After tearing the cover off the ball during spring training, it's safe to say Lastings Milledge hasn't lived up to the hype so far this season. However, that's changed recently, as he has two homers and five steals over the past eight games. He's also improved his contact rate (.81), so there are some signs of progress. Still, he's been a pretty big liability for the Nationals thus far.

It's probably not a coincidence Aaron Harang's worst start of the year on Thursday came just four days after he pitched four innings of relief. His velocity was way down, but hopefully this was just a short-term thing.

I'm more Dr. Van Nostrand than I am James Andrews, but Ryan Church's prognosis doesn't sound too good to me.

Despite his affinity of the long ball, I'm starting to like Kevin Slowey more and more. He's still likely to remain homer-prone, but with excellent command, they are often solo shots, so he should have a strong WHIP regardless. His stuff isn't overpowering, but his minor league track record is impressive, and remember, he posted a ridiculous 28:2 K:BB ratio last September.

Nice to see Fernando Tatis back in the league. This is the guy who once hit two grand slams in one game. In the same inning! Off the same pitcher!

If health weren't such an issue, I'd treat Scott Kazmir as a top-5 starter. He's such an injury risk, I won't go overboard recommending him, but health is the only thing standing in his way of becoming a monster fantasy pitcher. After the All-Star break last season, he posted a 2.39 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a ridiculous 124 strikeouts over 94.1 innings. Even with subpar control (10 walks in 30 innings), Kazmir has a 0.97 WHIP so far in 2008. He's pretty much unhittable.

There might be some awkward times ahead in Arizona if Doug Davis and Max Scherzer continue to pitch like they are supposed to.

For everyone using the absolutely ridiculous argument that Joba Chamberlain should stay in the bullpen because Kyle Farnsworth sucks, may I ask, what's wrong with Edwar Ramirez in a setup role? His ERA was terrible during 21 major league innings last year, but that came with 31 strikeouts, and he's been dominant in 2008. In 190.2 minor league innings during his career, he has 237 strikeouts, a 2.83 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Sure, he's not a fireballer, but his changeup is filthy.

Speaking of Joba Chamberlain, where would you rank him as a starter right now? I'm personally pretty high on him, but it's not going to be easy developing a third pitch (a changeup) in the majors.

It's almost as if Dana Eveland is baiting me into bringing back up the recent Staff League trade with his line Thursday night. Nah, I've already done enough damage.

With his previous lack of strikeouts, it appeared Jose Contreras' bounce back year was largely due to luck and his low BABIP. However, after racking up 10 Ks during his last start, he now has a 14:0 K:BB ratio over the past two outings. He's obviously going to regress from his current 3.06 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, but it looks like his career isn't finished after all. And to think, he might be 50 years old for all we know.

I only mention this because I've reached my apex. There's nowhere to go but down from here.