|
|
| Casey Blake went 2-for-4 on Monday night for the Dodgers as he hit his seventh home run with the Dodgers, and his 18th overall. |
Our View: Blake just gets it done, quietly but efficiently, year after year. With 18 home runs and 76 RBI, his power numbers almost match those of the more heralded Garrett Atkins (18-85).
|
|
|
|
| Matt Antonelli made his first major league start on Monday night and went 1-for-4 at the plate. |
Our View: Given that the team recently let go Tad Iguchi, Antonelli could be in line for some serious playing time in September at second base, that is if he proves he can hit in the majors after struggling to do so in Triple-A this season (.215/.335/.322).
|
|
|
|
| In his return from the DL, Chris Young fell to 4-5 as he allowed six hits, three walks and four runs over five innings against the Dodgers. |
Our View: Young threw 50 of his 80 pitches for strikes tonight in an uneven return to the hill. Given that the Padres will go with a 6-man rotation, Young loses his two-start eligibility for this week.
|
|
|
|
| Greg Maddux earned his 354th career victory to tie Roger Clemens for eighth all-time, as he defeated his former team the Padres. Maddux lasted 5.2 innings permitting six hits, no walks and two runs. |
Our View: This was a second straight solid outing for Maddux after a rough outing in his first appearance in blue and white. Over his last eight starts Maddux has walked all of three batters, and with control like that, he is worth keeping an eye on down the stretch.
|
|
|
|
| Kyle McClellan blew his fifth save of the year by allowing four hits and three runs to the Diamondbacks as he also picked up his seventh loss of the year. |
Our View: McClellan has slowly started going downhill after a solid start to the year as he has allowed six runs in his last six innings. He doesn't hold much, if any, fantasy value at the moment.
|
|
|
|
| Randy Johnson ha eight strikeouts on Monday, but he also allowed five runs without getting out of the fourth inning against the Cardinals. |
Our View: Johnson's downfall was the home run, he allowed four (tying a career-high), and they flew for 1,598 feet. Johnson is winless in four starts, but this was the first time that he allowed more than three earned runs in eight appearances.
|
|
|
|
| Far from the biggest name on any night for the Cardinals, Cesar Izturis still had a nice outing on Monday with three hits, a run scored and two stolen bases. |
Our View: With all the love for others in the offense, many have overlooked Izturis and his 19 stolen bases. He may have no pop (one home run) and a poor average (.254), but those steals are golden in NL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Adam Dunn hit his 35th long ball of the year on Monday as he scored two runs and walked twice for the D'backs. |
Our View: As noteworthy as the home run allowing him to reach 35 for the fifth straight year, was the fact that he played his first game of the year at first base. In 19 games as a D'back Dunn has scored 12 times with 12 RBI.
|
|
|
|
| Stephen Drew hit for the cycle for the first time on Monday as he went 5-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI on his home run, his 16th of the year. |
Our View: Drew has been blistering since the All-Star Break with a .339 batting average that has pushed him to .289 overall. Drew is also four home runs short of 20 on the year, and despite all the offense in the game, you simply cannot overlook a shortstop who hits .285 with 20 taters.
|
|
|
|
| Lance Berkman had two hits, two walks, scored a run and stole his 16th base of the season on Monday. |
Our View: As if the .338 average, 94 RBI and 104 runs weren't enough, Berkman is actually within striking distance of his first 20/20 season (he has 27 home runs), quite an accomplishment for a guy who certainly isn't known as a speed burner.
|
|
|
|
| Carlos Zambrano, scratched from his start on Sunday because of a tired arm, will start on Tuesday against Brandon Backe, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Zambrano has posted an 8.72 ERA over his last four starts with 14 BB and just 16 K. With numbers like that, start him Tuesday at your own risk.
|
|
|
|
| Jason Marquis fell to 9-8 on Monday despite allowing just two runs over six innings against the Astros (he was out-pitched by Roy Oswalt). |
Our View: Marquis struck out a season best eight batters on the day in his second straight solid outing (seven IP, zero ER last time out). It usually isn't pretty, but he almost always keeps the Cubs in the game.
