Posted by Rob McQuown on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 4:17 pm

Sorry for the miss yesterday and the delay today, though I did post some Monday comments on the end of the Sunday edition. I’m changing Internet providers, and things have been hectic.

Long-term heads-up: Some guys are getting cut due to slower-than-hoped starts. Keep your eyes open for: Alexei Ramirez, Stephen Drew, Jay Bruce, and maybe even Matt Wieters (if you like clogging up a slot betting on the come).

Pitchers:

- If, like me, you picked up Justin Masterson in all your leagues, he’s worth considering keeping, but not critical, as he’s not stretched out and so will have limited IP totals, and the AL East is still a rough division. I’m going to throw him back, as I like making daily moves too much, though he’s the sort who could end up biting me by being very good.

- I’m staying away from Manny Parra, even though he’s a lefty going against the Phillies, and they have one of their worst SP on the mound (Moyer). He may have good “stuff”, but he doesn’t throw enough strikes, and the Phils have some players with good selectivity at the plate.

- I’m also staying away from Aaron Laffey, though I would feel better about him than Parra. Sure, it’s Ponson and the Royals, and the Royals don’t have Gordon or Guillen, but Butler and Aviles and the Catchers all become major offensive contributors against LHP, and Laffey a) isn’t very good, and b) isn’t likely to last many IP, which – as Brian Joseph points out – brings the Tribe bullpen into the equation, and they haven’t been very good.

Batters:

- While I’ve hung on doggedly to Salty, today would be a good day to give him a rest, as the team is at Toronto against Halladay. Catching options for today include Kelly Shoppach, who – while he doesn’t hit righties all that well, and may not even play – is facing Sidney Ponson, which should generate a Pavlovian response in any roto manager. Yadier Molina is a “safe” play against Oliver Perez, in that he hits lefties pretty well, and is all but assured of playing. I’m probably going to go with Chris Snyder, though, despite his .083 start to the season. Getting a LHP for him is just too good to pass up.

- Bergesen looks every bit like a AAAA type pitcher for Baltimore, though A.J. Pierzynski is probably the only available White Sox worth having in fantasy, even for a day. (he’s not available in my need-a-catcher league).

- J.D. Drew is available in many leagues, and while Scott Baker is a decent pitcher, he allows homers. Drew won’t help your batting average, but he’s a power threat in a very good lineup.

- Daniel Murphy has 12 runs already, 1 behind league leader Alfonso Soriano. He’s going against a mediocre RHP tonight in Todd Wellemeyer.

- Jason Bartlett is still available in some leagues, and Jarrod Washburn doesn’t hold runners very well for a LHP.

- In shuffling players around, I see that I haven’t even picked up Kosuke Fukudome in one league, after touting him all these times. Going to fix that tonight, as he’s facing Micah Owings. I like my outfield in my 10-team league: Sizemore, Quentin, Adam Jones, N.Cruz, Span, Bradley, Fukudome, and Ankiel. Won’t be able to keep them all, but not sure which to cut first yet.

- Like Snyder, Mark Reynolds is a good player to pick up vs LHP, which he’s seeing tonight in Franklin Morales.

- I have too many outfielders, but Travis Snider against McCarthy sound very promising tonight.

- Aki Iwamura is a good option if you need a second baseman. He hits both lefties and righties, and has 4 SB already, after scoring 91 runs last year.

- It’s never safe to recommend a hitter against a knuckleballer (Wakefield), but Jason Kubel hits RHP hard, and is almost always a safe play against them.

- Jeremy Hermida against a crappy RHP in Karstens is good for a day, too.

- If you need a shortstop tonight, Khalil Greene against Oliver Perez should be good enough to play… good lineup, he’s always hit well away from PETCO, and he hits LHP better.