|
|
| Chad Billingsley struck out eight batters in just five innings of work though he allowed the Cubs to score four runs thanks to seven hits and three walks. |
Our View: Tonight Billingsly was bit by the long ball being taken deep twice after entering the game with only three home runs allowed over 65.2 innings. Billingsley now has his K/9 up to 10.06 as he continues to dominate hitters when he throws strikes.
|
|
|
|
| Ryan Dempster allowed three runs over 5.1 innings to pick up a no-decision against the Dodgers. Dempster walked only two batters on the night, but he had only one strikeout. |
Our View: Dempster clearly didn't have "it" tonight, but he still battled and gave his team a chance to win as he continues to be one of the nicer surprises amongst starting pitchers in the National League, though expecting him to continue along at a 2.90 ERA is sheer folly.
|
|
|
|
| C.C. Sabathia continued to confound with a another sub par outing on Thursday night for the Indians. Sabathia lost his eighth game of the year after allowing five runs, four earned, on nine hits and three walks. |
Our View: Sabathia now has back-to-back four run outings after allowing a total of four runs in his previous four starts. The strikeouts are still there with 82 in 82.1 innings, but he keeps giving up hits at the worst time in games.
|
|
|
|
| Milton Bradley continued his recent tear by going 3-for-4 with a home run, his 13th of the season, for the Rangers on Thursday night. |
Our View: Bradley pushed his average up to .337 and his OPS is almost at 1.100 after tonight's effort. Dating back to last season, Bradley is now hitting .326-24-71 in his last 96 games.
|
|
|
|
| Michael Young had three hits, including his sixth home run, leading to two runs and two RBI on Thursday night for the Rangers. |
Our View: On a night went Josh Hamilton and Ian Kinsler went 0-for-4, Young stepped up to help carry the offense. He is now batting .306 and is on pace for another 200-hit season as one of the most unsung stars in the game.
|
|
|
|
| Ian Kinsler lost his 19-game hitting streak on Thursday as he went 0-for-4 against the Indians. |
Our View: Kinsler is ends the streak hitting .306 with 16 SB and 52 runs scored placing him as one of the top-10 fantasy performers on offense through the first third of the season.
|
|
|
|
| Joey Gathright had a hit, scored a run, and stole his 15th and 16th bases of the year on Thursday night. David DeJesus also stole his fifth base of the year against the White Sox. |
Our View: Gathright certainly is getting a chance to show his stuff for the Royals but he is hitting just .250 with a terrible OBP of under .300, limiting him to the bottom of the order. Gathright will continue to steal enough bases to maintain his value, but he has been truly deficient in the other categories.
|
|
|
|
| Jim Thome went deep for the 12th time this year knocking in his 31st RBI of the year for the Sox. |
Our View: Thome is still hitting only .212 despite two homers in the past two games, and both he and Paul Konerko still have yet to find their swings.
|
|
|
|
| Gil Meche lost for the eighth time on Thursday night after walking four batters and permitting seven hits over 5.2 innings against the White Sox. Meche allowed five runs, four earned, in the loss. |
Our View: This was the first time in five starts that Meche had allowed more than three runs, and he also reversed a trend of 8-straight starts with two or fewer walks. Meche has the makings of being a quality hurler, we all saw that last year, but he just hasn't been able to put things together this season.
|
|
|
|
| Jose Contreras improved to 6-3 with yet another dominating performance, this time holding the Royals to just one run over seven innings. Contreras had three strikeouts, allowed two walks, and now sports a 2.76 ERA. |
Our View: Contreras has made 12 starts this season and seven times he has allowed just one earned run. Contreras has kept the White Sox in every game he has thrown this year never allowing more than four runs in any outing. His strikeout rate is still extremely low, but he isn't hurting himself by walking anyone and he is making the right pitch at the right time at almost every turn.
|
|
|
|
| Brian McCann went deep for the 11th time this season and plated two runs in the Braves victory over the Marlins. |
Our View: McCann finished the night hitting .307 with 35 RBI. With 22 K and 24 BB, McCann has been in control of the strike zone for most of the season as he has appeared to return to the hitter he was when he hit .333 with 24 home runs in 2006.
