Monday’s Roto Roundup: Hiroki Kuroda Flirts With A No-No

As if right on cue, it appears that Braves outfielder Jason Heyward is going to end the season the way he started. He went 4-5 with a HR, 3 runs scored and 4 RBIs on Monday, and for the season, he is now hitting .278-.389-.475 with 16 HRs and 62 RBIs. With Chipper Jones and Troy Glaus on the DL, the Braves will be counting on Heyward, as are many fantasy owners.

The White Sox celebrated the finalization of the Manny Ramirez trade by romping the Indians on Monday. They were lead by outfielder Alex Rios who went 5-6 with a HR, 3 runs scored and 4 RBIs. Rios is well on his way to a 20 HR/30 SB season as he currently has 19 HRs and 28 SBs. He should be a top 10 outfielder in 2011.

Gordon Beckham went 2-3 before he was struck in the hand and removed immediately. X-rays came back negative, so G-Beck should only miss a few games.

Reds outfielder Jay Bruce went 3-5 with a HR, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI on Monday, and is not hitting .274-.343-.464 with 18 HRs and 58 RBIs. Even with his current hot streak, fantasy owners can't be happy with Bruce's performance this season.

Astros starter J.A. Happ threw a complete game 2 hitter vs the Cardinals for his 5th win of the season. I have to admit, I have been wrong about Happ this season, as he has put up a solid 2.89 ERA, but has benefitted from a below average BABIP of .257 and above league average LOB% of 76%. His xFIP and FIP both say his ERA will rise from this point forward.

Cubs rookie shortstop Starlin Castro went 3-5 with 3 runs scored, and is now hitting .313-.356-.438 with 3 HRs, 39 RBIs an 6 SBs. Castro is a breakout candidate in 2011, as he could start showing more power.

Rangers starter C.J. Wilson win his 14th game of the season by shutting out the Royals for 7+ innings on 2 hits, 4 walks and 6 strikeouts. Wilson has an excellent ERA of 2.88 and WHIP of 1.18 pitching in one of the better hitter's parks in the majors.

The Mets apparently have asked, or will ask, outfielder Carlos Beltran to play right field in 2011. What this means to me is that Angel Pagan will be the starter in centerfield. Pagan has had a breakout season in 2010, hitting .294-.348-.446 with 10 HRs, 57 RBIs and 32 SBs in 39 attempts. Pagan has a very good shot at 40 SBs this season.

Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda had a no-hitter broken up with one out in the 8th innings on Monday. The no-no was broken up by Shane Victorino. Kuroda has had another solid season, winning just 9 games, but his 3.39 ERA shows he has been a better pitcher than that. Kuroda finished the night going 7.2 innings, giving up one hit, 2 walks and striking out 7.