tonight vs. Det) has put together a modest 5-game hitting streak, tied for his longest such streak of the year. He's got 2 HR over that span.

4. Jimmy Rollins, SS-Phi - The reigning NL MVP didn't take long to get back in the groove after missing a couple weeks with a sprained ankle. J-Roll homered in his return on Friday night against the Giants. I'd say its safe to get him back in your lineup.

You dropped Jered Weaver? #$@%&!? Oh, OK

Jered Weaver is the subject of much conversation for fantasy baseball owners. Is he just struggling like he did at the start of last year, or is he -- terror! -- turning into brother Jeff? Spitting Seeds says chill out... maybe. Or allow Sliding Shorts to freak you out with another angle on the Weaver story below!

Jered Weaver: "They've figured me out."

Every pitcher struggles from time to time...some more than others. Angels' SP Jered Weaver has struggled enough early this year to last him awhile. After Thursday night's dismal outing at Kansas City, Weaver's ERA ballooned to 5.59 and he lost a league-worst 5th game. As if those numbers aren't bad enough, perhaps most disturbing of all is what Weaver had to say after Thursday night's game.

"Things are going a little different than in the past," Weaver told reporters. "I said [last year] that I'm going to pitch my game until people figure me out, and they've figured me out. Sounds to me like the 25-year-old former 1st-rounder has lost a little confidence. Not what you want to hear from a big league pitcher.

On the flip side, the Angels don't appear to be panicking. They're not talking about sending him back down, and they're not talking about a bullpen demotion. Instead, they're talking about getting Jered better.

Pitching coach Mike Butcher told reporters Thursday night, "I don't think they've figured him out. Mechanically he's fine. He's had nice bullpen sessions. [He needs to] get back to fastball command and pitching off his fastball."

Weaver appears to be a great "buy-low" candidate right now. After all, he is just one year removed from a 13-7 record with a 3.91 ERA. If someone waives him in your league, dust off that waiver claim. If you've been saving that claim for Mr. Kershaw, you might want to think about taking a shot on Mr. Weaver instead.

Greg Smith: full-time starter?

A's starter Greg Smith has accomplished much over his first six starts. Tonight he meets the biggest challenge of his young career while another youngster eyes his rotation spot. Read more at Spitting Seeds...

Ludwick is a big lug

Is it time to take a flier on Cardinals' outfielder Ryan Ludwick? They guy is suddenly playing like an All-Star. Spitting Seeds tells you what to expect from the near 30-year-old overachiever...

Kei Igawa?!? Uh oh, not again....

Ok, here we go...

If you got burned on Yankees SP Kei Igawa last season, raise your hand...yeah my hand is raised too. The NYC hype machine claimed another victim in '07 as highly-touted Japanese import Kei Igawa came to the majors...and FLOPPED...BIG TIME!

Yes, he of the 6.25 ERA and 1.67 WHIP is getting a second chance with the Bronx Bombers that many other guys with similar numbers wouldn't dream of. But its true, Kei Igawa is back in the bigs with some fresh minor league seasoning under his belt. He'll start at Detroit on Friday night.

The question remains...which Kei Igawa will we get? Will we get "K" Igawa? Or will we get "Less than OK" Igawa? A study of his minor league numbers this year suggests we'll get more of the former than the latter. In 7 starts with Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre, the 28-year-old was 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA and 40 Ks in 39.2 IP. A .233 opponents batting average suggests he's become less and less hittable, but we at Sliding Shorts aren't so sure that'll translate over to Yankee Stadium.

The Yanks don't really have a choice at this point. With Phil Hughes on the DL and Ian Kennedy pitching more like Ian Ziering (see Beverly Hills 90210) than the 1st-round draft pick that he is, Igawa seems to be the only logical alternative.

As for my fantasy advice, keep a close eye on his progress. You won't be able to judge too much from his first start, but be wary. We're not convinced he's a lost cause...but the other alternative doesn't sound too enticing either.

Yuck.

Kershaw call-up coming soon?

Get that waiver claim ready.

It appears as though the call-up fantasy nation has been waiting for may be on the horizon. While the Dodgers won't tip their cap as of yet, it appears all signs are pointing to a potential Clayton Kershaw call-up as early as May 17. That's the target date.

Here's the deal. Esteban Loaiza was placed on the 15-day DL on Thursday. To fill that spot, the Dodgers called up veteran set-up man Yhency Brazoban from Double-A Jacksonville to bolster the bullpen. LA won't need a 5th starter again until May 17, so nothing will likely happen before then. On May 17, the Dodgers will likely have only 2 legitimate options. #1) Move Hong-Chih Kuo from the bullpen to the rotation, although manager Joe Torre has gone on record as saying he'll keep Kuo in the 'pen... or #2) Call up Clayton Kershaw in time to make his big league debut when the Dodgers visit the Angles on Saturday, May 17.

