|
|
| Geoff Blum was hitless in four at-bats before coming up in the 11th inning, when he hit a two-run home run off of Cubs closer Kerry Wood that wound up being the difference in the Astros 9-7 win over Chicago. |
Our View: Blum has 14 home runs, but his average is .230, and his on-base percentage is well below .300, so he has minimal fantasy value.
|
|
|
|
| Geovany Soto collected three hits in six at-bats, including his 21st home run of the season in the Cubs 9-7 loss to the Astros. |
Our View: Despite the overreaching thoughts that Soto is the NL MVP, he has had a very good year, and fantasy owners should be thrilled to get the numbers he puts up.
|
|
|
|
| Hunter Pence helped lead the red-hot Houston Astros to a 9-7 win over the Cubs by going 4-for-6 with a double and triple. |
Our View: Pence has fallen off from his great rookie season and had a bad August, but is still someone to put in fantasy lineups.
|
|
|
|
| Cubs reliever Bob Howry has had better days. He did not get a single Houston Astro out, but he did let four of them score in the sixth inning of the Astros 9-7 win. |
Our View: Howry's ERA is now at 5.62, and he has no fantasy value right now, even in leagues that utilize middle relievers.
|
|
|
|
| Andy LaRoche has been horrific while with the Pirates, but he did help their cause greatly by hitting a solo home run in the team's 3-2 win over the Reds. |
Our View: LaRoche saw his average go from .165 all the way to .169. Wasting a roster spot on him is a poor idea.
|
|
|
|
| Aaron Harang lost his 15th game of the season, though he did not pitch poorly, surrendering just three runs in six innings as the Pirates downed the Reds 3-2. |
Our View: Harang continues to be a somewhat popular fantasy player, even though he has lost five of his last six outings, and has generally been horrible in them.
|
|
|
|
| Ian Snell threw a good game for the Pirates, earning his sixth victory in the team's 3-2 win over the Reds. Snell gave up just one earned run in six innings of work. |
Our View: Snell is wildly inconsistent, and if he could ever remedy that, he might be an asset in fantasy leagues. Alas, that does not seem likely, at least not in Pittsburgh.
|
|
|
|
| The Phillies beat the Nationals 4-0, but Pat Burrell went hitless in four at-bats while striking out twice and is really scuffling at the plate. |
Our View: Burrell was benched on Monday, but it did not seem to do any good, and only time will tell if he can snap out of it.
|
|
|
|
| Willie Harris was awful for the Nationals, going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in the Phillies 4-0 win against Washington. |
Our View: Harris has been one of the few Nationals to have any fantasy value this season, and even then it was likely in NL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Cole Hamels tossed a great game against the Washington Nationals, hurling 7.1 innings of shutout ball while striking out six. |
Our View: So it was against the offensively challenged Nationals, but that still doesn't change things. He picked up his 12th win of the year (and should have a lot more), and his third decision in a row.
|
|
|
|
| A three-run home run was the contribution made by Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur in the Braves 16-14 win over the Marlins. He was 1-for-5 and scored twice. |
Our View: Francoeur has been beyond bad this season, and his on-base percentage remains embarrassingly below .300. Fantasy owners should have moved on long ago.
|
|
|
|
| Dan Uggla hit a home run in the Marlins 16-14 loss to Atlanta, but he still got only one hit in six at-bats, and continues to struggle. |
Our View: It was nice of Uggla to throw a home run in there for fantasy owners, but he has gone straight down since the All-Star break, failing to hit for average or much power.
|
|
|
|
| Kelly Johnson and the Braves combined with the Marlins to score 30 runs and accumulate 36 hits in the Braves 16-14 win. Johnson had four of those hits and drove in four of the runs. |
Our View: Just when you thought he was slumping, he explodes. Maybe he will continue on the upswing, but his limited numbers make it hard to justify keeping him on fantasy rosters.
|
|
|
|
| Anibal Sanchez has had a rough go of it since returning from the DL, and Tuesday was a prime example, as he surrendered six runs in just three innings to the Braves. |
Our View: Sanchez has not been very good since his return from shoulder surgery. He has given up 14 runs in his last 14.1 innings.
|
|
|
|
| Rickie Weeks went 4-for-6 with a home run with two runs socred but the Brewers still lost to the Mets in extra innings, 6-5. |
Our View: To show you how big this was for Weeks, just look at the fact that his batting average was raised six points, from .226 to .232. That rarely happens in September.
