Spring Training Game Wrap 3/22/2019: Giants 4 Cubs 3

Chris Stratton and the Giants overcame an early lead by the Cubs to win a 9'th inning walkoff in Scottsdale.  Key Lines:

Joe Panik 2B- 2 for 4.  BA= .318.  Austin Jackson led off in this one with Panik batting second.  Is that the order against LHP's?

Andrew McCutchen RF- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .342.  We haven't see a lot of power from Cutch this spring, but we'll take the .342.

Buster Posey C- 1 for 3, HR(2).  BA= .520.  Buster looks like he's ready to start the season.

Chris Stratton RHP- 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 4.03.  Things were not looking good after the Cubs put up a crooked number in the first inning, but Stratton settled down and pitched shutdown ball for the next 4 innings before allowing another run in the 6'th.  Nice recovery and an encouraging start for the guy who is now the #3 SP at the start of the season.

Josh Osich LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.  Osich' scoreless streak continues.  10.1 IP, without a run allowed so far with 14 K's.

Mark Melancon RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 2.25.  Encouraging appearance by Melancon who is essential for the Giants to have a successful start to the season.

Hunter Strickland RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.  Strick has had a quiet spring.  Only 6 App and 5.1 IP, but he's also held the opposition to 0 ER.  Could he Close if Melancon and Dyson blow up?

Jeff Samardzija RHP- Underwent an MRI which apparently showed a pectoral muscle strain.  He'll start the season on the DL which is expected to be a short stay.  This may be more about giving him time to work out the spring kinks than anything else. It also opens the door for the Giants to keep Julian Fernandez for a longer look.

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Fantasy Focus:  Around the League

Miles Mikolas SP, Cardinals- 6 IP,  4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 5.49.  Mikolas is currently the 79'th ranked pitcher on the Yahoo player list.  He's definitely a green light that late in a draft.

Miguel Cabrera 1B, Tigers- 2 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .333.  Is Miggy poised for a comeback?

Lewis Brinson OF, Marlins- 3 for 4, 2B.  BA= .365.  Brinson will likely have his ups and downs but the upside is tremendous.  He should get plenty of AB's with the Marlins.

Charlie Morton SP, Astros- 3.1 IP,  11 H, 9 R, 3 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 6.92.  Here's the problem I've always had with Charlie.   He'll give you a lot of good games, but he'll also give you these which will pretty much destroy your entire pitching line for a full week in H2H leagues.

Jordan Montgomery SP- 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.43.  Montgomery will pitch the Yankees Home Opener.

Mallex Smith OF, Rays- 2 for 5, SB(3).  BA= .321.  It looks like Smith will start the bulk of games in LF for the Rays.  He's a nice later round target for SB's.  I recommend rostering up to 2 guys just for their SB's and it's a very small club.  Last year it was Billy Hamilton and Dee Gordon.  Delino DeShields and Smith are cheaper plays this year while guys like Byron Buxton and Yoan Moncada are also likely to give you strong SB totals but will cost more due to their perceived upside in other categories.

Teoscar Hernandez OF, Blue Jays- 1 for 2, HR(4).  BA= .348.  Teoscar will likely start the season in the minors but I can't believe the BJ's are going to let Randall Grichuk block him for long.

Chris Iannetta C, Rockies- 2 for 3, HR(4).  BA= .318.  Iannetta won't hit .318, but he could get you almost 30 dingers as the resident starting C in Coors Field.

Nate Karns SP, Royals- 5 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 1.98.  Karns has had his ups and downs but will be pitching his home games in a friendly environment.

Zach Davies SP, Brewers- 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.38.  Davies has run off 3 consecutive seasons with an ERA under 4.00.

Trevor Bauer SP, Indians- 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 4.44.  Bauer runs hot and cold but can be dominant when he is on.

Seth Lugo SP, Mets- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 2.87.  An injury to Jason Vargas and shaky pitching by Zack Wheeler opens the door for Lugo to start the season in he Mets Rotation.

Bartolo Colon SP, Rangers- 5.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.00.  Is this enough to save Colon's rotation spot?