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| Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson threw on Sunday as he recovers from a contusion to his right finger, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He may be able to play in the team's series against he Astros. |
Our View: Wilson is not a player that should be utilized in fantasy leagues, as he does not hit for average or power, nor does he steal bases.
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| Nyjer Morgan will play winter ball for the Pirates this offseason, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Joining him will be relievers Jesse Chavez and Dave Davidson, and outfielders Steve Pearce and Chris Duffy. |
Our View: Morgan and the others need more at-bats to get ready for the 2009 season. Morgan did not have a great year in the big leagues, hitting just .242 with four home runs and six stolen bases.
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| Zack Greinke struck out eight in Sunday's game against the Cleveland Indians, and he and fellow starter Gil Meche have a combined 325 strikeouts on the season, according to the Kansas City Star. That is the most by a Royals tandem since 1997. |
Our View: Kevin Appier and Jose Rosado were the duo that accomplished the feat in '97. Greinke has had a strong season for fantasy owners, despite his 10-10 record.
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| Usually, the Diamondbacks make their rookies wear costumes on the way home from road trips at the end of the year, but after losing to the Dodgers and falling further behind them in the division, Tony Clark told the rookies to change because it was an inappropriate time, according to the Arizona Republic. |
Our View: The rookies were spared humiliation because Arizona is no mood to mess around as they try to concentrate on taking the NL West.
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| The Dodgers will have broadcaster Vin Scully back for a 60th season of calling games, according to the Los Angeles Times. However, he plans to take it year-by-year after that, saying, "I'm really weary talking about beyond this afternoon. ... There's a beginning, a middle and an end for all of us. I know that I have a lot more yesterdays than I have tomorrows." |
Our View: Vin Scully is one of the greatest broadcasters in the history of sports, much less baseball. The only one who may disagree is Jeff Kent, who appallingly said recently that Scully talks too much.
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| J.J. Putz picked up his 12th save of the season on Sunday, and now has 98 for his career, good for second on the all-time saves list for the Mariners, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. |
Our View: Putz has been a huge disappointment so far this season, with an absurdly high WHIP that was 1.73 coming into Sunday's game and an ERA over 4.00.
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| Carlos Silva was scratched from his start on Sunday, and with his wife expecting a child this week, Silva is leaving to be with her and may miss another start, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. |
Our View: Not that fantasy owners will miss him, because no fantasy owners have the overpaid right-hander on their roster.
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| Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins went 1-for-10 in both games of his team's doubleheader against the Mets. Rollins went 1-for-5 in game one, but went hitless in five at-bats in the second game, a 6-3 Mets victory. |
Our View: Rollins came into the second game of the doubleheader with a seven-game hitting streak, but saw that disappear.
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| Carlos Delgado hit two home runs off of Phillies starter Cole Hamels, and went 3-for-4 with four RBI in the Mets 6-3 win over Philadelphia. His RBI gave him an even 100 on the season. |
Our View: Delgado has played outstanding so far in September, and after looking like he could be finished earlier in the year, has really come on strong.
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| Cole Hamels allowed five runs in five innings in the Phillies 6-3 loss to the Mets. The lefty saw his record fall to 12-9. |
Our View: This was Hamels' worst start since the end of May. His record is deceiving, and he should have many more wins than he does. Nonetheless, fantasy owners are still reaping the rewards of his ERA, WHIP and strikeouts.
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| Needing a win to salvage a split in the Mets doubleheader with the Phillies, Johan Santana pitched well, going 7.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits while striking out six in New York's 6-3 win. |
Our View: Santana did what an ace is supposed to do - get big wins. He out-dueled Cole Hamels, and Santana has not picked up a loss since the month of June.
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| The Pittsburgh Pirates tied the record for most consecutive losing seasons in the history of professional sports with their loss on Sunday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Pirates have not had a winning record in 16 years. |
Our View: The Pirates tied the 1933-48 Philadelphia Phillies for the dubious mark. And it is entirely possible that they will hold the record for themselves after next season.
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| The Los Angeles Angels released hurler Jeffery Kennard on Sunday, according to the Orange County Register. |
Our View: Kennard had an ERA over 6.00 in Triple-A, which makes it difficult for a team to keep you around.
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| The Los Angeles Angels recalled Matt Brown, Freddy Sandoval and Bobby Wilson from Triple-A on Sunday, according to the Orange County Register. |
Our View: Each will be used for depth purposes and has little to no fantasy value.
