Do you smell what the grill is cookin'? Seriously, do you smell that?
Long ballpark franks, and fat ketchup-smothered burgers will be charred until no real color is seen. Infernos will rage from under grill lids as smooth tender steaks are cooked to perfection. And the byproduct from the Miller Park parking lot will be seen like smoke stacks, and smelled like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory from near and far.
Baseball is back. I'm all psyched. And I'm bringing the summer and grilling heat early this season with a new fantasy feature that focuses on pure baseball.
Good luck in Week One.
Henry Rowengartner's Encore
These flame-throwers won't need to break their arms to post solid fantasy numbers this week. Make sure you lock them in to your lineup.
Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco: Nolasco was nearly perfect in his latest spring outing. He didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning. It was a repeat from his March 18 performance. Nolasco will start the season as the Marlins No. 2 starter behind ace Josh Johnson, and is in the perfect spot to have a Cy Young-like 2010 season. Nolasco will make his first start on Wednesday in New York against the Mets, a lineup that will be without shortstop Jose Reyes and first baseman Dan Murphy.
Rays starter James Shields: Last season, Tampa Bay's first opponent, the Baltimore Orioles, were Shields' easiest task. In three starts, not only did he strike out 16 batters in 20.2 innings, but he recorded a 1.74 earned run average; his best mark against any American League opponent.
Royals closer Joakim Soria: Soria has had success against the Tigers. Last season, he struck out 11 batters in 5.2 innings and recorded three saves while allowing no Tiger runners to cross home plate.
Other pitchers who will be lights out this week:
Phillies starter Cole Hamels, Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright, and White Sox closer Bobby Jenks.
Rick Vaughn -- The Wild Thing
Look out for these pitchers, as they have the potential to be good starts, but will ultimately be a little too erratic for proper fantasy etiquette.
Blue Jays starter Shaun Marcum: Marcum has given up 21 hits in 18.1 innings pitched and holds a 5.89 earned run average against the Rangers in his career. Plus, his .65 strikeouts to innings pitched ratio on the road is much lower than his home number of .91. The Blue Jays open the season in Texas.
Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf: Although, he has an eye pleasing lifetime 3.40 earned run average at home in his career, he has had a rough spring, and doesn't look like the dominant pitcher he's supposed to be. Plus, he will start the season against Clayton Kershaw and a Dodgers club for which he allowed four walks in three innings pitched against the last time he threw to the blue bombers.
Marlins closer Leo Nunez: Nunez blew two saves in 10 games against the Mets last season, and I'm still not convinced that he's the Marlins permanent solution to close out games.
Other pitchers who may have a hard time finding the plate:
Red Sox starter Josh Beckett, Angels starter Scott Kazmir, and Diamondbacks closer Chad Qualls.
The Boppin' Bambinos
Here are a few fantasy players who by Italian standards are not little, and will be swinging for the fences like the great one this week.
Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez: The Tigers will open the season on the road against the Royals; a team that Ordonez holds a lifetime .308 batting average against, in 689 at-bats. With the exception of Zack Greinke on opening day Ordonez should have no problem spraying a few hits to start out the week, and then should finish up strong when the Tigers return home to face the back half of an Indians rotation that has a combined 24 games of starting experience.
Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano: In the last three seasons Soriano has hit .343, with seven homers, 11 runs batted in, and 23 hits in just 67 at bats against the Cubs first opponent; the Atlanta Braves.
Brewers third baseman Casey McGehee: Last season against the Rockies McGehee went 6 for 16, scored four runs, hit one homer, and smoked two doubles in four games. With Matt Gamel on the shelf the left corner spot of the infield is comfortably his.
Others that I like to put up strong numbers this week:
Rangers outfielder Julio Borbon, Angels first baseman Kendry Morales, Braves second baseman Martin Prado, White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez, Astros third baseman Pedro Feliz, and Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero.
These players will have to pack their lumber with cork if they want any chance of producing solid numbers this week.
Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp: There are high expectations for Kemp this season, and on paper the Dodgers appear to have a favorable opening series when they travel to Pittsburgh, which could then jump start a potential breakout season for No. 27. However, in 28 at-bats during the seven games he appeared in against the Pirates last season Kemp batted .214 and struck out seven times. Even worse is the fact that the Dodgers fantasy star has one career home run in 68 at-bats against Pirate pitchers.
Mets third baseman David Wright: Wright struggled immensely against the Marlins last season, recording a .182 batting average and striking out 23 times in 55 at-bats. Add in two Cy Young contenders at the front half of Florida's rotation and the Mets star should be anything but this week.
Rockies second baseman Clint Barmes: Barmes and the Rockies will be on the road for the first three games. Barmes has a lifetime .222 batting average away from Coors Field, and has just 15 hits in his 71 career at bats against Milwaukee.
Others who I believe will be begging for cork: Astros outfielder Carlos Lee, Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, Mariners second baseman Jose Lopez, Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew, and catcher Yadier Molina.
Taming "The Beast"
Due to injury these players will get their shot at proving they're valuable pieces.
Indians first baseman Matt LaPorta: With Russell Branyan starting the season on the disabled list LaPorta will be in the starting lineup. It's time for him to break out in a big way, and he has the sweet swing to do it.
Indians closer Chris Perez: With Kerry Wood out four to six weeks, Perez will get his shot as closer to start the season. The bad news is that he has a lifetime 3.92 earned run average, and did allow 86 fly balls compared to 50 dirt balls last season.
Twins relief pitcher Jon Rauch: Joe Nathan is lost for the season, so the Twins will be looking for their next candidate to close out games. Rauch holds the most experience in a closer's role, and since arriving in Minnesota late last season has tallied 14 strikeouts in 15.2 innings pitched.
Rockies relief pitcher Franklin Morales: It looks as though normal closer Huston Street will be shut down again until at least May, so much like the latter part of 2009 Morales will be the Rockies next in line save artist. He has the stuff to be a true closer, and could find permanent comfort in the ninth inning if Street continues on his historical injury plagued route.
Others who could tame "The Beast": Astros first baseman Geoff Blum, Mets shortstop Alex Cora, and Mets first baseman Mike Jacobs.
Next week I'll be bringing more heat, and unfortunately, a little bit of freeze.
