What a crazy time of year. When within an hour your team can go from third place to eleventh back up to fourth.

And, we do need to remember there are so many games ahead, so when pundits preach doom for the Tigers after their 0-5 start, they should note that some time during any season most teams endure a losing streak like this. So, it is not the end of anything, and, that said, getting off to a good start does indeed make everything a lot better.

Certainly we can take a look at some guys who got off to good starts, and hopefully some under the radar. First, though, we all talk about BJ Upton and his offense and potential, but, probably because most fantasy games don't include defense as a category, well we pay less attention to it. And, today I was watching the Yankees and the Rays and Upton uncorked a throw in the third inning that nailed Wilson Betemet. A perfect strike. The dude is good.

So, first week I have to say it has been, as usual, the pitchers who caught my eye. Maybe that is because we always have to be on the lookout for good--and more--pitchers. As in you can never have enough good starters and relievers.

But, also remember pitchers have the advantage early in the season, partially because of the weather, and partially because hitters have to adjust and get in the groove. Also remember, that especially new pitchers can take advantage of this, at least the first time around the league. So, a good play is not to have too many new guys active at one time unless they have a track record.

I watched Joe Saunders and Nick Blackburn duel it out last Wednesday, both of whom comported themselves well. Saunders actually went on most of the NFBC rosters I saw  And, fact is I paid $2 for him on my Tout Wars team. Saunders gave his ownders eight great shutout innings justifying his selection for at least a week.

But, for seven innings Blackburn, whom I don't remember going in any NFBC draft (mind you of the three I watched and worked), matched Saunders. That is because the 26-year old only made the rotation at the last minute when Francisco Liriano was held back. Blackburn's 0-2, 7.71 mark of last season probably scared most everyone off anyway, but, he did have a great start on Wednesday.

Milwuakee keeps coming up with good young players, and Manny Parra looks like more of same. Also 26, Parra struck out seven over 5.3 innings last week. Parra was 0-1, 3.38 over nine games with the big club last year, but also peformed well at AA (7-3. 2.69) Huntsville, and then 3-1, 1.73 at AAA Nashville. He also copped 106 whiffs over 106.2 innings.

I have been a Dana Eveland fan for long enough to suspect that I have written how long I have been a Dana Eveland fan more than once. Eveland had a very good start Saturday against the Indians, holding them to six hits while stirking out seven over seven innings (one walk). On this team he will have a chance to settle into the rotation and I think he will have a solid year.

Wow, how did Johnny Cueto fly past Homer Bailey in the Reds up-and-comer list? Cueto, 22, shot through all three levels of minor last year starting at A (4-5, 3.34 over 78.1 innings), AA (6-3, 3.10 over 61 innings), and then AAA (2-1, 2.05 over 22 innings). Cueto struck out 170 over 161.1 minor league innings, and he handled the Dbacks brilliantly, allowing just one hit and run over seven innings, while striking out ten.

Pasko Varnica told me when he nominatd Andy Sonnanstine for $2 last Sunday during his WIFL mixed 15-team auction, there were a lot of "who?" that followed. And, Pasko got the Tampa pitcher for those $2. At 6-10, 5.85 last year maybe again it is a small wonder why. Sonnanstine did have a pretty good WHIP, though, at 1.34 considering those other numbers, so the thought is maybe a little luck and a better team his numbers would improve. Sonnanstine did get a win last week, and is probably available in your shallow leagues.

Last week I wanted to nab Baltimore's Matt Albers to replace Joey Devine but my zen weakened because my dog walker Deborah and Diane both thought Jorge Julio was such a cool name. So I went with their flow. Luckily, I got Albers this time through, sticking Julio, who at least has closing experience should Joe Borowski falter. Well, Albers picked up a win for the O's Saturday and has looked very good coming out of middle relief. Albers, part of the Miguel Tejada swap, has pitched 4.1 innings this year over two games and allowed just a hit.

Looking at a couple of position players who could be of value in AL only leagues, Mike Morse had a monster (.492-3-15) spring, and really has hit pretty well for the Mariners (.444-0-3 over 19 at-bats last year, and .273-3-23 over 230 big league at-bats in 2005). Morse is platooning in right with the wild swinging Brad Wilkerson, but he could win significant playing time.

I had Merkin Valdez in my farm system in the XFL for three years, and for some reason--maybe I had lost faith in him--I did not protect the pitcher this off-season. And, now Valdez is shhowing just how good he might be with five strikeouts over four innings this year. I have to think there are better things in store for Valdez so if you can grab him and stash him in a shallow league, do so.

And, I don't know why, but I have lost faith in Huston Street. For some reason the reliever does not seem to be able to put guys away any longer. He gave up long home runs to Jason Varitek and Travis Hafner on consecutive outings after blowing an Opening Day save. He just has not seemed to be the same guy since he returned from injury last July.

Finally, Brandon Inge seemed to have been written off as a lost cause with the powerful Tigers having swapped for Miguel Cabrera, not to mention Detroit having such a solid outfield and lineup. But, Inge, a pretty good athlete, has been playing center field in lieu of the injured Curtis Granderson, and, Inge is actually kind of an offensive juggernaut on the presently underpowered team.  And, he is probably sitting out there on just about every free agent list you will see. For now, at least till Granderson is back, Inge will play, and well at-bats are where it is at. Grab him if you have a hole.