NL West Fantasy News: Rockies lose OF Blackmon
Only the Rockies play outside the division this weekend. Also, the over-under for the number of games in which the Padres get shut out has been set at 2.5.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Weekend opponent: at Padres (starters Greinke, Miller, Corbin)
The D-backs are considering Michael Bourn? Why? Is it because the Brito/Owings combo has drawn zero walks in 48 plate appearances?
The Padres have played seven games away from Coors Field so far, and they've been shut out in five of them. Fantasy owners might want to start Miller and Corbin this weekend (they're starting Greinke already).
The D-backs say they like the way Archie Bradley is throwing the ball at Triple A, even though Bradley didn't make it out of the first inning in his latest start. He got ejected on his way to the dugout, too. Feisty!
Colorado Rockies
Weekend opponent: at Cubs (starters Bettis, Bergman, Chatwood)
The Rox have placed OF Charlie Blackmon on the DL with the always-annoying turf toe. Ben Paulsen started Thursday's game in left field, and Ryan Raburn figures to get some time versus lefties (which he was getting anyway), while Gerardo Parra starts in center. DJ LeMahieu led off in Blackmon's absence on Thursday.
Sorry to be a wet blanket about Trevor Story, but the cracks are showing already. He's whiffed 15 times in 41 plate appearances. That's terrible.
It's early, but Purple Row notes that Carlos Gonzalez has been hitting the ball really hard.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Weekend opponent: Giants (starters Kershaw, Kazmir, Maeda)
Clayton Kershaw versus Madison Bumgarner tonight? Getcha popcorn ready.
Closer Kenley Jansen got five outs on Wednesday, and three more on Thursday, so Friday might be a night off for him. If Chris Hatcher isn't back from paternity leave, Yimi Garcia is the logical choice to get a save opportunity. Or, more logically, Kershaw will just stay on the mound for a complete game.
Howie Kendrick has started three games since coming off the DL - at second base, left field and third base. His fantasy positional eligibility might take some interesting turns soon.
San Diego Padres
Weekend opponent: Diamondbacks (starters Shields, Cashner, Erlin)
After another solid start in Thursday's loss to the Phillies, Drew Pomeranz has a 3.27 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 11 innings. Pomeranz is owned in seven percent of FOXSports.com leagues, and is worth a long look in deeper formats. I'd like to pick him up if I had an opening or an underachieving starter.
The Padres have had a terrible time hitting against Zack Greinke. On the bright side, how much worse can they hit?
San Francisco Giants
Weekend opponent: at Dodgers (starters Bumgarner, Cueto, Samardzija)
SS Brandon Crawford left Thursday's game with a hip flexor injury, and called himself "questionable" for Friday's game against Kershaw. With Kershaw pitching, Crawford said, "I could have been questionable, anyway," according to SFGate.com.
2B Joe Panik played an inning on defense Thursday after suffering a hip injury a day earlier, and should be ready to go Friday.
RP Sergio Romo has been placed on the DL with a flexor strain in his elbow, and won't throw for two weeks.