|
|
|
|
| Ricky Nolasco allowed 11 hits and three walks on his way to permitting the Braves to scored seven times in 5.2 innings to fall to 5-4. |
Our View: Nolasco had been on quite a role having allowed three of fewer runs in 5-straight starts before getting shelled tonight. As bad as the outing looked, if Chipper Jones had sat this one out Nolasco would of had a good shot at matching his recent run of success with another solid outing.
|
|
|
|
| Hanley Ramirez hit a home run, his third in two nights, after a stretch of 18 games without going deep for the Marlins. |
Our View: Hanley hasn't always been at the top of his game this season, but he still has 12 home runs and 50 runs scored through 58 games, simply stellar production.
|
|
|
|
| Rafael Soriano picked up his third save of the season for the Braves on Thursday night. Since returning from his injured elbow, Soriano has allowed one run in five innings with two saves. |
Our View: Soriano appears to be throwing pretty easy at this point signaling that his elbow isn't currently bothering him. Of course that could change any moment, but for now he figures to serve as the Braves primary closer with Manny Acosta struggling.
|
|
|
|
| Chipper Jones had four hits, including the 400th home run of his career, for the Braves on Thursday night as he ended the contest batting .418. He also stole his first base of the season. |
Our View: OK, this is starting to get serious. Two hits tonight came on balls that no one but Vladimir Guerrero gets hits on, but Chipper is just that locked in. Through a slightly more than a third of the season, Chipper has hit well over the magical .400 mark.
|
|
|
|
| Joe Mather hit his first home run in the midst of a 2-for-5 game that included three runs scored. |
Our View: Mather has been hitting home runs at a solid clip all year long, he had 12 for the team's Triple-A club, as he tries to convince the team he is worthy of a bench spot.
|
|
|
|
| Ryan Franklin allowed an extra inning walk-off home run to Elijah Dukes on Thursday night to pick up his second loss and third blown save. |
Our View: Franklin has now allowed four runs over his last four outings. Luckily for him Jason Isringhausen is nowhere to be found, or Franklin might be on thin ice. He might still be.
|
|
|
|
| Tim Redding picked up a no-decision despite allowing six runs in 5.2 innings on Thursday night to the Cardinals. Redding struck out only one batter while allowing two home runs. |
Our View: Redding is now sporting a 7.56 ERA over his last three starts to basically erase his hot start to the year. Hopefully you sold him when he was hot like we recommended because it certainly appears that he is just barely better than your average major league starter.
|
|
|
|
| Elijah Dukes had his best game of the season in the second game of the Nationals and Cardinals double-header as he went 4-for-6 including a game-winning home run in the 10th inning off of Ryan Franklin.
|
Our View: This was Dukes first home run in 60 AB, a terribly low number for a player of his talent. The Nats have been very careful to shelter Dukes to give him a shot at success, but it remains to be seen if he will be able to take advantage of the chance.
|
|
|
|
| Miguel Tejada went 0-for-4 from the third hole in the Astros order on Thursday dropping his average down to .302. |
Our View: Just 10 games ago Tejada was hitting .335, and he has been in a pretty good tailspin. His overall production is still right where you would expect it to be, other than his home run total (six) which is lagging.
|
|
|
|
| Brandon Backe lost his seventh game on Thursday night after allowing four runs in six innings. Backe allowed nine hits and two walks while striking out one. |
Our View: Backe entered the game averaging almost seven K/9, but on this night he just couldn't put away anyone. His current ERA of 4.66 almost exactly matches his career mark (4.62).
|
|
|
|
| Paul Maholm pitched eight solid innings for the Pirates allowing three runs, two earned, in his fourth win of the season. |
Our View: Maholm struck out only one batter in the game, though he didn't walk a batter. He continues to be one of those up and down types that can look good one night and hideous the next. Tread carefully.
|
|
|
|
| Jason Michaels hit a three run homer on Thursday night giving him home runs in back-to-back AB during which time he racked up an amazing seven RBI. |
Our View: Over the past six games Michaels is 6-for-13 with 11 RBI, so in the obvious statement of the night, he should be picked up in NL Only leagues. Of course, Michaels isn't this type of hitter, so expect him to recede into the woodwork some time in the near future.