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| Despite his considerable talents, Giants prospect and 2008 draftee Buster Posey will not be called up to the big leagues at the end of the Single-A playoffs in San Jose, according to the San Jose Mercury News. |
Our View: Posey has been tearing it up in the minor leagues, but he has not been at it very long. Posey was the fifth overall pick in the draft, though some regarded him as the best player available.
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| Phillies outfielder Geoff Jenkins will take batting practice on Monday as he attempts to return from a strained hip flexor, according to MLB.com |
Our View: The Phillies would like Jenkins to return by the end of the year, but Jayson Werth has played very well in his place.
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| Ryan Howard hit his 40th home run of the season on Sunday, and is the first Phillies player in team history to have 40 or more home runs three seasons in a row, according to Phillies.com. |
Our View: Howard also has 120 RBI, and though his batting average and on-base percentage leave a lot to be desired, fantasy owners can't go wrong with those type of power numbers.
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| Alex Rodriguez went 0-for-10 in the series against his former team, the Seattle Mariners, according to the Seattle Times. The paper also notes that he went hitless in just one other series this season, against the Rangers, whom he also played for. |
Our View: Rodriguez is still one of the greats in the game, just apparently not against teams he used to play for. Despite his poor weekend, Rodriguez is still hitting over .300 with more than 30 home runs and 90 RBI.
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| After his bullpen session on Sunday, Marlins closer Kevin Gregg said he just has to deal with the pain in his knee, and that he should be able to pitch through it, according to the Palm Beach Post. |
Our View: Gregg will take fielding drills this week to see if he is able to move around well enough to play. He is not expected to resume closing immediately upon his return, so take note of that if he is on your fantasy roster.
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| Marlins catcher Matt Treanor had to leave the team's game against the Cardinals after he hit a foul ball off his knee in the second inning, according to the Palm Beach Post. |
Our View: X-rays showed that Treanor had nothing more than a deep bone bruise, and he should be good to go soon. He has no fantasy value.
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| Dmitri Young has been activated from the 15-day disabled list, according to Nationals.com. He was put on the DL because he had trouble getting his diabetes under control. |
Our View: Young has limited fantasy value, as he will probably play somewhat sparingly. Not to mention the fact that he offers little home run or RBI production.
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| Royals pitcher Brian Bannister has not won a game in 12 starts, but the team thinks he has gotten better in the last eight, according to Royals.com. "When he was going through the bad streak, he had multiple bad innings and multiple bad starts. He stopped that as of probably four outings ago," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. |
Our View: Hey, he hasn't won in 12 starts, but it's good to know he's getting closer! No matter the spin the Royals try to throw on it, Bannister has been awful, and fantasy owners know better than to use him.
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| Vicente Padilla will return to the Texas Rangers on Tuesday when the team heads to Seattle to face off against the Mariners, according to TexasRangers.com. |
Our View: Padilla went on the DL with a strained hamstring. He is not a player fantasy owners should rely on, unless they are in deep AL-only leagues.
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| David Ortiz said, "My hand is not OK. It's still bothering me," according to RedSox.com. However, he did say that pain was not the problem, just occasional clicking, and he will play through it. |
Our View: Ortiz has had a sub-par season for fantasy owners, due in large part to the wrist injury he suffered earlier in the year. Hopefully, Ortiz will make it through the year without any further time missed.
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| Manny Ramirez continues to bomb away with the Dodgers, as he went 2-for-3 with one run scored in Los Angeles' 5-3 win over Arizona. |
Our View: Ramirez is still hitting above .400 for the season with the Dodgers, and has been an invaluable contributor to their race for the NL West crown.
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| Adam Dunn hit his 36th home run of the year in a 2-for-4 performance against the Dodgers, but Arizona fell by the score of 5-3. |
Our View: In news that should shock pretty much everyone, Dunn did not strike out once. He actually has as many home runs on the month as he does strikeouts (four).
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| In the battle of phenom vs. phenom, Clayton Kershaw's Dodgers beat Max Scherzer's Diamondbacks, 5-3, but Scherzer had the better individual performance. Kershaw last just four innings, giving up three earned runs, striking out four and allowing two home runs. |
Our View: Kershaw came up earlier in the season with a lot of hype and a solid start, but fantasy owners should pick and choose how they use him. He has had a decent season, but has not been consistently good enough to be a fantasy stalwart.
