My Tooth Hurts

May 5th, 2010 | by Ray Flowers |

I wanted to do a video today but I couldn’t. Did my camera break or did I suffer a rash-like outbreak on my face? The answer is no. I couldn’t do a video today because I can’t talk. I had a tooth worked on at the dentist, complete with Novocain shots, and I’m doing my best right now just to avoid drooling all over myself. OK, it isn’t that bad, but why not try and drum up some sympathy in case a lady or two is reading this, right?

Its gone underreported, but Andrew Bailey of the Athletics has converted 26-straight save chances. As if that wasn’t great enough, he’s also gone 20.2 innings without allowing a run. For those that though the second year hurler would fail either because of concerns with his knee or because they didn’t buy his work last season, seems like those questions have been answered – Bailey will be fine.

Milton Bradley is behaving badly? I’m stupefied as to how that has happened.

Brandon Morrow is one of those late round gambles that was well worth taking this season and, as expected, the results have been mixed. Morrow has a wonderfully impressive 42 strikeouts in just 33.1 innings leading to a whopping 11.34 K/9 mark – a level of titans. On the other hand, his ERA is 5.40 and his WHIP is over 1.50 so it’s not like he has even been passable in the ratio categories. Morrow has the talent to flat out dominate hitters, but he also has bouts with his control that can make him look like a right-handed version of Oliver Perez. Give the youngster time, I still think he can be special, but it’s likely to be a bumpy road.

Andy Pettitte moved to 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 1.21 WHIP through six outings in a spectacular start to the season for the 15 year vet. Alas, those good feelings have come to a screeching halt given the news that he was removed from the game after just 77 pitches because of some concern with his elbow. An MRI showed “mild inflammation” and the club will take is slow with the veteran. No word yet on if he will need a DL stint, but the team has reported that they will treat the issue conservatively which means he will almost certainly miss at least a start or two.

Jimmy Rollins (calf) will head out to the Phillies extended spring training complex on Monday to see if he can get his body right for a projected mid May return. Keep an eye on how he is moving as a lot of his value is obviously predicated on his legs.

Denard Span stunk it up in April, at least from a batting average perspective as he hit .211. Well, seems like the calendar flipping to May has changed everything for the leadoff hitters as he has gone nuts hitting .500 in May through 22 at-bats. Make no mistake Span is a heck of a hitter and one that it might behoove you to still try to purchase at a discounted rate if his owner isn’t paying attention.

Drew Stubbs isn’t going in the right direction. He had another 0-for on Wednesday to drop his average down to .174 on the season. Stubbs also struck out three times giving him 30 punchouts in 92 at-bats (32.6 percent K-rate). What’s wrong with him? Can I be truthful with you all? He isn’t as good as you thought he was if you looked only at his 42 game cup of coffee last year. Stubbs isn’t a 30/30 option, heck he probably isn’t even a 15/30 option, and this season he is proving that. Still, in 267 career at-bats, roughly half a season, he has 10 homers, 43 runs scored and 17 steals, so don’t panic simply on the basis of his slow start this season. He isn’t this bad, and he wasn’t that good, but if the middle ground seems him double those stated totals, at least in the runs scored and steals categories, he will have had a strong season for the Reds.D

By Ray Flowers

Tags: Andrew Bailey, Andy Pettitte, Brandon Morrrow, Denard Span, Drew Stubbs, Jimmy Rollins, Milton Bradley