|
|
|
|
| Carlos Beltran had a sore knee, but he still managed to 2-for-3 with three RBI, as he launched a three-run shot off of Milwaukee's Manny Parra to help lead the Mets to a 6-5 win. |
Our View: Beltran has five home runs in his last nine games, and if he continues on this pace, he'll have an outside shot at 30 home runs. As it is, he needs just one stolen base to be a 20-20 player, which fantasy owners love to see.
|
|
|
|
| Manny Parra did not throw well, going five innings and allowing five runs in the Brewers 6-5 extra inning loss to New York. |
Our View: Parra had been great his last two outings, but was really hurt by a three-run home run he allowed to Carlos Beltran.
|
|
|
|
| Edgar Renteria continues to hit for the Tigers, and went 3-for-4 with a stolen base in the team's 5-4 loss to the Angels. |
Our View: Renteria did his part, and after hitting .294 in August, he started off well in September. A lot more was expected out of him by everyone this season, and getting his average to .270 is a good way to start the final month.
|
|
|
|
| Cardinals outfielder Joe Mather broke a bone in his wrist, and will not play again this season, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Mather saw a hand specialist who recommended surgery on the wrist. Oddly, he did it while checking his swing. He should compete for a spot in the St. Louis outfield next spring.
|
|
|
|
| Outfielder Justin Upton was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday as he is dealing with headaches after he got hit in the head with the ball on a pickoff attempt, according to DBacks.com. |
Our View: Cardinals reliever Brad Thompson attempted to pick off Upton but the throw was low, and hit Upton in the noggin as he slid back in head first.
|
|
|
|
| In an effort to keep him healthy, the Chicago Cubs are giving hurler Rich Harden a few extra days of rest, and he will skip his next start, according to Cubs.com. |
Our View: Harden has been brilliant all season, and his overall ERA on the year is 1.99, and he is averaging 11.47 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
|
|
|
|
| Koby Clemens, son of The Rocket, was arraigned and a court date was set for December 2 after he and two teammates were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Apparently, an altercation involving 50 people took place at a restaurant called Mac and Bob's, although the details are not yet known.
|
|
|
|
| Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome was given the night off on Tuesday, as he is just 16-for-87 (.184) in his last 29 games, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: It was time for fantasy owners to cut bait with Fukudome a while ago. He is offering little to no production recently.
|
|
|
|
| Johnny Cueto is expected to return to the rotation on Saturday to face the Cubs.
Cueto has been sidelined since late August because of soreness behind his elbow. It was later diagnosed as a posterior strain caused by a hyperextension. |
Our View: There has been no official announcement made, but the team will probably bump Ramon Ramirez back to Triple-A.
|
|
|
|
| Ben Sheets told JS Online that he expects to take his next turn in the rotation. That start would be Saturday against San Diego.
Sheets left Monday's game against the Mets in the fifth inning after throwing just over 50 pitches with left groin tightness. |
Our View: Sheets said he still felt the tightness on Tuesday but expected it to improve enough to make his next start. Expecting and Sheets actually taking the mound are two different things.
|
|
|
|
| Yovani Gallardo, who tore the ACL in his right knee early in the season, threw two simulated innings on Tuesday at Miller Park, this according to JS Online.
|
Our View: After being written off this season, Gallardo could pitch again. However, if he does it will be in relief.
|
|
|
|
| Jesus Flores was attended to at home plate for the better part of 10 minutes during Tuesday's game against the Phillies. The Washington catcher had to be taken off the field in a ambulance after a collision with Chase Utley at home plate. Flores suffered some sort of leg injury. |
Our View: There is still no word on what kind of leg injury Flores suffered. We will update you when the information becomes available.
|
|
|
|
| Cole Hamels, who would be on normal rest for Sunday's showdown with the Mets on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball," could miss the game if he throws over 100 pitches tonight against the Nats. The Phillies team website reports, that starting Sunday and then Sept. 12 against Milwaukee would give Hamels five straight starts on four days' rest, something he hasn't done since last season. |
Our View: Dubee and manager Charlie Manuel are considering Hamels and J.A. Happ. Sunday's starter is listed as "TBA," an indication that it won't be Kyle Kendrick and the staff simply won't know until after tonight's game.
|
|
|
|
| The Mets purchased the contract of left-hander Jonathon Niese from Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday.