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| Max Scherzer started for the Diamondbacks Sunday and threw five innings, giving up three runs while striking out 11 in his team's 5-3 loss to the Dodgers. |
Our View: Scherzer did not factor into the decision, but fantasy owners will still be happy with his day. If he is available in your league, try and snag him.
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| Geoff Geary threw a 50-pitch simulated game on Sunday, and will be back in the Astros bullpen on Tuesday, according to Astros.com. |
Our View: Geary has been out since late August with a groin injury, but will return this week. He is only valuable to fantasy owners who utilize middle relievers for holds or other purposes.
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| Nate Schierholtz continues to rake, as he went 2-for-3 in the Giants 11-6 win over the Pirates. Schierholtz is hitting .500 so far on the season. |
Our View: Okay, that .500 is in just 22 at-bats, but it is impressive nonetheless. Schierholtz should be given a peek in NL-only leagues if he is going to see regular playing time.
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| Pirates shortstop Brian Bixler had an awful game in his team's 11-6 loss to the Giants. In his three at-bats in the game, he did not make contact, striking out all three times. |
Our View: Since being recalled in late July, Bixler has one hit in 12 at-bats, not to mention six strikeouts. Fantasy value? Non-existent.
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| San Francisco catcher Pablo Sandoval went 2-for-3 with a double and five RBI in the Giants 11-6 win over the Pirates. |
Our View: As we've been saying for quite a while now, Sandoval needs to be on fantasy rosters ASAP - and he should be available in many leagues. He has nine RBI so far in September, and his batting average since being recalled is .364.
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| Jeff Karstens went just three innings, as he allowed eight runs (five earned) on six hits, as he suffered the loss in the Giants 11-6 win over Pittsburgh. |
Our View: After starting out great for the Pirates, Karstens has now lost his last five games. His fantasy value is waning.
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| Fantasy owners expecting to get Mets closer Billy Wagner back for the stretch run may have to come up with a new plan. The lefty experienced further elbow discomfort after throwing to just a single batter in his simulated game on Sunday, according to the N.Y. Post. |
Our View: This is bad news for a shaky Mets bullpen, and bad news for fantasy owners hoping to accumulate some more saves from Wagner.
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| The Pirates Nate McLouth dove for a line drive and missed, and the ball hit him in the face, forcing him to leave the game and get three stitches, according to the AP. |
Our View: He also stole his 20th base of the season in the game, making him a 20-20 player, so it was not an entire loss on the day.
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| Derek Jeter hit a solo home run, his tenth of the year, in a 2-for-3 day, but the Yankees succumbed to the Mariners, 5-2. |
Our View: Jeter's average is getting closer to the .300 mark, as he has hit .345 since August 1. He is no longer an elite option for fantasy owners as he ages, but he remains solid.
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| Adrian Beltre reached 13 games with his hitting streak by helping Seattle to a 5-2 win over the Yankees. Beltre went 2-for-3 on the day, with a home run and two RBI. |
Our View: Beltre is hitting an absurd .520 so far in September with two home runs. That'll likely not last, but his production has been solid all year, and fantasy owners will appreciate a bump in his batting average.
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| Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina suffered his eighth loss of the season, tossing six innings and surrendering four earned runs in his team's 5-2 loss to Seattle. |
Our View: This is the first time Mussina has picked up a loss since July 28, and after appearing dead in the water last season, there is no reason for fantasy owners to lament his contributions this year.
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| Jason Bay hit his 27th home run of the season, and collected his 94th RBI in a 2-for-5 performance in the Red Sox 7-2 win over the Rangers. |
Our View: Bay has had an outstanding year overall, and has helped Red Sox fans transition from being Manny-less. Fantasy owners have to be happy as well, after his struggle last year.
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| It was an uneventful day for Rangers shortstop Michael Young, as he failed to get a hit in four at-bats, and failed to make contact in three of those at-bats, striking out three times in the Rangers 7-2 loss to Boston. |
Our View: Young is not having the type of season fantasy owners had hoped for. On August 25, his average was up to .290, giving people reason to think he would reach his familiar .300 mark, but it has since dropped to .282.
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| Paul Byrd had a very nice game for the Red Sox, pitching six shutout innings against the Rangers, helping Boston to a 7-2 win. |
Our View: This was easily his best performance in a Red Sox uniform, as he had given up four runs in three of his previous four starts. He remains an option only in AL-only leagues.
