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| David Ortiz got on base four times, with three hits in three at-bats plus a walk in the Red Sox 14-2 beat down of the Orioles. He also hit two doubles and drove in four runs. |
Our View: Ortiz had seen his average drop below .250 on August 8, but has slowly raised it, and it now sits at .270, which should please fantasy owners.
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| Dustin Pedroia helped fuel the Red Sox to a 14-2 win over the Orioles by going 3-for-5 with a double, home run and fiver RBI. |
Our View: MVP chatter is developing around the diminutive second baseman, and it is surely something people will have to consider after his recent tear. He has seven RBI so far in two September games.
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| Lou Montanez has done nothing but hit for the Orioles since his call-up from the minors. And once again, even in a losing effort, he went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Baltimore's 14-2 loss to the Red Sox. |
Our View: Montanez is absolutely a guy fantasy owners should be all over. He hasn't shown great power yet, but he's scored a bunch of runs and rarely strikes out, which is a good sign.
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| Jon Lester won his 13th game of the year, allowing one run in five innings, though he did walk four batters as the Red Sox slaughtered the Orioles, 14-2. |
Our View: Lester has been a steady presence in the Boston rotation the entire year, and his ERA dropped to 3.37.
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| Royals designated hitter Billy Butler had a big game, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI to lead Kansas City to a 5-2 win over the A's. |
Our View: Butler had a productive August in some respects, but walked just two times in 105 plate appearances. His plate discipline is iffy enough that he'll be streaky, so he is a risky fantasy option.
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| A's first baseman Daric Barton was one of the few successful Oakland hitters, going 3-for-3 with two RBI in the team's 5-2 loss to Kansas City. |
Our View: Barton has been a miserable acquisition for fantasy owners who wasted a draft pick on the much-hyped prospect. Maybe he'll turn it around, but this has been a season to forget.
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| Royals hurler Zack Greinke picked up his tenth win of the season in the team's 5-2 win against Oakland. Grienke went seven innings, striking out eight and allowing just two runs. |
Our View: Greinke had won just two games since June 30, even though he had not pitched poorly, so continue to utilize him in fantasy leagues.
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| Paul Konerko has finally showed some signs of life recently, and in the White Sox 9-3 win on Tuesday, he continued to prosper, going 2-for-4. |
Our View: Konerko has hits in six of his last seven games, and multiple hits in four of those games. He's likely available in many fantasy leagues, and taking a flier on him could prove beneficial in the final month.
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| Victor Martinez finally hit his first home run of the season in the Indians 9-3 win over the White Sox. |
Our View: Martinez has been among the biggest disappointments of the year for fantasy owners, who undoubtedly took him with a high pick, expecting him to be among, if not the, best offensive catcher.
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| White Sox hurler John Danks had a rough night, lasting just four innings while giving up eight hits and four earned runs while picking up his 8th loss of the year to the Indians, 9-3. |
Our View: Danks has gone downhill fast, losing each of his last three starts, giving up 11 runs in his last 14 innings. Needless to say, that's a troubling thing for fantasy owners to deal with.
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| After a nice August in which he hit over .300, Seattle backstop Jeff Clement started September where he had left off in July, going 1-for-4 with three strikeouts in the Mariners 6-4 loss to Texas. His average is now at .228. |
Our View: Clement has shown little reason, other than one good month, to show he can be an effective contributor to fantasy leagues.
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| Marlon Byrd went 0-for-3 with a walk, but his Rangers teammates did not need him as they took down the Mariners 6-4 anyway. |
Our View: Byrd now has six hits in his last 27 at-bats (.222), a pace far off what he was accomplishing just a couple weeks ago. Fantasy owners may want to jump off the Byrd bandwagon.
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| It took the Texas Rangers just 5.2 innings to record 11 hits and score five times off of pitcher Ryan Feierabend in the Mariners 6-4 loss on Tuesday. |
Our View: Feierabend hadn't been too bad in his last two starts, but that certainly wasn't going to last. He is not someone to consider for fantasy purposes, and few players in a Mariners uniform are.