|
|
|
|
| Roy Oswalt shut down the Cubs for 8.1 innings on Monday night as he combined with Jose Valverde for a 3-0 shutout. |
Our View: Oswalt has won seven of his last eight decisions and shock off a torn finger nail in this dominating performance. Oswalt has gone 5-1 in his last six starts with a 1.59 ERA as he has completely erased his awful start to the year.
|
|
|
|
| Bengie Molina had three hits on Monday, one of only two Giants who had more than one hit against the Rockies (Rich Aurilia had two). |
Our View: Molina leads the Giants offense with 79 RBI, quite a hefty total for a backstop wouldn't you say?
|
|
|
|
| Willy Taveras stole three bases on Monday to up his career best total to 65 on the year. He also scored two runs in the Rockies victory over the Giants. |
Our View: This guy has been simply running wild of late with 22 stolen bases in his last 39 games as he continues to do his best impersonation of Juan Pierre, minus about .035 points in batting average (.260).
|
|
|
|
| Jorge De La Rosa shutout the Giants for seven innings on Monday on his way to his eighth win of the year. De La Rosa walked only one batter while striking out six in the outing. |
Our View: Don't look now, but De La Rosa has actually been a viable fantasy option of late. This was his fourth straight outing of at least six innings and in that stretch he has posted three wins and a 1.67 ERA, though he has started twice against the Giants and once against the Nationals in that time.
|
|
|
|
| Jonathan Sanchez (shoulder) returned to the hill on Monday and lasted seven innings against the Rockies. However, Sanchez lost the game despite allowing just three hits and three walks which led to three runs. |
Our View: The good news is that Sanchez looked strong and lasted 108 pitches giving his owners hope that he will be able to contribute down the stretch as this was his third straight outing of three or fewer runs allowed.
|
|
|
|
| Jason Schmidt's 2008 season will end without him throwing a single pitch in the big leagues as the team has decided to shut him down after he has been unable to return to form from a shoulder operation, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The team is unclear just how to proceed with Schmidt and he might still need additional surgery on his ailing shoulder. Two years of his three year deal worth over $45 million are complete and Schmidt has thrown all of 25.2 innings.
|
|
|
|
| Brad Penny (shoulder) has been throwing off of flat ground, but he still hasn't thrown off the mound yet, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Penny is hoping to make it back to add some help out of the bullpen, but considering how poor he looked when he came off the DL last time, we aren't holding out any hope of him being a useful fantasy arm the rest of the way.
|
|
|
|
| Takashi Saito has been throwing without pain and believes a return from the DL is close, according to MLB.com. "I'm very confident I will be on the mound this season, whether it's next week or the week after -- I need to consult with the doctor, the trainer and the club," said the 38-year-old Saito. |
Our View: Saito, out since July 13th with a damaged elbow ligament, threw off-speed pitched for the first time on Monday and reported no pain. At this point he likely wouldn't be returned to the closers role, but that doesn't mean the team couldn't use his arm in the pen.
|
|
|
|
| Wade LeBlanc was called up on Monday to join the Padres and he will become part of a six-man rotation that the team will use moving forward, according to the Padres Official Website. "Maybe the next turn or two," manager Bud Black said. "This gives us an opportunity to get a look at some of the guys up from [Triple-A] Portland. |
Our View: The team will go with Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Cha Seung Beck, Shawn Estes, LeBlanc and Joah Geer. This decision saves the arm of Peavy, allows Young to be brought back slowly, and minimizes the pressure on the others including the just off the DL Estes.
|
|
|
|
| Delwyn Young was recalled from the minors on Friday as was fellow outfielder Jason Repko and pitchers Scott Proctor, James McDonald and Eric Stults, according to The Sports Network. |
Our View: Young and Repko figure to do nothing other than pinch hit or pinch run in what is a crowded Dodgers outfield. As for the hurlers, there is not much to see there either.
|
|
|
|
| Andruw Jones (knee) was activated from the DL on Monday, according to The Sports Network. |
Our View: Jones went 6-for-23 on his rehab assignment not showing much more than he did with the Dodgers before he was shelved (.161 with three home runs in 205 AB). Given the precipitous nature of his fall from grace, and the play of the Dodgers currently outfielders, we doubt Jones will do anything more than occasional pinch hit and possibly be a late inning defensive replacement.
