Perfect Day for Game 1

By Matt Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff


May 1, May Day. May Day is synonymous with international workers day, the perfect day to start the second round of the Bruins Playoffs. The history of the Boston Bruins has always been of a blue collar team that works hard, is physical and creates their own opportunities. That is the reason why May Day is the perfect Holiday for the Bruins; they are the ultimate hard working team. The B's are the best team in the Playoffs as shown in the Montreal series that concluded 9 days ago.

Aaron Ward was on WEEI yesterday morning describing the makeup of the club,"We are a group of guys that are hard workers, we're not based on talent alone. We don't have a Hossa, Datsyuk and Zetterberg. We have four hard working lines and three great defensive pairings and a goaltender that -- goaltending duo that stand on their head." Don't get me wrong, the Bruins have talent in Phil Kessel, Mark Savard, and David Krejci. Without players like Aaron Ward , PJ Axellson and Shawn Thornton the B's wouldn't have the grit to advance very far.

Puck drops in 30 minutes, let's listen for the "Mayday" calls from the Hurricanes.

Jeff Storme wins 2 Free Red Sox tickets

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Congratulations to Jeff Storme for winning our first contest.  He added the most followers to Fan Fanatic Sports group page on Facebook.  

Stay tuned for the next contest coming soon!

Matt Garza Continues Mastery Of Red Sox

Matt Garza carried a perfect game into the seventh inning before it was broken up by Jacoby Ellsbury. The Boston speedster legged out an infield single, the lone blemish that kept Tampa's starter from achieving history.

Last year's ALCS Most Valuable Player struck out 10 before being lifted in the eighth inning with a huge lead. Grant Balfour came on to nail down the shutout as Garza left to a standing ovation. Tampa would go on to win the game 13-0, pounding out 18 hits.

Early in the game, Evan Longoria provided all the offense the Rays would need with a three-run double off Red Sox starter Josh Beckett. Longoria would also homer in the sixth off reliever Hunter Jones. Beckett is now 2-2 on the season after his second straight bad performance.

Garza, just 25 years old, is now 7-1 lifetime against Boston and is 2-0 this year, having beaten the Sox during the first week of the season at Fenway Park. Maybe some day the Sox will be able to figure the young right hander out.

The Sox look to get back on track tonight. They face the Rays in game two of their weekend series, with Justin Masterson (2-0, 2.70 ERA) facing Andy Sonnanstine (0-3, 7.78 ERA). First pitch is at 7:38 PM from Tropicana Field in Tampa.

Can you feel that?

By Jim Ingram 

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

You might be asking what in gods name am I talking about.  Well, I am asking if you can feel the excitement for game 1 of the Bruins 2nd round series versus Carolina.  I certainly can.  When 7 o'clock rolls around, I'll be on my couch, with a frosty beverage watching the NHL Playoffs.  My inner beard is growing!

Red Sox Contest ends today at 5pm!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

I want to remind everyone to get their last few people signed up as the contest ends tonight at 5 pm.  Results will be posted by 7 pm tonight on the sight and an e-mail will be sent out to the winner.  

Good luck!

Fantasy Baseball: Frozen Ropes

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Welcome back to the weekly edition of Frozen Ropes, the fantasy article that looks at the best and worst players over the past week.  I have really enjoyed writing these articles and hope the advice Chad and I have put out there has helped some of you in your fantasy leagues.  

The Good:

The hottest hitter in the fantasy land this week is Albert Pujols. He's hit .360, with 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, a 1.204 OPS and even stole 2 bases.  That is what you call a complete fantasy week.  Albert Pujols is the best right handed hitter in baseball and a perennial MVP Candidate.  We all know what his production will be from year to year.  Jason Bay is certainly making his case for a new contract with the Red Sox.  His last week contains an amazing .524 average, 2 huge home runs, 8 RBI, 8 runs and a whopping 1.548 OPS. He's been better than anticipated in his short time in Boston and should have another 30+ home run season.  I wouldn't be surprised if his production is even better hitting in the Sox lineup.  I love the sweet swing of Adrian Gonzalez, so it's nice to see him so hot this week.  He often gets forgotten out in San Diego, but a .391 AVG, 4 HR, 8 RBI, and 1.419 OPS will make people remember him.  He can be a streaky hitter, but his overall production makes it worth riding the troughs and valleys.  Jorge Cantu start to the 2009 season has made it clear that last season was not a fluke.  He's a legitimate fantasy threat.  The pock marked wonder has hit .412, 4 HR, 10 RBI with a 1.700 OPS.  The OPS is amazing.  He has 7 hits this week.  4 of them are home runs, 2 are singles and he has 1 double.  Talk about production. My preseason pick for most surprising hitter in the American League was Adam Jones.  Through the first month of the season, he's made me look like a genius.  This past week was no different. Jones has hit .387, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 9 R with a 1.037 OPS.  Jones will not hit 30 homers this season, but will hit around .300 with 20 homers and about 100 RBI and runs.  He'll also steal you 20 bases. He's a promising young player who will be a top fantasy producer.  

The Bad:

Geovany Soto is struggling mightily in his 2nd full season.  The Cubs say he's healthy, but he's been god awful at the bat so far.  He hit only .105 this past week with 0 homers and RBI.  He's still a very good player, so try and be patient with him.  If you have a 2nd catcher on your team, bench him until he turns it around.  Jhonny Peralta is another struggling player this week.  He's only 2 for 24 with an .083 average this week with absolutely no production.  He's swinging and missing way too often right now.  While I don't think he's in line for a terrible year, he's also not the highest rated shortstop.  If you can bench him for a few days, do so.  Jeremy Hermida started the season off strong, but has since come to a screeching halt.  The former top prospect has been terrible this week and could lose playing time.  A .150 average has brought his season total to just .246.  The Marlins offense has been good this season, so they can deal with a struggling player or two.  He has never come close to fulfilling his potential so I would suggest staying away from him.  JJ Hardy flat out can't hit right now.  His season has been so bad that hitting .182 this week actually raised his average.  Ouch.  That's not good for a player with a blue chip prospect behind him in AAA. Alcides Escobar could take over for him at the position if he continues to struggle.  The play of Carlos Gomez makes the Mets trade for Johan Santana look more and more like a terrible trade for the Twins.  He's been reduced to a 4th outfielder right now and has only 3 at bats this week.  He has tremendous speed, but is too undisciplined and strikes out way too much.  His season average is .195 and he's only stolen 2 bases.  Not good for someone who's best asset is his speed.  He needs to learn to put the ball on the ground and leg out a few hits.  

Under the Radar:

Just in case you didn't know, Andre Either is the 23rd ranked hitter in Fantasy Baseball.  His early season production has surprised even me.  On the year he's hitting .296 with 5 HR and 21 RBI.  He has really flourished hitting in the same lineup as Manny Ramirez.  I do think he's playing a bit over his head, but ride him while he's hot.  If you haven't joined the Dexter Fowler bandwagon, now may be the time.  The Rockies outfielder has been fantastic so far hitting .290, 2 HR with 7 RBI.  What makes him so valuable are the 9 stolen bases he already has.  His production should better than normal playing half his games at Coors Field.  Nelson Cruz looks like he's starting to fulfill his power potential.  The young rightfielder has already hit 6 HR and driven in 17 RBI.  He's getting a chance to play most every day and should hit around 30 home runs in that lineup. I've always been a big fan of Paul Konerko so I very happy to see him playing well.  Konerko is hitting .333, 3 HR, 18 RBI & a .902 OPS.  His batting average will certainly drop a good 4o points, but the power production should increase as the weather gets warmer.  He plays in a little band box of a field.  He's still out there in about 35% of leagues.  Russell Branyon is getting the majority of playing time at 1B for the Mariners and has produced very well.  His average, .333 will never last, but he does have 4 homers and 10 RBI in only 57 at bats.  He's a sure bet for a cheap 20 homers this year and could be even more if he get more playing time. He's also eligible at 1B & 3B.  