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| Frank Francisco picked up his third save of the season in the Rangers 6-4 win over the Mariners, and he did it in impressive fashion, striking out the side. Of the ten outs necessary to get his three saves, Francisco has recorded strikeouts on seven of them while allowing just a single base runner. |
Our View: 14 of Francisco's 16 pitches on Tuesday were strikes, and he has been amazing in his very short period of time as a closer. If other owners in your fantasy league have not been made privy to Francisco's success, by all means pick him up.
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| Rays first baseman Carlos Pena went 2-for-4 with a double in Tampa's 7-2 losing effort to the Yankees. It was his 19th two-bagger of the season. |
Our View: Pena hasn't been much in the way of batting average for fantasy owners, but he's been making up for it with OBP. In August, Pena's was .450, and his slugging percentage was .639. He continued to roll in his first September at-bats.
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| Alex Rodriguez went 2-for-3, scored three runs and hit his 30th home run of the season for the Yankees in their 7-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. |
Our View: Rodriguez has gotten five hits in his last nine at-bats, which fantasy owners have to like considering he hit just .243 in the month of August.
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| Matt Garza was not as good as he had been recently, giving up six runs, four earned, in five innings as the Rays were taken down by the Yankees, 7-2. |
Our View: Garza's 11-8 record is not necessarily a reflection of how well he has pitched, as he had gotten the win in his last two decisions.
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| Despite giving up 10 hits, Mike Mussina held the Rays to just two runs in six innings while striking out eight and picking up his 17th win of the year in the Yankees 7-2 win. |
Our View: Nobody could have seen this coming from Moose at the beginning of the year, and he has gotten better as the season has worn on. Only in April did he have an ERA over 4.00 for a month.
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| Chone Figgins was on base three times with a hit and two walks, and wound up stealing three bases in the Angels 5-4 win over Detroit. |
Our View: Seeing as how Figgins has no power and drives in few runners, fantasy owners are counting on him to steal bags, so Tuesday was a good night.
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| Fernando Rodney gave up a run in the top of the ninth inning that allowed the Angels to beat the Tigers 5-4. As you might expect, the inning involved two walks. |
Our View: Rodney's control continues to be awful, and if he could manage better accuracy on his pitches, he could be dominant. But fantasy owners will have to see that to believe it.
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| Francisco Rodriguez is now just three saves away from tying the all-time single season saves record, as he shut down the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning of the Angels 5-4 win to pick up his 54th save of the year. |
Our View: Rodriguez has been one of the top closers ever in a single season of fantasy baseball, and that trend continued Tuesday.
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| Joe Mauer did his part, but it still was not enough, as the Minnesota Twins were downed by the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-5. Mauer went 2-for-3 with a run scored and hit his 67th RBI. |
Our View: Mauer pushed his batting average to .323, which is about what he's hit all season for fantasy owners.
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| Alex Rios went 4-for-5 with a home run and two RBI to help lead the Blue Jays past the Twins, 7-5. |
Our View: Rios hit .319 in August, but with just two home runs. If there's one aspect to his season that has been a disappointment to fantasy owners, it's his 11 homers. Maybe he'll hit a bundle in the season's final month.
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| Twins pitcher Glen Perkins got a no-decision, but his team took the loss, 7-5, to the Blue Jays. Perkins went five innings and gave up four runs. |
Our View: Perkins has struggled a bit lately, having given up eight earned runs in his last 12 innings pitched. He is a decent fantasy option, but his K/9 rate is average, as is his WHIP. Still, 12 wins are hard to ignore.
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| One game after throwing eight innings of one run baseball, Blue Jays hurler David Purcey managed just three innings, allowing seven hits and five runs in Toronto's 7-5 win over the Twins. |
Our View: Purcey is not someone for fantasy owners to consider adding to their roster. He has an ERA above 6.00, along with just two wins on the year.