|
|
|
|
| Shane Victorino was caught stealing for the 10th time this season on Monday though he was also successful for the 30th time for the Phillies. |
Our View: Victorino started slowly this year but he has virtually matched last years production (.281-12-46-78-37) this year (.283-11-49-87-30) marking him as a very valuable depth play in mixed leagues and a stud in NL-only formats.
|
|
|
|
| Lastings Milledge had only one hit on Monday but he still platted two runs on the afternoon while stealing his 20th base of the year. |
Our View: Milledge has also produced 13 home runs so those who said he could be a poor man's version of Mike Cameron this year weren't too far off the mark. Over his last 36 outings he has 18 runs, 20 RBI, seven steals and a .299 average offering a lot of value.
|
|
|
|
| Kyle Kendrick lost his eighth game of the year on Monday as he allowed six runs in just four innings to the Nationals. |
Our View: This outing marks the third time in five starts that Kendrick has permitted at least six runs to cross the plate as his ERA has crept up to 5.06. Given the dearth of strikeouts (3.98 K/9), you are really paying a high price for those wins if you are running him out there.
|
|
|
|
| Tim Redding won his 10th game of the year on Monday as he held the Phillies to three runs in 5.2 innings of action. Redding allowed only two hits and three walks in the outing, though he produced just two strikeouts. |
Our View: This was just the second victory in nine appearances for Redding though it was his third straight outing of three of fewer earned runs allowed after a stretch of 20 runs in four appearances covering 20 innings in late July and early August.
|
|
|
|
| Ryan Zimmerman led the Nationals, the team with the worst record in baseball, to their 7th straight victory on Monday as he hit a two run home run. |
Our View: Zimmerman reach 10 home runs with the blast, less than half the total of 22 that he has averaged the past two seasons. Still, his home run pace this season is similar to what he produced last season (one per 33.8 AB this season and one per 27.2 last year). He now has six RBI in his last five games as he continues to struggle through his injury concerns.
|
|
|
|
| Shawn Estes, out since May 31st with a broken thumb, was activated from the DL on Monday, according to the Associated Press. The Padres also called up Matt Antonelli and Wade LeBlanc. |
Our View: Estes has a 3.33 ERA over 24.1 innings this season, and he looked solid before getting hurt. However, given his track record, it would be a huge stretch to expect another run of consistency now that he is back with the Padres.
|
|
|
|
| Updating an earlier story, Ben Sheets believes his groin injury isn't serious, according to the Associated Press. "I think it’s going to be fine," Sheets said. "I don’t think it’s as bad as last year. I really think I’m going to be all right. I’m just going to pay a little more attention to it and hopefully move forward." |
Our View: Sheets has thrown 11-straight scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 2.96 before he was removed after five innings. Despite his pronouncement, it is still not known if he will need to miss a start or two.
|
|
|
|
| Anibal Sanchez will face the Brewers on Tuesday as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery , according to the Marlins Official Website. "I want to finish strong and have that carry over for a good season next year." |
Our View: Sanchez is 2-3 with a 4.46 ERA and 1.49 WHIP this season in six starts as he continues to search for the form that led to a 10-3 record, 2.83 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 2006.
|
|
|
|
| Alcides Escobar was one of 10 Brewers who were called up on Monday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Here are the others: Mat Gamel, Angel Salome, Brad Nelson, Mitch Stetter, Tim Dillard, Mark DiFelice, Joe Dillon, Tony Gwynn Jr. and catcher Vinny Rottino. |
Our View: Escobar, the third ranked prospect in the Brewers system according to Baseball America, is a shortstop who hit .328-7-76 with 34 stolen bases in the minors this season. Obviously, he won't be stealing many ABs from J.J. Hardy, but the kid has skills.
|
|
|
|
| Ryan Braun had three hits on Monday while knocking in his 96th run of the season for the Brewers. |
Our View: Braun could easily record 40 home runs and 110 RBI by the time the year is over despite dealing with injuries of late. He still needs to work on his plate discipline though with 112 K and just 30 walks.
