MIXING IT UP A BIT

Made a couple of moves yesterday to shake up the pitching staff.  Nothing earth-shattering.  Just a little strategy play to help the pitching numbers.  I had actually picked up Joe Wieland last week, cutting Alex Liddi who is doing nothing but riding pine in Seattle (two starts, eight ABs).  Well, Wieland got one start and bombed so he was one cut.  Brent Lillibridge was the other.  I really like him and think he could be a player, but new Sox manager Robin Ventura doesn’t want to play him for some reason (two starts, nine ABs).  He’s doing me nor the Sox any good sitting on the bench.  I’ll keep an eye on him though to see if he starts playing down the road.

Added were the Twins Brian Duensing and the Brewers Marco Estrada.  Here is the strategy play – both have SP eligibility even though they are pitching out of the pen for their respective teams.  This allows me to have two more arms in play each day.  I like this idea a lot as it will theoretically boost my counting stats while also helping my ratio categories.  Both guys are pitching well in the early going.  Duensing is a lefty who has had some success in the Twins rotation.  The fact that they seemed committed to keeping him in the bullpen to start this season despite some injuries could lead to a breakout for his numbers.  Estrada is yet another hurler out of the pen for the Brewers on the 66ers to go with K-Rod, Veras and Loe.  I'm thinking at least one of these guys will get into action on most days.

And a week two bullpen update - 13 innings, only two earned runs allowed (both by Francisco Rodriguez).  It's silly how following guys like Kameron Loe and Scott Downs is more exciting than Joey Votto and Ian Kinsler, but that's where I'm at right now.  Guess I know the stars are gonna put up their numbers, but the relief pitchers on this team are really the key to success right now.  As long as they keep pitching like they are, should start winning some weekly matchups.