|
|
| Adam Lind had a hit and an RBI on Sunday and is now batting .333 over his last 16 games. |
Our View: Lind has finally found his grove at the major league level after struggling for consistency at this level. Lind should continue to function as a solid fourth outfielder in mixed leagues.
|
|
|
|
| David Purcey fell to 1-2 on the season by permitting five runs over five innings against the Rangers. |
Our View: Purcey owns a 8.35 ERA over four starts which makes you wonder if the club made the right decision in demoting John Parrish to the bullpen given that his ERA is roughly half at 4.43.
|
|
|
|
| Luis Mendoza allowed seven base runners over seven innings on Sunday as he was victorious for the third time this season. Mendoza permitted four runs to the Jays in the outing with one walk and two strikeouts. |
Our View: Mendoza needed this outing terribly after giving up 12 runs over his last 9.1 innings as he has struggled to transition his minor league success to the major league level.
|
|
|
|
| Adam Jones had x-rays on his left foot that were ruled as inconclusive after fouling a ball off his foot on Saturday, according to TSN. As a result, Jones will have a CT scan on Monday to determine what the best course of action will be. |
Our View: Jones was unable to walk on his foot on Sunday, and this sounds like it could be a DL type injury, too bad to since Jones is batting .326 over his last 31 games.
|
|
|
|
| Aubrey Huff extended his hitting streak to 12-games on Sunday though he went just 1-for-4 with a run scored against the Mariners. |
Our View: Dating back 17 games, Huff is hitting a scintillating .409 as he is in one hell of a groove at the plate.
|
|
|
|
| Raul Ibanez had two hits which led to three RBI on Sunday in the Mariners 8-4 victory over the Orioles. |
Our View: Ibanez is hitting .328 with 12 RBI in 16 games since the All-Star break as he continues to quietly go about his business as one of the best third outfielders in the fantasy game.
|
|
|
|
| Daniel Cabrera walked only two batters on Sunday but he still permitted seven runs, six earned, over six innings against the Mariners. As a result, Cabrera fell to 7-7 on the season. |
Our View: Cabrera has squandered all the love that he built with a strong start to the season by allowing six or more runs in three of his last four appearances. Even those in deep AL-only leagues are taking their chances starting the tall righty.
|
|
|
|
| J.J. Putz looked like his old self on Sunday as he allowed just one hit over 1.1 innings on the way to picking up his third win of the season. |
Our View: This outing might be the impetus the club needs to send Brandon Morrow back to the starting rotation. Sooner or later Putz will start picking up saves, and it might be nearing that point for the former All-Star.
|
|
|
|
| Miguel Olivo went 1-for-3 with two RBI before things really got interesting on Sunday. Olivo was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, charged the mound, and started a bench clearing brawl before being ejected from the game. |
Our View: After the game Olivo said the HBP was on purpose. What Miguel, with the bases loaded? Are you really gonna stick with that story? Olivo was suspended the first four games of this season for starting a bench clearing fight at the end of '07, so expect the league to suspend him here for a minimum of five games for this infraction.
|
|
|
|
| A.J. Pierzynski had two hits, including his ninth home run of the year, in the White Sox 14-3 thrashing at the hands of the Royals. |
Our View: Pierzynski was at the center of yet another brawl on this day as he took a punch to the head from Miguel Olivo who ignited a bench clearing brawl after being hit by a pitch.
|
|
|
|
| Billy Butler had three hits on Sunday to boost his average to .271. He also scored two runs while knocking in two against the White Sox. |
Our View: Butler is finally swinging it like the former batting champ he is hitting .356 with five home runs and 19 RBI over his last 16 games. If he is available in your mixed league, grab him immediately.
|
|
|
|
| Mike Aviles continued to mash on Sunday as he went 4-for-4 including his seventh home run of the season for the Royals. |
Our View: Aviles was a name that likely wasn't called in a single mixed league draft this season, but he has hit like the second coming of Nomar Garciaparra since being called up to the Royals with a .340-7-31 line over 206 AB.
|
|
|
|
| Clayton Richard was simply torched on Sunday as he allowed nine runs, six earned, over 4.1 innings on Sunday. Richard fell to 0-2 as his ERA rose to 10.38. |
Our View: Richard may find himself sent down after this effort, though he did walk only one batter on the afternoon, albeit a small consolation prize in an effort as poor as this one.
