It’s always nice catching a highlight and seeing that a major league team scored 20 runs in a game. For a game based on statistics, both in fantasy and real-life baseball, there is fun to be had in checking out that box score. And early in a season like this, a big individual outburst can have quite an effect on a player’s bottom line. More on that below.

Of course, for as good as the Phillies’ offense was, the Rockies’ pitching staff was just as bad. Fortunately, in fantasy, it was a bunch of no-names absorbing all the damage. A sketchy, six-man effort got through the game by throwing a whopping 202 pitches and allowing 19 hits and 8 walks. Read more »

Closer candidates Rafael Soriano and John Smoltz are both working through rehab assignments in efforts to return to the Atlanta Braves bullpen. Smoltz (shoulder) and Soriano (elbow) are neck and neck in the race to come back, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that both will have tests to pass on Tuesday before doing so.

Smoltz will make another rehab appearance for Class-A Rome, according to the AJC, and Soriano will throw a bullpen session. If both are setback-free, they could join the Braves in Milwaukee, where they kick off a seven-game road trip on Tuesday. Read more »