|
|
|
|
| Luis Ayala pitched a clean inning on Monday to pick up his fourth save of the season for the Mets. |
Our View: Ayala hasn't walked a batter in eight innings with the Mets, but he also has only four strikeouts. Still, he has been as effective as any other option the Mets have in the pen right now so he will continue to pick up the save chances until Billy Wagner returns.
|
|
|
|
| Eric Gagne blew his sixth save of the year on his way to falling to 4-3 for the Brewers. Gagne allowed three runs on four hits, including a two run blast to Carlos Delgado to lose the game. |
Our View: Gagne has been one of the biggest busts of the year as he can't even function in a setup role (6.81 ERA). You think that the Brewers might want their $10 million back? We know fantasy leaguers want their $10 back that they spent on him on draft day.
|
|
|
|
| Johan Santana dominated the Brewers holding them to just two runs over six innings as he recorded yet another no-decision. Santana recorded 10 K while walking just one. |
Our View: Santana is 4-0 over his last 10 starts despite posting a 2.47 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP as he continues to be one of the better second half pitchers in the game. For that matter, he continues to function as one of the best pitchers in the game regardless of the time of year.
|
|
|
|
| Carlos Delgado hit a game winning two run home run off of Eric Gagne in the eighth inning in the Mets 4-2 victory. |
Our View: With the two RBI, Delgado is just five RBI short of his ninth 30-100 season. After looking lost in the early part of the year, Delgado has certainly found his stroke leading to a superb 23 home runs and 70 RBI in his last 83 games. There aren't too many sluggers who have matched that level of production.
|
|
|
|
| Carlos Beltran was forced from the Mets game on Monday with what is being called a bruised right knee, according to the New York Post. |
Our View: Beltran suffered the injury in the eighth inning when he collided with umpire Ed Rapuano at home plate as he scored a run. At this point he is being listed as day to day.
|
|
|
|
| Adam Eaton, J.A. Happ, Greg Golson and Lou Marson were recalled from the minors on Monday, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: In fairness, none of these moves means anything from a fantasy perspective, but we want to be thorough so here you go. Don't look for Eaton, the biggest name here, to pitch any important innings, at least in the short term.
|
|
|
|
| J.R. Towles was one of five Astros players called on Monday, this according to the Associated Press. The others were Jack Cassell, Fernando Nieve, Alberto Arias and Edwin Maysonet. |
Our View: Towles will have a month to prove if he belongs in the team's plans or not after hitting just .143 in 140 AB this season. Towles hit .304 with a .870 OPS in 48 games in the PCL, and he will try to convert that success into performance at the major league level.
|
|
|
|
| Koyie Hill was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to join the Cubs just slightly over a year after a he severed three of his fingers with a table saw last October, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: This is one of the true feel good stories of the year and something we would rather see TV than the 100th story on instant replay. Hill won't have any fantasy value, but it still warms our heart to share this tale.
|
|
|
|
| Angel Berroa will find himself in the starting lineup yet again at shortstop, this according to the Los Angeles Daily News. |
Our View: Berroa has eight hits in his last 22 AB entering action today which is no doubt better than Nomar Garciaparra who is three for his last 28. Still, is Berroa worth riding while he is hot? No as it's just as likely that he will go for 3-for-28 as that he will continue to hit well.
|
|
|
|
| Ruben Gotay was activated from the DL on Monday, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: Gotay had been out of action due to a strained left hamstring, and even though he is now back on the active roster he doesn't figure to have any value, especially with Martin Prado playing so well.
|
|
|
|
| Casey Kotchman, who had missed the past 11 days while tending to his ailing mother, has been activated from the list, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: Kotchman has failed to do much of anything at all since being acquired by the Braves (.157/.259/.214 in 70 AB), and it's easy to see why considering what he has gone through off the field. He remains an option in NL-only leagues but not much else at this point.
