Adam Wainwright’s curveball of old has yet to appear this season
Steroid Users Still Exist
On April 22, Chris Colabello of the Toronto Blue Jays was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball because he tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. This news wasn’t exactly earth-shattering, as Colabello magically hit .321 last season, after averaging .212 in his first two years. It’s always suspicious when a player, in his thirties, has a breakout season.
This past week, Major League Baseball informed the Miami Marlins and the rest of the baseball world that Dee Gordon would also be suspended 80 games. Gordon does not plan to appeal.
In 2015, Gordon finished with the highest batting average (.333) in the National League, winning the batting title, and led Major League Baseball in hits (205) and stolen bases (58). He also won a Gold Glove for his performance at second base.
The news of Dee Gordon’s suspension was shocking, but also devastating for fantasy owners. While there’s absolutely no way to replace a guy who possesses the ability to steal more than 60 bases, owners must attempt to. If you’re faced with this dilemma, take a look at Derek Dietrich. The 26-year-old is currently hitting .325 with two home runs and 10 RBI. He’ll likely see a boost in playing time because of the Gordon suspension.
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Jordan Zimmermann is Adjusting Well to the American League
Typically, starting pitchers who transition from the National League to the American League see an inflation in their ERA. To be fair, the American League does employ the designated hitter. Jordan Zimmermann, on the other hand, seems to be the outlier.
In his first five starts with the Detroit Tigers, Zimmermann is a perfect 5-0 with a league-best 0.55 ERA. In fact, he didn’t allow an earned run until his fourth start. Zimmermann is a big reason why the Tigers currently hold a playoff spot.
Zimmermann’s ERA will undoubtedly increase, but with five wins in April, he’s well on his way to a 20-win season and the Tigers have the offense to make it happen.
The St. Louis Cardinals Struggled in April
For the past decade, the St. Louis Cardinals have been the example franchise of Major League Baseball. Since 2006, they’ve won five NL Central division titles and two World Series. Other than the New York Yankees, the Cardinals are Major League Baseball’s most successful franchise. This year’s team, however, is off to a rather slow start.
The Red Birds have scored the most runs in Major League Baseball, but are still one game below .500 with a 12-13 record. What does that tell you? Pitching has been their Achilles’ heel.
The Cardinals starting rotation ranks in the middle of the pack with a 3.94 ERA. Usual ace, Adam Wainwright, currently possesses a grim ERA of 7.16. The Mike Leake signing has been a disaster. The right-hander is 0-3 with a 5.83 ERA. Carlos Martinez has been the lone bright spot in the rotation, accounting for four wins, a third of the teams’ total.
Because they’re the Cardinals, things will turn around. Wainwright won’t have an ERA above five and Mike Leake will win a game. Don’t expect them to contend for the division, though, the Cubs look like the elite team in the National League.
Joe Barca is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Joe, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @BarkyCat.
