Players of the Night
MLB
Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals
vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
7 IP, 7 K, 1 H, W
If he's available in your league, I suggest you scoop up Carpenter without hesitation. Tagged with the injury prone moniker after missing the better parts of 2008 and 2007, Carpenter is finally healthy and ready to regain his status as one of the game's best.
Carpenter looked like his dominant self yesterday while making his first start of the young season. Cardinals fans have to feel optimistic about their chances with Carpenter back in the mix and to the fantasy owners who took a chance on the 33-year-old right hander, a big kudos to you.
NBA
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
vs. Denver Nuggets
27 points, 19 boards, 3 dimes
The past month or so, Gasol has been an absolute beast for the surging Lakers.
With double-doubles in 10 out of the last 12 games, Gasol is starting to hit his stride just as C Andrew Bynum makes his way back into the lineup. This is nothing but a good thing for the Lakers as they prepare for the postseason, but it spells disaster for fantasy squads hoping to close out with a bang.
Gasol has average 37.1 minutes per game this season, more than teammate Kobe Bryant.
The reason I mention this is that Phil Jackson would love to give Pau some time to rest before the battle begins for the NBA crown.
Top Performers
MLB
Kyle Davies, Kansas City Royals
vs. Chicago White Sox
7 IP, 3 H, 8 K, 0 ER
Nick Swisher, New York Yankees
vs. Baltimore Orioles
3-5, HR, 5 RBI, 2 R, 2B
Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians
vs. Texas Rangers
2-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
NBA
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
vs. Denver Nuggets
33 points, 3 boards, 2 dimes, steal
Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
vs. Phoenix Suns
29 points, 16 dimes, 7 boards
Andre Iguodola, Philadelphia 76ers
vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
19 points, 10 dimes, 7 boards, steal
Bust of the Night
MLB
Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
vs. Baltimore Orioles
0-4, K, 4 LOB
On a night when his team was pounding the Orioles into submission, the Yankee captain couldn't get anything going.
But he's not the only one at the top of the Yankees lineup who struggled yesterday, relying on the bottom half to do the damage. Jeter will come around sooner rather than later and when the Yankees offense gets back to being 100% healthy (A-Rod?), watch out.
This is a scary lineup.
NBA
Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers
vs. Denver Nuggets
7 points, 9 boards, 4 dimes
Slim pickings from the NBA schedule last night with only three games played.
Odom is one of the most frustrating players in the NBA and has been since he came into the league nine years ago. There are moments when he looks unstoppable and others where he appears to not really give a damn about what's happening during the game.
Last night he didn't need to care as the Lakers took care of the Nuggets for the 63rd win of the season.
Matt Wood is a web editor for 
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