|
|
|
|
| Reliever Jason Motte was called up to by the Cardinals on Monday, according to Scout.com. Also called up were infielders Brendan Ryan and Brian Barden, catcher Mark Johnson and reliever Kelvin Jimenez. |
Our View: Motte had a ridiculous number of strikeouts in Triple-A, with 110 in 65.2 innings pitched. His control is good as well, with just 25 on the year, and is a flame-thrower who reaches the upper 90's with his fastball. Motte could help fantasy owners who need strikeouts depending on how often he will be used. Monitor his situation before thinking about adding him.
|
|
|
|
| Diamondbacks hurler Jon Rauch was suffering from stiffness to his forearm, but after throwing a bullpen session on Sunday, he was deemed good to go and is available to pitch, according to DBacks.com. |
Our View: Rauch has been an effective reliever for the Diamondbacks this season, with a WHIP of 1.09, and handles setup duty for the Diamondbacks.
|
|
|
|
| The Phillies are thinking about juggling their rotation so that pitcher Cole Hamels can face the Mets on Sunday, according to Phillies.com. |
Our View: Hamels is slated to go on Tuesday, and his regular turn would be Sunday, but the team has an off day, and someone would have to be skipped for Hamels to go against the Mets. It is probably a good idea for Philadelphia to start their best pitcher against the team they are battling for the division, so look for Hamels to get the green light against New York.
|
|
|
|
| Marlins infielder Jorge Cantu went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run to help the Marlins beat the Braves, 4-3. |
Our View: Cantu had a poor August, hitting just .223 with an on-base percentage of .270, so maybe he will turn it on in September.
|
|
|
|
| Braves catcher Brian McCann had a difficult day on Monday, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in his team's 4-3 loss to the Marlins. |
Our View: McCann is coming off a 6-for-11 streak, so his rare day of trouble should be acceptable to fantasy owners.
|
|
|
|
| Marlins hurler Josh Johnson put up a solid effort in his team's 4-3 win over Atlanta on Monday. Johnson got a no-decision, but threw six innings, giving up three runs while striking out eight batters. |
Our View: Johnson has been good for the Marlins in his short time in the big leagues, and has now struck out 16 batters in his last 15 innings pitched. He could be a nice addition to a fantasy team in need of pitching for the stretch run.
|
|
|
|
| Braves reliever Mike Gonzalez showed an uncharacteristic lack of control, walking three Marlins in the bottom of the ninth inning before giving up a sacrifice fly to John Baker, as the Braves lost to Florida, 4-3. |
Our View: For the most part, Gonzalez has shown very good control, averaging less than three walks per nine innings this season. He remains the Braves closer, and fantasy owners should not lose confidence in him due to this hiccup.
|
|
|
|
| Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell is slumping, and he was given the day off on Monday, with Matt Stairs starting in the outfield instead, according to Phillies.com. |
Our View: Burrell has five hits in his past 37 at-bats, so he got the day off. He should be back in the lineup soon, as his power is an important aspect to the Phillies offense.
|
|
|
|
| Ben Sheets left Monday's game after five innings with tightness in his left groin. He needed just 54 pitches to get through five scoreless frames. The Brewers are listing him as day-to-day for the time being. |
Our View: Although Sheets didn't allow a run, his velocity was down all game, which made you think something might be wrong. We'll update you on his situation when more information becomes available.
|
|
|
|
| Reliever Randy Flores has been recalled from Triple-A and will join the Cardinals bullpen, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. |
Our View: Flores has major control issues, walking 17 batters in 23.2 innings pitched prior to his demotion, and has no fantasy value.
|
|
|
|
| The Florida Marlins took another step closer to get a new stadium as Miami residents voted into public office numerous local politicians who have lended their support to a new retractable-roof stadium to be put in Little Havana, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Each politician who voted in favor of a new stadium won their election, seen as a positive sign for Miami as they try and get a new stadium built. Hopefully, that will entice more fans to come out than the 5,000 people who usually do.
|
|
|
|
| Ryan Spilborghs has been activated from the DL, and the Rockies recalled pitcher Steve Register and catcher Edwin Bellorin from Triple-A, according to the Rocky Mountain News. |
Our View: Spilborghs will continue to backup regular outfielders Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe, limiting his fantasy value.
