Talk amongst yourselves. I'll give you a topic: the Nightcap is neither a night, nor a cap. Discuss.

Notables

• If you needs strikeouts big time, probably don't pick up Brian Duensing. If you need, like, any of the other three cats to which a starter can contribute, he could be VERY helpful. Line today versus The Cleve: 7.1 IP, 30 TBF, 3 K, o BB, 12 GB on 26 BIP. He'll generally (a) walk almost nobody and (b) get above 45|PERCENT| grounders.
 
• In case you didn't hear, Brandon Morrow carried a no-hitter into the 9th inning with two outs, at which point he conceded one (i.e. a hit) to Evan Longoria. Morrow's line was kinda ridiculous: 9.0 IP, 31 TBF, 17 K, 3 BB, 3 GB on 12 BIP. The batted balls are almost something you can ignore there; if you're striking out over 50|PERCENT| of the batters you're facing, you're probably doing okay.

• Reminder: Andres Torres is good. Line entering today: .289/.371/.503. He also has an UZR above 10 -- which, that's not surprising given his minor league stats.

• There's a distinct chance that Jayson Werth will end 2010 with (a) fewer HR than in 2009 but (b) a better overall batting line. With today's 3-for-4, HR performance he ends the day with a .301 AVG.

• Everth Cabrera brought his batting average over the Mendoza line with a 3-for-4 performance. He has the sort of skillset -- slap-ish hitter, fast -- that could make him a valuable fantasy commodity.

Caution, Warning

• Despite his 5 ER allowed, do not regard Roy Halladay's start versus the Mets as anything less than a dominant peformance. Line: 7.0 IP, 30 TBF, 10 K, 1 BB, 8 GB on 18 BIP. Basically, he gave up 9 H on 18 BIP. That's a .500 BABIP. That's bad luck.

• Paul Maholm recorded only 1 K in 18 TBF today. That's not the sort of rate that'll make you a star.

• Trevor Cahill gave up 2 R (0 ER) in 8.0 IP versus Oakland, bringing his ERA to 2.56 and his record to 12-4. By those numbers, he's an excellent fantasy play. By most others, he's basically Brian Duensing. "Trade him, stat," is my advice.

Stolen Bases

• Juan Pierre (42), Brett Gardner (31), Chone Figgins (30), Angel Pagan (25, 26), Andrew McCutchen (22), Carlos Gonzalez (18), Coco Crisp (15), Ian Desmond (11, 12), Howie Kendrick (11), Troy Tulowitzki (8) Melky Cabrera (6), Scott Podsednik (4, 5), Matt Diaz (3), Alex Rodriguez (3), Ronnie Belliard (2), Lorenzo Cain (1), Daniel McCutchen (1), Jose Molina (1).

Caught Stealing

• Ryan Theriot (7), Franklin Gutierrez (2), Alex Avila (1), Jamey Carroll (1), Greg Dobbs (1).

Save Chances

• Matt Capps, converted (2). Line: 1 IP, 2 K. Nothing else.

• Takashi Saito, converted (1). Billy Wagner had thrown the three previous nights, is why. Which reminds me: did you know that Wagner has 70 K in 48.2 IP? That surprised me.

• Alfredo Simon, converted (17). Was it a save? Yes. Was it pretty? No. Line: 1.0 IP, 0 K, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 HR.

• Brad Lidge, converted (14). Gave up an H, but nothing else.

• Michael Wuertz, converted (5). Andrew Bailey's out for 4-6 weeks or so.

• David Aardsma, converted (20). Gave up a homer, little else.

Closer, Non-Save

• Jose Valverde pitched the top of the ninth inning with his Tigers leading 9-3. A BB, a K. Little else, however.

• Chris Perez pitched an inning and got a K.

• John Axford entered the ninth with his team up by five runs; he left with them up by four. In the interim, he (a) gave up a run and (b) spread the Gospel of the Stache.

• Drew Storen was unable to keep a game within three runs, conceding 2 ER in 1 IP of work.

• Mariano Rivera got an out with the Yankers winning 7-2 over Boston.

Other Relievers

• After tonight's performance, Ernesto Frieri of San Diego now has 16 K (against only 2 BB) in 8.2 IP. Unfortunately, that makes him run of the mill in that Padre bullpen.

Lineup-ology

• Will Rhymes played second and batted leadoff for the Tigers today. I continue to suspect that he's rapper-type person, despite a dearth of evidence.

• Jason Repko played center and batted leadoff the for Twinkies in lieu of Denard Span.

• Toronto batted Dewayne Wise in the leadoff spot today. In other news, Dewayne Wise has a .255 OBP in 610 career ABs.

• Colorado's outfield today versus Pittsburgh's lefty Paul Maholm: Carlos Gonzalez in LF, Dexter Fowler in CF, Carlos Gonzalez in LF.

• With Nyjer Morgan on the DL, Justin Maxwell got the start in CF today, going 2-for-4 with a HR. He slashed .287/.390/.439 at Triple-A and has excellent physical tools; it's just, his contact skills (75 K in 230 AB) are of concern.

• Alex Gordon hit a homer while pinch-hitting for Willie Bloomquist -- because Bloomquist got the start in right field. I don't exactly know what ZOMG means, but I think it's relevant here.

The Young and Potentially Restless

• Peter Bourjos Watch! PBj started in center for the Angels, batted ninth, and went 1-for-3 with a 2B and BB. He probably also caught like 16 fly balls.

• Met Fernando Martinez made his first start of the season, batting sixth and starting in left. Line: 1-for-4 with a K. Line at Triple-A Buffalo: .255/.321/.466 in 247 AB.

• Lorenzo Cain started in CF for the Brewers today, on account of how Carlos Gomez is on the DL and Jim Edmonds was busy collecting social securtity check.

• Juan Francisco started at third base for the Reds today, something he'd done -- i.e. started -- a couple times earlier in the week. He has almost no plate discipline whatsoever, but offers pretty excellent power on contact.