The Associated Press reports Chicago Cubs SP Ted Lilly gave up just one run and five hits in seven innings against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, April 22.
Our instinct: Lilly is hard to figure out on the season as far as strike outs go. He had 3 in his first game, 8 in the second, and now 2 the third time around. Still, he’s doing well with only walking 2 batters in 18 innings on the season and sporting a 2.41 era.
Anthony Castrovince, of MLB.com, reports Cleveland Indians SP Fausto Carmona gave up just one hit and struck out one in three scoreless innings in his spring debut Friday, March 12. Our Instinct: Manny Acta was pleased that Carmona used all of his pitches and threw strikes. He will open the season behind "ace' Jake Westbrook in the rotation. Carmona is a decent end of the rotation type pitcher in fantasy leagues - and when I say "end" I mean your 8th or 9th pitcher in 16 team leagues. Paying over $2 for him is reaching.
Anthony Castrovince, of MLB.com, reports Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim C Mike Napoli hit a three-run home run in the team's spring game Friday, March 12. He now has four home runs this spring. Our Instinct: There is little doubt that Napoli could pop 30 hr's in a full season of play, but there's little chance that Mike Scioscia is going to make C Jeff Mathis a true back-up. He is far and away a better defender than Napoli. A third straight 20 hr season from Napoli is likely, and theres nothing wrong with that.
Cincinnati Reds OF Jay Bruce is batting .429 (6-for-14) with a home run and six RBIs through his first six exhibition games, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Our Instinct: The 22 year old Bruce hit .223-22-58-47-3 in 2009. Expect a decent increase in production in 2010 and start living up to the top prospect label he once had.
Contrary to previous reports, Texas Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler (ankle) will be sidelined for at least one week after being diagnosed with a high right ankle sprain, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. The team had not considered the injury to be serious until Kinsler entered the clubhouse Saturday, March 13, much more stiff than expected. Our Instinct: This shouldn't have any impact on Kinsler's status on opening day. After Chase Utley, consider him one of the very best options at 2B and a great option overall.
MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports Cincinnati Reds SP Aroldis Chapman will make his first start of the Cactus League season Wednesday, March 17, in a split-squad game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Our Instinct: He's given up 3 hits while striking out 5 in 4 scoreless innings out of the pen so far. Chapman is clearly making a case to be in the Reds' rotation when the season starts.
