Week 3
April 4th – April 10th
The Colorado Rockies continued their torrid play, winning seven of eight games this week, including a four game sweep of the New York Mets. Perhaps most impressive, is that the Rockies are dominating National League opponents without the benefit of their ace Ubaldo Jimenez, who has been sidelined for two weeks with a torn cuticle.
The Cleveland Indians boast the best record in the American League at 11-4, led by the solid pay of shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and DH Travis Hafner. The club received a boost on Sunday with the return of center fielder Grady Sizemore, who went 2-4 with a home run in his 2011 debut.
Offensive Player of the Week: Lance Berkman
.417 6 HR, 12 RBI, 9 R, 0 SB
The dormant bats of the St. Louis Cardinals finally awoke in week three, with Lance Berkman leading the way with 6 home runs in seven days. The Puma torched Dodger and Diamondback pitching with a .417 average and 12 RBI, while propelling the red birds to within a game and a half of the NL Central lead.
Honorable Mention: Troy Tulowitzki, Matt Kemp and Starlin Castro
Pitcher of the Week: Dan Haren
2 wins, 15.1 innings pitched, 14 strikeouts, 1.17 ERA, 0.65 WHIP
Dan Haren was the top-pitching performer of Week 2, posting two excellent starts for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Haren is the second straight Angel to win the award, following in the footsteps of Angel ace Jered Weaver.
Haren appears to be one of the best values of the draft as he leads all pitchers with 4 wins in the month of April, including an excellent complete game shutout on April 12th against the AL Central leading Indians.
Honorable Mention: Cliff Lee, Brian Wilson and Mariano Rivera
Working the Wire
Veteran starting pitcher Aaron Harang appears to have found a new home in the pitcher friendly confines of PetCo Park. The 6’7″ Harang is off to a fast start in 2011, winning all three of his outings while posting an excellent 1.50 ERA.
Despite his strong start, it appears as though fantasy owners are not buying into his career resurgence. With an ownership percentage of 49 percent, I recommend picking him up before more fantasy owners realize that even mediocre pitchers can excel in the cavernous PetCo Park.
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