Matt Kemp/Andre Ethier/Luis Gonzalez: Kemp started on Tuesday facing left-hander Chris Capuano and should play in the bad half of a platoon going forward. Andre Ethier was the one who sat, but that doesn't make much sense. Although the sample size of 77 AB is small, Ethier's .351 against left-handers last year shows he had no problem hitting against them. On the other hand, Luis Gonzalez, who got the start, had trouble against lefties last year, as he hit .259 in 174 AB. That was not a fluke year either as his 2003/2004/2005 batting averages against left-handers was .223 /.244./.269. Gonzalez turned in an 0-4 performance last night. Andre Ethier owners should not be worried about him being caught in a platoon.
Nook Logan/Kory Casto: Logan was placed on the 15-day DL with a left foot strain. That is worrisome for a guy whose speed is his only major league skill. Ryan Church shifts to center field and Kory Casto will play left field. Casto is a 25-year old who has never played above Double-A and has spent the majority of his minor-league career playing third base. He has shown some power and plate patience in the minors, but a 79% 2006 Double-A contact rate and lack of experience playing the outfield means this may be too big of a jump offensively and defensively. It probably will not be long before Chris Snelling becomes the left fielder.
Jake Peavy: Peavy's 2006 line of 11 wins, 14 losses, and a 4.10 ERA was not nearly as bad as it looked. Bad luck in the form of a .300 BHIP% and 69% strand rate inflated his ERA. His underlying skills of 9.6 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 remained solid. At 25 years of age with 4 years of experience, he could be primed for a big year. His first start of 6 shutout innings with 6 K's could be a preview of things to come.
Luke Scott/Jason Lane: Manager Phil Garner said he will "semi-platoon"Scott and Lane. On opening day he gave the lefty-swinging Scott the start against southpaw Zach Duke. Then Scott suffered a hyperextended elbow, making him day-to-day, which gave Lane a start against right-hander Ian Snell. With the Astros facing a lefty today, Scott will most likely sit. Despite Lane going deep last night, in the long run, his value will be hurt, as Scott was already in the better part of the platoon and should pick up AB against left-handers.
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