|
|
|
|
| Chris Carpenter will be used as a reliever upon his return, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He could be available as early as Tuesday. Carpenter is coming back from a sore shoulder. |
Our View: Obviously this is a big blow to Carp's fantasy value, but it's probably the right thing to do to ensure that he will be healthy in the future. Expect him to pitch in a middle relief role initially, with the possibility that he could work his way into a setup role.
|
|
|
|
| Reliever Willie Collazo was designated for assignment by the Mets because the team needs the room on their roster, according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: Collazo threw 5.2 innings this season, and had an ERA of 6.35 with a 2.12 WHIP. HE walked five and did not strike out a single batter.
|
|
|
|
| Pitcher Brandon Knight has been called up from the minors and will join the New York Mets, according to the New York Daily News. Ruddy Lugo was designated for assignment in order to make room on the roster for Knight. |
Our View: Knight made one start this season for the Mets, and it was not all that successful, as he went five innings and allowed four earned runs on seven hits. Nothing for fantasy owners to see here.
|
|
|
|
| Cubs pitcher Rich Hill was called up from the minor leagues, but only to be put on the disabled list, according to the Chicago Tribune. |
Our View: Hill struggled enormously with his control, with a frightening 8.24 BB/9 rate. Fantasy owners should look to Hill next year, as 2008 was lost.
|
|
|
|
| No, not that Clemens. But it was his son, Koby Clemens, who was arrested along with two teammates early Sunday after being charged with disorderly conduct in Salem, Virginia, according to the Houston Chronicle. He and the others spent the night in jail and are due in court on Tuesday. |
Our View: The details are not yet known, but Astros assistant GM Ricky Bennett was not happy, saying, "This type of behavior is not acceptable in our organization. I’ve talked to all three players this morning and told them some type of discipline will be imposed."
|
|
|
|
| Houston has recalled pitchers Jack Cassel and Fernando Nieve from Triple-A Round Rock, according to the Houston Chronicle. |
Our View: In previous stints on the big club, Cassel possessed an ERA of 7.11 in 19 innings. He has no fantasy value. Nieve was worse, and has an ERA of 18.00 in his brief time in the majors this season.
|
|
|
|
| Marlins closer Kevin Gregg will not be throwing to test out his sore right shoulder for the time being, according to the Palm Beach Post. |
Our View: Gregg accumulated 29 saves on the season before getting injured. It was always iffy if he would remain the closer, because his WHIP (1.35) is high for a ninth inning role, and he walks nearly five batters per nine innings, which is far too many.
|
|
|
|
| Marlins outfielder Brett Carroll was activated from the 60-day disabled list after suffering a shoulder separation in May, according to the Palm Beach Post. |
Our View: Carroll was hitting .063 in 16 at-bats before getting injured and should not be on fantasy rosters.
|
|
|
|
| The Cincinnati Reds have changed up their rotation, meaning Aaron Harang will pitch Tuesday and Edinson Volquez will go Wednesday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. |
Our View: Harang was originally scheduled to pitch Wednesday, followed by Volquez, but manager Dusty Baker changed things up. Harang has been a bit better lately but is still not trustworthy enough to plug into fantasy lineups.
|
|
|
|
| Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, fresh off a mediocre August in which he hit .263, may not start September off much better, considering the troubles he has had hitting Tim Redding, who will pitch for the Nationals in Monday's game against Philadelphia. Rollins is just 5-for-30 (.167) with one extra-base hit off Redding in his career. |
Our View: Rollins has been one of the biggest disappointments of the year for fantasy owners, but maybe a big September can salvage some of it.
|
|
|
|
| The Brewers will start Rickie Weeks at second base and have him hit lead-off in their game today against Johan Santana and the New York Mets, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. |
Our View: Although both Ray Durham and Weeks hit Santana well, Weeks has been better, going 4-for-5 with a triple, two home runs, and two walks off the lefty in his career. By all means, insert him in your fantasy lineup.
|
|
|
|
| Pitcher Emiliano Fruto was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks in order to make room on the 40-man roster for David Eckstein, according to the Arizona Republic. |
Our View: Fruto had not pitched in the big leagues since 2006, and he sported a 5.50 ERA at that time. He was of no consequence in fantasy leagues.
|
|
