Many fantasy challenge players got that same feeling all this past weekend as every usually reliable pitcher imploded, some in spectacular fashion beyond imagination. And somewhere out there significant others are loving it, for you have gotten your just desserts for paying more attention to your fantasy roster than to her. And the performances of Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, and others will have many sleeping on the proverbial couch for quite some time, as it will be a while before those ERA�s/ratios will repair themselves.

Now for the 72 hours that saw the aces suddenly become jokers.

4/11 Randy Johnson (v. MIL) � On a personal level, I was actually feeling pretty good going into the weekend � thanks to decent performances earlier in the week from Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt. Now Unit, Schilling, and Pedro come around with very favorable matchups at home. So I thought. The usually feeble Brewer attack uncharacteristically erupts for five in the first inning before many could even get into their seats. The inning ends only after Royce Clayton sacrifices himself on the basepaths while the fifth run scores. Unit gets through the next two innings without incidents, but also without any strikeouts. Johnson also gets through the fourth 1-2-3 while recording two K�s. Still it was obvious that unit was not right, as his fastest pitch was only recorded at 95 MPH. Unit even crossed up his catcher who was expecting an off-speed pitch, but was still able to catch his subpar heater. Outing goes from bad to worse when the top of the order comes up again in the fifth: base hit, stolen base, walk, single, double, out, strikeout, and finally another hit to send Unit to the showers. The subsequent reliever allows the inherited runner to score, and the nightmare was complete: 4.2 innings pitched, 10 hits, two walks, and ten earned runs.

Analysis: Hindsight is always 20-20, but this is a play than could not had been possibly second guessed. Milwaukee is a team Unit has owned unlike any other in recent years, going 14-0 over 17 starts. Most alarming was that left-handers Alex Sanchez and Geoff Jenkins combined to go 5-6 off of Unit. Even quality lefties such as Todd Helton and Larry Walker are often sent to the bench when Unit takes the hill. We finally got a possible explanation when it was disclosed that Johnson was experiencing some knee problems. A subsequent MRI did not reveal too much out of the ordinary, but lingering soreness would result in Johnson missing this week�s start at home v. Colorado.

4/12 Pedro Martinez (v. BOS) � In a matchup that appeared just as favorable as Randy Johnson�s 24 hours earlier, Pedro suffers an eerily similar fate. Pete�s first pitch of the game is lined for a single, and would go on to give up three runs that inning. Like Unit, Pedro would rebound to get through the 2nd-4th innings without incident. But like Unit, all hell would break loose in the fifth. Single, sacrifice, single, single, walk, single, walk, single � and Pete was gone. And just like Unit, the subsequent reliever would do no favors by allowing both inherited runs to score. The final line: 4.1 IP, 9 hits, four walks, and like Unit a fat 10 earned runs.

Analysis: This seems to happen to Pete once a year where he is absolutely lambasted. It usually happens at home, and for the second year in a row it happened in the home opener. A possible contributing factor was that this was a game originally scheduled for Friday afternoon, but was postponed twice and not played until Saturday night. Pedro did appear to have his velocity but not the accuracy, with one of his wayward pitches nailing umpire Jerry Layne in the mask and knocking him out of the game. This appears to be a case of Pedro simply overthrowing along with a few distractions along the way. Expect Pete to bounce back from this as he usually does, unless there is an underlying arm problem we don�t know about yet.

4/12 Curt Schilling (v. MIL) � Exactly one year ago, Schill pitched one of the biggest masterpieces of his career whiffing 16 Brewers in a one-hit shutout. However coming off Unit�s shelling and with the D-Backs reeling at a 2-8 record, this was suddenly anything but a lock. Schilling does strike out 10 over six innings, but also walked four, giving him nine free passes in 18.1 innings. Schill allows three runs (two earned) and takes the loss, as Milwaukee actually looks like world-beaters for the second straight night.

Analysis: Again, the walks are suddenly a concern. This is the same guy who has allowed only 72 free passes in over 500 IP over the past two years. There is much concern in the D-Back camp that Schilling and Unit may both be hitting the wall. Schilling is only 36 opposed to Unit�s 39, so this is less likely to be a factor there, although the two have to used more than anyone in baseball in recent years. Still I wouldn�t get too panicked yet, Schilling is as dedicated as anyone alive and look for him to find his control sooner rather than later.

4/13 Roy Oswalt (v. STL) � Os was getting cuffed around somewhat, but was still leading 6-4 heading into the fateful 7th. An error with one out allows the floodgates to opens, and four more runs will score before Os is finally pulled. Like Pedro and Unit, Oswalt is hung with giving up ten runs. However thanks to the error the final five were unearned. Oswalt did also strike out eight.

