Players Update Hot Bats and Hot Arms

Fantasy Baseball News
Hot bats hot arms update

Hitters
NL
Matt Holliday - OF, Colorado Rockies
Jul. 5, 11:46 p.m.Matt Holliday went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer and a sac fly in the Rockies' 12-6 win over the Marlins on Saturday. Fantasy Source spin: Not quite as much drama tonight, though the Marlins did come back from 8-0 down to score three runs in both the sixth and seventh innings. However, the Rockies merely responded in the bottom of each inning. Holliday could have had his second grand slam in two days if not for a passed ball leading to a run before his three-run homer in the fourth. He's up to 13 bombs for the year.
Damion Easley - 2B, New York Mets
Jul. 5, 11:17 p.m.Damion Easley had three hits and scored twice Saturday in the Mets' 9-4 win over the Phillies. Fantasy Source spin: Easley has hit in seven straight, raising his average from .252 to .287. While he's a candidate to break down himself while playing regularly, it looks like he'll be a nice asset in NL-only leagues while Luis Castillo is sidelined.
Garrett Atkins - 3B, Colorado Rockies
Jul. 5, 12:14 a.m.Garrett Atkins went 5-for-6 with a homer and three RBI in Friday's victory. Fantasy Source spin: Atkins entered with a .470 average and a .788 slugging versus lefties, yet Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez let Taylor Tankersley face him in the sixth inning anyway. A two-run homer followed, and Tankersley was removed for a right-hander immediately afterwards. More than anything else in the wild one, it was that one decision that probably cost the Marlins the game.

Pitchers
Jake Peavy - SP, San Diego Padres
Jul. 5, 11:34 p.m.Jake Peavy shut down the Diamondbacks for seven innings in a victory Saturday night. Fantasy Source spin: Heath Bell and Trevor Hoffman allowed single runs in relief, but San Diego held on to win 4-2. Peavy allowed three hits and struck out six. He has a 2.17 ERA in five starts since coming off the disabled list.Next start: 7/5: @ARI
Dave Bush - SP, Milwaukee Brewers
Jul. 5, 9:50 p.m.Dave Bush pitched eight innings of one-run ball and struck out seven Pirates in another strong outing Saturday. Fantasy Source spin: Bush didn't get a decision, as Paul Maholm matched him pitch for pitch before both were taken out to start the ninth. Bush has allowed exactly one run in three of his last four outings.Next start: 7/5: PIT

AL
Ian Kinsler - 2B, Texas Rangers
Jul. 5, 10:35 p.m.Ian Kinsler delivered his 14th homer and his 28th double Saturday against the Orioles. Fantasy Source spin: Dustin Pedroia over Kinsler as the AL starter at second base is probably the worst choice made by the fans in the All-Star balloting, though on performance alone, Pedroia certainly has more business starting the game than Ken Griffey Jr. does. Kinsler is hitting .328 and is leading the AL in runs scored by a wide margin (currently 16 runs, depending on what Ichiro Suzuki does tonight). Pedroia does have the clear edge on defense, but it doesn't make up for what Kinsler has done at the plate.

Pitchers
Andy Sonnanstine - SP, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Jul. 5, 10:51 p.m.Andy Sonnanstine improved to 10-3 on the season by shutting out the Royals for seven innings on Saturday. Fantasy Source spin: The Rays have won Sonnanstine's last seven starts, with the right-hander picking up four victories in the process. His ERA stands at 4.31, his low point of the season. J.P. Howell and Grant Balfour finished the shutout.Next start: 7/5: KC
Mike Mussina - SP, New York Yankees
Jul. 5, 7:39 p.m.Mike Mussina picked up his 11th win of the season by holding the Red Sox scoreless through six innings Saturday at Yankee Stadium. Fantasy Source spin: The Sox managed just four hits off Mussina. He struck out five and walked only one batter. Jose Veras and Kyle Farnsworth held it together and carried a 2-0 lead into the ninth. Mariano Rivera entered the game and picked up his 23rd save of the year, but it wasn't easy or pretty. He allowed a couple of hits and beaned two batters before striking out Coco Crisp, getting Jason Varitek to pop out, and finally striking out Julio Lugo. Mussina was the hero today though. He's now 11-6 with a 3.64 ERA this season and will face the Blue Jays next time out.Next start: 7/5: BOS

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