|
|
|
|
| Jon Lester allowed just one run over 6.1 innings to improve to 4-3. Lester walks no one on the night while striking out five in the effort against the Rays. |
Our View: Lester stayed in the fight marred game and continued to lower his ERA as it fell to 3.50 with this effort. If he continues to throw strikes like he did tonight, he will continue to have an awful lot of success.
|
|
|
|
| James Shields was saddled with the loss as he allowed four runs in just one inning of work before being ejected for throwing at Coco Crisp. |
Our View: As mentioned earlier, Shields will almost certainly be suspended for his actions tonight, it's only a matter of whether or not he will appeal the league's ruling.
|
|
|
|
| Asdrubal Cabrera was held out of the Indians lineup for one more day due to his injured hip, according to MLB.com. Cabrera, who was injured in batting practice while fielding ground balls on Wednesday is expected back in the lineup for the Indians next contest. |
Our View: Jamey Carroll started for the Indians, but the bigger question is why the team continues to run Cabrera out there when he is batting just .192 with one home run in 151 AB while former fantasy star Josh Barfield continues to waste away in the minors.
|
|
|
|
| Kevin Melillo was acquired by the Blue Jays on Thursday from the Athletics for cash consideration, according to Slam Sports. Melillo was sent to Triple-A Syracuse while infielder Hector Luna was outrighted. |
Our View: Melillo was batting .250 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 38 games at Triple-A Sacramento while a member of the Athletics organization.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Fiorentino was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday after the team outrighted Luis Hernandez to Triple-A, according to the Baltimore Sun. |
Our View: Fiorentino was drafted by the Orioles in 2004 and played for them in 2005 and 2006 hitting .253 in 32 games. He doesn't figure to have much of a role with the Orioles other than the occasional start and possible pinch-hitting duties when he is recalled.
|
|
|
|
| Manny Ramirez had a home run and five RBI before he was forced from the Red Sox game on Thursday night with a strained hamstring, according to the Providence Journal. Manny seemed to tweak the leg while batting. Eventually he drew a walk and was replaced by a pinch runner. |
Our View: It certainly didn't seem like anything major, and with the team's DH spot open, we wouldn't be that surprised if Manny was back in the lineup in the next day or two. Maybe he injured himself when he got into a shoving match in the dugout with Kevin Youkilis.
|
|
|
|
| Cameron Maybin started this year slowly, but of late the 21 year old future star has been scalding the ball at Double-A, according to MLB.com. Maybin is 9-for-17 with three home runs and seven RBI the past four games, and he has 17 hits in his last 10 starts. |
Our View: Maybin still leads the league with 74 srikeouts and he is hitting just .267 overall, but he does have a solid .367 OBP. Maybin still is a long way from reaching his full potential, but if he continues his solid work he will likely find himself on the Marlins roster at some point in the second half.
|
|
|
|
| Greg Norton was scratched from the Braves lineup on Thursday as his twisted knee hasn't responded well enough to allow him to play, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Norton has hits in six of his last seven games though his average has fallen from .263 to .250 thanks to just six hits.
|
|
|
|
| Jimmy Rollins was removed from the Phillies game on Thursday after failing to run out a pop-up, and after the game he didn't shy away from the media, according to MLB.com. "He has two rules -- be on time and hustle; and I broke one of them today," Rollins said of manager Charlie Manuel. "I know better. Sometimes the manager gets you. I just have to go out there and make sure I don't do it again." |
Our View: Rollins further cemented his reputation as a stand up guy by admitting his guilt and taking full responsibility. Whether or not he will be in the lineup for the Phillies next game isn't certain, but we wouldn't be surprised to see him out there because of the way he handled things after making the mistake.
|
|
|
|
| James Shields was ejected from the Sox and Rays game on Thursday after he threw a pitch at Coco Crisp that started a brawl, according to the Associated Press. Crisp was hit by a pitch from James Shields, likely a retaliatory strike for Crisp trying to injure Akinori Iwamura on Wednesday night, and he then charged the mound. Shields threw a huge punch that missed, at which point Crisp got in several punches.