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| Chipper Jones got three hits in six at-bats, but it was not enough, as the Braves fell to the Nationals by the score of 7-4. |
Our View: Jones is just one point behind Albert Pujols for the batting title as of Sunday, .359 to .358.
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| Michael Bourn went 0-for-4, but he did take a walk and steal his 37th base of the season as the Astros beat the Rockies 7-5. |
Our View: Nice to see Bourn take a walk, which is something he has not done nearly enough of. His on-base percentage remains under .300, and he is hitting just .222, not the ideal situation for fantasy owners, despite his stolen base production.
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| Brad Hawpe had two hits, including a three-run home run, though the Rockies bullpen blew a lead and the team fell to the Astros, 7-5. |
Our View: Hawpe started off poorly, but he has really picked it up, and fantasy owners who were skeptical should be pleased with Hawpe's overall production.
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| Jose Valverde got save number 40 on the season, striking out the side when closing out the Astros 7-5 victory over the Rockies. |
Our View: Valverde has been as solid as advertised for the Astros, and his good control has been a benefit to fantasy owners, as his BB/9 is under 3.00, helping him to a solid WHIP that is under 1.20.
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| Anderson Hernandez did not get a base hit, but he was still on base four times, going 0-for-3 with four walks in Washington's 7-4 win over Atlanta. |
Our View: Hernandez is hitting .368 in 38 at-bats on the season, and should be considered in NL-only leagues, but realize he has limitations, such as power.
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| In an otherwise forgettable day for Elijah Dukes, his bases loaded double in the 14th inning scored all three Nationals runners, as Washington took down the Braves, 7-4. Dukes was 0-for-6 in the game before that at-bat. |
Our View: Dukes has had trouble staying healthy, and strikes out too frequently, but he has shown flashes, and fantasy owners should keep him in mind for 2009.
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| B.J. Ryan has had a relatively successful season as the Blue Jays closer, but his lack of command has been a bit of an issue, according to BlueJays.com. "It's not a velocity issue. It's his command. I had the surgery, and I know sometimes you lose a little bit of a feel for the ball," said Jays pitching coach Brad Arnsberg. |
Our View: Ryan has walked 4.33 batters per nine innings, but he is also striking out nearly nine. He isn't as dominant as he once was, but remains a quality option for fantasy owners.
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| There is a possibility that Dodgers hurler Brad Penny will be back with the team after next weekend, according to Dodgers.com. Penny threw a bullpen session on Friday and is scheduled to throw two more before being activated. |
Our View: Penny will come out of the 'pen when he returns, so his fantasy value will likely be minimal.
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| Takashi Saito threw 16 pitches without pain in a simulated game on Sunday, and he could be ready to go by next weekend if everything goes right, according to Dodgers.com. |
Our View: Jonathan Broxton has been the closer with Saito out, and fantasy owners should keep in mind that there is no promise Saito will regain his ninth inning role as soon as he returns.
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| Despite going 3-for-5 and scoring a run, Twins catcher Joe Mauer could not lead his team to a win over the Tigers, falling by the score of 7-5. |
Our View: Mauer now has multiple-hit games in four of the six he has played in September. His average is at .326, the highest it has been since July 10, when it was at .328.
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| Miguel Cabrera had two hits in five at-bats, including his 32nd home run of the season, to help the Tigers to a 7-5 win over the Twins. |
Our View: Cabrera is now hitting .348 on the month, along with nine RBI. He will not quite live up to the expectations of fantasy owners unless he can push that batting average over .300, but he has been worth the first-round pick anyway.
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| Minnesota's Glen Perkins lost just his fourth game of the year by allowing five runs (three earned) in 5.2 innings in the Twins 7-5 loss to the Tigers. |
Our View: Despite his stellar record, Perkins has an ERA of 4.11, and has given up at least four runs in four of his last five starts.
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| Victor Martinez was the DH for the Indians, and he got two hits in three at-bats while driving in all three Cleveland runs in their 3-1 win over the Royals. |
Our View: Martinez is hitting .333 with six RBI since coming off the DL, rewarding any fantasy owner who stuck with him in his long stint away.
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| Jose Guillen went 2-for-3 and scored the Royals lone run in their 3-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians. |
Our View: Guillen has managed to alienate himself from fans in Kansas City, but fantasy owners are pretty happy with his 18 home runs and 86 RBI.