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| Rays closer Troy Percival was, as expected, activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, according to the AP. |
Our View: Percival will once again be the team's closer after being out with a knee injury since mid-August.
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| Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton hit a two-run single, and his RBI total for the season is now 120, meaning he joins Rafael Palmeiro, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez as the only Rangers to knock in that many runners this decade, according to the Dallas Morning News. |
Our View: Hamilton continues to amaze with the numbers he has put up. Fantasy owners could not possibly have imagined they would be getting his much production out of the talented lefty.
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| Johnny Damon has been named the Yankees nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, given to a player each year for their contributions off the field, according to Yankees.com. |
Our View: Damon has turned in a very good season for fantasy owners, putting up a .316 average, 25 stolen bases and 12 home runs. While those numbers are surely appreciated, his work off the field is far more important.
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| Carlos Guillen may not be able to return for the Tigers on the weekend as he continues to experience back pain, according to Tigers.com. |
Our View: Guillen has not had a great year for fantasy owners, but he still has the ability to hit for some power. It is unknown when he will be able to go.
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| The Orioles will skip Jeremy Guthrie's next start, this according to the team website. The move is precautionary. The staff wants to make sure that they don't overwork their opening day starter. |
Our View: Lance Cormier appears to be the most likely candidate to replace Guthrie.
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| Manager Eric Wedge said that Aaron Laffey had a spot in the Indians' rotation waiting for him once he healthy enough to return, but today's news on Laffey's elbow injury trumps Wedge's intentions. Laffey was not part of the September callups today. The reason he wasn't on that list is elbow inflammation that sprouted up in his last two starts at Triple-A Buffalo. According to the Indians' team website Laffey will miss the rest of the season.
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Our View: So much for the six-man rotation that Wedge had planned.
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| Carlos Quentin is not in the starting lineup on Tuesday. The left fielder is still suffering from a sore left forearm.
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Our View: Jerry Owens get's his first start in center field with Ken Griffey Jr. also ailing.
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| New York Newsday reports that General manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday that Joba Chamberlain will not start next season in the Yankees' rotation.
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Our View: According toe Cashman, Chamberlain hasn't thrown enough innings this season, so it could mean another midseason starting point for everyone's favorite prospect.
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| Adam Jones is in the lineup for the second straight game since being activated from the disable list on Monday. The outfielder is hitting second behind behind Brian Roberts and playing his usual center field. |
Our View: Jones' return hurts Jay Payton's fantasy value. Time to cut the veteran loose.
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| THe Yankees activated Dan Giese from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday. The Yankees will continue to use Giese in relief, not in a starting role like earlier in the season. |
Our View: Giese was on the disabled list with right shoulder inflation.
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| The Boston Globe made a big deal of the one year anniversary of Clay Buchholz's no-hitter, but did qualify the report with his recent progress on the farm. Buchholz struck out 10 in his last regular-season start at Double-A Portland, and he will make at least one start in the Eastern League playoffs. |
Our View: There is a chance that the right-hander could return to the big club this year, but much will have to do with his continued success.
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| Mark Lowe was recalled by the Mariners from Triple-A Tacoma today. He has not been with the big club for the last week due to a foot injury. |
Our View: Lowe has appeared in 50 games this year and has one save, but his value rests in deep formats.
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| The Rangers announced that catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia will miss the rest of the season with a strained right forearm muscle, this according to the Dallas Morning News.
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Our View: Salty is headed to see Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion, never a good sign.
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| Lance Broadway has been brought back to Chicago following a brief stint with Triple-A Charlotte, according to the Chicago Tribune. |
Our View: Broadway allowed 10 earned runs and 17 hits over 10.2 innings with the Sox this season, and will not likely be trusted in crucial situations as a middle reliever in September. Chicago is currently tied with Minnesota for the AL Central division lead.