|
Our View: Shields will likely be served a suspension here, one that will likely be long enough to cost him at least one start, so keep that in mind when setting your lineup next week unless Shields appeals the looming suspension.
|
|
|
|
| Coco Crisp was ejected for inciting a brawl in the Sox and Rays game on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. Crisp was hit by a pitch from James Shields, likely a retaliatory strike for Crisp trying to injure Akinori Iwamura on Wednesday night, and he then charged the mound. Shields threw a huge punch that missed, at which point Crisp got in several punches. |
Our View: Crisp will likely be suspended for this, as will Shields. With Jacoby Ellsbury leaving the game due to an injured wrist, the Sox could be very thin in the outfield in the coming week.
|
|
|
|
| Jacoby Ellsbury left the Sox game on Thursday with a strained right wrist, according to the Associated Press. Ellsbury was injured while making a diving catch, but the good news is that x-rays were negative. |
Our View: We will update this report when we have more information, but for now the hope is that he escaped a major injury.
|
|
|
|
| Jemile Weeks, brother of Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks, was drafted 12th overall by the A's in the 2008 MLB Entry Draft, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Jemile was a dynamo for the Miami Hurricanes hitting .366-11-57 with 19 SB and a .447 OBP in his final college season. The A's hope he will develop into a 20/20 threat like his brother though he is a bit small at 5'9", 180 lbs.
|
|
|
|
| Coco Crisp has an injured left thumb, but it appears that he will still be in the starting lineup for the Red Sox on Thursday, according to the Providence Journal. |
Our View: With David Ortiz out of the lineup, the Sox certainly have a spot in the daily lineup for Crisp who brings one of the better gloves in the game. Crisp hasn't offered much this season with a .261 average and just 15 runs scored, but he still remains a viable option in AL Only leagues based on his speed.
|
|
|
|
| Dustin Pedroia is mired in a 7-for-49 slump (.143) over the last 12 games that has dropped his average to .273 from .304, according to the Providence Journal. "It's like all guys go through," said Francona. "He's trying too hard. It's the human nature part. It's a little bit of a lot of things." |
Our View: Pedroia is a spunky player who has proven that he can be a legitimate .300 hitter at the major league level, so this is a great time to make an offer for him to his current owner.
|
|
|
|
| Sean Casey will start at first base for the Red Sox on Thursday forcing Kevin Youkilis to the bench, according to the Providence Journal. |
Our View: Casey is in the lineup so that he doesn't get "rusty" according to the report, coupled with the fact that Youkilis is 0-for-14 against the Rays starter James Shields.
|
|
|
|
| Supporting a story by the AP yesterday, it does in fact appear that Vernon Wells is well ahead of schedule in his recovery from a broken left wrist and that he could return to the Jays lineup by late next week, according to MLB.com. "He could be back in the middle of next week or the end of next week, probably," said manager John Gibbons, who then smiled. "If all goes Wells. ... I didn't expect him to start doing anything probably until six weeks. What's it been, four? He's drinking his milk." |
Our View: Though he appears to be on track to beat the original estimate, broken bones in wrists and hands are notorious for sapping batters ability to drive the ball. So be careful when activating Wells as it could take him a long while before he can once again hit the ball out of the yard.
|
|
|
|
| Mark Mulder, continuing to experience problems with his twice operated on shoulder, has decided that he will no longer try to force his arm back into the slot it previously held in his throwing motion. Instead, he will basically try and "short arm the ball" throwing more like a catcher, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Think of Russ Ortiz's motion and you should be able to visualize what Mulder is trying to do here. We wish him luck, and the good news is that he reported a much better feel of his pitches today with a lesser degree of pain. Still, no timetable for his return to action has been set.
|
|
|
|
| Matt Holliday (hamstring) had his rehab process slowed on Thursday as the Sky Sox game with the Salt Lake Bees was deemed to be too wet for Holliday to play, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Holliday is now scheduled to play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and if all goes well he hopes to be able to return late next week.
|
|
|
|
| Nick Punto was placed on the DL on Thursday due to a strained left hamstring, according to the Miami Herald. Infielder Matt Macri was recalled from Triple-A to fill the open roster spot. |
Our View: Punto has been a bit part most of the year anyway, and with the hot bat of Alexi Casilla of late, Punto likely wasn't going to see the field too often anyway despite being a favorite of manager Ron Gardenhire.