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| Indians pitcher Cliff Lee won his 21st game of the season by throwing 7.1 innings and giving up just one run on seven hits in the Tribe's 3-1 win over the Royals. |
Our View: No fantasy owner could have possibly seen this coming, and who knows if he will follow it up in 2009 with a similar performance, but right now, he is arguably the best pitcher in the American League.
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| Francisco Rodriguez is now two short of tying the all-time single season saves record, as he accumulated his 55th of the season by striking out two White Sox in the ninth inning of the Angels 3-2 win. |
Our View: Barring some sort of catastrophe, Rodriguez will break the single season record of 57, and has a chance to get more than 60. Fantasy owners are enjoying one of the most prolific seasons by a reliever ever.
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| Jermaine Dye has had better games than the one he played in the White Sox 3-2 loss to the Angels. Dye went 0-for-3 and struck out twice. |
Our View: This is the third time in six games Dye has struck out multiple times. He has struggled to a .217 average in September.
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| After a rough end to the month of August, Joe Saunders has had a much better September, and continued that Sunday by leading the Angels to a 3-2 win over the White Sox. Saunders went 7.1 innings and surrendered two earned runs on four hits. |
Our View: This is the Saunders fantasy owners are more used to seeing. It looks like he is over his struggles, and now has 15 wins on the year.
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| Greg Dobbs had a double, home run, scored twice and knocked in three in a 2-for-4 performance Sunday against New York. The Phillies wound up with a 6-2 victory. |
Our View: With just 192 at-bats, Dobbs does not see enough regular playing time to be considered for fantasy purposes, but he has had a nice season, and his average is now over .300.
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| David Wright went 1-for-4 and knocked in one run, but the Mets lost to the Phillies by the score of 6-2. |
Our View: Wright had a very good August, and has a hit in four straight games in September, but don't let that fool you. He is hitting just .190 on the month.
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| Jamie Moyer continued his great season, winning his 13th game of the year by going seven innings and allowing just two hits in the Phillies 6-2 win over the Mets. |
Our View: Moyer had one rough start in the month of August, but has otherwise been outstanding of late. He is 45 years of age, and will pitch again next year, so his recent play is encouraging in that respect.
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| Albert Pujols had just one hit in four at-bats, but it was an important two-run home run that would propel the Cardinals to a 3-1 win against the Marlins. It was his second home run in as many days. |
Our View: Pujols now has 32 home runs and 95 RBI, and he should get some serious consideration for National League MVP.
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| Marlins first baseman Mike Jacobs hit his 30th home run of the year in a 2-for-3 effort, but it was not good enough, as Florida lost 3-1 to the Cardinals. |
Our View: The bad news for fantasy owners is that Jacobs has just five hits this month. The good news? Three of them are home runs.
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| Adam Wainwright had a great outing against the Marlins, throwing eight innings and allowing just one run on six hits while striking out six in the Cardinals 3-1 win. |
Our View: Since coming back from the DL, Wainwright is 3-0 with a 1.43 ERA in four starts. His fantasy stock for 2009 goes up with each outing.
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| Headley went 2-for-5 with his ninth home run of the season for the Padres on Sunday. |
Our View: Quietly, Headley has proven to be a fine left fielder for the Padres this season. He is now hitting .268-9-30 in 261 at-bats, putting himself in place to win a job next season.
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| Young came within four outs of a perfect game on Sunday before allowing a home run to Gabe Kapler. He finished the game with his fifth win of the season, allowing two hits, one run, no walks and striking out five. |
Our View: There's the Chris Young we saw last season. It has been a trying season for Young's owners, but hopefully this is a sign that he has turned things around for the stretch run.
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| Rodriguez left Sunday's game in the second inning with a left oblique strain, the Associate Press reports. |
Our View: We will keep you posted on his status.
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| Longoria, activated from the DL on Saturday, took 60 swings before Sunday's game, the Associated Press reports. |
Our View: He hopes to return to the lineup late this week.
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| Dickerson was scratched from Sunday's lineup with a sore ankle, but he pinch hit in the ninth inning. |
Our View: Apparently, the injury is not too serious. Look for him to rejoin the lineup soon.
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| Soriano went 0-for-3 but continued his onslaught for fantasy owners by swiping two bases on Sunday. |
Our View: Three home runs and two stolen bases in two days. That's a nice weekend for Soriano and fantasy owners.
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