The Atlanta Braves finally won a one-run game when Matt Diaz hit a bases-loaded single in the ninth inning to beat the San Diego Padres 5-4 on Thursday. Diaz lined a 2-2 pitch to left to drive in Yunel Escobar. MLB.com notes that Diaz will be in the Braves lineup at least four times in the next six days. That doesn't mean, however, that Atlanta manager Bobby Cox has abandoned his left-field platoon of rookie Gregor Blanco and the veteran Diaz. The Braves are in a stretch where almost all they will see are left-handed starters, giving the right-handed-hitting Diaz plenty of playing time after a couple of weeks where he hardly started at all. (Updated 05/08/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/18/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Diaz went into Thursday's game with the Padres batting .295 with two homers and 13 RBI. Almost all the damage had been done against lefties. Diaz was hitting .452 against left-handers compared to .170 against righties. Fantasy owners in NL-only play should take a flier on him if they are in need of a stopgap for the upcoming week. (Updated 05/08/2008).
Diaz hit a bases-loaded single in the ninth inning Thursday to lift the Braves to a 5-4 win over the Padres. (Updated 05/09/2008)
Advice
Diaz, who is batting .290 with 14 RBIs this season, is just 5-for-22 (.227) with two RBIs in his last nine games.
The Atlanta Braves finally won a one-run game when Matt Diaz hit a bases-loaded single in the ninth inning to beat the San Diego Padres 5-4 on Thursday. Diaz lined a 2-2 pitch to left to drive in Yunel Escobar. MLB.com notes that Diaz will be in the Braves lineup at least four times in the next six days. That doesn't mean, however, that Atlanta manager Bobby Cox has abandoned his left-field platoon of rookie Gregor Blanco and the veteran Diaz. The Braves are in a stretch where almost all they will see are left-handed starters, giving the right-handed-hitting Diaz plenty of playing time after a couple of weeks where he hardly started at all. (Updated 05/08/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/18/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Diaz went into Thursday's game with the Padres batting .295 with two homers and 13 RBI. Almost all the damage had been done against lefties. Diaz was hitting .452 against left-handers compared to .170 against righties. Fantasy owners in NL-only play should take a flier on him if they are in need of a stopgap for the upcoming week. (Updated 05/08/2008).
