Gracies and Neifis: Week Two

Two weeks down and twenty-somethingorother to go. Before we delve into this week's list of brilliance and inferiority, I wanted to comment real quick on yesterday's game. If Kyle Lohse only played the Cubs, he'd be a front-runner for the Cy Young Award easily. Also Ted Lilly looks to be the winner of the Kerry Wood Memorial "No Run Support" Award, as his excellent outing was squandered. Tonight they face Clay Hensley and the Padres. Hensley has only faced the Cubs once ever, and pitched a 2-hit complete game shutout. We'll see if the bats can heat up.

Week One (4/9 - 4/15)

THE GRACIES - The cream of the crop this past week

Ian Kinsler (Tex - 2B) - While most of the Texas offense has been quiet so far, Kinsler has made quite a roar. Ian hit .476 this week with 4 home runs and 8 RBI.

Rickie Weeks (Mil - 2B) - Rickie bounced back from a rough first week nicely, hitting .389 with 8 runs, 2 triples and 2 home runs.

Aaron Hill (Tor - 2B) - What the hell? Apparently it's second basemen week. Hill teed off on the Tigers and Royals all week, going 12 for 26 with 5 doubles.

Adrian Beltre (Sea - 3B) - Beltre was well on his way to being a Neifi this week. Then he went 4 for 8 on Saturday and Sunday against Texas, hitting 2 homers with 7 RBI and 5 runs. Those two games bumped his OPS from .427 to .814. We'll be looking for Adrian in the Neifi list next week.

Alex Rios (Tor - OF) - Alex had his 11 game hitting streak snapped yesterday against Detroit. Rios went 10 for 29 on the week with 2 homers and 7 RBI, including a game-winning hit in the 10th inning of Friday's game against the Tigers.

C.C. Sabathia (Cle - SP) - Who would win in a cage match, Sabathia or Carlos Zambrano? While we may never know the answer, we do know that C.C. has looked much better on the mound so far this season. Sabathia picked up two wins this past week against the White Sox and Angels, striking out 17 over 15 innings.

Tim Hudson (Atl - SP) - Hudson has been impressive so far this season. Tim picked up two wins this week, allowing only 1 run over 14 innings.

Felix Hernandez (Sea - SP) - King Felix is starting to earn that nickname finally. This week he stunned the Red Sox in Fenway, throwing a one-hit complete game shutout.


THE NEIFIS - Desperately in need of a Slumpbuster

Elijah Dukes (TB - CF) - Dukes went 1 for 17 this week, topped off with his 0-4, 4 strikeout performance yesterday against Minnesota. Neifi would be proud.

Ryan Shealy (KC - 1B) - Shealy went 1 for 17 as well, but unlike Dukes, Ryan actually drew a walk.

Mark Teahen (KC - OF) - Mark's 2 for 4 game yesterday snapped a week-long hitless streak. Alas, we couldn't annoint him our first 0-fer of the season. That accolade instead goes to....

Edwin Encarnacion (Cin - 3B) - 0 for 19. That's what you look for in your cleanup batter. He's since been bumped to sixth in the order.

Joe Crede (ChW - 3B) - Despite a 3 for 4 game on Friday against Cleveland, Joe went 4 for 23 on the week with 7 strikeouts. A frustrated Crede was booted from yesterday's game after arguing balls and strikes.

Mariano Rivera (NYY - RP) - Rivera hadn't allowed a run since August 27, 2006. Then he gives up a three-run homer to the Player to be Named Later? Mo, you're starting to look mortal.

Zach Duke (Pit - SP) - What the hell happened to this kid? Two years ago he looked like a promising young ace. Now he's getting rocked on a consistent basis. Duke gave up 7 runs over 2 innings, against the Giants of all teams.

Mark Redman (Atl - SP) - 2.2 IP, 6 H, 7 ER, 2 BB. Those kind of stats might get you an All-Star bid in Kansas City, but in Atlanta it'll get you the backside of Bobby Cox's hand!