Here's the kicker. The Double-A Jacksonville Suns just moved Kershaw (0-3, 1.08 ERA, 37 K in 33.1 IP) to the bullpen to limit his workload, perhaps in anticipation of a call-up in about a week and a half. Kershaw has proven everything he can possibly prove in Double-A. He's been a model of consistency, his WHIP is right about 1.00 and opposing hitters are batting only .192 against him.

There's your warning. Now be ready.

Blue Jays' SP on the "Marc"

You fans north of the border already know this, but for the rest of the fantasy baseball world, "Hey, there's another pretty good pitcher in Toronto NOT named Roy Halladay." His name is Shaun Marcum, and he's making a believer out of me with each passing start.

How could you not be skeptical of a no-name SW Missouri product with a career ERA in the mid 4.00s. Believe it, folks. Shaun Marcum isn't going away anytime soon. Marcum shut down the exuberant Rays for 8 full innings on Wednesday night before stumbling a bit in the 9th. His final line was stellar.

5/7 vs. TB - 8.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 9 K

Its one thing to be astounding from time-to-time. Its quite another to be consistent. Well Marcum's got the consistency down as well. He's only had 1 non-quality start all year, and that start wasn't terrible (5.2 IP, 4 ER vs. Det.) Through 7 starts so far this year, Marcum stands at 4-2 with a stingy 2.59 ERA.

Marcum is quietly turning into the sidekick that perennial ace Roy Halladay has been waiting for. We at Sliding Shorts will wait a few more starts before we officially anoint Marcum, the "Robin" to Halladay's "Batman"... but know that he's on our radar ... and he should be on your's too!

Oswalt's "K" Brigade ... and other notes

Roy Oswalt's decline as a fantasy ace has been well-documented over the last few years. Since '04, his wins have decreased, while his ERA has been on the increase. Perhaps no stat is more telling concerning Oswalt's fall from "ace" status than the decline in his strikeout totals (dropping around 25% since the '04 season).

So imagine my surprise when I turn on the Astros/Nationals game Wednesday night and see Oswalt strike out 8 batters in 3 innings...8 batters! in 3 innings! Oswalt hadn't struck out 8 batters in any game at all this year. Now after the 3rd inning, Owalt came back to earth (1 K in his final 4 IP). Given how he started the night, his line by night's end was less than spectacular (7 IP, 3 ER, 9 K).

Other notes from Wednesday...

If Joey Votto wasn't known nationwide before Wednesday afternoon, he certainly is now. The former 2nd-round draft pick launched not 1, not 2, but 3 home runs against the Cubs. All 3 were majestic shots, raising his season home run total now to 7 on the year. Early in the year, he was platooning with veteran Scott Hatteberg. Now, though, he's getting more and more starts on a consistent basis. He's going to have some very solid fantasy value for the rest of this year

Yankees OF Hideki Matsui singled in the 2nd inning of Wednesday night's game against Cleveland to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. Matsui is quietly putting together a nice season - .339, 13 R, 4 HR, 17 RBI. He's a solid #2 outfielder in mixed leagues.

That loud sound you heard late this afternoon was the collective sigh of relief from every Nick Markakis owner. Markakis went 3-for-5 on Wednesday, raising his average to .270. Prior to today's game, 'Kak had only 1 multi-hit game in his last 10. Fantasy owners who had gutwrenchingly watched his average drop 44 points in the last 10 games can breathe easy...at least for a day.

Finally, in case you were worried that the Oakland A's weren't going to be able to find room in their rotation when Rich Harden (1-0, 0.82) returns, have no fear. The A's brass announced on Wednesday that Chad Gaudin (3-2, 3.75) will head to the bullpen when Harden returns from the D.L. (maybe on Sunday)

Rick Ankiel's gun show

If you missed Tuesday night's St. Louis Cardinals game, you missed two of the best throws you'll ever see from a major league centerfielder. Rick Ankiel put on a show with this arm for the first time since his 9-wild-pitch barrage in the 2000 playoffs.

With 1 out in the 1st inning, Todd Helton lifted a medium-length fly ball into center. With the speedy Willy Taveras tagging up at 2nd base, Ankiel zipped a line drive into the waiting glove of 3rd basemen Troy Glaus. A look at the replay showed Taveras wasn't running at full speed because he didn't think Ankiel could possibly throw him out from medium center field. He did.

Then in the 8th, one of the best throws you'll ever see. Shortstop Omar Quintanilla laced a gap shot into left center field that rolled all the way to the wall. Quintanilla could have stopped at 2nd base with a standup double, but he tried to get to the 3rd. Ankiel picked up the ball on the warning track, took one crow-hop, and launched a rope that would've hit the bag at 3rd base had Glaus not caught it and applied the tag. He did. After the game, Cards starting pitcher Braden Looper called Ankiel's 2nd outfield assist of the game, "Probably the best throw [he'd] ever seen. Definitely the best throw [he's] ever had behind him."

If you're in a fantasy baseball league that counts outfield assists, Ankiel just won you the week...and you're a freak.