Recommendations: April 16, 2008

For teams that are struggling, here are my recommendations:

Minnesota Twins

Focus: Bullpen

Best Options (In Order)

1. Dennys Reyes
2. Joe Nathan
3. Brian Bass

Avoid for Today

1. Matt Guerrier
2. Jesse Crain
3. Pat Neshek
4. Juan Rincon

Note: Livan Hernandez will need to pitch deep into this game in order for the Twins to have a chance to win today.

Texas Rangers

Focus: Batting Lineup and Bullpen

1. Ramon Vazquez, 1b
2. Ian Kinsler, 2B
3. Milton Bradley, DH
4. Josh Hamilton, CF
5. Gerald Laird, C
6. Hank Blalock, 3B
7. David Murphy, RF
8. Michael Young, SS
9. Frank Catalanotto, LF

Best Options (In Order)

1. Wes Littleton
2. C.J. Wilson
3. Jamey Wright
4. Joaquin Benoit
5. Franklyn German

Avoid for Today

1. Dustin Nippert
2. Josh Rupe

Reason why Rangers lost: Josh Rupe was 6th on my most trusted list, meaning there were 5 better. Now I never said for him not to play so I wasn't completely correct, but there were definitely others who would have been better. Rupe gave up 3 runs. Rangers lost by 3 runs. Enough said.

Cincinnati Reds

Focus: Batting Lineup and Bullpen

1. Scott Hatteberg, 1B
2. Ken Griffey Jr., RF
3. Paul Bako, C
4. Corey Patterson, CF
5. Jeff Keppinger, SS
6. Adam Dunn, LF
7. Brandon Phillips, 2B
8. Ryan Freel, 3B
9. Josh Fogg, P

Best Options (In Order)

1. Francisco Cordero
2. Kent Mercker
3. Mike Lincoln
4. Jeremy Affeldt
5. Jared Burton
6. David Weathers

Avoid for Today

1. Todd Coffey

Reason why Reds lost: Corey Patterson cannot lead off a game, at least not yet. It seems that he presses when he leads off a game and as a result going 0 for 4 yesterday. Patterson has shown the most power in the most recent games for the Reds. If the Reds want to win, they should treat him as a power hitter for the short term.