The "Greek God of Walks" can now be called the "Greek God of Leather" too. Kevin Youkilis broke a record for perfection this week.

PREPARING FOR BATTLE, TEAMS ARE WELL ARMED

Within the past 24 hours, we have seen some well-pitched performances from starters around the league. Whether making their major league debut, bouncing back from miserable 2007 campaigns, taking advantage of opportunities, or simply overcoming major obstacles, these six pitchers have made many baseball fans excited by their performances.

SP Johnny Cueto, CIN: Reds’ fans from around the world were rejoicing as one of the two young arms in their starting rotation left the mound from his major league debut. Johnny Cueto’s performance made his impression felt against the Diamondbacks, pitching five innings of “NO-NO” ball, eventually giving up his only hit, a homerun, to D-Backs’ RF Justin Upton (1). Cueto asserted himself with a mid-90s fastball and excellent pitch placement. He eventually left the mound after pitching one-hit ball through the seven innings. Oh, did I mention he struck out 10 batters? Impressive!

SP John Danks, CWS: Yet another pitcher who took a “NO-NO” into the sixth inning. Danks will not overwhelm batters with his power, evidenced by his low strikeout total (2); however, he made great strides in creating trust with his new teammates. The White Sox went on to win the game even though Danks did not get the credit. All in all, Danks pitched 6.2 innings, giving up one earned run, striking out two and walking two.

SP Zack Greinke, KC: With the Royals on the move, Zack Greinke took care of the batters and 3B Alex Gordon provided the firepower. Greinke pitched seven strong innings, scattering six hits, with three strikeouts. He surrendered one run on… you guessed it, a long ball to Brandon Inge in the seventh inning. If I told you that Zack Greinke would come back from the bullpen and in his first start post a 1.29 earned run average, you would have laughed in my face.

SP Brad Thompson, STL: Here is a guy who got a chance in the big leagues due to injury and did his part in securing a starting rotation start with a solid spring. When all was said and done, the St. Louis Cardinals had a three-pitcher shutout against the Colorado Rockies today. Thompson’s pitching statistics were solid, going 6.s innings with 6 hits, 6 strikeouts, and an obvious 0.00 earned run average. He is likely a guy that is hanging out on the waiver wire and may be a great steal for spot starts.

SP Ervin Santana, LAA: The 2007 season was a disappointment for Ervin, the Angels’ organization, fantasy managers, and halo fans across the nation. Today’s pitching performance should allow some relief as Santana had a strong showing. Pitching 6 solid innings of four hit ball, he did not amass a lot of strikeouts (3) and did give up three earned runs, but in comparison to last season, this is a breath of fresh air.

SP Jon Lester, BOS: Jon is one of the many of the “homegrown” talents that are being generated by the Red Sox organization. Diagnosed with lymphoma on September 1, 2006, Jon Lester knew it was a treatable form and therefore vowed to be back in the major leagues in 2007. He did just that, even going so far as starting and securing a win in the 2007 World Series…the final game, no doubt. Although Lester had a shaky spring training, he marched headfirst into the Athletics’ line-up and 6.2 shutout innings later, handed the bullpen it’s opportunity to seal the deal. With only three hits and three strikeouts, it was a confidence booster for Jon, for the Sox organization, and to Sox-Nation. If there is a chance he is available on your waiver wire, I suggest picking the kid up. You cannot go wrong with a pitcher that has the potential for that much run support.

THE HAMSTRING’S CONNECTED TO THE… D/L LIST

What a shock! Pedro Martinez is in New York all of what? Four Hours? If anyone can walk off a plane, drive to the field and in four innings, end up on the designated list, it is Pedro Martinez.

When Theo Epstein refused to sign Pedro for the cash that Martinez felt he deserved, the New York Mets and Omar Minaya jumped on the opportunity, offering Pedro a four-year, $53M deal (2005). Heading into year four of his contract, Pedro has pitched a mere 380 innings, posting a 27-17 record with a 5.19 earned run average. The only team who has gotten less value from their money may be the Atlanta Braves who are finally ready to cart Mike Hampton out from the cobwebs and put him on the mound tonight vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates.

J.J. IS NOT SO “DY-NO-MITE”

Many fantasy managers who were jumping early for a solid closer, honed in on J.J. Putz and why not? He did post 36 and 40 saves in back-to-back seasons. Many a heart will break when they get home and tune into Sportscenter, or for that matter, read this article and find out that their top closer just hit the shelf.

Manager John McLaren says they will approach a bullpen by committee, throwing Eric O’Flaherty, Mark Lowe, and Sean Green. He did also state that if one can step up and show that they can handle the position, he would lean on them more.

Waiver Wire Watch: Eric O’Flaherty is the most likely candidate to replace Putz while he deals with rib injuries.

YOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUK!

Being a “die-hahhhd” Red Sox fan and admitted “Sox-Nation” member since I can remember, I cannot end The Grumble until I mention Kevin Youkilis.

Last night, Youklis, the Greek God of Walks, added another notch on his belt, extending his errorless game streak to 193 games and securing his place in the record books. His last error was on July 4, 2006. He has handled 1,628 opportunities between then and now. Youkilis is only 72 opportunities away from breaking the record for consecutive fielding attempts held by ex-Red Sox and Cleveland Indian, Stuffy McInnis, a record that has stood since June 2, 1922.

The Oakland Athletics’ organization graciously gave Youk the base, which he had his team autograph. Personally, that is shocking, considering the “penny-pinching” concept that is associated with the A’s organization.

That is it for all as we take another look at The Grumble. See all next Thursday.

Kevin M. Burgoyne II, a.k.a Statistocrat