|
|
|
|
| Albert Pujols hit a pinch hit home run in the first game of the Cardinals double-header with the Nationals. Pujols had been expected to sit out the game due to a sore calf. |
Our View: Pujols is, simply put, the best right-handed hitter in the game, and after years of battling through nagging injuries, chiefly to his elbow, he is able to be productive even when he is at less than 100%.
|
|
|
|
| Rod Barajas returned to action on Thursday and went 0-for-3 for the Jays a day after being pulled due to lower back tightness. |
Our View: Barajas has been blowing up of late with two homers and eight RBI in his last eight games in place of the injured Greg Zahn. He could be seizing a more sizable run with this hot streak.
|
|
|
|
| Dustin McGowan had another rough outing on Thursday permitting five runs, on seven hits and two walks, to the Yankees in 5.1 innings on the hill. He ended up with a no-decision. |
Our View: McGowan averaged 7.64 K/9 last season and this year that number has shrunk to 7.11 while his BB/9 has jumped from 3.24 to 3.55. A downturn in K, and an uptick in BB isn't a recipe for success, but McGowan should still be a solid arm for the Jays with upside.
|
|
|
|
| B.J. Ryan allowed a game-winning pinch hit home run by Jason Giambi on Thursday to pick up the loss and a blown save for the second straight outing. |
Our View: After allowing just one run in his first 17 appearances, Ryan has now allowed five earned runs while only picking up four outs over his last two efforts. There are no signs that he is hurt so don't panic, but it's still a situation to keep a very close eye on.
|
|
|
|
| Chien-Ming Wang continued an awful run of pitching on Thursday as he allowed seven runs, six earned in a no-decision against the Blue Jays. |
Our View: Wang continues to confound as he has now allowed at least five earned runs in each of his last four starts leading to an 8.75 ERA. We've said it all along, too many walks and not enough strikeouts eventually catch up to a guy. Consider Wang caught.
|
|
|
|
| Jason Giambi hit his 12th home run of the season in a pinch hitting role for the Yankees on Thursday to win the game in the bottom of the ninth inning for the Yanks. |
Our View: Since the start of May, Giambi is hitting .341 with seven home runs, so if your leaguemates haven't caught on to that fact this may be the last chance for you to try and pilfer the g-string diva.
|
|
|
|
| Matt Stairs hit his seventh home run of the season on Thursday which helped lead to a three hit, five RBI afternoon for the Jays DH. |
Our View: Stairs, the consummate professional hitter, continues to be a productive bat worthy of starting in AL Only leagues as he is now hitting .272 with seven home runs. Adam Lind could overtake him at some point, but for now he will continue to get regular at-bats.
|
|
|
|
| The Astros have chosen catcher Jason Castro with the 10th overall pick in Thursday's draft, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: This is viewed as a surprising pick as the Astros already have a potential future star at the position with JR Towles. The left-handed Stanford University product has good power and defensive tools, but was not projected to be a top-10 pick.
|
|
|
|
| The Nationals selected right-handed pitcher Aaron Crow with the ninth overall pick in today's draft, according to We'veGotHeart.com. |
Our View: He was viewed as the number two pitching prospect, and is believed to have the best fastball, which reaches 96-97 mph. He went 13-0 with a 2.35 ERA in 15 starts this season at the University of Missouri, and is a potential "ace" for the Nationals.
|
|
|
|
| Alexi Casilla went 3-for-5 with an RBI in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Orioles. |
Our View: He extended his hitting streak to eight games, with three mult-hit efforts over the span. He raised his average to .343 over 70 at-bats, and has recorded an RBI in three of his five outings in June.
|
|
|
|
| Scott Baker only allowed two runs on five hits over five innings in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Baltimore, and he was dealt a no decision in his first game back from his strained right groin ailment. |
Our View: That was a favorable return for him, and he had good control, with only one walk and three strikeouts.
|
|
|
|
| Nick Markakis went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and led the Orioles to a close 3-2 win over the Twins on Thursday. |
Our View: He now has 10 homers, and that was his first since May 26. He extended his hitting streak to eight games as well, with five multi-hit outings over the span.