Niese is starting tonight against the Brewers. |
Our View: This is a one-and-done start for Niese. The Mets have three days off in the next two weeks and will be able to sport a four-man rotation. Expect Niese to return to New Orleans after the game.
|
|
|
|
| With CC Sabathia earning his ninth Brewers victory without a loss lowering his ERA to 1.43, he has been the hot topic in the debate for National League Most Valuable Player and the Cy Young award race. |
Our View: No player in the league has made more of an impact on his team than Sabathia has, but can a player win the MVP when he's been in the league for less than half a season?
|
|
|
|
| Pat Burrell, who did not start yesterday, did show a good sense of humor before the game. "I'm still available to come in defensively late in the game," Burrell told the team website. Burrell is of course typically replaced late in games for defensive purposes. |
Our View: The left fielder is expected to start tonight in Washington.
|
|
|
|
| Kazuo Matsui was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday. The second baseman was rehabbing a back injury.
|
Our View: Mark Loretta will continue to start at second base, but Matsui will be available for spot duty if needed.
|
|
|
|
| Carlos Beltran, who was questionable for tonight's game in Milwaukee with a sore knee, is in the starting lineup.
|
Our View: Beltran got tangled up with the home plate umpire while trying to score from second base in Monday's 4-2 win over the Brewers. With tonight's start, any concerns about the center fielder's health should dissipate.
|
|
|
|
| Jared Burton has been activated from the DL following his bout with a strained lat, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. |
Our View: Burton only allowed 12 earned runs over 48.1 innings of relief, with 50 strikeouts and a 1.28 WHIP. He should resume his role as a setup man, and should be penciled back into lineups in leagues that favor the position.
|
|
|
|
| Jordan Zimmerman won't be recalled by the Nationals as he is dealing with biceps tendinitis, according to Nationals.com. GM Jim Bowden said, "We felt it was better that we handle him like we did with John Lannan, where we shut him down. Jordan will be in big league camp. He has a chance to make our rotation out of Spring Training."
|
Our View: Zimmerman was the Nationals' top pitching prospect this season, and the team does not see the benfit of calling him up now, with the risk of aggravating his injury. He could crack the Nationals' starting rotation as early as 2009.
|
|
|
|
| Cristian Guzman and Bronson Arroyo share the NL Player of the Week award, according to the AP. Guzman led the league in batting with a .552 average (16-for-29), with one homer and six RBI. Arroyo led the NL in innings pitched with 16 while going 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA, including the Reds’ first complete game of the season against the Astros on Tuesday.
|
Our View: Guzman carried the Nationals to a 6-0 record over the award-winning week, and became just the second player in franchise history to hit for the cycle (Thursday against the Dodgers).
|
|
|
|
| Ross Ohlendorf has been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis and is slated to make his first start with the Pirates Wednesday against the Reds, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
Our View: He will remain active in a six-man rotation through September, and the 26-year-old hurler is worth targeting in NL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Richie Gardner has been designated for assignment by the Brewers, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The team moved him to make room for catcher Angel Salome on the roster. |
Our View: The 26-year-old hurler was the Reds minor league player of the year in 2004, but a shoulder surgery in 2005 spoiled his potential in the majors.
|
|
|
|
| Mat Gamel has been promoted to the Brewers, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. |
Our View: Bill Hall and Craig Counsell are not firmly planted at third base, and Gamel hit very well in the minors this season. He could be worth scooping up as a flier for NL-only leagues, but it remains uncertain how much action he will see.
|
|
|
|
| Chris Capuano has been transferred from the 15 to the 60-day DL, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The team moved him to free up a roster spot for infielder Mat Gamel. |
Our View: In case you don't recall, Capuano is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May.
|
|
|
|
| Justin Upton is considered day-to-day and may not play Tuesday after getting struck in the head by a pick-off attempt on Monday night, according to the East Valley Tribune. |
Our View: We will keep you posted regarding his status. The Diamondbacks have options in the outfield, so the team will feel no need or urgency to rush him back into action.
|
|
|
|
| Robert Andino has been recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque just a few days after being sent down, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: Andino only hit .213 over 61 at-bats with Florida this season, and should continue to be ignored as a fantasy infielder.
|
|
|
|
| Eulogio De La Cruz is back with the Marlins as he has been recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: De La Cruz holds no fantasy value as he surrendered eight earned runs and seven walks over 4.1 innings of work in his previous stint with the team.
|
|
|
|
| Dallas McPherson has been promoted from Triple-A Albuquerque, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: He led the minors with 42 homers this season, and looks to provide a powerful bat off the bench for the Marlins. If he had a chance to start, he would be worth picking up, but he only merits consideration in deeper NL-only leagues as a reserve.
|
|
|
|
| Yusmeiro Petit isn't a household fantasy name, but the 23 year old has allowed just 10 total runs in his six starts since taking over for Micah Owings. He has 18 strike outs in 23 innings, while walking just two. |
Our View: Petit relies on deception for the most part, and tonight's battle against the patient batting order of the Cards and Adam Wainwright's third starts since returning from a long stint on the disabled list figures to be entertaining.