That's all for now!

(Stay tuned on Monday for Garner's Greatest Top 25 by Chad Garner)

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

So who are some of the best kept secrets so far this season? Well, in standard 5x5 leagues, there's plenty of candidates in the pitching categories of wins, saves, strikeouts, ERA and WHIP. We all know in the fantasy world, some of these guys are flukes like Zack Duke -- or is he? -- and some might turn out to be very serviceable pitchers to help you challenge for a fantasy title.

But you'll never know if you don't take a chance and try to land some of these guys if they're still available in your league.

I'll break down each category with some early-season surprises. And who doesn't like surprises?

WINS

We all know about Roy Halladay, but what about Joel Pineiro? What team is he on now, you ask? The St. Louis Cardinals righty is at the top of the list with 4 wins, but he only has six strikeouts and a so-so 1.37 WHIP. Call him a lucky dog right now.

Zack Greinke isn't a superstar yet, but the former first-rounder is still a surprise with a league-high five wins with 44 Ks, 0.50 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Yes, he's helping in every category. Hold on to him, he has the makings of a Cy Young candidate. Remember, Cliff Lee also put it all together last year, why not Greinke this season?

As far a relievers, a vulture in wins is Toronto's Jason Frasor with 3 in only 9.1 innings. Not a bad guy to have in a deep AL only league. The wins are a nice bonus.

SAVES

A couple first-year closers are headlining the list with San Diego's Heath Bell (8 saves, 0.00 ERA) and Texas' Frank Francisco (6 saves, 0.00 ERA). The best part of that production is these two guys weren't even hot commodities on draft day, so if you landed them in the mid to late rounds, you're smiling still. A free agent pickup named Ryan Franklin (7 saves, 0.00 ERA) of St. Louis is also paying off like a great night at the slots or tables in Vegas. Can you say money? You're so money and you don't even know it.

STRIKEOUTS

As far as starters, Javier Vazquez 42), Justin Verlander (34) and Yovani Gallardo (34) are all fanning guys at a steady clip, while closers Atlanta's Mike Gonzalez (16), Dodgers' Jonathan Broxton (16) and Toronto's Scott Downs (14) are also getting the Ks. Fantasy advice: Pick up Downs now, B.J. Ryan looks like he's toast (at least his shoulder is) and Downs is only owned in 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

ERA

The Kansas City Connection of Zack Greinke and Brian Bannister (he won't be sent down to Triple-A right now will he? He's owned in 9 percent of leagues) are sporting  great ERAs at 0.50 and 0.69, respectively, while you can't go wrong with a 0.00 ERA with Bell, Franklin and Francisco. 

WHIP

We all know how deadly Johan Santana is. He's the same old ace this season with a 0.95 ERA. So think about this: Gallardo and Greinke has been so great they have better WHIPs than Johan. Gallardo is at 0.87 and Greinke at 0.89. Yes, impressive. Tim Wakefield has been Boston's most dependable starter and he's got a 0.97 WHIP, as does one of my favorite early-season starters -- Kevin Millwood. Many of the same closers I've already mentioned also have team-friendly WHIPs -- Frasor (0.43), Downs (0.47), Broxton (0.50), Francisco (0.56), Franklin (0.58) and Bell (0.69).

PICK THEM UP

This week I'll endorse Boston's Tim Wakefield (2 wins, 17 Ks, 1.86 ERA, 0.97 WHIP). Wake is hot right now, so ride that knuckler before it starts floating up there like a beach ball. He's still available in 60 percent of leagues ... now you know there's no love for knuckleballers. 

There's love here for a youngster named Phil Hughes. Remember he was that rookie can't-miss prospect that fizzled under the Yankee spotlight last year. Well, he got the callup and dazzled against Detroit -- six scoreless innings for the win and six strikeouts. He's young and he'll have some rocky starts, but he's only owned in 36 percent of leagues and that means to me he's worth of a quick add.