|
|
|
|
| Zack Greinke won his second start this week by holding the White Sox to two runs over 6.1 innings before he was ejected for throwing at a batter. |
Our View: Greinke finished the game without a walk and six strikeouts as he piled up 17 K and just one free pass in two starts on the week. He could face a suspension as his HBP was deemed retaliatory. We will have to wait and see how the league rules.
|
|
|
|
| Ben Francisco had one hit, his 11th home run of the season for the Indians. |
Our View: Francisco is on a pace that would net him roughly 20 home runs and 80 RBI over a full season, solid numbers but nothing special. The club should continue to give him at-bats however marking him as a useful play in AL-only scenarios.
|
|
|
|
| Denard Span had two hits, two runs scored and and RBI for the Twins from the leadoff spot on Sunday. One of the two hits was his second home run of the season. |
Our View: Reports are that Michael Cuddyer is about a week away from returning, at which point AB will become scarce. The team will continue to roll with Span, Carlos Gomez and Jason Kubel, though it would appear that only two of those might be in the lineup on any given night.
|
|
|
|
| Matt Ginter's fourth start ended like the last two, in defeat. Ginter allowed five runs in six innings against the Twins on Sunday, and is now 1-3 on the season. |
Our View: Ginter has allowed 25 hits in just 21 innings, with the only thing keeping him from complete implosion being solid control (three BB). He merits little attention in anything but deep AL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Francisco Liriano shut down the Indians on Sunday to earn his first major league victory since July 23rd, 2006. Liriano threw six scoreless innings during which time he walked three, gave up three hits and struck out five. |
Our View: A fantastic return for Liriano who was 10-0 with a 2.67 ERA in his last 11 starts at Triple-A. Perhaps Soriano can just get back to doing what he does best (throwing the ball) now that he is back where he belongs in the Twins starting rotation.
|
|
|
|
| Michael Cuddyer (finger), out since June 30th, will head out on a minor league rehab assignment on Monday, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Manager Ron Gardenhire estimated that Cuddyer would need four or five games before he would be activated, at which time the club will have a decision to make on playing time with Denard Span.
|
|
|
|
| B.J. Upton hit his seventh home run of the year on Sunday as he went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. |
Our View: The homer was Upton's first in 27 games, a shocking fall for a player who hit 24 big flies last season. The speed that has led to 33 steals is great, but the rest of his numbers have failed to measure up to his work from last season.
|
|
|
|
| James Shields wasn't at his best on Sunday, but he still gave the Rays a chance to win as he held the Tigers to just two runs over 6.1 innings before Troy Percival entered and blew the game. |
Our View: Shields allowed nine hits on the day, and he has walked only one batter over his last three starts as he simply doesn't beat himself - he makes the hitter do it.
|
|
|
|
| Armando Galarraga had another terrific outing on Sunday, one wasted by the clubs bullpen. Galarraga lasted seven innings and permitted just four hits, no walks and one run to cross the plate. |
Our View: Galarraga has been a life saver for the Tigers rendering Dontrelle Willis completely irrelevant. Over his last 10 starts, Galarraga has allowed zero or one earned run five times.
|
|
|
|
| Miguel Cabrera hit his 20th home run of the year on Sunday, his lone hit in five trips to the plate. |
Our View: Cabrera has four home runs and 25 RBI in 17 appearances since the All-Star game as he has quickly erased the ill feelings that accompanied his performance in the early going. As they say, the cream always rises to the top.
|
|
|
|
| Jason Bartlett was hit by a pitch on Sunday, and though it looked bad at the time, x-rays came back negative, according to MLB.com. Will the injury sideline Bartlett? "Just have to wait and see what it feels like tomorrow," Bartlett said. |
Our View: If Bartlett can't go, the club would likely turn to Ben Zobrist who they would have to call up from the minors. Either that or they could mix things up and start Evan Longoria at short with Willy Aybar inserted into the lineup to play third.