Analysis: This is one team Roy does not fare well against, and is now winless in six career starts with a 4.70 ERA. And of course anytime one is pitching at the Crooked E allowing some runs is a possibility. Before the seventh the performance was not that bad, look for Oswalt to bounce back in a big way in Milwaukee this coming weekend.

4/13 Barry Zito (@ ANH) � Zito�s 10-game winning streak goes by the boards as he allows eight hits and four walks over five innings, and is hung with 7 ER�s in the first four innings. Of 89 pitches thrown, only 50 would go for strikes on this afternoon.

Analysis: Anaheim at home is becoming a tough assignment for everyone. This culminated a stretch that saw the Angels tally 47 runs over five home games. A�s manager Ken Macha referred to the Angels as �a buzzsaw� � and indeed they appear to have picked up where they left off last October. This is a team that your pitcher should avoid in most instances. That said, I think you can allow Z a bad outing on occasion, and Zito usually gets stronger as the year wears on.

4/13 Kevin Brown (LA) v. Jason Schmidt (SF) � In what appeared to be a great pitching duel on paper, both would stutter and stagger their way through this one and would burn a lot of pitches early in particular. ESPN analyst Dave Campbell referred to Schmidt as �dominant� through all of two pitches � before LA�s Dave Roberts dropped a surprise bunt single which seemed to set the tone for the evening. Schmidt would allow six hits, three walks and four ER�s over six innings. One particularly frustrating moment was when Schmidt seemingly had Darryl Ward caught look for a called third strike, only to have Mark Hirschbeck uncharacteristically call it a ball. Ward would hammer Schmidt�s next offering for a two-run single. Meanwhile, Brown appeared to be way off on his mechanics and would allow six hits, five walks and four ER�s over five innings. During a rain squall in the third Brown seemed to be just waiting for the umps to call for the tarp.

Analysis: Like Pedro Martinez, both pitchers here may had been hurt by a rainout the previous day where they were scheduled to pitch. There still seems to be some inconsistency with Schmidt while Brown is still working his way back from injury and can not be considered as much more than a six-inning pitcher right now.

4/14 Mark Prior (v. CIN) � I was taking a stroll on Monday, trying to collect my wits after the carnage of the previous three days on an unseasonably warm, breezy Midwest afternoon. I was comforted briefly by the fact that Prior should come up big v. the reeling Reds. Wait a minute, did I just say �unseasonably warm, breezy Midwest afternoon�??? Oh oh, that can only mean one thing. The WIND IS BLOWING OUT AT WRIGLEY. NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! As it turned out, it wasn�t like the Reds were taking Prior out to Waveland on every other batter. Prior was more or less bled to death, with an error by Prior himself not helping matters. The final line was five hits along with two walks and five runs (three earned) over six innings.

Analysis: A slight detour on the way to the Cy Young. Prior did fine not allowing the red-hot Austin Kearns to reach base, but was done in by catcher Jason LaRue (of all people) who connected for three doubles.

4/14 Mark Mulder (@ SEA) � At the front end of a two-start week, many went with Mulder here. Was touched up with two early first inning runs but then came on strong before Jeff Cirillo bit him for a two-run homer which proved to be the difference in a 4-3 Mariner win.

Analysis: Obviously a tough assignment here, especially with the A�s suddenly reeling.

4/14 Wade Miller (@ SF) � Miller gives up an early solo homer to Barry Bonds, but otherwise looked great until the wheels simply fell off in the sixth. With a runner on first, Miller pitches around Bonds � but then suddenly goes Rick Ankiel on us, walking the next two hitters as well forcing in a run before getting pulled. Reliever Ricky Stone then allows two of the three inherited runners to score, leaving Miller with 4 ER in 5 1/3 IP.

Analysis: Barry disrupts a game in more ways than one, as Miller simply couldn�t find home plate again after that. 12 of Miller�s final 14 pitches were balls, with one called strike call being an absolute gift. Like Oswalt, Miller has a game in Milwaukee next on his agenda where he historically does very well.

STRIKEOUTS BY JAKE...

Arizona closer Matt Mantei picked up his third win of the young season this week, which is three more wins than Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling combined. If looking for a young (and possibly inexpensive) pitcher take a flier on San Diego�s Jake Peavy, who is 3-0 with 17 K�s in as many IP. Peavy also has 107 K�s in 114 career IP�s and is just 22 years old. Manager Felipe Alou promised his Giants would be running more this year, and has been true to his word as the team has swiped 14 bags, including four by Ray Durham, three by Barry Bonds, and two from Jose Cruz. Jr. The value of veteran reliever Tim Worrell (win and six saves already) potentially takes a huge bump with Rob Nen undergoing arthroscopic surgery. Nen could be out anywhere from four weeks to the balance of the season. The Expos second-home park in Peurto Rico has not provided the offensive fireworks that many thought, with Los Expos outscoring their opponents 27-13. That translates to a paltry 3.3 runs per game, which sounds more like Dodger Stadium/Pac Bell Park than a bandbox. Look at the most foul territory this side of Oakland as a likely culprit. Preston Wilson is off to a good start with the Rockies, hitting in 13 of 14 games for a .345 avg. Also familiarize yourself with the D-Rays Rocco Baldelli, who has opened the season 23-54 (.426). But on the downside this comes with no homers and no stolen bases. Now for the top pick-ups/drops during the past week in the CDM game...


