Daily Leaders 5/19/11

Bats

1.  Jason Giambi, COL;  3 for 5, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 3 R:  The Giambino was popping off last night like it was 2001 and he was still a BALCO guinea pig.  The triple cheese raised his home run total to four on the year and his average to a whopping .194.

2.  Jay Bruce, CIN; 3 for 4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R:  The power numbers are getting there now, and he's hitting at right about his career average.  This is Jay Bruce, apparently, so take it or leave it.  I say he's a solid fantasy option, but was going too high on draft day for my liking.

3.  Justin Morneau, MIN; 3 for 5, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R:  Only the second homer of the year for Morneau, who before his injuries was one of the premier, if underrated, sluggers in the AL.  He's had plenty of bad luck, but not as much as his owners, who based on their investment in him have to keep running him out there.

4.  ^Marlon Byrd, CHC;  2 for 4, HR, 2B R, 2 RBI, R:  Remember that girl in high school, the one you secretly thought was hot but was waaaaay under the radar of the rest of your friends?  Maybe she wore glasses or was really into her art classes or something else that made her the ultimate sleeper doper to everyone but you?  I feel this way about Marlon Byrd in fantasy.

5.  Nick Swisher, NYY; 2 for 4, 2B, 4 RBI, BB, R:  Swish got his first hit with a RISP and two outs of the year last night.  After playing over his head for two years in the Bronx, Nick- who I love as an individual, but not as a hitter- is back to playing like the guy who was given away by both Oakland and the White Sox.


Arms

1.  C.C. Sabathia, NYY; 8 IP, 7 H, 9 K, W:  CC was dealing last night as the rain fell in Baltimore, leading me to believe the Yanks probably should have saved some of those runs for this weekend's clash with the Mets.  Nevertheless, he followed the first rule of baseball after Cano got drilled.  Nick Markakis:  You're fucking out.

2.  Kyle McClellan, STL; 8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 5 K, W:  McClellan has been sort of a revelation in the Lou this year, helping Jaime Garcia to pick up Chris Carpenter's slack.  He won't blow anyone away, but he keeps the Cards in games and notched his sixth win of the season last night.

3.  Madison Bumgardner, SF; 8.2 IP, 6 H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K, W:  After a terrible start to 2011, one of last year's playoff darlings finally earned his first win of the season.  Since April 22, Bumgardner is just 1-3 but is sporting a sub-2 ERA.  This guy needs a nickname, Giants fans.  Any thoughts?

4.  Gavin Floyd, CHW; 7 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 3 K, W:  No joke, Floyd only has good outings every other start.  There doesn't seem to be any correlation between home vs. the road, or a powerful lineup vs. a shitty one.  His WHIP is down this year, which is nice, and he's on pace to strike out nearly 200 hitters.

5.  Aaron Harang, SD;  8 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K:  The Padres eeked out a win against the Brew Crew last night, but couldn't get Harang a decision.  He's pitched well, but is a long way from the guy who lead the NL in K's back in 2006-07.  If you're counting on him as the ace of your staff, I have to question your managerial manhood.