|
|
|
|
| Carl Pavano and Phil Hughes both had effective outings on Saturday in Single-A, according to the Associated Press. Pavano allowed one run in three innings while Hughes permitted just one hit in 3.2 scoreless innings. |
Our View: That duo would provide a welcomed boost to a club that could use some healthy arms. Hughes would appear to be the better bet of the two, but neither one should be counted on due to the variety of injuries both have faced of late.
|
|
|
|
| Hideki Matsui will head to Florida this week to continue his rehab on his swollen left knee, according to the Associated Press. “So far the brace has worked,” Girardi said. “Obviously, the activity he’s had isn’t really baseball activity.” |
Our View: Matsui has been riding a stationary bike and hitting off a tee, so he still has a long way to go before the team will know if he will be able to avoid surgery and be a productive bat in their lineup.
|
|
|
|
| Mariano Rivera was unavailable on Sunday because of back spasms, according to the Associated Press. Rivera doesn't believe the injury is serious and hopes to be available on Monday. |
Our View: Rivera hasn't been slowed by hitters at all this season so the only thing that might be able to do so appears to be injury. Given that the issues seems minor, it doesn't look like even injuries will keep him down.
|
|
|
|
| Jonathan Papelbon picked up his 31st home run of the year for the Red Sox on Sunday and is just four saves from his third straight 35 save effort. |
Our View: Papelbon is as consistently dominating as almost any reliever in baseball, and there is no reason not to expect him to challenge the 40-save mark for the first time this season.
|
|
|
|
| Daric Barton went deep for only the fourth time this season on Sunday in the A's 5-2 loss to the Red Sox. |
Our View: Barton is only hitting .218 on the year, but the team still seems to be committed to him. With Frank Thomas back at DH and Jack Cust in left field, the team can afford to bat Barton at the bottom of the order and hope that he continues to improve.
|
|
|
|
| Jason Bay had two hits and scored two runs on Sunday for the Red Sox and is now 4-for-11 with six runs scored in three games with the Sox. |
Our View: Who needs Manny with production like that? Bay is working on a modest five game hitting streak and has knocked in six runs during that time.
|
|
|
|
| Dallas Braden made the start on Sunday for the A's and the results were poor as he allowed four runs in 3.1 innings in his second loss of the year. |
Our View: Braden's stay with Oakland might be short if the team chooses to call up phenom Gio Gonzalez in the near future.
|
|
|
|
| Daisuke Matsuzaka picked up his 12th win of the season on Sunday as he held the A's to two runs over six innings. Daisuke struck out eight on the day while walking only two batters. |
Our View: When Dice-K throws strikes, he is pretty much unbeatable. He still threw too many pitches to go deep needing 105 pitches to make it through six innings.
|
|
|
|
| Brandon Morrow will indeed be removed from the closers role and returned to the starting rotation at some point in the near future, according to the Associated Press. “It’s going to happen at some point,” manager Jim Riggleman said. “(We’re) not exactly sure when, but it’s going to happen at some point.” |
Our View: The team will basically wait a bit until they feel J.J Putz is ready to return to closing, then they will likely send Morrow down to the minors to stretch his arm out before recalling him to make a few late season starts for the club.
|
|
|
|
| Joe Crede (back) was scratched from a second straight start at Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday putting his return to the White Sox this week on Wednesday in serious doubt, according to the Chicago Tribune. |
Our View: The Sox will continue to give Juan Uribe some looks at third base as Josh Fields has failed to take advantage of the chance to shine hitting just .200 in his first 20 AB.
|
|
|
|
| After allowing six hits and five runs on Friday night at Triple-A Oklahoma, Brandon McCarthy still isn't ready to rejoin the Rangers, according to the Dallas Morning News. "I'm not going to put a number on it," manager Ron Washington said. "But he's going to stay in Triple-A...I don't know the time frame." |
Our View: McCarthy has missed the entire season up until this point, and with little to play for the Rangers certainly won't push McCarthy back into action until they are completely sure that he is healthy.
|
|
|
|
| Erik Bedard threw in the outfield for about 10 minutes on Sunday in his attempt to return from an injured shoulder, according to the Associated Press. This was the first time he has thrown in a month (July 4th). |
Our View: Bedard made 30 throws from 60 feet and no setbacks were reported. Given that he has missed a month, he would certainly need a couple of minor league starts before climbing back on the hill for the Orioles putting his return, most likely, near the end of August.
