MLB Roundup & Fantasy News & Analysis from April 8th's Action
No one was surprised that Philadelphia fans showered Ryan Braun with boos and cat calls on Tuesday. Braun himself smiled during the Philly Opening Day introduction ceremony during the chorus of anti-cheer. Philly fans are obviously an intelligent bunch, they cheer for a convicted rehabilitated dog murderer when he’s in Midnight Green, but a man who is suspended for PED use-- well, he’s the devil. I myself am a Phillies fan, so I can say these things, mostly because I do them.
The Hebrew Hammer put the proverbial nail in Philly’s coffin by silencing the crowd with a superb offensive display as he strategically placed not one, not two, but three homers into the seats while driving in an absurd 7 RBI. Braun’s thumb didn’t seem to plague him on Tuesday so I hope you didn't prematurely pawn him off assuming the worst over the weekend.
Braun however wasn’t the only masher depositing four-base-checks, hell he isn’t even the only player with a multi-homer performance on Tuesday.
Homer Parade
Starlin Castro hit his first and second bombs in a losing effort.
Cory Hart smoked two homers for the Mariners, he has three on the season.
Avisail Garcia and Jose Abreu BOTH did the touch-em-all trot twice. Abreu’s first homer in the Majors was a wall scraper. The second…not so much. Alexei Ramirez and Michael Cuddyer also hit a bomb in the game.
Brandon “Grab your father’s” Belt stayed scorching hot as he smacked his 5th on the season.
Melky Cabrera hit his 4th homer and has now gone yard in 4 straight contests. Jose Bautista roped his 4th for the Jays as well.
Yadier Molina collected his 3rd homer in a Cardinals win.
David Murphy smoked a three run bomb for the Indians.
Xavier Nady hit a homer.
Dee Gordon homered off of Max Scherzer. Yes it really happened.
Austin Jackson hit a solo shot off of Dan Haren for his first of the year.
Injury Notes
Initial reports on Matt Moore are not good as there may be a tear in his UCL which could spell TJ time.
David Lough was placed on the 15-Day DL by the Orioles and the team will call up Jemile Weeks.
Torii Hunter left Tuesday’s game with a knee contusion after colliding with the OF wall.
James Paxton was removed from his start and tests indicate a strained Lat muscle. That sounds like a DL trip. Hisashi Iwakuma may be rushed to return soon.
Adrian Beltre left Tuesday’s game with a tight quad and he will return to Texas to get an MRI.
Yasiel Puig was absent yet again from the Dodgers lineup due to the strained thumb ligament.
Dexter Fowler appeared as a pinch hitter Tuesday after battling an intestinal bug for the past few days.
Josh Hamilton was pinch hit for late in Tuesday's contest presumably after injuring himself sliding headfirst into First Base.
The Philadelphia Phillies fans feelings were all hurt, when their booing of Ryan Braun turned into another Home Opener Loss at the hands of Braun’s 3 HR effort.
That's a wrap! More goodies for the fantasy goons tomorrow. If you feel so inclined you can follow me on Twitter @CasKnowsRoto