|
|
|
|
| John Lannan squares off against the Phillies tonight. The lefty is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two career starts versus Philadelphia, and has the tough mound task of stalling the bats of the Phils and outpitching fellow southpaw Cole Hamels. |
Our View: Lannan has been the benefactor of some luck this year. His 78 percent strand rate and the .275 success of balls hit in play by opposing hitters screams implosion. His BB rate of 3.0 doesn't receive enough coverage from his small K rate of 5.0, and the Nats' southpaw has very little chance of long term success with these peripherals.
|
|
|
|
| Yorvit Torrealba met with team doctors Monday and he expects to have surgery Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He is expecting a speedy recovery and said, "I was told I will be able to walk out of the room when it is over." |
Our View: Torrealba will not be missed as a fantasy catcher during the stretch run in September, as he merely ranked as a No. 2 option in NL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Dexter Fowler has been recalled from Double-A Tulsa, according to the Rocky Mountain News. |
Our View: He is fresh off winning a bronze medal in the Beijing Olympics, and should see time in the outfield as an audition for 2009. He is viewed as the Rockies' center fielder of the future. He should be scooped up in keeper leagues, and is worth a look as a flier in deeper NL-only leagues for September.
|
|
|
|
| Ramon Martinez has been recalled so Jose Reyes can get a rest in lopsided games, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: Martinez is a 10-year vet and the team feels they will be in good hands defensively while Martinez spells Reyes. Offensively, he offers nothing with a .194 average over 129 at-bats this season, and holds no fantasy value.
|
|
|
|
| Billy Wagner, who is recovering from a strained left forearm, threw 25 pitches during a bullpen session Monday, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: The team believes he has a good chance to appear in a rehab game with Single-A Brooklyn before their minor league season ends Sunday. He could be back with the Mets for the closing weeks of the regular season, and should remain stashed on fantasy rosters.
|
|
|
|
| Jody Gerut missed his fourth straight start Monday due to a sore middle finger, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. |
Our View: He remains at least a few days from returning. Will Venable is seeing action in center field while Gerut is recovering.
|
|
|
|
| Ross Ohlendorf is expected to be among 10 Pirates recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis today, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is expected to be joined by pitchers T.J. Beam, Craig Hansen, Romulo Sanchez and Marino Salas; infielders Brian Bixler and Luis Cruz; outfielder Steve Pearce; and catchers Ronny Paulino and Robinzon Diaz. |
Our View: Ohlendorf will be part of the Pirates' six-man rotation for the month, and the rest of the pitchers will work in the bullpen. All of the new position players are expected to be reserves.
|
|
|
|
| Kazuo Matsui participated in pre-game drills Monday, including taking batting practice on the field, but skipper Cecil Cooper said his ailing back will keep him out until at least the weekend series in Colorado, according to the Houston Chronicle. Cooper said, "He’s not as good as Saturday. We’re still going to play it day-by-day, but hopefully by the weekend or late in the week. He’s probably out for this series."
|
Our View: Matsui has a shot to return by the end of the week, but should be left out of fantasy lineups. His speed could be compromised when he comes back, which is where he holds most of his fantasy value with 19 stolen bases.
|
|
|
|
| Joe Mather will be examined by a local hand specialist Tuesday after leaving Monday's fourth inning with what initially was deemed to be a left wrist sprain, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Mather injured the hand while trying to check his swing during a third-inning at-bat against Diamondbacks' lefty Randy Johnson. Mather felt pain but stayed with the at-bat, striking out on the next pitch. |
Our View: Mather has been seeing more action while working in a platoon with Skip Schumaker, but Mather isn't optimistic about his injury, and there is a chance he won't return this season.
|
|
|
|
| Nate Schierholtz is expected to be recalled by the Giants today, according to the SF Chronicle. |
Our View: Schierholtz performed well in the Beijing Olympics and could see enough action with the Giants in September to merit him worth consideration for NL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Scott McClain has been promoted from Triple-A Fresno, according to the SF Chronicle. To clear a 40-man spot for McClain, the Giants released catcher Guillermo Rodriguez.
|
Our View: The 36-year-old infielder displayed solid power in the minors, and is worth a look in the deepest of NL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Steve Holm has been recalled by the Giants from Triple-A Fresno, according to the SF Chronicle. |
Our View: He will provide depth, and little else, at catcher. He does not merit fantasy attention.
|
|