|
|
|
|
| The Marlins thought they were cruising to a win only to allow three runs over the final three innings to fall, 3-2, to the Colorado Rockies. The Rocks posted just four hits on the day, but outfielder Matt Holliday kept them efficient with a solo homer in the seventh, his 21st of the year, representing his only hit on the day. Holliday went 1-for-4 with the one RBI and one run scored. |
Our View: Over his last five games, Holliday has posted nine hits, including three homers and four RBIs.
|
|
|
|
| It wasn't a near no-hitter, but Angels RHP John Lackey was on the mark today in keeping this team in the mix while he was on the mound. Lackey pitched six innings, allowing four runs (all earned) on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Lackey leaves with no decision and now carries an ERA of 3.10. |
Our View: The relief pitching let him down with an atrocious inning immediately after Lackey's exit, allowing six in the seventh to fall 14-9.
|
|
|
|
| For the Yankees, it was newly-acquired outfielder Xavier Nady's turn to shine, hitting a three-run homer as part of a six-run effort in the bottom of the seventh, coming from behind to beat the Angels 14-9. Nady went 4-for-5 on the day, including his 29th double of the season, totaling six RBIs and one run scored. |
Our View: New York fans, meet what may be your most prized acquisition among many made at the deadline. Nady is now hitting an impressive .334 on the season, having hit .364 through July with five homers and 12 RBIs.
|
|
|
|
| The Angels may have suffered the devastating 14-9 loss to the Yankees today, but not due to the lack of effort from the top of the battling order. Third baseman Chone Figgins went 4-for-5 in the leadoff spot to total three runs scored, followd by shortstop Erick Aybar in the 2-hole to go 2-for-3 with two walks, three RBIs, and two runs scored on the day. |
Our View: Aybar hit an impressive .317 last month but posted just eight RBIs and 11 runs scored. Figgins was worse, hitting .269 with just four RBIs and 15 runs scored, though he added seven stolen bases.
|
|
|
|
| The Yankees and Angels gave us another barnburner today, fighting through 25 total hits for the Yanks to emerge victorious, 14-9. However, give newly-acquired first baseman Mark Teixeira credit for making it interesting. Teixeira hit a grand slam in the eighth inning, his only hit of the game, pulling his teal into the lead. However, the effort was lost by giving up six runs to the Yanks in the bottom of that same inning. |
Our View: This was Teixeira's first homer since July 26th, though he has gone 8-for-24 at the dish since.
|
|
|
|
| Red Sox relief pitcher David Aardsma began what could be a brief rehab assignment with the PawSox this afternoon, according to the Providence Journal. |
Our View: The right-hander, who has been bothered by a groin strain, worked a perfect 1-2-3 inning in relief at McCoy Stadium. He struck out two and threw 14 pitches (eight strikes).
|
|
|
|
| Outfielder David Dellucci has been held out of the starting lineup today as he struggles to overcome offensive shortcomings, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Dellucci was one of the catalysts in the Tribe's 5-1 win Saturday, with a single, double and two-run homer. It was his first three-hit game since April 13, 2007. The hope is that it serves as a jumping point for improvement. Signed by the Indians as a free agent prior to the 2007 season, Dellucci continues to be a fourth outfielder and gets some time at DH against right-handers. He entered Sunday hitting .234 in 252 at-bats this year.
|
|
|
|
| Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano was held out of the Yankees' lineup for a second consecutive game on Sunday, still protecting a bruised and swollen left hand that has impacted his hitting, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The second baseman received more treatment for the injury, which he believes traces back to being busted inside with a cutter by Boston's Jon Lester one week ago at Fenway Park. Cano said the pain affects him most while batting and is located on the meaty part of the palm. Cano is batting .344 (21-for-61) in 14 games since the All-Star break, but was 3-for-22 in the five games since he suffered the injury. The tentative plan is for Cano to rest all day Sunday and then take batting practice before Monday night's game at Texas.