PICK-UPS

Mike McDougal RP (KC - 955 pick-ups) � Conventional wisdom tells you the Royals will not be able to continue the early season success, but the fact that MacDougal has converted seven straight saves without giving up an earned run does say something. Although he has only allowed two hits in 7 IP, a possible red flag points to six walks allowed. Still you can�t beat the 750K price tag.

Austin Kearns OF (CIN � 734) � Some aren�t happy about this purchase yet, as Kearns is 0 for his last 11. Look for him start clicking again very soon.

Carl Crawford OF (TB � 596) � 2-20 after opening the season with a 10-game hitting streak. Still a near must with his five stolen bases.

Erubiel Durazo 1B (OAK � 372) � 98 RBI in just 438 AB�s since 2001. He is for real, and gets Cleveland and Detroit at home this coming week.

Hank Blalock 3B (TX � 288) � Four home runs in just 44 AB�s after only three in 147 AB�s last year. Will there be enough PT for both him and Teixeira???

VAZQUEZ HAS BEEN QUELLING WOULD-BE RALLIES AND CIVIL UNREST...

Pudge Rodriguez C (FL � 265) � The highest-owned catcher, although Jorge Posada (5 HR�s) is showing increased power.

Mark Prior SP (CHC � 212) � Started by 248 of the top 250 owners this week. Word of warning though, he's in Colorado next Friday.

Juan Pierre OF (FL � 195) � One of the few big-time SB options around.

Juan Gonzalez OF (TX � 191) � A seemless replacement for Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr. OF (CIN � 2207) � Still on 45.3 percent of all rosters, obviously most on the taxi-squad.

Jesus Colome RP (TB � 336) � Lance Carter had a big-time meltdown this week, so there�s a small chance Colome could work himself back into closing situations.

Alan Embree RP (BOS � 237) � Not one of the BoSox many closer candidates at this point.

Mark Teixeira 3B (TX � 212) � They may be kicking themselves by season�s end. It's always easier on rookies who get called up as opposed to those who make opening day rosters.

Eli Marrero C (STL � 192) � Now buried deep on the Cards bench.

Karim Garcia OF (CLE � 156) � Injuries have also curtailed his playing time.

Derek Jeter SS (NYY � 149) � Ken Huckaby in no danger of becoming mayor of NYC.

Matt Anderson RP (DET � 146) � Can�t save if your team don�t win.

Charles Johnson C (COL � 145) � 3-34 to open the year, has lost his hitting stroke faster than you can say Todd Hundley.

The only four games on Monday will be in the AL, with Toronto, Boston, New York, Minnesota, Cleveland, Chicago, Tampa Bay, and Baltimore playing. In my annual public service announcement, this is the week the Red Sox have their 11:00 AM game on Monday with the Blue Jays providing the opposition. Burkett v. Lidle will be the pitching matchup, so if your league has a mid-day deadline on Monday you may want to take a peek at that box score before proceeding. Everyone plays on Tuesday through Sunday. Colorado has a weekend series v. the Cubs, and the Expos will be at home all week in Montreal as opposed to San Juan. Other teams at home include PHI, PIT, FL, CIN, NYM, ATL, TB, TX, ANH, OAK, and SEA. Teams on the road include SF, MIL, AZ, LA, HOU, STL, SD, BOS, MIN, NYY, DET, and CLE.

This is also the first week CDM (no cost) free agents are to be offered, although the juicier picks are usually held till later in the year. The list is as follows (recommended purchases in bold...)

LFH himself chimed in on the latest disturbing incident to occur at Chicago�s JAIL CELL Park. Latroy�s take was as follows: �I�m going to knock him out, as soon as he runs up on me � I�m dropping him.� Which leads us to what happened at CELL PHONE Park after the incident, as Billy Koch would give up four ER�s in a third of an inning to lose the game. Afterwards, Billy Goat suggested that the hooligan could have waited a few more minutes, then take out his frustrations on him. That quote ranks right up there with Koch suggesting that he should shoot himself after last years Game 5 meltdown sealed the A�s fate in the Division Series.