Gracies and Neifis: Week 7

Once again it's another edition of everyone's least favorite feature at TMS.

Week Seven (5/14 - 5/20)

THE GRACIES - The cream of the crop this past week

David Wright (NYM - 3B) - Like Billy Madison catching the dodgeball and proceeding to pelt all the first graders, Wright has seemingly broken out of his funk and now everyone is in "big, big trouble!" Wright has hit 7 home runs in the month of May so far, including4 this week.

Aramis Ramirez (ChC - 3B) - Speaking of third basemen that are killing the ball, A-Ram Ram had a great week hitting .423 with 3 homers and 12 RBI.

Ichiro Suzuki (Sea - OF) - Ichiro went an astounding 15 for 26 this week and stole 8 bases. If anyone has a soundbite of the Japanese kid screaming, "EEEE-CHEEE-RO!" I'd love to have it.

Hunter Pence (Hou - OF) - I've never even seen this guy play before, but I already hate him. I'm sure his biography would say that his favorite movie is Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector, and he enjoys listening to Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts, except when he's getting pumped up before a game. Then his iPod is chock full of Creed. Anyway screw you Hunter, and your .590 AVG this week.

Kevin Youkilis (Bos - 1B) - Youks managed to run up his hitting streak to 13 games now. He finished up the week with a nice 3-3 game against Atlanta yesterday.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (Bos - SP) - After a few rough outings there, Dice has buckled down again and pitched two solid efforts this week including a complete game versus Detroit. Dice fanned 11 and walked none over 17 innings of work.

Randy Johnson (Ari - SP) - The Big Unit looked more like his old self this week as he handled the hapless Pirates and Rockies with ease. Johnson struck out 19 over 11 2/3 innings.

Fausto Carmona (Cle - SP) - Carmona pitched a gem last Thursday against the Twins. Allowing only 4 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 4, Fausto earned his first complete game shutout of his career.


THE NEIFIS - Desperately in need of a Slumpbuster

Andruw Jones (Atl - OF) - This can't be helping his value on the market this coming offseason. Jones went an abysmal 3 for 25 this week, striking out 12 times, including a horrific 5 strikeout game yesterday at Boston.

Juan Uribe (ChW - SS) - Uribe struck out 12 time this week as well. Only difference is, no one gives a shit if he does it.

Adam Dunn (Cin - 1B) - Shocked by the revelation that his batting average was over .280, Dunn worked feverishly to submarine it to a more comfortable .260.

Matt Murton (ChC - OF) - Don't think Thunder Matt is immune to criticism here. Don't get me wrong, I'm the first one to come to his defense time and time again. But there is little you can say about a 1 for 14 week with 5 strikeouts. The thunder just isn't there right now.

Alex Gonzalez (Cin - SS) - He's hitting .162 so far this month. That's the Alex we all know and love.

David Aardsma (ChW - RP) - Aardsma hadn't pitched too bad this season, that is until he faced his former team over the weekend. David was roughed up pretty good by the Cubs, including loading up the bases for Derrek Lee's heroic grand slam off of Boone Logan.

Brett Tomko (LAD - SP) - While Randy Wolf has been a pleasant surprise and Mark Hendrickson hasn't been horribly sucky, Tomko's outings have become nightmarish. St. Louis bludgeoned Brett for 8 runs in the first 3 innings last Monday.

Adam Wainwright (StL - SP) - While Tomko got rocked on Monday, the Dodgers exacted their revenge on Wainwright the next day. The World Series hero turned mediocre starter didn't last much longer than Tomko the day before, giving up 8 runs as well before being yanked in the third inning. It's still early, but the Deadbirds horrible start has been one of my favorite running subplots so far this season.