|
|
|
|
| Rocco Baldelli returned to the Rays on Sunday, though he has not been activated. Reports indicate he looked healthy and told reporters "everything went real well" during his recently completed rehab assignment at Double-A Montgomery, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Baldelli, 26, hit .297 with three home runs and eight RBIs in 13 games at Montgomery after completing a similar stint at Class A Vero Beach, where he hit .216, while trying to overcome the effects of having a mitochondrial disorder. Baldelli announced his malady during Spring Training and he began the season on the 60-day disabled list. The disorder is an abnormality that has kept him in a constant stage of fatigue. Rays manager Joe Maddon did not have the chance to talk to Baldelli before talking to reporters on Sunday morning and said their conversation concerning the next move could take place Sunday after the game or perhaps Monday.
|
|
|
|
| Minnesota pitcher Francisco Liriano will get the start when the Twins face the Cleveland Indians in the finale of a three-game series at the Metrodome on Sunday, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: The 24-year-old, who has struggled to an 0-3 record with a 11.32 earned run average, returns to the starting rotation for the first time since April 24th. As a rookie in 2006, the left-hander compiled a 12-3 record with a 2.16 ERA in 16 starts and 12 relief stints, helping the Twins claim the American League Central title. However, Liriano missed the entire 2007 season after developing elbow problems which resulted in Tommy John surgery. The young Dominican was sent to Triple-A Rochester after his early season struggles and dominated, going 10-0 with a 2.67 ERA in 11 starts.
|
|
|
|
| As anticipated, Oakland LHP Dana Eveland has been sent back to Triple-A Sacramento following a horrific experience against Boston yesterday, suffering the 12-2 loss after just two innings of work, according the the San Francisco Chronicle. |
Our View: Oakland has recalled LHP Dan Meyer to fill the spot on the roster. It was believed that Meyer might start today as Dallas Braden is suffering from a throat infection, but Braden says he is good to go and will be on the hill (though we could see Meyer if Braden is pulled early).
|
|
|
|
| White Sox third baseman Joe Crede was scratched from Triple-A Charlotte's lineup Saturday night but is expected to continue his rehabilitation efforts today, according to ChicagoSports.com. |
Our View: Crede, on a minor league rehabilitation assignment, felt twinges in his back during pre-game warmups, according to the Charlotte Observer. Crede is expected to return to the Knights' lineup Sunday night, with Jose Contreras scheduled to pitch in a rehab assignment.
|
|
|
|
| Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero is not in the lineup today as his team prepares to face the Yankees, according to the OC Register. |
Our View: No need for alarm. It is “just a day off,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters in the locker room.
|
|
|
|
| The Royals will run RHP Zack Greinke to the mound to face the White Sox today, battling 24-year-old lefty Clayton Richard, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: Greinke stands at 8-7 with a 3.98 ERA on the season, having lost to the White Sox the last time he faced them. Greinke is just 2-8 lifetime against Chicago with a 5.10 ERA in 16 games, 13 of which have been starts. Richard is still searching for his first big league win.
|
|
|
|
| Boston will send RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka to the hill against the Oakland A's today, putting young LHP Dallas Braden on the mound to duel with the Red Sox against their efforts to complete a three-game sweep of the west-coast opponent, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: Matsuzaka comes off his second loss of the season as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim roughed him up for six runs and seven hits in five innings, dropping him to 11-2 on the year, while raising his earned run average to 3.04. Braden has never faced the Red Sox and is 2-1 with a 4.39 ERA on the season.
|
|
|
|
| Detroit will send RHP Armando Galarraga to the mound today as they trip to Tampa Bay to face the Rays, looking for his 10th win of the season, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: The 26-year-old made just three big-league appearances -- one start -- with Texas in 2007, but has been solid from the start for the Tigers, including wins in seven of his initial nine decisions. Galarraga, who is 7-2 on the road this season, has never faced the Rays.
|
|
|
|
| Tampa Bay RHP James Shields will shot for his 10th win today as the Rays welcome the Detroit Tigers in the final chapter of a three-game series, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: The Rays head into Sunday with a three-game lead in the American League's East Division over the Boston Red Sox. A 26-year-old Californian and a former 16th-round draft pick, Shields was a 12-game winner last season over 31 starts in his initial full stint in the starting rotation. Shields is 2-0 in a pair of career starts against the Tigers and is 7-1 in 12 starts at home this season.
|
|
