Eric Johnson will return next week.
A.L. TWO-START STUDS
Scott Kazmir (TEX, CHA) - Pretty much a safe bet wherever he pitches right now. Hot! Hot! Hot!
A.L. TWO-START SCRUBS
Jon Garland (DET, TOR) - A quality workhorse, but a tough week.
Garrett Olson (NYY, BOS) - A young pitcher whose last start was a struggle facing Boston?
Kenny Rogers (@ANA, @SEA) - Well the Gambler's pine tar, KY balls and scuff ball just don't have the bite they used to.
Bret Tomko (@TOR, CLE) - I'll loose my writing credentials if I recommended Tomko in any format.
Andrew Sonnanstine (TEX, CHA) - His success has been based purely on his control and not his dominance. The problem with control pitchers is that when they are off, they are throwing hittable pitches. That is what you are seeing right now (6 IP/ 10 H, 5 IP / 8 H, 6 IP / 9 H).
Felix Hernandez (BOS, DET) - Not a good matchup this week.
A.L. TWO-START WILD CARDS
Bartolo Colon (@SEA, @BAL) - Two starts against two weaker hitting teams, but he's not fully stretched out. He's hoping to be able to throw 90 pitches this week.
Sidney Ponson (@TBY, OAK) - His sinker is sinking. I like the Oakland matchup, but not Tampa Bay.
N.L TWO-START STUDS
Brandon Webb (@ATL, WAS) - A safe a bet as anyone.
Dan Haren (SFO, WAS) - Weak opponents should end his mini slump
Ben Sheets (@WAS, HOU) - I'm going on a limb here. He hasn't been pitching his best, although his last outing was solid. Washington is going to rest Zimmerman for this game, so the Nationals' best power source will be on the bench.
N.L. TWO-START SCRUBS
Jorge De La Rosa (@PHI, @CHN) - Not a favorable matchup for this inning eater. Come to think of it, I'm not sure what a favorable matchup would be.
N.L TWO-START WILD CARDS
Jair Jurrjens (ARZ, CIN) - Yes, he has done well so far, but the strikeout rate is not impressive. My concern is the opposition he's faced so far. This week, he's going to face to teams that can really hit.
Chad Billingsley (@CHN, @NYN) - Billingsley has had two types of starts. He has a solid 6 IP, 1 ER for a win or 5 IP, 4 ER or the loss. Based purely on the pattern, he's due for a poor one this week. A poor start usually include 7+ SO, so it depends on your needs right now.
QUICK HITS
Look out! the Yankees are on the move. You knew that there was no way they would stay in last place. Now they are at .500, thanks to a five game winnings streak. Jason Giambi is pretty much wearing the tiger skin thong every night. A-Rod is back. It won't be long before Posada is back. Even Robinson Cano is starting to heat up.
My only concern about the MLB taking up instant replay is the long pause it causes. I don't like instant replay in the NFL because it takes ten minutes for a decision to be made. Instant replay in baseball needs to be quick. I think the best way is for the umpire to demand the replay be displayed on the scoreboard. If the home team cannot show it, then it goes to the visitor. What I want to see is that the pitcher never needs to take warm up pitches after the investigation.