|
|
|
|
| Garrett Olson surrendered two runs on eight hits over 6.1 innings in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Twins, with one walk and one strikeout. |
Our View: He is now 5-1 for the season, with a 3.86 ERA. He has allowed two or less earned runs in three straight starts.
|
|
|
|
| The White Sox have selected Georgia University shortstop Gordon Beckham with the eighth overall selection in Thursday's draft, according to the Chicago Tribune. |
Our View: Beckham is hitting .397 with 24 home runs, 65 RBI and 17 stolen bases for the Bulldogs, and is also a finalist for USA Baseball's Golden Spikes Award. He displays power to all fields, and will shore up the middle of Chicago's infield when he is ready.
|
|
|
|
| The Reds have selected first baseman Yonder Alonso with the seventh overall pick in today's draft, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: He is a left-handed power hitter out of the University of Miami, and is batting .370 with 21 home runs and 66 RBI over 58 games for the Hurricanes.
|
|
|
|
| Felipe Lopez went 1-for-2 and generated the Nationals' only RBI in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Cardinals. |
Our View: That was only his 17th RBI of the season, and only his second over his last 18 games.
|
|
|
|
| John Lannan allowed two runs on four hits over six innings of work in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Cardinals, with four walks and no strikeouts. |
Our View: It was a quality start, but he still fell to 4-6 for the season. He isn't pitching as bad as his record dictates, as he holds a decent 3.47 ERA.
|
|
|
|
| Troy Glaus went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Thursday's 4-1 win over Washington. |
Our View: That was his fifth homer of the season, to go along with 36 RBI. That was his second homer over four contests in June, and perhaps he is finally starting to find his power stroke in St Louis.
|
|
|
|
| Todd Wellemeyer threw six scoreless innings, with five hits allowed, in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Nationals, with one walk issued and five strikeouts. |
Our View: Wellemayer improves to 7-1 for the season, with a 2.92 ERA. That was the sixth time that he allowed one or less runs in a start this season.
|
|
|
|
| The Marlins have reeled in high school catcher Kyle Skipworth with the sixth overall pick in Thursday's draft, according to the Palm Beach Post. |
Our View: The left-handed catcher from Riverside, California has been compared to Joe Mauer. He hits for power to all fields. His defense needs some polishing, but scouts feel he will move quickly through the minor league system.
|
|
|
|
| Jay Bruce went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 5-0 loss to the Phillies, and has now went hitless in back-to-back games. |
Our View: Bruce was on fire since being called up, and was due for a letdown. He should bounce back fine however, and perhaps you can use his mini-slump to your advantage by trying to lure him away for a good price.
|
|
|
|
| Chase Utley went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 5-0 victory over the Reds, while leaving four men on base. |
Our View: That snapped a nine-game hit streak. He had four multi-hit games and seven homers over that span.
|
|
|
|
| Homer Bailey surrendered five runs on four hits over 6.1 innings, and was dealt a loss in his first start of 2008 on Thursday, as Cincinnati fell to the Phillies 5-0. Bailey issued four walks with one strikeout. |
Our View: As previously reported, he still needs to work out his control issues, evidenced by his four walks today. In his defense, that was a tough first start against a strong Phillies' order.
|
|
|
|
| Cole Hamels hurled a complete game shutout in Thursday's 5-0 win over Cincinnati, with three walks and four strikeouts. |
Our View: That was his second complete game shutout of the season, and he improves to 6-4 with a 3.36 ERA.
|
|
|
|
| Florida State catcher Buster Posey fell to the Giants at pick five of the draft, according to the AP. |
Our View: He is an athletic catcher, who has also played shortstop as well as a closer out of the bullpen, and he was projected to go number one overall to Tamp Bay on several lists. He projects to have average power in the majors, but could be a future Gold Glove contender, as he has a very strong arm. This was a safe pick for the Giants, and he should be the eventual replacement for Bengie Molina, who was 38-years old on opening day.
|
|
|
|
| Left-handed hurler Brian Matusz has been selected fourth overall by the Orioles in today's draft, according to the | |