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| Josh Fields has been recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, according to the Chicago Tribune. |
Our View: Fields blasted 23 homers with the Sox last season, but struggled in the minors, and only hit .182 over 22 at-bats (no homers) with the club this season, and should stick with Crede at third base as long as he remains intact in September.
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| Aubrey Huff has been named the AL Player of the Week, according to the AP. Huff earned the honor by hitting .478 (11-for-23) with four doubles, two home runs and seven RBI.
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Our View: The 31-year-old is hitting .311 for the season, with 30 homers and 98 RBI.
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| Jason Pridie has been recalled by Minnesota, according to the Star Tribune. |
Our View: Pridie is a solid defensive outfielder, but is a liability with his bat as he strikes out a lot (once every 3.7 at-bats).
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| Ryan Jorgensen has been recalled by the Twins, according to the Star Tribune. |
Our View: He will serve as the Twins No. 3 catcher, and won't see many at-bats, barring injuries.
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| Matt Macri is back in Minnesota as he was promoted from the minors, according to the Star Tribune. |
Our View: He could see some action against left-handed pitching, but will not likely see steady at-bats, and does not merit fantasy attention.
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| Jose Mijares has been promoted to the Twins, according to the Star Tribune. |
Our View: He throws hard in the mid-90's, and will provide the Twins' bullpen with a fourth lefty. He only holds fantasy value in deeper leagues that use middle men.
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| Matt Tolbert has been recalled from Triple-A Rochester, according to the Star Tribune. |
Our View: Tolbert started 20 of the Twins' first 40 games, but missed three months due to a finger injury, and doesn't figure to get much action in September.
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| Brian Wolfe has been called up from Triple-A Syracause, according to the AP. |
Our View: Wolfe has battled a right triceps injury this season, but only allowed six earned runs and five walks over 18 innings with Toronto. He is worth consideration in leagues that use middle men.
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| The Jays have recalled Curtis Thigpen from Triple-A Syracuse, according to the AP. |
Our View: Thigpen appeared in four games with Toronto in May and June, while going 1-for-6 with no homers or RBI. He did not have a solid offensive season in the minors, and does not merit fantasy consideration for September.
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| Scott Richmond has been promoted from Triple-A Syracuse, according to the AP. |
Our View: Richmond has fired 13 strikeouts and only one walk over 16 innings this season, but also surrendered 23 hits and nine earned runs. He is only worth consideration in deeper leagues that feature middle relievers.
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| Kevin Mench has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, according to the AP. |
Our View: He batted .235 with nine RBI for Toronto this season, and failed to provide any power with zero homers. The Jays' outfield is healthy again, meaning Mench shouldn't see much action in the final month of the season.
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| Shaun Marcum has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, according to the AP. Marcum was sent to Syracuse August 23 after going 3-2 with a 6.19 ERA in seven starts since coming off the DL July 22. He had missed 27 games with a sore elbow.
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Our View: Marcum is 8-6 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.17 WHIP overall this season (22 starts), and he should be penciled back into the Jays' rotation. He should be inserted back into fantasy lineups in AL-only leagues as well, and could potentially provide a solid boost over the final month of the season.
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| Brad Wilkerson has been activated from the DL following his bout with back spasms, according to the AP. |
Our View: Wilkerson only hit .219 with three homers over 251 at-bats this season, and holds no fantasy value for the final month of the regular season.
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| Ryan Budde has been recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake, according to the Orange County Register. |
Our View: Budde is solid as a defensive catcher, but only hit .202 over 48 games with Salt Lake this season, and should be ignored as a fantasy prospect.
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| Darren O'Day has been promoted from Triple-A Salt Lake, according to the Orange County Register. |
Our View: O’Day was 0-1 with a 4.34 ERA over 27 games for the Angels and 2-2 with a 3.27 ERA in 21 games at Triple-A. He doesn't merit fantasy attention as a middle reliever.
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| Dustin Moseley has been recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake, according to the Orange County Register. |
Our View: Moseley is not expected to make an impact in September as he struggled in the minors and held a 7.15 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 34 innings with the Angels.
