Thursday's Roto Roundup: Colby Rasmus Homers Twice

There was a light schedule on Thursday, highlighted by Colby Rasmus going yard twice and driving in 4 in the Cardinals win over the Braves. Rasmus went 4-4 and is now hitting .276-.360-.514 with 21 HRs and 59 RBIs. Why was he benched again?

Braves reliever Craig Kimbrel struck out two in his inning of work on Thursday. I mention him as he could be the Braves closer in 2011 with Billy Wagner retiring at the end of this season. Kimbrel is a strikeout maching, but tends to walk alot of batters. Kimbrel should be picked up only in keeper leagues, with the thought that he will close in 2011.

Tigers starter Rick Porcello won again on Thursday, his 9th win of the season. Porcello gave up 3 runs on 4 hits in 8 innings of work. He has pitches 7 innings or more in 5 of his last 6 starts, so it appears he is back on track after his trip to the minors.

Reds outfielder Drew Stubbs went 2-4 with a HR and two RBI on Thursday. Stubbs has quietly hit 16 HRs and stolen 24 bases this season in 445 at bats. He could be a 20-30 guys if he could cut down on the strikeouts-144 in 445 at bats.

Another possible closer for 2011 is Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen. Jansen was the starting catcher for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic last year, but couldn't hit. So, the Dodgers converted him to a reliever a little over a year ago, and now he is in the majors. He struck out 2 in his one inning of work on Thursday, and has now struck out 31 batters in 18.2 innings since his callup. 

Astros starter Bud Norris held the Dodgers to 2 runs, 1 earned, in 6 innings giving up 3 hits, 4 walks and striking out 7. Norris could be a sleeper in NL-only and keeper leagues in 2011.

Rockies second baseman Eric Young is making a strong case to be a starter in 2011, as he has hit in 7 of his last 10 games and is now hitting .262-.331-.317 in 126 at bats. But the impressive part is that EYJr has stolen 15 bases in 18 attempts. Imagine how many SBs he could have if he played everyday in 2011?