Nate McLouth is putting up solid numbers in all five major fantasy categories.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers took the loss in a start last week. The next day he went out and began running before the team practice. He ran the entire time the team took hitting and fielding practice and was the last player to the showers. When asked by a reporter how many miles he ran the answer he got was 13 miles. And The Gambler wasn't kidding. 13 miles on the day after a start. He's over 40 years old.

No one takes a third strike like Manny Ramirez. Here is his normal routine when his backwards K is not the third out of the inning:

1.      Watches the ball all the way into the catcher's mitt

2.      Lifts his head to take a look at the dugout – best when his dugout is on the 1^st base side

3.      Tucks his bat under his right arm

4.      Takes off his helmet with his left hand

5.      Quickly walks to the dugout, quickly

6.      And my favorite part – he never, ever argues.

I really don't think he cares about anything. He forgets about the strikeout two seconds after the umpire rings him up. At that point he drifts off into MannyWorld and thinks about spaceships, Cadillac Escalades, and disappearing into the Green Monster. He was rung up twice in Monday's game, something that might discourage most hitters. Not Manny Ramirez. He promptly came up in the 9^th inning with a man on and proceeded to smash a Joe Borowski garbage pitch over the left field wall to drive in the go-ahead runs. Just before that pitch, ESPN's Steve Phillips, said, and I'm paraphrasing, “Manny could easily hit this to the wall, through the wall, or over the wall.”

Brian Bannister is a nerd, and he's a good pitcher too. He is currently 3-0 with an ERA under 1.00. After a recent complete game in which he allowed only one run, he was asked how he was able to dominate for an entire nine innings. He said he imagined he was a left-handed pitcher. What? He knows he doesn't have the best stuff, but he watches so much video of himself, and the team he is to face in his next start, that he believes it gives him an edge. Apparently it does, and his start to the season is evidence that whatever he does is working.

Have I mentioned Joe Borowski is terrible?

The Big Unit, Randy Johnson, made his first start of the season on Monday. Over 5 innings he allowed 3 runs (0 earned), on 3 hits, walked 4, and struck out 7 San Francisco Giants, en route to a no-decision. He is clearly not the Unit of old, but he can be a very capable No. 3 starter behind All-Stars Brandon Webb and Dan Haren. If Johnson can give the team 20 starts it should be considered a luxury. With Doug Davis temporarily out with thyroid cancer, it was perfect timing for Johnson to come back and show that he still has a little left in the tank. The D'Backs will need him for the stretch run after the All-Star break, but anything he gives them now would be a bonus.

Don't look now, but Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder Nate McLouth is an emerging fantasy star. He's not your classic 5-category player, but he seems to produce across the board, even though he bats in the leadoff spot. The last I checked he was batting in the .380's with two home runs, 14 RBI's, 11 runs scored, and two stolen bases. When his club swept the Cincinnati Reds last weekend, he seemed to be seeing the ball really well. Some “experts” tabbed him a solid sleeper this year in fantasy circles, and they clearly haven't missed on this one so far. It seems like he has staying power.

As I am typing this, the Philadelphia Phillies just scored four runs in the bottom of the 9^th inning to beat the Houston Astros 4-3 on Tuesday. Houston closer Jose Valverde took the loss when he allowed a game tying, two-run, opposite field home run to Pat Burrell. Then Geoff Jenkins reached first base on wild pitch strikeout. The next batter, Pedro Feliz, pulled a rocket down the third base line. Houston left fielder Carlos Lee handled the ball perfectly in the corner, and threw a strike to shortstop Miguel Tejada. Tejada then proceeded to throw a strike to home plate. Meanwhile, Jenkins is in the process of running through a stop sign from the third base coach. Bang bang at the plate. He's Safe! Good night. Game over. Drive home safely. This was easily the most exciting finish of the day.