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| Radhames Liz has been brough back from Triple-A Norfolk a few days after being sent down, according to the AP. |
Our View: Liz held a favorable 5-3 record over 12 starts this season with the Orioles, but with a poor 6.95 ERA and 1.79 WHIP. He should be avoided in anything but the deepest of AL-only leagues.
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| Bob McCrory has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, according to the AP. |
Our View: McCrory was selected in the fourth round of the 2003 draft and allowed four earned runs and four walks over 2/3 of an innning during a previous stint with Baltimore this season. He does not merit fantasy attention.
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| As expected, Kam Mickolio has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, according to the AP. |
Our View: Mickolio could fare well in the Orioles' bullpen, but only merits fantasy consideration in leagues that feature middle men.
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| Glen Perkins is shooting for this fifth straight win tonight against the Jays. The southpaw has worked eight shutout innings in two of his last four starts, and he's thrown at least six innings in each of his last 11 games, going 8-1 with a 3.56 ERA. |
Our View: Perkins doesn't have the necessary K rate, nor the ground ball percentage to trump his 2.26 BB ratio, so expect his nice run of luck to end. While it might not happen tonight against a Toronto offense that is playing more to a National League style, Perkins is due for some regression.
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| Joba Chamberlain has been activated from the DL following his bout with rotator cuff tendinitis, according to the NY Post. |
Our View: He will return to the rotation in 2009, but will serve as a setup man to closer Mariano Rivera for the remainder of this season. The team may also consider shutting him down as soon as they are mathematically eliminated from the playoff race.
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| Alex Gordon has sustained a torn hip flexor and not a torn quadriceps muscle as was initially believed, according to the Kansas City Star. |
Our View: Gordon is scheduled to undergo a follow-up MRI exam Thursday to determine the level of healing for his injury. Gordon is currently limited to routine activities and cardiovascular work. His return this season remains in question.
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| Melvin Mora indicated that he is feeling better, but the Baltimore Sun states he is not likely to return to the lineup on the current road trip. He is recovering from a strained left hamstring. |
Our View: The Orioles next home game is September 5 versus Oakland. He could be back over the weekend, and should be fine to return to fantasy lineups next week.
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| George Sherrill, who is dealing with left shoulder inflammation, made 25 throws from 100 feet and felt fine, according to the Baltimore Sun. |
Our View: He'll do it again before Wednesday night's game and if all goes favorably without a setback, he'll throw a bullpen session Friday. He will resume his closer's role upon his return as Chris Ray is not expected back.
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| Kam Mickolio will be recalled from Triple-A Norfork within the next couple of days, according to the Baltimore Sun. |
Our View: Mickolio was part of the deal that shipped Erik Bedard to Seattle, and he fared well as a reliever with Norfolk. He could hold his own in the Orioles' bullpen, but would only be fantasy worthy in leagues that feature middle men.
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| David Aardsma spent time Monday making throws from right field to third base in an attempt to judge how his ailing groin is progressing, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday. Barring a setback, he could return to Boston at some point in mid-September.
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| Brad Hennessey has been recalled from Triple-A Fresno, according to the SF Chronicle. When asked if he was sweating out the decision by the team to promote him, he said, "There was no reason to sweat it out. I did enough sweating in Fresno."
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Our View: Hennessey has a 7-10 record and ERA near 5.00 in Triple-A, and allowed 23 earned runs over 16 innings with the Giants, so he is not expected to make a favorable impact over the final month of the season.
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| Joshua Outman was not at Raley Field on Monday when Triple-A Sacramento played its last regular season game, and he is expected to be recalled by the Athletics today, according to the SF Chronicle. |
Our View: The 23-year-old hurler was part of the deal that shipped Joe Blanton to Philadelphia. Outman's fastball can reach 97 mph, and consistently fires in the mid-90's. He would be used in the bullpen for depth, but could move into the rotation at some point in 2009.
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